A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, He Jinglan tossed out a silver note.

"I'm in a rush today, so I can't take my time browsing. Please wrap all of these up for me."

The shopkeeper was overjoyed and immediately ordered his staff to pack the clothes, using the thickest oiled paper.

He said many auspicious and flattering things to He Jinglan, and then inquired:

"May I ask which noble family you belong to, Miss? Shall I send a servant to deliver this to your residence?"

He Jinglan waved her hand, "No need, I have my own car, you can help me load it into the car."

The shopkeeper went out with a smile, and when he saw the slightly dilapidated mule cart, he thought he had made a mistake.

"Is your car here?"

He Jinglan generously pointed and said, "This is it."

The shopkeeper's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Oh, oh, we'll load it into the car for you right away, Miss!"

As the mule cart drove away under the watchful eyes of everyone in the clothing store, Gu Xixi burst into laughter.

Did you see the shopkeeper's expression just now?

"If you catch a rich young lady who spends money without batting an eye, you can only imagine what she's thinking."

"When the results came out and they saw my car and the Laifu, the contrast must have been incredibly impactful for them."

He Jinglan sat with her legs stretched out on the cart floor, saying nonchalantly, "Aunt Zhang said that the meat in a steamed bun isn't in the pleats."

"Besides, I'm not in the capital now, so I'm not afraid of bringing shame to the entire He family with my actions. Naturally, I'll do whatever makes me comfortable!"

Gu Xixi greatly admired her carefree attitude, saying, "I'm glad you're comfortable here with me."

It seems this girl has suppressed her true nature for over a decade, and it all came out after she arrived in the Northwest.

They went to the candied fruit shop again, and He Jinglan happily selected several kinds that she had never seen or eaten before.

Today, when buying these food and household items, He Jinglan never insisted on paying the bill; she just watched Gu Xixi happily take out the money.

As we left the sugar-coated fruit shop, the sun was already setting behind the rooftops.

Gu Xixi quickened her pace and headed towards the Meng residence. "I'll give you the money for the clothes you bought for us today when we get back."

If He Jinglan is a guest, then Aunt Zhang, the old doctor, and Shi Tou are already Gu Xixi's family.

The head of the household should naturally pay for the clothes worn by family members.

He Jinglan patted Gu Xixi on the back and said unhappily, "What money are you giving me? You don't treat me like one of your own. You're being too formal!"

"Does that mean I have to charge you separately for everything you just bought, every time I eat or use it?"

Gu Xixi said helplessly, "You paid for your aunt's room and board, so you're entitled to a share of these necessities anyway, no need to calculate it."

He Jinglan glared at her, "Then let me make this clear to you. I buy you clothes because I like to see you dressed beautifully."

"Shi Tou, at least call me Sister Jing Lan. I haven't given him anything yet."

“Aunt Zhang, the old doctor, are all elders. I live in their house and they take good care of me. It’s nothing to give them two sets of clothes as a token of respect.”

Gu Xixi laughed and begged for forgiveness, "Alright, alright, it's my fault. I shouldn't have brought up money with you and made you talk so much."

"Anyway, since Miss He is willing to give it to us, we'll just happily wear our new clothes."

He Jinglan was delighted. "That's exactly how it should be!"

Gu Xixi never liked to take advantage of others, but He Jinglan was different.

Good sisters exchange greetings, and even if they want to reciprocate, there's no need to rush. If it's too deliberate, it will make them seem distant.

This was Gu Xixi's second visit to the Meng residence.

Only an old servant opened the door and invited Gu Xixi and He Jinglan inside.

The courtyard was deserted and seemed rather empty and desolate.

A little girl in a light yellow dress ran over from afar, with two tiny pigtails on her head adorned with pale yellow pom-poms. She bounced as she ran, looking incredibly cute.

"Auntie Xixi!"

Like a bird returning to its nest, he spread his arms and pounced on Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi picked up the little girl and laughed, "Good Qing'er, how did you run out by yourself?"

Qing'er said sweetly, "I heard Aunt Xixi was coming, so I came to greet you!"

He Jinglan looked on with a doting smile, "This is Sister Meng's daughter? So adorable!"

Qing'er wrapped her little arms around Gu Xixi's neck and turned to look at He Jinglan.

"You must be Aunt Jinglan, Aunt Xixi's good friend?"

He Jinglan teased her deliberately, "How did you know I'm Aunt Jinglan? He Jinglan is outside watching the cars. I just happened to run into Gu Xixi at your door and came in to visit together."

Qing'er tilted her head and looked He Jinglan up and down, then thought about it seriously for a moment, "No, you are Aunt Jinglan!"

He Jinglan asked in surprise, "How can you be so sure?"

Qing'er said, "Mother said that Aunt Jinglan is very beautiful, and her smile is even more endearing."

"She's definitely the type whose uncle is completely devoted to her!"

Gu Xixi burst out laughing.

He Jinglan was stunned, and almost bit her tongue as she opened her mouth, "You, you..."

Her face flushed red, like a freshly cooked shrimp.

"My...my uncle...he...he..."

Madam Meng followed her out, and seeing the scene, she couldn't help but chuckle and lower her head before apologetically saying:

"The child speaks without thinking, please don't take offense, Miss He."

He Jinglan blushed even more, "Children say the darndest things."

She looked at Madam Meng, her face still flushed, but her attitude was poised and generous. "Sister Meng, please call me Jinglan. You are Xixi's good friend, which means you are my good friend too."

Madam Meng nodded with a smile, "Okay, okay."

Gu Xixi strongly suspected that the two "good" characters had different meanings and were a double entendre.

The doorman carried Madam Meng's luggage outside: a box and three bundles.

Knowing she was going to Xixi's house, Madam Meng reduced the amount of her belongings she carried.

But besides these, there are many others.

Dozens of strings of cured pork, salted pork, and dried sausages, two barrels of soybean oil, ten jars of liquor, and five large bags of japonica rice...

Gu Xixi looked at the loading truck and said helplessly, "Sister Meng, didn't I tell you that we have food and drinks at home, so you don't need to prepare them yourself?"

Madam Meng smiled gently, "This meat was originally from the kitchen's reserves. It would be a waste to let it spoil at home if we didn't take it with us."

"Knowing you're here, we're sure we won't lack food. I didn't bring anything else, but this rice is quite rare. It's a green glutinous rice that a friend brought from Jiangnan. It's best for making porridge."

"I heard from you that your master is fond of this kind of wine, including Zhuyeqing and aged Nu'erhong. We're just staying at home with nothing to do, why don't we have a drink together?"

“I didn’t bring any other vegetables or pickled vegetables with me. I’m just hoping to make a living by following you.”

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Alright, bring them all. Let's lock them up together, eat and drink, it sounds like a lot of fun!"

Qing'er waved her little hands and cheered, "Great! Let's go find Brother Stone!"

When the mule cart arrived at his doorstep, Master Liu was standing there.

He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Boss Gu is back."

Gu Xixi knew something was wrong as soon as she saw him. She stopped the car and asked He Jinglan to take the guests inside first.