After some understanding, Xiao Xitian learned that the old man's surname was Sun, and he had a son who had already settled in the prefectural city...
In the early spring, Old Man Sun's wife fell seriously ill and passed away. His son was unwilling to take over the spice shop, and Old Man Sun alone was unable to manage it, so it went out of business.
"Girl, if you really want to rent it, I have something to make clear to you!" Old Man Sun said seriously.
Xiao Xitian heard this and asked him with a smile, "What is it?"
"This loft is the culmination of my wife's and my life's work. Although we've saved some money by reselling spices over the years, as people get older, they tend to be nostalgic. I don't want to fuss about moving. If you rent the loft, can I continue to live in this bungalow?" Old Man Sun requested.
Xiao Xitian nodded in agreement, "Of course, with Uncle Sun's help watching over it, I can be more at ease..."
"That's great. I was afraid you wouldn't agree, haha!" Old Man Sun laughed heartily.
Since they had come to an agreement, it was time to discuss the rent.
"Uncle Sun, how much is the annual rent for that small loft?" Xiao Xitian asked.
Old Man Sun held his teacup and pondered for a moment before sighing, "To be honest, I've never rented out a house in my life. If you're willing to go through the trouble, I won't ask for too much. Forty taels of silver a year, and it must be paid in full at once, plus a ten-tael deposit. That's fifty taels in total!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
So expensive.
This small building was not in the central area of the county town; it was a bit remote, but the loft's architectural style was good, the rooms were spacious, it had good ventilation from north to south, and excellent natural light.
Xiao Xitian pondered in her heart. Besides the fifty taels for rent, she would also have to renovate the loft inside and out, purchase tables, chairs, and benches, kitchenware, and hire staff. Every step would cost money...
If the small restaurant didn't make money, then all her efforts would be in vain.
Thinking of this, Xiao Xitian felt a little troubled, "Uncle Sun, can the rent be a bit cheaper?"
"No, not a penny less!" Old Man Sun stated decisively.
Xiao Xitian: "..."
You refused so readily.
Er Longzi saw this and said indignantly, "Hey, old man, can't you see she's sincerely trying to rent the house? What's wrong with giving her a discount? You're so old, what's the use of saving all that money? You can't take it with you when you die!"
Old Man Sun was so angry that his lips trembled, and he glared at Er Longzi furiously, "You, you, you... get out!"
How had this fellow lived so long?
Didn't he know that speaking like this could get him beaten?
Er Longzi crossed his arms and didn't move, "Hmph, it's true. Look at your dilapidated building, it's about to collapse, and you're still putting on airs. It's only because Xitian is easy to talk to that she hasn't retorted. If it were me, I would have beaten you into a pig's head long ago!"
After his words, Old Man Sun was struck by lightning, feeling utterly terrible...
"Brother Er Long, shut up!" Xiao Xitian wrinkled her nose, equally angry.
Jin Xiaolou gave Er Longzi a glare and cursed inwardly: You damn fellow, always causing trouble for Sister Xitian.
Old Man Sun took a few deep breaths and slowly recovered, "Alright, alright, fifty taels of silver, no room for negotiation. If you're sincere about renting, bring enough money and find me!"
It was almost dark when they returned to Dashui Village.
Thick dark clouds had accumulated in the gloomy sky, and it looked like it would snow again tonight...
The cold winter rumbled, the north wind howled, and even the pines and cypresses on Camelback Mountain were not so verdant.
Wisps of cooking smoke drifted over Dashui Village, and every household was preparing dinner.
A warm hearth, wife, and children. At this time, the whole family would sit on the kang or gather around the dining table, talking about what happened in the village today, and discussing their plans and thoughts for the spring.
However, on a road far away in the northern frontier, such a warm scene was nowhere to be seen.
A team of several thousand people was traveling day and night. The biting cold wind howled, making everyone's mouths ache...
Yun Erman and Yun Sanman walked on one side of the team. Both their ears were frozen stiff, their eyelashes and beards were covered in a layer of frost, and with every step forward, they exhaled several mouthfuls of hot air.
"San, Sanman, are you cold? Put on this sackcloth, or you'll freeze before we even get there!" Yun Erman took off the sackcloth from his body and handed it to Yun Sanman.
Yun Sanman patted the snow off his dog-fur hat and smiled, "Forget it, this sackcloth isn't useful. Brother Er, you should wear it yourself..."
They had been walking for several days, traveling north day and night. Many people had collapsed along the way, but One-Eyed Dragon showed no sympathy, giving them only two steamed buns to eat each day.
Yun Erman blew his runny nose and complained, "Sanman, how far is this northern frontier? If we keep walking like this, even if we don't die of exhaustion, we'll freeze to death!"
Yun Sanman sighed, "Who knows? As long as One-Eyed Dragon doesn't tell us to stop, we have to keep moving forward..."
He truly hoped to return to Dashui Village soon and reunite with his family.
He had had enough of this kind of life.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" One-Eyed Dragon rode his horse, holding a whip. He whipped anyone who was slow, "At this pace, we'll never reach the northern frontier. Hey, hey, I'm talking to you, hurry up!"
"Crack, crack!"
Two lashes fell, and a thin, weak youth collapsed...
Yun Erman saw this and rushed forward to argue with One-Eyed Dragon.
You bastard, are you even human?
Even if we were livestock, we shouldn't be treated like this.
"Brother Er!" Yun Sanman quickly grabbed Yun Erman and gave him a look, "Don't bring trouble upon yourself. You know One-Eyed Dragon's temper. What reason can you talk to him about?"
If One-Eyed Dragon were reasonable, he wouldn't have conscripted people for no reason...
Yun Erman spat on the ground, feeling a surge of anger.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from the rear of the team.
Several soldiers drew their sabers and raised their vigilance.
It seemed the approaching party was not one of their own.
A moment later, the sound of hooves grew closer, and a voice called out, "The imperial court is on official business, everyone, make way quickly!"
One-Eyed Dragon looked up and saw a young man riding a tall horse, holding a token in his hand, and wearing a dark iron mask. He bypassed the team and rushed forward...
He seemed to have something urgent to do and didn't stop for a moment, quickly disappearing into the vast snowy night.
Yun Sanman stared for several seconds before reacting.
Why did the young man on the horse look somewhat familiar?