Crossing Over to Yamada Love

Mo Lan sized up the four women who had approached. She recognized them from the original owner's memories. They were from Liu Erdan's family; Mo Lan should call them Aunt Erdan. They were 4 or 27.8 years old, dressed in red and green. They had a somewhat eerie air about them.

The woman in Chen Dasheng's house, whom Mo Lan should call Grandma Chen, was around 50 years old. She was dressed simply and carried a basket covered with a blue cloth; it was unclear what was inside.

There was also Erhanzi's mother from their village, whom everyone called Hanzi's Mother, but Molan usually called her Hanzi's Grandma. She was also around 50 years old, and she was carrying a basket filled with eggs, probably to sell in town.

Finally, there was a woman in her thirties, Aunt Shiliu. However, she was of a higher generation, so Mo Lan had to call her Grandma Shiliu. She was wearing a silk skirt and had her face made up, giving her a rather charming appearance.

Mo Lan greeted Liu Shi and the others, and after everyone got on the car and settled in, Old Liu began to slowly drive the ox forward.

Mo Lan listened to the gossiping voices in the car: Liu Dajia had given birth to a chubby baby boy, Chen Qi's family had another fight last night, and so on.

Women's gossip power is truly not to be underestimated. Listening to them say this, wouldn't the village have no secrets at all?

Mo Lan's village is called Xiao Liu Zhuang. The majority of the villagers have the surname Liu, followed by Chen. The Liu family is the most powerful; not only is the local headman Liu, but the clan chief is also from the Liu family. Families like the Mo family are few and far between. There's also the Cheng family, though only a few in number. However, the Cheng family produced a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, and they own the largest and best-equipped property in the village. Therefore, no one in the village dares to mess with them.

The Liu family members were somewhat arrogant in the village, while the Chen family members held a fairly good position in the village because of their doctor, Dr. Chen.

As for the Mo family and a few other less common surnames, they have little say in the village. Therefore, the Mo family's relationship with the villagers is generally average, with only a few families being relatively close.

Mo Lan watched as the women treated Liu Shi with lukewarm indifference, and Liu Shi didn't mingle with them. She smiled to herself, thinking that power comes from strength. Now they all look down on my family with indifference, but once we have money and open a workshop or something, these people will be eager to curry favor with us.

Therefore, everywhere is a world of its own, and strength reigns supreme.

Mo Lan listened to the gossip in her ears while her eyes surveyed the fields by the roadside. The black soil was divided into patches, some filled with corn stalks, others with waterlogged soil, probably in preparation for planting rice. Only a few fields were covered with lush green wheat.

It's really inconsistent, but judging from the situation, very few people are growing wheat. But as long as there's some, it's fine. Because she'll need flour for many of her future meals.

Mo Lan pondered what she could do in the future. The number of pedestrians on the road gradually increased, walking in twos and threes. There were also oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages with various vehicles. Voices kept reaching Mo Lan's ears.

Mo Lan thought to herself, "We're probably almost at Shangchang Town." Sure enough, about fifteen minutes later, the oxcart arrived at the town gate of Shangchang.

Shangchang Town is a large town with many wealthy people. The main street is particularly bustling, with wide streets paved with bluestone and lined with shops on both sides. Many of these shops are two or three stories high. Even on non-market days, the streets are always crowded and lively.

Mo Lan looked around curiously, and it seemed to be similar to what was shown on TV. After a while, Old Liu found a corner and put them down. He then told them that he would return around 3 p.m. and if they needed to take a ride back, they should come to find him there at that time.

"Uncle Liu, I didn't bring enough copper coins with me today, this is all I have. I'll give it to you next time," Liu Erdan's family member said as they took out a copper coin and handed it over.

Old Liu's face darkened. Why was Erdan's family always like this? Every time they said they didn't have any loose copper coins, and last time they didn't even give them a single coin. This person is really... Look at Changhai's family, they said they didn't want to be forced to give, they didn't want to take advantage. Unlike her. There's really no comparison between people.

Old Liu took the one coin, forced a smile, and said, "We're all from the same village. Give it to me when you have more money."

"Then thank you, Uncle Liu." Liu Erdan's family member walked away with a grin, wiggling his hips.

Mo Lan glanced at her retreating figure and followed Liu Shi away.

Mo Lan walked down the street with Liu Shi, looking around and silently memorizing directions and major buildings.

Although Mo Lan doesn't recognize all the characters on the doorplate, she can guess a few. She'll memorize them now so she can come back next time.

Liu stopped at a shop in Daobei. Mo Lan looked up and saw a large shop with five rooms. The four big characters "Jinxiu Cloth Shop" on the gilded plaque shone brightly.

This must be their destination. Mo Lan followed Liu Shi inside.

Upon entering the shop, Mo Lan looked around. Rows of brightly colored fabrics were displayed on the shelves, dazzling the eye. On the other side, however, hung many ready-made garments, presumably samples for customers to choose from.

Inside the shop, a few customers were being served by the staff. Behind the counter sat a middle-aged man in his forties with a mustache, who was probably the owner.

"Madam Liu is here! Is everything ready?" The shopkeeper with the mustache greeted Liu and Mo Lan.

"Is it ready? Is my wife in the back room?" Liu asked in a low voice, her head bowed.

"My wife is in the back room. Take it there for her to inspect." The shopkeeper pointed to the back room.

Liu led Mo Lan inside, and judging from her familiarity with the place, she must have been the one who delivered goods in the back room each time.

Upon entering the inner hall, the first thing you see is a large courtyard planted with many flowering trees, the air is fresh, and around the courtyard are several private rooms, presumably for receiving female guests.

Liu led Mo Lan into one of the rooms. The door was open, and inside sat a middle-aged woman with a round face like a steamed bun, adorned with a red hairpin, and dressed in fine silk. She looked radiant. She must be the proprietress of this place.

Behind her stood a pretty young woman, around sixteen or seventeen years old, who, judging from her attire, was probably a maid or something similar.

A young woman dressed in plain clothes stood with her back to them; she seemed to have also taken on a job.

"Yes, yes. Madam He, please be merciful. I was a bit rushed this time, but the price you gave me doesn't even cover the cost of the silk thread." The village woman repeatedly admitted her mistake.

"It's not that I want to lower your price, it's just that I entrusted you with better work because I thought your previous skills were good. Who knew that you would do such a rough job in order to rush the work? Do you know how much I have to lose by ruining this material like this?" The proprietress paused here.

"Yes, yes, I know I've let my wife down, but I have elderly parents and young children to support, all waiting for me to bring money home to buy rice. Please, have mercy and give me more, otherwise those children won't even have enough to eat," the village woman pleaded tearfully.

"Very well, I'm a soft-hearted person by nature and can't stand being asked for things. Chunlu, give her another ten coins." Madam He sighed.

“Yes, Madam, you are truly kind-hearted. Sister-in-law Qu, quickly thank Madam.” The maid named Chunlu said crisply.

"Thank you, madam, thank you, madam," the village woman, Sister Qu, said repeatedly.

"Go on, do your job well this time," Madam He waved her hand.

"Wife, could you please give me some wages first so I can buy silk thread? I've really lost money this time, and I'm short of cash..." Sister-in-law Qu said softly.

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