Judging by Ye's mother's attitude during the day, it seems impossible to have Ye Qian write on her behalf.
Gu Yi didn't want to get too entangled with Ye Hao, but now she couldn't even meet him, and many things couldn't be clearly explained. With the elderly from both sides in the middle, there's really no other solution for now.
Gu Yi resigned herself and picked up a pen.
Ye Hao, I am Gu Yi. Everything is fine at home. I'm writing to trouble you to help me buy some five-spice powder.
The seasoning you brought back last time for cooking meat is not available here, so I want to trouble you to buy some and send it over when you have a day off.
Thank you, wishing you all the best. Gu Yi
Gu Yi thought for a bit; there was really nothing else to write. That's all she could do. She folded the written letter and planned to buy an envelope and stamps at the post office tomorrow.
Early the next morning, a sturdy young man came knocking at Ye Family's door.
It turns out to be Wang Dong, Boss Wang's eldest son, who was called to pick up the peanuts. He came on a bicycle, with a long wooden board tied to the back seat, on which was a large wooden basin, which Boss Wang asked him to use for the peanuts.
Ye Family hurriedly weighed the peanuts and poured them into the basin, which Wang Dong covered with a cloth.
He paid 6 yuan to Gu Yi and told her to boil another 20 pounds in the evening, and he would come to get them tomorrow. Then he rode off.
"Yiyi, it seems these peanuts are selling well, but there's not much left at home this year, only about 20 pounds. What do we do if Boss Wang still needs more?"
Ye's mother was happy that the peanuts were selling well, but she couldn't anticipate this demand last year, and many peanuts were eaten. Now there aren't many left, and she's worried about what to do if they run out.
"It's okay, Mom. I'm going to my mom's family today to check. If they have some, I'll buy at market price, and if that's not enough, I'll trouble you and Dad to ask around in the village to see if there's anyone else willing to sell. What do you think?"
Gu Yi understood Ye Family's parents, having led a conservative life, relying only on what they had, so she patiently explained to them.
As for buying the peanuts from Gu Family's parents, Gu Yi had considered it for some time, and took this chance to be clear with Ye Family's parents.
"Sure, sure, that's best. I'll ask around sometime soon."
Gu Yi greeted Ye Fu and Ye's mother, and took some leftover peanuts from the morning to the town.
Today, she had to send off the letter and then return home quickly to urge her mom to send some peanuts over.
She's also planning to make drunken peanuts, which will be popular in the future and should sell better than boiled peanuts, plus they can be stored.
Unlike now, where she needs to boil peanuts daily, she intends to free up time to do other things.
Gu Yi went to the post office, bought envelopes and stamps, and sent the letter using the address Ye Qian provided.
After sending the letter, Gu Yi went to the meat stall to weigh two pounds of meat, bought two ribs, and other than these, she didn't buy much, hurrying off to Gu Family.
Whether it's from soaking in mugwort or practicing yoga, Gu Yi walked more easily today than in the past few days, which strengthened her resolve to lose weight.
Gu Yi arrived later today, and Gu's father had already gone out to work.
The two little ones from Gu Family were playing in the yard already. Seeing Gu Yi arrive, they affectionately called her aunt continuously. Gu Yi didn't tease them but took out the peanuts for them to eat by themselves.
She explained her purpose to Gu's mother and shared her peanut business plans. Gu's mother listened and felt both delighted and sorry, happy that her daughter had grown more capable and knew how to engage in small business ventures, but sorrowful that if Ye Hao were home, Gu Yi wouldn't have to run around by herself, at least there would be someone to lend a hand.
Gu Family had stored quite a few peanuts last year. Gu's mother said Gu Yi's two brothers' families also had some, suggesting Gu Yi should ask if she needed more.
Gu's mother initially suggested Gu Yi take the peanuts directly, but Gu Yi didn't agree as she wasn't taking them for personal consumption but for business, needing a large amount. She didn't want to trouble her sisters-in-law, preferring to keep things clear and separate.
Gu Yi shared her thoughts with Gu's mother, which made her mother feel sad again. Gu Yi was always the youngest at home, both parents doted on her, and she never had to worry about social intricacies. It's surprising how, after such a short time being married, she's thinking and doing things comprehensively, probably because she's been pushed into it.
Gu's mother kept her feelings hidden, fearing Gu Yi would feel sad if she found out.
Gu Yi asked Gu's mother to start stewing the ribs and then went to find a snakeskin bag, filling it with peanuts, thinking these would be enough for now.
As it neared noon, Gu Yi helped cook lunch, and Gu's father returned just as it was nearly ready.
The two little ones, smelling the aroma of stewed meat, clamored for some, but Gu's mother said the meat wasn't ready yet and that they couldn't eat it until the afternoon. The two little ones pouted and refused to budge.
Gu Yi took their bowls, serving each a bowl of broth, using it to soak rice for them to eat, and they finally relented and ate obediently.
Gu's mother saw Gu Yi only eat half a bowl of rice and got anxious.
"Are you feeling unwell? Why are you eating so little?"
Gu's father heard this and also put down his bowl to look at Gu Yi.
"No, Dad, Mom. I'm losing weight recently, so I'm eating less."
"Why lose weight for no reason? As long as you're healthy, then all is well. Why bother with these unnecessary things?"
Once children of their own, parents never see flaws. Gu's mother never saw Gu Yi as overweight and believed her fortunes are abundant.
Gu's father also wore a face of disapproval.
"Mom, didn't I tell you before? An old doctor advised me it's not good to be too overweight when trying to conceive. That's why I'm thinking to slim down a bit."
Gu Yi had to mention the doctor and also talk about children, so her parents wouldn't object. Although being overweight in her previous life hadn't affected her from having a healthy daughter, she had heard that being overweight could affect pregnancy.
Gu Family's parents still didn't agree but refrained from saying anything.
The sun was too harsh, and Gu Yi planned to wait for cooler weather to return. After lunch, she went back to her old room to take a nap.
Since being reborn, she'd been busy with various tasks and felt genuinely tired, falling asleep shortly after lying down.
Gu's mother whispered to Gu's father in the room.
"Do you think the girl is having problems over there? She used to be less talkative, but now she's trying to do business, and actually doing it. She's looking skinnier, does she worry about us and not dare tell us?"
"Probably not. Ye Family's people are good, considering they let Yiyi marry into the family. She does look thinner, but her spirits seem good. Don't overthink it."
"Yeah, she seems happier than before. Mainly, I'm worried that she just got married, Ye Hao isn't around, and there's no one to help her. She might just be bearing it all alone."
"Alright, you should visit Ye Family often if you have time. Let me rest for a bit." Apparently still worried.