Chapter 26-30

Chapter 26: Fried Egg Pancakes

Xia Mingyue began with heating water on the pot. When the water was boiling over, she added an appropriate amount of flour, before putting in the pancakes. When the pancakes done, they are cut into thin strips.

Afterwards, she sauteed some minced garlic until fragrant. Then she added the pancake strips together with some mung bean sprouts into the pan to stir-fry. Next, she poured in an amount of soy sauce and a bit of balsamic vinegar.

The pancakes have been steamed until it reached a certain level of chewiness before they are fried until golden brown on both sides.

The mung bean sprouts had a balanced sourness and they tasted completely different with the pancake strips. But surprisingly, they have both completed well as a single dish.

When the stuffing was done, Xia Mingyue proceeded with preparing the eggs. When whipping the eggs, she added some salt and chopped green onions, and a little bit of water to make the eggs tenderer and fluffier when fried later.

After, Xia Mingyue began serving the table. To eat this dish, the pancake strips were stuffed into the fried egg pancakes.

Liu Caisheng was so satisfied, that he complimented ever so highly, "I must say, this is the most delicious fried egg pancakes I have ever eaten."

"It is, right? Sister Mingyue's cooking is high-class." Sister Lu added in garbled words.

Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu remained silent but mouth never stopped eating.

The brothers thought that their stomachs might be filled with air once they talk, thus preventing them on eating a lot of these delicious dish. So, they remained silent, determined not to miss out the food cooked with Aunt Mingyue's magical hands.

As a professional chef, Xia Mingyue's most gratifying moment is to be able to see that the diners enjoyed the food she served with utmost satisfaction.

Hearing them compliment the food she had cooked, made her felt accomplished that she scooped them another serving.

After lunch, Liu Caisheng continued to work on the chimney inside the kang which will serve as the heating equipment.

After the flue is completed, the outer surface of the kang would be built next.

The base of the chimney is made of bluestone and loess, while the surface is smoothed with glue.

Xia Mingyue saw that the newly built kang looked simpler but more convenient and intricate than the older one so, she was impressed once again. "I thought that Brother Liu's crafting skills are already so good with the stove, but I never expected this kang was on another level."

Hearing Xia Mingyue's praise, Liu Caisheng smiled shyly. "I'm originally from Huanren County, where kang-making is a prominent skill that is passed down from generation to generation, and so, I have been passed on with this skill. In Huanren——the kang, stove, and chimney are built connected. The stove is built on the bottom while the pot sits atop, which cooking food and boiling water more convenient. Not only that, but when the stove is lit, the kang connected to it would also be warm, efficiently saving firewood.

The kang in the innermost room is not connected to the stove in the kitchen, but that won't matter. Both the stove and the chimney are built smokeless. When the kang dries thoroughly, Madam Xia can put a layer of straw mat on the surface and it can already be used either in sleeping or in storage."

Liu Caisheng added, "The weather is hot so, I suppose, the kang should be able to dry up quickly. In early summer, however, the kang might contain a little moisture with the rain season, but it's not a big deal. Madam Xia can heat it up and it would be fine to use again."

"Thank you, Brother Liu." Xia Mingyue handed out the payment of five hundred yuan, together with a big oil paper bag. "These are the pancakes sold on the stall. Business is a bit stagnant today, so there have been some pancakes left. These can't be stored in such a dry weather, so Brother Liu can take them back for you and your mother to share together."

Liu Caisheng paused, but did not refuse in the end. "Thank you, Madam Xia."

"Brother Liu, don't be so polite. The house is a bit old so there might be some repairs that might need Brother Liu's help, sooner or later. I will have to trouble Brother Liu, if then." Xia Mingyue said with a smile.

"I'd definitely help." Liu Caisheng said hurriedly. "Madam Xia can find me on Beida Street, by then and I'd certainly come."

"I will."

It was getting late, so Xia Mingyue sent him out.

Liu Caisheng pushed his flatbed cart all the way back to his house located in the northern part of the district.

Although the courtyard is smaller compared to Xia Mingyue's, the house was well maintained. It can be seen, that Liu Caisheng had diligently taken care of the courtyard well.

Hearing his arrival, his mother, Madam Ma, came out of the kitchen in her trembling stance. "Caisheng is back. The porridge is ready, just in time. Come and eat."

Liu Caisheng hurriedly supported his mother. "Mom, didn't I say, I will cook when I come back? Why didn't you listen?" He asked with a hint of chiding.

"Don't worry, I feel much better now. Besides, you're already tired from work, so let me help omce in a while." Madam Ma replied in between deep breaths. She held Liu Caisheng's hand and sat down on the stool. "I heard that you took a job for Madam Xia, today...."

"Well..., I went to build a kang." Liu Caisheng answered truthfully. "But, I only accepted the cost of materials used."

"That's good." Madam Ma nodded. "Although Madam insisted on coincidence of that matter, catching Zeng Liu is already deserving of favor. You should remember this gratitude."

"Don't worry, mother. I know." Liu Caisheng opened the oil paper bag given by Xia Mingyue. "Mother, this is from Madam Xia. She said that the pancakes in her stall had not been able to sell out today, so she asked me to bring them back to eat."

After saying that, he went into the kitchen and scooped out two bowls of porridge. Then he took out some pickled mustard greens he had prepared in the winter, as a side dish.

The package contained scallion-meat pancakes——larger in size and richer in fillings. When bitten, the crispiness of the wrappings reached the teeth and the gravy overflowed into the mouth.

Liu Caisheng and his mother took a couple of bites then realized something was not quite right.

The scallion-meat pancakes tasted so good, so how come Xia Mingyue said it didn't sell well? What's more...? The pancakes she gave even had a lot of stuffings in them.

It became clear that from the beginning, she had already intended to give pancakes to them.

It was probably because Liu Caisheng did not charge her for his work so she gave the pancakes to make up for it.

Liu Ciasheng and his mother were both moved by this act of kindness.

Jiang Zhuguo came to deliver dried mustard leaves once again. And the price still remained the same.

When seeing her off, Xia Mingyue gave her two scallion-meat pancakes.

After thanking her, Jiang Zhuguo left with brisk steps and a smile pasted on her lips.

Most of the pots that Xia Mingyue had ordered have already been made, but Boss Guo said that the remaining ones would take at least three days to make.

In addition——the chopping board, shed, tables, and benches she had asked the carpenter to make have been made as well. And, the other small items have also been delivered at home, one after another.

The shed can be set up, at the cosmetics shop, two days later.

Xia Mingyue invited Liu Caisheng once again, to fit the stove in a certain area at the forefront of the shop

Soon, the things necessary to set up the stall were done, one at a time.

After some discussion, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu decided to open the stall on April 12, which was three days later.

When selling pancakes these couple of days, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu often reminded their old customers about the matter of changing address and when it will take place.

Unbeknownst to them, Boss Qian together with his wife, Madam Liu, had already spread the news, constantly chattering on their regular customers and visitors about opening a food stall at the forefront.

"If I don't know better, I might have thought that it wasn't Madam Xia who would set up the stall but Boss Qian and his wife." Boss Wang, who owned the jewelry store next door, jested with a teasing smile. "Hey, how much did this Madam Xia pay you to go about advertising her stall?"

"Nonsense. We will be neighbors in the future, so what's wrong with lending a hand? Besides, if Madam Xia sets up a stall here, the street would be livelier than before." Shopkeeper Qian responded. "The livelier the street, the more traffic the shop could get."

Boss Wang was enlightened. "No wonder you were so diligent advertising for her. It turned out that you have calculated it well. So good that the abacus beads are about to fall on your face."

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Chapter 27: Back

“Nonsense....”

Boss Qian laughed aloud before he excused himself and went back to his shop.

Boss Wang stayed outside for a while, looking carefully at the front of his shop.

He figured that the layout of his shop is actually similar to that of the cosmetics shop next door. The only difference is that, the protruding wall at the front side of his shop was not wide enough. However, it could definitely still accommodate a food stall.

If he had known earlier, he could've discussed with Madam Xia, before the cosmetics shop next door could.

However, looking at the distance of both shops, he felt relieved. He figured that, indeed, the livelier the street gets, the more traffic his shop could take advantage of.

Boss Wang went back inside his shop with his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

The last iron pan was delivered early in the morning.

Xia Mingyue heated the pan first before she cooked an egg pancake on it, to try the feel.

Boss Guo has indeed lived up to his twenty years of being a blacksmith. The iron pan he made was not only thick and durable, but was a bit nonstick as well. Xia Mingyue, who was a bit particular, was very satisfied upon such discovery.

The Government Office is still collecting grain, so the county town was still hustling and bustling for the past couple of days.

And Xia Mingyue's stall have also been crowded with people gathering around.

"Five scallion-meat pancakes," someone ordered.

The voice sounded quite familiar so Xia Mingyue looked up and saw Lu Qiyan rummaging through his purse.

"Brother Qiyan?" Xia Mingyue gasped, surprised.

Lu Qiyan was startled when he heard his name being called. After taking a closer look, he realized that the young lady selling pancakes in front of him, was none other than his..., 'wife'.

Her appearance had changed a bit which made him take a second look.

Before Xia Mingyue arrived in Jinqui County, she had been fleeing famine and starving, so she looked wan and thin. But at this moment, Lu Qiyan flickered at her fleshy cheeks. He felt that although, she had gained a bit of weight, she was still thinner compared to other women her age.

Lu Qiyan nodded in recognition, "Yeah."

"Qiyan is back?" Sister Lu was also surprised. "What about Youcai? Is he also back?"

"Yes. But, he said he was going to buy some things and went over there." Lu Qiyan pointed ahead.

Sister Lu stood on tiptoe trying to catch her husband's figure among the crowd on the street, but failed. However, Zhao Youcai would surely go straight home after. So, thinking about it, Sister Lu shrugged and did not bother anymore.

Instead, she nudged Xia Mingyue with her elbow. "Since Qiyan is back, you should accompany him home. Don't bother here, I can manage."

Lu Qiyan left the day after he and Xia Mingyue got married. So, Sister Lu thought that the couple should take this chance to spend the time being together.

Lu Qiyan understood it as well.

Seeing Sister Lu's determined look, Xia Mingyue did not insist.

Remembering that Lu Qiyan previously wanted to buy scallion-meat pancakes, probably wanting to eat some, Xia Mingyue took some out of the basket before they went on their way.

The couple walked side-by-side, as silent as the strange air looking between them.

Xia Mingyue hesitated whether she should say something or she should maintain the silence.

"Your stall seemed to be doing good." Lu Qiyan spoke, breaking the silence between them.

"I guess so. At least, the profit can cover some expenses at home." Xia Mingyue replied. "By the way, Boss Qian and his wife——from the cosmetics store, invited Sister Lu and I to set up the stall, in front of their shop. We have already completed all the preparations and the stall will be opened tomorrow."

Lu Qiyan felt impressed. He had left for the military camp a little over a month ago. And, Xia Mingyue has not only gained flesh but has also established her own business in such a period of time.

In Lu Qiyan's opinion, Xia Mingyue is a capable, independent, and strong-willed woman.

"Good." Lu Qiyan felt relieved in his heart.

"Why are Brother Qiyan and Brother Youcai back today?" Xia Mingyue asked curiously.

She had heard from Sister Lu before, that militaries often take several months to come back. Being so, a little over a month is considerably not a long time.

"We won... few days ago. In celebration, the commander ordered the soldiers to go back to their families in turns." Lu Qiyan explained. "We can only stay for a day. Then, we will leave tomorrow."

Pausing for a moment, he then added, "This time, it will probably take a little longer to come back."

Upon hearing, Xia Mingyue pursed her lips.

Xia Mingyue thought, 'it's not that the soldiers could take longer to come back, but that, whether they could be able to come back, at all.'

With the war ahead, she's afraid that going back this time was not to celebrate the victory of a prior battle, but prepare themselves for a bigger battle.

Xia Mingyue sighed through her breath, suppressing the sadness in her heart. "Brother Qiyan, why don't you go ahead first, while I go buy something to cook for lunch? So you'll have more time to rest."

"Okay." Lu Qiyan handed out his purse into Xia Mingyue's hand. "Use this. It contains the military pay of the previous month, some reward money on winning the battle, and some coins I won against playing with someone."

Xia Mingyue peeked inside the purse in her hand. She caught a glimpse of small silver bars and, a number of copper coins altogether. According to how heavy the purse was, Xia Mingyue estimated that there were about seven or eight taels, in it.

If she remembered well, he can only get one thousand coins per month based on his military level—— as a captain. Aside from that, with so many soldiers in the army, the reward money for defeating the enemy should not have amounted much. So, Xia Mingyue concluded that most of the money in the purse was what Lu Qiyan had won through a friendly betting.

Xia Mingyue took the purse. Then, she gave the pancakes for him to take back, and proceeded to shop for some groceries.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiyan walked back home with the pancakes.

But just as he reached Xinghua Lane, someone caught up with him.

"...Captain... Lu." Madam Zhang feeling uncomfortable with calling him captain.

Lu Qiyan stopped and turned to face Madam Zhang, who was a little out of breath. "Are you Comrade Zheng's wife?" He asked, after a moment of hesitation.

"Yes. My surname is Zhang." Madam Zhang moved closer and said, "Something has been bothering me so, I felt that Captain Lu should know about it, or I would feel guilty keeping it to myself if something happens."

"Madam Zhang, please speak if you have something to tell." Lu Qiyan stepped back without trace.

He was not used to people talking so close to him. Especially, women.

"It's about your wife, Xia Mingyue!" Zhang said, "You probably don't know it, but since she married you, she has not been doing what a proper wife should do. Forget about setting a stall but, how she got the capital from. Most of all, she doesn't even control her spending, that she lives so lavishly.

She shops for fabrics to make new clothes and shoes, every so often. What's even more ridiculous is that she even uses good fabrics to make aprons.

She eats meat and fish daily. Even more shocking——she spends so much cooking oil, that the swill I have happened to see, was so oily.

Moreover, she would hire labor from time to time, spending at least four or five hundred yuan. She is really so prodigal."

Lu Qiyan frowned as he listened on Madam Zhang's complaint against Xia Mingyue?

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Chapter 28: Confrontation

"My husband is also a soldier so, I know how difficult life is in the army and, how hard it is to earn a salary. Captain Lu, listen to me..., you have to do something and not let your wife squander so much."

"Madam Zhang...," Lu Qiyan interrupted. "In the camp, these past couple of days, I kept hearing about an interesting government official in Song'an Prefecture——whose mother was having a birthday. Rumor has it that ten tables of banquets were set up, and the gifts were no less than one hundred coins."

"What does it have to do with me?" Madam Zhang asked, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation.

What they have to talk most about was Xia Mingyue who is prodigal and not virtuous, and therefore, needs to be disciplined.

"I agree. What does it have to do with you?" Lu Qiyan asked back.

His wife, Xia Mingyue, can spend the money however she wants to, in whatever she wants.

No matter how slow-witted Madam Zhang was, she was not dumb enough not to understand what Lu Qiyan was pointing out. She fell into a mix of embarrassment and anger, and her face felt hot.

"I'm reminding you out of goodwill. Xia Mingyue needs to be taught what it means to be a good wife." Madam Zhang insisted, not believing she could not persuade Lu Qiyan.

However, contrary to what she expected, Lu Qiyan felt annoyed with her unreasonable and ridiculous words. With Madam Zhang's behaviour before him, Lu Qiyan guessed that she must have found faults with his wife, often.

"Madam Zhang...," Lu Qiyan began. "To be honest, with the recent reorganization in the military——your husband, Comrade Zheng Sanfu, is now a squadron leader supervised by me. Meaning to say——although the commander heads the deployment of troops——I, as the battalion leader, still have the final decision regarding the people under me."

Madam Zhang went pale. In war, the frontline soldiers bear the greatest risk of losing their lives. With Lu Qiyan having the power to decide who is sent to the front, any deliberate wrongdoing on his part could lead to tragedy. The next time her husband returned, their family might be left with nothing but compensation money and his ashes!

"Are you planning to sabotage my husband?" Madam Zhang asked, her voice laced with fear.

Lu Qiyan's eyes narrowed, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Comrade Zheng often boasts about how loyal he is to the country, and how brave he is in front of the enemies. I simply trust his words and assign him tasks accordingly. How was I sabotaging him?"

His tone shifted, sharper now, as he added, "Madam Zhang, I reckon you have a lot of free time latelu——too idle for that matter. In fact, the military latrines are often neglected——uncleaned and unkempt. So, maybe you should lend a hand there to keep your mind off other people's lives. Don't you think so, Madam Zhang?"

His final words weren’t merely a threat——they were a warning.

Despite Lu Qiyan's calm demeanor pasted on his gentle, handsome face; there was an unmistakable intimidation in his tone, that made Madam Zhang shiver.  She averted her gaze as she nodded in succession.

Feeling satisfied, Lu Qiyan didn’t press further. With the pancakes on his hand, he continued walking towards Xinghua Lane.

Meanwhile, Madam Zhang, with her pale face, scurried away in the opposite direction, as though escaping a predator.

On the one hand, at the gate of the courtyard, Lu Qiyan reached out to push open the fence.

"Woof!"

Suddenly, a large black dog darted from its resting spot, barking ferociously. Its coat gleamed under the sun, and a tuft of golden fur adorned the tip of its tail. The sudden commotion startled Lu Qiyan, and his hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. He drew the blade slightly, its cold edge catching the light.

Wu Jin, the dog, bristled with alarm, fur standing on end. He crouched low, growling and ready to attack.

But as soon as Lu Qiyan realized this was Xia Mingyue’s dog, he sheathed back his sword.

Startled, Wu Jin paused. His fur settled, and his growls softened. So, Lu Qiyan pushed the gate open and stepped forward.

"Woof!"

Wu Jin barked even louder, blocking his path. His sharp eyes bore into Lu Qiyan, and he positioned himself as if daring him to try again. When Lu Qiyan retracted his foot, the dog seized the opportunity to nudge the gate shut with his head, then sat firmly in front of it, glaring.

Lu Qiyan sighed.

"Listen, I’m family," he began, his tone calm and deliberate.

"Woof!"

"I mean it. I just don’t come here often."

"Woof!"

"If you think about it, I’m Xia Mingyue’s... husband."

"Woof!"

"Can you let me in now?"

"Woof!"

'This was going nowhere.' He thought.

Just then, Xia Mingyue returned, her arms full of supplies. From a distance, she noticed Lu Qiyan standing awkwardly outside the gate.

"Brother Qiyan, why don't you go in?" she called, a confused laugh bubbling in her voice.

Lu Qiyan gave her a pointed look. "Take a guess."

As she reached the gate, Xia Mingyue spotted Wu Jin, who was still sitting guard, and burst out laughing.

"This is Wu Jin," she explained between giggles. "We found him as a stray a few days ago. He’s loyal and clever——he even caught a thief once! I guess he’s not used to seeing you yet, so he’s... being cautious."

Turning to Wu Jin, she stroked his head gently. "This is Brother Qiyan. He’s family, understand? You need to let him in from now on."

She didn’t say the word 'husband,' but the implication was clear.

Wu Jin barked once, as if to acknowledge her words, but when Lu Qiyan stepped inside, the dog maintained a careful distance, his eyes still watching warily.

"Looks like he’s holding a grudge," Xia Mingyue teased, laughing again.

Lu Qiyan shrugged, his lips quirking into a faint smile as he touched his nose.

After brewing tea for Lu Qiyan and ensuring he was comfortable, Xia Mingyue headed to the kitchen. She had bought two young roosters earlier, which are perfect for cooking.

Slaughtering, bleeding, scalding the feathers, cleaning, chopping——Xia Mingyue worked swiftly and skillfully. Soon, the fragrance wafted out of the kitchen. Meanwhile, Wu Jin finally settled down in the corner, still keeping an eye on Lu Qiyan as if ensuring he wouldn’t cause trouble.

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Chapter 29: Big Plate Chicken

Xia Mingyue had done these tasks countless times in her previous life, so her hands are instinctively skilled. Now, each step flowed seamlessly. Her movements swift and precise.

First, she soaked the chopped chicken in cold water before rinsing multiple times, ensuring all traces of blood were removed. She skipped blanching chicken and put it directly into the pan. After that, she added some sugar, and stir-fried until the skin turned golden and slightly curled.

Then came the aromatics: scallion, ginger, garlic, star anise, bay leaves, and pepper. Then she poured in an appropriate scoop of rice wine, soy sauce before she added water to boil.

The sizzling sound released a fragrant steam that filled the kitchen.

Then, she sprinkled a few dried chilies, to add some spiciness. The dish boiled over high heat before reducing it to a simmer, letting it stew gently.

Fifteen minutes later, the yard was thick with the fragrance of stewed chicken.

At the same time, Xia Mingyue put potatoes, bean curd sticks, and slices of soaked black fungus into the bubbling pot. As the potatoes get cooked, the soup also thickened. And, the rich, savory scent pervaded even stronger.

Finally, the big plate chicken was ready. Xia Mingyue served a generous portion into several bowls each.

Everyone sat around the table, bowls brimming with tender chicken chops in glistening golden broth. And soon, the sound of chopsticks clinking, and distinct slurping could be heard. No one spoke, too engrossed in the meal.

It wasn’t poor table manners that made them slurping uncharacteristically——it was the sheer deliciousness of the food.

The chicken was perfectly cooked——tender, and juicy. The seasoning complemented well on the dish, giving it a rich depth without overwhelming the palate. The potatoes were soft, the black fungus——crisp yet flavorful, and the bean curd sticks tasted mellow in the broth.

When the chicken and vegetables in the dish were gone, Xia Mingyue cooked wide, chewy noodles in the remaining broth. Mixed together, the noodles soaked up the flavors of the broth, transforming into another delicious food.

Zhao Youcai, leaning back after finishing his bowl, burped loudly. "Sister Mingyue, your cooking puts Yueran Restaurant to shame!" He exclaimed, patting his bulging stomach.

Sister Lu shot him a look, rolling her eyes. "You need to state the obvious? Sister Mingyue's cooking isn’t just better than Yueran Restaurant——it’s the best in all of Jinqiu County!"

Sister Lu felt that it was not an exaggeration. Over time, she had come to recognize that Xia Mingyue’s culinary skills were unmatched. Even with the dishes she had eaten countless times before, had been turned into something new and better through Xia Mingyue's hands.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sister Lu." Xia Mingyue smiled politely.

With matters of delicious food, Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu immediately chimed in.

"Mother's right. Aunt Mingyue's cooking is the best."

"Totally," Zhao Erhu added, grinning as he stroked Wu Jin’s head. "Even Wu Jin agrees. Don’t you, Wu Jin?"

Caught mid-bite, Wu Jin barked in acknowledgment with his mouth full of wide noodles dripping with broth.

His response made everyone laugh. Xia Mingyue shook her head, clearing the dishes with Lu Qiyan’s help.

Considering that the men were tired from their journey, the Zhao family left soon.

"Brother Qiyan, why don’t you go into the room and get some rest?" Xia Mingyue suggested as she finished cleaning.

Lu Qiyan hesitated. He thought that there was only one kang in the room, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to claim it. So he glanced at the benches in the main room——thinking that perhaps he could be able to manage.

Noticing his reluctance, Xia Mingyue added, "I recently got another kang built and I already laid a new mattress on it——made of wheat straw and a straw mat. Don't worry, it’s softer than it looks."

Curious, Lu Qiyan walked into the inner room. Against the wall was a recently built earthen kang, simple yet sturdy. Letting out a quiet sigh, he responded through the window, "Hmm."

Xia Mingyue raised an eyebrow. The brief response carried a hint of relief. She wondered whether Lu Qiyan was so eager to avoid her, his wife.

Yet, when it came to providing funds or support, Lu Qiyan never hesitated. His actions and emotions seemed conflicted——contradictory even.

As if sensing her unease, Wu Jin nudged her hand with his nose.

She smiled and stroked his head. During his time here, Wu Jin had gained weight and his once, thin frame now felt healthy and strong. His fur gleamed under the light, and the touch was warm and soft.

“Eat more, Wu Jin,” Xia Mingyue urged with a laugh.

Reassured by her smile, Wu Jin barked once before diving back into his meal with enthusiasm. His tail wagging.

By the afternoon, Xia Mingyue was busy again. As was Lu Qiyan, who helped without needing direction. Both worked efficiently, finishing their chores earlier than usual. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, Xia Mingyue picked up her needle and thread, settling in to sew pillows.

Traditional pillows made of wood, porcelain, or bamboo were too hard for her taste. So, he decided to make modern-style pillows, using buckwheat husks for head support, and reed fluff for extra cushioning.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Lu Qiyan lay on the kang, restless. He wasn’t tired, but he had retreated here to avoid lingering awkwardness between him and Xia Mingyue. As the hours passed, he couldn’t help but wonder why she never seemed to keep herself occupied. Was she genuinely that busy, or was it deliberate?

From the yard came the soft rustle of Xia Mingyue sewing and Wu Jin gnawing contentedly on his food.

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Chapter 30: Stealing a Job

Was it possible that, like him, Xia Mingyue avoided being alone together to sidestep the awkwardness?

Lu Qiyan stood up and walked to the main room. From there, he could see Xia Mingyue sitting at the table in the yard, engrossed in her needlework.

Her face betrayed her exhaustion. She yawned frequently, her hands sluggish as she moved the needle through the fabric. Tears glistened faintly at the corners of her eyes every time she yawned——a clear sign of how sleepy she already was.

From his point of view, she completely drained.

During their conversation earlier, Sister Lu had mentioned the business she and Xia Mingyue ran together. It was thriving, bringing in impressive profits——but at the cost of endless hours of work. Late nights preparing the ingredients, early mornings to keep up with demand——there was barely any time left for rest.

Yet, despite her obvious fatigue, Xia Mingyue refused to head inside for a nap.

She was more stubborn than him .

After a moment’s thought, Lu Qiyan stepped out of the hall and walked toward her.

Noticing his approach, Xia Mingyue stifled a yawn and stood up. "Brother Qiyan, are you going to rest?"

"I need to step out for a bit," Lu Qiyan replied. "I won’t be back until it’s dark."

"In that case, I’ll prepare dinner later," she offered.

"Alright." He nodded and left without another word, his long strides carrying him quickly through the gate and down the alley.

As soon as his figure disappeared, Xia Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She hurriedly tidied up her sewing basket, dashed into the room, and slipped out of her shoes. With practiced ease, she stretched out on the kang and closed her eyes.

Her exhaustion was so deep that within moments, she had drifted into a blissful nap.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiyan, nearing the entrance to the alley, paused and turned back.

Standing outside the yard, he noticed Xia Mingyue was no longer at the table. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

'That woman was quite... adorable,' he thought.

After leaving Xinghua Lane, Lu Qiyan wandered aimlessly through the streets with his hands clasped behind his back. He stopped occasionally to inspect items at roadside stalls, inquiring about prices with feigned interest.

His steps eventually carried him to the eastern part of the county. Realizing how far he’d gone, he turned and headed back west. He deliberately slowed his pace, hoping to stretch out the time, but his long legs and military training made it impossible to dawdle for long.

By the time he reached the western gate, Lu Qiyan sighed pondering what to do next.

With no other options, he turned again, retracing his steps.

The third time he passed the noodle stall, the elderly vendor couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer.

"Young man," the old man called out, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Have you lost something?"

Caught off guard, Lu Qiyan stopped. "No, nothing’s lost. Thank you, Uncle."

"Then are you looking for someone? Or perhaps a shop?"

"No, not that either...."

"Then why are you walking back and forth like this?"

Lu Qiyan hesitated before crafting an excuse. "I ate too much earlier. The doctor suggested walking to help with digestion."

The old man chuckled, his beard quivering with amusement. Then he leaned toward a nearby vendor and whispered, "See? I told you he was kicked out by his wife. You owe me a cup of tea!"

Lu Qiyan, overhearing, felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

He wasn't kicked out!

While not entirely accurate, he did feel out of place right now, wandering the streets without purpose.

Deciding that aimless strolling was drawing too much attention, Lu Qiyan adjusted his plan. He’d buy a few practical items, giving his outing some semblance of purpose.

When he finally returned home at dusk, he carried a bamboo hat, two wicker baskets, and a pair of stools.

Xia Mingyue, now fully rested and busy in the kitchen, looked up in surprise. "Brother Qiyan, you have bought so many things!"

He coughed lightly. "I happened to see them while I was out, so I picked them up."

Xia Mingyue blinked, puzzled. Military camps were strict about personal belongings so, items like these were rarely permitted. Xia Mingyue concluded that these things must have been bought to include in the household items. But, Xia Mingyue wondered whether Lu Qiyan deliberately went out to buy these things, earlier.

However, she didn’t dwell much on the matter. After helping him put the items away, she returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

There wasn’t much left of the dish from lunch——mostly soup with only a few scraps of chicken. So, Xia Mingyue kneaded dough into thin, chewy noodles and cooked them in the savory broth.

Though they’d had noodles earlier, the texture of the thin strands and the intensified flavor of the reheated soup made this meal feel entirely new. The noodles absorbed the rich broth, becoming wonderfully tender and flavorful.

After walking all afternoon, Lu Qiyan’s appetite was ravenous. He polished off three full bowls before finally setting down his chopsticks. His stomach pleasantly full——if anything, a bit overstuffed.

Feeling the strain, he stood and began pacing the yard to aid his digestion.

The sound of his footsteps caught Wu Jin’s attention. The dog perked up, watching as Lu Qiyan strolled back and forth.

What’s this? Pacing around the yard at night?

Is he trying to take my job?

Determined not to lose his role as the household’s 'watchman,' Wu Jin sprang to his feet. With his head held high, he began patrolling the yard, purposefully walking ahead of Lu Qiyan.

Amused but undeterred, Lu Qiyan kept his leisurely pace. When the pacing grew monotonous, he stopped and stood in a horse stance, practicing his form under the moonlight.

Wu Jin froze, his gaze sharpening.

Raising the difficulty, are we?

Snorting through his nose, the dog resumed his patrol with renewed determination, glaring at Lu Qiyan as if to say, 'I’m not backing down.'

After about fifteen minutes, Lu Qiyan finally felt at ease. He fetched water to wash up and retired to the house.

Wu Jin, watching his departure, let out a victorious huff and continued his patrol, securing his place as the true guardian of the yard.