Shujun’s shop was to open, alongside three guesthouses, a restaurant, a ready-made clothing shop, and a cosmetic shop; six shops opening simultaneously.
As it was a grand day, the folks at Purple Garden had been bustling about since early morning.
Dressed neatly, Shu Yu, whose body was soft and weak, supported by his younger brother Yixuan, staggered out of his room, nearly falling several times due to dizziness.
His petite wife hurried over, followed silently by Lao Si, Liang Haoming, like a shadow guarding her.
Dong Huiying held aloft an object; it was a wooden wheelchair, designed by Dong Huiying and crafted by the skilled carpenter Lao Si.
"Why don’t you try sitting in it?" After saying this, she paused, "Wait a moment!" Then, she rushed into her room and brought out a small cushion to place on the wheelchair, to spare Shu Yu from an icy seat.
Shu Yu frowned; this contraption was somewhat novel.
Yixuan steadied Shu Yu as he sat down, and then his petite wife, from behind, grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and pushed it forward, taking a couple of steps.
As the wheelchair moved, Shu Yu was startled and clenched his fists, but realizing the chair was mobile yet seemingly safe, he gradually relaxed.
"Let’s get a blanket for your legs, to keep them from getting cold," Dong Huiying suggested, and fetched a brand-new small blanket.
Shu Yu finally seemed comfortable; recently unable to get out of bed, he would be out of breath and exhausted after just a few steps. Now with this chair, it seemed rather nice. He thought he might still be able to enjoy watching the snow, and a light, delightful smile spread across his face.
"Water?" He glanced askew at his petite wife, who like a little servant, responded with an "Ah!" and quickly brought him a water bladder filled with hot water. "Be careful, I just filled it; make sure not to burn your mouth."
"Humph," Shu Yu smirked, then hugged the water bladder, tucking his hands into his sleeves. The heat from the water filtered through, feeling quite warm.
Behind him, his older brother and others had a look of mixed amusement and pity; Lao Er really knew how to boss his wife around, causing everyone to laugh and sigh.
"The carriage is here, the carriage is here!" Yue Ning led the carriage towards Xihui Courtyard; the petite wife, with her strong arms, lifted Shu Yu into the carriage and then stuffed the wheelchair in after him.
She looked back at the others, "One carriage isn’t enough; shall we also set off?"
"Sure," the elder brother responded with a laugh, taking his wife’s hand and getting into the carriage with her.
Yixuan smiled and followed his older brother; Third Brother returning to pick up more people was no less eager.
So it was, Yue Ning leading the horses, and stoic-faced Lao Si exchanging glances...
Lao Si said nothing, sitting on a plank outside the carriage’s curtains. Yue Ning, catching on to how shrewd his fourth brother had become, sat down too.
Since the carriage couldn’t fit everyone inside, Lao Si and Lao Wu had to remain outside to drive the carriage.
The Dong family also rode in a carriage, driven by the plump Dong Xinyuan; Yun Ge and Hong Fei also brought several people, Yun Ge’s group purely adding to the crowd for the fun of it.