Chapter 16-20

Chapter 16: How Abominable

The noodles were placed back into the steamer, along with all the vegetables, to cook for another fifteen minutes. When Xia Mingyue lifted the lid, a rich aroma filled the kitchen, signifying that the braised noodles were finally ready. She carefully removed the pot from the fire, her movements gentle.

She served the steaming noodles into the bowl, preparing the table with care. Before eating, she peeled two cloves of garlic with their sprouting tips a sign of spring's warmth.

Taking a hearty bite of the fragrant braised noodles, she followed it with a sharp crunch of spicy garlic, savoring the occasional sip of the warm, moderately hot broth. It was a delightful experience!

After finishing a bowl and a half, Xia Mingyue took a short break, then invited Sister Lu to go somewhere with her.

In Beida Street--located in Beicheng District--people were mostly peddlers, craftsmen, or people doing some odd works so the area was hustling and bustling.

As they strolled down Beida Street, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu caught the attention of several laborers. Groups of three or four men stood together, wielding shoulder poles or masonry knives, spotting for possible clients that needed their work.

Noticing a couple of young women, some of the intuitive men in the group, approached them. "Are the both of you needing help? I'm very well-rounded!" One offered.

"I'm your guy, ladies! I can do high-quality work in a lower amount!" Another called out.

"Here ladies, I can guarantee you a meticulous outcome," added a third.

Several eager voices rose among the crowd. The sun kissed hard laborers showed off their credentials in order to vie for potential work.

Xia Mingyue cleared her throat and asked, "How much would it cost to build a stove for a two-foot-tall pot, including both labor and materials?"

She knew that in constructing a stove, blue bricks and yellow muds are necessary. However, an entire stove needn't have to be made with blue bricks. On the workers' part--experienced in both constructions and demolitions, sourcing these materials was often cheaper than purchasing. Besides, those who knew the trade often had easier access to quality-wise materials.

"Four hundred coins for high-quality blue bricks," one worker said confidently.

"Four hundred coins? That's robbery!" Another shot back. "Three hundred and fifty. I'll provide the bricks and the clay. I guarantee you won't be disappointed."

"Three hundred and forty!" Someone else offered.

"Three hundred and thirty-five!" Another chimed in.

Xia Mingyue felt quite confused and speechless hearing the amount decreasing, feeling that the workers were selling themselves short.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Five hundred coins!"

The street fell silent. Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu exchanged surprised glances. Was that reverse bidding?

Curious, Xia Mingyue studied the person who had spoken. He was around twenty-two or twenty-three years old. He had a tall stance and a muscular physique which suggested years of hard laboring. His square jaw and large, honest eyes gave him an unpolished yet appealing look. He wiped the tiles in his hands with wheat straw, making them gleam in the sunlight.

Meeting Xia Mingyue's gaze, he confidently said, "Five hundred coins, no less. I'll build you both a stove and a chimney. I can guarantee that the stovepipe won't crack or break. But if it does, I'll fix it and the cost is on me."

Building a stove wasn't particularly difficult, but ensuring that the outer layer of yellow mud could withstand the heat without cracking or collapsing was another matter. Many experienced bricklayers would shy away from offering such a guarantee, but this man stood by his work with remarkable confidence.

Xia Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "And if you're not in Jinqiu County in the future, and something goes wrong, how will I find you?"

The older carpenter, who had been watching the exchange, chuckled. "Caisheng is very well-known for his topnotch craftsmanship. His price is fair. You won't regret hiring him."

With this, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu made their decision. "Please go to the courtyard with a walnut tree at the entrance, and a large apricot tree in the yard--in Xinghua Lane, on West Street." Xia Mingyue told him.

"Okay. I can start as early as tomorrow morning," Liu Caisheng replied. "The stove and the chimney will be done in one day, and the payment has to be paid as soon as the work is done. No delays."

"No problem," Xia Mingyue agreed, relieved that the matter was settled. So, she walked back home with Sister Lu.

Meanwhile, Liu Caisheng began to gather his tools. He collected half-broken blue bricks from his yard and planned to dig up some loess, and collect wheat straw.

"Hey, don't you think this job is a bit more than you can handle? Why don't I come help you? Not much..., just thirty bucks." Zeng Liu interjected, approaching him.

"No," Liu Caisheng replied curtly.

"Why not?" Zeng Liu pressed. "It's not like I won't let you help me when I get a good deal, next time."

Most jobs, like repairing roofs or building walls, often required teamwork. So, it wasn't uncommon for familiar workers to share the job together.

"You don't have the skills," Liu Caisheng said bluntly. "And your record is not good either. I won't work with you."

Zeng Liu's face flushed, feeling insulted. "Look.... I thought the owner didn't want it, so I took it back. But after, I returned it without fuss. Why are you still holding on to it?"

Though common wisdom advised against hitting below the belt, Liu Caisheng felt justified. Zeng Liu had once taken items from a job site, and it still irked him until now.

"I don't believe, you don't know...," Liu Caisheng replied. "You can't take what isn't yours. Even a child knows that."

"Enough!" Zeng Liu snapped, his frustration boiling over.

Without another word, Liu Caisheng gathered his belongings and walked away, unwilling to waste any more time with Zeng Liu.

Fuming, Zeng Liu spat on the ground, cursing under his breath. "Just wait. I'll definitely make you regret."

Later that evening, after a long day of work, Xia Mingyue grew hungry again. So, she decided to heat up the leftover braised noodles from lunch. Braised noodles always taste better and richer the longer they are simmered.

Xia Mingyue enjoyed another bowl and a half, but... there was still half a bowl left in the pot. It seemed that whenever she felt hungry, she had trouble estimating the right amount of serving to cook!

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Chapter 17: Meat Slices With Soup

She better stop this before it becomes a habit!

Xia Mingyue chided herself, vowing to cook the appropriate amount of food next time. With a sigh, she placed the leftover braised noodles into a bowl, intending to eat them tomorrow morning.

But then, an idea struck her. She spotted a half-broken, coarse porcelain bowl and decided pour out the braised noodles into it, placing the bowl next to the swill bucket, at the door.

Last time, the stray cats had eaten all the kitchen scraps. She figured those hungry, furry creatures must be starving, so she left some food out for them, hoping it would help fill their bellies.

The next morning, Xia Mingyue felt a sense of satisfaction when she saw the bottom of the porcelain bowl had been licked clean. She smiled softly, wondering which cute, furry creature had come by to find a meal.

After breakfast, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu busied themselves with making pancakes. Just as they were finishing, Liu Caisheng arrived, pulling a flatbed cart stacked with blue bricks, loess, and other materials needed for the stove.

"You're here early," Xia Mingyue remarked with a smile.

"I finished another job yesterday. After yours, I've got to move on to the next one," Liu Caisheng said, unloading the materials with ease.

His tight schedule spoke volumes about his skill; the work must be as good as everyone had said.

Xia Mingyue nodded, though she couldn't help reminding him, "Even if you're in a hurry, the work has to be done well. After the stove is finished, I'll need some help with some kitchen repairs, the courtyard wall, and the roof. There's still plenty to be done."

Liu Caisheng glanced at the roof and courtyard wall, taking it all in. "Don't worry," he reassured her.

Once he had set aside the neatly cleaned blue bricks, he fetched a bucket of water, mixed the loess with broken wheat straw, and began preparing the mud for the stove's construction.

As soon as he was ready, Liu Caisheng double-checked the stove's placement and size with Xia Mingyue to ensure there were no errors before starting the work.

Meanwhile, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu had finished preparing the pancakes and asked Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu to look after Liu Caisheng while they went to West Street to sell their pancakes. The business was brisk as usual.

Around midday, as they saw the pancakes running low, Xia Mingyue called to Sister Lu. "Come over for lunch, at my place."

It was customary for the employer to provide meals during work. But, since Xia Mingyue lived alone, it would not seem appropriate for a married woman like her to be in the same yard with another man. So, she invited Sister Lu to avoid people thinking maliciously about it.

Sister Lu smiled and agreed. "Alright. The pancakes are almost gone. I'll come back to help once the work here is done." When Xia Mingyue was about to head out, Sister Lu added, "Since you're building another stove next to the first one, lighting the fire might be a bit difficult. Feel free to borrow my kitchen in the meantime, and ask Erhu to help with it."

"Thank you, Sister Lu." Xia Mingyue nodded, gratefully.

After buying all the necessary ingredients, Xia Mingyue headed to Sister Lu's kitchen. She quickly began working, frying slices of lean meat and setting them aside. Then, she sautéed fresh garlic sprouts in lard before adding soaked black fungus, chopped bean curd sticks, shredded oyster mushrooms, and crispy strips of tofu. Once these ingredients were cooked, the fried meat slices were added, along with pepper and aged vinegar. The dish was finished with a bit of starch, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of chopped coriander.

At noon, Xia Mingyue served the dish alongside crispy scallion-meat pancakes that she and Sister Lu had specially made that morning.

The soup was a combination of meat and vegetables, with the sourness of the aged vinegar perfectly balancing the spiciness from the pepper. The result was a rich, mellow flavor that only deepened with each sip.

You could drink two bowls without getting tired of it-if anything, the more you drank, the more you craved.

The pancakes and soup complemented each other beautifully. The sour, spicy pork slices in the soup were incredibly appetizing, and drinking a bowl on a spring day made the weariness of the season disappear, leaving behind a sense of comfort.

The siblings, Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu, each drank two bowls. Sister Lu drank three, and even Xia Mingyue had two bowls, adding another spoonful as the last sip.

As for Liu Caisheng, he had been doing manual labor so, he had quite the appetite. After working all morning, he ate heartily: five bowls of meat soup and six pancakes.

When he set down his chopsticks, a look of hesitation crossed his face. "After I finish the work, I'll only take 480 yuan," he said.

Xia Mingyue raised an eyebrow. Was he trying to undercut himself? Liu Caisheng glanced at his empty bowl, clearly still hungry, but too polite to ask for more.

"Why?" she asked, a little surprised.

Liu Caisheng's eyes shifted uncomfortably. "I just feel bad... You've given me so much food."

Xia Mingyue chuckled softly, understanding immediately. "Brother Liu, it's customary for the employer to provide meals. It wouldn't be right to ask you to pay your own food accomodation. If you're concerned about the cost, just make sure the work is done well."

Liu Caisheng nodded, clearly relieved. "Alright. Next time you need a repair job, I'll give you a discount."

Xia Mingyue smiled. "Sounds good. There's still some soup left, but not much meat. It's too hot to keep, so I'll give you some more."

Liu Caisheng hesitated, clearly not wanting to impose. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Xia Mingyue scooped another serving of soup and handed him a pancake. He took it gratefully, quickly finishing his meal before washing his bowl and chopsticks. Then, with a nod, he gathered his tools and returned to work.

Bricklaying, mudding, shaping....

Liu Caisheng worked with methodical precision, ensuring the stove was constructed perfectly. He carefully measured the stove's center to avoid any errors before finishing the details. With some leftover wheat straw and yellow mud, he patched the edges of the window frame, preventing it from creaking when the wind blew and keeping the house warmer during the winter.

Once the work was done, Xia Mingyue paid him his wages.

"The stove needs a few days to dry completely before you can light a fire," Liu Caisheng reminded her. "The weather's been warmer and windier, so it should be good in three or four days. But to be safe, try it on the fifth day, starting with a low flame. If there's no issue, you can use it regularly from the sixth day.

If you need anything, come find me on North Street. If I'm not there, just ask someone who knows me."

Xia Mingyue nodded as Liu Caisheng loaded his things onto the flatbed cart. "Take care."

After seeing him off, she and Sister Lu began preparing for the next day's business. The stove at home was temporarily out of commission, so that night, Xia Mingyue had dinner at Sister Lu's house.

Sister Lu had cooked a big pot of congee, served with tofu and green onions, spicy and sour potato shreds, and four eggs dropped into the pot.

*****

Luoyang banquet comes with sliced ​​meat soup, but the author has never eaten the soup made in Louyang, only the one from his hometown, which is also called the same. The sliced meat soup in his hometown tastes basically the same as tofu meatball soup. They are both very delicious, especially when served on weddings and funerals. The taste is far better than the ones in restaurants.

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Chapter 18: Wu Jin

The congee carried the comforting fragrance of flour, its texture smooth and soothing. Each spoonful slid down easily, never growing tiresome no matter how many times she drank. The addition of plumeria didn't bring any fishiness to the taste; instead, it enhanced the dish with a delicate hint of cooked eggs.

Soon, before Xia Mingyue realized it, she had already finished a bowl. She found the egg porridge so delicious that she even had to refill her bowl.

Afterward, she made her way back to the yard, ready for a quiet night of rest.

Xia Mingyue was a deep sleeper--usually undisturbed no matter the noise. But tonight, after drinking so much porridge, she found herself stirring in the middle of her sleep.

It was around 1 to 3 of dawn. The sky was filled with twinkling stars, their brilliance casting enough light that she could visibly see everything in the yard, even without turning on the lights.

Yawning, she stood and began to head back inside. But then, a faint, metallic clanging sound came from outside the courtyard gate.

The sound was barely audible, but it was distinct enough to catch her attention. A second clang followed, louder than the first, accompanied by a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.

Who could that be?

Xia Mingyue's heart skipped a beat. She shuddered, the sleepiness vanishing in an instant. She looked up but saw no one.

The low wall surrounding the yard was only half the height of a person--certainly too low for an adult to hide behind. Unless, of course, they were squatting.

If someone was deliberately crouching down, they must have bad intentions.

Could she be the target? She thought of her food stall business, which had been doing well, and the fact that she lived alone. It wasn't unthinkable that someone might have set sights on her.

A wave of anxiety gripped her chest. Heart racing, she crouched slightly, moving as quietly as possible back into the house. She grabbed the kitchen knife that rested on the kang, something she always kept nearby, just in case.

Once outside again, Xia Mingyue bent low, staying close to the wall to avoid being seen. She crept toward the door, her breath shallow. When she felt ready, she peeked around the corner.

A dark shadow stood by the door.

And just as Xia Mingyue's eyes locked onto it, the shadow seemed to sense her presence. It raised its head and met her gaze.

For a moment, they both froze.

Then, the shadow let out a bark. "Woof!"

The figure, now unmistakably a dog, squatted back down, wagging its tail slightly. It sniffed at the swill bucket next to the door, licking the scraps inside. When it found nothing to eat, it glanced up at Xia Mingyue again, its gaze expectant, as if waiting for something.

Xia Mingyue blinked, her heart still racing.

'So the clanging noises had come from this large, black dog trying to get at the food in the swill bucket....'

She remembered that the kitchen scraps had been finished off two days ago--probably by this very dog. She'd eaten at Sister Lu's house both at noon and in the evening, so there had been no leftovers at home. The poor dog had probably been waiting here, hoping for food.

Xia Mingyue couldn't help but smile slightly, leaning toward the dog. "Are you looking for food?"

The dog tilted its head, then barked twice in response.

"Are you a stray without an owner?" she asked, feeling a little silly talking to the animal.

"Woof, woof," the dog barked again.

The sound, almost like a conversation, made Xia Mingyue laugh. She took a deep breath and opened the gate, stepping outside cautiously. "You... don't bite, right?"

The black dog didn't seem aggressive at all. It watched her approach without excitement, then moved closer, sniffing her scent before sitting down at her feet, calm and obedient.

"Woof, woof."

Xia Mingyue hesitated, but then slowly extended her hand.

The black dog immediately lowered its head, allowing her to gently pet its smooth, shiny fur. It looked thin, its face a little elongated, but its fur gleamed under the starlight, and its forehead felt slightly rough against her fingers.

The dog seemed to enjoy the attention, letting out contented 'humming' sounds as it rubbed its head against her legs.

Well-behaved and gentle, it was clear the dog didn't pose any threat.

"Would you like to stay here and guard the house?" Xia Mingyue asked thoughtfully. "I could build you a little shed by the wall, and provide you with food."

"Woof, woof, woof!"

The dog responded enthusiastically, its tail wagging so fast she almost couldn't catch the motion.

Xia Mingyue smiled and stepped aside to open the gate wider. "Come on in then. You can sleep by the wall for tonight, and I'll build a proper shelter for you in the morning."

"But just so you know," she added with a playful grin. "Once you enter my house, you're officially my dog. You've got responsibilities now--stay here and don't run off."

"Woof, woof."

The dog entered the yard with confidence, trotting over to the apricot tree by the wall, where it sat down obediently.

"Go to bed now," Xia Mingyue said, rubbing the dog's big head with satisfaction.

"Woof."

The dog barked softly in response, then followed her toward the house, stopping only when Xia Mingyue turned around.

"What's wrong?" She asked, slightly confused.

"Woof, woof, woof."

The dog barked again and started walking toward the kitchen.

But it didn't go inside. Instead, it paused, looking back at Xia Mingyue, waiting expectantly.

Xia Mingyue's eyes widened with realization. "Are you hungry?"

"Woof."

"Alright, I'll get you something to eat." She turned toward the kitchen.

After rummaging around, she found a chipped clay pot that had been set aside for disposal. She smoothed its edge with a whetstone, turning it into a makeshift food bowl.

Unfortunately, there was little food left at home--she had eaten at Sister Lu's all day. The only thing available was half a pancake from the morning, which she had intended to give to the stray cats. But, seeing the dog's eager eyes, she decided to give it something to eat.

A moment of inspiration hit her, and she cracked an egg into the earthenware jar.

"This will be better than nothing," Xia Mingyue murmured. "The first meal should be a good one, right?"

She placed the jar in front of the dog. "Eat up. It's not much, but I'll make it up to you later in the morning."

"Woof, woof."

The dog's tail wagged excitedly as it happily started devouring the pancake and egg, making soft contented noises. Xia Mingyue squatted beside it, smiling at the scene.

"Eat slowly," she said. "Now that you're part of the family, it's only fair I give you a name."

She looked at the dog's sleek black fur and the tiny tuft of yellow at the tip of its tail. It stood out so clearly against its dark coat.

An idea sprang to mind. "How about 'Wu Jin'?"

The dog paused for a moment, as if contemplating the name, before wagging its tail even harder, clearly pleased.

Xia Mingyue chuckled softly. "Wu Jin, huh? Alright then, welcome to the family."

*****

Modern pet dogs are generally not allowed to eat human food directly, but for the native dogs in the countryside in the past, they ate whatever people ate, and their immunity was also very strong. There is no need to worry about dogs not being able to eat seasonings or something.

Tea Warm

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Chapter 19: No One Knows a Child Better Than His Mother

"Woof, woof."

Wu Jin responded, his tail wagging happily. He clearly seemed pleased with his new name.

"Then rest up after you finish eating. I'm heading to bed now." Xia Mingyue stroked Wu Jin's forehead, a sense of contentment filling her as she returned to the house.

Wu Jin licked the earthen jar clean, savoring every last bit. He then licked his lips repeatedly before settling down.

But his eyes remained alert, darting from the earthenware jar, to the window of the house where Xia Mingyue slept, and then back to the quiet yard. After ensuring everything was calm, he finally lowered his head, resting it on his paws and closing his eyes in peaceful sleep.

Later that morning, Xia Mingyue started to get busy again. The stove was still out of order, and since she needed to head to Sister Lu's house to make pancakes, she decided to take Wu Jin with her--an opportunity to let him meet friends.

Wu Jin, carrying his own earthenware jar and basin, followed her out.

The jar was surprisingly heavy, but Wu Jin gripped it easily with his strong jaw, as if it were no effort at all.

'Such strength,' Xia Mingyue thought with a smile, reaching down to pat Wu Jin's head. 'I hope he makes a good guard dog.'

And indeed, he seemed to be just that. As they approached Sister Lu's house, Wu Jin's usual cheerful barking was replaced with a low, soft growl.

Xia Mingyue noticed this and whispered, "Quiet now."

The gate to the Zhao family's yard was open, and Xia Mingyue walked in, with Wu Jin trotting along behind her.

"Aunt Xia! Come quickly! Breakfast is almost ready!" Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu greeted her cheerfully. However, their eyes widened the instant they caught sight of Wu Jin.

"What a big dog!" Zhao Dahu exclaimed. "He may be a little thin, but he's really majestic!"

"Where did you get him, Aunt Xia?"

"I found him," Xia Mingyue answered. "He came looking for food last night. He seemed behave enough, so I let him stay to watch over the house. He probably agreed, so I named him 'Wu Jin'."

"Wu Jin? That's a great name!" Zhao Erhu laughed. The two boys, full of curiosity, circled Wu Jin, marveling at his size and imposing presence.

In the past, the boys had both wanted a dog. They imagined how impressive it would be to have a loyal companion to take with them wherever they went. But their mother had always said they could either keep them siblings or keep the dog--but never both.

Thus, their dreams of having a dog were never realized.

But now, seeing Wu Jin, their longing was rekindled.

"Mom, Mom, look!" Zhao Dahu rushed to report. "Aunt Xia has a dog now!"

"It's called 'Wu Jin'," Zhao Erhu added, clearly just as excited.

Sister Lu, who had been serving rice in the kitchen, stepped outside with a bowl in hand. When she saw Wu Jin, she chuckled. "It's good to have a dog. Since Qiyan is often away, and Sister Xia lives alone and making money, it's good to have someone to keep company, especially at night. With Wu Jin around, Sister Xia will surely sleep soundly.

There's still some leftover fried rolls from last night. I'll take one and pour some hot soup over it. That will make a good meal for Wu Jin."

Wu Jin seemed to understand perfectly. He walked up to Sister Lu, placed his earthenware jar gently on the ground, and looked up expectantly.

Sister Lu blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Well, he certainly knows how to ask for what he wants. Sister Xia is lucky."

She took the black earthenware pot, broke off a piece of the fried roll, and spooned some rice soup into it. She set it aside to cool for a moment, then turned to Xia Mingyue.

"The rice soup will be too hot for him to eat just yet. Let's eat breakfast, and then he can have his meal."

Xia Mingyue and the mother and sons, gathered around the table for their breakfast. The sticky rice soup, made with rice, millet, and a little white flour, was served with hot scallion fried rolls, a boiled egg for each person, and a side of shredded mustard greens that Sister Lu had pickled last winter.

The pickled mustard greens, sealed tightly during the process, remained crisp even now. Tossed with a little sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil, they released their fragrant aroma, making them the perfect accompaniment to the rice soup.

Everyone ate eagerly, and Wu Jin, after watching them for a moment, quietly settled by the earthenware pot. When it had cooled enough, he began to eat his meal.

To Xia Mingyue's surprise, Wu Jin did not devour the food in a greedy manner, but ate with a calm, measured pace. His mouth was spotless after every bite, not a drop of rice soup or crumb left behind.

When he finished, he licked the earthenware pot and basin clean, leaving no trace--almost as though they had been washed with water.

Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu exchanged admiring glances. "Wu Jin is so well-behaved."

"He is, indeed." Sister Lu nodded. "Dogs are naturally obedient, especially when they're raised right. They understand us more than we realize."

The two brothers, clearly eager to have a dog of their own, looked at each other with a shared, unspoken understanding.

"Mom," Zhao Dahu started, trying to hide his excitement, "I heard that Gao Da's big yellow dog is about to have puppies. The big yellow dog is so smart! The pups will be too!"

"That's right!" Zhao Erhu chimed in, "I want one of those yellow pups. It's the color of gold. Maybe it'll bring us some luck!"

Sister Lu chuckled as she rolled up her sleeves. "You two really know how to pick your pets. Sister Xia, come and wash your hands. I just bought some pig pancreas. Would you like to try it? It smells wonderful."

Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu stared at their mother with defeated expressions. They knew that the pig pancreas would be served as part of a different meal--one they would never be invited to enjoy.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to wash the dishes," Zhao Erhu muttered, rolling his eyes. "Another day, another disappointment."

Sister Lu gave them a pointed look, while Xia Mingyue couldn't help but laugh. It was always clear who was the boss in this household.

As the morning wore on, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu prepared to head to the market as usual. Their stall, as always, was bustling with customers eager to buy pancakes.

Business was booming, as it had been for weeks. The people who sold buns and sesame cakes nearby couldn't help but envy the steady stream of customers coming to Xia Mingyue's stall.

Zhang Laifu, who ran a bun stall, leaned over to his friend, Jiang Erniu, and murmured, "Hey, why do you think her stall is so busy? Everyone's buying from her."

Jiang Erniu sighed, adjusting the fire in his stove. "Who knows? I've heard her pancakes are amazing, but I've never tried them myself."

"Maybe it's just that people think the expensive stuff is always better, even if it's not," Zhang Laifu grumbled. "I think our stalls are better, but no one seems to care anymore."

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Chapter 20: Theft

"Come to think of it," Zhang Laifu said, shaking his head, "I remember that Madam Xia came by Brother Erniu's stall once or twice to buy sesame cakes. A few days later, she started making her own and selling them. It seemed a little intentional.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but Madam Xia's stall..., it's like they want to steal Brother Erniu's business. Doesn't she know how hard your family is?

They're just fortunate that Brother Erniu has a good temper." Zhang Laifu continued, his voice rising, "Otherwise, if it was me, I'd go over and demand an explanation from Madam Xia! What does she think she's doing?"

Zhang Laifu's words tumbled out like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, his frustration spilling over. Jiang Erniu sat in silence, his hands frozen in the middle of kneading dough. After a long pause, he stammered, "It's just... their ability to make money...."

"Ability?" Zhang Laifu scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "What, you think Brother Erniu doesn't have the same ability?"

The words cut through Jiang Erniu like a knife, sharp and unexpected. A surge of emotion rose in his chest, and his vision blurred. His hands trembled slightly as he continued kneading the dough, trying to focus, but the thought lingered like a stone in his stomach.

Zhang Laifu, sensing he'd gone too far, fell silent. The sudden tension hung in the air, unspoken.

Just then, a customer came to buy buns, and Zhang Laifu quickly shifted his attention to the sale. Jiang Erniu, however, paused in his work, his gaze drifting across the yard, landing on Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu's busy stall in the distance. His thoughts clouded.

A few days later, Xia Mingyue was back at work. After arranging everything with the carpenter, she made her way to the blacksmith's shop to check on her stove. "Manager Guo, how's it going? We need this done as soon as possible."

When her stove was finally ready, Xia Mingyue set about her preparations with a sense of satisfaction. As Liu Caisheng had advised, the stove was baked at a low heat first, then burned normally. By the end of the day, it was in perfect condition--no cracks.

"Liu Caisheng's craftsmanship is truly impressive," Sister Lu remarked, her voice full of admiration. "If I had found him before, my stove would've not broken twice by now. I should not settle with cheaper pay and low-quality work next time."

Xia Mingyue smiled. "Since his work is so good, I'll have to trouble you to help me again. I need him to build another earthen kang for the inner room."

Sister Lu raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need another kang? The one in your room is already big enough for you and Qiyan."

"Well..." Xia Mingyue hesitated, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "It's not for sleeping--it's for storing dough during the winter. The dough needs a warm place to rise. The brick bed works, but it's not quite enough."

"I see," Sister Lu nodded. "You're always thinking ahead. But you'll need to make sure the kang isn't too big--it has to fit in the room."

"I think it'll be fine," Xia Mingyue replied, her thoughts already drifting to the next task. She had big plans ahead, but she hoped Brother Lu would understand.

A few days later, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu returned to North Street. It was their second trip after a few weeks, and this time, someone immediately recognized them.

"What work are you two ladies here for today?" A man called out with a grin.

"I think they're not here to hire anyone," someone else said, nudging the first man. "Looks like they're looking for someone."

Laughter erupted around them, and Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu exchanged confused looks.

"What do you mean?" Xia Mingyue asked, furrowing her brow.

"Don't tell me you're here to settle accounts with Liu Caisheng?" A middle-aged man with a thick beard asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Settle accounts?" Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu both blinked in surprise.

"Didn't you come to look for Liu Caisheng because he stole something from your house?" The bearded man asked, scratching his chin.

"Stole something?" Xia Mingyue was stunned. "But... he's such an honest man! Could he really have stolen something?"

The bearded man nodded, though his tone suggested skepticism. "Well, that's what the story is. A man came here saying Liu Caisheng had been sneaking over the wall at night to steal silver ingots from underneath someone's rice jar."

"If he stole it at night, how did you know it was Brother Liu?" Xia Mingyue asked, now thoroughly confused.

"Well...." The bearded man continued, "Liu Caisheng was in a hurry, and he dropped his trowel near the rice jar. The trowel had his name engraved on it, and everyone recognized it."

Xia Mingyue's eyes widened. "But Brother Liu should have denied it, right?"

"Exactly," the bearded man said. "His mother and neighbors back up his story. They say he was home, working on bricks in the first half of the night and sleeping the rest of the time."

"But if he really went to steal, why would he take his trowel with him?" Xia Mingyue mused. The whole thing didn't add up.

Sister Lu frowned. "Sounds like someone's digging up a trap on him."