Chapter 31-35

Chapter 31: Opening

There were two earthen kangs in the room, which each of them lay on one, turning their backs to each other with certain tacitness.

This unspoken distance made Xia Mingyue feel inexplicably at ease. She closed her eyes and soon drifted into peaceful sleep.

The next morning, after a good night’s rest, Xia Mingyue awoke to find Lu Qiyan practicing martial arts in the yard again.

This time, he was performing a set of boxing techniques, with each punch carrying power and sharp precision, and his movements——fluid and agile.

Xia Mingyue found it quite difficult to reconcile such punishing punches with Lu Qiyan’s gentle and handsome face. Yet, watching him in action, she seemed to feel that he looked even more handsome.

No wonder Lu Qiyan had quickly risen to become a battalion leader in such an amount of time. His skills were probably among the best.

Xia Mingyue sighed softly.

Nearby, Wu Jin sat in the yard with a grumpy expression.

You're at it again, aren’t you?

Seeing the admiration in Xia Mingyue’s eyes, Wu Jin's face fell even more.

Dogs truly hate show-offs.

Later, Wu Jin seemed to be even more dissatisfied, that it was Lu Qiyan who had filled his meal, that morning. So much so, that even in front of his favorite fried rolls soaked in rice soup, Wu Jin refused to eat, deliberately turning his head away.

Xia Mingyue, noticing this, was surprised. She took a careful bite of the fried roll on her hand. “The fried roll seems to be fine.” She pondered, doubtful.

“No, they're excellent,” Lu Qiyan corrected.

The fried rolls were light and fluffy, with layers that had been seasoned in perfection. Each bite brought about a delicate, peppery flavor.

Accompanied by a cold dish of shredded tofu, mung bean sprouts, peanuts, and carrot strips, along with a soft-boiled egg and a bowl of warm rice soup, the breakfast was simple yet satisfying.

So why wasn’t Wu Jin eating?

Xia Mingyue frowned.

“Maybe he just doesn’t like it.” Lu Qiyan suggested casually, considering is a canine after all, and therefore, he should be more carnivorous.

Hearing this, Wu Jin jumped up, glaring at Lu Qiyan as if to say, How dare you insult my taste? Don't you dare cause a rift between me and my master!

So with exaggerated gusto, Wu Jin buried his face in his food bowl and began devouring his meal.

His enthusiastic chewing made it clear that he loved the meal.

Xia Mingyue and Lu Qiyan exchanged puzzled glances but didn’t dwell on it, continuing their hearty breakfast.

After breakfast, the group got busy.

First, they prepared various pancakes for sale, then loaded the supplies and ingredients needed for the day’s stall.

Today's special was freshly made wontons.

The filling, a blend of scallion and pork, was prepared with care. The soup was made from pork bones, chicken racks, and a handful of river shrimp, with a drizzle of fragrant scallion oil for garnish.

As the first pot of wontons boiled, the tantalizing aroma wafted through the spring breeze, drawing curious onlookers.

“What smells so good?”

“Looks like there’s a new wonton stall over there.”

“This aroma is incredible——I have to try it!”

“Wait, isn’t it expensive? A small bowl costs twelve coins, and a large one is fifteen!”

“Don’t you know? This stall belongs to Madam Xia. If it’s hers, it’s worth every coin!”

"Which Madam Xia?"

"Who else? Of course, that Madam Xia who sold pancakes on West Street before!"

“Oh...! If so, then they’re bound to taste amazing. I’m definitely trying a bowl.”

Before long, the stall was bustling with activity——old customers of Xia Mingyue’s pancakes, new ones drawn by the enticing aroma, and even neighbors who came to show support flooded the area.

Xia Mingyue boiled wontons while Lu Qiyan greeted guests and cleared dishes. Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu handled the cake sales.

Originally, Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai were tasked with lighting fires and cleaning, but their lack of experience soon frustrated Sister Lu. Unable to tolerate their clumsiness, she replaced them with Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu, assigning the two men to sell pancakes instead.

For Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai, hawking pancakes was unfamiliar territory.

Zhao Youcai hesitated before shouting, “Pancakes!”

Lu Qiyan fared slightly better, calling out, “Selling meat and vegetarian pancakes!”

Their awkward attempts at hawking might have failed under normal circumstances, but Xia Mingyue’s reputation ensured customers came regardless.

Most of their work involved wrapping pancakes in oil paper, and collecting money.

But even this proved challenging for the inexperienced pair.

A sharp-eyed man named Sun Gousheng noticed their struggles and approached the stall. “Two pancakes, please,” he said.

“Which one would you like to have? Meat or vegetable?” Zhao Youcai asked.

“Meat,” Sun Gousheng replied, wrinkling his nose at the thought of dried mustard leaves.

“That’ll be sixteen coins.” Lu Qiyan told, wrapping the pancakes.

Sun Gousheng handed over a small piece of silver, worth one hundred coins.

Zhao Youcai carefully counted out the change and returned it.

But, feigning an innocent smile, Sun Guosheng said, “Actually, I have coins on me. I’ll pay with those instead.” He handed over sixteen coins. “Can I have my silver back?”

“Sure,” Zhao Youcai said, reaching for the silver.

Sun Gousheng smirked and thought that with such an easy mark, he would be able to get a free meal!

But before he could grab the silver, Lu Qiyan’s hand shot out. “Wait.”

Sun Gousheng froze, his hand hovering in mid-air. “What’s the problem?” he asked, trying to mask his unease.

Lu Qiyan silently recounted the coins. His sharp gaze bore into Sun Guosheng, who began to sweat under the scrutiny.

With a firm grip, Lu Qiyan grabbed Sun Gousheng’s wrist, his voice cold. “Don't even think about it."

The force was so strong that Sun Gousheng grimaced in pain. "My wrist is going to break. Let go!" He yelled, with a hint of anxiety.

*****

The background setting of this book is a semi-turbulent and struggling era, so the prices will appear more expensive. In addition, the prices vary in each imperial period, but in the dynasty that the story was set, the prices were also based on good and bad harvests. So don't pay too much attention to the prices. The author have tried to make is as reasonable as it could be.

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Chapter 32: Resentment

"It won't." Lu Qiyan said, laced with indifference. "If you want your coins back, you’ll only get what’s owed to make the total——including what you pocketed earlier——equal to one hundred."

Sun Gousheng’s face turned pale as his deceit was exposed. “I was going to tell you,” he stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “You just didn’t give me the chance!”

"Don't take me for a fool. I'm warning you, don't do the same mistake twice. Do you understand?" As he spoke, Lu Qiyan exerted a little force on his grip.

Sun Gousheng's face turned even paler, feeling an almost unbearable pain in his wrist. "I understand! I do!"

Lu Qiyan wasn't persuaded. He studied Sun Gousheng for a moment, his cold gaze unwavering. Finally, he turned Sun Gousheng's palm faceup and dropped the coins into it. And, only then did he release his grip.

Defeated, Sun Gousheng  took the money and scurried off.

“Don’t let me catch you around here again!” Zhao Youcai shouted, his voice brimming with anger, thinking of how he was almost tricked into giving away the money. But he mostly felt ashamed with himself for allowing that to happen, to begin with.

Fortunately, Lu Qiyan noticed it immediately and prevented the loss ahead of time.

Thinking about it, his face heated up. He stole a glance at his wife's back, hoping she had not been able to catch the dilemma that had transpired a while ago.

But what happened had already caused quite a stir among the diners and passerbys, at the stall. And Sister Lu had already known the commotion earlier on.

Coincidentally, Zhao Youcai’s furtive glance collided with Sister Lu’s sharpened gaze, and a chill ran down his spine despite the warm April day.

Meanwhile, Xia Mingyue continued making wontons with practiced ease. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Lu Qiyan, and she couldn't help but recall the scene moments ago.

On such circumstance, Lu Qiyan had reacted swiftly. His presence commanding and intimidating in a way that felt worlds apart from his usual gentle demeanor.

Lu Qiyan, she thought, is quite full of surprises.

Xia Mingyue was pondering when another customer approached, ordering two bowls of wontons. She shook off her musings and focused on her work.

Meanwhile, Sun Gousheng ran almost the entire way, finally stopping after darting past two alleyways. He leaned heavily against a wall, struggling to catch his breath. The sharp pain in his wrist flared up, causing him to frown.

'Damn it! He had almost succeeded!' He thought, clenching his teeth.

He wanted an extra money and a free meal, but he got hurt instead——and lost face in the process. His frustration deepened as he mulled over his potential downfall.

“That nosy little nobody will surely run his mouth. If word spreads, everyone will know! How am I supposed to keep making money, by then? Damn it!”

Sun Gousheng cursed under his breath. His anger building with each thought. The pain in his wrist grew unbearable, souring his mood even further. Unwilling to linger, he stormed off down the street.

Back at the bustling wonton stall, business was thriving.

Not far away, Madam Zhang stood on tiptoe, craning her neck to peer toward the commotion. When she spotted Lu Qiyan selling pancakes at the stall, her expression hardened. After a moment of hesitation, she strode purposefully forward.

Sister Lu, busy attending to customers, caught sight of her and frowned.

'Her again.'

This woman had a knack for stirring trouble, and today of all days——when their stall had just opened——seemed like the perfect time for her to meddle. Sister Lu took a deep breath, steeling herself. Xia Mingyue’s words echoed in her mind: “Sometimes, you need to show strength to earn respect.”

Sister Lu prepared for the worst.

But as Madam Zhang walked towards the stall, her face beamed into a broad smile.

"Madam Xia! Madam Lu! Your stall is off to a fantastic start already!" Madam Zhang called out, her voice as bright as her demeanor. "I heard it’s your first day, so I came by to support you. Don’t worry——I’ll pay for the meal! I won't take advantage of your business."

Her wide grin stretched across her face, her large teeth glinting as though she were smiling just a little too much. Xia Mingyue and Lu exchanged wary glances, both wondering what Madam Zhang’s true motives could be.

Still, business was business. Since Madam Zhang claimed she was here to support them, it wouldn’t do to turn away a smiling customer. Following the unspoken rule of showing kindness to those who approach in good faith, Sister Lu accepted Madam Zhang’s payment while Xia Mingyue busied herself making and cooking the wontons.

Soon, the aroma wafted through the air, tempting anyone who passed by. The steaming, white dumplings were carefully packed into the earthenware jar, Madam Zhang, had brought with her.

“These wontons smell heavenly!” Madam Zhang exclaimed, her face lighting up as she admired the generous portions. “And look at how plump they are! I’m sure they taste just as good as they look. Everyone, remember this stall! You won’t find wontons this delicious anywhere else.”

Her booming praise wasn’t directed only at Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu but also at the diners savoring their meals nearby. It was clear she wanted everyone to take note of the stall, almost as if she’d taken it upon herself to act as their unofficial promoter.

After showering the wontons with compliments, Madam Zhang gave a quick nod. “Madam Xia, Madam Lu, if you ever need help, just let me know. I’m always around to lend a hand!”

The words sounded generous, but Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. If Madam Zhang could stop causing trouble, they'd already be thankful. Nonetheless, they offered polite smiles, brushing off her theatrics with gentle laughter.

As Madam Zhang turned to leave, with the earthen jar in hand, she paused and glanced at Lu Qiyan. There was something in her gaze——a fleeting expression that didn’t go unnoticed by Xia Mingyue.

Suddenly, things clicked into place. Madam Zhang’s change of heart today isn’t a coincidence, but because of Lu Qiyan.

Had Lu Qiyan pressured her somehow? It seemed plausible, though he hadn’t mentioned anything when he returned yesterday. Regardless of the reason, if this meant Madam Zhang would stay out of their way, it was a welcome development. Xia Mingyue felt a sense of relief settle over her.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiyan continued selling pancakes with Zhao Youcai, his focus unwavering even as the crowd around them grew.

The stall’s first day of business turned out to be far busier than Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu had anticipated. Half an hour before noon, their limited supply of ingredients had run out, forcing them to close the stall earlier.

Even as they packed up, customers continued arriving, their disappointment evident when they learned the food was sold out.

“You’ve sold out already? That was quick! Then, prepare more next time,” one patron said with a rueful smile.

Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu nodded warmly. “We definitely will.”

Despite the early closure, they couldn’t help but feel optimistic. The overwhelming demand on their first day boded well for the stall’s future.

Lu Qiyan, observing quietly from the side, remained calm. For the first time in a long while, he felt a rare and comforting sense of contentment.

__________________________

Chapter 33: Fried Flour

For lunch, they savored wontons and mustard-meat pancakes that Xia Mingyue had thoughtfully set aside in advance.

The pancakes were golden and crispy with their rich aroma wafting through the room. On the other hand, the wontons were soft and fragrant, with their broth delicate yet flavorful. Surprisingly, the two dishes didn’t clash in the slightest. Instead, their contrasting textures——one dry and hearty, the other warm and soupy——merged into a third, uniquely harmonious flavor that was simply irresistible.

In short, it was delicious!

Zhao Youcai couldn't help but exclaim, “These wontons have such thin skin and generous filling! They taste so good. I think, they’re the best wontons I’ve ever eaten!”

Lu Qiyan, who was sitting quietly beside him, nodded in agreement.

He silently acknowledged that these were, indeed, the most delicious wontons he’d ever tasted. Even the ones he'd had at his hometown couldn't compare.

“Since you like them so much, have more,” Xia Mingyue said with a smile as she added a few more wontons to Zhao Youcai’s bowl. Noticing that the others had less food, she generously refilled their bowls as well.

Lu Qiyan’s bowl, however, was completely empty. Remembering his large appetite, Xia Mingyue scooped another heaping bowl of wontons for him.

This was exactly what Lu Qiyan had in mind, so he took the bowl and chopsticks, and immediately dug into his second helping.

After the meal, Xia Mingyue cleaned up the dishes and lit the stove. She poured white flour into an empty pan, frying it over low heat without adding water or oil. She stirred constantly to prevent the flour from sticking to the bottom of, ensuring it heated evenly.

After what felt like an entire meal’s worth of stirring, the once——white flour had turned a light brown, releasing a toasty aroma. She spread the fried flour onto a coarse porcelain basin to cool thoroughly, then sifted it through a fine bamboo sieve to remove any clumps. The result was fine, loose flour, which she carefully packed into a small double-layer cloth bag before handing it to Lu Qiyan.

“This is fried flour,” she explained. “It’s perfect for spring weather since it keeps for a long time. Just rinse it with boiling water when you’re ready to eat. It’s filling and can even help with mild diarrhea. If you don’t have boiling water, you can mix it with cold water to make a dough ball. It’s already cooked, so it’s safe to eat as it is——convenient and practical.”

Xia Mingyue had clearly prepared this with Lu Qiyan’s situation in mind. Traveling for days or weeks at a time while marching and fighting, often meant sleeping outdoors and facing unpredictable meals. In dire situations, fried flour could be a lifesaver: easy to carry, and long-lasting.

Realizing her thoughtfulness, Lu Qiyan raised an eyebrow slightly. “Thank you,” he said simply.

“Brother Qiyan, you’re too polite,” Xia Mingyue replied, smiling.

Her smile lit up her already attractive face, making it even more striking.

For a moment, Lu Qiyan was reminded of the lotus pond he’d planted in the back garden at his hometown. Strangely, the pond had never bloomed flowers——only leaves grew wildly. Yet, in the sweltering summer heat, the vibrant greenery brought a sense of coolness and calm.

His gaze lingered on Xia Mingyue’s smile for a moment longer before he looked away. “Jinqiu County has always been peaceful, and the magistrate is a good official, praised by all. Still, now that you’re doing business outside, it’s inevitable you might encounter trouble. If someone causes problems for you or you face something you can’t resolve, you can send someone to bring me a letter.”

He paused briefly, then added, “I may not have much authority, but I can deal with the likes of Madam Zhang.”

“I’ll remember that,” Xia Mingyue replied softly. “Thank you, Brother Qiyan.”

'He still looks out for me,' she thought. 'But he doesn’t seem to see me as his wife... perhaps just as family?' That’s not so bad, she decided, her lips curving into a faint smile.

By early afternoon, Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai set off together. As this mission was significant, they didn’t know when they’d return. Xia Mingyue, Sister Lu, and the children saw them off, exchanging words of caution and farewell. They stood there, watching until the two figures disappeared completely, before heading back home.

On her way back, Xia Mingyue stopped by the grain shop to restock. Business had been booming, and with the addition of the wonton stall, their flour supply at home was running low.

The shopkeeper greeted her warmly. “Madam Xia! Don’t worry, the boss has instructed us to treat you well. You’re a valued customer, and we guarantee the scales are fair. For every ten jin of flour you buy, we’ll even gift you half a jin as a token of appreciation.”

The shopkeeper’s cheerful demeanor and sweet words made the transaction pleasant.

Xia Mingyue smiled. “Thank you very much.”

"You’re too polite, Madam Xia. How much would you like today?”

“As usual, 100 jin of flour,” she replied. “There’s not much space at home, so I’ll come back for more as needed. Also, give me three or four jin of cornmeal, two jin of mung beans, three jin of red beans, and one jin of millet.”

The shopkeeper quickly prepared the order. “I’ll have it delivered to your home shortly.”

Perfect,” Xia Mingyue said, satisfied, as she headed home to clean the empty noodle jar in preparation for the delivery.

As Jiang Erniu approached the grain store, he caught sight of Xia Mingyue leaving and immediately stopped in his tracks. His gaze shifted to the wonton stall Xia Mingyue had set up not far away, and he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Other people’s businesses are thriving...

Meanwhile, his humble sesame cake stall was struggling, just as it always had. He barely made enough to scrape by.

To make matters worse, his father’s illness had been worsening, requiring increasingly expensive treatments and medications. His expenses now far exceeded his income, leaving him in a constant state of worry.

Life was hard. His wife, frustrated by their financial struggles, had grown distant and irritable. These past few days, her words had been laced with sarcasm and thinly veiled resentment.

“What are you doing here?”

The sudden voice startled Jiang Erniu. He looked up to see his eldest brother-in-law, Feng Dali, addressing him. Hastily, he replied, “Oh, I was just on my way to buy some flour and happened to run into you. Are you busy today?”

Feng Dali worked for an escort agency but didn’t travel far. His routes were limited to a few nearby towns, and he returned home every ten days or so. Their infrequent meetings meant Jiang Erniu wasn’t particularly close to him.

Feng Dali was a burly man with a rugged, weathered face. Years of working as an escort had given him a stern, intimidating demeanor, making him appear rather fierce at first glance.

*****

'Fried flour——rinsed with boiling water, together with a bit of sugar——is sweet, aromatic, and super delicious! When I was a child, my grandma made fried noodles every two or three days, and we couldn't get enough of it. Later, it became popular in my hometown to fry wheat first, and then grind the fried wheat into flour. The taste is almost the same, but I prefer to fry the flour directly. It tastes unique which is perfectly suited to my taste.'

-Tea Warm

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Chapter 34: Weird

Jiang Erniu still felt a twinge of fear toward his brother-in-law, and his tone carried a hint of flattery.

"I just completed a convoy mission and got paid," Feng Dali said. "I was planning to visit your house to see my sister. I know times are tough for your family, so I brought a piece of meat. At least you can have a proper meal."

Jiang Erniu’s face flushed with embarrassment. "I’m sorry for troubling Mother-in-law and you, Brother-in-law."

Feng Dali snorted, his expression cold. "If not for my sister and nephews, would I even trouble with this?"

"Y-yes." Jiang Erniu stammered, his face burning under Feng Dali’s fiery glare. His already hunched posture drooped even lower.

Seeing his timid demeanor only fueled Feng Dali's anger. Raising his voice, he shouted, "Understand? What do you even understand? I think you understand nothing!

If you had any sense, you’d have thrown away that shabby stall ages ago and come with me to make real money. Then maybe my sister wouldn’t have to live like this!"

They couldn’t even bear to eat meat dumplings during birthdays. On Chinese New Year, they couldn’t even bear to buy an extra pound of meat.

His sister, who loves face so much, couldn't even afford to buy a presentable gift when returning back home on New Years. And, the two nephews drooled when they saw the snacks at home!

When Feng Dali thought of this, his anger exploded.

Pointing a finger at Jiang Erniu’s face, Feng Dali scolded, "If you had even an ounce of ambition, you’d work hard to improve your situation. Instead, you’re just dragging everyone down!"

Jiang Erniu’s heart twisted painfully at Feng Dali’s words. Those last few words felt like a dagger to his chest. His face turned red, his clenched fists trembling as veins popped out on his forehead.

Biting his lip hard enough to draw blood, the metallic taste in his mouth brought him back to his senses. His anger dissipated as quickly as it had risen, leaving him hollow.

Feng Dali shook his head in disdain. "Hopeless!" With that, he turned and stormed off, leaving Jiang Erniu standing motionless.

For a long time, Jiang Erniu remained rooted to the spot. Finally, he trudged toward the grain shop, his legs heavy as if weighed down by lead.

"Brother Erniu?"

The familiar voice snapped him out of his daze. Looking up, he saw Zhang Laifu.

"Ah, it’s you, Brother Laifu," Jiang Erniu said with a faint smile.

"I came to buy some flour," Zhang Laifu replied, narrowing his eyes. "Are you here for flour too?"

"Yes," Jiang Erniu said quietly. Turning to the shopkeeper, he added, "I’ll take twenty kilograms of white flour."

"Sure, just a moment," the shopkeeper said as he began scooping flour into a sack.

"Business must be slow these days, Brother Erniu," Zhang Laifu remarked, sighing. "I’ve been keeping my orders smaller too. My bun shop’s sales aren’t great."

Zhang Laifu chuckled, gesturing toward another pile of sacks. "But you know, Madam Xia always buys 100 kilograms of flour. Her business is booming."

Then, in a conspiratorial tone, he added, "Be careful when weighing flour for her. If glutinous rice flour gets mixed in, it ruins the dough. She won’t notice until it’s too late, and by then, her business for the day is gone."

The shopkeeper laughed. "Don’t worry. I’ve been in this job long enough not to make such mistakes.

Boss Zhang is indeed a good businessman to remind me. He’d rather keep everyone in business than sabotage others."

When the shopkeeper finished weighing Zhang Laifu’s order, the latter paid and left, hoisting the sack onto his shoulder. Jiang Erniu watched him go before turning back to the shopkeeper. His gaze lingered on the stack of glutinous rice flour nearby.

If Madam Xia’s dough doesn’t rise, she won’t be able to sell anything tomorrow, Jiang Erniu thought. Her customers might come to him instead. Maybe then, his brother-in-law wouldn’t think he is incompetent, and nag him to close the stall he has worked hard to operate.

The thought gnawed at him. As the shopkeeper began scooping flour into his sack, Jiang Erniu clenched his fists and hesitated.

Moments later, he reached for the bag of glutinous rice flour, a plan forming in his mind....

The shopkeeper took advantage of a quiet moment at the shop to deliver flour and grain to Xia Mingyue. He loaded a scale onto the flatbed cart and brought it along for the delivery.

Upon arrival, he weighed everything on the spot. The measurements were precise, and the scale’s tail tilted high, signifying accuracy.

This attention to detail pleased Xia Mingyue greatly. “Thank you,” she said with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome, Madam Xia,” the shopkeeper replied.

He carefully poured the white flour into the container, arranged the grains neatly, and prepared to leave. As he drove off on the flatbed cart, he added cheerfully, “Madan Xia, may your business succeed!”

The shopkeeper wished her business well, in a generous manner thinking that, if her business flourished, it would mean more orders for flour and grains.

“Thank you,” Xia Mingyue responded as she watched him leave. She then tidied up her supplies and returned to her room to take a nap.

She slept soundly and woke up naturally, feeling refreshed. After a simple dinner, she began kneading dough for the next day’s business.

The following day, Xia Mingyue’s stall was bustling with activity.

Meat pancakes and vegetable pancakes, both sold one by one, while wontons disappeared bowl by bowl. Customers came and went, keeping her busy throughout the morning.

Meanwhile, Zhang Laifu stood nearby, his curiosity and suspicion growing with every passing moment.

Something wasn’t right.

Yesterday, he had seen Feng Dali berating Jiang Erniu. From the way Feng Dali spoke, Jiang Erniu must have been furious——any reasonable person would have been. Surely, he would hold a grudge against Xia Mingyue and find a way to ruin her business.

Zhang Laifu had even overheard Jiang Erniu muttering nervously after leaving the grain shop. Everything seemed to suggest that his plan to sabotage Xia Mingyue had succeeded.

“Did she discover the tampering while kneading the dough last night and switch out the flour?” He wondered. But that didn’t seem likely. His bun shop was located between Xinghua Lane and the grain shop——if Xia Mingyue had made any changes, he would have heard or noticed something.

Then it struck him.

“She must still have some old flour left at home,” he thought, nodding to himself. “That explains it. She’s probably using her previous supply and hasn’t touched the new batch yet. Then, it'll only be a matter of time.”

The more Zhang Laifu thought about it, the more convinced he became. So, he decided to wait patiently and see how things unfolded in the coming days.

__________________________

Chapter 35: Nonsense

No matter how much flour Xia Mingyue had in reserve, it would eventually run out. And once she switched to the new batch…

Zhang Laifu chuckled darkly, anticipating her inevitable embarrassment.

But his smugness didn’t last.

Days passed, and not only did Xia Mingyue’s business remain unaffected—it was thriving. Her stall was busier than ever, while Zhang Laifu’s bun shop suffered. Loyal customers stopped coming, and the once-bustling shop now sat mostly empty.

What was happening?

Zhang Laifu, baffled by the unexpected turn of events, turned his gaze toward the sesame cake stall nearby. His eyes narrowed as his irritation mounted.

Could it be that Jiang Erniu, spineless as he was, had chickened out? What a useless fool!

Overcome with frustration, Zhang Laifu marched toward Jiang Erniu’s stall, his face dark with anger. “Jiang Erniu, your business isn’t looking too good, is it?”

"Yes," Jiang Erniu replied without hesitation, nodding calmly. "It’s not."

His casual response threw Zhang Laifu off guard. There wasn’t a shred of concern in his tone or expression.

So, he really didn’t do it!

“You’re not upset?” Zhang Laifu pressed, his voice rising slightly.

“Of course I’m upset,” Jiang Erniu said matter-of-factly.

Zhang Laifu clenched his fists, barely restraining his frustration. Trying to sound thoughtful, he continued, “Madam Xia’s stall is doing exceptionally well.”

"Yes,” Jiang Erniu replied, unfazed.

“It’s enviable, don’t you think?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder,” Zhang Laifu mused, “if her stall were to close down, would our businesses recover?”

Jiang Erniu paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Probably not.”

Zhang Laifu was stunned. “What do you mean? It’s her stall that’s affecting our business in the first place!”

Jiang Erniu looked serious. “Brother Laifu, I’ve been thinking about it over the past few days. I don’t think it’s Madam Xia’s stall that’s the problem. The real issue is that our skills aren’t good enough to impress customers. If we could compete with her quality, our stalls wouldn’t be struggling.”

Zhang Laifu’s face turned red with anger. How dare Jiang Erniu say that? His buns were excellent! Before Xia Mingyue came along, everyone loved his food! This had nothing to do with his skills——it was all Xia Mingyue’s fault.

His frustration boiled over, and he snapped. “Who do you think you are to lecture me? Don’t set up your stall next to mine again! I don’t want your bad luck and cowardice affecting my shop’s feng shui!”

Jiang Erniu flinched at Zhang Laifu’s outburst, stunned by his sudden venom. Zhang Laifu had always seemed mild-mannered, so this side of him was a shock.

But as he thought about it, Jiang Erniu realized the truth. Zhang Laifu had been trying to manipulate him into doing something underhanded all along.

Looking at Zhang Laifu now, Jiang Erniu felt a mix of disgust and fear

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Erniu said, his voice low. “I’ll move my stall somewhere else.”

He decided it was better to distance himself from someone like Zhang Laifu. Prolonged contact with such a person could lead him astray, and who knew when Zhang Laifu’s maliciousness might turn against him?

Still, Jiang Erniu felt uneasy about the future. His business was struggling as it was, and relocating could make things worse.

Should he accept his brother-in-law’s offer?

But this stall held so much sentimental value for him. It was how he had supported his ailing father, gotten married, and raised his children. He had poured years of effort into perfecting his sesame cakes, even enduring years of servitude to his master before earning the right to learn the craft. Giving it all up felt like abandoning a piece of his soul.

Jiang Erniu looked up at the sky, then at the bustling street. Finally, his gaze fell on Xia Mingyue’s thriving stall in the distance.

He wondered who taught Xia Mingyue to cook so well....

That afternoon, Xia Mingyue closed the stall early, at three o’clock.

She and Sister Lu stacked the tables and benches neatly against the wall and covered them with straw mats. The remaining dishes and utensils were taken home for cleaning and sterilization.

Exhausted, Xia Mingyue sat down on a mat and let her mind wander.

“Make less dough tonight and prepare less filling for tomorrow,” Sister Lu suggested. “Business is great, but you can’t make all the money in the world. If you overwork yourself and get sick, no amount of earnings will cover your medical bills.”

Xia Mingyue nodded, agreeing in principle.

But as she thought about all the money she had spent recently, she couldn’t help feeling anxious. She needed to buy new mattresses, pillows, and sheets. Summer was approaching, and she needed to repair the roof and buy mosquito nets.

And then there was the courtyard wall she wanted to rebuild with blue bricks after the recent theft.

On top of that, she dreamed of collecting unique local ingredients and creating dishes that could only be made in this era.

Her list of goals was endless, and each one required money.

Her energy might be limited, but her ambitions weren’t.

The next morning, Jiang Zhuguo arrived with a basket of dried mustard leaves.

“Sister Xia, this is the last of the dried mustard leaves from my house,” Jiang Zhuguo said hesitantly. “If you need more, I can source some from my neighbors. The price and quality will be the same. What do you think?”

Xia Mingyue smiled and agreed without hesitation.

Relieved, Jiang Zhuguo beamed. “Don’t worry, Sister Xia. I’ll make sure to pick only the best ones for you.”