One More Step

The next morning the girls woke up quite early.

Outside was still dark, but not long after it started getting some light.

Even this the sun was still not over the mountain top for girls this was enough to wash up and put some clean clothes.

It was the same set of clothes as the one they had last time.

"Today we can pick up the clothes we ordered. Shall we order already now winter clothes? We can ask them to make one size bigger." Anna didn't this time a lot of money with her, Kyra as well.

"We can get winter clothes. Winter shoes. Oh yes. Two down blankets and pillows. We can ask them can they make down jackets and pants. In winter that could keep us warm. We can buy wool and make some socks, hand gloves, scarves and hats. What do you think?"

Chen listened to their talk and his head started to spin. Dawn jacket? Is it warm? Since he came back from the army his bones got frozen every winter. If those clothes they are talking about is warm, maybe he should make some for himself.

He lightly coughed to her their attention. "Uhm. The down clothes, ... are they warm?"

Kyra looked at his hands and could see why he gave up the army. He probably has arthritis or some other problems with bones. It is possible that he is cold in winter.

"Yes. Inner clothing can be fur or cotton, outer can be cotton or leather. Leather if you are outside and if you do not wish to be wet quickly. But if down gets wet it takes a long time to dry. So I recommend to wear it only when is snowing. Or do you know any material that is waterproof?" Kyra thought about all those possible variations.

"There is a way to make leather waterproof." Even soft leather can become waterproof and it is the best for wearing.

"Than you for telling us." Anna was now even happier.

Not long after that, they arrived at a grand restaurant that had sign "Great Zhou".

Chen jumped off the carriage and brought stool so the two girls can walk down by themselves.

As soon the waiter saw Chen he rushed inside and told the owner that he is here.

But what next happened actually stupified him.

''The girls, the girls are here! Call Grandfather, quickly!'' He straightened his attire and went out with a big smile. ''Our little ancestors. You are finally here.''

He had tears in his eyes while walking towards them.

The girls smiled and bowed respectfully. ''Uncle Zhou. We heard the great news. We congratulate you.''

Kyra quickly whispered something in Anna's ears and they turned around and started running leaving Chen and Zhou confused.

They heard them saying. ''We will be right back!''

Chen held his head and then just closed his eyes for a moment .'' These girls and their ideas. Please forgive them, I am sure they will be right back.''

In no time they were no more seen in the crowd of people.

A sudden call could be heard.''Are they in the carriage? Help them down.''

The two men turned around and saw an older man and woman walking fast out restaurant.

Their son chuckled lightly. ''They run off.''

The two old peopel looked at him like he was crazy. ''What do you mean they run off?''

''They came down, greeted me and then they just run off somewhere saying they will be right back.''

Grandma blinked at Chen and asked in worry. ''Are they in some kind of trouble?''

He just waved his hands in denial. ''Those two children are the only people I ever met that play everything, literally everything by rules. That is all I am going to say.''

They looked at each other and then at Chen that started taking out a bunch of baskets filled with a wild green salad and the cattail grass.

''Servants! Get these and bring them to the kitchen. Son, go with Chen and weigh the ware. After girls come back we can give them the money.'' They couldn't stand on mid of the street and wait for girls so they went inside and sat down on the upper floor in the room where they could see the whole street.

At the same time, the girls run far away from going to a certain store. ''I think I have seen it here.''

they entered the store where they saw glassware and went to a certain corner. ''Uncle how much for this?''

''This is 15 silver stones.'' He saw them going straight to that direction, but was not sure will tehy be able to buy it.

''Uncle, do you have some nice package for this. It's a gift.'' They felt this is the most appropriate present for that store.

''Uncle can we ask how much is that set over there?'' Kyra asked about something that was interesting as well.

''That one is 7 silver stones. Should I pack it in a nice box as well?'' Now he was sure they had money as they knew exactly what they wanted.

''Anything else?'' He packed everything and then waited for them.

''We do, but we need to go back and get money before e buy that. Just asking uncle, how many glass jars do you have?'' They were interested in that the most at the moment.

''I have here seven large ones, seven medium, ten middle ones and about twenty small ones. I have those tiny ones as well but from those, we have just ten pieces.''

Kyra nodded.''Tell us how much for everything.''

''Even those really small ones?'' She nodded and he started recounting.

''After counting everything it wil cost you 178 silver coins. If you buy them we can give you a discount or you can choose some products that interest you. As a gift.''

Kyra looked around and then smiled at him. ''I understand. We will go now. When we have money we will come back. About the discount, we wouldn't mind that or the gift. ''

He just chuckled. ''I understand. Here are your packages.''

The girls took each one package and left the store while he still chuckled. ''I have feeling that these girls will really come back. How strange.''

They held each other's hands while rushing back to the restaurant. Soon they saw it and even before tehy could enter two older people rushed out and greeted them with big smiles. ''Children. We see you again, finally.''

If they were not foreigners people would think that they were family members.

''Grandpa, grandma, congratulations on your opening. Please accept or humble bows and gifts.'' The girls bowed deeply while holding their gifts over their heads.

Now they understood why Chen said tehy do all by the rules. They had to sigh. Proper, too proper. But seeing their hands slightly shake tehy understood that those gifts must be heavy.

''We accept it, we do. Just stand up. Those must be heavy. Son!!!'' They started calling even tho he was already on his way out.

The girls smiled at everyone and bowed done more time while being pushed inside the restaurant.

People on the street started praising them for being proper and accepting their traditions. many people saw teh package and were wondering what kind of gift was inside.

So some people just curiously stood in the front door while they opened it.

One package had a beautiful set of glasses and a carafe made of crystal. Bit of sunlight hit the glass set and all kinds of lights started shining in them making it look wondrous.

The other package had just one dusty glass bottle inside.

Kyra touched it carefully. ''I heard one time grandma telling me about this. It's famous gr.a.p.e wine from far away land. The specific about this wine is if it lays still for fifty to a hundred years, it will inhale the power of nature and gift those that drink it a healthier life. Grandpa Zhou, granma Zhou we wish you a long and healthy life in happiness.''

After hearing their words they became silent. Finally, grandma smiled. ''This kind of thing, we better give you. One day when you need it...''

''Grandma Zhou. No matter how you look at it, we are just two small girls. Can we even drink this? This is best if you drink five small gulps every morning long before food. If you drink all, it will just make you drunk and will add no extra fast healing time. It is indeed best for older people.''

She nodded. Indeed. If it is wine it is unseemingly to let children drink it. ''Then we accept your gift will full heart.''

They entered in and crowd dispersed and only one person stood on the corner of the restaurant surrounded with his hidden bodyguards. ''Your Highness. This...''

''By one and let Palace healer check if it is really like that.'' He then turned around and walked off with a small smile on his face. Foreigners always have some innovative ideas.

Inside the restaurant, the girls were seated and a grand meal was served in front of them. ''We know your thoughts. Please accept at least a meal as our gratitude.''

''We understand your traditions, please accept ours. Do not gift us anything. It is kind of degrading. We were raised to depend on any circ.u.mstance only on our own two hands. It was enough that you accepted to let us sell here wild vegetables. '' Kyra was holding strong on this fact.

''You two are really trying to make us lose our old face or what?'' The grandma started dabbing her eyes.

The girls got stunned and looked at each other. ''We didn't... ''

''It is not given as charity. This is thank you food. It is not the same. '' Granpa finally understood why the girls were against that.

''Grandpa Zhou...'' they tried to persuade them so they had to comply.

They ate until they were full and when tea was brought after eating, grandpa called his accountant.

''The number of greens this time was larger than the other days. This is the first time we will be able to give everyone some of the new specialties. After weighting and recounting the amount are 376 silver stones or 3 silver ingots and 78 silver stones. How do you wish to have it? ''

The girls wanted to say something to Chen but he slightly shook his head while trying to cool his tea.

Kyra stood up and bowed. ''Then all in silver stones, please. We have some stuff to buy now and it would be a hassle to make it again smaller. ''

The accountant left the room to get the silver and they continue talking and laughing.

When the accountant came back he gave them three big bags filled with silver stones and written not of how they got it.

''Can't you stay a bit longer?'' The two elders actually liked the two girls.

''No. We need to buy many things. Our land is already almost finished plowed and prepared for seeds. I need to buy more seeds and other things for the house. We still have a long way to go home and if we don't finish on time we might come home when it's dark. In that case, we can't gather greens for tomorrow. Please. '' The girls didn't want to budge a minute.

Kyra remembered then why she wanted to come. '' I have to tell you one more thing. The greens will have the same taste until ten days later. After they will grow bigger and slightly change. When that happens you can charge us less. After all, at that time other greens will arrive as well. One month later we won't be able to provide you with this stuff so you need to think about new ideas.''

Elder Zhou nodded. ''Don't worry too much. Please when you are next time in the city, come visit us. You are always welcome.''

The girls agreed and left the restaurant. ''Where do you want to go?''

''You will be with us today?'' They were surprised.

''Yes. But only today as something came up. I will be able to help you in late evenings only in the next few days as I have to work a lot after today for the next couple of weeks. Is that ok with you?''

The girls were happy this time. they can just go and buy and just put on the carriage and go next.

''Let's go first to seeds shop. I need a bunch of seeds. '' Kyra was thinking about the garden but Anna shook her head.

''We need food as well. We are this time with the big carriage. Let us buy food for a longer time.'' She needs to buy food as long as they can. If Chen won't be able to drive them for weeks, it's better to have some food at home.

So as soon they entered the store they started ordering seeds, grains, rice, flour, oils. This time they bought a lot of vegetable seeds and some dried seasonings.

After everything was packed one the carriage, they were lighter by over 100 silver coins.

Next was the medicine hall, where they got a nice sum of 53 silver stones. Why? Because they dried it so good that the vitality of plants and its natural healing incense were still there.

Next was the glass shop where they bought all the glass jars under Chen's stunned expression. They got extra some nice tea set and glass sat for juices. They bought one more thing. Two oil lamps made of glass.

Kyra actually commented that there was no more ice to get or she would make nice fruit juice.

The man smiled and sent them to his friend next door. The store next door sold just ice...