Selling Snake Gallbladder (Part 1)

Yesterday at noon, Aunt Wu brought some food over and mentioned to him that Liang Hongyu was going to hunt in the mountains from now on.

She intended to sell the wild animals in town.

Since the travel expenses were high, walking to town would mean leaving very early.

Recently, someone from the neighboring village had come to buy the bamboo crafts but they couldn't sell it to him.

The offered price was too low, so Liang Hongyu refused to sell.

After Aunt Wu left, Huo Tianzhou went to find that person.

For the few items that weren't a round number, they could be sold together today.

The remaining small pieces could be produced by cutting bamboo in the back mountains.

This money was meant for Liang Hongyu to take the ox cart to town.

After Liang Hongyu asked him to go with her, he was about to refuse out of habit

He realized that going together would mean extra travel expenses.

But seeing her basket that was filled with the stuff she got from the mountain today, it was clear that carrying it alone was impractical.

Relying solely on selling bamboo crafts was not enough to repay the debt quickly.

Huo Tianzhou had long planned to find work in town once he finished the current farm tasks.

Just as he was about to take the basket to share the load, Liang Hongyu handed him a small bamboo basket from the ground.

"Take this. Hold it tight and don't open it."

The basket's lid was securely bound with a rope.

Liang Hongyu reminded him again as he took it.

There were people in the village who specifically drove ox carts for hire.

One had already returned, and the ox cart was parked under a tree at the village entrance, waiting for more passengers before setting off.

The villagers usually took the earliest cart to the market.

At this time, there were only two young people sitting on the ox cart, chatting happily.

When they saw Liang Hongyu and Huo Tianzhou, they instinctively stopped talking.

The ox cart gradually filled with people.

Liang Hongyu sat on the edge of the cart, with one leg bent and the other hanging down.

The limited space made sitting for a long time very uncomfortable.

The village road was uneven, causing the ox cart to jolt, and there was no cover to shield them from the sun.

If it weren't for the intense heat, she would have preferred to walk.

When they finally reached the official road, the ride became less bumpy.

Liang Hongyu shifted her legs and took the bamboo tube from her waist.

Earlier, the people on the ox cart had been chatting enthusiastically, but now they were all exhausted from the sun.

Their faces, foreheads, and collars were drenched with sweat.

They used palm fans to shield themselves from the sun and to create a little bit of breeze.

Liang Hongyu noticed that Huo Tianzhou, although uncomfortable, didn't seem too bothered by the ride.

Despite traveling under the scorching sun, he only had a bit of sweat at his temples, and his eyes remained clear.

The sunlight gave his skin a healthier hue, making him look more energetic than usual.

Huo Tianzhou had been called to join her at the last minute and had only brought a bamboo basket.

Seeing his lips looking dry, Liang Hongyu handed him the bamboo tube.

Huo Tianzhou was sitting sideways next to Liang Hongyu, holding onto the basket in front of him to keep it steady on the bumpy ride.

He took the bamboo tube with his free hand but found it inconvenient to open, so he decided to wait until the road was smoother.

Liang Hongyu who was waiting for her turn to drink, noticed the delay and turned her head to see what was wrong.

She reached over and quickly twisted open the bamboo tube lid for him.

When the bamboo tube was handed back to her, Liang Hongyu didn't see any signs that it had been used.

The water had been hastily filled before leaving, so it was hard to tell if any was missing.

She glanced at Huo Tianzhou, noting that his lips didn't seem as dry anymore, and decided not to worry about it.

She took a drink herself, secured the lid, and put the tube away.

By the time they arrived in town, it was already noon.

Those setting up stalls had come early to secure their spots at the market, leaving no space for Liang Hongyu and Huo Tianzhou to set up their own stall.

The scorching sun couldn't dampen the enthusiastic shouts at the market.

As they walked through, Huo Tianzhou searched for a spot.

Their small bamboo basket wouldn't take up much space, and if they couldn't find a spot, they could ask another vendor to share a small area.

Liang Hongyu hadn't planned on setting up a stall when she decided to come at this time.

She led Huo Tianzhou out of the market.

Huo Tianzhou had only been to town to get medicine for his family or to sell bamboo crafts at the market.

He wasn't familiar with the roads beyond the market and the medical hall.

Somewhat confused, he followed Liang Hongyu without saying anything.

They finally stopped at the back door of a restaurant, and Liang Hongyu knocked on the door.

The person who opened the door was an errand boy, who asked what they wanted.

"I have some items that I get from the wild. I'd like to know if your restaurant wants to buy it," Liang Hongyu said.

"What kind of items?"

The worker who was busy with the errand asked her in a hurry.

The restaurant typically arranged for its daily ingredients in advance.

If business was good and they needed more, they had specific suppliers.

Occasionally, there's also some locals who bring in some items from the wild, and if it is something rare, the restaurant might consider buying it.

"Pheasants and wild rabbits, all caught this morning," Liang Hongyu said while trying to open the basket to show them to him.

"No, no," the worker interrupted her.