northernbook Chapter 216: Untying the Heart Knot (Part )
Chapter 216: Untying the Heart Knot (Part )
Tao Yao recounted to Cheng Tianshui everything about the heavy snow and the massacre that she saw in the future prophecy.
After finishing the pot of tea, Cheng Tianshui took out a piece of thin paper from his sleeve, asked Tao Yao for pen and ink, and immediately picked up the pen and wrote down a series of prescriptions on the thin paper.
"Poria cocos, raw licorice, raw rehmannia root, salvia miltiorrhiza..." Tao Yao read out the words written on the prescription one by one, feeling a little dizzy.
"What are these? Prescriptions?" Tao Yao was a little puzzled. "Doctor Cheng, you are not prescribing this for me, are you? I am not sick."
Cheng Tianshui nodded and said, "Well, this prescription is for you. Who said you are not sick? I think you are seriously ill. This prescription is to calm your temper. I think you have hysteria, so treat it quickly."
Tao Yao's heart moved, feeling somewhat amused and powerless. She laughed and said, "Doctor Cheng, you are right. If I really say what's in my heart, others will just think I'm crazy."
Cheng Tianshui glanced at her, his brows furrowed as he said, "Niece-in-law, I think you are indeed crazy. However, there is still a cure - come to the clinic later, I will pick up the prescription for you, remember to come and get it."
Tao Yao smiled and saw Cheng Tianshui off. Looking at the sky, it was almost time to open for business.
Several aunts and sisters-in-law were already waiting outside the door. Aunt Liu had been looking after the store for Tao Yao these days, so she had been particularly active recently. Everyone felt that Aunt Liu had the best chance of becoming the manager of Huantao Pavilion.
Seeing that Taoyao's hair was uncombed and her clothes were extremely sloppy, he quickly came forward, took Taoyao's hand, and said affectionately, "Yaoyao, what's wrong with you today? Didn't you get enough rest last night? If you're not feeling well, don't work in the store today. I'll take care of Huantao Pavilion. Don't worry, I'll definitely count today's account book and hand it over to you before we finish work."
When Tao Yao saw the smile on Aunt Liu's face, she knew that she was greedy for the extra wages for helping to run the store.
Tao Yao knew that the shopkeeper of Huantao Pavilion was a hot commodity among the long-term workers in the store. Although the aunts and uncles appeared to be humble and non-competitive, they actually longed to become the shopkeeper of Huantao Pavilion. The salary and value would be double what they were making as ordinary workers now.
So, Tao Yao enthusiastically took Aunt Liu's hand, put on her signature fake smile, and responded affectionately, "Oh, Aunt Liu, I really didn't sleep well last night. The weather in spring is strange, getting colder so quickly. I forgot to change to thicker bedding last night, and forgot to close the window, so I was blown by the cold wind all night, so I can't muster any energy today... I'm really relieved to let you help look after the store, but as for the accounting..."
As Tao Yao spoke, a look of hesitation appeared on her face. Aunt Liu's greatest strength was her sharp wit. Before Tao Yao could say anything, she was the first to understand.
"Ah... Yaoyao is right. You don't need to mention it. Auntie understands it in her heart. Although Auntie has learned a little about accounting in the past, after all, she has never managed a shop as prosperous as Huantao Pavilion. It is true that she is a little unfamiliar with the accounting and it is easy to make mistakes... But Yaoyao, don't worry. Give Auntie a chance, and Auntie will definitely learn how to manage accounts well."
Aunt Liu's face was full of smiles, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were all blooming. She was acting in the most flattering manner.
Tao Yao was just wondering how to deal with her when Aunt Wang's voice suddenly came from the side.
"Miss Taoyao, my husband Tieniu went to the fields early this morning and brought back a lot of melons. He asked me to bring some for you to taste."
As soon as Aunt Wang finished speaking, everyone turned their attention to her. She was holding a large bamboo basket in her arms. The basket was carefully covered with a thick layer of cotton cloth, which was filled with small, juicy, and shiny melons.
Several aunts and sisters-in-law immediately swarmed forward to grab the melons. Aunt Wang quickly protected the basket in her hands, raised her arms above her head, and held the basket of melons high in the air to prevent the group of greedy women from snatching them away.
"Don't rush to grab it. My son picked this melon specially to give to Miss Taoyao." Aunt Wang shouted hurriedly.
Seeing this, Aunt Liu also teased, "Oh, your Wang Tieniu is really something. He comes to Huantao Pavilion every now and then to deliver gifts. I've never heard that Wang Tieniu is so good at showing his courtesy to girls before. Why is it that he seems to have suddenly come to his senses these past few days? Aunt Wang, tell me the truth, was it your son's idea or yours?"
Aunt Liu's ridicule made Aunt Wang's face flush red. She glared at Aunt Liu with wide eyes.
"Don't talk nonsense. My son's heart and eyes are now filled with Miss Taoyao. Tieniu's infatuation is witnessed by heaven and earth."
As Aunt Wang spoke, she almost believed it herself and was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes.
Tao Yao pushed through the crowd and walked over. Aunt Wang quickly handed over the basket of melons with both hands. Tao Yao took the melons and then, regardless of Aunt Wang's attempts to stop her, distributed the melons to everyone.
"Everyone gets a piece, so don't fight over it."
As Tao Yao spoke, she placed a piece of juicy melon in Aunt Wang's hand. Still with her signature fake smile, she said softly, "Aunt Wang, Brother Tieniu picked these melons himself, so you, his old mother, should taste them first. You're the one who always worries about him, so you're the one he should please the most."
Taoyao's words were full of hidden meaning, but Aunt Wang, who was too slow to understand, might not have been able to hear it. Aunt Wang took the melon, but she was unwilling to accept it, and her eyes were full of anxiety.
"Miss Taoyao, you..."
Tao Yao nodded and smiled at her, saying, "Those country eggs and melons you asked Brother Tieniu to send me a few days ago are so plentiful that I haven't even had time to finish them all. Any more and they'll go bad. I cherish food and don't want to waste it. If I let these sweet and juicy melons rot in my warehouse, wouldn't that be a waste of natural resources? Since everyone is in the shop now, wouldn't it be better to share them with everyone so they can taste some and quench their thirst?"
Aunt Wang still looked troubled: "But, this..."
Tao Yao handed the basket to Aunt Liu, asking her to help distribute the melons. Then, she moved closer to Aunt Wang, cupped her hand against her ear, and whispered, "Aunt Wang, look, now that you've distributed the melons to everyone, everyone should remember your kindness. Everything they do in the future will go more smoothly, don't you think?"