Crossing the Four Seasons Pastoral

One hundred catties of sweet potatoes will produce about twenty catties of vermicelli, so you don’t have to worry about how to sell them, just stay at home and eat them yourself.However, because there were more than 300 catties of sweet potatoes left, Chen Xidi was not stingy, and distributed the vermicelli made for the first time to his two younger brothers, Zhou Fukang and Zhou Ankang.

"Brother An's craftsmanship is good, and you can make such a vermicelli." Qi Diwei came to thank them after eating the vermicelli. Although Chen Xidi took good care of them, he was old after all.If they don't consciously move around quickly, the relationship will be alienated.A few days ago, Brother An was also led to meet with the elders and neighbors one by one, so now he held Ye Xiaoan's hand and talked very affectionately.

"I just followed suit, as long as my uncle finds it delicious. If I can make it next time, I'll send it to you for a taste." Ye Xiaoan didn't say anything about the method of making vermicelli, Zhou Nan himself didn't care much.But considering that many people around them would know that they could make it, they finally decided to unify the caliber, saying that Zhou Nan brought the prescription back from other places.

"How can I eat more of this stuff? It's already as expensive as big fat meat." Qi Diwei sighed. Although their family's land is well-planted and they don't have to worry about food and clothing, they can't compare with the elder brother's family at all.When the three brothers separated, they were all in the same situation, except that the elder brother's family had fewer children and was a little better off.Until Xiaonan came, they could sell a few dollars more than others for everything they planted.Later, Zhou Nan went out to run business again, and the gap was even worse even if he flattered him.

Ye Xiaoan smiled and remained silent. He had already noticed that this little uncle was complaining about his family's hard life when he met him a few times.But obviously this kind of hardship is also a comparison. In fact, life in the village is not bad.

He didn't dare to say such meaningless words in front of Chen Xidi, and Ye Xiaoan didn't point it out.Qi Diwei felt bored, and thought about going back to do needlework, then remembered the reason why he came here, and hurriedly said: "Look, I have talked so much, I have forgotten the business. There is no one here, Brother An, who can inquire about the news Right? I heard that your fourth brother picked someone up and went home!"

It is indeed not as convenient to ask for news here. If you go back frequently, Ye Youping always looks worried, but it is only seven or eight days since the last time you went back?The fourth brother's life is very monotonous, every day besides going to the fields, he goes up the mountain, and he rarely even goes to the market.Where did you pick someone up from?

"Who did you pick up?"

Qi Diwei shook his head: "That's what I heard someone say, but I can't figure it out. In this peaceful and prosperous world, how can you pick someone up for no reason? Even if you sell yourself as a slave, you still need a clerk. Brother Ang, you have to inquire about it, don't let anyone deceive you."

Chen Xidi personally went to inquire about the Ye family. Although Qi Diwei knew a little about the situation of the Ye family, he didn't know much about the inside story.He thought that since the fourth brother was in his 20s and was dumb, maybe he wanted to buy a brother to take home with the gift money.

The current dynasty has very strict regulations on the sale of human beings. Except for those who commit crimes, the government distributes them for sale, and most of the rest use human power to pay off debts.Such mortgages often have no formal documents and cannot be recognized by the government.If the master is unable to hold back, he may be beaten up in the end.

Ye Youping himself was an overly kind person, although he knew that his words were well intentioned, but Ye Xiaoan still felt a little uncomfortable hearing them.The fourth brother has less than ten taels of silver in hand, which is not enough to buy someone.What's more, he would never spend money to buy someone back, but it is more likely that he picked up a beggar and returned.

Although he had some calculations in his mind, Ye Xiaoan decided to go back and have a look.Zhou's family has an ox cart, so as long as they are patient, the journey is not too troublesome.

"What's the matter?" Zhou Nan frowned and ran over after seeing his uncle off. Zhou Nan frowned and pulled him back.In previous years, he would go out after the beginning of spring, but this year he was reluctant.These days are spent at home, adding a lot of things to the house.

Ye Xiaoan told him the news he heard from Qi Diwei, and finally said: "I don't know who the one I picked up is, I'd better go over and have a look, lest he be deceived by someone's scheme."

It's no wonder that he thought too much, if the one he picked up was really a poor person, it would be a good thing.But if you want to think about it badly, these days after he left, the brothers have also been pissed off enough.No matter what they said, Ye Youping lowered his head and couldn't hear them.On weekdays, the door is locked when a person comes in and out, even if they covet the things in his house, no one really dares to break the lock.

Those brothers-in-law are not well-intentioned even with their children, maybe they can really come up with some sinister plans.

"I'll accompany you back." Zhou Nan held him down unquestionably, wiped off his sweat, got up and walked into the room, and quickly washed his face.

The reclining chair he is making in the yard has gradually taken shape.Although it is not yet summer, the temperature at noon has been very high recently.Ye Xiaoan knew from the memory of the original owner that the summer here is not easy, so he was thinking about this thing when he was too hot at noon these days.After the recliner is made, it is ventilated on all sides, of course it is cooler than a solid wood bed.Put a quilt on it, and it can be used in spring and autumn.But before he had time to do it, Zhou Nan helped him practice.

"Let's go." When Zhou Nan came out, Ye Xiaoan was still staring at the recliner in a daze, but he was used to Ye Xiaoan being in a daze from time to time, so he walked over and took his hand.Recently, he always had the illusion that he was raising a child instead of marrying a brother.

After sitting on it, Ye Xiaoan realized that he was not good at driving an ox cart, even if Zhou Nan didn't take the initiative to follow him, he still had to ask him for help.He hurriedly leaned forward and said, "This cow is obedient in your hands, will it be obedient if I drive it away?"

"You want to drive an ox cart?" Zhou Nan glanced at his small body, it seemed that he had gained a little more meat, but it was not enough.

"That way I don't have to bother you all the time."

"This cow has a fierce temper. Usually, it takes your father to comfort him after driving a long distance. You should stop trying." Zhou Nan always felt that Ye Xiaoan's temper and way of speaking were not like a 14-year-old brother. What's the matter? I want to do it myself, and I don't seem to have the habit of asking people around me for help.

Of course, he himself is just a "person around", so he feels that such a habit needs to be well trained.

Ye Xiaoan looked at the docile cow in front of him in disbelief. He didn't even need to yell, just pulled the rope and it could walk in the direction pointed, without any effort at all.

It was already three quarters in the afternoon when the two arrived at Linxia Village.With the passing of spring plowing, many people's meals have also been advanced, and it is the time when the smoke is rising.

As soon as the bullock cart stopped, Ye Xiaoan saw Ye Youping standing in front of the water tank.They don't have a well here, and they fill up the half-person-high water tank at one time on weekdays, saving it for two or three days.He had a spoon in his hand, apparently about to steam the rice.But with things like rice and red beans in front of him, it seemed a bit difficult to choose.

"Fourth brother!" He was so focused on his thoughts that he couldn't hear the voices outside, and he didn't turn his head until Ye Xiaoan took his arm.

Why are you here?His eyes were full of surprise, he hurriedly put down the things in his hands, and brought up the cold boiled water on the table to let them sit down.

"Come and take a look today if you have time." Ye Xiaoan didn't see anyone else, nor did he hear a voice, thinking that if the person had already left, he would go to Tian's house to inquire.

Ye Youping grinned wide, revealing two rows of neat teeth.Although he was worried that Xiao An would always walk home and provoke people to talk about her husband's house, but he was obviously very happy in his heart.He patted Zhou Nan on the shoulder, let the two of them sit together, gestured and went to cook again.This time he didn't hesitate any longer, he filled a pot with about two catties of rice, rinsed it, and steamed it in a pot.

He didn't come over after steaming the rice, but took out a square iron box from under the cupboard, and counted the eggs in it with satisfaction before going out.

"Brother, don't be busy, I'll do it." The house they planned to build was not big, and the separated kitchen was even smaller, Ye Xiaoan could see the inside clearly while sitting.

Although he only knew nine things about cooking, every time he came back to see his fourth brother making such a fuss, he felt sorry for him, and rushed to go out with him.

The vegetable field behind the house has grown into a piece of turquoise, but it is no longer the batch of rapeseed that Ye Xiaoan ordered.This vegetable field is obviously well tended, and the ground is still wet after watering in the morning.Ye Youping took a fancy to the most juicy mustard greens and uprooted a large piece.

"Brother, can you eat so many vegetables?" Ye Xiaoan asked while pulling out vegetables.He wanted to find out how to make pickles. Such a patch of vegetables can't be eaten by one person, and the leftovers can be changed into pickles.

Chen Xidi also likes to uproot like this when cooking. He also said that other families with a large population would not be willing to do this, and they would pick the leaves to eat when they grow up.But even with this way of eating, Ye Youping couldn't finish it by himself.

Ye Youping paused for a moment while pulling the vegetables, and then nodded.

In this way, the speed of picking vegetables was extremely fast, and the two quickly got a basket.Ye Youping squatted in front of the house to clean, since Ye Xiaoan wanted to help, he let him do this job, and went back to the house to prepare other things.

All the things he brought back when he returned home were placed in his room. Ye Xiaoan bent down to find some mushrooms, fungus and a piece of bacon. When he was about to close the door and go out, his eyes swept over the bed, and then he felt something was wrong.

The room was locked when I came back several times before, but just now it was just concealed.Ye Xiaoan walked forward slowly, and sure enough, he saw a person lying on the bed.It's just that the man was thin and only his face was exposed, so he didn't notice it for a while.

It was a man, he couldn't describe it as beautiful, but he was definitely better looking than anyone he had seen here.Tian Xifan is considered outstanding in the village, but in Ye Xiaoan's eyes, he is cute for a child, without even his facial features.Zhou Bei is also very handsome, young but exuding a refined temperament from inside to outside.Zhou Nan is also good-looking, but the rough and deep features are completely different.

The man was still sleeping, Ye Xiaoan couldn't even guess his age.He attracted people's attention before opening his eyes, no wonder the fourth brother picked him up.But looking at his skin and tender flesh, it is unlikely that someone else got it on purpose.Fair skin, the face is so delicate that you can't even see the pores, it's not something that can be cultivated in a short time.

In the end, Ye Xiaoan didn't wake him up, and walked out quietly with his things.

Zhou Nan didn't sit still, he was already squatting with Ye Youping outside the house.Ye Xiaoan called him from a distance, and then hid in the kitchen.

Ye Youping didn't notice the abnormality here, Zhou Nan walked over and saw Ye Xiaoan's frowning face, remembering that he entered the room just now, he asked suddenly: "Did you see someone?"

But they have been in for so long, the other party should have come out.

Ye Xiaoan nodded preoccupied, seemed to know what he was thinking, and pointed to the room: "He is sleeping soundly!"

"What's the matter? Didn't we come here just because we heard about it? After a while, you can ask fourth brother where he met that person. I'll find someone to find out."

"That man looks so good-looking." Ye Xiaoan held the knife for a long time without cutting it, and finally said.

"Looks good? Bro, how old are you?" Zhou Nan took the kitchen knife, sliced ​​the bacon into thin slices and spread it in the bowl, then cut the shiitake mushrooms into pieces, and quickly caught the point of his words.

If it's a pretty guy around the same age, it's more likely that someone else designed it.If you live in the house for two or three days, you can say that there is nothing like that.Especially in the case of the fourth brother... It's even more unclear.

"Uh..." Although Ye Xiaoan stared at the person for a long time, he didn't think of how to distinguish the "gender" of the other person, so he responded vaguely.

Zhou Nan thought that he had acquiesced, and after a few thoughts in his mind, he felt that it was inappropriate.In fact, this matter mainly depends on the attitude of the fourth brother. If the fourth brother wants to keep him, they have nothing to do.

"Fourth brother, why is there someone in my room?" Ye Xiaoan thought of going with him, and he came here for this matter, so he can only ask fourth brother to solve it.It's useless to hide it, he just came to talk to Ye Youping directly.

Ye Youping said "Yeah", and there was only a soft sound in his throat, but his expression was genuinely annoyed, apparently he completely forgot about it.Seeing his younger brother's puzzled face, he gestured to tell what had happened.

It turned out that he had just gone to the town market the day before yesterday when he came back from the fields, bought a cage of chicks and was going home after noon.The man's name was Su Mu, whom he met on the road.

When he came back from the town, there was no one else on the road. He was hungry and took a shortcut from a side village to go home.At that time, Su Mu's head was covered with blood, and he could not move when lying on the ground, just like when he jumped off the bullock cart.Ye Youping has always been kind-hearted, at first glance this person's situation is somewhat similar to that of his younger brother, so he felt compassionate and helped him stop the bleeding on his head.But after waiting and waiting, no one woke up. If I threw it there, I might have to lie down on the road overnight.He couldn't hold back in the end, and carried him home.

After I came back, I slept for a long time, but I finally woke up, but I still can't get out of bed.He couldn't understand Ye Youping's gestures, and Ye Youping couldn't hear his words, so he let him live in the end.Ye Youping used to cook his meals with red beans, but the man just vomited it out. Before they arrived, they were already hesitating about what kind of rice to steam.

Ye Xiaoan was surprised to hear that he could spit out some red beans mixed with the rice. How delicate is this person's life?What he ate back then was mixed with bran!Red beans are also a serious grain, but one catty of rice can be exchanged for three catties of red beans, and many people are reluctant to eat clean rice.

But if you say it like this, it may really be a coincidence.No one can predict that he will temporarily change his path, right?

When Ye Youping mentioned him, there was nothing unusual, and it seemed that the man's appearance had no effect on him.Thinking that it is indeed difficult for ordinary people to communicate with fourth brother, Ye Xiaoan decided to wait for him to wake up before going to find out.

The lunch of the three ended with three dishes, steamed bacon with shiitake mushrooms, scrambled eggs with fungus and mustard greens with garlic.It should be excellent when paired with white rice, but Ye Xiaoan has no taste when he eats meat.No need to think about it, I know that the fourth brother is not willing to eat these things at all. When he went in just now, he saw that the portion was not reduced at all compared to the last time he saw it.In fact, it is spring now, and if the weather is humid, if you don't eat it, you may get moldy.

"Brother, you usually get some to eat at home, but don't wait for me to come back and eat them all in my stomach. Besides, they are not durable, and the weather will be bad soon..." Ye Xiaoan racked his brains to think what to do In this way, Ye Youping can be more generous to him and persuade him slowly.

"Why didn't you notify me after eating?" The door of the room was suddenly opened with a bang, and a person was leaning lazily by the door, as weak as if he was about to take a rest after walking two steps.The eyes of the three people on the table were all on him, but he didn't seem to notice it, and walked over after regaining some strength, and seemed to be pissed off when he saw the food on the table: "Oh, isn't this meat and eggs? What was it that you gave me to eat yesterday? I really thought your family was poor and empty!"

He spoke quickly and urgently, Ye Youping couldn't hear or see the shape of his lips clearly, and couldn't guess anything except his sullen expression.However, Ye Xiaoan couldn't help it with his natural attitude: "Aren't you sleeping soundly? What's more, you have to be responsible for eating and drinking after saving you? If this is the case, we can't entertain you. Please do it yourself." .”

The fourth brother once said that he could sleep for six or seven hours, not to mention that he felt that it was better for an injured patient to rest than to be called up to eat halfway.It was obviously for his sake, but when he said it, it seemed that he had done something to be sorry for him.

His domineering attitude made Zhou Nan frown, but since he was a man, it was inconvenient to argue with a brother who seemed weak, so he let Xiao An speak out.

His words fell into Su Mu's ears, but it seemed like a mess of miscellaneous threads and it was difficult to sort out the clues. He managed to catch the three words "I saved you" from the buzzing sound, but he couldn't believe it.

Before he fell into a coma, he clearly heard that they were going to sell him...

"Save me?" He was moving his mouth faster than his brain now, before he could tell the truth from the fake, he murmured and repeated.

"Otherwise, what do you think? Since you are not used to staying in such a crude place, and your injury is healed now, please leave on your own." Ye Xiaoan said in a bad mood.No matter how attractive his appearance is, such a temperament is too unlovable.

Su Mu touched his head. It seemed that the bleeding was almost stopped after the trauma, but he knew that his head might have been severely hit, and he was completely dizzy now. I am afraid that he would not be able to recover within ten days and a half months. up.Although he can walk now, he can't go on the road at all.I probably also lost a lot of blood that day, and now I still have symptoms of blood loss.

With his physical condition, he was absolutely unable to make it on his way. Since the other party saved him, he must have been somewhat kind.Especially that mute, when he took care of him yesterday, his movements were very regular.At that time, he was also a little bit puzzled, but the conversations he remembered and the unfamiliar environment stimulated him, making him subconsciously believe that he was the buyer.

His mind turned very quickly, he secretly made a decision in his heart, and his expression changed very quickly: "I'm sorry, I misunderstood."

At that time, he couldn't accept that he was being traded as a commodity at all, so he deliberately said something provocative on impulse.Ordinary people would hate such a lazy brother to come in, and if he had some money, he might have a chance to go out.

Seeing that Ye Xiaoan remained calm, Su Mu continued: "Thank you for saving me, but my injury has not recovered, can you allow me to stay for a while?"

Since he was ten years old, others have always begged Su Mu to do things, and he has almost never had the experience of begging for help in such a low voice.If the master hadn't taken him around to teach him to behave in a humble and low-key manner, he might have really grown into a domineering young master.

However, Ye Xiaoan thought that his low profile was insincere. What's more, he came here today to solve this problem, so he said immediately: "You probably don't know, our place is just a small village. Even if a hen lays an egg, she can't hide it from the neighbors. My brother has already caused a lot of gossip when he rescued you, and if you stay here, other people's spittle will drown you."

Ye Xiaoan didn't expect that one day he would persuade others with such absurd reasons as provoking conversation between the two, but people's hearts are selfish.If one day something happens to Su Mu after he leaves here, it may cause trouble for them.The fourth brother can't speak like this, and he can't explain why.

Su Mu had never heard that he was afraid of hurting his brother's reputation, but he never thought that one day he would be kicked out if he asked to stay for a few days.He observed the three people sitting carefully. Since this little brother called the dumb brother, and he had never seen him yesterday, he was probably married.But he was dumb and couldn't speak, and he was probably the one who made the decision now.I don't know anything about the environment here now, so if I want to ask about the situation, I have to take this opportunity to communicate with him.

He thought of many ways to deal with it. Their house was simple and small, so they must not be living well.The most simple and rude thing is to take a sum of money and let them take care of themselves, but let alone money now, there is not even a piece of jewelry left on them...

"You take care of me for a month, and when I go back, I will help you find a doctor to treat his dumb disease." After a long silence, Su Mu pinned his hopes on Ye Youping.Seeing that their brother has a good relationship, it is not difficult to take care of him, and it is unlikely that they will give up this hope.

His words hit Ye Xiaoan's ears like thunder from the sky. He never thought that there is a possibility of healing in Sige's situation?But after the excitement, there was suspicion: "Why don't you just go home and recuperate?"

"My injury is not suitable for traveling." Su Mu made an excuse casually, knowing that it would be difficult to win the other party's trust with just one sentence, and said: "His dumb disease is caused by the day after tomorrow, right? The genius doctor I know once cured There are several cases that are similar to his. If it really can't be cured, I will give you 1000 taels of silver as compensation."

Maybe it was because yesterday when he took care of him he didn't get any good looks, and Ye Youping didn't pay much attention to him, seeing that they talked for a long time, he tugged his brother's sleeve and let him continue eating.

Su Mu has been paying attention to the expressions of the three of them, and he can also see that Ye Xiaoan doesn't trust him very much, and the other person's attention is all on the little brother, as if he doesn't pay much attention to his words.As for Ye Youping, since he already knew that he couldn't hear, it's not surprising to see his indifferent expression.

It was 1000 taels casually, Ye Xiaoan had to doubt his identity, but the allure of this 1000 taels of silver was far inferior to curing the fourth brother to him.

The dishes on the dinner table were cold.Of course, Ye Xiaoan already had no taste for food when he heard the conditions he offered, but how could he dare to agree casually because it had something to do with Ye Youping's body?

Su Mu didn't rush to eat anymore, and walked into the room slowly, obviously leaving space for them to discuss.

"Why, can't you figure it out?" Zhou Nan couldn't help laughing seeing Ye Xiaoan still thinking hard.The person has been rescued, and it is too far-fetched to insist that they don't want to get involved, after all, they know each other now.The only question now is whether to let that person continue to live. If he agrees, there is still a certain chance to get benefits.

"Do you think he is trustworthy?" It is very easy to inquire about a person in modern times, whether through official channels or inquiring among neighbors, you can know a lot.But now they don't know anything except their names, and Su Mu didn't intend to reveal anything just now.

"You should ask if he will bring danger. If you only take care of him for a month, at most you will lose some food, and it won't cost much money. Compared with his possible cure of the fourth brother's illness, this investment is almost negligible." Zhou Nan Leaning her head down and leaning on him affectionately, it's really rare to see him hesitating and wanting to make a decision.

Ye Xiaoan suddenly realized, and immediately asked: "Then do you think he is dangerous?"

"It doesn't look like Xiaoxiao's generation, maybe we can talk to him." Zhou Nan thought he still had some eyesight for people, but how could he observe while talking.