The Sweet Litte Fulang (SLF)

Chapter 39 - Buying a dog

The Qingxi River flowed down from the mountains, nourishing the land in its path and winding its way to unknown distances.

In the broad section of the river in the distance, small boats could be seen drifting along. From afar, they looked like tiny flat crafts, as people would describe. Whether for people or livestock, crossing the river relied on these boats.

In the narrower section of the river stood Liangzhang Bridge. Lu Gu walked over the bridge with Shen Xuanqing, carrying a small bamboo basket on his back.

Niujiazhuang lay on the other side of the Qingxi River, quite far away. Walking along the riverbank to Liangzhang Bridge took nearly three-quarters of an hour. Most villages and towns here were built along the river. Turning onto the southwestern road led to the main avenue, and following it would eventually reach Fenggu Town. As Shen Xuanqing mentioned, after crossing another village, they would arrive at Niujiazhuang.

The bridge and its surroundings were bustling with people. Vendors and laborers carried their loads, calling out to passersby. There were sellers of needles, threads, herbs, and tools for everyday needs, as well as candied fruit, sweets, and biscuits. Women hurried along, clutching children tightly while carrying baskets on their arms.

Across the bridge came a small sedan chair, carried by bearers. From inside, someone gently parted the window curtains and glanced outside.

An elderly lady with gray hair, dressed finely with a black embroidered forehead piece, rode a donkey, led by a young boy.

Liangzhang Bridge resembled a lively town square. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a large market would gather here, drawing people from all around to buy and sell goods.

Ships on both sides of the bridge were busy unloading cargo. Shen Xuanqing had often carried heavy loads here in the past and knew the area well.

A vendor selling candied haws walked by carrying his goods. Lu Gu, who had rarely been to Fenggu Town, let alone here, looked around with curiosity. Just then, he heard Shen Xuanqing call out to the vendor.

The vendor, noticing a potential customer, beamed and asked eagerly, "Three wen a stick. How many would you like?"

"Just one. Pick a larger one," Shen Xuanqing said, reaching into his robe and pulling out a new purse embroidered with a tiger pattern. Lu Gu had sewn it recently and gifted it to him the night before; today, Shen Xuanqing had chosen to bring it along.

"Alright." The vendor took a candied haw from his stack and handed it over to Lu Gu.

Seven or eight red hawthorn fruits, coated in syrup, glistened on the skewer. This treat was often seen on the streets of town, but villagers rarely bought it. Money wasn't easy to spare for such things, and it was more popular among children; some adults even disliked hawthorn for its sourness.

Once the vendor left, Lu Gu looked up at Shen Xuanqing, holding the candied haws with a mix of nervousness and hesitation.

"Go ahead and eat," Shen Xuanqing encouraged.

Candied haws weren't expensive, and buying a treat for Lu Gu on such a lively outing seemed fitting. Shen Xuanqing recalled how, during fairs, villagers would eagerly compare what treats their parents had bought for them.

As they walked off the bridge, Lu Gu took a tentative bite of the top hawthorn. The sugar coating was sweet, and the fruit inside tasted sour. Not wanting to eat it alone, he turned and softly asked, "Would you like some?"

Before he finished speaking, he extended the skewer toward Shen Xuanqing.

"No, it's yours," Shen Xuanqing replied, not particularly fond of candied haws.