Lu Yang seized the moment and slipped a spoonful of doufunao into his mouth.
Lu Liu: “…”
Fine. Might as well eat.
This meal, Lu Yang even remembered to portion things fairly and set aside a share for Li Feng.
Li Feng leaned over and whispered to Lu Liu, “If Xie Yan came back today, it’d be lively.”
Lu Liu told him to stop imagining things. “If my brother-in-law came back now, it’d be more than just lively!”
Xie Yan ended up missing “Doufunao Day.” Before he returned, Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu came back from the provincial capital, bringing their families to pay a visit. With Xie Yan not home, Lu Yang hosted them.
After marriage, a couple’s social circles naturally merged.
People Lu Yang had known before gradually became familiar to Xie Yan through various connections. Likewise, those Xie Yan knew would, through frequent visits, come to know Lu Yang.
Lu Yang had once accompanied them to the provincial exams, and today Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu’s husbands were also present. There was little need for formality—they all sat together chatting freely.
Sheng Daxian’s child was four years old now, at the age of running and talking, and took a particular liking to chasing Wei Meng around the house. Wei Meng had not known how to handle children before, but after a few months of being “trained” by Er Huang, he had become quite skilled at playing with kids.
He would run just far enough to let the child chase him, sometimes slowing down deliberately so it seemed the child caught up through effort. He would tease them by circling indoors instead of running outside.
Sheng Daxian raised his brows repeatedly. “This dog’s practically become a spirit, hasn’t it?”
Lu Yang laughed. “My younger brother’s family has a hunting dog. Wei Meng learned from that big dog—he’s very well-behaved now.”
As they chatted, the conversation turned to preparing for the metropolitan exam.
Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu were both planning to attend a private academy. They had come today partly to inform Xie Yan—they would be studying at Luming Academy, which was close to his home. In the future, they could discuss their studies together.
Lu Yang welcomed the idea. Thinking about the number of empty rooms at home, he decided to set one aside as a tea room. It would not be convenient to host guests in the bedrooms all the time.
He also chatted with their husbands, asking about eligible unmarried young men and women of suitable age. He had Wu Pingzhi’s marriage in mind—whether it would work out or not was another matter, but it was worth making inquiries first.
Upon hearing it was for Wu Pingzhi, Ji Mingzhu spoke up before his husband even could. “I have a younger brother, seventeen this year. He’s versed in the four arts. By next year, after Brother Wu finishes the metropolitan exam, my brother will be eighteen—just the right time for a match.”
Lu Yang knew Wu Pingzhi’s preferences, so he asked a few indirect questions—what the young man usually did at home, what he liked.
Ji Mingzhu’s expression shifted several times. Considering their friendship, he decided to speak honestly.
“My parents spoiled him too much. His temperament is a bit willful. He knows many things, but none deeply. He spends more time going out with my mother, hasn’t settled his mind, and loves to play. Once he’s engaged, it’ll be fine. After marriage, even a monkey stops climbing trees.”
He felt their families were well matched in status. His younger brother’s personality might be lacking, but both he and Wu Pingzhi were already successful candidates. If they passed the metropolitan exam, the match would be even more suitable, and both sides would gain support.
Of course, this was not something they could decide themselves. They would just keep it in mind and see what fate brought.
Ji Mingzhu then brought up Liu Youli. They had heard about Xie Yan taking him to court—calling it “deeply satisfying” on one hand, yet also lamenting, “What a pity.”
“Why didn’t you let us come and have a go at him too!”
Lu Yang laughed. “If the timing had worked, we definitely would have waited for you.”
Ji Mingzhu had once been framed by Liu Youli. Since it involved his future, he hated him deeply. Back in the provincial capital, he and Sheng Daxian had already pulled every string they could, spreading word far and wide. Liu Youli’s reputation would not recover.
Now that he had returned to the prefectural city and heard of even worse deeds, he was shocked beyond words.
He would continue what he started—ruin Liu Youli’s name completely.
With a sigh, he said, “I can’t bring myself to do anything underhanded. I’ll just make sure everyone knows what he’s done.”
Lu Yang replied, “It’s fine. There are only a few months left before the metropolitan exam. His family’s not well-off—after passing the provincial exam, he’s probably full of himself, maybe even engaged to some wealthy family. Your family has deep roots in the city. If you ruin his prospects now, it’ll shake his mindset. Next year, he’ll go no further. After all, a juren isn’t an official. With a ruined reputation, no one will offer him money. And if he clings to his pride, life won’t go well for him.”
They had come in the morning and did not stay for lunch. When they left, the child clung to Wei Meng, unwilling to let go, and had to be coaxed away.
As soon as they left, Xie Yan returned.
This time, many people came—Old Master Lu’s family, both Luo brothers and their families, and Li Fei—all arriving with large bundles of luggage.
From the moment they entered the alley, everything became lively and busy.
There was no need to choose rooms—Lu Yang had already arranged everything. The connected houses went to the Luo brothers, while the separated one was given to Old Master Lu.
Lu Yang stepped out to help, but with so many people and belongings, everyone was afraid of bumping into him. Those with free hands tried to stop him, and those who were busy still shouted at him to stay back.
Xie Yan did not go help. Instead, he squeezed over to stand beside Lu Yang, his face full of pride.
He had accomplished what Lu Yang had entrusted him with and was clearly waiting to be praised.
Seeing how childlike he had become—so open and natural—Lu Yang could not help but laugh.
“You’ve got nothing else to say? Just waiting for me to praise you?”
Xie Yan not only wanted praise, he added, “You can hug me too. I’m waiting.”
Lu Yang gave him a shove and led him inside to rest.
With everyone busy unpacking, there was no need for him to get in the way. He took Xie Yan back inside, set water to boil, and prepared to freshen him up after his journey.
Outside was noisy, but inside their room, it was quiet.
The moment they entered, Xie Yan pulled him into an embrace and pecked him three times. What started as a joke turned into something more—his longing surfaced, and he held Lu Yang close, kissing him for a while before finally letting go.
Boiling water did not require two people, and preparing a banquet today would be too rushed and exhausting.
Lu Yang told him to go out and reserve four tables at a restaurant.
With so many people, there would be too many dishes to wash. If they were already buying food, they might as well eat out.
No need to go far—just find a place near the academy.
Xie Yan agreed, called out to everyone, and headed off.
The stove fire was still going, so Lu Yang stepped out to take a look.
There was no rush in unpacking—no need to do everything at once. Luo Dayong and Luo Erwu both freed up a hand and came over to check on him.
Lu Yang was still thin. Since the pregnancy was early, his belly did not show yet—no matter how they looked, they could not tell.
Luo Dayong said, “You’re still not eating enough. So thin—how are you going to carry a child?”
Luo Erwu added, “But you can’t eat too much either. If the baby gets too big, it’ll be hard to give birth.”
Lu Yang rolled up his sleeves to show the flesh on his arms. “I’ve actually gained some weight—it just hasn’t reached my face yet. Just wait to be uncles. No need to worry about this!”
He added, “I just bought some doufunao a few days ago. Once we’re done today, I’ll make a whole basin for you to try!”
Luo Dayong waved it off. “That kind of thing only tastes good when you sneak it. Bought ones aren’t as good.”
Luo Erwu agreed. “Just buy proper tofu and cook a dish. Steam a couple more bowls of rice and eat your fill.”
Lu Yang, suddenly nostalgic all by himself: “…”
So what Liu-ge had said was true—pregnancy really did make one more sensitive. Why was he reminiscing about days of hunger?
He shook it off. “Let’s make mapo tofu then. I’ve learned to use starch properly now. Before, it would sometimes clump, but not anymore. The minced meat is fried until fragrant. I’ll serve it in big bowls—half a bowl of rice, half a bowl of mapo tofu. Every bite full of meat and sauce—you won’t be able to stop until your bellies are round!”
The Luo brothers stood at the doorway, chatting and laughing with him for quite a while.
They said Lu Yang had a particular way of speaking—like a street vendor calling out wares. Simple, everyday words, but pleasant to hear, making people both happy and hungry.
Lu Yang’s eyes lit up, and he mimicked his younger brother’s tone:
“Buy a few blocks of tofu, cut two jin of fresh meat—I’ll cook you some tofu dishes. Braised tofu in sauce, one plate—perfect with rice. Now that it’s getting cold, we can make a cabbage stew with tofu—big pot, piping hot, warming and filling! Usually tofu’s cooked those ways, or stir-fried with greens for that fresh taste. I’m thinking we’ll add pan-fried tofu too—since the others are all soupy, this one will be crisp. You can even eat it plain, or pair it with wine—nothing better!”
