Chapter 149: Why Did He Abandon Her Back Then?

Ye Xin Ran didn’t pay much attention to this matter.

After Lu Chang Qing left, she focused on the business at the store and the construction of the house.

The Xue Yan Ointment and Qing Liang Drink were both selling well.

However, the weather was getting colder day by day, and the Qing Liang Drink would soon be out of season.

The year had started off well, and by next spring, they could bring the Qing Liang Drink back to sell.

Judging by the popularity, Li Mo was confident about next year’s sales.

The Xue Yan Ointment didn’t have this worry, people who had used Yu Ru Ointment before had now become loyal customers of Xue Yan Ointment.

More and more people from outside the town were coming to buy Xue Yan Ointment.

Ye Xin Ran had improved the formula, and now there were no longer any skin discoloration issues during its use.

Shun Yi Tang had done a great job promoting Yong Le Hall, helping Xue Yan Ointment reach Fu Cheng so quickly. Without their promotion and distribution channels, Xue Yan Ointment wouldn’t have spread so fast.

For them, it was a case of losing out instead of gaining.

However, Shun Yi Tang had not taken any further actions.

Ye Xin Ran had also heard that Shun Yi Tang had changed its manager.

The previous manager had been called back to the capital for questioning, and the new one had been the manager at the Huo family for over 20 years.

Ye Xin Ran didn’t pay much attention to it.

Her principle was simple: “If others don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them.”

As long as they didn’t cross the line, Ye Xin Ran didn’t mind everyone profiting together.

Speaking of profits, now they were making several hundred taels of silver every day.

The silver in her space had piled up into dozens of large boxes.

She didn’t like silver notes, she preferred solid gold and silver.

When it came time to settle accounts, she would directly stash the silver away.

As for the silver notes she received, she would find opportunities to have Li Mo exchange them for gold or silver ingots.

Li Mo was left confused.

“Sis-in-law, with so much silver, it’s not safe to store it at home, is it? Even though you’ve built a big house, having so much silver around still isn’t safe. It’s better to keep silver notes on you, as they’re safer and easier to carry.”

Ye Xin Ran wasn’t interested in his advice.

“You don’t have to worry about it. With Huai’an here, our silver is safe no matter where we put it.”

To avoid making Li Mo suspicious, she added:

“I don’t keep it on me all the time, just bring it home for a few days and then deposit it in the bank.

I grew up poor and never saw much money, so this is just a little hobby of mine.”

Li Mo waved his hands, “Sis-in-law, don’t say that! With the money you’re making, this isn’t what I’d call not seeing big money. We made 300 taels in commissions this month alone. I have a rough idea of how much you’ve earned.”

“Shh, we can’t talk about this, in case someone hears us.”

Ye Xin Ran said mysteriously on purpose.

Li Mo quickly covered his mouth.

What his sister-in-law said was right, such things shouldn’t be known by others.

He was genuinely happy for Xiao Huai’an that their family could earn money.

Who would’ve thought that after so much hardship, he could now live such a happy life? Heaven, after all, had a time for opening its eyes.

……

Xiao Huai’an had been busy with the house construction lately.

What materials to use, how high to build, it all had to be decided by him.

Half a month passed, and the house finally began to take shape.

Everyone looked at the spacious courtyard of the new house and the cobbled stone floor, all with envy in their eyes.

Yes, only envy, no jealousy.

People tend to compare themselves with those who are similar to them.

If their neighbor has a little more money, they will feel jealous. If their neighbor has a little more grain, they will feel jealous.

But when that neighbor reaches a height they cannot attain, they no longer feel jealous. What’s left is only admiration.

“The cobblestones are laid down, even if it rains, there won’t be any water pooling in the yard.”

“Yes, and walking in the yard won’t get your feet muddy!”

“You’re all just looking at the cobblestones. Didn’t you see the big rooms? They’re bigger than my house by two rooms!”

“They even built a beautiful bathroom! I heard it even has running water.”

“Having money is great. These strange things, I’ve never seen before.”

The neighbors spoke one after another, praising the new house of the Xiao family.

Ye Xin Ran was still discussing with the village head, planning to add a few heated kangs (traditional Chinese brick beds) inside the house.

“You know, we didn’t have those before either. Er Zhu’s father is good at handiwork. If you draw out your design, show him how to do it, and let him figure out a way to make it,” the village head suggested.

“Okay, I’ll discuss it with Er Zhu’s father.”

Ye Xin Ran wasn’t afraid of the heat, but she couldn’t tolerate the cold.

In winter, just using a stove wouldn’t meet her needs. Only the heated kang could provide real warmth during winter.

She drew out the shape of the traditional kang from her memory and then explained to Er Zhu’s father how to make the flue and how to lay the paths.

Er Zhu’s father was skilled with his hands, and following Ye Xin Ran’s instructions, within two days, he had successfully created the traditional kang.

“Can this really work?”

Er Zhu’s father looked at the square-shaped kang in front of him, still somewhat skeptical.

“It will work. In the winter, just spread a quilt on top, and it will keep warm for half the night.”

Ye Xin Ran said confidently.

“Alright, tomorrow I’ll make one for my own family. Er Zhu’s mother always complains about the cold in winter. This year, I’ll let her enjoy some comfort!”

“She’ll definitely be happy about that!” Ye Xin Ran smiled.

Once the kangs were set up in the rooms, it was time for the important day of raising the ridge beam.

On this day, the village head found eight of the luckiest-looking young men in the village to go up to the roof and lift the beam. Once the main beam was set, Chang Ping and Chang Sheng stood on the beam and threw out prepared sweet cakes, red dates, peanuts, and other items down from above.

The entire village, from the young to the old, gathered around to celebrate and grab the blessings. Xiao Huai’an, with a few others, set off firecrackers in the courtyard.

The courtyard was bustling with excitement, everyone immersed in joy.

No one noticed when a horse carriage arrived outside the new house’s courtyard.

The carriage carried a young gentleman and a woman.

The woman, though older, still had traces of her past beauty.

She leaned forward to look into the courtyard, her eyes following the faint green figure.

“Mother, that’s Miss Ye, the one I told you about. She’s my real sister. Can you recognize her?”

It was Lu Chang Qing speaking.

His mother had just arrived in Yun Tong County yesterday, and today he couldn’t wait to bring her to meet his sister.

Leng Qing Yu anxiously fiddled with the silk handkerchief in her hand.

Her own daughter, what was there to not recognize?

Moreover, she looked so much like herself when she was young!

“Does she know she’s from the Lu family?”

Leng Qing Yu could hardly contain her excitement and nervousness.

“Of course she knows.”

Lu Chang Qing replied firmly.

“Because she’s like me, we are the closest of kin, we can sense each other.”

Leng Qing Yu’s eyes reddened: “Then, has she ever said she would resent me?”

“She hasn’t said anything.” Lu Chang Qing’s expression darkened.

“She neither seemed happy nor upset, but mother, why did you abandon her back then and raise Lu Zhi Yi instead?”