That day, Yang Chunhua took the opportunity to visit her young uncle’s house and told him about Shu Rui’s plan to take on a junior apprentice.
“It’s a good opportunity—send Huai’er early to learn. At this age, children pick up skills quickly and have natural talent,” she urged.
Yang’s young uncle listened as Yang Chunhua warmly described Shu Rui’s attention to Huai’er, offering refreshments and slicing fruit for them. But when he heard the proposal, his eyes narrowed, and he frowned. “Sending Huai’er to apprentice under a contract? The child will be bound to someone else. Are you willing to have your cousin suffer like that?”
Their family was not wealthy, but they could scrape together the money for Huai’er to learn a craft. He felt sending him to such a place would waste the boy’s potential.
“You’ve chosen this man, but he only runs a small inn and isn’t a renowned cook. What could he teach? I fear he’ll just use Huai’er for work, then find an excuse to dismiss him when convenient.”
Yang Chunhua felt these words were unpleasant but endured, thinking of Huai’er. “Don’t underestimate the innkeeper next door. He’s capable. Business at the inn is doing well, and his cooking is praised. He may be new to Chaoshi Prefecture and not famous yet, but once his business grows, Huai’er will be well-positioned.”
She spoke earnestly: “I’ve known him for some time. His skill is excellent, and his character is beyond reproach. Huai’er is young and inexperienced; under such a master, he can learn both cooking and how to conduct himself in life. That’s the rare part.”
Her uncle countered: “I’ve heard some masters outside have great skills but poor character. They corrupt their apprentices. Huai’er is a boy; one must be careful with male masters. If not for being family, I wouldn’t even intervene. I only suggest this because I truly want the best for him.”
Yang’s uncle fell silent, partially acknowledging her words, but he still felt sending his son to a lesser-known place might stifle his talent. Bound talent, he thought, was no better than being sold into servitude.
“What about the contract? If he quits later, will there be trouble?”
Hearing this, Yang Chunhua realized his worry: “If Huai’er goes to learn properly, breaking the contract would damage his reputation and require repayment far exceeding the cost of learning.”
“Who would sign such an unfair contract?” he protested.
“How is it unfair? If someone intends to learn but runs away, wasting the master’s effort, is that fair?”
Shaking his head, her uncle said, “Then we won’t go to your suggested place. His father has other connections. Huai’er can apprentice under a renowned city chef instead.”
Yang Chunhua was furious—her uncle’s boasting of connections felt insincere, yet she knew arguing further was pointless. She poured some tea to calm herself and saw Huai’er coming in. Calling him over, she asked if he would go with the master she recommended.
Huai’er glanced at his father. “I’ll follow you, Father.”
Yang Chunhua waved it off, realizing her worries were needless. Not wanting to linger, she left without even having a meal.
Her uncle muttered, “Chunhua thinks little of our family, sending him to such a master. My eyes may be cold, but she’s a widow with a child—she cannot bear to see her cousins fare well.”
Huai’er said, “Cousin Chunhua isn’t like that; she’s always been kind, even helping me make clothes.”
“You’re young. Small kindnesses may seem great, but you cannot see their true intent,” her uncle said. “Don’t worry; your father will find you a proper master.”
Later, when Yang Chunhua returned to Shu Rui, she hesitated to mention her uncle’s objections. She waited a day before telling him: “I was late. My cousin’s family has found another master for him. Hearing your situation, I thought about it, but one person cannot be in two places at once.”
Shu Rui understood immediately. It was clear the boy had talent his small temple couldn’t fully accommodate. But he didn’t mind; learning a craft must be by mutual consent. Even a talented child may not succeed if pride or impatience prevents dedication. Sometimes, a child of average talent who works diligently may surpass a naturally gifted one.
“It’s simply not fate,” Shu Rui said with a sigh, and the matter was left aside.
“Not coming?”
Lu Ling, cleaning the dormitory, overheard part of the conversation and ran to Shu Rui.
Shu Rui shook his head. “Not convenient. It’s alright.”
He didn’t dwell on it.
Returning to the counter, he noted the chill in the air and the need to stock coal early. Soon, winter would require braziers, and guests would be uncomfortable without them. Waiting until the deep winter to buy coal would drive up prices.
He thought ahead: “With two months to the New Year, I should buy fresh pork, chicken, and duck to cure into preserved meats. It’s better for cooking.”
Though such items were sold at the market, buying and curing them himself was more economical. Shu Rui was thrifty, always calculating ways to save, though last month he had barely earned over forty guàn, half spent on carriages. Not that he begrudged using money for the Lu family—expenses were simply endless.
Leaning on the counter, Shu Rui observed the second floor: “The restaurant business is fine, but inn lodging is slow. Last month, even a fully occupied day was rare. At most, three guests in the dormitory, one upstairs, one downstairs.”
Lu Ling, standing by the counter, knew his companion was already worrying about business. This boy tended to plan whenever idle.
“Storytellers bring customers mainly for meals. Few stay long enough to listen extensively. It’s not that they can’t attract guests, but it takes time to build a reputation,” Shu Rui said.
“To bring guests immediately, we could station at the city gates. Travelers often seek an inn upon entering; it’s the most direct way.”
Lu Ling nodded: “I’ll drive the cart there during free time. Our inn isn’t on the main road; outsiders won’t easily find us.”
Though simple, it was practical. Shu Rui laughed: “You? Calling out to attract guests? You never did that before.”
“I’m back at the inn to help run it. I want to improve business and earn more, not just idle here,” Lu Ling said.
“Otherwise, I’d still be a tutor earning three guàn a month, now reduced to a clerk earning just over one guàn. Not worth it.”
“Besides, drawing in guests doesn’t require shouting. The inn is small—three or so guests per day is plenty. Unlike food sales, more isn’t always better.”
Shu Rui considered it. “Makes sense. Let’s try it. Even if clumsy, it’s worth a shot.”
After a busy noon, drizzle began, emptying the streets. Shu Rui decided there wouldn’t be many guests in the evening, telling Qing to hire only one extra worker for the afternoon.
With the inn quiet, Lu Ling donned a straw hat and prepared to attract guests. Shu Rui went along.
Having bought the evening’s ingredients in the morning, he now only needed Qing and Third Sister to prep vegetables. He would return later when the time was right.
Seeing them leave, Yang Chunhua teased: “You two really love business. Who else will earn this money? In such cold, rainy weather, you’re willing to endure the hardship.”
Shu Rui adjusted his hat. “It’s almost New Year. No business, no money to celebrate.”
They joked as Lu Ling drove the cart toward the city gate.
The wind was sharp. Lu Ling beckoned Shu Rui into the cart, but he refused, wanting to watch travelers carrying bundles and boxes to ask if they needed lodging.
Unable to persuade him, Lu Ling held the reins with one hand and took Shu Rui’s hand with the other.
Though awkward, Shu Rui felt the warmth and didn’t pull away. He tugged the canopy to cover their hands, sheltering them from the cold.