The “east wind” had its time limit. Early the next morning, they split up to handle different tasks.
Lu Yang first took his two younger brothers to the dock stall, while Li Feng went to visit the escort agencies and carriage stations.
Even in the early morning, merchants were already arriving to inspect the goods.
Lu Yang had tidied up the stall thoroughly. The merchants stepped inside and nodded repeatedly, praising the interior setup.
Lu Yang took the lead in negotiating, Shun Ge’er helped count the goods—he had been to the dock stall before and was familiar with the operations. Lu Liu followed Lu Yang to learn.
He was familiar with the mushrooms and knew the price ranges. He listened to his brother, and when more customers arrived, he would assist in greeting them.
The twins’ identical appearance left a deep impression on the merchants. Many would talk to one brother, then turn to see the other, momentarily stunned before realizing they were twins.
Lu Yang spent the day with them. Only merchants intending to purchase were allowed to enter the stall; he kept visitors brief, emphasizing seasonal factors.
Ideally, customers would pre-order. This ensured enough stock to handle hesitant buyers, using ready goods as leverage to close deals. They couldn’t just hand over stock without context. A few polite words, presenting the goods attractively, could encourage orders.
Lu Yang collected the orders, while Li Feng ran to the escort agencies and carriage stations to negotiate delivery deals. Afterward, they sold mushrooms to the present merchants.
Once done, they planned to visit inns and taverns near Minfu Road to continue finding buyers for the mushrooms.
Historically, summer merchants departed early. After the market ended, most left within three to five days—just resting along the way.
They had to move the goods quickly to earn revenue for the autumn and winter seasons.
Those three to five days would keep them spinning like little whirlwinds.
At home, the breakfast stall wasn’t idle. Early in the morning, Chen Guizhi drove the cart to sell breakfast. With the sign up, regulars recognized the brand.
Long-time customers came for buns and soup, tasted them, and realized the flavor was the same. Only then did they learn this was a family-run stall.
Chen Guizhi was a skilled speaker, explaining that each family member had a specialty: “Those who make fish soup don’t bake buns; those who bake buns don’t make stuffed buns. We combined three families’ skills to make this. Eat freely—nothing’s bad!”
She ran the stall alone, while Wang Fengnian and Zhao Peilan helped watch the children.
When she returned home, she still praised Wang Fengnian and his partner: “It’s fine for you to help; saying you’re too busy is enough. Hiring extra hands is more trouble. We can handle it ourselves!”
Wang Fengnian and Lu Erbao chuckled, having not anticipated such busyness before arriving.
Zhao Peilan wanted to help her at the stall, worried she might overexert herself.
Chen Guizhi said, “You three just behave, watch the children. Extra help is only needed because the kids misbehave.”
The three obediently accepted.
Meanwhile, Lu Yang and Lu Liu were busy elsewhere, and He Fulang, visiting, mostly chatted with the elders.
Liu Youli gave him silver to buy duck eggs and salt. He salted many eggs, planning to sell them later.
Life had prospects now; He Fulang’s spirits lifted, his eyes brightened.
Chen Guizhi asked, “Where will you sell the salted duck eggs?”
He Fulang said, “When I bought the eggs, the shopkeeper said he’d try the taste. If suitable, he’d buy them.”
Duck eggs were larger and more expensive than chicken eggs. Summer was unsuitable for storage. Fresh, they sold for 1.5–1.8 wen each; salted, the price doubled—3–3.5 wen per egg. Shops typically sold them for 4–5 wen.
Chen Guizhi told him to keep some silver in hand, not scolding him about Liu Youli, but advising practicality: “When you help your husband with daily needs, money is always required. Keep some for eggs and salt—it’ll be convenient. Spend everything, and next time you’ll be blamed for not budgeting. Keep a little, then hand over your earnings.”
He Fulang had never done this before. At home, no one had taught him. It seemed intimidating but made sense.
Whenever he asked his husband for more money, the husband would get angry. Giving coins would improve his husband’s mood.
He wasn’t spending recklessly—just keeping a small reserve. This would suffice for buying eggs, salt, and some wine, gradually turning small change into silver.
He Fulang said, “Thank you, aunt. I’ll remember!”
The family remained busy. Xie Yan couldn’t help and focused on studying diligently.
Lu Yang promised that after these busy days, he would take good care of him.
Xie Yan insisted it wasn’t necessary—living so close, they saw each other every day, and even shared a bed at night. No special care was needed.
He acted mature and considerate, but in his free time, he felt awkward.
Why could Li Feng help, but he couldn’t? Everyone else was doing business, and he was just studying. Sigh!
At noon, he didn’t return home, instead going with Ji Mingzhu and others to a small restaurant.
Ji Mingzhu asked, “Why doesn’t your husband bring you lunch anymore?”
Xie Yan replied, “Do you have a husband?”
Ji Mingzhu: “…Why ask that?”
Xie Yan: “Looks like not.”
Sheng Daxian said first, “He does. His husband is a childhood companion. He ignores him.”
Ji Mingzhu immediately slammed the table. “You talk too much!”
Xie Yan laughed.
His own husband ignored him—ha ha ha!
Still, his family Jingzhi was good. Busy during the day, at night he would wear a bellyband to coax him. Hehe.
They shared a small meal, splitting the cost evenly.
Xie Yan counted coins, reminding them of his birthday gathering at a restaurant at month’s end. “I’ll introduce a friend for you to meet.”
They asked what friend. Xie Yan said, “A childhood companion from the county, also a scholar, studying at a private academy. This year he’ll take the provincial exam. We’ll go together.”
Traveling together for exams meant passing the county-level exam. Though at a private academy, he was knowledgeable. Ji Mingzhu and Sheng Daxian agreed.
Busy days made him unaware of time. Recently, Xie Yan walked to and from school alone.
That day, leaving the government school, he didn’t look around, heading straight home, when suddenly he heard someone call him. Turning, he saw Li Feng.
Xie Yan glanced around—no one else in sight—and asked, “Why are you here? Why are you alone?”
Li Feng’s smile was strange—part schadenfreude, part sympathy, like pouting, yet almost laughing.
Xie Yan: ?
He stepped back two paces.
Li Feng cleared his throat. “Lu Yang assigned me a task I can’t handle, so I came to find your help.”
Xie Yan immediately grasped his mixed emotions and cheerfully approached.
“What help?”
Li Feng said, “Go to the entertainment district, visit the houses, see which men are handsome.”
Xie Yan: ??!!
He recoiled immediately, mumbling about going home to report this.
This matter had to be told to Li Feng’s mother properly. Such a grown man—he was practically ruined! He had to be disciplined.
Li Feng, seeing his alarm, felt a balance in his own heart.
He caught up to Xie Yan. “Ask Lu Yang at home—he really did assign this. You should come with me, see if any flirtatious men are trying to tempt your husband.”
Xie Yan: !!!
His mind was in turmoil, utterly confused, unable to sort out his feelings.
