Farmer's Favorite

As the year gets closer and closer.

On this day, with great interest, Zhuang Xinyan asked for some red paper from Xiaoyi, and when he entered the house, he pulled Lin Qi to his side and said, "Let's write some couplets, the couplets on the gate and the main room." Just use what we wrote, and post and buy from other places.”

Zhuang Xinyan seemed to be gearing up, eager to try.

The weather was cold, and the charcoal fire in the house was burning enough. During this period of time, they didn't go out very much. When there was nothing to do, he was teaching his little husband how to read and write.

Lin Qi is clever, and can read more and more characters, and can write.

It can only be said that they were the ones taught by Zhuang Xinyan. The handwriting of the two of them seems to be their own 'cursive script', but fortunately, they can still be recognized after careful examination.

After laying out the red paper, Zhuang Xinyan handed Lin Qi a brush, and said, "Come on."

Lin Qi was indeed a bit hesitant to start, not to mention whether he could write it well, but he had no idea what to write, if he didn't see the rare interest in the person in front of him, he would definitely retreat.

He asked, "What should I write?"

Zhuang Xinyan opened his mouth and came: "The sun and the moon are close, the red flowers are side by side, the spring breeze is proud of the golden house, and you write the first half of the couplet, and I will write the second half."

Lin Qi didn't quite understand the meaning of this couplet, so he asked again: "Is this what you thought? What do you mean?"

"Your husband doesn't have this ability. He heard it from the outside." Zhuang Xinyan said, leaning forward again and explaining in Lin Qi's ear.

Lin Qi's ears were red when he heard this, and he immediately shook his head, "Change to another one."

Zhuang Xinyan quit. "It's pasted in our main house, and people who come in can't see it. Even if they see it, how many literate people in our village?"

Lin Qi was still a little displeased. It would be too embarrassing to hang these "safflowers at the same time" and "spring breeze" outside the door of his house, but seeing the obvious expectation on the face of the person in front of him, Lin Qi could only bite the bullet and agree.

It's just that there are not many red papers, so he is not sure that he can write well all at once, and he has to practice first.

With the brush dipped in ink, Lin Qi began to practice calligraphy on the rice paper next to him.

It didn't take much effort, a piece of rice paper is full of writing, without a single gap, Zhuang Xinyan said: "You don't need to save it, just buy it when you run out."

As he spoke, he pulled the rice paper away.

Lin Qi was really reluctant. Rice paper, brushes and ink are not essential items, and they are very expensive. It is no wonder that it is very expensive for ordinary people to read for one person. He said: "One hundred Wen only takes about twenty sheets The rice paper is not expensive any more.”

There are also uncut ones, about one hundred and fifty sheets. It is said that he practiced calligraphy with uncut ones to save money. It’s just that he didn’t go with him when buying rice paper. They are all good paper, and I bought a stack as soon as I bought them.

Zhuang Xinyan didn't take it seriously, picked up a pen and practiced, "When spring comes, I'll teach you how to make paper. It's not difficult, maybe our family will have another business."

"You know how to make paper?" Lin Qi was a little surprised at first, but seeing how Zhuang Xinyan was writing, there would be no room for two large characters on a piece of paper. What made him feel distressed was that he pinched his arm and said, "Write small characters." Come on, there is no one who can practice calligraphy like you."

Zhuang Xinyan hummed: "We have to write on red paper, so naturally we have to practice big characters to get the effect."

Lin Qi was afraid that he would waste any more, so he hurriedly said: "Then you don't practice, the handwriting is very beautiful, just write it on the couplet."

Zhuang Xinyan was funny, and stretched out his other hand to hook his chin: "I'm afraid you are the only one in this world who praises my handwriting. Come, I will reward you."

Saying that, without waiting for Lin Qi's reaction, he possessed him and leaned over.

When the two lips touched, Zhuang Xinyan deliberately made a 'boo' sound.

This sound echoed in the room, and Lin Qi felt that it hadn't stopped for a long time.

Lin Qi wrinkled his nose, without even thinking about it, he just stretched out his hand holding the pen, and walked towards the face of the person in front of him.

Just in an instant, he made a 'poof' and laughed.

He couldn't help stepping back slowly, seeing Zhuang Xinyan rushing towards him, Lin Qi quickly turned around and ran, but he couldn't run any better than this man, being hugged from behind, Lin Qi felt a burst of wetness painted on his face Itchy, he didn't run away at all, and fought back.

One has a crisp smile, and the other has a mellow smile.

Playing around in this warm room.

Charcoal Cake, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened by the burst of laughter. He raised his head to look at the two people, sniffed his nose, and laid his head and two forelimbs on his head. There was a small snoring sound.

Along with the slight snoring, the playful laughter still didn't stop.

I don't know how long it took.

The door of the room was opened, and a person with a turtle on his face and a few flowers on his face walked out, holding hands, and went to wash their faces together...

Although it took quite a while, the task of the two of them was considered completed.

The two couplets were written with the joint efforts of the two husbands and wives.

After Lin Qi washed his face, he went to the kitchen to make paste. Zhuang Xinyan also brought out the couplets, window grilles and lanterns he bought a few days ago.

The house is big enough, and I bought a dozen or so lanterns, and the two biggest ones are supposed to be hung on both sides of the gate.

Zhuang Xinyan sized it up and saw that there was a place for candles, he suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart, he asked Lin Qi who came over, "The candles are always lit, right? You have to take them down after they are extinguished." Change?"

Lanterns are all hung high, and it is extremely troublesome to go up and down.

It’s okay if there are one or two candles, but it’s really a hassle to change candles every day for a dozen or so, or to put them out during the day and then light them at night.

"You don't need money to be a candle, and you still light it all day long." Lin Qi yelled at him, feeling that his face was still sore right now, and he just wiped the ink clean with his boss's tightness.

Immediately, Zhuang Xinyan stretched out his hand, and lightly stroked the little husband's cheek, as if to smooth his hair.

Lin Qi gave him a white look, and then reluctantly said: "Just hang it up now, and wait until the Chinese New Year two days before lighting it up."

Next, the two of them worked together to hang up a dozen or so lanterns.

Waiting for the paste to boil, then paste the window grilles and couplets.

After working for half a day, many places in the house were filled with bright red and joyful colors, which felt very warm to the eyes.

At this time, Lin Qi stood outside the gate, looking at the lanterns hanging above, and at the couplets pasted on both sides, the more he looked at it, the more he liked it.

He was still a little puzzled by Zhuang Xinyan's proposal earlier.

But now looking at the couplets on both sides of the door, they are all handwriting that I am very familiar with.

One comes from him, and the other comes from him.

The two faced each other, and the horizontal batch on the beam above the head, the four big characters were written by the two of them holding hands, one stroke at a time.

Now looking up into the distance, Lin Qi suddenly felt that their handwriting...was so beautiful.

Standing beside Lin Qi, Zhuang Xinyan lowered his head slightly in Lin Qi's ear, and said softly: "When it happens next year, the year after, and every year, we will write it. When we get old and can't walk, let us write it." The children and grandchildren will post it."

Lin Qi heard every word clearly.

With a smile on his lips, he nodded slightly.

Every year.

"At sunrise, the river flowers are red, and in spring, the river is as green as blue."

A crisp voice sounded, and the two turned their heads to look, only to find that it was Xiao Yi who was telling the people around him what was written on the couplet.

The house is not far from the stove house, and now people who come to buy flower cakes and order salted eggs are all on the side of the stove house, so naturally more people come and go.

Zhuang Xinyan and the two were busy up and down, which naturally attracted the attention of many people. Seeing that they were busy, they didn't bother to ask for help. That was because hanging lanterns and sticking couplets was their own business. How can outsiders intervene.

It's just that they couldn't help watching the excitement, and when they finished their work, they were all curious about the meaning of Zhuang Xinyan's couplet.

Xiao Yi, who heard it in it, immediately read it out.

"That sounds like a good sign."

"Isn't that right, Zhuang Xinyan's choice can be so bad, but after all, Xiao Yi has only been in school for a long time, and he can recognize so many characters, which is quite good."

"Xiao Yi, your school should be good, right? I plan to let that bastard in my family study and read in the next year. Can you help me ask your master if you still recruit people?"

"Hey, add me one, add me one, I don't ask my kid to be a scholar, as long as he can read and write."

One after another.

To put it bluntly, no one in their village went to the school before because there was no money in their pockets. At that time, even eating was a problem, so how could they send their children to the school for offerings.

But now, many people in Xishan Village can afford the money for their children to go to school.

Zhuang Xinyan was also listening at the side, feeling some consideration in his heart.

There are hundreds of households in Xishan Village, with a population of about 500 people, and dozens of children, and most of them want to be sent to the school to learn how to read.

Zhuang Xinyan was very sure about this.

If the villagers have not yet gone out and seen the outside world, they may have spare money in their hands, and they will not send their children to study and read.

However, whenever they go out to see, people's horizons are opened, and they will always have some ideas.

Since so many people want to go to the school, why should they look far away, it is better to build one in the village.

Find a place, work together to build a book school, invite a master to come back to sit in the hall, and save the children from going out of the village all the way.

Don't worry about what happened.

Suddenly, Zhuang Xinyan thought a lot, and even made plans.

But all of this is for himself.

When I think of my own baby, who will get up early and go all the way to study, it would be better to stay near home to save trouble.

Lin Qi also had a smile on his face when he heard this. After all, he was the folks he saw growing up, and he discovered during this time that in the past, the faces of the folks would always have a trace of sadness, but this year there is no such thing.

All of them were beaming, with smiles on their cheeks.

It's a smile that makes people happy, with a smile that looks forward to the future.

Everyone was talking. At this time, in a certain corner, one person looked jealous. He walked in the corner for a long time, but he couldn't move. I can't sit still until now.

He looked at the dealer's big house, and thought that the old woman could live in such a nice place.

I don't know whether to curse or regret it, maybe I am better to that old woman, and he has a part in this house.

Lin Wenjue took a small step, but took it back with a gasp. He is really scared now. He was beaten up by that bastard Zhuang Xinyan back then, and he spent half a month at home before recovering. To his surprise, the pain was so painful that he couldn't sleep well.

Seeing this person is very frightening now, if he can, he really doesn't want to deal with such a person.

Capable, capable, and ruthless, if he really offended, it would be a thankless thing. If it wasn't because of that stinky old woman, he would have flattered him a long time ago. How could it be like this? There is obviously money to pick up ahead, but there is a big river blocking it. If you want to go there, you have to suffer a lot.

Rubbing his hands together, Lin Wenjue finally stepped out.

This appearance, the people who were still chatting enthusiastically stopped in an instant, and looked at the person with a forbearance of anger, and one of them opened his mouth with a temper, and said, "You come here to do it!" What, you still want to find trouble."

As soon as he said this, the people around him immediately became vigilant.

If it was said that they would have cared that this was Lin Ma's family affairs before, but now Lin Ma lives in Zhuang Xinyan's house, and Zhuang Xinyan is very kind to them. If Lin Wenjue really wants to make trouble, they really don't care. Like before, he would only use his mouth to scold, but it's time to change it to his hands.

Lin Wenjue also swallowed his saliva. He didn't face Zhuang Xinyan yet. Looking at these people, his legs felt a little numb. He took a few deep breaths and shouted, "Why can't I come? I'm still here to buy things." It doesn't matter if you agree or not."

I don't know if it was because of his courage now, but he hurriedly said to that person again: "Zhuang Xinyan, I will buy a thousand salted eggs, and I will definitely not miss you. Seven taels of silver will be given to you now." you."

While talking, he also took out the silver, the glaring seven taels, indeed a lot of money.

To be honest, when Lin Wenjue took out the money, he also felt distressed. There might be some way to offend people. If he didn't take out the money, maybe they wouldn't sell it to him.

However, Lin Wenjue only expected half of it.

Even if he took out the money, Zhuang Xinyan would not sell it to him.

Or, it is not considered not to sell.

Zhuang Xinyan said this, "It's a coincidence that I can only take out ten salted eggs now. If you want it, you can go to the kitchen to get it."

If you sell ten salted eggs, you can earn [-] Wen.

If it was in the past, people in Xishan Village would be happy for half a day even if they earned twenty coins.

But now, they go out for a trip, and they can earn one or two taels of silver for ten days. How can Lin Wenjue pay attention to twenty Wenjue? There are more."

Zhuang Xinyan smiled: "Whether there is or not, it's really not up to you. If you want ten salted eggs, pay and take them away. If you don't want it, I won't force it."

Lin Wenjue was short of breath, and was about to step forward, but Zhuang Xinyan gave him a sharp look, and he was too frightened to move.

He could only leave with his sleeves twitched, and think about it when he went home.

From the beginning to the end, Lin Mashi was watching by the door without saying a word.

It was because, she was thinking, whether her original decision was really wrong.

To put it bluntly, although she was not Lin Wenjue's biological mother, she was still a mother anyway. If she really wanted to sue Lin Wenjue for being unfilial, she could sue Lin Wenjue no matter whether it was in the village or in the yamen.

Originally, I just thought that Lin Wenjue was her son under the name of the old man. If the old man left, he could still have incense. Even though there was no blood relationship, the genealogy was indeed a real father and son.

This is how to accommodate Lin Wenjue's family to sell her fields and land, and continue to eat well and live well.

Seeing that the little child in the past has turned into a hideous person now, why doesn't her heart ache, but no pain can compare to hatred.

Lin Ma thought, there are some things that she should really think about.

……

And in another corner of the village.

The courtyard of a family is lively and lively, with many daughters-in-law and mother-in-law sitting there.

The main reason was that the married daughter of this family rarely came back, so she called people who had fun around her to sit down and chat with her family.

Of course, there are reasons.

The woman said: "You know the family my daughter married into. The family is in good condition, and there is a good girl. You can help find her, and see if there is a good husband?"

As soon as he said this, everyone around laughed, and one of them said: "If she is really a good girl, she must be kept for our village. There are so many good girls, so choose as you like."

That woman actually meant the same thing.

Now the village is not as good as it used to be, and the sister-in-law of my daughter will definitely have a happy life if she chooses a good one to marry. In this way, the in-laws' family thinks of their kindness, and they will not be able to support their own daughter.

In this way, she winked at her daughter and asked her to answer the conversation.

However, Lin Ju didn't answer the question, but asked a little bluntly: "It's not urgent, I heard that the husband of the village chief's youngest son is pregnant, so what about his second brother? It seems that they have been married for less than half a year, why haven't there been any movements?"

After saying this, the smiles on the faces of the people in the courtyard were much restrained.

The second elder brother of Mr. Lin's youngest son's husband.

The words were twisted and turned, but no one could tell that they were talking about Lin Qi.

Lin Ju's mother asked: "What are you doing asking about this? Their family is doing well, even if they have no children, there is no hurry."

"There's no rush here." Lin Ju said bravely, also wanting to complete the task her mother-in-law told her when she came here. She said: "The dealer is so capable now and has made a lot of money. Although he is married, he can Shuang'er is difficult to have a child. Mother, why don't you ask for me, my little girl also knows that she is very good-looking and gentle. If the dealer wants to, she will be a flat wife... Oh, mother, why did you do it? ah."

Lin Ju never expected that her mother who loved her would open it directly in front of so many people.

Lin Ju's mother not only beat her, but also kicked the girl out, she pointed at her nose and scolded: "Go to your husband's house and tell them that there is no way, what did mother tell you earlier? The dealer has kindness to us, and Lin Qi has kindness to us, so if you are doing this now, you are repaying your kindness with revenge."

Lin Ju was in a hurry, she really didn't expect her mother to drive her out, so she said quickly: "Mother, didn't I just talk..."

"Don't call me mother, I'm a woman, I don't understand the general principles, but I know that the couple of the Zhuang family are living a good life, why should you make irresponsible remarks, and I don't even think about whether you have the qualifications." After finishing speaking, no matter what the girl said, she just closed the door and yelled inside the door: "Don't go back to your mother's house during the Chinese New Year. When will you know that you are wrong, and when will you come back? Otherwise, mother will not treat you as a girl." .”

There were quite a few people in the yard, but none of them stood up and tried to persuade them. They all thought that Lin Ju should be taught a lesson.

Waiting for Lin Juniang to pat her chest and calm down, in fact, she also knew in her heart that she was a very stupid girl, she must have been guessed by her husband's family, if she was not strict, the girl would definitely not be able to figure it out. If my sister-in-law goes to set up a line, she will definitely offend Zhuang Xinyan and his wife, and make their family feel ashamed in the village.

She calmed down and said: "It's only been a few months, Zhuang Xinyan, Lin and the others are not in a hurry, but they are jumping up and down in a hurry."

"Boy Zhuang has a good heart, and Lin Qi is a kind person. They are all people with good fortune. There is no need to worry about good days to come." An older mother-in-law said.

"That's right, the couple is living a good life now. I can see that they have to hold hands every time they go out. No matter how nice outsiders are, they may not be in Zhuang Xinyan's eyes."

"In my opinion, they are a match made in heaven. Maybe after a few years, there will be too many children to pretend."

"That's right, that's right." A new daughter-in-law also interjected, and she said: "However, these worried people can't tell what bad things they say behind their backs. I heard that there is a witch in the next village. Kong will go there to worship and pray for them."

"Oh, I'm free tomorrow, let's go together."

"I'll go too, I'll go too. If there are too many of us, we will pay our respects. God will definitely hear it. Then all the good fortune will be reported to Zhuang Xinyan and Lin Qi."

"Then let's go together."

As we talked, a dozen or so women and daughters-in-law in the room were invited to pray together, and even Lin Juniang was among them.

And the second day.

Many people in Xishan Village suddenly found that their wife and daughter-in-law had disappeared. After searching for someone to ask, they found out that they had gone to the next village to pray for blessings.

Who are you praying for?

Naturally, it is for the two people who are kind-hearted.