Cross-country exchange

Xia Yu and Xie Yun rushed early and arrived at Baizhuang at just the right time. After breakfast, the members of Xie's family went to work separately, and only Grandma Xie and Xia Bing were left at home.

Xia Yu carried a lot of things in his hand, some were specially prepared for pregnant women, and some were prepared according to what Xie Yun said.So as soon as Xie's grandma took over, she knew it in her heart.

"You child, you are so polite when you come here. Sit down for a while. Xia Bing, pour Xia Yu a glass of water first." After Xie Ama greeted Xia Yu, she pulled her brother aside and nodded his little forehead "I didn't say anything early when I came back. Now grandma is going to make some dishes for you. You can sit with Xia Bing and the others for a while." Xie grandma was about to go out after finishing speaking.

Xie Yun pulled him away, "Grandma, don't be too busy, Brother Xia and I came to see Brother Xia Bing specially this time, the house is quite busy over there, we may have to rush home after we have a conversation For dinner."

When the two of them were on the road, Xie Yun had already made up his mind, in order to avoid any conflicts between his second brother and brother Xia that would make it difficult for Xie Ama, they should leave early and return early.

Upon hearing this, Grandma Xie poked her brother's brain again angrily, and said in a low voice, "It's so unpleasant to stay at Grandma's house for dinner, what do you want the Xia family to say about Grandma? Could it be that you didn't stay for dinner when you came?"

Xie Yun thought about it, and it seemed that this was indeed the case. After Grandma Xie said a word, he finally sat next to Xia Yu with his mouth curled up, listening to their chat.

Xia Yu pinched his angry face, turned his head and continued to talk to Xia Bing, "Since the doctor said so, brother, you can rest at home and don't think about anything."

Xia Bing sighed, and stroked her swollen stomach. The family is so busy, how could she not think about anything.But it's strange to say that when Xia Bing was first conceived, it was just in time for the busy farming season. He was always feeling uncomfortable and had no appetite for anything to eat. He lost more than ten catties in a few days. Didn't pay much attention, just thought it was cold or something.Later, when she found out she was pregnant, the doctor in the village reminded the Xie family that this was the first child, and that she should not be too tired in the first few months and should take good care of her.Grandma Xie was overjoyed when she heard that, and tried to give him various supplements, but in the end the weight didn't increase, but the little belly came out.

"When Grandma came over last time, she mentioned that you were going to open a shop in the county, little brother, what do you think?" Xia Bing was most worried about his younger brother after getting married, especially Xia Yu's last time. I gave him a few taels of silver as a dowry, and I didn't think too much about it at the time.After coming to Xie's house, he thought about it for a while, the younger brother's money came too strangely.Later, after hearing Grandma Xia's affirmative answer, Xia Bing felt a little relieved.

From Xia Bing's point of view, the younger brother is capable, and after earning so much money, he saves some and puts it there in case there is an urgent need in the future.It is best for the younger brother and husband to live a good life.I can't figure out what's going on in Xia Yu's head. No one in their Xia family has such experience in opening a shop.

"It's quite profitable to open a shop. You see, Cao's family opened a shop in the county, and life is not getting better every day. So don't worry too much, brother." Xia Yu cited the one Xia Bing is most familiar with and can be regarded as the most encouraging in the village. example of the human heart.

"So, little brother, do you have everything in mind?" Xia Bing really didn't want to hit his younger brother. The Cao family is the Cao family, and the Cao family's shop is run by Mr. Cao, but the shop that Xia Yu wants to open is not even his father's. Mama has no idea, how can this be compared?

"Well, I met a few friends in the county. They are quite experienced in running stores. I can ask them if there is anything I don't understand."

Xia Yu didn't want Xia Bing to worry too much about his own affairs, so he immediately asked, "Brother, why don't you see brother-in-law?"

"Xie Yong has gone to the county to help people with small jobs, and he will come back around noon."

Xie Yun wanted to talk but couldn't get in. He didn't understand anything about the store, and he didn't understand the matters that should be paid attention to during pregnancy.As I listened, the more I listened, the more bored I became, and I started to feel sleepy, yawning from time to time or something, and the corners of my eyes were red.Xia Yu watched it funny. After he said he was going to come to Xie's house yesterday, the two of them packed up their things. The little guy was so happy that he couldn't sleep. No, if he didn't sleep at night, he would doze off during the day.

"What's wrong with Xiaoyun? He didn't sleep last night, why don't you accompany him in and sleep for a while." Xia Bing was very considerate, stood up and went to the back room.

Xia Yu squeezed Xie Yun's tender face, "If you want to sleep, go to sleep for a while, and we will go home when we wake up."

Xie Yun yawned again, nodded his head, and followed Xia Bing into the inner room.

In the end, Xia Yu and Xie Yun stayed for a meal. During the meal, Xie Xiong's attitude was not very good, with a cold face, as if someone owed him money, but at least he didn't beat anyone. It is a kind of progress.

What really surprised Xia Yu was that his brother-in-law Xie Yong was much thinner than before, even thinner than Xia Bing, and he didn't look very well, as if he had a serious illness.After he rushed back from the county, he said two or three words to Xia Yu, and then sat beside Xia Bing, concentrating on serving bowls and vegetables for him, and asking about his health.

Seeing this appearance, Xia Yu nodded secretly, a little relieved.

Before the two left, Aunt Xie ordered a lot of food for them to take away. Xia Yu couldn't refuse, and finally brought all of them back to Xia's house.

The next day, Xia Yu went directly to the county seat and met Tie Ruoshu.

"Brother Ruoshu."

As soon as Tie Ruoshu saw Xia Yu, he immediately said, "Brother Xia, wait for me, I'll be fine soon." Then he quickly handed over his work and walked out sweating.

Seeing that this season is still shirtless, Xia Yu raised his big finger silently, "Brother Ruoshu, is there anything I asked you to find out for me last time?"

Tie Ruoshu wiped his sweat with a cloth hanging around his neck, while pulling Xia Yu away from his house, "You said it happened three or four years ago, I asked my father for you last time, after that I asked a few more neighbors in the neighborhood. The matter is settled, but there are too many versions."

Xia Yu smiled and said, "It's okay, if Brother Ruoshu is not busy now, you can give me a paragraph for each version."

"Okay, just wait for me."

After speaking, Tie Ruoshu went back to the shop, put on his clothes and came out.Xia Yu invited him to the tea house, and the two of them chose a seat near the window.

"Brother Xia, you spend so much money, if I don't tell you something, wouldn't I be sorry for you?" Tie Ruoshu said jokingly, and said casually, "My father said, what will happen to your brother-in-law?" What I committed was quite a big disturbance at the time.”

Xia Yu nodded, if he was not old, why would he need to stay in prison for so long, and poured a cup of tea for Tie Ruoshu, "Well, what else did your father say?"

Tie Ruoshu imagined Father Tie's appearance at that time, imitated his tone and imitated, "The crime of obscenity, in all likelihood, it should be dragged out and beheaded."

Xia Yu: "..."

Tie Ruoshu laughed loudly after finishing speaking, and said in a low voice, "Brother Xia, don't be angry, my father later said that the brother your brother-in-law molested at that time had quite a strong background, he was a relative of the Liu family. Brother, otherwise, how could the yamen have given such a heavy sentence."

Xia Yu was a good listener, almost all Tie Ruoshu was talking about, and he was listening. After listening to a few versions, he probably understood what was going on.

The brother who was molested by his brother-in-law back then had a good background, and it is said that he was from a few famous families in the county.After this happened, the yamen changed the sentence from two years to four years. The Xie family spent a lot of money in it, but they didn't get him out.

Xia Yu asked again, "Brother Ruoshu, do you still know the whereabouts of this brother?"

Tie Ruoshu shook his head, "My father said that when the incident broke out, this brother probably felt ashamed to face others, and there were a lot of rumors outside, and he seemed to be sent to other places by his family in the end. If so, it should be marriage. As for how things are going now, I really don't know. Brother Xia, why are you asking this?"

Xia Yu said bluntly, "Since my brother-in-law did something wrong, I always have to ask him if he is doing well, and if he is good, he will not say anything. If it is not good, he must make up for it, otherwise my brother-in-law will not be happy for the rest of his life." disturbed."

In fact, after listening to the whole version of the story, Xia Yu felt that this matter was tricky.If you want to find out what happened back then, it is best to find the person involved.

Tie Ruoshu nodded seriously when he heard that, "Brother Xia, you really are righteous. I, Tie Ruoshu, admire righteous people the most. If you need anything from now on, just come to me."

Xia Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but nodded despite Brother Ruoshu's enthusiasm.

Xia Yu then met Feng Yang again.

"What you said before is true?" Feng Yang jumped up and down happily when he heard that Xia Yu was looking for a shop.This means that he will have a playmate in the future.

Feng Yang is Mr. Feng's book boy, and he serves Mr. Feng exclusively on weekdays, so his status is naturally unusual.In addition, Mr. Feng and Mr. Feng's family are not around recently. Apart from worrying about Butler Feng, he, a book boy, can basically walk sideways. However, the more this is the case, the more boring, empty, and lonely life seems.

Seeing Xia Yu now, Feng Yang is like a bird flying.

"Well, last time I asked you to help me pay attention to the shop, you must not pay attention." Xia Yu pointed it out directly, squinted and smiled, "Now I will give you a job to redeem your sins. If you do it well, I will naturally I will say a few good words for you in front of your young master. Otherwise—"

The threat is so obvious, it's like the rhythm of friendship every minute.

"Hmph, isn't it just a matter of finding a shop, I can help you get it done today."

Xia Yu shook his head, rubbed his chin and said, "I've taken a fancy to several shops, and I need to lower the price, but I have another thing I want to ask you."

Liu family.

"The Liu family? Are you talking about the Liu family?" Feng Yang stared wide-eyed, then squeezed the flesh of his thigh hard, as if he was afraid of hearing it wrong, "Xia Yu, what do you think you are asking about the Liu family?"

Seeing his surprised look, Xia Yu felt that he was asking the right person, "I'm just curious, why, the Liu family is very famous in the county?"

Hearing Xia Yu's words, Feng Yang almost lost his temper, "Of course you are famous, you just—" You have no common sense.

"In the county town, who doesn't know what the Liu family represents? You should see a lot of money houses on weekdays. Most of the money houses in the county are under the name of the Liu family. Besides, there are also Shu Ge'er workshops, incense powder The garden and so on are all properties under the name of the Liu family."

If what Feng Yang said is true, the Liu family is really rich and powerful.Xia Yu immediately realized with emotion, "From what you said, it seems that the Liu family is quite powerful."

Feng Yang almost vomited blood, he whispered in front of Xia Yu, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, don't mention what you just said in front of my young master, you know?"

Xia Yu made a bold guess. The Feng family seemed to be quite well-known in the county, and the Liu family was also a well-known family. One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, so these two families may have become enemies unknowingly?

Xia Yu's guess was correct. The Liu family is a prominent family in the capital, and the current Liu family is just a branch of the Liu family in the capital. They migrated to this place for unknown reasons.At that time, the Feng family was regarded as the largest family in the county. Without the strong intervention of the Liu family, life would have been much easier than it is now.

In other words, the two families didn't reach the situation where they are now facing each other. The Liu family had just established a foothold here, and at that time sent a letter of greeting to the Feng family.

After all, they came from the capital, and the Feng family gave enough face. As long as the bottom line was not involved, the Feng family would agree to whatever the other party wanted.At that time, the two families were so good that they had almost reached the point of marriage.The head of the Feng family is Feng Shao's grandfather who is now retreating to the side.Originally, they wanted to marry the elder brother of the Liu family, but something went wrong, and the two families not only failed to marry, but turned against each other.It is said that Feng Shao's grandfather had a serious illness because of this, and almost died of it.

After that, the two companies crowded out and suppressed each other in the business world.The Liu family is relying on the Liu family in the capital, and the Feng family is not bad. Although they can't stand in the capital, they still have the Murong family to help.So the two have maintained this relationship for many years.

Feng Yang couldn't help sighing, "If it weren't for the bet between Mr. Liu and my young master, my young master wouldn't have opened a handicraft workshop..."

Xia Yu remembered that the Shuge'er workshop he went to was almost blackmailed into cooperation.Hearing Feng Yang's words, I felt a little confused, "Feng Yang, why did your young master come back?"

Feng Yang sighed, "I don't know, usually the young master only goes back and forth for more than a month, but this time it seems that I heard that Jianbao will be very lively, even my master went there in person, maybe they didn't come back until almost a year ago. "

What are you doing when you come back to celebrate the New Year?

After Xia Yu went back, he thought about it for a long time, and felt that Brother-in-law Xie had been involved for so long, and he was not in a hurry to find out, so he simply didn't think about it, and continued to carve as usual.

There is one thing that is quite funny, a house is built in front of his house, there are many people going back and forth, every day outside the house is very lively.If Xia Yu wanted to calm down and carve, he could only wait until night, when the night was quiet, no one would bother him.

Xie Yun sometimes served tea and water outside the house, very diligent, but this little guy would also gossip about Xia Yu, for example, "Brother Xia, why do you think that Brother Luo always gets along with the third brother, and often makes the third brother angry? I just saw that the third brother was so angry that his face turned red."

Xia Yu didn't care when he heard it. He felt that Luo Liang was a troublemaker, and he would itch all over if he didn't cause trouble.However, for several days afterwards, he heard Xie Yun muttering about the two of them in his ears, "Third Brother secretly tripped Brother Luo today and asked Brother Luo to pick up an ingot, hee hee, I'm by the side I see, but I didn't betray my third brother."

"Brother Xia, Brother Luo is too bad. He hid the third brother's sickle, which caused the third brother to search for a long time but failed to find it. In the end, Grandma told me about it. I found out after the fact..."

"..."

After listening too much, Xia Yu rubbed his temples, and couldn't help but wonder why the way these two people get along seems to be not quite right.

So Xia Yu put down what he was doing and went out to help.Xie Yun's gaze changed from looking around everywhere to only staring at Xia Yu, as if everyone else in the audience was here to serve as a foil.

"Boy Xia, pass that thing to me." Xia Yu is at most doing helper work, he is good at carving, and building houses is not his thing.Building a house is like sculpting, you have to draw a draft in advance, and you have to work step by step after the draft is finished.

Xia Yu focused on two things. He handed things over while looking at Luo Liang calmly.

"Ah, you actually appeared." As soon as Luo Liang saw Xia Yu, he immediately dropped what he was doing and ran over, clicked his tongue twice, and joked, "Xia Xiaoyu, look at your skin color, you can soon be with your little girl." Compare it to my brother."

Xia Yu naturally knew what Luo Liang was laughing at. He basically stayed indoors all summer and didn't get much sun, so his skin naturally turned pale. Isn't this a normal thing?

But before it was Xia Yu's turn to refute, Xia Qiu stood up to support his little brother, he pointed at Luo Liang and said, "What's wrong with your white skin, little brother, you have the ability, do you have the ability? Is there any?"

Xia Qiu's temper is not that violent, but after hearing too many rumors in the village, he became a little angry.Especially seeing that Luo Liang actually made jokes like Xia Yu's, he couldn't help being a little sensitive.

"Third brother Xia Qiu, I'm talking to Xia Xiaoyu, what's bothering you, as a brother, you should sew and mend it, don't block us brothers from talking about the past." Luo Liang has a lot of things he wants to discuss with Xia Yu. On weekdays, because Xia Yu had to do carving work, he didn't have time to bother him.Now that Xia Yu is finally free, it is natural to hurry up.So with a light wave of his hand, he pushed Xia Qiu aside.

Xia Qiu seemed to be on the pole with him. After being pushed by Luo Liang, he immediately stood in front of him, supported his waist, gritted his teeth and said, "Boy Luo, if you dare to do something to me, I won't let you. Look at you!" what to do."

Xia Yu saw two roosters in the arena, their eyes widened and their aura was fully open, as if no one could join in.So he took a few steps back, looked at his third brother with some embarrassment, and then at Luo Liangxin.Alas, these two people... what should he do.

"Boy Xia, pass me the thing at your feet."

Xia Yu delivered it calmly, and then went back to the room silently.

When the people who built the house outside were resting, Xie Yun obediently handed everyone a big bowl of water and went back to the house.To his surprise, Xia Yu in the inner room turned his back to him, resting his head on one hand in a daze, and holding a carving knife in the other.

"Brother Xia, what are you thinking?"

Xia Yu glanced back at him, beckoned, and said, "Come over and talk to me."

"Ah."

Xie Yun saw that his woodcarving was only done, and he usually put it aside. Obviously, he encountered some kind of problem?So he said, "Brother Xia, what do you want to say?"

Xia Yu was thinking about the marriages of his brothers.Now that the eldest brother is pregnant with a child, his whole person looks different. The eldest brother-in-law is very good at pampering others. The two of them seem to be living happily, so he is a little relieved.Next, it should be the second brother Xia Chun's turn.Grandma Xia was also paying attention to the second brother's marriage, asking about it from time to time, but they searched for a long time, but they didn't find any good family.There are also those who want to come to propose marriage, but most of them are congenital disabilities or acquired disabilities. Anyway, they have more or less physical disabilities, or they have lost their companions at home. Naturally, these Xia family will not agree.

But the better families don't like their family, most of them think the older brothers are too old.

This is why Xia Yu went to the county to open a shop. If no one in the village liked his brothers, he would try to make more money and give more dowry so that the brothers could marry a good family.

"Xiaoyun, do you want to live in the county in the future?" Xia Yu asked suddenly.

Xie Yun recalled the few times he went to the city, and replied honestly, "If Brother Xia is going to the county, I am naturally happy to be with Brother Xia. But if Brother Xia doesn't go, I don't want to go either." go."

Xia Yu rubbed his little head, "Then do you like it?"

As soon as eating was mentioned, Xie Yun regained his energy immediately, his eyes lit up, "Brother Xia, are you planning to cook a meal for me?"

After Xie Yun came to Xia's house, he had a rare taste of Xia Yu's handicraft. The taste was so delicious that he could still remember it, and he has been thinking about it all the time since then.However, he still remembered that Grandma said that no useful boy should be on the stove, and his brother should do all these things.So even if he wanted to eat, Xie Yun didn't take the initiative to ask Xia Yu to make it for him.

"Well, you love food so much, why don't you take advantage of this time to let Brother Xia teach you what you want to eat." Xia Yu has eaten several meals made by his brothers. It's not that he is picky, but the meals made by several brothers It's too mundane and featureless.To put it more bluntly, he has no talent in cooking.The only ones in the family who can do well are Grandma Xia and Xie Yun.

Xia Yu held Xie Yun's little palm, unexpectedly, this little guy was willing to do anything despite his young age.There was already a thick layer of calluses on his palm, and his ten fingers were washed clean. Xia Yu squeezed Xie Yun's palm and said, "Let's go, let's pick some vegetables and make them for dinner tonight." Prepare."

It was not a temporary idea, Xia Yu thought that if he opened a restaurant, he would definitely not be able to let his brothers be the chefs, maybe he would also hire a chef who can cook special dishes.Of course, in Xia Yu's plan, it is best to train a chef at home, so that even if he is out of skills, someone can take over for him.

Xia Yu first went to look at the three medicinal herbs planted not far from the vegetable garden. The angelica had grown up, and he dug out a small half of them as medicinal materials, and prepared to dry them outside the house. At that time, they could be used as medicinal meals. eat.

Xie Yun was picking vegetables in the vegetable garden, and picked several two people to work together on the stove.

When Xia Yu was doing it, Xie Yun was watching carefully.

"Brother Xia, why did you put the condiments first and cover it with a bowl?" Xie Yun was a serious baby, if he didn't understand something, he asked first, then thought about it after asking, and then——suddenly realized.

"Taste the taste first, and the taste will remain in the dish itself, and it will not be covered up even if it is fried." Xia Yu basically does not give long explanations, and he often directly shows the results in front of Xie Yun, "Come, have a taste. "

Xie Yun tasted it a little, then nodded and said, "Brother Xia, the taste has come in, it has come in."

Xia Yu smiled, "These dishes are cold dishes. If you don't have time to cook them, you can fool them, but these cold dishes are also the best match for drinking."

The two of them cooked a few more dishes afterward. Xie Yun observed carefully from the sidelines. He found that as long as Big Brother Xia was cooking, there would be a lot of condiments, which made him a little depressed.

"If you want to mix cold dishes, the seasoning is the key. If you put it too much, it will not taste good, and if you put it too little, it will be even worse. If it is stir-fried, the heat is very important."

Xie Yun silently remembered it in his heart, and he had a new understanding of the seasoning.