Chiang Xiao certainly wouldn’t quarrel with money. Whoever came to buy was fine, as long as they paid enough.
Fortunately, the mushrooms had already been sold, and there were only seven or eight bunches of Tianxiang Green left; otherwise, having Chiang Baoguo see their full display might indeed have caused trouble.
"Sister, the rabbits are seventy cents a pound. These three weigh about the same, six pounds and one, five pounds and three, five pounds and five. Which one would you like to pick?"
As she spoke, she picked up the steelyard balance.
"Second Uncle, did you catch these rabbits?" Chiang Baoguo was still visibly shocked.
He had been mentally prepared to encounter Chiang Songhai. However, he roughly knew where Chiang Songhai usually set up his stall, and he only had a few medicinal herbs. Being an honest man, he couldn’t secure a good spot and would always be in the most remote corners. Baoguo planned to simply avoid that area, never expecting Chiang Songhai to be in such a prime spot this time!
And how could he have so much Tianxiang Green?
Tianxiang Green was one thing, but why were there three wild rabbits?
You must know, during the years of famine, the nearby mountains had been nearly stripped bare. Meat was scarce even when eating communal meals, so after years of hunting in the mountains, it was almost impossible to catch these creatures.
Only those hunters, skilled and experienced, with exceptional courage, who specialized in this trade, would venture deep into the mountains to hunt.
But it couldn’t possibly be his Second Uncle!
You see, Chiang Songhai and his wife, along with their granddaughter Chiang Xiao, were all frail. They barely managed farming, let alone hunting!
Moreover, these three wild rabbits were unharmed, in perfect condition.
This was truly bizarre.
"Yes... I caught them." Chiang Songhai was not good at lying, especially not when it came to deceiving members of the Old Chiang Family. He almost let slip Chiang Xiao’s involvement.
Before Chiang Baoguo could speak, Ding Meifen had already lit up with excitement, clapping her hands.
Fantastic? What’s so fantastic?
Chiang Xiao and Chiang Songhai both looked at her somewhat bewildered.
Ding Meifen wasn’t looking at them but rather was looking up at Chiang Baoguo with a coquettish tone, "Brother Baoguo, you know I don’t have a big budget for this family dinner, but I promised my dad it would be sumptuous. However, these rabbits are so expensive. It’s fortunate they’re from your family’s catch!"
Chiang Xiao felt something was amiss upon hearing this.
What does she mean by "fortunate they’re your family’s rabbits"?
They might all share the surname Chiang, but they were not one family!
And even if they were Chiang Family’s rabbits, what concern was it to someone with the surname Ding? What was their relationship?
Chiang Songhai also felt something was off, and Ding Meifen’s expression and tone when talking to Chiang Baoguo made him uncomfortable. Yet he didn’t know how to respond and remained silent.
Chiang Baoguo was still shocked that Chiang Songhai managed to catch three wild rabbits, but Ding Meifen’s words struck a chord with him.
After some thought, he said to Chiang Songhai, "Second Uncle, which are the bigger ones?"
The three rabbits were not much different in size, but a few more ounces meant more meat.
Chiang Songhai pointed out, "This one is six pounds and one, and this one is five pounds and five."
The total for the two rabbits would be eight yuan, one jiao, and two fen. There were small denominations of currency at the time, so naturally not a single cent could be missed. One cent could buy three little candies at the little sundry shop.
Chiang Baoguo nodded, reaching out to grab the two rabbits. "Alright, then I’ll take these."
Before his hands could touch the rabbits’ ears, Chiang Xiao, quick and vigilant, pulled the basket toward herself.
She looked at Chiang Baoguo, then at Ding Meifen, and asked with a smile, "Uncle, will you be paying, or will this lady be paying? These two cost eight yuan, one jiao, and two fen, but since you’re a friend of my uncle, we’ll round down and say eight yuan."