Yuan Zhao looked at him suspiciously. “What are you talking about?”
Madam Shi Zhang also looked over. Her usually kind brows were tightly furrowed, and her gaze toward Shi Wuxiang carried dissatisfaction and confusion.
A marriage without deep emotional roots would inevitably face such problems. Shi Wuxiang didn’t think there was anything wrong with his thoughts. From the beginning, he had hoped Yuan Zhao would grow up and find a more reliable husband in the future.
If he truly liked Hu Lu, it might not be a bad thing.
He subconsciously ignored the discomfort in his chest, attributing it to the feeling of not wanting the child he was raising to be taken away—perhaps something like a fatherly emotion.
“You seem quite happy,” Shi Wuxiang asked cautiously, trying to sound as neutral as possible. He wanted to know how Yuan Zhao viewed Hu Lu.
But to others, his words carried a different meaning entirely.
Madam Shi Zhang glanced at him meaningfully. Even if he didn’t realize it himself, she could hear the questioning tone—and a faint bitterness beneath it.
Yuan Zhao frowned. “What do you mean by that? Why would I be happy just because he came? Do you think I’m that kind of person who clings to any decent scholar?”
Seeing both of them displeased, Shi Wuxiang realized he had spoken wrongly and hurried forward to apologize. “Sorry, I misspoke. I meant—if you think he’s a good person, we could invite him, Chengdu, and Fu Ying over to our home. That’s what I meant.”
Yuan Zhao clenched his teeth. Then his expression turned slightly stiff as he looked away.
“I don’t want to talk to you. You’re really annoying…”
The word “annoying” was not the usual playful tone—it was calm, almost factual.
That difference made Shi Wuxiang feel inexplicably irritated and uneasy. Normally he would have gone to coax him immediately, but now Yuan Zhao’s thin back was turned to him, and he didn’t even have the courage to step forward.
“It’s your fault!” Madam Shi Zhang shot him a glare. “I don’t want to talk to you either.”
Shi Wuxiang rarely looked so helpless, like a rejected cabbage left in the cold. He could only stand aside and collect payment, occasionally glancing at Yuan Zhao. Even when dealing with customers with a smile, the moment they left, his face would fall again.
He let out a quiet sigh inwardly. This really was his fault. Yuan Zhao had never been this angry before—he was going to have to coax him properly for a couple of days.
The stall’s goods were nearly sold out. As usual, Yuan Zhao prepared a generous portion of wraps for the little beggars. After that, they began closing up.
Since Shi Wuxiang was no longer working at Fragrant Fragrance Inn, they couldn’t leave the ox cart in its back courtyard anymore. Instead, they tied it up nearby. Once they finished packing, they loaded the pushcart onto the ox cart along with all the scattered items.
“I’ll drive the cart,” Shi Wuxiang said softly.
Yuan Zhao immediately stepped aside from the front seat, circled around, and climbed onto the ox cart instead. He hugged his knees, resting his chin on them, his face slightly turned as he stared at the passing scenery behind them.
No one saw his tears. Only the wind brushed across his face, bringing a sharp sting that reminded him to swallow his emotions quickly.
His shoulders trembled faintly.
Madam Shi Zhang saw this and felt a pang of discomfort. She wanted to say something, but she didn’t dare expose Yuan Zhao’s fragile state.
He was already pitiful enough. He couldn’t become any more miserable.
The ox cart swayed quietly all the way home. By the time they arrived, Yuan Zhao had already composed himself. He calmly pushed the cart, tidied everything up, and showed no trace of earlier emotion.
“Brother, you’re back!” Yuan Wan threw himself into his arms. “I’ve been waiting a long time. I want to talk to you!”
His voice was full of urgency and innocent affection—it was clear he genuinely wanted to speak with him.
Yuan Zhao assumed something urgent had happened, so he quickly led him inside.
“What is it? What do you want to tell Brother? Did something happen, or do you want something?”
“Brother, let’s go to Xingtao Village!” Yuan Wan leaned close to his ear, covering his mouth with both hands as he whispered. “Brother A’Yue said Xingtao Village in Yangma Town is very beautiful. I want you to see it too.”
“We’ll go in a couple of years,” Yuan Zhao said with a smile. “Not just Xingtao Village—anywhere you want, we can go take a look.”
Yuan Wan immediately smiled, eyes curved with delight, snuggling happily into his arms. He really liked his brother. Even if they were begging together, he would still feel happy.
Yuan Zhao lightly pinched his soft earlobe, thoughtful. “Why are you suddenly thinking about leaving?”
“Because Brother isn’t happy…” Yuan Wan blinked at him. “If you’re unhappy here, then wouldn’t it be better if we left?”
“You’re right,” Yuan Zhao murmured softly, as if agreeing with him—or reminding himself.
Such a simple truth, and yet he had almost twisted himself into knots over it.
He took a deep breath. All those messy emotions seemed to scatter. Then he decided he should work harder these next two years, earn more money, and leave with some silver—leaving the shop to Shi Wuxiang.
After their talk, they went back out. It seemed everyone in the household knew about their earlier disagreement; they were all quietly observing Yuan Zhao, as if checking whether he had calmed down.
“What is it?” Yuan Zhao asked blankly. “Is it time to cook? I’ll help. What are we having?”
“There are still steamed buns from yesterday,” Madam Shi Zhang replied. “We’ll stew some meat dishes and make a pot of porridge. I’ll also send a bowl to your Aunt Tian next door.”
Yuan Zhao nodded. It was only right to thank her for watching over Ranran in the morning.
After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms.
Yuan Zhao had intended to fetch water to soak Shi Wuxiang’s feet as usual, but found that everything had already been prepared.
He smiled slightly. “You wash first. I just remembered I need to talk to Yuan Wan. I’ll go over there.”
“You’re sulking and still want to bother someone else?” Shi Wuxiang coughed lightly. “I’ll say this once more—don’t run into other people’s rooms just to avoid things. That’s what cowards do.”
“Who’s a coward?” Yuan Zhao immediately shot back. “I was going into the mountains to dig wild vegetables at ten years old! I’ve never been afraid of anything!”
“I didn’t say you were one,” Shi Wuxiang replied calmly. “I was just explaining the principle.”
Yuan Zhao narrowed his eyes at him. “Then who are you calling a coward—you already know the answer yourself.”
Shi Wuxiang felt guilty. He didn’t dare provoke him further.
“…I’ll apologize,” he said softly. “Can you forgive me this once?”
His tone was unusually humble, as if he had truly committed some grave mistake.
Yuan Zhao’s chest tightened. He didn’t like this feeling. Shi Wuxiang was always the one apologizing first—always the one bearing his emotions.
And that only made him feel worse.
He lowered his head. “I wasn’t angry. I just don’t like the way you talk… like I’m a burden. Do you really want to push me away that badly?”
“Of course not,” Shi Wuxiang said immediately. “I promised you—we’ll always be together as a family if you want.”
“That won’t change.”
“…Then don’t say things like that again. I don’t like it.”
“Alright. I was wrong,” Shi Wuxiang agreed without hesitation.
Yuan Zhao sat obediently on the stool, lightly tapping his feet in place, his mood noticeably improving again.
Shi Wuxiang sighed inwardly.
There really wasn’t anyone easier to coax than him.
He bent down, picked up the wooden basin, and crouched in front of him, helping him remove his shoes and socks.
Yuan Zhao froze. “What are you doing?!”
“I’m washing your feet,” Shi Wuxiang replied. “Since I’m apologizing, I can’t just say it. I have to show it too.”
“This isn’t appropriate! You’re a man—how can you wash my feet? I should be the one washing yours…” Yuan Zhao stammered, his face flushed. “Mother will scold me if she finds out…”
“If you don’t say anything, and I don’t say anything, who would know?”
He guided Yuan Zhao’s cold feet into warm water, gently washing them while instructing him to rub them himself.
Yuan Zhao obediently complied, still flustered.
The earlier frustration and sadness—like bubbling vinegar—slowly popped one by one under Shi Wuxiang’s gentle coaxing.
He would never forget this moment: the man crouching in front of him.
He could forgive him countless times for this alone.
How could he like someone this much?
“Did I hurt you? Why are you crying?” Shi Wuxiang quickly wiped his sleeves and gently dabbed his tears.
“I hate you…” Yuan Zhao sniffled.
Hearing that familiar tone again, Shi Wuxiang finally relaxed. He wiped his feet and chuckled. “Which day don’t you hate me?”
“That’s because you know I’m easy to coax,” Yuan Zhao muttered through tears.
Shi Wuxiang sighed and handed him a handkerchief. “Blow your nose yourself.”
“I’ll wash it and give it back to you later…” Yuan Zhao said weakly.
“Burn it,” Shi Wuxiang said immediately. “I don’t want to see it again.”
“…Okay.”
Then Shi Wuxiang suddenly lifted him into his arms.
Yuan Zhao instinctively clung to his neck.
“Breathe,” Shi Wuxiang reminded him.
“A’Xiang, are you alright? Don’t drop me—if I break, I won’t be able to run the stall anymore…” Yuan Zhao rambled anxiously.
Shi Wuxiang set him down on the bed and sat down himself, breathing heavily.
Only then did Yuan Zhao realize something was wrong. He immediately crawled over, patting his back.
“Are you okay? Was I too heavy? Does your chest hurt?”
“Shut up,” Shi Wuxiang muttered, thoroughly embarrassed.
He used to be healthy, strong, even able to lift heavy weights with ease—but now, he couldn’t even handle carrying Yuan Zhao.
This body was truly beyond saving.
This is simply outrageous!
Yuan Zhao blinked at him. “Are you really okay? Does your chest feel tight or blocked?”
“It’s not blocked.” Shi Wuxiang held onto the hand that had reached his chest and gently squeezed it. “I still need to train my body. I can’t keep living like this.”
He absolutely could not accept the idea of struggling just to carry someone who wasn’t even an adult. That would be an insult to him.
Yuan Zhao looked at him with a pitiful expression. “Maybe you should stop pushing yourself so hard? Mother said you’ve been weak since you were little. It took a lot of effort for you to grow up like this. Shouldn’t you take better care of yourself?”
Shi Wuxiang frowned in suspicion. “Was I really this weak because I got sick later in life?”
“Of course not,” Yuan Zhao said, touching his forehead again. “Mother said you were born frail. She even had a master read your fate for you. Even your name was chosen according to that…”
So that was it. No wonder his name didn’t follow the same pattern as his younger siblings.
Probably because of the injury to his head, he had some fragmented gaps in his memory, but fortunately, it hadn’t affected his normal life.
After this incident, Yuan Zhao wasn’t just angry anymore—he almost wanted to start worshipping Shi Wuxiang. He could barely breathe just from carrying him a few steps; that was terrifying enough.
“Good health is built through training,” Shi Wuxiang said. “From tomorrow, I’ll start exercising early in the morning.”
“What do you mean exercising?” Yuan Zhao said. “Aren’t we already getting up early every day? You should really rest more. Anyway, Brother A Yue is handling the shop now.”
“I just mean running a few laps in the morning. It won’t hurt. I’ll get up earlier, go for a run, then clean up and head to town with A Yue.”
Yuan Zhao still didn’t approve, but he couldn’t argue him down, so he could only sigh and let it go.
The two of them lay side by side in bed. The warm heated brick bed radiated heat, comfortable from the inside out.
Yuan Zhao had been in a bad mood during the day and felt completely drained. Now that he finally relaxed, sleepiness surged in like a tide.
He couldn’t help but lean closer to Shi Wuxiang. Feeling the strong arm wrapping around him, Yuan Zhao finally drifted into a steady sleep.
Shi Wuxiang did as he said the next morning—he got up early and started running around the courtyard walls. After finishing, he did a few stretching exercises; if he didn’t loosen his muscles, he would easily cramp.
After he finished, gasping for breath, he washed up, tossed his dirty clothes into the laundry basket, warmed up breakfast, and went to wake Yuan Zhao.
“Ah Xiang, you really got up this early?” Yuan Zhao rubbed his eyes as he sat up. “You’re not feeling unwell, right?”
“No,” Shi Wuxiang said. “Breakfast is ready. Get up and eat.”
“Alright.”
There was movement in their room, and soon everyone in the other rooms came out as well. The whole family washed up and then gathered around the table to eat.
Yuan Zhao said, “Ruo Ruo should come with us too. She can come back with Second Brother later. We’ll seal the stove for the morning so it won’t be an issue.”
“Okay!” Shi Qingran answered happily. She just so happened to have things she wanted to buy.
Before leaving, Yuan Zhao tidied up the heated bed at home, locked the front door, and the whole family set off together toward town.
When they reached the stall area, they split up. Shi Qingyue took Yuan Yuan and Shi Qingran to watch over the shop, while Shi Wuxiang stayed at the stall to help.
It was rare for him to appear several days in a row, and customers began looking at him strangely, wondering why he wasn’t working at the restaurant anymore.
Some curious ones even asked directly.
Yuan Zhao quickly explained, “My husband will be going to the academy after the New Year, so he won’t be working at the restaurant anymore. He needs to rest and prepare for his studies.”
“I see! That’s wonderful. Is Scholar Shi planning to take the imperial examinations again? I’m sure he’ll pass and become a recommended scholar!”
“Exactly! Everyone knows Scholar Shi is extremely talented. I heard even the county magistrate values him highly!”
Compliments, free and flowing like rain, fell over them.
Shi Wuxiang remained unmoved. Empty praise from others couldn’t disturb his mind. If one wanted success in the exams, the only way was through one’s own effort—there were no shortcuts. After all, studying for the examinations itself was already a shortcut in life.
Yuan Zhao, on the other hand, looked as though he himself had been praised. His face beamed with pride, chin lifted high, almost ready to beat his chest and declare that Shi Wuxiang would definitely pass—though he still had enough sense not to go that far.
Because of the approaching New Year, the streets were crowded, but most people were rushing past the stall to buy holiday goods. Few stopped to buy their wraps.
“Boss Yuan, are you still selling your sauce? I just remembered you won’t be setting up stalls during the New Year. I want to stock up on some sauce to keep for cravings!”
It was a regular customer. Yuan Zhao quickly nodded. “Yes, yes! Do you have a jar? I’ll pour it in for you!”
“I’ll go home and get it then,” the customer said. “I’ll bring my containers later.”
“Take your time,” Yuan Zhao replied.
Others heard this and also went home to fetch containers, planning to stock up on sauce. After all, the sauce had meat bits in it—it could be used not only for dipping buns but also as seasoning for cooking. It was practically a dish on its own.
Even though the wraps weren’t selling well, Yuan Zhao wasn’t upset. As long as there was normal income, it was fine. People were busy preparing for the New Year anyway; wraps couldn’t be stored until then. In a few days, demand might even increase.
The sauce they brought sold out quickly. Yuan Zhao kept some aside and made wraps for the small beggars. There was plenty of batter left, so he made extra.
He walked over and handed the wraps to them. The big dog always followed along, protecting the food so the other beggars wouldn’t snatch it.
“I have something I want to discuss with you,” Yuan Zhao said. “After the New Year, I may need your help with work.”
The other children didn’t dare speak, all looking at Big Dog. He was their leader; they only listened to him.
They had been called to do bad things before, so they were wary.
Big Dog asked cautiously, “What does Boss Yuan want us to do…?”
Yuan Zhao smiled. “It’s like this. After the New Year, our shop will open. I want to hire you as runners. You’ll be paid, but you’ll need to clean yourselves up properly. This is just a plan for now—you can think about it first.”
“Runners… like delivering wraps?” Big Dog asked softly, incredulous. “You want us to deliver wraps? Customers will definitely scold you.”
“That’s why you need to clean yourselves up,” Yuan Zhao said. “I’ll find some old cloth and make you clean sets of clothes… but it’s still just an idea. I’m not even sure it will work yet.”
“We’re willing!” Big Dog said firmly.
Yuan Zhao smiled. “That’s even better. You won’t be working for free.”
“Even if it’s free, it’s fine,” Big Dog said earnestly. “As long as we get something to eat!”
“That’s only right,” Yuan Zhao said with a smile.
The matter was settled for now, and Yuan Zhao reminded them a few more things before turning back toward the stall.
Before he even reached it, he heard loud voices. He instinctively thought someone was causing trouble and hurried over—only to find it was the two accountants from Fragrant Fragrance Restaurant.
As he got closer, he finally understood what Zhang Xiang was arguing about.
“That guy is absolutely hopeless! He doesn’t understand human language and just likes arguing. Whenever the accounts are wrong, he never says anything in advance, like he thinks someone will mock him. In the end, we’re the ones cleaning up his mess!”
“I’ve worked with him for three or four days and I feel like I’ve aged ten years! I really don’t understand what the boss was thinking. Why hire someone so abnormal?!”
“Ahem.” Yuan Zhao cleared his throat. “You’re speaking very loudly. Be careful it doesn’t reach the boss’s ears.”
Zhang Xiang’s expression changed. He really needed this job, but he couldn’t stand it either.
Shi Wuxiang said, “Why not speak directly with Boss Yang? This isn’t a sustainable situation. Are you going to keep cleaning up after him?”
“We did try to say something indirectly, but the boss didn’t take it seriously…” Zhang Xiang looked completely exhausted. “I get a headache just thinking about going back to the restaurant and dealing with Sun Fu.”
“What if he’s pretending?” Yuan Zhao frowned. “How can someone be that stupid? Maybe he’s doing it on purpose so you two do all the work!”
Zhang Xiang slapped his thigh. “You’re right! That makes sense, Brother Wen!”
Yuan Zhao smiled awkwardly. He was only guessing—after all, even he could calculate accounts. That man was a scholar, so how could he not?
He must be pretending to be stupid!
Luckily Ah Xiang wasn’t working there anymore, otherwise he might also be bullied. That Sun Fu was really awful!
“Then what should we do?” Zhang Xiang asked.
“Just don’t fix his mistakes,” Shi Wuxiang said. “Finish your own work every day and hand it to the boss. Don’t bother with him. Ignore him.”
“Got it!” Zhang Xiang suddenly understood.