Master Wu was the “head of the house,” and Young Master Wu was the “heir apparent.”
Shun also remembered what Hong Chu had told him.
The Hong family had a patriarch who oversaw all the family businesses. Beneath him were several managers, each responsible for different enterprises.
Shun recalled from the books he had read that there were even titles like “First Manager,” “Second Manager,” “Third Manager”…
If they wanted, each of them could technically be a head of the household.
Feeling dizzy from all this, Shun said, “Alright, then I’ll just take a small role at the back. I’m the youngest anyway.”
Lu Liu disagreed. “What about Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang?”
Shun laughed. “They’re still so little! Let’s wait until they grow up.”
The two of them chatted in the kitchen while heating up two more pots of water.
After everyone had finished washing up, Shun went to the next room with Zhao Peilan to rest. Lu Erbao and Wang Fengnian tidied up and went home. One by one, the gates of the three courtyards were closed.
Lu Liu and Li Feng were the last to finish washing, carrying the two little treasures back to the main house.
Li Feng drew water for a foot soak, while Lu Liu kicked off his socks and rolled up his pants, testing the water temperature with his toes before submerging his feet.
When Li Feng’s large feet finally stepped in, Lu Liu pressed his own against them.
Li Feng, who spent his days running errands outside, always accumulated dirt on his feet. The yellow soil clung to him from walking, from his shoes, from sweat, and even from brief encounters with water. He had washed them a couple of times outdoors, but some dust still lingered in the basin.
Lu Liu felt a pang of concern. “Da Feng, when will you be able to sit at home counting money like a true master?”
Li Feng had changed somewhat. Previously, he believed it was a man’s duty to support the household, but now he could admit he could rely on Lu Liu.
“Once I become as capable as my brother, I’ll be able to support you. For now, you take care of me. The little shop costs a lot. If I can even break even by year’s end, that’ll be enough.”
Li Feng reassured him. “The shop won’t lose money. Scholars are picky eaters; if your food isn’t good, they won’t come. But you keep the stall clean, treat everyone kindly, smile at everyone, and sell the family’s best dishes. Who wouldn’t come? And if you want to write to Master Yao about the soup, just ask Jiu Ge. He never boasts, but he’s excellent in the kitchen. My uncle never undervalued him. The home-cooked soups he makes are far better than anyone else’s.”
Lu Liu missed them and said, “Before I left, I told Jiu Ge I didn’t like him. But somehow, after coming to the prefecture, I think about An Ge instead. He was right—though he had flaws, life with him was simple. I wonder how he’s doing in the county city, whether he’s named his child yet.”
Li Feng, having met Wang Meng, said they had given the child the nickname Tiantian, a simple name meant to symbolize hopeful days ahead.
Li Feng looked at Lu Liu. “You get along with everyone. You’re sincere and kind. When I first married you, I was still a little upset, but seeing you made me unable to stay mad. I’m glad I listened to my mother and didn’t make a scene. Life with you is comfortable.”
Lu Liu just smiled. He had never known Li Feng had been upset at all.
If it were the current, more calculating Lu Liu, he would have considered things differently. But now, he just laughed: “Fools are lucky.”
Many called him foolish. He had always tried to be clever, but now he could afford a little silliness without worry.
They dried their feet. Li Feng went to empty the water, returned to the room, turned off the lights, and rolled onto the bed with him.
Li Feng seemed tireless, carrying Lu Liu around the room. Even if it was cold, he insisted on holding him. Lu Liu obediently leaned against him like a little ornament.
He liked Li Feng’s roughness. No matter how much Lu Liu whined, he never faltered.
They both felt comfortable together, the same word spoken at a different time carrying a completely new meaning.
Li Feng had given him all his strength.
At the end of July, He Fulang came to Lu Liu to sell salted duck eggs.
He was in high spirits, speaking cheerfully to Lu Liu.
“Master Lu, last time I discussed with my husband about making a larger batch of salted eggs. I have over three hundred. Would you like to buy them? If not, I’ll take them to the street market later.”
Lu Liu asked, “Then you won’t be buying them now?”
He shook his head. “Not this time. Maybe after Mid-Autumn. My husband said he almost spent all his silver on something important. Once that’s done, we’ll make the salted eggs.”
Lu Liu’s heart tightened. “What important matter?”
He didn’t know; Liu Youli rarely shared such things.
Lu Liu tried guessing, “Is it for the exams? My brother went to the provincial city for the exams. Many families in the alley have moved temporarily for the test. They’ll return after Mid-Autumn when the results are out.”
He Fulang still didn’t know. Living near the academy, he had heard bits and pieces, especially after growing close to the Lu brothers. He knew the exams were for the “juren” degree.
He murmured nervously, “Possibly… I haven’t heard. People in our village say he’s promising. The scholars say he studies well.”
Lu Liu was silent.
He took all three hundred salted duck eggs.
His breakfast stall was stable, selling seven or eight eggs a day. Li Feng loved them too—crushed into congee or wrapped in a pancake, they were delicious.
With the shop being decorated and open longer hours, he could sell twenty or thirty eggs a day—enough for him to handle.
He Fulang, pleased that Lu Liu accepted them, whispered, “I bought 350 eggs. I kept ten at home, saying seven or eight were spoiled. You only need to count 340. The extra ten are my thanks to you.”
Lu Liu looked up, surprised. He had always thought He Fulang was simple and honest, but he could be gracious too.
He Fulang scratched his face, smiling. “In over two years in the prefecture, only you’ve spoken to me, taught me, and helped me with business. I should thank you.”
Ten eggs saved thirty-five wen, enough for thirteen jin of coarse rice to last over twenty days.
Lu Liu followed his advice and accepted the count.
If Liu Youli were truly unfaithful, Lu Liu would give that thirty-some wen to He Fulang to help him get by.
Together, they moved the eggs inside, counted each one, and exchanged coins. He Fulang left happily.
Lu Liu stood there for a moment before rushing to the neighboring house to find his mother.
Today it was windy outside. Chen Guizhi had brought the two children to Zhao Peilan’s house to play, where Zhao Peilan was painting their portraits. When Lu Liu arrived, Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang were giggling and scribbling, not angry at all.
He called out to his mother, made faces at the two kids, and said, “He Fulang came to sell salted eggs. He doesn’t know Liu Youli is going for the exams yet. He’ll probably wait until after Mid-Autumn to buy. Should I tell him?”
Chen Guizhi frowned. “Don’t say anything. Just pretend you don’t know.”
She explained, “We’re neighbors. His husband and Xie Yan were classmates at the academy. They haven’t interacted much in recent months. You have no reason to interfere. Whether Liu Youli tells his husband or not is his own business. The exams only come every three years. If you go now, you might ruin his plans or mood. If he fails, he could resent you.”
