Splendid Twins

Chapter 119 New Name

Si Yao responded politely at first, but changed her tone at the end, her brows turned cold, and she said:

"He's here to pay off his debts. Aunts, please chat. I'm going to be busy now."

Aunt Guihua noticed Si Yao's displeasure and immediately said:

"Then go quickly and don't delay."

After Si Yao left, several women realized what was going on and said:

"Just now, did you make Miss Yao unhappy?"

“I think she’s not happy…”

"Are we also a little bit..."

Si Yao looked ahead with a cold gaze. She didn't take those words seriously, but because Zhu Gou'er was there, she felt that these women were really noisy.

Zhu Gou'er carried a bundle of dry branches back to use as firewood. He knew that the villagers disliked his family. He had heard the sarcasm and ridicule many times.

"I promise not to be lazy. Don't listen to them. Don't leave me..."

Si Yao heard a choking sound behind her, she stopped and looked back, Zhu Gou'er's eyes were slightly red, tears were gently rippling in them, but they stubbornly refused to fall, and in the depths of those stubborn eyes, there was a hint of unspeakable grievance.

"Zhu, Zhu Gou'er, have you ever considered changing your name?"

She really couldn't open her mouth every time she called this name, so she stretched out her hand to greet him:

"come over."

Zhu Gou'er came running over and said, "I can't read."

Si Yao looked down at him, and after a while, he spoke:

"Zhu Ci, how is it?"

Zhu Gou'er grinned and laughed:

"Is this my new name?"

"The wind rises from the tip of the green duckweed, and the waves form between the ripples. You are my long-term and stable support, do you understand?"

Zhu Gou'er, no, Zhu Ci shook his head:

"don't know."

Si Yao reached out and patted his shoulder:

"You will understand later. Go home first and come back tomorrow."

"it is good."

Si Yao watched Zhu Ci leave, with a hint of relief in her eyes. He was an obedient child, but he was just not taught well enough.

After arriving at the village chief's house, Si Yao was warmly received. The village chief smiled and said:

"Yao girl is here, please come and sit down. Old woman, please see if there is any food for her."

"Wait a minute, girl. I'll go make two egg pancakes."

Si Yao hurriedly stopped him:

"Don't bother, Auntie. I came here after I had eaten. Don't be so polite."

"It will be fine in a moment, you guys chat first."

The village chief sat next to him and said:

"There is limited fertile land in the village. Currently, there are only a little over eight mu of wasteland that has been reclaimed for growing vegetables. The recipe you gave me made a profit last year, but I'm afraid that someone will make better food than us this year, and the vegetables may rot in the fields..."

Si Yao frowned slightly. If her recipes met a capable chef, he would be able to figure out the taste of the dishes after eating them a few times. By then, there would be more dishes to choose from in the market, and the dishes from Sijia Village might not be able to sell.

"Plant this crop first, and then plant the rest later."

"That's fine with me. You decide then and I'll make the arrangements."

The village chief pondered for a while and then spoke again:

"Yao girl, what do you think our village can do to make a living? Last year, some strong laborers were conscripted and now there are several orphans and widows. The village wants to help them, but there is no suitable one..."

Si Yao was stunned when she heard this, then she reacted and smiled bitterly:

"You think too highly of me. I have no virtue or ability."

"No, no, no, you have seen the world and have a broad vision. Your suggestions are better than those of us old guys."

The village chief was really asking for Si Yao's advice. If nothing else, the secret recipe of five-spice melon seeds that she taught Aunt Huang was really eye-catching. Just look at the big blue brick and tile house in the yard...

Si Yao's eyelashes flickered slightly, and she said seriously:

"You really flatter me. This concerns the jobs of everyone in Sijia Village. I can't speak without thinking, and it's not good for me to make random suggestions."

The village chief sat there without saying anything. After a moment of silence, he said:

"Forget it, let's grow the vegetables first and see."

"I'll go back and look through the books to see if there are any crops that are suitable for growing in wasteland. I'll let you know when the time comes."

Si Yao stood up and said this. She didn't regret donating a few recipes to the village, but people are greedy and suspicious by nature, so she would just keep her distance from them from now on.

"Hey, girl, sit down for a while. Your aunt hasn't..."

"No, I'll go back and find some books first. It's better to make arrangements early."

Si Yao said goodbye to the village chief politely. On the way back, he felt a little depressed, with a hint of restlessness in his eyes.

"Why don't you look at the road?"

A cold voice sounded in front of her. Si Yao looked up and said with joy:

"Brother, you are back."

Si Qing came over and looked her up and down, then reached out and touched the top of her head:

"What are you thinking about?"

Si Yao smiled and shook her head:

"Nothing, have you passed the test?"

Si Qing nodded as if a little embarrassed:

"I passed the county exam by luck. I just took the prefectural exam before coming back this time. I'm just waiting for the results to come out."

Si Yao said in disbelief:

"You participated in two games directly?"

Si Qing smiled soothingly, and the two walked back side by side. The breeze blew, and his voice was cold and clear:

"Don't worry, Big Brother is confident and wants to achieve results soon."

"Okay, you decide."

Si Qing turned his head and looked at Si Yao, and said slowly:

"Yaoyao, have you seen your second brother?"

Si Yao nodded:

"Yes, a few days ago..."

When the brother and sister returned home, the yard was already bustling with activity. Xiaohuzi and Xiaoshitou were helping Si Laoer weave bamboo baskets, while Hongying and Liu Niang were picking vegetables while watching Xiaoya and Si Yu learn to write.

As soon as Si Yao entered the room, Xiao Ya immediately dropped the branch in her hand and rushed over like a fledgling returning to the forest. She hugged Si Yao's legs tightly with both hands and said in a soft and aggrieved voice:

"Sister Yao, don't you want Xiaoya anymore? I haven't seen you for a long, long time."

Si Yao smiled and reached out to pick up the little girl, touching her little face:

"Why would I not want you, little girl? I've been thinking about you all the time. Let me see if you're cuter now?"

Xiaoya shyly hugged Siyao's neck and hid her face, causing others in the courtyard to laugh:

"Xiao Ya is still more likable."

"When you're not around, she keeps talking all the time. I really enjoy it."

Liu Niang joked on the side, while Hongying and Siyu also came over to surround Si Yao:

"Sister Yao."

"Well, go ahead and play. I'll be home from now on."

Si Yu pulled Xiaoya's leg and said:

"Fatty, come down and learn how to write."

The little girl has grown a lot fatter now, with a round face and plump body. Si Yao said with a teasing look in her eyes:

"Fatty?"

Xiao Ya felt more and more embarrassed. She hugged Si Yao's neck tightly and said anxiously:

"I'm not fat, I'm not a fat girl, I'm a little girl."

Si Lao Er cleaned up the yard and also spoke:

"Yes, you are not, little fat girl, come down to eat."

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Pfft hahaha."

There was a happy atmosphere at the dinner table, the family was eating and talking and laughing. Si Yao felt the long-lost liveliness, and her gloomy mood finally dissipated. While Si Qing was there, she took out a pot of sake and shared some among them.