Chu Li returned home, taking with him two large wooden boxes and four people sent by Liang Huairen to escort Chu Li's entourage.
After helping Chu Li move his belongings into the house, and settling in the four entourages who would take him home, as well as the guys from the Lin family's motorcade, the family sat around the main room in the east courtyard, planning to get close to each other. .
The two large wooden boxes that Chu Li brought back with him, in addition to containing some of his drawings and belongings, were all gifts for his family, including tea cakes and spices with southern characteristics, silk fabrics, and novel gadgets. Wait, fill the two boxes full.
"I originally planned to bring back some special snacks from other places, but most of them are fresh food and can't be stored for too long. I was afraid that they would be spoiled along the way, so I gave up."
Uncle Chu looked at the things that Chu Li had brought out and almost piled them up on the table in his main room. He hurriedly said: "Ah Li has this kind of heart. He can't hold anything to eat all this way. On the way. It’s already hard enough, why do you bring these things with you when you have everything at home?”
Shen Luzhu also said, "Well, I sent you those coins to help you take good care of yourself, but now I see that they have all been exchanged for things and taken back."
Chu Li scratched his head and said, "Every time I am walking on the street, when I see something, I always want to buy more to take home. I accidentally saved so much. Don't worry, sister-in-law, I have everything." Take care of yourself."
Chu Yi squeezed his brother's arm and said, "He's not much taller, but he hasn't gained a few ounces of flesh."
Hearing this, Chu Li assured his brother and sister-in-law with some annoyance: "I really eat well and take care of myself, but I don't know why I only grow taller and not much meat."
Seeing him like this, Shen Luzhu couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, sister-in-law, I believe what you said. Didn't you write back last time that you wanted to eat hot pot and roasted meat? Let's have this for dinner later, and then treat Xiuxiu and Juan'er. My grandpa and his family are all here, so we can celebrate you."
Chu Li had been away from home for two years and spent most of the time wandering around. After finally returning home, he wanted to take a good rest. However, after staying at home for only a few days, he felt a little bored and eagerly ran to the front shop to help out. .
Seeing him like this, the young couple chatted with him about their future plans: "When Ali comes back this time, have you thought about what you will do in the future, or do you want to stay for a while?"
Chu Li thought about this problem on the way back. In the past two years, he has experienced many things that he has never experienced before. The outside world is very beautiful and attractive, but after all, he is different from his master. He is still more attached to it in his heart. At home, I don’t plan to leave again after I come back this time, at least I won’t go out wandering by myself again.
"Sister-in-law, I want to open a studio in the future and sell some paints and drawing papers, so that I can continue to paint and have some income at the same time. If anyone wants to learn painting, I can also give you some advice. I am currently Although he is not as powerful as the master and can accept disciples, he can still give guidance to children or beginners."
What Chu Li didn't say was that Liang Huairen actually spoke highly of him and thought he was very talented. At the moment, he had nothing to teach Chu Li, but Chu Li wanted to return to Xing'an County instead of staying in a larger and more powerful place. The prosperous capital city feels a little regretful, and I always feel that if Chu Li stays in the capital, his future achievements may not be as good as his own, let alone accept a disciple.
But Chu Li didn't think so. The reason why he worshiped Liang Huairen as his teacher was because he simply liked painting, so he wanted to improve his painting skills. He never thought about becoming famous. Now that the master said the rest is If he realizes it on his own, he naturally wants to return to his brother and sister-in-law. Of course, in addition to continuing to paint, he must also be able to support himself in the future.
Shen Luzhu was quite in favor of his brother's idea. In the past, he had no idea when asked about it. Now that he has it, he must fully support it: "A Li's idea is not bad. A sister-in-law thinks it is very feasible. Chu Yi, you What do you think?"
Naturally, Chu Yi didn't think anything was wrong. He nodded and said, "Since I want to do it, let's go out and look at the shops after taking a few days' rest. It's already October. If everything goes well, we'll try to get it before the end of the year." This studio matter has been taken care of for you."
Chu Li didn't expect that since his brother was so resolute, he would be anxious to implement it just after he said it.
He said hurriedly: "Brother, don't be in a hurry. I'm busy during the Winter Clothes Festival and the Spring Festival at home. I can talk about my matters later when I have some free time."
Unexpectedly, Chu Yi said: "Why are you not in a hurry? When you were not at home, my third uncle had already mentioned it several times, saying that you were now old enough to talk about marriage, and that you should hurry up and arrange it when you come back. But they all said Establish a career first and then have a family. Ah Li, you will have your own studio in the future, and this girl will be able to marry you with more peace of mind."
Chu Li really didn't understand why he suddenly talked about getting married. He opened and closed his mouth several times, and finally just muttered: "Then...there's no need to be in such a hurry."
As he said, Chu Yi took Chu Li to a shop on the street the next day and asked someone to help him find a shop suitable for a studio not far from his home.
The shop space for a studio does not need to be very large, and it is not like the east and west courtyards of the Chu family. Shops with backyards are needed, so naturally it is relatively easy to find. After a few days, after looking at three shops, Chu Li Finally found a shop that I am very satisfied with.
This shop was originally a bookstore, and the renovation and decoration are in line with Chu Li's needs for opening a studio. This saves him from spending a lot of money on repairs. It is only one street away from the east courtyard of the Chu family, so walking there is better than going to the Deng family's inn. Be closer.
Chu Li originally planned to borrow some money from his brother and sister-in-law, plus the new year's money and pocket money over the years, to rent the shop, and then pay it back when he had income in the future, but who knew that Chu Yi would confirm his idea? , directly finalized the date with the banker to pay the owner to buy the shop.
Hearing this, Chu Li hurriedly grabbed his brother's sleeve to stop him and said, "Brother, why do you want to buy it? Brother, lend me some money and I will rent it."
"What are you renting and borrowing money? Your sister-in-law and I have already discussed it. If you buy this shop, you can use it yourself in the future. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if the owner needs it urgently or wants to increase the rent.
Besides, I am your brother, and it is not my duty to buy you property. Your sister-in-law has already planned the bride price and dowry for you and Xiuxiu, and I will keep it for you. "
Chu Li shook his head and continued to persuade: "My cousin is from a girl's family, so my family has to prepare a dowry for me. I am a son, how can I always rely on my brother and sister-in-law to live on."
When Chu Yi heard this, he patted his brother's head and asked, "Why did you go out for a while and come back and you have such a clear understanding of me and your sister-in-law? Do you still want to separate from your brother and me?"
"Brother, what do I mean?"
Chu Yi naturally knew what "younger brother" meant. He must have felt that the family's property was earned by his brother and sister-in-law. He could not always take advantage of his brother and sister-in-law. However, he and Shen Luzhu did not agree. They were from the same mother. , parents are no longer here, they all say that elder brother is like father and elder sister-in-law is like mother. Not to mention that when we were going through hardships, we were said to be a family. Now that life is getting better, we are no longer seeing each other anymore.
However, Chu Yi did not want to stand outside and persuade Chu Li in a long way that it would be good for the family to know each other's feelings, so he said: "Your sister-in-law has long said that you have a share of everything in this house, so there is nothing to be embarrassed about." Yes, if you insist on this matter, then go back and tell your sister-in-law yourself, but she will definitely be sad if she finds out, thinking that your brother is not close to her and is out of touch."
Chu Li couldn't talk about his brother, and he couldn't really ignore Shen Luzhu's mood. He had to make a clear distinction and moved his mouth but said nothing.
Seeing Chu Li like this, Chu Yi turned around and greeted the walking guy, and settled what he just said.
I planned to build a shop for Chu Li to open his studio, but finally negotiated a good price and bought it. Although the shop didn't need much repair, the walls still needed to be repainted, and the partitions, showcases, and counters still needed to be customized.
The climate is very cold in winter, which is not suitable for repairing shops. Fortunately, Chu Li's studio only repaints the walls and makes some wooden furniture. There is no need to wait until the next spring. After a short contact, he found someone willing to take over. Construction team.
Chu Li's studio here is being repaired, but Xing'an County over there is experiencing a heavy snowfall that has not happened in a century. Snowflakes as big as goose feathers have been falling intermittently for nearly two decades. It was not until mid-November that the weather gradually turned sunny.
It is said that auspicious snow heralds a good year, but if it snows too hard, it will become a disaster, especially for people who have been living in peace in those days.
Poor people, let alone whether next year's harvest will be good or not, there are many families who will be unable to make it through this winter.
The heavy snow in the past few days has directly sealed the mountains. People in the county who are living well can still store some coal at home, but those who live in the village and usually rely on going to the mountains to cut firewood for warmth are suffering. The weather is suddenly cold. There was no way to go into the mountains, and many people with weak bones suffered from frostbite and died of frostbite.
There are also some houses that are in disrepair, or people are lazy and want to wait until the snow stops to clear the snow on the roof. In their sleep, the house cannot support the weight and collapses directly, and the whole family is trapped. Under the rafters.
This is true for families with houses and courtyards, let alone those beggars who are homeless and starved of food.
For such a big snow disaster, the imperial court naturally had to send out troops to provide disaster relief. However, the county government had limited manpower and had to be busy clearing the official roads leading to various places within the territory. This snow disaster swept across the entire northern Daqian, and Ningchuan Prefecture also sent Without extra manpower, the prefectures and counties further south of the capital were not affected by the disaster, but the distant water really could not quench the thirst of the people nearby.
A heavy snowfall has completely wiped out the atmosphere of the approaching New Year's Eve. People's sad faces and sighs are everywhere. Although the whole Chu family is in the county town and the situation is not a little better, they are still worried about their relatives and friends who are still living in the village. them.
Uncle Chu looked at the scene outside the courtyard and sighed: "I don't know what the situation is in the village now. With such heavy snow, the mountain must be inaccessible. I wonder if there are enough firewood and food?"
The young couple has been thinking about this matter recently, but the official roads and village roads leading to various places in the county have been blocked by heavy snow. Now, let alone firewood and food, even news cannot be conveyed.
"Why don't I go to the county government office and have a look. My cousin said that my brother-in-law has gone to provide disaster relief and hasn't been home for several days. I'll go and have a look to see if there's anything I can do to help. I'll also inquire about the news."
Seeing what Chu Yi said, Uncle Chu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, it's not a good idea to just wait and do it like this."
Shen Luzhu asked Chu Yi to wait for him, then turned around and went back to the house and took out two thick coats: "I will go with my husband and go to my cousin's house to see him. If my brother-in-law can't come home recently, I will pick him up." Come home so that everyone can take care of you."
