Chapter 139 (1/2)

Chapter 139: 139

Yu Xiaocao taught Zhenxiu Restaurant how to cook tomatoes in a few ways . By doing so, she had managed to attract many unexpected customers to the restaurant . The rarer something is, the greater its value . Naturally, the Yu Family’s tomatoes were sold at a very expensive price, almost at the level of some extremely rare fruits . The Yu Family’s small patch of tomatoes helped them earn quite a bit of wealth .

Although it was now the regular season for produce to hit the market, the Yu Family’s vegetables excelled not only in taste but also in freshness compared to the other offerings . Consequently, even though the Yu Family’s produce was slightly more expensive than other people’s, the Yao Family and Zhenxiu Restaurant still solely bought from them .

Of course, now that it was in season, the vegetables were much cheaper than they were at the start of spring . The days of selling vegetables at a price higher than pork were gone for now!

As the first rays of the morning sun illuminated the top of the West Mountain, the birds still in their nests started to chirp and sing . Yu Xiaocao crawled consciously out of bed to wash her face . Little s.h.i.+tou huddled within the blankets and watched her enviously .

“If there’s anything you want, Older Sister will buy it for you in the prefectural city!” Yu Xiaocao told Little s.h.i.+tou in a sisterly tone .

Little s.h.i.+tou thought for a bit and then shook his head, “There’s nothing I want, no need to spend money on snacks or toys . If there are any cheap stationery items, like brushes and paper, buy some of those for me . I feel like my calligraphy, compared to the other students in my dorm, is less elegant . ”

“The students who share a room with you are either from scholarly or wealthy families . For the most part, they likely started learning and practicing at the age of three . How old were you when you got to hold a brush? It’s not shameful for you to be a little behind them!” Yu Xiaocao believed that having a compet.i.tive spirit wasn’t a bad thing but having an obsession with getting first place wasn’t good either .

Little s.h.i.+tou flipped over in the bed and remarked cheerfully, “I’m not comparing myself to other people . The teacher also said that having elegant handwriting will be very helpful for me when I take the exams in the future . I already started later than other people, so I really need to work hard to catch up vigorously . If stationary items are cheaper in the prefectural city compared to town, then please take this opportunity to get more so I have some spares in case! You don’t need to spend the family’s fund, I have more than enough pocket money to cover the cost!”

Ever since Little s.h.i.+tou had gone into town to study, Xiaocao had never stopped giving him pocket money . Every week he received at least thirty to fifty copper coins as pocket money . However, the little fellow was thrifty and hated to spend it . Instead, he saved it up to buy brushes, ink, and paper . However, his second sister was too thoughtful and he was never short of those items . Thus, his little purse had over several hundred copper coins in it now .

Yu Xiaocao walked over, pinched his small face, and grinned, “Keep the few coins you have in your purse and use it to buy some snacks! You don’t need to worry about getting stationary . After all, you have Second Sister ah! Your second sister has money now and, in the future, will have even more! Just focus on studying and you don’t need to think about the rest!”

After the osmanthus duck at Zhenxiu Restaurant became famous, the Yu Family had at least a thousand taels of income every year . Not only could they afford to send one child to school, but if they also wanted to send every child at home to school, it wouldn’t be too expensive for them . Being wealthy and prosperous was truly the way to live!

“Uncle Yu, where’s Xiaocao? Can we set out now?” The sound of Zhao Han’s voice reached both siblings’ ears .

Little s.h.i.+tou gently laughed, “Second Sister, stop touching my face! Don’t make Brother Han get anxious from waiting too long!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Xiaocao hurriedly grabbed her small cloth bundle that she had packed the day before and rushed quickly out of the room .

Madam Liu was in the middle of giving the dried rations to her husband when she saw Xiaocao still wearing the clothes she had on yesterday . She frowned, “Didn’t I make you a new set of clothing? Quickly change into it!”

“This set is pretty good ah! Don’t need to change…” Xiaocao looked at the clothing on her body . Although it was crafted from rough homespun, it didn’t have any dirt or patches on it . What’s the point in changing?

Yu Hai chuckled, “Your mother told you to change clothing, so you should go change! Wearing new clothing when you head out on a trip will give you good luck . ”

Yu Xiaocao wanted to argue more but she was pushed by her mother back into the room . Madam Liu took out a brand new, embroidered, cotton-lined coat and bottom from a chest made of rattan . The short jacket was pale blue in color with flowers embroidered at the collar and waist . It was paired with a deep blue pair of culottes that reached the ankles . Although it was technically a pair of culottes, it didn’t look any different from a regular skirt . However, it really did have pant legs, and this type of clothing would make it easier for a person to ride a horse or walk long distances .

Although the clothes were made out of cotton cloth, the cloth was of better quality and weave . After was.h.i.+ng and starching, it held its shape very well and made the wearer look quite stylish . This was the first time since she had transmigrated over that Yu Xiaocao was able to wear a set that was so formal . She turned a few times in front of Madam Liu, admiring herself . Her two hands went to frame her face as she beamed a smile, “Mother, am I pretty?”

“Alright, stop showing off your looks! Sit down, Mother will help you style your hair into two buns . ” Madam Liu had deft and nimble hands . Before long, she finished styling Xiaocao’s hair and used a long band of ribbon to decorate, tying it into a large bow .

With the waist of her short jacket emphasizing her slender and delicate waist, two hair buns, a tender and pale snow-white face, and a pair of large, limpid dark eyes, Xiaocao looked incredibly adorable .

When Zhao Han, who was in the midst of harnessing up the little donkey with a horse saddle, saw the dressed up Yu Xiaocao, he almost didn’t recognize her . He looked closely at her for a bit before he joked, “Oh! Where did this beautiful girl from a humble family come from? Looks so cute and adorable!”

Yu Xiaocao opened her eyes wide and put both hands on her hips . She lightly said, “Brother Han, are you trying to flirt with me?”

Zhao Han’s face immediately turned bright red, and he couldn’t meet her gaze, “I . . . I was sincerely trying to compliment you!”