Chapter 879: You Are Shorter Than Him

Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi’s eyes curved into a smile, “Children should go to bed early, otherwise, they won’t grow tall.”

The little prince stretched out his short fingers, pointed at Tang Jinghong, and said in a childish voice, “I want to grow as tall as him.”

Tang Jinghong stood tall at 185 cm. Chu Qingzhi glanced at him and smiled, “You’re quite ambitious.”

The emperor pinched his son’s face, “Why don’t you take your dad as your goal?”

The little prince glanced at the emperor and hid behind Chu Qingzhi, “You are shorter than him.”

The emperor was silent for a while before saying, “Qingzhi, you can have this son.”

The little prince exclaimed with joy, “Really?”

The emperor, “…”

Everyone tried to hold back their laughter.

“Then you might as well stay in this village forever, don’t come back home.” The emperor, pulling the empress along, had some matters to attend to.

The little prince waved his little hands towards the emperor and empress’s backs, crisply saying, “Then goodbye.”

The emperor stumbled slightly, “Empress, the son was raised in vain.”

The empress glanced at the emperor, “You asked for it. Who told you to say you’d give him away?”

The emperor rubbed his nose, “Ever since my son met Chu Qingzhi, he doesn’t recognize his relatives anymore. As his father, I seem to have no place in his heart.”

The empress incredulously said, “Are you really jealous over this?”

The emperor raised an eyebrow, “Is that not allowed?”

The empress was speechless.

…

At Chu Shi’an’s home.

Chu Lann’er ran home excitedly and put her money pouch on the table, “Dad, guess how much my wages are?”

Chu Shi’an had just returned from buying goods at the grocery store and smiled, handing Chu Lann’er something, “Let’s look at it later. I bought you your favorite taro pie. Have a piece.”

“Dad, you’re too good to me.” Chu Lann’er excitedly accepted the taro pie, “Let’s eat together.”

She cut the taro pie into eight pieces, handed her dad one, and took a bite herself, “Dad, it’s so delicious.”

Seeing his daughter enjoying her food, Chu Shi’an said, “I’ll go buy you another one later. We can eat it on New Year’s Eve.”

“No need, Dad. We can save half for tomorrow,” Chu Lann’er dreamed aloud, “We need to save our money to build a house.”

Saying this, she handed the money pouch to Chu Shi’an, “Dad, count it.”

Chu Shi’an opened the pouch and poured out the silver coins inside, totaling ten taels. He was surprised, “So much? I only got five taels.”

Chu Lann’er was proud, “Sister Ruyue gave us a higher bonus. The others didn’t get as much.”

Chu Shi’an looked at his daughter with pride, “My daughter is doing well.”

“Hehe, Dad, I will earn even more money in the future to take good care of you.”

“Good.”

Xu Songnian’s voice came from outside, “Lann’er, are you there?”

Chu Lann’er called back, “I am,” and walked out, “Songnian, what brings you here?”

Xu Songnian placed a taro pie in Chu Lann’er’s hand, “I heard you like taro pie, so I specially bought one for you. Happy New Year.”

“It’s too precious. I can’t accept it, Songnian. You should take it back and eat it yourself.” Chu Lann’er tried to return the taro pie to Xu Songnian.

“I’ve already bought one for my family. This one is specifically for you. Please have it.” Xu Songnian said and ran off before Chu Lann’er could respond.

Chu Lann’er, “…”

Chu Shi’an came out of the house and saw the taro pie in Chu Lann’er’s hand, “Did Songnian specifically bring this for you?”

Chu Lann’er nodded, “Dad, what do you think of Xu Songnian?”

Girls mature early and take on responsibilities sooner. It was obvious to see Xu Songnian’s intentions, but it was still important to consider her father’s opinion.

Chu Shi’an had a good impression of Xu Songnian but had not interacted much, “You work with him every day. What do you think?”

“He can calculate complex accounts, helps Sister Ruyue with many matters, and appears whenever I need help…” Unknowingly, Chu Lann’er listed many of Xu Songnian’s strengths.

Chu Shi’an wasn’t foolish. Seeing how his daughter talked, he knew her thoughts.

“If you think he’s good, Dad doesn’t oppose it. However, you’re young. Talk of marriage can wait a few years. In the meantime, see if this person is worth entrusting your life to. Don’t decide too soon, okay?”

Chu Lann’er always listened to Chu Shi’an and nodded, “Dad, I understand.”

…

At Chu Qingzhi’s home.

Li Qingyin was the first to deliver New Year’s gifts. Naturally, a gift in return was expected. Chu Qingzhi’s family reciprocated with a large piece of cured meat.

Then came business partners, long-term collaborators who sent New Year’s gifts annually as a way to deepen and maintain the relationship. Chu Qingzhi instructed Shen Ruyue to return five kilograms of sausage.

Everyone coveted their sausages. After tasting them at a feast, they all wanted to buy some, but Chu Qingzhi refused, saying they would send some during the New Year, which calmed everyone down.

Friends, relatives, and villagers also came to deliver New Year’s gifts.

By the third batch, the cured meat, either consumed or given away as New Year’s gifts, left them with only about a hundred kilograms of sausages, cured meat, and marinated meat.

Zhang Lingmei arrived at Chu Village with two older children from the charitable hall, bringing two large redfish and a large ‘Fu’ character for Chu Qingzhi, making quite an impressive gesture.

Chu Qingzhi was somewhat moved, “Thank you.”

“Do you like it, sister?” Zhang Lingmei, still wearing her old cotton-padded jacket but with new clothes underneath, looked refreshed and behaved like a well-mannered young girl.

Chu Qingzhi smiled, her eyes twinkling with joy, “I love it. The craftsmanship is so good, anyone would like it.”

After a brief chat, the children returned to the charitable hall. Chu Qingzhi gave them plenty of cured meat, allowing them to taste it as well.

Holding the cured meat as if it were a treasure, the children left happily.

“I’ve come to join the fun.” Tan Mengyang arrived with a servant, carrying three boxes of gifts.

“Here, give these to Miss Chu, to thank her for the business booming under her help.”

Chu Qingzhi came out to greet them, “Welcome, Young Master Tan.”

Following her out, Chu Xuhua took the gifts and then brought back some return gifts, “Young Master Tan is too polite.”

Tan Mengyang glanced at the return gifts, chuckling, “I heard that Miss Chu’s return gifts are all cured meats?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Yes, everyone has everything else, but not our cured meats.”

Tan Mengyang spoke openly, “To be honest, I came for the cured meats.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Brother, get Young Master Tan some more cured meats. We can’t let him leave empty-handed.”

Tan Mengyang thanked her, “Thank you, Miss Chu. I hope our cooperation will be even better next year.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Of course.”

Satisfied with his haul of cured meats, Tan Mengyang left with his servant.

Chu Xuanyu lamented, “Sister, we’re going to run out of cured meats at this rate.” They started with over three hundred pounds, and now they were down to just over a hundred.