Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 571 Changes

After this period of training, Xinghai Liuliu and the others have changed a lot. How should I put it? They've become more confident and their minds have become more agile. This is the most direct change that broadening one's horizons brings.

In addition to the six people, Changyuan and Xinghai also brought a few more people from the village and town: four who sold goods at the clothing stall, and two girls from the family who cleaned and cooked. They were all girls of similar age, you could call them classmates, since they had grown up together and knew each other well.

Six girls work in shifts, with four selling goods and two cooking and delivering meals, rotating daily.

Xiao Wei recognized all six girls by name, but he only recognized one of them, Xiao Hong. She had come to the county town too early and had attended junior high school there.

Xiao Hong whispered to Xiao Wei, "Do you think Xing Hai is planning to eliminate all six people's partners? That would make it a perfect six-on-six situation."

Xiao Wei said, "Wouldn't that be better? It would save us from finding an unreliable person, which would only cause more trouble later."

Xiao Hong thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "That's true."

Brother Liu doesn't usually come to his family's stall, and Xiao Wei doesn't know Sister-in-law Liu either. He just glanced at the stall from outside and didn't go over to say anything. He only told Xinghai and the others that if anything happened over there, they should go and help out. These days are still a bit chaotic. Putting aside thieves and such, there are a lot of thugs around these days, and if things really get out of hand, the possibility of them smashing the stall and injuring people is very high.

Xinghai said, "I've been keeping an eye on things, I know what's going on, don't worry. Besides, Brother Liu has people on his side, people from the power company come over every day, we know several of them. Those guys are fearless, they'd probably love to have a fight."

Xiao Wei asked, "Did you find some guys who can fight, as I asked?"

Xinghai said, "Ask Changyuan. I haven't been back during this time, but Changyuan went back twice." He winked and said, "Changyuan got together with Erya, and Erya let it slip when she got back. The two families are now discussing how to get things done."

Xiao Wei asked with a smile, "You haven't gotten beaten up yet, have you?"

Xinghai glanced up at the North District and whispered, "They beat him up, of course they beat him up. But after his dad beat him up, his mom praised him. Er Ya is good-looking and definitely fertile. Changyuan's uncle and aunt couldn't be happier. If this hadn't happened, would Er Ya's family have agreed? Her mom is so proud."

Xiao Hong asked, "What about you? Which one have you set your sights on? There are still five left."

Xinghai's face flushed bright red, and he chuckled awkwardly before saying, "No, no."

Xiao Wei said, "There's no rush. Take your time. Don't think that women outside are trendy. They're also more scheming. It's better to stay in your village or town. People you know well are more likely to follow you through thick and thin. That way, your home will always be peaceful."

Xinghai nodded.

Xiao Wei said, "You guys go ahead with your work. I'll go over there for a bit and talk to Changyuan and Gazi."

Xinghai and Liuliu agreed, and Xiaowei pulled Xiaohong toward the clothing section in the north. There were two stalls for clothes; Siwei and Laizi managed one, while Changyuan and Gazi were in charge of the other.

There were two clothing stalls, one for women and children, and the other for men. The entire wall behind the stalls was covered with various clothes, and in the middle was a row of hangers displaying "high-end goods," which were more expensive. In the front counter, there were belts, lighters, wallets, shirts, and other accessories and underwear. This was a long-term idea, and it had worked quite well, providing a bit of unexpected income.

Siwei and Laizi were leaning over the counter, talking in a notebook. Two girls were serving customers; one was called Zhaodi and the other Kexin. They smiled and waved to Xiaowei, while Zhaodi looked Xiaohong up and down. She didn't recognize Xiaohong.

Xiao Wei nodded to the two of them, and Si Wei tossed him a cigarette and asked, "Why did you come back today?"

Xiao Wei said with a smile, "I heard you guys are doing matchmaking here, so I came back to learn from you."

Lai Zi laughed out loud, and Si Wei, blushing, kicked Lai Zi.

Xiao Wei said to Xiao Hong, "Can you tell? Lai Zi and Ga Zi probably don't have much of a chance. Those two are completely clueless; they don't even know what dating is like. The four of them are probably pretty much settled. Look at Si Wei's reaction."

Xiao Hong, her eyes shining, leaned over to the counter and asked Si Wei, "Si Wei, who are you dating? Chang Yuan is Er Ya, who are you? And who are Xing Hai and Liu Liu? Who is Ke Xin with?" Of these six girls, Xiao Hong only knew Ke Xin.

Siwei was a little embarrassed and licked his lips. Laizi said, "Changyuan and Erya have already discussed getting married, Xinghai and Kexin should be able to get married too, Liuliu has taken a liking to Lina, and Zhaodi likes Gazi. That's it, Siwei likes Xiaoqin, but this good-for-nothing dares not say, hahaha."

Xiao Wei said to Si Wei, "If you like someone, just say so. What's there to be afraid of if you really like them?"

Siwei's face grew increasingly red, and he said hesitantly, "What if she doesn't want to?"

Xiao Hong said, "How do you know if the other person is willing or not if you haven't even said anything? Aren't you just making trouble for yourself?"

Xiao Wei turned to Lai Zi and said, "So you only have Shu Fen left? How about it? Any ideas?"

Lai Zi was taken aback, then his face turned red. He said, "What am I thinking? I don't want to date. What's the point of dating? Besides, they wouldn't be interested in me anyway. Forget it, I don't have that kind of mind." Lai Zi had sores on his head when he was a child and his hair didn't grow. Although it has long since healed and his hair is now black and thick, the name and impression of him are still there.

Xiao Wei said, "Of the six of you, whoever gets married, I'll give them a house in Fengtian. Those who aren't married don't get one."

The bald-faced man grimaced, "This isn't fair! Why do we have to get married? What's the point of marriage? To raise kids? Forget it, I can barely support myself. I'm not going to be constantly bickering and arguing with someone who has to manage me."

Xiao Hong ran over and pulled Ke Xin aside to talk. Ke Xin was also from Lazi Village and had grown up with Xiao Hong since childhood. Their family was considered an oddity in the village. While others preferred sons and longed for a boy, her mother longed for a daughter, which was evident from her name.

Xiaohong and Kexin hadn't seen each other for several years, but childhood friends are naturally close, and there was no awkwardness between them.

Kexin looked at Xiaowei and asked, "Are you really with Erguizi? You two seem to be getting along quite well. Are you studying in the provincial capital? I wish I had been in high school back then. It's all my fault for my mom. She wouldn't let me go no matter what." Her mother couldn't bear to see her daughter go far away.

Xiao Hong, her eyes sparkling with gossip, asked, "Are you dating Xinghai?"

Kexin blushed and said, "No, he's interested, but I haven't decided yet. Besides, would my mom allow it?"

Xiao Hong thought about Kexin's mother, that doting mother, clicked her tongue, and mentally added an exclamation mark for Xinghai. The road ahead was uncertain.

"Your mom wouldn't even let you go to the county town back then, so why are you allowed to come to the city now?" Xiao Hong suddenly thought of this serious topic.

Kexin puffed out her cheeks and said, "I ran away secretly. I told her that if she didn't let me go out and earn money, I would disown her. Then my dad came to see me and said I was old enough to go out and work, and that I should write a letter or call home every week. He comes every week, so what's the point of writing a letter or making a phone call? Can't I just say it in person?"

Xiao Hong covered her forehead. When there are two doting fathers in a family, the future is truly unimaginable.

Kexin glanced at Xinghai and whispered, "My mom knows Xinghai brought me out, and she's gone to his house to yell at him several times. If it's really true... do you think a fight might break out?"

(End of this chapter)