Chapter 42 (1/2)
Xue TingRang said he would copy it several times, but it became several dozen times.
Chen Jian and Li Datian both buried their heads in copying, only Mao BaDou bickered and kept smacking his lips while writing, “Hey, I didn’t know it. Ting Rang is also a blackhearted one. Signing a contract with someone and the contract only explains the regulations the other party must follow. It doesn’t mention anything about what rules the business must follow.”
Xue TingRang glanced at him, then took out some paper and handed it to him: “Seeing that you write very easily, copy a few more.”
“Is this just a few more? You are avenging your personal revenge.” Mao Badou yelled, but his writing speed became quicker.
Originally Zhao’er thought it would take a long time to copy a hundred copies, but Xue TingRang soon came out of the academy and gave her a thick stack of paper.
“The name of the other party is not written on it. Only if it is named will it be effective.” He also just remembered this when he wrote the first contract, and therefore, he left the name column blank.
“None of you can write. How about I accompany you when I leave the library at night?”
“This…” Zhao’er said with uncertainty: “Can’t you fill in the name in advance? If you really accompany us, we won’t be able to finish the run tonight. Besides, it is not good to walk at night.”
“Do you remember everyone’s name?”
Zhao’er nodded, and took out a brochure from her bosom: “I can only remember roughly, but I have kept the account.”
Xue TingRang became curious. She can’t write, but can she keep accounts? He quickly took the booklet away from her, and Zhao’er didn’t even have time to stop him.
This was probably the first time she showed a panicked expression in front of Xue TingRang, and she actually tried to snatch the book back. It’s a pity that Xue TingRang was prepared beforehand, so he refused to give it to her. He turned his back to her and quickly opened the booklet.
“You give it back!” She pressed her whole body on his back.
It’s too late.
Xue TingRang looked at the symbols drawn on the brochure with a smile. There were symbols with dots and circles, grass-like symbols, and three bars. Does this represent a river or a stream? There are also patterns in the shape of hills, dog heads, horse faces, etc.
It was drawn with charcoal, and it was very simple, but there was some pattern in the drawings. Those who didn’t know would have thought it was a wordless book.
Zhao’er stretched out her hand and said, “You give it back. This is where I keep the accounts. What you don’t understand, only I can understand.”
Under the sun, the girl lay on the boy’s back without scruple, and the two seemed to be laughing. It was nothing in the eyes of outsiders, after all, they are all teenagers, but in the eyes of Jiang Wu, the scene was particularly irksome to the eyes.
He couldn’t help but yelled: “Zhao’er.”
“What is Jiang Wu doing?” Zhao’er was still unaware, looking back at him.
Jiang Wu’s face froze for a while: “Hurry up and talk about business, Ting Rang still has to go back to the academy.”
At this moment, Zhao’er also felt that this posture was a little bit wrong, and hurriedly stood up straight.
“Hurry up and return the booklet to me, and I will sign up for you.”
“Then tell me what this is first” Xue TingRang pointed to a horse face, a large circle, and three patterns composed of a small hill, but his eyes glanced up at Jiang Wu.
Zhao’er did not speak immediately, until Xue TingRang asked again did she say: “This is Ma Dashan, it is the name.”
“What about the circle at the back?” Xue TingRang didn’t dare to ask if the one with a bull’s head and a circle at the back was niu dan1.
Zhao’er wiped her face helplessly, and according to the truth: “A circle is ten jin, or ten units, and a dot is one jin or one unit.”
“So you received 13 catties of vegetables from Ma Dashan?” Xue TingRang tried to identify it.
Zhao’er was so angry that she snatched the booklet and said, “It’s not thirteen catties of vegetables, but thirteen eggs! Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ll say the names and you will fill it in the contract.”
Xue TingRang didn’t want to annoy her either, so he turned back to the academy to get his pen and ink. After a short while, he came out and helped her fill in the names.
Don’t look at Zhao’er’s account and mock how it looks like a ghost painting. The dozens of names were actually correct. Xue Qinghuai still praised her for her good methods, and sometimes it was good to write down things that she couldn’t remember in this way.
Therefore, scholars and illiterate people are simply not in the same world. Hearing this kind of praise, Xue TingRang felt helpless. After writing, he pulled Zhao’er aside.
“Zhao’er, when I go back this time, I will teach you how to read.”
“Read?” A daze flashed across Zhao’er’s face, and then there was some surprise in her eyes and some anxiety, and asked: “Is it possible? I have never heard of girls who can read. It seems that only young ladies from big families can read.” She also felt that illiteracy was a little difficult in ordinary business, but she had never thought about learning.
“Why not. If I say it’s ok, then it’s ok!”
After watching Xue TingRang enter into the academy building, Zhao’er turned around and went back.
Jiang Wu asked her: “Zhao’er, what did TingRang tell you just now?”
“Jiang Wu Ge, why are you asking about this?” Zhao’er looked at him with suspicion.
“I was just curious, so I’m asking.”
“Oh, Ting’er said that when he comes back next time, he will teach me to read.”
Seeing the faint smile on Zhao’er’s face, Jiang Wu felt a little uncomfortable. He thought why wasn’t he literate? If he was literate, he could teach Zhao’er to read.
Without further ado, the three of them randomly found a roadside stall to have lunch, and then they split up to find someone to sign the contract.
It was Jiang Wu alone, Zhaoer and Xue Qinghuai.
Jiang Wu wanted to be with Zhao’er, but Xue Qinghuai was not yet familiar with the situation, so Zhao’er could only follow him. Now Jiang Wu only hopes that Xue Qinghuai can work alone, so that he can get along with Zhao’er alone again.
Zhao’er and Xue Qinghuai didn’t come back until it was dark.
Both of them were very tired. Xue Qinghuai untied the mule from the car and led it into the shed. Put water and materials in its stone trough, and brushed the mule from head to toe before returning to the house.
Sun Shi had already cooked the meal, and asked the two of them to come and eat.
She cooks alone. Sun Shi has been like this for the past few days. Until now, the Fourth Family had not gone to the main room and said that they would not eat together, but the Fourth Family did not take rice when cooking. Therefore, no one said anything.
Now Sun Shi is very enthusiastic about Zhao’er, and it is probably because Xue Qinghuai also said something to her after returning. Knowing that this business is very profitable, and the person leading this business is Zhao’er, she could not offend this God of Wealth.
Sun Shi often urged her to go to the Fourth room for dinner, and she couldn’t refuse. In fact, she didn’t want to have dinner with people from Dafang for a long time. It’s not about other things, but that she does not feel relaxed at all when eating. Sometimes she doesn’t understand Elder Xue. The four families have four hearts. They are clearly separated, so why bother to pinch everyone together. Is it not plainly asking for trouble?
But after all, she is a junior, and it is not easy to voice her dissatisfaction. So she just used the Fourth Family as a medium to start the process of eating separately in the future.
“Cui’e is back.”
As soon as he was at the table, Sun Shi suddenly said this, making Xue Qinghuai and Zhao’er both stunned.
Xue Cui’e is the daughter of Elder Xue and Zhao Shi. She is sixteen this year and she is still in her boudoir waiting to marry. A while ago, Xue Cui’e made a fuss about going to the Zhao Shi’s family’s home, which is her grandmother’s home. This happened just in time for the farming season and Zhao Shi was bothered by her, so Xue Qinghuai sent her over.