When the rest period in the second half of the month arrived, the group returned to Silver Bay.
Qi Jiao led the Teng Chun couple to the wild rose fields for an inspection. Teng Chun selected fifty rose plants that he thought were easy to survive and carefully loaded them onto the oxcart.
Qi Jiao also took them to see the olive trees by the way.
Teng Chun said, "This kind of tree prefers a warm and humid climate. It's commonly seen in the south. Jiao Niang, if you want to plant them on a large scale, you can plant them on hilly areas with sufficient sunlight."
Qi Jiao nodded. "You're quite right. That's exactly what I was thinking."
Spring is a good time for growth and sowing.
Although it was supposed to be a rest period, Qi Jiao's schedule was still fully packed.
Apart from the land compensated by the Qi family, the Pei family also had eight mu of farmland and a sloping field in Silver Bay.
Qi Jiao certainly wouldn't plant olives on the fertile farmland.
She asked Uncle Ye, an experienced man, to help her choose a sunny sloping field. Half of it belonged to the Pei family and the other half to the neighboring Cai family.
The Cai family and the Pei family had a good relationship. When they heard that Qi Jiao wanted to plant trees, they readily agreed.
Qi Jiao wouldn't use others' land for free. She promised to pay thirty taels of rent every year.
This shocked the son and daughter - in - law of Aunt Cai, and they quickly declined. "It's not appropriate! It's just half a hilly area. It's useless just lying there. How could we take such a high rent?"
Qi Jiao was very firm. "It's reasonable. Land resources need to be maintained. Moreover, the soil on the mountain is red soil. This rent is not too high."
Then she smiled. "When the olives are ripe, I'll have to ask you to help me with the work."
Tang Guiniang also persuaded Aunt Cai to accept it. Soon, the two families found the village head of Baiyun Village to draw up a deed, and the plan to plant olive trees was put on the agenda.
The next day, Qi Jiao went out to sea with Pei Xia.
The seafood in the shop was almost sold out. Although many raw materials for making could be bought at a low price from the fishermen.
But Pei Xia was used to sailing on the sea. As soon as he came back, he still wanted to go out to sea.
Taking advantage of the fine weather and the gentle, moist breeze caressing their faces, the couple sailed towards the blue sea.
This time they didn't go too far, but just like the last time when they returned fully loaded, the fishing boat was filled when they came back.
Pei Xia paid attention and found that it was indeed because of Jiao Niang.
She seemed to have a special constitution that could attract animals.
Qi Jiao was also shocked.
Looking at the fish and shrimps scrambling to swim towards her under the sea, Qi Jiao quickly asked Pei Xia to draw in the net.
On the way back, Qi Jiao remained silent.
Pei Xia stroked her face and said softly, "What's wrong? Why are you looking so gloomy? This is a blessing that many people dream of."
Qi Jiao wriggled her slender fingers and looked into Pei Xia's dark eyes seriously and solemnly. "Don't tell anyone else about this."
Pei Xia put away his smile and said seriously, "Don't worry. I understand the importance of this matter. I'll never tell anyone other than myself."
He took Qi Jiao's hand and kissed it gently on his lips. "Jiao Niang, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just think of it as a gift from heaven. As long as we don't abuse it, it's fine."
Qi Jiao's frown gradually relaxed. She leaned on Pei Xia's broad and solid shoulder. His breath made her feel at ease.
The two looked into the distance. The boundless sea had swallowed half of the fiery red sun.
It was time for them to go home.
After they got home and sorted out the seafood, they were so tired that they didn't even want to talk. But they still couldn't rest. They had to take the carriage back to the city and stay in the house in Pomegranate Alley.
This was to avoid being in a hurry the next day and missing the opening time.
The business was getting better and better every day. Qi Jiao watched silently. Third Aunt Hua was really good at accounting.
When checking the accounts every day, there was never a single mistake!
The little girl Hua Shuangshuang was even more capable. She did everything from fetching water and chopping firewood to cleaning and preparing meals.
Sometimes when Pei Xia and Ye Pa were too busy to get away, Hua Shuangshuang even did their work.
Qi Jiao didn't want Hua Shuangshuang to be too tired, so she intended to hire two maids to do odd jobs. But Third Aunt Hua stopped her.
Third Aunt Hua said, "This child is different from ordinary young ladies. She has always eaten a lot and has endless strength. If the master pities Shuangshuang, you might as well teach her how to cook."
Hua Shuangshuang looked at Qi Jiao and blushed shyly. There was a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.
Since she and her mother came to Jiao Niang's Restaurant, they had tasted delicious food.
The master provided them with very good meals. There were three meals a day, and each meal was rich in meat dishes with wonderful flavors.
During meal times, she was the most active one.
For this, her mother had scolded her several times, but the master just smiled and said that Shuangshuang was still growing and should eat well.
Sometimes when the master was free, she even made desserts for them.
Thinking of the delicate and delicious desserts, Hua Shuangshuang's saliva was almost flowing out.
Such a good life was something they had never had when they were hiding everywhere.
If she could learn even a little bit of the master's cooking skills, even if she had a hard time in the future, at least she could eat her fill. Hehe.
Qi Jiao's eyes flickered. After a moment of thought, she said okay. "Since Third Aunt says so, from now on, Shuangshuang will work with me in the kitchen. After the shop closes, don't rush back. You and Hui'er will learn how to cook with me."
Hua Shuangshuang shouted okay loudly. Her face was flushed with joy, and her smiling eyes were bent.
Qi Jiao had taken another apprentice.
*
After a busy day, Qi Jiao took a hot bath before going to bed.
Pei Xia stood outside the bathtub and massaged her shoulders and back. He scooped up a ladle of hot water and gently rubbed it on her skin, then carefully applied the new - made rose dew by Jiao Niang.
Qi Jiao's skin was fair and delicate. With just a light rub, that area of skin would turn rosy. Her black hair and fair face made her look extremely charming.
Qi Jiao closed her eyes and let out a comfortable moan. Pei Xia stopped his hand for a moment, and his breathing suddenly became hot.
He turned Qi Jiao's face towards him.
The temperature in the bathroom gradually rose. The delicate fragrance of roses was lingering in the moist steam, intertwining with the lips and teeth of the two as they got close to each other.
After it was over, Qi Jiao reclined on the couch and traced Pei Xia's lips with her slender fingers one by one.
Her voice was sweet and charming, and her eyes were full of smiles. "Dew is the essence of things. It can be taken internally or applied externally. My husband, how much of my rose dew did you consume just now? Hmm?"
Pei Xia looked satisfied. He leaned his handsome face over and whispered in Qi Jiao's ear. He said with a low laugh, "It's sweet, mellow, and extremely soul - stirring."
After the couple's intimacy, Qi Jiao stared at the peach - blossom patterned silk curtain above her head. The branches and vines were faintly visible. Suddenly, she remembered something.
She seemed to have missed her period for more than a month.
At this thought, Qi Jiao's mind went blank. She sat up straight all of a sudden.
Pei Xia was sleepy and about to fall asleep. Suddenly, he was startled by Jiao Niang's big movement.
He sat up and stroked her back with his big hand. His voice was still hoarse with sleepiness. "What's going on?"
Qi Jiao turned her face and buried it in Pei Xia's arms. She sobbed loudly. "I... I haven't had my period for a long time."
Pei Xia was also shocked. He had a guess in his mind.
He held Qi Jiao's face and kissed away her tears. "Don't be afraid. It may not be that you're pregnant. We'll go to see the doctor early tomorrow morning, okay?"
Pei Xia's tenderness made Qi Jiao stop crying.
She wasn't crying because she might be happy about being pregnant.
Qi Jiao was really scared.
She was in a crucial stage of her career development. She mustn't get pregnant!
Since the shop opened, she had been too busy. She and Pei Xia had very little sexual intercourse, and Qi Jiao had also neglected her own physical condition.
It was only after tonight's intimacy that she remembered this.