"Really, this smoked fish can warm the stomach, remove dampness and expel wind. It's exactly what the people in the Northern Border need!"
"I didn't know it had such effects!"
Lu Yanlai's eyes lit up. "If you put it that way, I can tell people this when I sell it. Maybe it'll have a great effect."
Hearing this, Ye Zhinan's eyes showed a hint of surprise. "How come I didn't realize earlier that you're such a good businesswoman? If you don't make money, who will?"
"Sister, don't tease me. You're the one with all the good ideas. I've been in the Northern Border for so long, and I've never seen anyone make such a good life out of exile."
Lu Yanlai was telling the truth. Exile usually meant being sent to a cold and desolate place. People not only suffered from mental depression but also had to accept the harsh reality of life. However, Ye Zhinan was different. She not only liked farming but also expanded her fields and managed them better. She even led others to farm and make money together.
"Miss Ye is the daughter of a grand tutor. Naturally, she's different from us ordinary people."
Li Feilong came out of the kitchen with two bottles of wine in his hands. When he noticed Lu Yanlai's frowning phoenix eyes, he immediately realized he had said the wrong thing.
"My wife is also a heroic woman. I'm just a rough and ordinary man."
Lu Yanlai also came from an official family. If it weren't for the decline of her family and being framed, she wouldn't have ended up as a bandit in the mountains. This had always been a pain in her heart.
She knew Li Feilong didn't mean any harm, so she composed herself and took the wine flask from him with a big smile.
"Sister, if you don't mind our rough wine, have a cup?"
"Of course not. It's something I never dared to dream of to have a warm drink in the Northern Border."
Although Ye Zhinan didn't drink much, she knew and loved wine. So she generously picked up the wine cup and downed it in one gulp.
"Hiss~ Good~ wine!"
She swallowed the word "spicy" back. She only felt a burning sensation in her throat. Then a warm current flowed into her stomach, making it feel cozy and a bit... comfortable!
"Hahaha, Miss Ye is so bold!"
Li Feilong laughed heartily and refilled her cup.
Ye Zhinan just realized what was happening and reached out to grab the cup, but it was already full.
"Sister is a girl. How can she drink like you men? You should punish yourself with this cup."
Lu Yanlai saw Ye Zhinan's embarrassment and pushed the cup in front of Li Feilong. Under the table, Ye Zhinan clasped her hands together, thanking her profusely.
Li Feilong slapped his head. "Sorry, Miss Ye. I was being rash. I'll punish myself with a cup."
With that, he poured the wine from the cup into a big bowl, filled the bowl again, and then downed it in one go.
The action was so straightforward that Ye Zhinan felt it was a bit like the heroes in Liangshan, drinking and eating heartily. She couldn't help but feel excited.
Sure enough, you can do bold things with bold people!
Thinking this, she also poured herself a cup of wine. Lu Yanlai quickly tried to stop her.
"Sister, this wine has a strong after - effect. Take it easy."
"It's okay. I'm in a good mood today. Just one cup. It's fine."
With that, she gulped down another cup and then quickly picked up a piece of smoked fish and put it in her mouth.
The sweet and spicy flavors blended perfectly, leaving an endless aftertaste in her mouth.
"This smoked fish is really a great dish to go with wine. I'd like to wish elder sister a great success in selling it in advance."
When the three of them raised their cups, Xiaohu also ran over with his wooden bowl and shouted, "Cheers!"
Happy times always fly by. On her way to the Wei family, Ye Zhinan was still trying to savor the taste of the smoked fish. Suddenly, she remembered something and quickly stuffed the bag around her waist into her space.
"So close. This was given to me by Yanlai. I can't let the Wei family find out."
Then she sprinkled some perfume on herself, smelled it again and again. After making sure there was no smell of fish or alcohol, she strode forward. But a gust of wind blew, and she felt a rush of blood to her head.
The alcohol was kicking in.
So she quickly found a bottle of hangover medicine from her space and gulped it down, which only suppressed it a little.
Forget it. I don't care anymore!
Thinking this, she marched towards the Wei family.
Before she even reached the Wei family, a soft voice came from afar.
"Great - niece! You're finally here."
Aunt Six had been waiting outside for a long time. Of course, she wasn't really there to greet people. She was just trying to avoid the work inside the house. Otherwise, Wei Shishi would make her do all kinds of things.
Ye Zhinan immediately put on a fake kind smile and replied in a soft voice, "Aunt Six, how could I let you wait outside? Look at this cold wind. I'd feel really bad if you caught a cold."
"It's okay. Aren't you good at medicine? If I really get sick, I'll come to you. You won't refuse to treat me, will you?"
This woman is really something. When I mention illness, she just pins it on me.
Ye Zhinan rolled her eyes at her in her heart and walked in with a big smile.
This time, not so many people were standing outside to "greet" her. Only Aunt Ten, accompanied by Aunt Seven and Aunt Eleven, was outside. Even Aunt Thirteen was nowhere to be seen.
"What's on the agenda today, Aunt Ten?"
Ye Zhinan looked puzzled.
"Let's not talk about that for now. We've cleaned up the duck shed according to your requirements. Take a look. Is it okay?"
With that, she waved her jade hand and pointed at the duck shed.
Sure enough, the duck shed was much cleaner and tidier than before. Even the water trough was spotless.
It seemed that Wei Shishi had really put in a lot of effort.
"Not bad."
"Come and take a look at these ducks. Are they healthy?"
Ye Zhinan looked carefully. The ducks seemed different from before. She took another look.
Huh, it was as if they had replaced all the ducks!
Although she was puzzled, she didn't show it. Instead, she pretended to be delighted.
"These ducks are raised so well!"
"That's good."
Aunt Ten nodded and glanced at the side. Aunt Eleven slowly spoke up, "We have thirty ducks here, and there are hundreds more outside. They're all in good health."
"So?"
Ye Zhinan seemed to have already understood their intention and waited for them to say it themselves.
"So we want to supply the ducks and open a shop directly."
Seeing that Ye Zhinan didn't get the hint for a long time, Aunt Ten spoke up.
"Open it directly? Do you mean for me to do it?"
So that's their plan. Supply the ducks to make money, make money from sales, and finally, leave the hard work to others. They're not responsible for the taste. If the sales are poor, others will have to take the blame.
You guys really know how to play your cards!
"What's your opinion, Miss Ye?"
Aunt Ten pressed on, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
This is hardly asking for someone's opinion. It's almost like putting a knife to someone's throat. Maybe they'd even like to cut off the marinated - food brand and replace it with the Wei family's name.
Ye Zhinan gave her a disdainful look.
"Does my opinion matter? Have you prepared the shop?"
"Miss, don't worry. Thanks to a distant relative in my family, everything has been prepared."
Aunt Ten was confident. Looking at her radiant appearance, she didn't seem like someone exiled with her husband at all. Instead, she seemed like someone here for a vacation and to check out the investment conditions.