Quick Wear: True and False Life

After getting in the car, Gu Nan and Gu Danzhu whispered to each other under Gu Gao's head, listening to the news that a newcomer was planning to settle down in the village. The newcomer was a family of six, and they were said to be dressed gorgeously and well-spoken. As soon as they arrived, they bought a piece of land at the foot of the mountain by the river. The conditions were so good, but no one knew why they chose to settle here.

Along the way, Gu Nan heard a lot of gossip about outsiders, including all kinds of speculations. He really admired the imagination of these aunties and grandmas.

"Danzhu, how big are these people's imaginations? They are just like this when they write stories and novels."

"You! You are such a gossiper."

"I'm not gossiping about you. I was deceived by your appearance. Pretty girls are the most deceptive!"

"Speak softly, don't let my mother hear me, my tears are too strong and I'm afraid I can't handle it."

"Danzhu, we are almost out of Cangnan Town, get ready to get off the bus." Gu Gao picked up the bamboo basket at her side and said to the two of them.

From a distance, the gate of Cangnan Town is rough and simple, as if it has gone through a long time. Gu Nan walked into his sight. The last time he passed by here, he was still a baby and couldn't see anything clearly. He only felt the lively atmosphere of the town. It's true that I have been staying in the mountains for too long and miss the atmosphere of fireworks in the world.

After entering the town, the owner of the car found a place to arrange the return time, and everyone got off the car one after another to do their own things. After getting off the car, Gu Nan had no purpose, so he and Gu Danzhu followed Gu Gao's shopping and saw a selling point that interested them.

It was not until they arrived at the bookstore that Gu Nan discussed the idea of going in and out to choose some books, and discussed it with Gu Gao.

"Aunt Gu, I'm going to read a book and won't be with you guys anymore. How about I wait for you guys at the noodle stand across the street after I finish reading?"

"That's impossible. The town is not safe. There were human traffickers a while ago. How are you going to explain to your master if you get lost?"

"How about I give you the prescription and money, and you go get the herbs for me, and I'll stay."

"Okay, then you guys mustn't run around!" Gu Gao said worriedly after hesitating.

"I know mother."

"Thank you, Aunt Gu, I knew you were the best!" Gu Nan shouted happily.

"You! Don't thank me."

"I'll treat you to noodles, don't think about anything else, hehe... Let's go, I want to see if there are any good books in the bookstore." Gu Nan rolled his eyes, and happily took Gu Danzhu's hand and went to the bookstore.

When they entered the bookstore, it was very quiet. Only the shopkeeper was keeping accounts and a few customers were choosing books. Gu Nan and Gu Danzhu took a general look at the furnishings of the bookstore, and then they heard the shopkeeper laughing and saying:

"Miss, do you want to buy some pens, ink, paper and inkstone?"

"I want to choose some books I like."

"Girl, what kind of things do you like? There are girls who like newly published storybooks." The shopkeeper was quite surprised, thinking he had made a mistake.

"What story does this book tell? Bring it over and see it." Gu Danzhu said in surprise.

After hearing this, the shopkeeper quickly took out two books and handed them to Gu Danzhu. Then, Gu Nan also stepped forward and pulled Gu Danzhu's hand to show that he wanted to read it too.

The two of them read together. The shopkeeper had just introduced a book that told the story of a down-and-out scholar and a rich girl who fell in love, eloped, and finally got together. The other book told the story of a brothel courtesan and General Chengwu who met by chance but did not end up together.

There are two books. In Gu Nan's opinion, the first one is just a poor scholar's whining without any reason. It has no moral values and no bottom line and is not worth reading. The second one has a tortuous story and vivid character portrayals, which can be verified by history. After discussion, they chose the second one, The Sorrow of the Oiran.

"Shopkeeper, let's choose the second one. Do you have any strange stories or special books?" Gu Nan said as he returned the first storybook to the shopkeeper and asked about other books.

Hearing a little girl's voice, the shopkeeper looked outside the counter and wondered why such a little girl was asking about these books. How strange! But he didn't ask any more questions and just led them to a corner.

"These are books about ghosts, strange places, farming, etc. that no one wants. They are piled here and can't be sold. Do you think anyone wants any of them?"

"Okay, let the shopkeeper take care of it. My sister and I will take our time to choose." Gu Nan said, wanting to take a look himself.

"The girl, take your time."

After the shopkeeper left, Gu Nan and Gu Danzhu stayed in this corner for most of the day. Apart from the similar books they had read before, they only selected five books.

The first book, Records of Exotic Plants, talks about exotic flowers and plants from all over the world. It is a set with another book in the master’s study. This is the second volume.

The second book is a travelogue, which records the strange things that Prince Tianyuan Chaochen encountered during his travels.

The third and fourth books are a set of two volumes, one is Miaojiang Gu Qu, and describes what travelers see and hear in Miaojiang.

The fifth book, Miscellaneous Notes, makes me want it when I hold it in my hand! But the content is average, I don’t know why, I can’t let it go, but it doesn’t matter if I just buy a book.

After making their selection, the two went to the counter to find the shopkeeper and choose some pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

"Boss, bring some good paper and ink, and we'll settle the bill together after we've made our selections."

"Danzhu, I'll choose a storybook for you, but you have to treat me to some noodles, otherwise I'll make things difficult for you."

"Wow, you're so beautiful!"

The shopkeeper was also amused by the two men's conversation. After settling the accounts, he said, "You two are very friendly. I will give you 29 taels. The storybook is 8 taels. These five miscellaneous books are 3 taels each, a total of 15 taels. The paper and ink are 6 taels."

Gu Nan fished out her purse, took out three ten-liang silver notes and handed them to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper quickly changed one or two liang for her, then packed the things and handed them to Gu Danzhu.

"Miss, come again next time." The shopkeeper said as he walked her to the door of the shop.

After Gu Nan and Gu Danzhu left the bookstore, they planned to eat noodles at the noodle stand opposite and wait for Aunt Gu. However, when they went over, there were too many people and they had to share a table. They asked Aunt Gu for two bowls of noodles. After looking around, they found that there was only a table with a couple and a boy with more space, so they went over.

"Excuse me, Auntie, can I sit here with you?" Gu Nan asked politely.

"Ladies, please sit down!" said Queen Quan politely. She thought the two girls were very beautiful. The older one looked dignified and calm, with a scent of medicine on her body; the younger one seemed smart and lively, and spoke sweetly, but her eyes were empty and full of stars. It was very strange to look at them for a long time and find it hard to see through them.

"Thank you, Auntie." Then Gu Nan and Gu Danzhu sat down opposite them.

"Who are the two girls from?"

"From Gujia Village, from my aunt's place?"

"We just moved to Gujia Village and are now staying at the end of the village. You can't be the eldest daughter of Gu Changshan's family, right?" When Quan Wang heard that they were from Gujia Village and had never seen them before, when she looked at Gu Danzhu, she immediately thought of Gu Changshan's family in the village, because she had never seen his three children. People in the village seldom go out. She has moved here for nearly half a month, and even if she is not familiar with them, she has basically seen them all. Gu Changshan's family is the only family like this with three children living in the mountains.

"Yeah, you guys can't be the new family that moved here and bought the land at the foot of the mountain to build a house! What a coincidence." After Gu Danzhu took over the words, he and Gu Nan looked at each other.

Not to mention Gu Nan, even Gu Danzhu was surprised. They had just gossiped about each other while riding the bus in the morning, and now they met each other and shared a table to eat noodles. This was incredible luck!