"Sis, Dad used to say that nobody will be nice to you for no reason. They're either after your power or your benefits."
Such schemes aimed at girls are even more hateful.
Chun Ning is just young, not dumb.
"Sis, should I just return these things to the Zhao family?"
"No rush."
Xiao Chunnuan isn't worried about what others are after now; there has to be an agenda for there to be a connection. At least for now, Zhao Minghua seems very friendly.
She needs these things for emergencies right now.
Especially after seeing so many ingredients and seasonings in the basket, an idea suddenly popped into her head.
"Chun Ning, do you remember the flowers we saw blooming on the mountains when we went home?"
"Yes, they're pink. Luo Xiaogang said they're called 'Spring Gazing Flowers'."
"That's right, 'Spring Gazing Flowers,' also known as 'Xinyi Flowers.' Go call Luo Xiaogang here; I have something to ask him."
Upon hearing that Chun Nuan was looking for him, Luo Xiaogang ran over quickly, largely because Chun Ning gave him a fragrant pancake.
"Sister Chun Nuan, what do you need from me?"
"Xiao Gang, do you know who owns the section of Spring Gazing Flowers we saw?"
"That mountain belongs to the Xiao Family's big clan. Sister, are you thinking of picking flowers? We can go and pick them; nobody cares. Every year they bloom and fall without anyone minding."
The big Xiao Family again, Xiao Chunnuan couldn't help but laugh in frustration.
However, Luo Xiaogang's words about nobody caring made her eyes light up.
"Okay, Xiao Gang, help your sister out." Chun Nuan gestured, giving instructions.
"Really?"
"Really, if you help me with these tasks, Chun Ning will teach you how to read, and I'll give you a share of the profits."
"What does 'share of the profits' mean?"
The kid doesn't understand, so he asks.
"It means if I earn ten coins, you'll get one; if I earn a hundred coins, you'll get ten..."
Luo Xiaogang couldn't quite figure it out on his fingers, but he knew he could earn money; after all, picking flowers wasn't all that was needed. They'd have to carry baskets to the wharf to sell the flowers, but as long as there's money, it's fine!
"This matter has to be kept secret; you can't tell even your parents, okay?"
"Okay, I swear I'll keep it a secret. Let's pinky-swear."
Chun Nuan extended her little finger to pinky-swear with Luo Xiaogang.
"Pinky-swear, hang upside-down, a hundred years without change, or you'll turn into Pigsy."
Chun Nuan laughed right away.
"Sister Chun Nuan, you're so pretty; even if you turn into Pigsy, you'll be a pretty Pigsy." Luo Xiaogang blinked in admiration at Chun Nuan's smile: "My aunt says you're the prettiest girl she's seen in miles around."
What?
"My aunt is a famous matchmaker in ten miles around. She's really good at matchmaking; every match is successful. Sister Chun Nuan, what kind of husband do you want? I'll ask my aunt to find one for you."
Is this something a child should worry about?
"Xiao Gang, don't talk nonsense. My sister is still in mourning." Chun Ning felt that this "disciple" he had taken on was a bit silly, speaking things he shouldn't.
"Oh, alright, I'll tell my aunt to wait until your mourning is over before finding you a good husband."
Chun Nuan was truly bewildered by this; the child was eating the Luo family's food yet worrying about the Xiao family's matters!
Reasonably suspecting, Aunt Luo's reputation as a matchmaker was a result of the whole family's support.
Early the next morning, Chun Ning and Luo Xiaogang took a small basket and went to the mountain to pick flowers.
"Sister said the petals have to be big and fresh."
"Okay, wait for me, I'll climb the tree to pick."
Luo Xiaogang spat on his hands, rubbed them together, then quickly climbed up the tree.
Watching his agile movements, Chun Ning felt envious.
"Xiao Gang, will you teach me how to climb trees?"
"Uh, no way, brother Chun Ning, you can't climb trees?"
"No, I can't."
Indeed, since arriving from the Capital to Shu City, Chun Ning realized there were so many things he didn't know how to do besides reading.
Even though he could read, it was useless; couldn't ensure survival or protect family. No wonder some say scholars are useless.
So now, he has to learn everything.
"Sure, I'll teach you."
As Luo Xiaogang spoke, he came down from the tree again.
"Here, spit on your hands."
Chun Ning… previously, he would've found it rough and dirty.
Now, he learned with serious intent.
"Hug the tree trunk with both hands; your feet should push up."
"If your feet don't have enough strength, use your legs to grip the trunk; make sure not to fall."
Chun Ning… it was really challenging.
He tried over and over but just couldn't get up.
"Forget it, brother Chun Ning, you won't master it today; let's focus on picking flowers."
"Alright," Chun Ning didn't feel discouraged: "I'll definitely learn how to climb trees one day."
Luo Xiaogang climbed up the tree again, picking and tossing flowers down.
"Brother Chun Ning, catch!"
Chun Ning was under the tree, picking up the flowers to fill the basket; soon it was full, and Luo Xiaogang swiftly climbed down again, his movements seamless, like walking on flat ground.
"Among three people, there's always one who can teach you." Chun Ning couldn't help but murmur.
"Brother Chun Ning, what did you say?"
Chun Ning smiled and explained.
"Does it mean I can be your teacher too?"
"Yes, you have qualities worth learning from."
"That's great." Luo Xiaogang had always envied brother Chun Ning for knowing how to read, unaware they also had things they couldn't do, like climbing trees.
"Climbing trees is fun; you can sometimes find bird eggs in nests. Last time I found three, my mom cooked them for me and my siblings; they were so tasty."
The words "so tasty" made Chun Ning reflexively swallow.
He surely had to master tree climbing.
Chun Nuan was pleased to see Chun Ning and Luo Xiaogang return with so many flowers.
"Chun Ning, Xiao Gang, have some porridge; rest for a while. Once everything is ready, you'll go to the wharf to sell."
Chun Nuan mixed bean flour, cracked an egg, and added various seasonings, stirring them evenly.
The seasonings Zhao Minghua sent were comprehensive, plus ten eggs. Chun Nuan cooked one for her sister-in-law and grandmother each; the result was her sister-in-law shared half with Chunxin, and her grandmother shared half with Chun Qiang. The two eggs had both those eating and those not eating tearing up.
The Xiao Mansion's former servants once ate better than they do now; truly, fortunes fluctuate.
"Sis, what are you going to do with these flowers?"
"Fried flower pancakes." Chun Nuan explained to Chun Yan, who was tending the fire: "Make the fire smaller and don't add too much wood."
"Okay, got it."
The Xiao Family gathered around, watching how Chun Nuan would fry the flower pancakes.
Chun Nuan… without a secluded kitchen, cooking like this is risky; outsiders might see and come over.
She quickly urged them to leave, mentioning that after the pancakes were fried, there were more important things to do.
She poured oil into the pan; seeing the quantity, Mrs. Xu exclaimed: "Chun Nuan, are you planning not to live anymore?"
Wow, she poured in a full large bowl, at least half a kilo.
"Mom, to fry flower pancakes requires a lot of oil; don't worry, I'll earn back the money for the oil."
Actually, Chun Nuan herself wasn't sure if she'd make a profit.
Chun Nuan coated the washed and dried petals in the bean flour mixture before putting them into the pan. In no time, a fragrance wafted out; everyone in the Xiao Family salivated.
Chun Nuan also struggled to control her saliva; finally, the frying was done.
"Chun Ning, did you pick the banana leaves?"
"Sis, they're here, washed clean, and dried."
"Good, look here; wrap ten flower pancakes in one bundle. As for the price... " Chun Nuan pondered: "I think I'll go with you to the wharf and decide on the price then."