Ugly girl only wants to farm

Dongsun looked at him with a solicitous expression: "Zhang Xuyang, don't be so formal. We've met several times already, aren't we familiar with each other? What's wrong with classmates meeting up and having a cup of tea? It's perfect for cooling off on this hot day."

Zhang Xuyang took two steps back and looked at him warily, then quickly refused, "I don't drink tea. I have things to do at home, so I'll take my leave first. You can drink however you like. Meng Jiuhe, hurry up and do things at home. What are you dawdling for?"

After saying that, he tried to pull Meng Jiu away, but Dong Sun had a long face: "Brother Biao, look at me, wasn't I enthusiastic enough? I already offered to invite him for tea to cool off, but he's avoiding me like the plague. Do I look that scary?"

After saying that, he reached out and touched his face, looking quite devastated.

Another person slapped him on the shoulder: "Look at yourself, you look like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Who wouldn't be afraid of you? No wonder Zhang Xuyang is trying to be more discreet."

Dongsun argued with the man for a few words, looking defiant: "Where do I look fierce? Where do I resemble the Big Bad Wolf? You're the one who's big and burly like a bear, and you still have the nerve to talk about me like that. We're just as bad as each other."

The man chuckled again: "You little bamboo shoot, you've really made something of yourself, speaking so elegantly. Didn't you understand what I meant? You were too enthusiastic just now, and Zhang Xuyang thought you were gay."

After hearing what he said, Dongsun looked incredulous, her mouth wide open and her voice rising several decibels.

"I'm gay? How could that be? I'm a proper man. I'm going to get married and have a few sons in the future. Don't ruin my reputation."

Seeing that the other person had left, Brother Biao impatiently interrupted the two who were still arguing.

"You two blockheads are already far away, what are you still saying? What did I tell you yesterday? I told you to get along with them? I told you not to laugh like women in a brothel. Not to mention Zhang Xuyang is scared of you, even I'm terrified. Forget it, Dongsun, I'm too lazy to say anything more to you. Remember, be polite to those two next time you see them. Those two kids are pretty capable."

After leading the person a considerable distance, Zhang Xuyang glanced back and, seeing that no one was following, slowed down.

Then, looking puzzled, he said, "What's wrong with that group? Could it be that they're bothering us because we ruined their plans last time? They look so fierce. You're right, we should try to avoid them in the future. That guy got beaten black and blue last time and is hiding in the alley. I haven't seen him at the academy for days."

Life went on peacefully like this. When Dongsun met them at the prefectural school, he still greeted them with a beaming smile.

Zhang Xuyang always kept his distance, saying that he was like a weasel paying respects to a chicken – he had no good intentions.

The elderly woman and her husband rented a small stall on the street and worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk grinding tofu. They said they wanted to save as much as they could while they still had the strength.

There was a small stall not far from the tofu stall. The owner used to sell some trinkets. I heard that she had been married for many years without getting pregnant. This time she suddenly became pregnant. Her husband's family was afraid that something might happen to her, so they asked her to transfer the stall and go home to rest and have a baby.

Xu Chaoyan helped the old woman and her family with their business for a few days, getting to know the people in the neighborhood. After hearing about this, she decided to take over the small stall. It has to be said that the prefectural city is indeed a place where money is spent; the money they earned in the county before would have lasted for at least several months.

A small portion of just one stall has been removed, and Xu Chaoyan looked pained.

Now, she and her older sister are both idle at home and have no income. They are very anxious about spending money like water without earning any. Although Meng Jiuhe is very active in copying books to earn some money, they can't just sit around and do nothing.

These days the weather is hot, and she's been thinking about what kind of small business would be suitable. She's already looked around the area around the academy. Actually, no matter what she does, the food business is the safest bet. As the saying goes, food is the most important thing for people.

However, just like the county schools used to be, the prefectural schools allowed people to set up stalls anywhere without anyone interfering.

Given their current circumstances, it would probably be difficult for them to rent a shop. The stalls at the academy are all arranged in an orderly and organized manner, and the rent is paid on time every month.

She had also observed the area around noon. The students had been out for about half an hour and were mostly staying in the vicinity, looking for food. Many of the students at the academy were from wealthy families, and they all had maids and servants to bring them food. Some even had special seats in restaurants.

It will be difficult for her stall to gain a foothold outside the academy; either the snacks she sells must be unique and able to attract people's attention.

She observed that the beverage shop was the most popular, offering a wide variety of drinks that were refreshing and cooling in the summer. The selection was plentiful and the prices were reasonable. Even the students couldn't resist trying several bowls themselves. Snow-soaked bean water, ginger honey water, papaya juice, agarwood water, perilla drink, and mung bean water—just hearing the names made her mouth water.

Sour plum drink is also quite popular; the environment in the prefectural city is indeed much better than in the county.

She used to chill her ice jelly and watermelon drinks with well water. While ice can be used to make cold drinks in the prefectural city, it's a bit more expensive. She doesn't plan to start a business selling these ice drinks yet.

It just so happens that the proprietress at the stall she took over left some trinkets and cosmetics, so she can start doing business immediately tomorrow. She decided to make a batch of floral water and put it on the stall to try her luck.

Zhang Yueniang was always rather reserved. When she ran the food stall, she didn't need to say much to anyone. She just needed to focus on her work.

Now, Xu Chaoyan runs a small stall selling tofu pudding, which allows her to take care of her parents and the family at the same time. She'll figure out what to do after this summer.

Meng Jiuxia, with a worried look on her face while hanging a sachet, asked, "Sister-in-law, no one has ever heard of floral water. How can we sell it?"

Xu Chaoyan tapped her forehead twice: "You, don't you trust your sister-in-law? We've been through so much together. From now on, we just need to come over every morning and set up the stall for two hours. We'll take it all in when the sun is blazing and rest. I'm not talking about making a fortune, just enough to cover our living expenses will be good enough."

Xu Chaoyan was also very worried because her floral water had not found a market. She had tried to sell it in various shops and cosmetic shops, but they refused to even open it because of its simple porcelain bottle.

It is said that the incense used by young ladies and wives is very particular, and only those country bumpkins would use such crude things. Xu Chaoyan packed her things and left.

The floral water she makes is made with high-quality ingredients; she's tried it herself and it has a light fragrance. Especially when showering, a few drops in provide a cooling and itch-relieving effect. The buzzing mosquitoes at night have definitely decreased significantly. Zhang Xuyang has asked her for some several times already.

Those young ladies usually frequent places like Ruyi Pavilion, Jade Pavilion, or Peach Blossom Honey; they would never come to her little stall.

She was also considering how to establish a sales channel. She had taken some to several shops before, offering it as consignment, and the prices weren't high—just three copper coins a bottle. The shop owners immediately kicked her out. For the past few days, she hadn't been eating or sleeping well, and she was so anxious she developed blisters in her mouth. With money flowing out like water, she felt completely insecure if she didn't earn some money soon.

Meng Jiuhe's tuition at the prefectural school for a year was not low, not to mention the cost of their living quarters, food, clothing, and other necessities. Not counting writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, it was no small sum.

Qiao Yue wandered aimlessly through the streets with her maid. She tried her luck at the academy several more times but still couldn't find the handsome young man.

She suddenly felt deflated and even doubted her own appearance. Somewhat uncertainly, she asked, "Cailian, do you think I've gotten uglier lately?"

Cailian followed closely behind her, looking nervous as she heard her speak. Her mouth moved faster than her brain: "What are you saying, Miss? You're becoming more and more beautiful."

Qiao Yue pouted, somewhat displeased: "It's all because the second young lady of the Zhao family insisted on fighting me for that piece of fabric last time. Lately, I haven't seen a single piece of clothing in the courtyard that I like."