The Husband’s Little Inn

With Lu Ling proposing the new business, Shu Rui offered to help run errands, but Lu Ling refused, saying Shu […]

After the snow, heating with charcoal became essential; Shu Rui nearly ran out of the stock he had stored in

At night, the inn had closed. Shu Rui and the resident lady sent a pot of hot tea downstairs, then

In the following days, Shu Rui remained mindful of the street office’s influence. Lu Ling continued his daily solicitation at

Inside, Lu Fang drank a cup of hot tea, warming his body before rising to inspect another area before returning

At the city gate, people came and went constantly. Guards were stationed outside to enforce city regulations, forbidding merchants from

That day, Yang Chunhua took the opportunity to visit her young uncle’s house and told him about Shu Rui’s plan

A few days later, before dawn, fine rain tapped on the roof. Not heavy, but the air was noticeably colder.

Later, Shu Rui and Lu Ling had breakfast. They checked out the three dormitory guests. Qing arrived at the inn.

This day, the inn closed a bit earlier. Shu Rui, still recovering, had prepared only a small amount of food

The next morning, Shu Rui woke a little later. No fever, head clear, though still weak and lightheaded. He stepped

“It’s almost winter. The weather has turned cold, and seasonal changes easily cause colds. You must keep warm; even brief

That evening, Shu Rui worked in the rear kitchen preparing dishes, Lu Ling served them, and Qing ran errands. Business

The storyteller took a seat by the window, enjoying the bamboo shoots braised with pork that Qing had served. The

The next day, Shu Rui stir-fried minced pork with pickled beans and kneaded dough to make hand-pulled noodles. He prepared

Shu Rui saw Lu Ling emerge from the shared dorm, face long. “What’s wrong?” he asked. Lu Ling shook his

By evening, without the performances to draw a crowd, the inn’s foot traffic was less than at lunch. Shu Rui

Zhong Dayang had pulled Lu Ling through three full performances outside. If Lu Ling hadn’t grown tired, they could have

In the days leading up to the opening, Shu Rui learned from previous experience and went to the tax office

“I think your whole family is wonderful,” Shu Rui said. “Reasonable, kind—and they treat me so well.” Back at the