Ugliest Ger With Space

Chapter 3 🍃

Xu Qing and Aunty Xie came early, but others were earlier.  Farmers didn’t have the habit of sleeping in, and there were shoppers who would visit the market early in the morning to get their share of freshest produce.  Thanks to them, Aunty Xie’s eggs were all sold out in a matter of time.  Anyone with discerning eyes can see that the eggs were fresh: round, large, and clean.  The eggs were all bought by an old ger who paid 30 coppers.  It was a very reasonable price.  Aunty Xie made a good sale; he was in a great mood and said: “Brother Qing, let’s go shopping.  What do you wanna buy?”

Xu Qing was also affected by the happy atmosphere, and he became excited.  “I want to buy piglets, chickens, and …”

Aunty Xie: “Ok, ok, let’s take it slow.  Follow me.”

With gentleness in his eyes, Aunty Xie glanced at Xu Qing, whose eyes were sparkling, and brought him to the place where piglets were sold.  “It’s the end of winter, and there are only few piglets for sale.  Let’s try our luck and look for spirited ones.  If you don’t see anything you like, we can come back later.  Don’t worry about money; I’ll help you out.  You are young and have no experience in these things; it’s easy to lose money if not careful,” Aunty Xie talked while they were on the way.  He looked at Xu Qing next to him, who was nodding his head like a chicken pecking at rice, and Aunty Xie felt more satisfied.  He thought Xu Qing was really a good guy.

Aunty Xie was thinking about which single man in the village would be a good match for Xu Qing.  20 was already past the age for marriage.  Some people this age already had two or more kids.  Aunty Xie was worried for Xu Qing because if a ger wasn’t married by the age 21, and for men, it’s 24, the government officials would choose the match for them.  It would not be a good ending if the match isn’t suitable for Xu Qing.  Those men who are waiting to be matched by the officials are not good ones; they are either lazy or someone with disability.

Aunty Xie looked at Xu Qing who was curiously looking around the market with his neck stretched out.  His heart softened.  Even though this person is in his twenties, he still acts like a child.  They could talk about marriage issues the next day.  If not careful, it might become the talk of the town.

Xu Qing, who was dazzled by various ancient products at the market, didn’t know what was going on inside Aunty Xie’s head.  He didn’t even know that there were such things as official match.  If he’d know he’d be shocked and wouldn’t want to be curiously looking around at the “antiques.”  He wouldn’t even be able to fall asleep at night.

Xu Qing was lucky.  There were some lively piglets to his liking.  As long as he took care of them properly, they would surely become big and fat.  The piglets were just at the right size and age.  The sellers were also from the same village, and they had some friendship with Aunty Xie’s family so, the original 3 pounds something weighed piglet was sold at a discount.

Aunty Xie took advantage of Xu Qing busy paying, and pulled the pig seller’s wife Liu Mo, “Hey, help me pay attention to see if there is any down-to-earth young man in Jixiang village who is not married yet.  I’m asking for my nephew.”  Liu Mo followed Aunty Xie’s eyes just in time to see Xu Qing’s profile with his head down counting money.  Although his skin is fair, there are obvious red bumps on his face.

Liu Mo: “This one is from Xu family?”

Aunty Xie gave Liu Mo a glance: “Why, are you just like those people with shallow eyes?”

Liu Mo: “Hey, what are you talking about?  Am I like that?  Anyway, there are many soldiers who just came back from serving in the military.  Many of them are single.”

Aunty Xie hurriedly said: “But they have to be the good ones.  I’ll check them out and see what happens.”

Liu Mo: “Don’t worry, don’t worry.  Leave it to me.”