Running into Each Other

Since the Gu family can't afford to move anyway, she might as well stay here. That way, someone will lend a hand if anything happens.

"You're so headstrong. I'll have your older brother go with you later, so you don't get scammed."

"Please, just leave my brother alone," Gu Wanning laughed. "My brother's practically become my little follower. I can do it myself. Here, give me the broom, you don't need to sweep. My brother finally got a few days off, you should go back now."

You only get a few days off during the Lunar New Year, is that easy?

There are no weekends off here; you only get three days off a month. With that meager salary, it's like being a beast of burden for the government.

"It's nothing, I'm just killing time anyway."

She wanted to stay here and see her son more.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Qiaoqiao brought Xi'er to visit, along with some snacks.

"You're here, why bring anything?" Gu Wanning smiled and invited her inside for tea.

"Don't bother, sister, let's get to work." Xu Qiaoqiao rolled up her sleeves, proving herself to be a quick and efficient worker.

"No, it's cold," Gu Wanning said, pulling down her sleeve and taking her hand. "Let's go to the kang (heated brick bed) and peel sugarcane first."

The bedding on the kang (heated brick bed) was all put away, and a clean bamboo mat was laid out.

The kang (heated brick bed) was scorching hot, and a stove and brazier were also added to the room... making it warm and cozy.

"Sister, I'm here!" Fourth Concubine shouted in her loud voice before she even entered the courtyard.

She came with her Third Concubine today.

"Sister, I was gone for a while, and you have a new little sister now." Fourth Concubine said with a mournful look, "Can't you live without your little sister?"

"Get out!" Gu Wanning pretended to kick her, Fourth Concubine laughed and jumped aside, then came over to talk to Xu Qiaoqiao, "You're the fifth one!"

Xu Qiaoqiao:???

Third Concubine laughed and scolded, "Don't scare him."

"Alright, everyone hurry up and get inside. I've got people to work today, and I won't let them go until they've finished."

"I can stay and sleep!"

"Sleep on the floor!"

"The ground is a bit cold, I can sleep on the roof beam."

Seeing them chatting and Xu Qiaoqiao relaxed a lot.

Then, everyone sat in a row on the kang (a heated brick bed) and peeled sugarcane.

A cartload of sugarcane was loaded, and everyone worked diligently. Wei Shi and He Shi brought their He Ge to help, making the house very lively.

After peeling two large basins of sugarcane, the group split into two groups.

Gu Wanning, along with Er Ya, went out to use a stone mill to extract juice under Xu Qiaoqiao's direction.

Although the family's donkey was often mocked by the horse when his father and brothers went to court, it was still a "noble donkey" and had never done such heavy work before, so it was somewhat resistant at first.

Gu Wanning was busy coaxing the donkey and checking the juicing results, working up a sweat.

Then, at this time, Xu Weibei arrived.

Xu Weibei arrived, leading his newly acquired pony.

Of the horses he brought from the Northwest before the New Year, he selected four good ones, including this little foal.

Although he's not grown up yet, in the past, Xu Weibei wouldn't have given him a second glance.

But things are different now; it's adorable, which makes it all the more precious.

Moreover, in his opinion, this foal would grow up to be a fine horse.

"What is she doing?" Xu Weibei stared in disbelief at Gu Wanning was sweating profusely.

"This donkey won't move." Gu Wanning gasped for breath. "I tried pushing it twice, but it wouldn't budge."

Upon seeing the man outside, Xu Qiaoqiao quietly retreated to the back.

Er Ya asked, "My Marquis, may I borrow your horse?"

"No way." Xu Weibei refused without hesitation. "It's still too young."

"Was that the horse you were riding?"

"That won't do either." Xu Weibei couldn't bear to see his horse suffer such a "great humiliation."

He stepped forward, looking down at Gu Wanning's reddened tiger's mouth, "Are you stupid? You've already made such a mess, why do you insist on doing it yourself? Can't you just find someone to do it?"

"It's nothing. It's just this stubborn mule that's driving me crazy."

Xu Weibei thought to himself, "Like father, like son. Isn't your donkey just like your father's?"

"Get out of the way." Xu Weibei took the initiative to push.

Gu Wanning opened her eyes wide.

My goodness, it has to be Xu Weibei!

Pushing the stone mill is much faster than a donkey.

"He's more useful than a donkey until he's married into the family," Er Ya whispered in Gu Wanning's ear. "So you absolutely mustn't agree to marry him. Keep him hanging on, make him do more work for you."

Gu Wanning: "..."

Xu Qiaoqiao was also somewhat surprised.

Marquis, is this the Marquis Gu Wanning divorced?

But he doesn't seem like a bad man that people dislike.

Moreover, he immediately started doing rough and tiring work as soon as he entered the door. Although his tone was unfriendly, he clearly cared and was concerned.

After a while, seeing how hard Xu Weibei working, Gu Wanning suggested that the donkey try again.

Xu Weibei said there was absolutely no need for it.

Then, the Marquis of Yingchuan spent most of the day as a donkey, squeezing out all the sugarcane juice and harvesting several large buckets.

After filtering the sugarcane juice with a coarse cloth, Gu Wanning then busied herself with boiling the sugar.

During the cooking process, it is necessary to stir constantly to prevent sticking to the pot, and at the same time observe the changes in the color and viscosity of the syrup.

The further you go, the thicker the syrup becomes, and the more difficult it is to stir.

Xu Weibei.

Gu Wanning even wondered if he would be unable to lift his arm after he got home that night.

When Gu Anqi heard that Xu Weibei had arrived, he also came over to see him.

He was willing to help, but he was really not good at physical labor, so he could only watch Xu Weibei work like a donkey, full of energy, without even needing a carrot.

That's really... incredibly stupid.

Chapter 158 Collision

Although watching Xu Weibei work was amusing, Gu Anqi remained clear-headed.

--This guy is working so hard because he wants to sell his strength for a good price.

He wanted to win his sister back.

That's not possible.