Chapter 087: Advertising in Qingyun Academy
After Uncle Fang left, Qin Mian said, “A-Tie, let’s pick some cherries and I’ll make cherry juice and cherry jam for you to taste.”
“I’ll take the basket.”
Lei Tie directly flew over to leave. His back looked confident and at ease without losing its might.
Qin Mian murmured jealously, “Acting so cool. Right, White Spot?”
“Awoo,” White Spot cried out as it looked at him, very much like in agreement.
Qin Mian could not help but squat down and rub its head.
Lei Tie soon showed up with a basket.
Qin Mian held the basket while Lei Tie was responsible for picking cherries. No pesticide was sprayed on the fruit trees. Qin Mian picked a cherry and casually rubbed it on his clothes. After he dug out the pit, he was ready to eat it but was stopped by Lei Tie. Lei Tie took out a handkerchief from his bosom and carefully wiped Qin Mian’s hands. Then he picked a cherry again and handed it to Qin Mian.
“You touched White Spot just now.”
“Woo?” White Spot’s ears drooped as it raised its head and looked at him with drooping eyelids.
Qin Mian laughed heartily and directly said, “It seems to despise you.”
Lei Tie’s insipid eyes swept over White Spot.
White Pot’s ears erected again before it turned around in the other direction acting as if nothing had happened.
This made Qin Mian laughed again.
After they picked half a basket of cherries, they went home.
Making cherry juice was simple: washed the cherries clean, removed the stems and pits, and put into the manual juicer. This juicer was invented by Qin Mian, which was similar to the noodle maker.
It was not difficult to make cherry jam. Similarly, washed the cherries, removed the stems and pits, cut into pieces, and put into a pot with water. Stirred and cooked with medium heat until the juice came out before turning the heat low when it was soft and mushy. Added sugar and cooked until it thickened. It tasted sweet and not oily, with excellent texture.
Qin Mian filled two small bowls and handed one to Lei Tie, “We should also build an icehouse. If we can keep summer fruit juice, jam, and canned fruit for winter, they will surely sell at a good price.”
Lei Tie shook his head, “Take it slowly, or it will be offensively conspicuous. We aren’t short of money.”
“That’s true.” When Qin Mian was reminded like that, he realized that he was indeed advancing in rush. He said, “Listen to you.”
Lei Tie took him into his embrace, “Wife, I have an idea. When the wine house is on the right track, buy a group of youngsters, and teach them kung fu. After one or two years of training, they will be able to take on an important task. At least, they can protect our home and business.”
Qin Mian believed what he said was right, so he went closer and kissed him on the lips. He said, “Only you can think of that. I’m afraid that our business will grow bigger and bigger in the future. We really need to train our own people.”
Lei Tie’s lips still had the sweetness of the cherry jam that he couldn’t help but stick the tip of his tongue in.
Lei Tie locked Qin Mian’s arms and body with his arms and put him on the back of the settee, deepening the kiss.
Men were not only aggressive, but they also wanted to take control. Qin Mian was in a completely suppressed position. Unaccustomed to it, he struggled and tried to suppress Lei Tie. In return, Lei Tie made a stronger attack, sucking the tip of his tongue until it numb. He could only give up the struggle. However, his lips and tongue hadn’t admitted defeat and fought back, unwilling to be outdone.
Until the last trace of sweetness in their mouths disappeared, the two parted while panting. Qin Mian noticed that Lei Tie’s lips were swollen. He looked away, feeling a little embarrassed, and bumped into a pair of dark and deep eyes. His chest felt tickled. He raised his head to get near and kissed the man’s eyebrows.
Lei Tie wiped the saliva on the corner of his wife’s mouth with his sleeve before slowly moving away and pulled at his robe as a disguise.
Qin Mian jumped up from the settee, his back to Lei Tie, and he made similar movements, “Cough… I’ll get the rest of the cherry jam. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the academy to see Fifth Brother and give him some by the way.”
Lei Tie suddenly raised his head, “Looking for him? What for?”
What’s with the big reaction? Qin Mian was stunned before he realized and said amusingly, “Of course, it’s to publicize our wine house. What else?”
He went into the kitchen, knowing that the man would follow him. He took out a clean bamboo tube from the cupboard, carefully scooped up the cherry jam, filled it up, and put the bamboo tube into the space. It was easy to be spoiled if left outside in this hot weather.
Then, he put the rest of the cherry jam into a bowl.
“I have thought about this. How about listening to my idea…”
The next morning, Qin Mian and Lei Tie made 20 jars of cherry wine. When the time was almost up, they took a lunch box, a basket of cherries, and a stack of leaflets and rode on horseback to Zhaoyang County.
One person would always be left behind in the Leisurely Farm Residence to watch over it. After Uncle Fu and Aunt Fu went to the farmland, Xile locked the gate, moved a stool, and took a bamboo pole to drive away birds from the cherry trees. Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.
Instead of opening the door rashly, Xile called out, “Who is it? Our masters aren’t at home. If you need anything, come back another day.”
“Xile, it’s me. Why don’t you open the door?”
Outside the door came the arrogant voice of Du Shi.
Xile sneered and said politely, “It turns out to be the old madam. Our Eldest Young Master and Little Young Master aren’t at home.”
“Xile, it’s like this. I’m going back to my mother’s house today. I want to go in and pick a few Jin of cherries for my mother to taste. Open the door quickly.” Du Shi called out. Upon seeing a few villagers standing not far away watching with a lively expression, she flew into a rage out of humiliation.
“Old madam, our young masters just left for a short time. If you’re in a hurry, there’s still time to catch up. This little one has something else to do, I’m going first.” As soon as Xile finished saying, he ran away.
“Xile! Xile!” Du Shi called out several times outside the door, but no one responded. She was so angry that she smacked the gate hard. The gate didn’t open but her hand hurt instead. She cursed and left angrily.
The few villagers whispered among themselves.
“Ah, thinking of how cruel Du Shi was to the Lei’s eldest son before, now she regretted it, right? Unfortunately, there is no regret medicine in this world.”
“Yeah.” Another villager said with crossed arm, “Lei Daqiang too. A few days ago, he wanted to go in and pick cherries, but he didn’t succeed.”
“I think the Lei Tie’s couple make a clear difference between what one likes and what one hates. They remember whoever is good to them. At that time they split from the family, Zhang Dashuan, Grandpa Jiang, and Uncle Zhao stretched out their hands. A few days ago, the young couple gave each of them a basket of cherry, which was at least 5 to 6 Jin! I even tasted some. It’s sweet!”
……
White Spot ran no slower than the two horses, like a galloping black arrow. After entering the county town, Qin Mian and Lei Tie slowed down and went to Qingyun Academy.
The passers-by on the street all stared at White Spot curiously. A few people recognized that it was actually a wolf and the frightened passers-by hastened up to their pace.
White Spot raised its eyes, glanced at them arrogantly, and followed Qin Mian’s brown horse. The two horses’ courage had been raised, so they weren’t afraid of it. It was because they had drunk the spiritual spring water.
The academy was quiet before the class finished in the morning.
Qin Mian went to the old man who was sitting at the gate of the courtyard.
“Uncle, we’re here to find someone. Can we go in?” Qin Mian grabbed a handful of cherries from the basket and handed it to him, “These cherries are homegrown. It’s not sour at all. Would you like to taste?”
“Oh, many thanks! Your cherries are really big.” The uncle happily accepted the cherries and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Qin Mian replied, “We’re looking for Lei Xiangzhi, the new student in the academy this year.”
The old uncle went inside with cherries in his hand and came out empty-handed. “Usually, no visitor is allowed into the academy. I’ll take you in. The horses can also go in and tie to the tree over there. It’s safe.”
“Thanks for the trouble, uncle.”
The old uncle led them in and took them directly to the lecture hall where the freshmen were taking classes. He pointed to the other side and said softly, “The class hasn’t finished yet. You can wait here.”
Qin Mian said thanks and went with Lei Tie into the pavilion to take a rest. From the open window, he could see the rows of students in the lecture hall.
White Spot lay obediently at the side.
Bu Qingyun sat at the same table with Lei Xiangzhi in the position that faced the window. The breakfast had already been digested, so he was hungry and looked out of the window, feeling bored stiff. His eyes then lit up. He poked Lei Xiangzhi with his finger and whispered, “Brother Lei, look, isn’t that your eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law?”
Lei Xiangzhi was pulled out of the world of books. Upon seeing Qin Mian and Lei Tie, he was surprised and nodded.
When Bu Qingyun saw that the teacher on the dais didn’t notice the movement here, he lowered his voice excitedly as he said, “I see they’re carrying a food box. Could they be sending you delicious food?”
Lei Xiangzhi was a little speechless. Even if they send me food, what does it have to do with you?
“Dang dang dang—”
Three rings of bell rung and the teacher picked up the book, “Class is finished.”
Lei Xiangzhi put the books and the four treasures of the study into the book chest under Bu Qingyun’s urging voice and quickly trotted to the pavilion.
Huo Sirui curiously walked over, “Xiang Zhi, where are you going?”
“Sirui,” Lei Xiangzhi said, “my eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law are here.”
Qu Zongwen had sharp eyes. He rolled his eyes and went to catch up. Wang Shangwen and Zhao Tianhe met him and also hung behind him. They all went to the academy from the local school in the town, so they were very close.
Thereupon, Lei Xiangzhi brought a group of people into the pavilion.
“Eldest brother, eldest sister-in-law.”
Bu Qingwen and the others made a bow with hands folded in front, “Greetings, Eldest Brother Lei and Eldest Sister-in-law Lei.”
The few people’s eyes were staring at the red cherries in the basket. Qin Mian was so amused.
Lei Tie pushed the food box to Lei Xiangzhi, “Lunch for you.”
“Many thanks, eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law.” With a smile on his face, Lei Xiangzhi sat down on the stone bench next to him. As soon as he opened the food box, a delicious aroma wafted out. He put the food on the stone table and found out that there was more than one dish. He felt very moved.
Qu Zongwen and the others stared at the steaming twice-cooked pork, red-cooked fish, minced eggplant, scrambled egg with tomato, and fried tofu, as well as a large bowl of white rice.
The amount of the few dishes was quite a lot. Lei Xiangzhi said to them, “I can’t eat so many dishes by myself. If you don’t mind, go to the dining hall and buy some rice to eat together.”
“Many thanks, Brother Lei.”
Qu Zongwen and the others were about 16 to 17 years old. They still had a little bit of a child’s temperament. They all laughed and ran while outdoing one another.