Chapter 182: Rushing to the Countryside Street

The township market happens once every six days.

Early in the morning, Cheng Jingmo took Yu Xiangnian and Xiao Jie to the village entrance to catch a carriage.

Two carriages were already waiting there, each drawn by two horses. The carriage beds were made of wood and had roofs to protect against rain. Seats lined the edges of the carriage beds.

One carriage was pulled by two brown horses, and the other by a white horse and a brown horse.

Cheng Jingmo asked, “Which one do you want to take?”

Xiao Jie said, “I like the white horse.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “See, this is the reality. The one riding the white horse might not be a prince; he could just as likely be a rough guy!”

Cheng Jingmo: “…” What kind of scary story is this?

Xiao Jie: “He’s not riding; he’s sitting in the driver’s seat.”

Yu Xiangnian burst into laughter and couldn’t stop, “The carriage has a driver’s seat! Hahaha…”

Xiao Jie: “Don’t underestimate the carriage.”

Xiao Jie gave Cheng Jingmo a look that said, “My aunt is acting weird again,” and climbed into the carriage bed first.

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

Cheng Jingmo waited for Yu Xiangnian to finish laughing before they both got on the carriage.

As they were about to board, Yu Xiangnian suddenly stopped and walked to the driver, saying, “Driver, your horse needs its hooves trimmed.”

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

The driver looked at this fairy-like girl in disbelief, hearing such a down-to-earth statement.

Yu Xiangnian pointed at the horse’s hooves, her face serious, “Look, the edges of its hooves are cracked and need trimming. The horseshoes need to be reshaped and nailed back on!”

Cheng Jingmo looked at Yu Xiangnian, who seemed ready to do it herself if she had the tools.

The carriage filled up with passengers and set off.

Yu Xiangnian was already famous in the village. Some people hadn’t seen her but had heard about her.

“Jianwa, taking your wife to the market?”

“Yes.” Cheng Jingmo naturally asked, “I haven’t been back in years. I don’t know what’s good to eat or fun to do at the market.”

The people in the carriage started telling them about the market’s specialties.

The road was bumpy, and dust flew everywhere. The bench was a thick wooden plank, and Yu Xiangnian, sitting between Xiao Jie and Cheng Jingmo, complained, “My butt hurts.”

Cheng Jingmo was about to take off his jacket to cushion her seat, but Yu Xiangnian stopped him, “Keep it on; it’s cold on the carriage.”

“I’m not cold. Use it as a cushion; we still have a long way to go.” Cheng Jingmo said, folding his jacket and placing it under Yu Xiangnian. “Stand up a bit so I can put it in place.”

Most of the market-goers were women, and they looked at Yu Xiangnian with envy.

The route was mostly through the mountains, occasionally passing a village or two.

“Cheng Jingmo, the other day when we came back, how far did we walk?” Yu Xiangnian asked.

“Around a kilometer ahead.”

“It was dark, and you could judge so accurately. That’s impressive!”

Cheng Jingmo felt a bit proud but quickly calmed down.

Yu Xiangnian always made him feel like he was extraordinary!

But this was a basic skill for soldiers, nothing to be proud of!

After more than two hours on the carriage, the family of three arrived at the township market.

Even though commerce was not yet officially allowed, the market was bustling.

Most of the people were villagers from nearby, carrying bamboo baskets and discreetly selling agricultural products.

Cheng Jingmo walked from one end of the market to the other, looking somewhat disappointed.

“What do you want to buy?” Yu Xiangnian asked.

“Rice.”

In Nancheng, they usually ate rice, with only occasional meals of noodles.

But since getting off the train until today, Yu Xiangnian and Xiao Jie had been eating noodles every day and must be tired of it.

However, in these times and at such a township market, there was no rice to be found.

Yu Xiangnian understood Cheng Jingmo’s thoughts and smiled, “I can get used to eating noodles. I see Xiao Jie enjoys every meal.”

“But,” Yu Xiangnian continued, “I want to eat chicken. Let’s buy one and stew it!”

Mentioning chickens reminded Xiao Jie of his two chicks.

He said worriedly, “I wonder how those two chicks are doing?”

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Aunt Liu Zhen is taking care of them. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine!”

The three hadn’t had lunch yet, so they ate noodles and cold skin noodles at a restaurant in town.

When passing by the post office, Yu Xiangnian wanted to call home.

Today happened to be Sunday, so everyone should be at home.

There weren’t many people in the post office, so Yu Xiangnian dialed her home number.

It was Yu Xiangyang who answered. Recognizing Yu Xiangnian’s voice, he said, “Hey! You finally remembered to call home. Mom and Dad have been thinking about you!”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I’m doing well here. Where’s Mom? I want to talk to her.”

Yu Xiangyang said, “Is Cheng Jingmo with you?”

“Yes.”

“Let me talk to him first. I have something urgent to discuss!”

Yu Xiangnian handed the phone to Cheng Jingmo, saying, “Yu Xiangyang says he has something urgent to tell you.”

Cheng Jingmo took the phone, “Hello, Yu Xiangyang.”

Not knowing what Yu Xiangyang said, Cheng Jingmo furrowed his brows.

He said, “I don’t care.”

“…”

Cheng Jingmo continued, “We’re staying here for a while.”

“…”

Cheng Jingmo said again, “Figure it out yourself.”

“…”

Suddenly, Cheng Jingmo’s expression became serious, “Mom, it’s me. We’re all fine. Xiangnian is right next to me. Okay, I’ll let her talk to you.”

Yu Xiangnian took the phone, and as soon as she put it to her ear, she heard Zhao Ruozhu’s dissatisfied voice, “You’ve been away for over half a month and didn’t even think to let us know you’re safe!”

Yu Xiangnian explained, “We encountered some issues on the way and got busy. When we arrived at Cheng Jingmo’s house, it wasn’t convenient. Today, I finally had the chance to call.”

Zhao Ruozhu’s tone softened, “Are his family treating you well? Are you eating well? Sleeping well? How are you getting along with his parents and siblings? Do you have enough money?”

Yu Xiangnian: “…” She didn’t know which question to answer first.

After a brief pause, Yu Xiangnian replied generally, “I’m doing well here. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back. We have enough money, don’t worry.”

Zhao Ruozhu asked, “Have you finished the food you brought? Should I send more? When are you planning to come back?”

Yu Xiangnian said, “Mom, no need. Everything is fine here. You don’t have to worry. Where’s Dad?”

“He’s here, waiting.”

In just a second, Yu Jiashun’s deep voice came through, “Xiangnian.”

It seemed he had been waiting by the phone!

Yu Xiangnian said, “Dad, I’m doing well here. Don’t worry.”

Yu Jiashun said, “If you’re ever wronged, just tell me. I’ll stand up for you!”

Yu Xiangnian laughed, “Really, no one dares to wrong me!”

“I worry about you being bullied when you’re away from home.”

Yu Xiangnian seriously assured, “Really, no one has. If anyone dares, I’ll come crying to you!”

Yu Jiashun finally believed her, “As long as you’re fine.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I’ll talk to you more when I get back.”

Yu Jiashun: “…”

After a moment, he said, “Okay, then. Take care.”

It sounded like he was reluctant to hang up!