Chapter 56-60

Chapter 56: Trouble

Sister Lu stomped her foot in frustration.

These two scoundrels were making things difficult.

If they chase these two away, it would confirm the accusation of looking down on others. If they didn’t, it would be like having a toad crawling on their shoe——disgusting and hard to shake off.

And this toad might be poisonous!

Xia Mingyue gently patted Sister Lu’s arm, signaling her to stay calm. She then smiled and said, “We’re just overwhelmed with diners today, and we’re a little slow. How could you two say we’re looking down on anyone? That’s unfair. Fortunately, all of Xia Ji’s diners are reasonable. They understand you’re hungry and eager to eat. If they didn’t, they might think you were here just to stir up trouble.”

Her words were polite, yet they cut right to the point.

The crowd immediately understood and chuckled.

“Good food is worth the wait. Xia Ji’s wontons are the best——I’d wait even longer if I had to.”

“Exactly! You can’t rush good food. If it’s not wrapped properly or undercooked, it wouldn’t be as tasty.”

“Hah, some people act like spending ten coins entitles them to royal treatment!”

“That’s right. Buying a bowl of wontons and expecting the owner to bow and scrape——if you didn’t know better, you’d think they were some high-ranking noble.”

“Well, keep it down. No need to ruin everyone’s meal over this.”

Sun Gousheng and Tian Dazhuang’s faces burned red with anger.

Xia Mingyue had flipped the situation in an instant——what a sharp tongue!

Gritting his teeth, Sun Gousheng said, “Since Madam Xia is willing to serve us, we’ll have two large bowls of wontons. No coriander."

"Of course,” Xia Mingyue replied with a bright smile. “At Xia Ji, we welcome all guests, especially those who are sincere and well-behaved. You two can rest assured.”

Was she subtly telling them to behave themselves?

Sun Gousheng’s lips twitched.

That was a problem——he had never been one to play nice.

Seeing that the two had settled down for now, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu swiftly prepared their wontons. They cooked, plated, and garnished with dried shrimp, vinegar, and fragrant onion oil.

Soon, two steaming bowls of wontons were placed in front of them.

“Enjoy your meal. If you need more soup, it’s free of charge,” Xia Mingyue said before turning away to serve other customers. But she kept a watchful eye on the two men.

The aroma was irresistible. Tian Dazhuang eagerly scooped up a wonton and took a bite.

The skin was silky, the filling was juicy, and the soup was perfectly seasoned——warm, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.

He nudged Sun Gousheng. “Brother Gousheng, these wontons are amazing!”

Sun Gousheng had already taken a bite himself, and his eyes flickered with surprise. He had to admit they were delicious.

But he had a job to do today.

Scowling at Tian Dazhuang, he muttered, “You look like you’ve never eaten wontons before.”

Tian Dazhuang had eaten wontons——just never ones this good.

He didn’t argue. Instead, he focused on finishing every last bite.

One bite, two bites, three bites.... I want another bowl.

But just as he was about to ask, Sun Gousheng nudged him and whispered, “It’s time.”

Time to get to work.

He discreetly handed Tian Dazhuang a dead fly he had been clutching.

Tian Dazhuang’s expression twisted in disgust.

His bowl was nearly empty, but there were still a few wontons left. If he dropped the fly in now, those precious bites would be wasted.

What a crime!

After a quick internal struggle, he shoved the fly back at Sun Gousheng.

Sun Gousheng frowned. “What are you doing?”

“You first, Brother Gousheng,” Tian Dazhuang murmured, shrinking away.

Coward.

Sun Gousheng shot him an irritated glare before scanning the room. When no one seemed to be watching, he quickly flicked the dead fly into his bowl.

Or so he thought.

Thud!

A rolling pin slammed against the table, startling everyone.

Sun Gousheng yelped as a sharp pain shot through his hand, making him flinch. The fly slipped from his fingers——and landed straight into Tian Dazhuang’s bowl.

Tian Dazhuang, who had been savoring his last wontons, stared in horror as the fly settled onto the delicate white skin of the dumpling.

His wontons!

His heart ached. He shot up from his seat. “Brother Gousheng! We agreed to put it in your bowl! Why mine?”

That single outburst was all the crowd needed.

Diners craned their necks, and the moment they spotted the fly floating in the bowl, they pieced everything together.

“Ugh, seriously? You’re trying to scam a free meal with this old trick?”

“No wonder they were causing trouble from the start. They were planning this all along.”

“A food stall’s reputation is everything. If they succeeded, people would stop coming, and Xia Ji would be ruined.”

“What do they gain from destroying someone else’s livelihood?”

“How despicable!”

The lively chatter turned into furious shouts. The idea that Xia Ji might close because of this, enraged the customers, who immediately turned on Sun Gousheng and Tian Dazhuang.

“Get lost!”

“Don’t ever come back here!”

“If I see you again, I’ll throw you out myself!”

Sun Gousheng clenched his jaw. He had lost all face. Furious, he threw down his spoon and turned to leave.

“Hold it right there.”

Xia Mingyue stepped forward, rolling pin in hand, and stretched out her palm.

“The money hasn’t been paid yet.”

__________________________

Chapter 57: More Than Failed

He’s already humiliated, and she still want him to pay? This woman is really obsessed with money!”

Sun Gousheng stiffened his neck, looking as defiant as a dead pig unafraid of scalding water.

“If you don’t pay up, don’t even think about leaving today!” Xia Mingyue’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a sharp and commanding presence.

Sun Gousheng’s heart skipped a beat. When he met Xia Mingyue’s cold, unwavering gaze, a chilling memory surfaced——that same look.

The exact same look as the person who almost broke his wrist last time.

A wave of oppressive fear washed over him, making him shudder involuntarily. Gritting his teeth, he fished a copper coin from his pocket and tossed it at Xia Mingyue. “That’s enough!”

Xia Mingyue remained unfazed. She calmly held out the bowl. “Another ten cents. You have to buy this bowl, too.”

Sun Gousheng’s eyes widened.

That bowl?!

It was bad enough to pay for the wontons, but now he had to buy the bowl as well? That was outrageous!

No matter how fierce this woman was, she was just a thin young lady. He was a street thug——a man who made a living collecting debts. How could he let himself be intimidated by her?

His face darkened as he gritted his teeth. “And what if I don’t?”

“If you don’t then, you’re not leaving.”

A voice rang out from the crowd, dripping with contempt.

“Enough of this nonsense! If you ask me, just report him to the authorities!”

“I’ll go call the yamen runners——let’s see him explain this to them!”

A wise man knows when to retreat.

Realizing the situation was turning against him, Sun Gousheng——who prided himself on knowing when to cut his losses——snatched another ten-cent coin from his pocket and slapped it into Xia Mingyue’s palm.

Xia Mingyue took it with a serene smile and withdrew her rolling pin. “You may leave.”

“Hmph!” Sun Gousheng stomped off furiously.

Tian Dazhuang followed, but before leaving, he grabbed the bowl from Xia Mingyue’s hands.

A perfectly good bowl——only ten cents! Wash it at home, and it’s as good as new. No point wasting it.

The moment the two scoundrels fled, the stall erupted in laughter.

After all, watching villains slink away in disgrace was always entertaining.

Xia Mingyue faced the crowd with a warm smile. “Apologies for today’s unpleasantness. Thank you all for your support. To make up for it, let me add a little extra for everyone.”

Four or five extra wontons to each bowl. A generous portion of cold noodles. A discount for those buying pastries.

Her generosity delighted the diners, who immediately reassured her.

“Don’t worry, Madam Xia! With us around, no one will dare make trouble again.”

“That’s right! If anyone tries, I’ll beat them until they cry for their mother!”

“You? With your skinny arms? One punch from a thug, and you’d be the one wailing for your parents.”

“Hah! Strength isn’t everything! We have numbers on our side! I refuse to believe a few bad apples can overpower a whole crowd of good people!”

“Well said!”

Laughter and chatter filled the air, restoring Xia Ji’s usual lively atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Sun Gousheng stormed through two alleyways, head down, before finally slowing his pace.

“Brother Gousheng, slow down...,” Tian Dazhuang panted as he jogged after him. “Wait for me!”

Sun Gousheng turned to scowl at him——then noticed the bowl still clutched in his hands.

Enraged, he kicked Tian Dazhuang square in the shin. “You’re still holding that bowl?!”

Useless fool!

If Tian Dazhuang hadn’t sold him out at the critical moment, he could have still negotiated with Xia Mingyue. But no——thanks to him, their plan collapsed entirely.

Absolutely infuriating!

Caught off guard, Tian Dazhuang stumbled. The bowl slipped from his hands and crashed to the ground.

Crack!

The ceramic shattered into three pieces. The remaining wontons spilled onto the dirt, their soup seeping into the soil, turning everything into an unrecognizable mess.

Tian Dazhuang gawked in horror.

His wontons!

Miserably, he stretched his hands out, hovering over the ruined meal. But there was nothing to be done.

He sighed.

At first, he thought a fly in his food was no big deal. Who hadn’t accidentally eaten a bug or two while sleeping?

He’d planned to take the bowl home, wash it thoroughly, and eat in peace.

Now, that dream was gone forever....

“Brother Gousheng, don’t be mad.” Tian Dazhuang averted his gaze from the tragic scene. “Just think of it as bad luck.”

As if he, Sun Gousheng, didn’t already know that!

And it was all because of Tian Dazhuang!

Still seething, Sun Gousheng ignored him.

Sensing his worsening mood, Tian Dazhuang cautiously suggested, “If you really want revenge, why not talk to the boss?”

Sun Gousheng sneered. “The boss won’t lift a finger for me. He’s gotten more cowardly these days——he’d probably scold me instead.”

“Then make it sound more serious.” Tian Dazhuang leaned in conspiratorially. Like this....”

As he whispered his idea, Sun Gousheng’s eyes gleamed with realization. He nodded eagerly, slapping Tian Dazhuang’s shoulder.

“Now that’s a plan! Let’s do it!”

“Right?” Tian Dazhuang grinned proudly——then hesitated. “But..., could Brother Gousheng wait a few days before telling the boss?”

“Why?” Sun Gousheng frowned.

He’d already been humiliated twice today. The sooner he retaliated, the better.

“Well..., I’d like to buy a few more bowls of wontons first.”

After all, once they made their move, Tian Dazhuang would never get to eat them again.

Sun Gousheng was wordlessly stunned.

Good-for-nothing glutton! No wonder people looked down on him.

Sun Gousheng curled his lip. “Fine. Since you gave me this idea, I’ll wait. But——”

"But what?”

“How about you bring me a bowl, too?”

At that, it was Tian Dazhuang's turn to be dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, back at Xia Ji, the unexpected ruckus had led to extra food being given away. By noon, everything had sold out, and they closed the stall early.

Sister Lu wiped her hands and sighed. “Thanks to those two bastards, we’re shutting down early today.”

“Yes, what happened was not necessarily a bad thing,” Xia Mingyue replied with a smile. “It gives us a chance to rest.”

Sister Lu huffed. “Yeah, just that my purse is 30% lighter!”

The most frustrating thing in business wasn’t just losing money——it was working just as hard and making less of it.

Even more frustrating? Seeing Xia Mingyue completely unbothered by the loss.

Sister Lu turned away in exasperation, unwilling to look at the young woman’s calm, unconcerned face any longer.

__________________________

Chapter 58: Coaxing the Child

Xia Mingyue’s smile remained undiminished. "Speaking of which, the Dragon Boat Festival is just two days away, and I still haven’t seen the sachets that Sister Lu promised me. Don’t tell me... you haven’t started making them yet?"

"Nonsense!" Sister Lu huffed. "I just need to attach the final tassel, and this one will be ready by the afternoon." She muttered in a lower voice, "But..., it's just this one. The others are still unfinished...."

"But we can still finish them this afternoon!"

"Thanks to those two scoundrels, I get to wear Sister Lu’s sachet earlier." Xia Mingyue grinned.

"That's right!" The last remnants of Sister Lu’s frustration, stirred up by Sun Gousheng and his accomplice, finally dissipated. Now, all her thoughts were on finishing the remaining sachets as quickly as possible.

That afternoon, as Sister Lu busied herself with sewing, Xia Mingyue headed to North Street to check on Jiang Erniu’s preparations.

Everything was in place——the stove was set, and the pot would be delivered the next day. The stall was practically ready.

They had also finalized the opening date: the day before the Dragon Boat Festival, just two days away.

"I originally considered setting it up on the sixth day of the month," Jiang Erniu admitted, "but that would mean waiting two more days. I figured sooner is better than later——dates don’t determine success, only effort does."

Xia Mingyue nodded in agreement. "That works, but we should keep the first few days' inventory low. It’s important to familiarize ourselves with the process, ensure quality, and avoid mistakes. A good first impression is crucial for building a strong reputation."

For a food stall without a well-known brand, word-of-mouth would be the key to long-term survival.

"Don’t worry, Madam Xia. We understand," Madam Feng reassured her.

Jiang Erniu couldn’t manage the stall alone, so he had Madam Feng assisting him.

Xia Mingyue had met Madam Feng twice before and found her to be diligent, honest, and efficient. She left a good impression.

After finalizing the supply list for the next two days, they each returned to their respective work.

Back home, two sachets were already completed.

They were made from fabric scraps, with mismatched colors blending together in a unique patchwork. The shapes varied as well—some triangular like rice dumplings, some curved like the crescent moon, and some round like the sun.

Each sachet was adorned with vibrant tassels of different colors.

The mix of colors and shapes gave them an oddly charming appeal.

Of course, a sachet wasn’t complete without a matching multicolored bracelet.

They twisted strands of different-colored threads together into rope-like bands, securing them around their wrists for protection and good fortune.

Sister Lu tied one on Xia Mingyue’s wrist, then did the same for Jiang Zhuguo.

"These things are just to entertain children. Why are we wearing them too?" Jiang Zhuguo chuckled.

"Well, in my eyes, you’re all children," Sister Lu teased as she tied a decorative knot on Jiang Zhuguo’s bracelet.

"Thank you, Sister Lu," Jiang Zhuguo said with a smile, admiring the colorful rope on his wrist.

It was the first time in her memory that she had worn such a vibrant accessory.

"I should thank Sister Lu, too," Xia Mingyue added playfully.

Enough nonsense!" Sister Lu rolled her eyes at them before turning to Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu, handing them their own bracelets.

But the two young men hesitated, pushing the bands between each other. "This is something little girls wear," one of them mumbled. "It doesn’t match our image as men!"

Just then, Wu Jin trotted up and stretched out a paw toward Sister Lu.

If they didn’t want it, he certainly did!

His antics made everyone burst into laughter.

Suppressing her smile, Sister Lu tied a bracelet onto Wu Jin’s paw. "Alright, alright. Wu Jin can have one too——it’ll bless him with safety and good health."

"Woof!"

Wu Jin wagged his tail happily in response.

Seeing the large dog proudly sporting his bracelet, Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu finally stopped resisting and obediently tied theirs on. Then, they led Wu Jin outside to play.

Wu Jin had grown quite fond of the two brothers over time, and he enjoyed playing with them.

However, even as he ran around, he was careful not to let his bracelet slip off.

Two days passed in a flash, and soon, the aroma of freshly steamed rice dumplings filled the air as Jiang Erniu’s food stall officially opened.

His menu was identical to Xia Mingyue’s, and even the sign displayed the bold characters Xia Ji with a smaller line below it reading: Jinqiu County North Street Branch.

Under Xia Mingyue’s careful management, the Xia Ji brand had already gained some recognition. Plus, with her relentless promotion leading up to the opening, the first day of business went smoothly.

By the time noon arrived, every single dish was sold out.

Jiang Erniu and Madam Feng could hardly contain their joy.

And when they finally counted the day’s earnings, their excitement skyrocketed.

"In just one day, we made more than you did in five or six days of selling sesame cakes!" Madam Feng’s voice trembled with excitement. "If business keeps up like this, in a month, we’ll make as much as we did in an entire year selling sesame cakes!"

"Exactly," Jiang Erniu grinned.

The thought of earning more money and living a better life filled him with satisfaction.

The more Madam Feng thought about it, the more excited she became. "Clearly, we didn’t prepare enough food for today. We should ask Madam Xia for a bigger supply tomorrow."

"I think you’re forgetting Madam Xia’s advice," Jiang Erniu reminded her. "We need to take it slow at first, master the process, and then increase production. If we rush, we might make mistakes and ruin the business before it even stabilizes."

"Yes, yes, you’re right," Madam Feng nodded quickly. "I got too excited and forgot. Madam Xia has helped us so much——we should follow her guidance completely."

"Exactly," Jiang Erniu agreed.

With that in mind, they placed their order for the next day, making sure to stick to Xia Mingyue’s plan: focus on quality first, then scale up gradually.

The next day was the Dragon Boat Festival, and Xia Mingyue decided not to set up her stall.

"There’s always more money to be made," she reasoned. "But we need breaks too——to recharge both body and mind. That way, we can work with renewed enthusiasm."

Jiang Zhuguo agreed wholeheartedly.

But Sister Lu, on the other hand, was heartbroken. A whole day without income? Unthinkable! She was so distressed that she couldn’t even enjoy breakfast.

When Xia Mingyue heard about this, she personally made a bowl of fried noodles for her.

Instead of using boiled water, she mixed the noodles with a thin porridge made from white flour and added two generous spoonfuls of sugar.

The dish had a rich, roasted flour aroma, while the porridge lent a subtle, comforting fragrance. Mixed together, the noodles became soft, sticky, and full of flavor——more delicious than lotus root starch pudding.

__________________________

Chapter 59: Suffering

The addition of white sugar made the already fragrant fried flour even more delicious, and its sweetness elevated the dish, adding an extra layer of richness to the flavor.

Sister Lu, who had initially lost her appetite, couldn't resist the tempting aroma. After finishing a big bowl of fried flour, she still felt unsatisfied and ended up eating one and a half steamed buns made from mixed flour, accompanied by pickled cucumbers. Only then did she feel fully content.

Seeing this, Xia Mingyue smiled and quietly returned to her courtyard.

Just then, Jiang Zhuguo emerged from the kitchen, shaking off water droplets from her hands. "Sister Xia, everything is ready. I also made some tea for you——don't forget to drink it."

Since today was the Dragon Boat Festival and there was no stall to manage, Xia Mingyue had given Jiang Zhuguo the day off so she could visit her mother.

She had originally urged Jiang Zhuguo to leave early in the morning, but the girl lingered until now.

Xia Mingyue understood that Jiang Zhuguo wouldn’t feel at ease leaving without finishing her tasks, so she didn’t push her any further. Instead, she simply reminded her, "Take the small bamboo basket from the kitchen before you go."

"A small bamboo basket?"

Jiang Zhuguo glanced around and spotted it on a shelf by the wall. She reached out and picked it up, surprised by its unexpected weight.

Lifting the cloth covering it, she discovered more than a dozen bamboo tube rice dumplings neatly packed inside——some filled with red bean paste, others with candied dates, and a few stuffed with savory meat.

These dumplings could easily be sold for a decent sum, yet Sister Xia had prepared them for her to take home and enjoy.

Sister Xia really is kind and generous.

Touched, Jiang Zhuguo pursed her lips, then carefully took out a few dumplings before slinging the basket over her arm. "Sister Xia, I'm off. I'll be back early this afternoon."

"No rush, as long as you're home in time for dinner," Xia Mingyue replied with a smile while feeding Wu Jin.

"Got it." Jiang Zhuguo grinned, then stepped out of the courtyard.

Watching Wu Jin gobble up his food, Xia Mingyue absently reached out to stroke his broad forehead.

Perhaps because he had been eating and sleeping well here, his once——lean frame had filled out, and his fur had become softer. His forehead, in particular, had thickened, making it even more pleasant to touch.

'I wonder.... Did Wu Jin have a previous owner?'

As if sensing her thoughts, Wu Jin barked twice, then rubbed his head against her palm before returning to his meal.

He really is getting smarter.

Xia Mingyue chuckled. "Judging by your behavior, you must have had a master before. I wonder what kind of family raised you so well. If I ever get the chance, I'll help you find them."

A dog as intelligent as Wu Jin surely had an owner who cared for him. If they had lost him, they must be heartbroken.

Before she could think further, Wu Jin suddenly barked loudly.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

His rapid, urgent barks were accompanied by restless pacing and an agitated expression. He even spun around a few times before barking again, this time sounding almost furious.

Xia Mingyue immediately frowned. "Are you saying you don’t want to go back to your old master?"

"Woof!" Wu Jin squatted down, giving her a firm response.

Xia Mingyue was stunned.

That’s unusual.

A dog who doesn’t want to return to its original owner?

"Could it be... they treated you badly?" She guessed.

"Woof!" Another definitive bark.

Realization dawned on Xia Mingyue.

So that’s it. Wu Jin must have escaped from a cruel owner and ended up wandering the streets as a stray.

A poor, mistreated dog....

Her mind immediately filled with scenes of animal cruelty, making her heart ache for him. She crouched down and gently patted his head. "Don't worry. You’ll never have to suffer again. From now on, you’ll live a good life here."

At noon, she would give Wu Jin a nice, meaty bone to enjoy!

"Woof!" Wu Jin wagged his tail enthusiastically.

Yes, that’s right. The past was full of suffering, but now he had a kind master and a good life ahead of him.

Leaving Wu Jin to his meal, Xia Mingyue went to the kitchen to pour herself some tea.

As she reached for her tea bowl, her gaze landed on the covered basket on the shelf.

Lifting the cloth, she saw a few leftover bamboo tube dumplings.

So, Jiang Zhuguo had quietly left some behind.

Clearly, she felt the gift was too generous and had returned a portion, likely fearing that if she mentioned it, Xia Mingyue would insist she take them all.

This child....

Shaking her head with a smile, Xia Mingyue set the dumplings aside for lunch.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhuguo had arrived home, where she found her mother, Madam Tian, tending the kitchen fire.

Judging by her improved complexion and more fluid movements, she was in far better health than before.

'It seems the medicine I got for her last time is working.'

This family was slowly improving, bit by bit, thanks to her efforts. She had to keep working hard.

Jiang Zhuguo smiled. "Mom, let me take over. You should rest."

"It’s fine. I've been feeling much better these past few days, so I can handle a little work," Madam Tian replied warmly. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "You really picked the right time to come back. Your father just arrived today and was wondering about you."

Father is back?

Jiang Zhuguo's face instinctively lit up, but the smile faded almost instantly. Her grip on the bamboo basket tightened. "Why did he return now?"

"It’s the Dragon Boat Festival," Madam Tian explained. "He wanted to spend the day with us."

She glanced toward the main hall, then lowered her voice and pulled Jiang Zhuguo closer. "By the way, I remember you mentioning that Madam Xia pays your salary before the fifth of every month. Today is already the festival——have you received it yet?"

Jiang Zhuguo’s gaze flickered. She hesitated, then said, "There has been no order from the county school recently.... Business hasn’t been great for Sister Xia, so she’s a little short on money. She said she’d pay me in a few days."

"She hasn't paid you yet?"

Madam Tian hadn’t expected that. Thinking about the money she had just promised Jiang Yihe, she felt a wave of irritation.

"What kind of employer is this?" She fumed. "If you agree to a wage, you pay it on time! Just because business is bad doesn’t mean you get to delay your workers’ salaries. That’s just stingy!

In business, there are ups and downs, sure. But I’ve never heard of an employer who simply refuses to pay wages when things aren’t going well. That’s just unreasonable."

The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became. "No, this won’t do. Go back right now and tell Madam Xia that we need the money urgently. If she still refuses, I’ll go with you and see how shameless she really is!"

Worked up, Madam Tian began coughing violently, her breath growing short. She staggered slightly, unable to stand steadily.

Alarmed, Jiang Zhuguo hurried to support her, patting her back. "Mother, it’s just a few days’ delay. It’s fine, don’t get upset."

Just then, a voice from the main hall interrupted them.

"Yes, calm down."

Jiang Yihe stepped out, brushing off the dust that had gathered on his robe as he crossed the threshold. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at them.

__________________________

Chapter 60: Marry Well

"Zhuguo is right. It’s just a few days. It’s not as if she won’t pay at all. If we make a fuss over such a small delay, it’ll seem like we’re desperate for money. That would be embarrassing."

Jiang Yihe’s words made Madam Tian hesitate. She nodded quickly, realizing her momentary lapse. "You're right. I was just worried... but in that case, what about the money for books?"

Her husband studied so diligently, yet she couldn’t even provide him with the books he needed. The thought of holding him back filled Madam Tian with guilt.

"It’s fine," Jiang Yihe reassured her. "At worst, I can borrow books from my classmates. Besides, I heard that Mr. Zhong in town is planning to donate money and books to the academy. That should help."

At the mention of Mr. Zhong, Madam Tian and Jiang Zhuguo exchanged glances. They had heard Jiang Yihe speak of him before——a wealthy man who owned large tracts of land and two shops in town.

Most importantly, Mr. Zhong was known for his generosity, especially towards scholars. He was truly a benefactor.

"This Mr. Zhong is really a living Buddha," Madam Tian said with a sigh. "When my husband achieves success, he must thank Mr. Zhong properly."

"Of course." A satisfied smile spread across Jiang Yihe’s face, his eyes narrowing slightly. But as his gaze fell upon Madam Tian’s pale, thin face, the smile faded.

He turned to Jiang Zhuguo. "It’s been a while since I last saw you. You’ve grown taller, and you look healthier. How’s your work in the county?"

"Very good," Jiang Zhuguo nodded. "Sister Xia treats me well. There’s plenty to eat and drink, and the work isn’t too hard. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and Sister Xia even gave me some zongzi to bring home."

As she spoke, she took out the bamboo tube rice dumplings——six in total, their aroma filling the room.

Jiang Yihe’s eyes brightened at the sight of such delicacies. "It seems this Madam Xia is indeed a kind person."

"If she were truly kind, she wouldn’t delay the wages," Madam Tian muttered, still brooding over the matter. But seeing that neither Jiang Yihe nor Jiang Zhuguo responded, she dropped the subject and focused on preparing lunch.

The household’s food supply was running low, with the wheat harvest still some time away. Lunch consisted of a simple cornmeal porridge with vegetable leaves, accompanied by the zongzi, Zhuguo had brought home.

When the meal was served, Madam Tian placed all the zongzi in front of Jiang Yihe.

He hesitated for a moment, then picked up two and handed them to Madam Tian and Jiang Zhuguo. "You both should eat too."

"No, we could usually eat this from Madam Xia’s place," Madam Tian said, shaking her head. "Besides, my health is poor, and glutinous rice is hard to digest. And, I don’t like zongzi, anyway."

She swallowed hard after saying that.

It wasn’t that she disliked them——she simply couldn’t bear to eat them.

"Mother, you can eat it." Jiang Zhuguo insisted.

Even though her daughter insisted, Madam Tian remained hesitant. Instead of eating, she pushed the bowl toward Jiang Yihe. "You eat it."

By now, the rice dumplings had been soaked in the cornmeal porridge, their once-appetizing appearance ruined. Madam Tian had already taken a couple of sips of the porridge herself.

Jiang Yihe frowned, suppressing his distaste, and pushed the bowl back. "Zhuguo is right. Eat it while it's still warm."

"Yes," Jiang Zhuguo added. "Dad eats well at the academy. He doesn’t need this as much as we do."

Hearing this, Madam Tian hesitated a moment longer before finally picking up the bowl again.

Jiang Yihe glanced at Jiang Zhuguo, then after a brief pause, he said, "Madam Xia’s rice dumplings are really delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything as good before. It speaks to her skills in the kitchen. You work under her, Zhuguo——your own cooking should be improving as well. If you keep learning from her, you could open your own food shop someday. That would be a good business."

By then, I could make a lot of money off her....

Jiang Zhuguo set her bowl down and looked at him steadily. "Dad, are you telling me to learn from Madam Xia?"

Jiang Yihe was momentarily taken aback. "That’s not what I meant. I was just speaking generally. Observing and picking up skills is natural——it’s not the same as stealing."

"Exactly," Madam Tian chimed in. "Apprentices learn skills from their masters, then use them to make a living. How is that considered stealing?"

"Apprentices don’t get paid," Jiang Zhuguo countered. "They owe loyalty to their masters. Sister Xia pays me 500 yuan a month for my work. If I start learning skills beyond my duties without permission, wouldn’t that be taking advantage of her?"

Her tone was firm as she met her father’s gaze. "Dad, you’re a scholar. You should know this better than anyone. If word got out, wouldn’t people criticize you?"

Jiang Yihe’s face reddened at her sharp questioning. After a long pause, he muttered, "I was careless. I misspoke."

But a flicker of anger lingered in his eyes.

He was furious——furious at Jiang Zhuguo’s stubbornness, furious at her lack of obedience. How many times had she embarrassed him like this?

And if she was so bold now, then what she said earlier about not receiving her salary was probably a lie too.

Madam Xia treated her workers well, feeding them properly and even letting them take food home for the holidays. A woman like that wouldn’t withhold wages just because business was slow.

No——Jiang Zhuguo must have the money but was deliberately keeping it from him.

This girl has become more cunning as she grows older.

If this continues, she’ll insist on making her own decisions about marriage too. And once she’s married, she’ll turn her back on her own family.

Speaking of marriage....

Jiang Yihe looked at his daughter again.

She had inherited his good looks, and recently, she had gained a little weight, making her face softer and prettier. Her figure had started to develop as well, carrying the graceful charm of a young woman.

Jiang Yihe lowered his head, deep in thought.

The meal ended in silence. Afterward, Jiang Zhuguo asked Madam Tian to rest and quietly took over the chores.

She washed the dishes, swept the courtyard, helped Madam Tian with the laundry, and even tidied up the small vegetable patch. Only when the sun was setting did she put down the work and pick up the small bamboo basket she had brought home from Xia Mingyue’s house.

Jiang Zhuguo walked to the vegetable garden, plucked some fresh cucumbers and long beans, and placed them into the basket.

Madam Tian, watching from the side, felt her heart ache as if it were bleeding.

"Zhuguo, your elbows are turning farther and farther outward!"