Upon hearing about drunken crabs, Constable Hong became even more delighted and asked, "These are drunken crabs? Oh my, the Ju De building has been overcrowded every day because of these crabs. I go there whenever I have some free time, but that Old Man Li only serves a few plates every day, it’s really infuriating." He took a sniff with his nose and then grinned, "I’ve heard long ago that Old Man Li was in partnership with someone, I never expected it to be your family’s crabs."
"Yes, we’re grateful that Shopkeeper Li respects us and is willing to do business with us villagers."
"Ah, don’t belittle yourself, your drunken crabs are delicious. I’ve had the pleasure of trying them once, and the taste was just amazing!" Constable Hong laughed and waved his hand.
At this time, Constable Hong’s wife brought in some tea.
"Miss Yang, you don’t know. My husband has been talking about these drunken crabs nonstop since he had them once. I’m almost getting calluses from hearing about it."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia followed up, "Since Constable Hong likes it so much, I might as well bring you some more after we finish eating. It’s just some homemade stuff, so it’s not worth much."
"Ah, no, these crabs are being sold by your family. You can’t just give them away like that. I’m afraid even a small jar at the Ju De building would cost several taels of silver. It’s too precious. I understand your meaning, Xiaxia, but next time you pass through town, just come over and chat with Auntie Hong. Don’t bring any of these precious things again, or I won’t be happy."
Hearing Constable Hong say this, his wife quickly added, "Yes, Xiaxia, feel free to come over next time you’re in town."
After Constable Hong and his wife said these kind words, Yang Chuxia knew that they had accepted her goodwill and were willing to be friends with her.
How could Yang Chuxia be unhappy with that? She gladly accepted their offer.
After sitting in Constable Hong’s house for a while, she decided to take her leave. She initially planned to visit Constable Xu’s house, but she heard that Constable Xu had recently been transferred to Lin Town and was not in Wangquan Town. With that, she decided not to go.
Before leaving, Constable Hong told Yang Chuxia that the town had been rather unsafe lately. Without any important business, she should not come to the town easily. If she did come, after buying the necessary items, she should hurry back. Recently, many young girls went missing in the town – over a dozen had disappeared, but the culprit had not yet been caught.
Yang Chuxia found this news quite strange, but she wasn’t scared. She believed that there were few people who could catch her except for top-notch experts. However, to be on the safe side, she decided not to come to the town easily after today unless there was something pressing.
"Uncle Dayong, do you know where the cattle market is?" After leaving Constable Hong’s house, Yang Chuxia asked.
She planned to buy a cow and a cart, as her family would probably need them every day to buy vegetables and fresh shrimp and crab. It wouldn’t do to always borrow someone else’s cart or rent one from town.
"Are you planning to buy a cart?" Yang Dayong asked. He no longer thought that Xiaxia’s family could not afford to buy a cart. Just from the closeness between Xiaxia and Shopkeeper Li, he knew that the business must be doing well. Anyone who can do well with a tavern has certainly made a lot of money. He guessed Xiaxia’s house-building money must also have come from this business.
"Yes, it’s inconvenient without a cart, and we also have a few acres of land. In the past, my father plowed that land himself, which was quite exhausting. It’s better to buy a cow, it would make things much easier for my dad."