With this monthly allowance, paying for laundry and starching was nothing at all.
They even set up “rest days” for the two fathers. The study hadn’t opened yet, so they started by establishing some basic rules.
Today happened to be a rest day. Lu Erbao stayed home tending the vegetable garden, while Wang Fengnian, carrying an embroidery basket, went first to Lu Yang’s house to chat with Zhao Peilan.
He thought that with the children gone, Zhao Peilan might feel lonely at home. But neither of them were naturally lively, so sitting together felt awkward; starting a conversation made them flustered, and after a few words there were long silences.
After a while, Zhao Peilan suggested going to Lu Liu’s to check on the children and visit with Chen Guizhi.
Chen Guizhi was lively; with her there, conversations flowed freely.
They headed over just as Lu Liu was about to go out.
Since there were children in the house, Chen Guizhi didn’t tag along. Lu Liu mentioned he planned to take his father along for shopping, so he called him, set down the embroidery basket, slung a shopping basket on his back, and the father and son went off together.
Stepping out of the house, they first wandered into a small room at the alley’s entrance.
Lu Liu did a thorough check of what the household needed.
Wang Fengnian insisted nothing was lacking, but Lu Liu still wanted to look.
“Really, nothing’s missing,” Wang Fengnian said. “We only check the kitchen every few days, and only because we were told not to send meals for breakfast or lunch did we rest. We barely used any rice, so what else could be lacking?”
Earlier, soap beans had been used up quickly. Now, with clothes sent to Mr. He for washing, usage slowed down.
Lu Liu decided to buy some eggs to keep at home.
Eggs didn’t last long in summer, so they had to be eaten quickly. If eggs were bought, the fathers could cook freely and enjoy them.
Wang Fengnian sighed, following him out, muttering a few times.
When they first arrived, they had explored the neighborhood, mainly buying vegetables, and had familiarized themselves with nearby streets and the route to the government academy.
Since then, Lu Liu often went out, sometimes with different companions—his mother, his brother, Shun’ge. A couple of days ago, he had gone with his father to get new vegetable seedlings. Today he went with his father again.
Wang Fengnian, who had rarely been to the county before, was timid amid the bustling city streets. Although he was the father, he clung to Lu Liu’s arm like a lost child.
Lu Liu didn’t rush to buy anything. He wandered slowly with him, looking at everything that caught his interest.
Street performers were everywhere, just like in the county.
They could perform magic tricks, wield big swords, or even break stones on their chests.
Lu Liu held the money pouch tightly, guiding his father to enjoy the spectacles.
They passed a stall selling candied hawthorn skewers. He bought two for them to share.
“When we went to the county, my brother bought me candied hawthorns too,” Lu Liu said.
Wang Fengnian had never tried them. Hesitant, urged by Lu Liu, he bit one delicately. Each skewer had six hawthorns; he wanted to save the rest for later at home.
Lu Liu said, “We’ll be buying more things later. Carrying these will be inconvenient, so eat them now. Six wen is nothing—we can afford it. When we get home, I’ll buy a few more skewers for you, Dad, and my brother.”
Wang Fengnian finally bit another hawthorn. The sugar coating was crisp and sweet, sticking with tiny fragments; biting further revealed the sour fruit inside. The sweet-and-sour taste mirrored his current mood, a mixture of sour and sweet. He smiled, yet tears came to his eyes.
Lu Liu wiped them away, urging him to watch the performers.
“You need to tip them later. Don’t you dare miss any of it.”
Wang Fengnian snapped out of his bittersweet feeling, staring without blinking at the performers breaking stones and wielding swords, determined to “get his money’s worth.”
Lu Liu stood close, glancing down at his father’s hand gripping his arm tightly, a faint smile on his lips.
He had truly grown up—someone his father could rely on.
After finishing the skewers and watching the performers, father and son moved on to the market.
The city market had small and large fairs. The small market was in nearby alleys with few stalls. The large market cleared the streets of smaller vendors, with officials stationed at entrances. Stallholders paid a fee, and major merchants set up booths. It was said to be even livelier than the dock market.
Large markets were held quarterly, every three months. The next one would be mid-June, when they could join the fun.
Following their shopping list, Lu Liu also bought some straw. Li Feng could no longer wear cloth shoes, so he would weave a few pairs of straw sandals. The sun was harsh, and purchased straw hats were ineffective, so he planned to weave large hats for everyone going out.
Heavy items went in Lu Liu’s shopping basket.
Wang Fengnian’s basket contained straw and eggs. Lu Liu insisted on buying eggs, and that settled it.
On the way back, they picked up a few more candied hawthorn skewers.
Passing a teahouse, Lu Liu regretted the lively scene inside.
“It’s almost noon; we have to go home for lunch. Otherwise, I’d take you to the teahouse to listen to storytelling. My brother has taken me several times; I never get bored. It’s so interesting—food, drinks, and people making me laugh. But it’s expensive.”
Wang Fengnian was relieved it was lunchtime. He could return home and cook, saving the money.
Lu Liu pouted. “If my brother were here, hearing you say that, he’d drag you to the teahouse immediately, no matter what, so you could order dishes.”
Wang Fengnian laughed. “Yang Ge’er is like that. We have to listen to him.”
Lu Liu said, “Next time I’ll bring you here with my brother to listen to storytelling.”
Wang Fengnian replied, “Maybe later.”
Later, they would see if these books could sell. Only then would they feel truly at ease with their earnings.
With money in hand, they could take the children to storytelling sessions. Though the day had started late, as fathers, they could fulfill their intentions.
Lu Liu didn’t know what Wang Fengnian was thinking. He lacked Lu Yang’s perceptiveness and assumed it was just a polite refusal, murmuring a couple of times:
“I’ll bring my brother with me—you can’t refuse then.”
Wang Fengnian said, “Brother Yang is busy. He has no time these days.”
Lu Liu replied, “He does. The master doesn’t have to stay at the shop; Li Feng goes to the docks every day, not him. When he’s free, I’ll ask him.”
Wang Fengnian was helpless. “Now you’ve even become domineering?”
Lu Liu puffed up with pride. “Learned it from my brother!”
The father and son didn’t go far for shopping. By the time they returned, it wasn’t quite mealtime.
At home, the elders stayed behind. Lu Liu greeted them, telling everyone not to cook—lunch would be at his place. Chen Guizhi added a word, Zhao Peilan responded softly. Seeing this, Wang Fengnian suggested calling Lu Erbao home, and the plan was set.
The two elders, used to hard work, came for a meal. While waiting, they helped Lu Liu prepare fish, tripe, and pig’s trotters.
The tripe and trotters were set to stew after the meal; the fish would wait for tomorrow’s stall.
Lu Liu prepared the fish as his father had taught him, already separating bones from flesh—a task that would save him time tomorrow.
Naturally complimentary, and now more articulate, Lu Liu lavishly praised his two fathers.
“I thought we wouldn’t have time today. I’ll have to go out in the morning, spend the afternoon with the children, and when Li Feng returns tonight, he might not get soup. Fish can’t wait, so I must get up early. Thankfully, you’re helping me. Li Feng will get his soup, I can spend time with the children, and tomorrow morning we can run the stall. What would I do without you?”
Previously at home, he often said such things, bringing liveliness to the household. After getting married, back home rarely, such words were seldom heard.
His praise left Lu Erbao and Wang Fengnian cheerful, promising to come help again.
Lu Liu didn’t want to tire Li Feng by keeping him involved.
Now, with four elders available, they could take turns watching the children and accompany him to the stall.
Earnings didn’t matter much; having enough for vegetables was sufficient. A busy life brought fulfillment—a goal to work toward—and everyone would be happy.
