After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the sky had not turned dark yet. Chen Erniu and Chen Daniu had brought Chen Shi over to play.

They all played together again.

When it was dark, they went home to wash up and rest.

After the New Year, the days went on as usual.

There was still no news about Zhou Heng’s letter. He had something on his mind, so on the second day of the first lunar month, he asked Old Wu.

“Sir, would you please write a letter to my mother?”

Zhou Heng requested respectfully.

Old Wu didn’t even look up. Even if the person in front of him was a proper royal, he wouldn’t treat him differently. He only replied coldly.

Zhou Heng seemed to want to say something else, but he did not say it. In the end, he bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, sir.”

Then he backed out quietly.

Old Wu would only treat Su Xiaolu differently because Su Xiaolu was his only disciple.

Apart from that, Old Wu was a man of few words.

Zhou Heng went out and sighed softly. He looked at the distant horizon and could not help but worry.

It had been a long time since he sent the letter, but there had been no reply. He did not know how it was going. He could do nothing but wait.

With worry, Zhou Heng returned to the Su family.

Su Sanlang and Chen Hu were now focused on business.

After the new year, the Su and Chen families’ shop had never been opened. However, Su Sanlang and Chen Hu’s shop continued developing, so several acres of land were planted with vegetables and cabbages this year.

The fields were planted with rice.

The two families were not free, Su Sanlang and Chen Hu took the time to go to the village chief’s house and ask the village chief to help plow the land and pay them.

The chief was happy to help on such a good errand.

After the New Year, Su Sanlang often bought vegetables from other villages. The village was a little anxious, so they could only come to beg the village chief. It was already halfway through the first month. Only then did Old Master Wang ask when Su Sanlang and Chen Hu came to discuss farming.

After asking, Old Master Wang said, “Sanlang, Hu, what do you think? Give me an answer.”

Chen Hu said nothing. He only looked at Su Sanlang.

Su Sanlang’s expression was calm as he said to Old Master Wang, “Grand Duke, I was willing to buy it from the village because I had feelings for them. However, they went back on their word and didn’t care about our feelings. Now, they want to sell it to me again. I can actually refuse to buy it, but if they’re willing to sell it, I’m willing to pay three copper coins for two catties. If they think the price is low, then forget it.”

He took one coin for everyone else.

However, he only lowered the price of those who had sold it to the Su and Chen families.

Old Master Wang was shocked when he heard this. He knew what Su Sanlang meant.

The Su and Chen families had once wanted to rob Su Sanlang and Chen Hu of their wealth, but they had failed. Su Sanlang was now doing this as revenge.

This time, Old Master Wang knew that it was impossible for them to return to the family clan. Moreover, they had completely offended the family clans.

But the current Su Sanlang and Chen Hu were not the old Su Sanlang and Chen Hu. They had confidence now. The Su and Chen families had confidence. As the village chief, he would not support the Su and Chen families. He had to support Su Sanlang and Chen Hu now.

Therefore, after thinking about it, Old Master Wang said, “Alright, I’ll tell them this. Leave the hiring to me.”

“Very well. Thank you, Grand Duke. We brothers will return now.”

Su Sanlang nodded and returned with Chen Hu.

Old Master Wang looked at the backs of Su Sanlang and Chen Hu thoughtfully.

Madam Wang muttered gloomily, “Old man, I don’t think Chen Hu is crippled anymore. He used to be crippled, right?”

Chen Hu was still a little lame, but compared to before, he was much better now. If he walked slower, others would not be able to tell if they didn’t pay much attention.

Old Master Wang sighed. “Those two children are so good. Those two families are really unlucky. No wonder Chen Hu is willing to follow Su Sanlang. Su Sanlang treats him with all his heart. They’re both doing business. Some people can be good, but some can’t.”

Old Master Wang felt that what the Su and Chen families had done was too much. His views were old-fashioned. Even though he still felt that Su Sanlang and Chen Hu should not have left the clan, he would also think that the Su and Chen families were unlucky not to have kept the two of them behind. They were both good children and had to be forced to this extent.

Now, they were probably dying of regret.

Madam Wang smiled and said, “That’s right. If the business is so easy to do, wouldn’t every family be very rich? Old man, I heard that they want to hire workers. Let’s choose from our family. We won’t need to spend much time on that bit of land.”

It was thirty copper coins a day. There was definitely a profit to be made after a year of sowing and hoeing.

Old Master Wang nodded. “Yes, invite them.”

Such a good job naturally had to go to their family members.

When the others came to ask about selling vegetables, Old Master Wang would tell them the truth.

Many people were immediately dissatisfied when they heard that Su Sanlang was paying three copper coins for two catties of vegetables. Old Master Wang only said, “You can buy and sell as you wish, you will not be forced.”

It’s fine if you don’t want to.

Back then, those who were willing to sell the vegetables to the Su family and the Chen family were all relatives of the two families and were on good terms with the families. Now, they regretted it to death. Even their relationship with the Su family and Chen family had turned cold.

They were still willing to sell vegetables, but every time they sold the vegetables, they would complain that the Su family and the Chen family had done something immoral. If not for the two families having evil thoughts, they would still be selling vegetables to Su Sanlang for a copper coin per catty.

Su Sanlang and Chen Hu’s family did not care if anyone was dissatisfied with them.

Anyway, every time they bought vegetables, they still checked what they needed to check.

In the blink of an eye, January passed.

The second day of February was the day Su Xiaolu returned home.

On the way home, Old Wu tested Su Xiaolu’s homework.

Su Xiaolu had done everything perfectly. Old Wu stroked his beard in satisfaction and said, “Very good.”

Now, Old Wu could confirm that other than medicinal cuisine, Su Xiaolu was talented in every aspect. Whether it was knife work, acupuncture, or identifying herbs, Su Xiaolu had a photographic memory. She could also often have other ideas.

“Girl, call Zhou Heng over to my side.”

When they reached home, Old Wu said to Su Xiaolu.

Old Wu went back next door while Su Xiaolu went home.

Chen Hu and Madam Qian were busy at home now.

Madam Qian had already taught the chef of Fu Man Lai Restaurant, so she did not go there for the time being.

When she saw Su Xiaolu, Madam Qian smiled and came over. “Xiaolu, look at me. Has the scar faded a little?”

The ointment that Su Xiaolu had given her was extremely effective. After using it for more than a month, the terrifying protruding scar on her face had become much smaller. Ever since she discovered that it had improved half a month ago, Madam Qian would come up and let Su Xiaolu take a look every time Su Xiaolu returned.

Su Xiaolu examined Madam Qian’s face seriously. Then, she smiled sweetly and nodded. “Yes, it’s better than a few days ago. Auntie, just continue to apply the ointment.”