Chapter 136 - 136 Yes!
136 Yes!
Fifteen minutes later, Eldest Brother Shen finally vented all his frustrations.
“Eldest Brother, have some tea?” Shen Yao handed him a cup of tea considerately.
“Thank you, Third Brother.” Eldest Brother Shen smiled gratefully. “But then again, why did you and Ah Tao come to the county city?”
“Second Shopkeeper You invited Ah Tao to cook,” Shen Yao explained concisely. In the end, he asked, “Eldest Brother, the Old Madam Ma that Second Manager You mentioned is County Magistrate Ma’s mother?”
“Yes.” Eldest Brother Shen nodded. “This Old Madam Ma is from the northwest. I heard that Magistrate Ma’s father died of illness when he was twelve years old. It was this Old Madam Ma who raised Magistrate Ma and had to beg on the streets. Fortunately, Magistrate Ma is also a hardworking person. He participated in several examinations and finally passed. Later on, he was transferred to Dingyuan County to be the county magistrate.”
“Then what kind of person is County Magistrate Ma?”
“This…” Eldest Brother Shen subconsciously looked around, then lowered his voice and said, “So-so.”
This County Magistrate Ma was not a righteous official. It was just that he had been working in Dingyuan County for so many years and had never done anything out of line.
“In any case, the shops on our street have to pay a small amount of taxes to the county office every year.” Eldest Brother Shen shook his head helplessly. “In the past few years, our shop’s business has not been very good. A few days ago, thanks to Ah Tao, we were able to sign a contract of cooperation with the Qin family. If not for the Qin family being rich and imposing and paying the silver for half a year in one go, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to take out the taxes this year.”
Eldest Brother Shen smiled gratefully. “Third Brother, it’s really all thanks to Ah Tao that our shop can survive this predicament! You have to treat her better in the future. Don’t pull a long face for no reason, understand? Ah Tao is beautiful, kind, and good at cooking. If you don’t take good care of her, be careful that someone will snatch her away!”
“I won’t let anyone snatch her away.” Shen Yao smiled firmly.
After chatting with Eldest Sister-in-law Shen for a while, under her enthusiastic invitation, Ji Zhao agreed to stay for dinner tonight.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, you really don’t have to give me money.” Ji Zhao, who couldn’t help but smile, repeatedly declined. “Besides, it’s just two sweet and sour dishes. You don’t have to be so polite!”
“That won’t do. You have to accept this silver.” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen’s tone was firm. “I’m ashamed to say that my culinary skills are really not very good! Otherwise, I should be the one cooking some of your and Third Brother’s favorite dishes.”
“Eldest Sister-in-law, we’re family. Why are you saying such things?” Ji Zhao really couldn’t refuse the two taels of silver, so she could only accept it. However, she had already made up her mind to think of a way to return the two taels of silver.
At 3pm, Shen Yao accompanied Ji Zhao out of Shen Ji.
“The evening market will only open at midnight. Should we go back to the restaurant first? Or should we walk around?” Ji Zhao subconsciously looked at the man beside her and asked with a smile.
“Are you willing to accompany me to the bookstore?” Shen Yao thought for a moment and asked softly.
“I’m willing!” Ji Zhao readily agreed. “Then shall we go to the bookstore now?”
“Mm.”
The Ten Thousand Mile Bookstore was located on the west side of Qinghe Street, adjacent to the Three-hole Bridge. Its geographical location was very special, and it could be said to be quiet in the midst of chaos. It had a different kind of charm.
The name of the bookstore was derived from a legendary bird that was said to have to travel ten thousand miles.
“Miss Ji?” Just as the two of them arrived outside the bookstore, a dark red figure suddenly appeared in front of Ji Zhao. “What a coincidence.”