Li Feng tried his best to restrain himself. He wanted to turn back. He wanted to look at the girl and tell her if he could stay with her instead, but he knew he couldn't turn back.
Cao Xi noticed that Qin Zhao was in a bad mood and thought it was because of the gift, so he secretly pulled Qin Zhao's sleeve and smiled flatteringly.
"I will never give him anything again."
Qin Zhao was stunned by her lackluster words, but then he realized that she might have misunderstood, and he pursed his lips to avoid the mistake.
"It won't happen again." After saying this, he walked forward without squinting, but he was always observing Cao Xi from the corner of his eye.
When Cao Xi heard that it was for the steps, she quickly reached out to hold his arm and said with a smile, "I know, no one except you will receive gifts from me in the future."
Qin Zhao's ears turned red as he was being held by her. He was not used to the people coming and going on the street. He wanted Cao Xi to walk well, but he couldn't bear her current intimacy, sweetness and suffering.
Time passed day by day, and Cao Xi's pickled sauerkraut was ready. In the evening, she specially bought a fish and wanted to make sauerkraut fish for Qin Zhao to try.
It's really hard to clean up the fish. Qin Zhao has always done these dirty jobs. Today Qin Zhao has a class reunion, so he can only do it himself.
The sauerkraut was pickled just right. Cao Xi cut the sauerkraut into shreds for later use, and kept the heart of the sauerkraut, planning to eat it with dipping sauce.
Slice the fish and put it in water, then heat the oil in a pot. When the pickled fish is ready, Cao Xi turns down the heat and keeps it hot in the pot until Qin Zhao comes back to eat together.
Qin Zhao didn't want to attend any party, but he couldn't resist Qi Qige's warm invitation. In his words, one more friend means more paths, regardless of whether the path is easy or not, it's better than nothing.
The gathering place was the peach grove in Beishan outside the city. The whole peach grove could not be seen to the edge. The peach blossoms were in full bloom and it was really beautiful. There is a Taoyuan Manor at the foot of the mountain and the mountain is Qiqige's property.
Those attending the party were all top students from Qingsong College. Since Qin Zhao seldom took the initiative to interact with others, many people knew him, but no one came forward to talk to him.
If Qi Qige hadn't taken him with him wherever he went, he would have become a piece of scenery. A group of students would have no entertainment other than reciting poems and answering questions.
Qi Qige asked the boy to take out the brewed peach blossom wine.
"This is the peach blossom wine made last year. It is mellow and not spicy, and is very suitable for this situation. All students, please come and have a taste." After saying this, he personally poured wine for each student.
Qi Qige did a good job of opening the show, and the students were not as restrained as when they first arrived. Everyone opened their hearts and talked loudly. Every student has real talents and is the focus of training for this year's examination.
Qi Qige also wanted to find people with good character and worth dating from this gathering.
Qin Zhao was forced to sit at the table and listen to their conversations, and was asked about his views and opinions from time to time.
Apart from answering their questions, Qin Zhao never spoke on his own. He listened to them and observed their every move throughout the process. The wine glass beside him was never refilled.
As the sun gradually set, the students also left one after another. Qi Qige asked the boy to move two jars of peach blossom wine, and he and Qin Zhao walked back holding one jar each.
"I'll send these two jars back to you. You can go back and drink with Cao Xi."
"Well, I think she will like it."
When Qin Zhao took the first sip, he felt that this wine was suitable for Cao Xi to drink. Before he could even ask for it, Qi Qige took the initiative to give him two jars.
"Why don't you take the initiative to speak during the party?"
Qi Qige wanted to know what this boring gourd was thinking. He didn't know how to seize such a good opportunity.
"I don't think it's necessary." Qin Zhao dismissed it.
Qi Qige: "How could it be? Once we make friends, they will be a help."
Qin Zhao: "Well, it's also a tie. If you really want nothing when you enter the officialdom, doing practical things for the people is the right way. You should also be careful when making friends. Don't make friends with anyone."
Qi Qige looked at him sideways, "Do you think I'm stupid?"
When the two came back, Cao Xi had already prepared the meal. After questioning, he found that apart from drinking and eating fruits, they didn't even have a plate of cakes.
Qi Qige is excellent in all aspects, but for a grown man to organize such a banquet, there will inevitably be some negligence.
"Then don't leave, just eat at my place. I made a new dish today, so you can give me some advice."
Cao Xi put the wine Qi Qige sent in the kitchen. He asked Qin Zhao to place the dining table under the jujube tree, and in addition to pickled cabbage and fish, Cao Xi cooked two more vegetarian dishes.
Qi Qige was very curious about the sour fish, "What kind of dish is this? Why is it sour?"
"This is our pickled sauerkraut, do you want to try it and see if it tastes good?"
Cao Xi signaled Qi Qi to use her chopsticks, while she gave Qin Zhao some sauerkraut and smiled as he ate it.
Qin Zhao ate sauerkraut for the first time. The sour taste filled his mouth as soon as he entered it. After he got used to it, he found that it was quite delicious. The sourness was quite appetizing.
Qi Qige saw that Qin Zhao was fine after eating, so he took a chopstick and looked around, "Is it cabbage?"
Cao Xi answered: "It's cabbage. It's pickled and now it's called pickled cabbage."
Qi Qige put the dish into his mouth. He frowned slightly because of the sour taste, but he quickly let go.
"Try this soup." Cao Xi filled a bowl of soup for Qi Qige with a small spoon and handed it to him.
Qi Qige was a little flattered. She took the soup bowl and took a small sip. It was very sour and delicious.
"This is my first time eating sour vegetables. It tastes so good." Qi Qige held the soup bowl in one hand and gave Cao Xi a thumbs up with the other.
Cao Xi couldn't help but want to laugh when she saw his blunt praise, and picked up a piece of fish.
"Try this fish." As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Zhao put a piece of peeled fish into her bowl from the corner of her eye.
"You don't have to entertain him, let him eat by himself." Looking at the fish in the bowl, Cao Xi felt very sweet, and how could he still think about entertaining Qi Qige.
She took advantage of the situation and turned the fish meat that she had given to Qi Qige and put it into Qin Zhao's bowl.
"Don't peel off the thorns all the time. The dishes will get cold after a while."
As he watched, the fish meat that went into the bowl was transferred to Qin Zhao's bowl.
Qi Qige: ...I mentally rolled my eyes silently.
After the meal, Cao Xi felt that the guests and hosts had a great time, but Qi Qige's heart was hanging in a knot and she kept complaining. His damn charm made Cao Xi unable to take his eyes away.
After clearing the dining table, the three of them sat under the jujube tree, chatting. Cao Xi deliberately guided the sauerkraut. As expected, Qi Qige asked about the process of making sauerkraut.
Cao Xi made a very embarrassed expression, "This pickling of sauerkraut is both simple and complicated. We plan to sell the recipe together with the recipe."
Qi Qige was not a fool. She immediately understood the meaning of this meal. She couldn't complain about being so hospitable today. It turned out that they were waiting for him here.
After knowing Cao Xi's purpose, Qi Qige finally let go of his hanging heart and breathed a deep sigh of relief. His friendship with Qin Zhao was saved.
He recalled the taste of sauerkraut and immediately laughed.
"What's the problem? Just sell it to me. I have so many restaurants, so I don't have to worry about not selling the pickled vegetables."
When Cao Xi heard that he was so clever, she was overjoyed. She first explained the various dishes of pickled cabbage, which whetted Qi Qige's appetite.
I also explained the sauerkraut recipe in detail.
Finally, the two parties drafted a contract. Since Qi Qige did not have so much money with him, Cao Xi was asked to go to Runxiang Garden to pick it up tomorrow. It was getting dark, so Qi Qige didn't stop much and walked back alone, waving her fan.
Looking at the silver coins that were about to be obtained, Cao Xi smiled from ear to ear. Qin Zhao couldn't help but said: "Qi Qige is a fool."
Cao Xi put away the contract, "He's not stupid, he's smart. If he doesn't make money, he won't answer my questions."
Qin Zhao curled his lips and said, "He jumped into the hole even though he knew it was dug for him. He's not stupid."
"I think the main reason is that he treats you as a friend. Secondly, with his ability, this pickled cabbage can only make a profit in his hands."
Cao Xi was right. Qi Qige bought the sauerkraut recipe and informed the people in Zhuangzi to buy cabbage and pickle it into sauerkraut. All restaurants specialize in sauerkraut dishes, and Runxiangyuan specializes in sauerkraut hot pot.
When the first batch of sauerkraut was released, it caused a frenzy.
After making money, Qi Qige sold the sauerkraut recipe at a high price and never did the sauerkraut business again. Of course, this is all a story later.
Time passed leisurely. Cao Xi would go to the Earth Temple from time to time to see how Dayong and Da Zhuang were making charcoal. He would also go to the Malatang shop to see the buffalo and Xiaochuan.
They were all worried about Li Feng's safety, but they could do nothing but wait for good news.
Runxiangyuan is well managed by shopkeeper Li, and Qi Qige lives in Runxiangyuan. Cao Xi almost never worries about management problems.
She is now fully devoted to Qin Zhao, because Qin Zhao is about to take the provincial examination, which is much more difficult than the college examination, so Cao Xi stays with Qin Zhao almost every day, providing him with rear-end services.
"I will read during the break. Reading all the time is not good for the eyes." Cao Xi pushed the stewed rock sugar snow pear in front of Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao smiled, picked up the rock sugar snow pear, smelled it, and took another sip before speaking.
"It tastes good, you should try it too"
After saying that, he handed the bowl to Cao Xi's mouth. Cao Xi lowered his head and took a sip. Yes, it was indeed delicious.
Qin Zhao took a piece of pear with a spoon and fed it to Cao Xi's mouth. He watched her eat it with fond eyes. Cao Xi was fed two or three mouthfuls before he realized that this was not stewed for Qin Zhao. It all belongs to himself. Belly.
"I'll feed you." After saying that, he took the bowl from Qin Zhao's hand and started feeding him spoonful by spoonful, which made Qin Zhao's ears turn red.
The rural examination was held in June. This time the examination had to go to Fucheng because it was a long way.
Cao Xi started making preparations early. There were a lot of dried meat, dried fruits, dried noodles, dried vegetables and other ingredients. She also carefully checked the counties and prefectures she passed along the way to facilitate supplies.
Qin Zhao originally wanted to help, but Cao Xi disagreed. She used the last sprint as an excuse to let him read in peace. It was approaching mid-May that they were ready to leave for Fucheng.
Since Qi Qige and Qin Zhao were candidates in the same batch, they planned to leave together. With someone to take care of them, he drove out his most spacious and luxurious carriage.
A smell of local tyrants rushed towards him. Qi Qige said proudly that a poor family and a rich family should not suffer on the road. Qin Zhao rolled his eyes when he heard this. He had never suffered before.
The three of them got on the carriage and walked slowly towards Fucheng. The carriage was very comfortable and people would not feel restrained or uncomfortable sitting in it. Cao Xi secretly pressed the seat, thinking that it would be nice to have money.
Qin Zhao sat at the far end and read the whole time, while Qi Qige and Cao Xi, on the other hand, stuck their heads out and kept chattering all the way. They didn't sit up straight until the outside turned from a town into a field and wasteland.
Qin Zhao squinted at Qi Qige. The fool was rummaging through boxes and cabinets to find food for Cao Xi.
He coughed lightly, picked up the teapot on the small table, and refilled Cao Xi's cup of tea. "Drink some tea to moisten your throat."
Cao Xi was a little embarrassed by what Qin Zhao said, and was a little excited about traveling far away for the first time. She picked up the tea cup and took a sip to hide her embarrassment.
After a long effort, Qi Qige took out a box of nuts from under the seat and put it on the table.
"I found this specially. It is said to nourish the brain."
A box full of walnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, and peanuts is enough to nourish your brain. Cao Xi picked up a chestnut and put it into his mouth. It was soft, glutinous and sweet, and said with surprise, "It's delicious."
Qi Qige was full of pride, "It's delicious, this comes from the same place as the tribute." After saying that, he also threw a peanut into his mouth.
Seeing Cao Xi eating happily, Qin Zhao also silently picked up a chestnut and put it in his mouth, remembering the taste, and he would buy it for Cao Xi in the future.
The three of them wandered to their first stop, Ruyi Restaurant. At that time, they thought they were just having a meal. It wasn't until the shopkeeper enthusiastically called Qi Qige his boss that Cao Xi and the others realized that this restaurant was Qi Qige's. industry.
The three people were enthusiastically taken to the top floor of the restaurant by the shopkeeper. Each of the three rooms has its own characteristics. Generally speaking, it is low-key, luxurious and tasteful.
Before Cao Xi and Qin Zhao could clearly observe the layout of the bedroom, they were dragged downstairs for dinner by Qi Qige. As soon as he sat down, the waiter stood beside Qiqige enthusiastically, waiting for orders.
Qi Qige: “Anything you want, I’ll treat you to this meal.”
Seeing how generous he was, Qin Zhao stopped being polite and ordered four dishes of the restaurant's special dishes.
The food was served very quickly and it was obvious that we were being given preferential treatment. Crispy roast duck, braised pork elbow with soy sauce, cold jellyfish, stir-fried yam with lettuce, the dishes are quite generous.
After the three of them finished eating, there was still a lot left, which was a pity. In the end, Cao Xi suggested packaging the remaining meals and giving them to beggars on the street.
Perhaps due to the same experience, Cao Xi and Qin Zhao would more or less help some beggars within their abilities, at least giving them a full meal.
After dinner, the three of them went to the street to buy some supplies, and then returned to the restaurant to rest when the lights dimmed.
Prepare to start again the next day.
