Chapter 365: The Lovey-Dovey Couple

Chapter 365: Chapter 365: The Lovey-Dovey Couple

The next day, Ji Huan had just woken up, and Guan Shan had already returned from taking the horses for a walk on the back mountain.

"Breakfast is ready. Go wash up."

Ji Huan nodded and brushed past him.

Both of them did their best to act nonchalant, as if last night’s unpleasant parting had never happened.

Breakfast was pickled vegetable congee again. ’I ate two bowls last night,’ Ji Huan thought, ’so Guan Shan must think I like it. That’s why he made it again.’

As it turned out, lunch was still pickled vegetable congee... She could already guess what was for dinner.

Ji Huan stared at Guan Shan very seriously. "Is this the only thing you know how to make?"

Guan Shan: "...Yeah."

’And here I thought... What a lovely misunderstanding.’

With this weighing on her mind, she went to check on the Hu Family’s place and West River Gully.

By the time she arrived, the sun was already setting in the west. The pre-work training was over, and production had begun.

Because time was so tight, they had consulted with everyone and canceled the morning and afternoon shifts, switching to a single all-day shift instead.

This way, the workers could earn more money, so their families were incredibly supportive. They even took over all the household chores, allowing the women to focus solely on their work for Ji Huan.

At Ji Huan’s request, everyone came to work wearing aprons and headscarves. They were all dressed neatly and looked sharp and full of energy.

With all sixty-five people present, each step of the process could be assigned to more than ten people. Everyone was full of motivation, and their efficiency was much higher than last year.

The workers were a hive of activity, and Ji Xuelan and Widow Xie weren’t idle either. They hurried back and forth, checking on things, as people frequently raised their hands to ask questions.

Someone would forget a step, or another wouldn’t be sure if their work was up to standard. It was the first day, so everyone was a little nervous. A bit of flustered confusion was inevitable and perfectly normal.

In addition to the two of them acting as general supervisors, several veteran employees from the previous year had been promoted to team leaders.

Their pay was a few *wen* higher, but in return, they had to supervise their team members and ensure the quality of their work. If any mistakes were made, it wasn’t just about having their pay docked—the loss of face was the real issue.

As a result, the team leaders all kept their eyes peeled, watching their team members like hawks. Their attentiveness was on par with that of Ji Xuelan and Widow Xie.

"Who is the team leader in charge of the final step right now?" Ji Huan asked.

"Aunt Gao," Ji Xuelan replied.

"Which team is up in three days?"

"The one led by Sixth Sister-in-law Feng."

The team rotation system was also something they had decided on after discussion.

Since they had decided to make the production method public, it naturally couldn’t be shared with just a few people.

So, they had the team that learned the quickest handle the final step first, while the other teams observed and prepared.

Because they had to work overtime and the job was more tiring than last year, they ultimately decided on a three-day rotation.

This way, the team on the final, most crucial step could get a break, and everyone would get a turn. At the same time, it gave them all a chance to experience every part of the process, which helped keep things fresh and reinforced what they had learned.

The women who came to help truly hadn’t expected that not only would they be paid, but they could also openly learn the trade!

Everyone knew exactly what this meant.

As a result, they were filled with gratitude for Ji Huan, Widow Xie, and the others. They threw themselves into their work, sparing no effort. When it was time for a break, they hardly rested, their minds completely focused on their tasks.

This was especially true for Zhang Cuicui. She had promised to work herself to the bone for Ji Huan, and she was truly working as if her life depended on it, to the point that Ji Huan was starting to feel a pang of guilt.

She saw Zhang Cuicui bend over to lift another wooden basin brimming with vegetables. If it were just vegetables, that would have been one thing, but the basin was also more than half-full of water. She refused any help, her face flushing red with effort and the veins on her temples bulging.

Ji Huan happened to be nearby and moved to help her lift it, saying half-jokingly, "Take it easy. I’m not taking responsibility if you wear yourself out."

But to her surprise, Zhang Cuicui absolutely refused her help, even stomping her foot.

"Hey, you’re in my way! I’m falling behind!"

Ji Huan: "..."

’Fine,’ she thought. ’Everyone else is busy with actual work. An idler like me is just an eyesore. I’d better go.’

When she got home, Guan Shan had already finished building the stable.

He had built it in the backyard, near the northeast corner, on the empty patch of land behind the finishing room.

They had picked up a manger and other supplies on their way back from Yeyang yesterday, and with the leftover wood and scraps from building the house, it hadn’t been much trouble for him.

The two horses stood on opposite sides of the stable, a clear line drawn between them, each ignoring the other. It was mainly Jifeng who wanted nothing to do with Xin Ziqi’s horse.

Moreover, Ji Huan discovered that the old farmer hadn’t been telling the truth at all. A picky eater, he’d said? Jifeng hadn’t stopped eating since the moment he arrived yesterday!

But since Guan Shan was the one doing all the feeding, watering, and mucking out, Jifeng could eat and poop as much as he pleased. For Ji Huan, it was out of sight, out of mind.

She glanced over at the rabbit hutch built opposite the stable, against the western wall, and sighed to herself. ’Thanks to Guan Shan, our home can finally be said to have a flourishing stock of animals.’

The day passed in the blink of an eye, but for some reason, Xu Laifu never showed up.

As she was about to fall asleep, Ji Huan wondered, ’Could he have changed his mind?’

The next day, after yet another meal of pickled vegetable congee, Dabao was already looking green around the gills.

Ji Huan felt the swelling in her hand had gone down enough. She decided she would reclaim sovereignty over the kitchen at lunchtime.

Just before noon, there was a knock on the door. Ji Huan had a gut feeling it was Xu Laifu, and when she opened the door, sure enough, it was!

Xu Laifu arrived pulling a flatbed cart. On it sat three large vats with round wooden lids, their bodies bound tightly together with several loops of thick hemp rope. A middle-aged woman with a round face walked alongside, helping to steady the load.

Behind him was another cart, loaded with the same cargo. A ruddy-faced farmer was pulling it, and the man pushing from behind, who looked a bit younger than Xu Laifu and had similar features, must have been his brother.

Xu Laifu made the introductions. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

"This is my mother, that’s my father, and this is my younger brother, Laiyun."

Ji Huan greeted them with a smile. "Uncle Xu, Aunt Xu, Brother Laiyun, please come in."

"Yes, yes..."

The Xu couple looked honest and kind, and their younger son had a clear, steady gaze. It was no wonder they had raised a son as warm-hearted and good-natured as Xu Laifu.

The two carts were pulled into the courtyard one after the other. Guan Shan, having finished washing the dishes, came out of the kitchen to help unload them.

Ji Huan introduced him in a straightforward manner. "This is my husband, Guan Shan."

Since they were at home, Guan Shan’s face was naturally uncovered.

All four members of the Xu family stared, their mouths agape in shock.

Xu Laifu was the first to recover. He cleared his throat and led the way in greeting him.

The rest of the Xu family snapped out of their daze and followed suit.

Although they were still a bit reserved, they didn’t show any further astonishment.

Ji Huan offered no explanation, simply pointing to the empty side room next to Guan Shan’s bedroom. "You can move them all in there."

There were six large vats in total, each reaching Ji Huan’s waist. They were quite a struggle to move.

Guan Shan and Xu Laifu carried one together, while Mr. Xu and his younger son carried another.

Ji Huan wanted to help as well, but Guan Shan shot her a glance. "Stay put. Don’t move."

Ji Huan wanted to say that her hand was fine now, but...

"Well, you be careful too. Don’t put too much strain on your right hand..."

Xu Laifu felt a little awkward. ’Do they have to be so mushy?’ he thought. ’Are they picking on me because I don’t have a wife?’

Once everything was moved inside, Xu Laifu pointed them out to Ji Huan. "These three vats are soy sauce, and those three are vinegar. We have another vat of vinegar at home, but we couldn’t fit it. I’ll bring it next time."

"There’s no rush. Let’s go to the main hall and sit for a while. You’ve come such a long way, you should get some rest."

Once in the main hall, Mrs. Xu sat down and looked around, repeatedly praising Ji Huan for her housekeeping. She said the house and courtyard were both arranged in a first-rate fashion.

Her tone was one of pure admiration, and after speaking her praise, she drew her gaze back, not letting it wander or probe.

The three Xu men—the father and his sons—were even more proper, keeping their eyes straight ahead.

This was a family with good discipline. It was no wonder Xu Laifu had said they had lived quite comfortably in the past.

Ji Huan served them tea, fruits, and snacks. After they had chatted for a while, Xu Laifu finally explained why he was a day late.