New ink fragrance in old times

Aunt Li's expression eased slightly after hearing Shen Xin's words, but then she became anxious again: "They are behind us, let's go pick them up."

Zhao Yue'e gently patted the back of Aunt Li's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, you've been running for a while and you must be exhausted. Just rest here for a while, catch your breath, and wait for them. With so many of us here, it will be easy for them to find you."

Shen Xin also agreed: "Yes, Auntie, my mother is right. Auntie, you can rest here for a while and let the donkey catch its breath. There are so many of us, they will definitely be able to find us."

After hearing what the two said, Aunt Li seemed a little hesitant, her brows slightly furrowed, and she wanted to say something but couldn't open her mouth.

Aunt Li turned around again and her eyes lingered on the young men for a moment. Seeing that they were still sitting steadily on the donkey cart and had no intention of getting off to help, she couldn't help feeling helpless and anxious.

She gritted her teeth, seemed to have made up her mind, turned around and hurried back.

Soon, heavy footsteps were heard in the distance, accompanied by a few slight gasps. Three people - Aunt Li, Aunt Wang and Sister Zhang, each carrying large and small bags in their hands, walked towards them with a staggering gait.

Tang Ming had sharp eyes and saw them at a glance. He wanted to go over to help, but was stopped by Lin Xuejin.

Zhao Yue'e quickly greeted them, "Wow, you bought so many things. This trip to town was really fruitful."

Aunt Li smiled and replied, "Yes, I finally made it to town, and I bought some of the things I needed at home. Your donkey cart is really a big help."

As they spoke, the three of them began to put the things in their hands onto the donkey cart.

However, the donkey cart had limited space and was soon filled to the brim.

Aunt Wang took a look and found that some things still couldn't be put down, so she said to Tang Ming, "Tang Ming, can you take out your clothes, bedding, etc. so that we can put the heavy things in first?"

Before Tang Ming could say anything, Shen Xin interrupted with a smile, "Auntie, there are still a few children sitting on this donkey cart. Look, it's almost full."

When the three heard this, they looked at each other, and then they discussed again: "How about this, let the children get off and take a walk, so that we can fill up the car more."

Shen Xin shook his head helplessly and said, "Auntie, look, even if we get all the children out of this car, there's still not enough space for the things you three bought. How about..."

When Aunt Li heard this, she quickly waved her hand and interrupted, "It's okay, it's okay, Shen Xin, you don't have to worry. We'll all carry some, and the children can help a little, so we can put it down. Look, I already have a bag on my back."

As she spoke, Aunt Li actually took on a large burden, trying to prove that her statement was feasible.

Lin Mo stood aside, watching this scene, muttering to himself: "What a shameless person! I've never seen such a shameless person. He's clearly trying to take advantage of others, yet he's saying it so righteously. It's really shameful. This person doesn't look like someone who can stand up to others; he's clearly trying to take advantage of others to the fullest."

At this moment, Shen Xin's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had come up with a good idea. "Auntie, wait a moment, I have an idea. Look, this is the donkey cart going to the Tang family, and it's not full yet. Why don't you just charter it and have this old man deliver the things directly back? This way it will be convenient and fast, and we won't have to worry about it. What do you think?"

Aunt Li's face changed slightly when she heard this. She was obviously unhappy, but because of her face, she did not directly refuse: "This... This is not good. It's too troublesome."

Aunt Wang also echoed: "Yes, we are just taking a ride here."

Shen Xin remained unmoved and began to negotiate with the three of them, his words sincere and firm, "Aunts, please don't be polite. Look, there are so many things in this car, it's not comfortable for us to squeeze together. If there's a bumpy ride and something gets damaged, it would be more trouble than good. It's better to let this car take you back. It's safer and less troublesome."

After some negotiations, and finally at Shen Xin's insistence, Lin Xuejin and Lin Xuebao moved the three people's belongings to another donkey cart. The two of them drove the donkey cart and slowly drove away from the original place.

Seeing this, the three of them hurriedly shouted: "Hey, we haven't even gotten on the bus yet!"

Zhao Yue'e smiled and replied, "Don't worry, we haven't sat down yet. Look, we're already at the doorstep. For a bunch of old bones like us, a walk to loosen up our muscles and bones is good for our health. Don't you agree, Tang Ming?"

Tang Ming nodded and agreed, "Yes, Aunt Li, Aunt Wang, it's nice to take a walk and bask in the sun."

Aunt Li, Aunt Wang, and Sister Zhang looked at each other, with awkward yet polite smiles on their faces, and could only respond, "Okay...Okay."

Several people walking on the road looked back at the donkey cart that had gone away from them from time to time, feeling unhappy.

Zhao Yue'e saw the figures of Lin Xuejin and Lin Xuebao from afar. The afternoon sun was shining obliquely, giving the path a gentle golden glow.

The two of them leaned against the donkey cart, with a look of laziness and leisure. Occasionally, they exchanged a knowing look, as if they were enjoying this rare moment.

Zhao Yue'e couldn't help but quicken her pace, approaching them and jokingly saying, "Second and Third Brothers, why are you two here? If you're not on your way, what are you doing here? Are you being lazy?"

Lin Xuejin looked up at the sound and quickly explained, "Mom, you're really wronging us. We just delivered the newly made table to Uncle Tang, and look, these aunts' things are still in the car. We don't know exactly where to send it, so we thought we'd wait here to avoid rushing around and ending up in the wrong place again."

Lin Xuebo also agreed: "Yes, mother. We are just staying here for a short while to rest."

Zhao Yue'e couldn't help but laugh after hearing this: "You two, this is good. It saves you from running around and getting tired."

An older man beside him chimed in, smiling, "Yes, sister. I've been carrying all this stuff, and I've been feeling a bit uneasy. I was worried I wouldn't be able to explain it all by myself, so I thought of asking these two young men to wait with me so they could look after me. They're so kind-hearted, they didn't complain at all."

Zhao Yue'e's eyes flashed with understanding, and she responded with a smile: "What's the big deal? This is what they should do."

The old man said: "I still have to thank these two young men. Sister, you have taught your two sons well."

Zhao Yue'e: "No, no."

Then he said to Aunt Li and Aunt Wang who had just arrived behind him, "Hey, girls, look, are you planning to leave these things directly at Tang Ming's house, or take them home first? Why don't you go to Tang Ming's house first, have some tea and rest your feet, and then slowly make your plans."

Aunt Li lowered her head and thought for a moment, as if weighing something. Then she slowly raised her head, a warm smile blooming on her face:

"Let's take these things home first. I happen to have a car. Otherwise, with my old bones, I can't carry them back by myself. It will save me another trip."

When Aunt Wang heard this, she quickly agreed, "That's right, that's right. My husband is still waiting for these things. He said he needs them urgently. I think it's best to send them back quickly so that he won't be anxious waiting."

Mrs. Zhang also nodded quickly: "I was worried about how to get these things back. Now it's good. Let's go home first."

Seeing this, Zhao Yue'e showed an understanding look on her face: "That's right, it's safer to leave so many things at home. Then we will meet at Tang Ming's house later."

At this time, Shen Xin came over and joined the conversation: "Two aunts, and this sister, we'll see you later. We'll be leaving first. Be careful on the road."

Seeing this, Lin Xuejin and Lin Xuebao immediately took action. They walked to the donkey cart and began to unload the things that Aunt Li, Aunt Wang and Sister Zhang had placed on the ground one by one, and then carefully stacked them on the old man's donkey cart.

Afterwards, Lin Xuejin and Lin Xuebao drove away in the donkey cart, leaving behind a string of crisp donkey bells echoing in the air.

Aunt Li, Aunt Wang and Sister Zhang looked at the backs of the Lin family as they left. The three of them exchanged a knowing look with each other, and then got on the old man's donkey cart.

Aunt Wang pointed to the road ahead and said, "Go this way. The road to my house is a bit far."

Old man: "Okay, sit down."