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Chapter 221: Chapter 223: The Handsomest Old Man_1
The proprietress asked about the weight and cheerfully said, "I’ll count it as twenty-five catties and charge you one thousand seven hundred and fifty wen."
Qiao Duo’er blinked her eyes, "You can round off the change, I still need to buy some cotton for making winter clothes."
The proprietress nodded, "You, young miss, really know how to live frugally. Come, take a look at our cotton. It’s already fluffed up and ready to be stuffed directly into clothing, and it’s not expensive, only sixty wen per catty!"
Her prices were a bit higher than the market rate, but the quality was a lot better, which kept people coming back.
"Then let’s make it an even amount."
Buying another five catties of cotton made it exactly two taels of silver. 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
The proprietress was overjoyed to agree; she loved doing business with straightforward people!
The cotton was fluffy. Though only five catties, it could pile up like a little mountain.
Qiao Duo’er decided to wait until the cotton quilt was made and then ask Uncle Huang to haul it back with his ox cart.
Qiao Duo’er told the proprietress the size of the quilt and paid a deposit, concluding their business successfully.
Since it was almost time for the busy farming season, Tan Zhenghong had gone to the iron shop to buy farm tools and also picked up a dagger and a harpoon for Qiao Duo’er.
That way his wife wouldn’t have to use his dagger to spear fish anymore.
After finishing these important errands, it was nearing midday and Qiao Duo’er’s stomach timely rumbled.
Tan Zhenghong led Qiao Duo’er to a noodle shop for lunch and rested a bit before they continued strolling.
Since her arrival, Qiao Duo’er had never really had the chance to wander the streets properly. Today was a rare opportunity with company, one she certainly wasn’t going to waste.
The noodle shop was honest with its servings; both the dishes and noodles were generous portions. Qiao Duo’er felt a bit stuffed, so she bought a candied haw stick to aid digestion.
Gnawing on the sweet and tangy candied haw stick, Qiao Duo’er squinted with joy.
In her last life, she had never been able to live so carefree.
The prospect of spending leisurely days with Tan Zhenghong as they grew old was quite pleasant.
As she mused, Qiao Duo’er couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
"Wife, what’s making you so happy?"
Qiao Duo’er’s eyes curved into crescents, "I’m thinking about what you’ll look like when you’re old—with white hair and missing teeth, you’re probably going to be especially ugly."
"By the time I’m old, your eyesight will be fading, and to you, I’ll still be the most handsome." Tan Zhenghong boasted with pride.
"The way you’re growing, you’ll definitely be the most handsome old man!"
Before Qiao Duo’er could bask in her happiness, she learned the meaning of "from joy comes sorrow," because she choked on her candied haw stick.
There went her perfect image, ruined!
Tan Zhenghong wasn’t concerned with seeing Qiao Duo’er’s disheveled state; he hastily patted her back and took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
When Qiao Duo’er stopped coughing, the two who caught each other’s gaze could not help but laugh.
Tan Zhenghong lightly scraped Qiao Duo’er’s nose, "How can someone your age still choke on their food?"
Qiao Duo’er pouted and passed the candied haw stick to Tan Zhenghong, "Have a bite, seal it with your mouth."
Tan Zhenghong bit into the half-eaten hawthorn, then his brows furrowed.
So sour!
"Who asked you to eat the one without a sugar coat?"
Qiao Duo’er’s cheeks burned. She didn’t even want to think about how she had just eaten that candied haw stick, but Tan Zhenghong seemed fine with it.
After a struggle, Tan Zhenghong finished the hawthorn and then said, "Who knew you had licked off the sugar coat so cleanly, it’s dreadfully sour."
"Then have another one, the rest all have sugar coats."
Tan Zhenghong immediately shaked his head. Having had one unpleasant experience, he was likely to keep his distance from candied haw sticks for the rest of his life.
