The next day.
Madam Shi once again took Ah Yue and Yuan Yuan to set up the stall in town. Before they left, Yuan Zhao repeatedly reminded them not to go near the academy—better to avoid it for now. Only after getting their promise did he let them go.
At home, only Yuan Zhao and Ranran remained.
They first tidied up the house, then took the dirty clothes out to the yard to wash. The weather had turned cooler, and even the well water felt colder.
Yuan Zhao did not let Ranran touch the water—one washed, the other hung clothes to dry. It still counted as helping.
Once the yard was filled with drying laundry, Yuan Zhao began making sauce. Properly prepared, it could last several days—he could deliver it tomorrow.
The base paste he bought was savory, but for wraps and pancakes, he needed to turn it into spicy and sweet sauces by adding ingredients and simmering it further.
The spicy sauce was the easiest—first stir-fry the aromatics, then simmer them with the base paste, adding plenty of chili oil and finely minced meat. It was so good that even spread on plain buns, it tasted amazing.
In summer, he made sauce every two days since nothing kept well. But now that it was cooler, he could make larger batches.
“It smells so good, sister-in-law,” Ranran said. She did not eat spicy food—she was still young.
“I’ll let you taste a little,” Yuan Zhao said, dipping a bit with chopsticks and even breaking off a piece of steamed bun for her.
With all that effort, Ranran grew nervous. She held the chopsticks in one hand, the bun in the other, cautiously licking a bit before quickly biting the bun.
“It’s spicy—but so good!” she giggled.
Yuan Zhao nodded. “There’s meat in it too. At this rate, I could start selling sauce myself!”
Ranran laughed along—everything her sister-in-law made was delicious.
Yuan Zhao cooked a large pot of spicy sauce and another of sweet sauce, sealing them in jars to be delivered the next day.
After standing over the stove for two hours, constantly stirring, his arms were sore.
Ranran blinked at him. “What are we doing next? Should we go to the mountains?”
“After we eat,” Yuan Zhao said.
Though it was just the two of them, he still made a proper meal—noodles with an egg each and a couple slices of meat.
After eating, they grabbed their baskets and headed into the mountains.
Yuan Zhao also took an extra small basket—just in case.
After the autumn harvest, the mountains looked duller, no longer lush and green like summer. Yellowing leaves and fallen foliage covered the ground.
There were still some late-season berries, though not many—they picked and ate as they went, gathering quite a few fallen jujubes.
By noon, the weather was still warm, so Yuan Zhao took her to the river.
“Snails are plump in autumn. Let’s gather more—stir-fried with chili, they’re delicious,” he said, then remembered, “I’ll make a non-spicy version for you.”
“Okay!”
There were few people collecting snails—just a few idle men casting small nets for fish and shrimp.
Seeing them, one man called them over and gave them all the snails in his bucket.
After all, thanks to Shi Wuxiang helping sell fish to Xiangxiang Restaurant before, everyone had made money—they would not be stingy over a few snails.
Without even getting into the water, Yuan Zhao ended up with a full basket. He was delighted—autumn water was cold, after all.
“I’ll bring you a bowl once it’s cooked!” he called out before leaving.
Back home, he poured the snails into a basin to purge sand, fed a handful to the chickens, and planned to use the leftover shells as feed later.
The chicks had grown—just as the seller promised, the roosters were already developing combs.
Meanwhile, in town.
Madam Shi set up the stall with the children. When regulars noticed Yuan Zhao was absent, they asked about him, only relaxing after hearing he was not ill.
“You’re not going to the academy today?” a bun vendor asked. “Did they ban you from setting up there?”
Many had always thought stalls did not belong near an academy—it was a place of learning, not a marketplace.
Yet Yuan Zhao had managed it for months. Others envied his profits but did not dare copy him.
“Not for now. Studies are stricter lately,” Madam Shi said.
It was a lie, but no one questioned it.
Meanwhile, Cui Qi and the dining hall manager had already stationed people nearby, waiting to drive them off the moment they appeared. Cui Qi had even warned students not to buy outside food.
But after waiting a long time, no one came.
“Looks like they’re too scared to return,” the dining hall manager said.
Cui Qi snorted. “Keep people watching. If they come, stir up trouble. After a few times, they won’t dare return.”
Back home, Yuan Zhao was already preparing dinner.
“We’ll steam buns, cook a meat dish, and stir-fry the snails we gathered. Ah Yue, take a bowl to the family at the village entrance later.”
“Got it!” Shi Qingyue replied.
Yuan Zhao cooked quickly. Since Ah Yue ate more when he went out, the dishes were generous, with plenty of meat.
After cooking, he set aside a non-spicy bowl and a large spicy one, sending a portion out.
After dinner, the family sat under the eaves, enjoying the cool breeze and cracking seeds.
The days were getting shorter again—mornings and evenings had turned chilly.
Yuan Zhao told them about the deal with Xiangxiang Restaurant, even sharing the silver.
“By spring, we’ll have enough for tuition. It’s just that the academy here isn’t ideal…”
“That’s next year’s problem,” Shi Qingyue said. “Who knows? Maybe Cui Qi will fall from grace by then.”
“And you?” Yuan Zhao asked.
Shi Qingyue laughed, and Madam Shi explained, “He’s only a tongsheng. He can’t study with xiucai students yet—he has to go to a different academy first.”
“I see!” Yuan Zhao said.
So academies were divided like this—how complicated.
Still, their current savings were more than enough.
At least for now, they no longer had to worry about money.
But while they were free from worry, the Yuan family was not.
He had no choice but to believe it.
A sour bitterness filled his chest, yet he did not even have the right to question it.
“I’ve been a bit busy. Studying also needs balance between work and rest, so I came out for a walk,” Hu Lu replied gently.
Truthfully, this matter could not be blamed on anyone else. Even without Shi Wuxiang, there was never any possibility between him and Yuan Zhao.
During these past days, he had been trying to convince himself, and now he had finally reached a point where he could accept it calmly.
Yuan Zhao nodded. “Then today’s egg pancakes are on me!”
Cheng Du quickly glanced at Hu Lu’s expression and chimed in, “Ah Ying and I argued with Li Qingwei for you. Aren’t you going to treat us too?”
“Fine, fine, I’ll treat! You’re so stingy!” Yuan Zhao shot back without any sense of distance, then turned to Madam Shi beside him. “Mother, make three egg pancakes for them.”
“Alright!” Madam Shi responded, and also ladled out red bean soup for them.
The three of them took their wraps but didn’t leave, instead standing behind the stall, chatting idly and occasionally talking with little Yuan.
The third time Yuan Yuan swatted away the hand reaching for his head, he looked up at Cheng Du. “If you want to play with me, just say so. But you can’t disturb me while I’m working—that’s not good.”
Cheng Du, holding his wrap with both hands: “?? Was that me?”
Fu Ying coughed lightly. “Sorry. Your head is very round—you must sleep very well.”
He got praised!
Yuan Yuan touched his head and beamed up at them. “My brother sleeps with me, so it’s all his credit. He says round heads are smart.”
“Mm.” Fu Ying responded. A round head like this really did feel nice to touch—rarely did one see a child sleep into such a perfect shape.
Yuan Zhao just smiled when he heard them talking. His own head was quite round too. He remembered his mother saying that a round head looked full and handsome. Since his parents had passed away, it was naturally his responsibility to make sure Yuan Yuan grew up well-rounded too.
Fortunately, he had done a good job.
The three scholars lingered behind the stall, eating and chatting, attracting quite a few customers. Some familiar-looking scholars also came over to buy, even striking up conversations with Cheng Du and the others.
Even in front of these scholars, Yuan Zhao did not show the slightest timidity. Hu Lu, standing nearby, let out a quiet sigh—this was another quality he deeply admired in him.
But these qualities… Wuxiang had already known long ago.
It was a day off at the academy, so Yuan Zhao did not need to set up his stall in front of it. Waves of customers came and went, making Cheng Du and the others seem especially carefree.
“Don’t you have anything else to do?” Yuan Zhao asked—not to chase them away, but because he hadn’t expected them to stay so long.
“We really don’t have anything today. We just wanted to come chat with you for a bit. Later we’ll go to the bookstore to buy some paper and ink—that’s all,” Cheng Du said.
Yuan Zhao originally wanted to ask about tuition fees, but with Madam Shi nearby, he felt inexplicably embarrassed to bring it up, worried it might be misunderstood. So he only nodded and said nothing more.
After about half an hour, they left together to go shopping.
Hu Lu even turned back for one last look as he left, but Yuan Zhao’s thoughts were elsewhere, so he didn’t notice.
—
After a whole summer of running the stall, Yuan Zhao had saved quite a bit. The new house was built, and daily expenses were mostly just rice, flour, and oil—buying once lasted a long time. Even counting the pocket money for the children, they hadn’t spent much.
For poor people like them, studying was the best way out. He had always hoped to send Shi Qingyue to the academy to pursue an official career. That way, even if he and Yuan Yuan eventually left with their trade, he wouldn’t feel guilty.
So as soon as he got home, Yuan Zhao brought up the matter to the family, asking for their thoughts.
“If I go study, what about the fields at home?” Shi Qingyue frowned. There was anticipation, but more hesitation.
He knew very well his current value. His elder brother, sister-in-law, and mother were all earning money. The two little ones didn’t count. He was barely the pillar of the household—without him, the farm work couldn’t get done.
And besides, he wasn’t as good at studying as his elder brother.
Yuan Zhao said, “We can hire people to help with the fields, but studying can’t be delayed. Didn’t you study before? Why not go back to your old academy?”
“I think we should wait until my brother returns and discuss it together…” Shi Qingyue didn’t want to decide on his own. After all, he was the pillar of the family now—the main force in the fields!
“He’ll agree. Next spring, you can go to the academy together. Don’t worry about things at home,” Yuan Zhao said. “Studying and earning a degree—that’s also making money for the family!”
Shi Qingyue was smart. If he passed the county exam and became a xiucai, he’d even receive a stipend, and their land would be tax-exempt. What a great deal!
“Azhao, there’s no rush. Let A-Yue think it over first. When A-Xiang comes back, we can ask his opinion too,” Madam Shi said, smoothing things over.
“Alright.” Yuan Zhao smiled. “I was being too impatient.”
—
That night, under the eaves, they chatted as usual. It was all ordinary talk, until Yuan Zhao heard that Yuan Xiangxiang was going to get married.
Even though he had long cut ties with the Yuan family, he still wanted to know the gossip.
“Who is she marrying? The betrothal gifts must be quite a lot.”
Otherwise, Wang Xiaohua would never let her go—she had raised her daughter precisely to exchange her for money.
“I only heard a bit. Seems like the man is quite old. And honestly, Yuan Xiangxiang isn’t pretty and has a terrible temper. It’s already good that someone’s willing to marry her!” Shi Qingyue still remembered the Yuan family’s past deeds and couldn’t help but curse a little more.
Yuan Zhao only needed to know the general situation. Whoever Yuan Xiangxiang married, Wang Xiaohua would definitely get money. And he had overheard before that Wang Xiaohua still planned to send Yuan Jinbao to the academy—clearly, she hadn’t given up on him.
Sending someone to the academy cost a lot. They themselves were working desperately just to barely afford sending A-Xiang and A-Yue next spring.
There was still time before then. They could save more. No matter what, they couldn’t give up studying.
—
Shi Wuxiang was very satisfied with Shi Qingyue going to school. A boy his age should be studying.
“I’ll cover his expenses. You cover mine,” Shi Wuxiang said. “It’s shameless of me, but I do need your help.”
“This is what I should do,” Yuan Zhao murmured.
Their family truly got along well. No one schemed against each other or tried to grab money.
They earned money together, so naturally they spent it together.
He didn’t like the idea of families keeping strict accounts—how could family ever be calculated so precisely?
Shi Wuxiang added, “In the future, we can categorize our money—daily expenses, food and oil, gifts, and so on. Do you understand what I mean?”
Yuan Zhao frowned, a little annoyed. “Do you treat me like an idiot every day?”
“Not to that extent,” Shi Wuxiang replied.
“Cheng Du? What about Cheng Du?” Yuan Zhao stared at him blankly.
Shi Wuxiang’s expression grew complicated. His fingers itched—he almost wanted to pry open Yuan Zhao’s head and see what was inside. Was there even a brain in there?
He sighed. “Shake your head.”
Yuan Zhao didn’t understand, but he obediently did so, holding his head. “What? Nothing happened!”
“You didn’t hear any water sloshing?” Shi Wuxiang asked.
“No.” Yuan Zhao shook his head again. “There’s nothing inside.”
Shi Wuxiang smiled. “You’re right.”
Yuan Zhao blinked, thinking carefully.
There’s nothing inside.
You’re right.
“….”
“I’m not talking to you anymore.” Yuan Zhao flopped down stiffly and turned his back on him, his whole posture radiating stubbornness.
Shi Wuxiang held back his laughter, though his shoulders trembled slightly. After a moment, he gently nudged Yuan Zhao’s back.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Don’t sulk.”
“Sulking is supposed to be quiet! If you don’t want to see me sulk, then you leave—no, I’ll leave! I’ll go sleep with Yuan Yuan. He’s better than you!” Yuan Zhao said, grabbing his blanket.
Shi Wuxiang simply blocked him with his leg, an action that looked oddly improper coming from him.
Yuan Zhao was stunned.
“How can you be like this? Aren’t scholars supposed to be proper? Why are you so bad?”
“I’m bad again?” Shi Wuxiang laughed, pushing him back into place with his leg. “Lie down properly. If you go over there, you’ll wake Yuan Yuan and make him worry that we’re fighting. Do you want him to be scared?”
“It’s all your fault!”
“Mm, my fault, my fault. Now lie down.”
Yuan Zhao huffed and lay back down, hugging his blanket. He still wanted to be angry, but with the other’s attitude, his anger dissolved before it could gather.
Under the cover of night, he turned his head slightly to look at Shi Wuxiang.
The seed of affection in his heart—he didn’t know when it had started to grow, nurtured by Shi Wuxiang’s indulgence and protection. One day, it would become a towering tree.
A trace of bitterness rose in his chest.
He liked Shi Wuxiang very much.
But that liking… was wrong.
Yuan Zhao was always being teased by him, yet he never really knew how to retort. Even if he could think of a comeback now, he didn’t want to say it while enjoying the warmth of that embrace.
He pouted. “We should get up. I already heard Mother busying herself. I need to help A Yue lift the pickled sauce jar onto the ox cart—you’re taking it to Xiangxiang Restaurant later.”
“You’re not going to the town today?” Shi Wuxiang asked. With Yuan Zhao chattering along the way, even the journey felt shorter.
“Do you want me to go with you? Say it—you want me to, hurry up, say it!” Yuan Zhao kicked at his calf with his bare foot.
Shi Wuxiang let out a soft hiss and loosened his hold, lying flat instead. “I want you to come with me. We can set up a stall near the academy today. Get up and I’ll give you ideas.”
Yuan Zhao immediately sprang up. “Really? Then I’m getting up to wash! You get up too, hurry!”
Even if it wasn’t for earning money, he still had to find a way to stand up to that Cui Qi. He refused to believe that man could keep suppressing him forever.
Yuan Zhao followed Shi Wuxiang to Xiangxiang Restaurant. Since it was his goods they were selling, it was only proper to meet the shopkeeper in person.
The shopkeeper was delighted to see him. “Zhao-ge’er is here too? I’ll spread the word right away. Tomorrow there’ll surely be many customers!”
“I’ve brought the sauce. Please open it and taste it,” Yuan Zhao said. “It’s better to be clear about everything.”
The shopkeeper had been unsure how to bring it up at first—after all, this was someone connected to Scholar Shi. He needed to show some respect. He hadn’t expected Yuan Zhao to speak first.
So he went along with it and personally tasted the sauce. His eyes widened immediately. It was even more delicious than the sauce used in the wraps, with tiny bits of minced meat mixed in!
“This sauce… feels different?”
“I’ve re-cooked it,” Yuan Zhao explained, repeating what Shi Wuxiang had told him. “He said since it’s being sold in your restaurant, it should be more refined. If it’s the same as before and at the same price, the more particular guests might have complaints.”
As expected.
The shopkeeper was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t expected Yuan Zhao, who looked so carefree and simple-minded, to have such insight. His impression of him improved instantly.
Shi Wuxiang added casually, “The wraps can also be made more presentable.”
“Got it!” The shopkeeper laughed. “You two really are my lucky stars!”
“We don’t deserve that.”
“Not at all!”
Yuan Zhao didn’t stay long. Madam Shi Zhang was busy at the stall alone, so he hurried back to help.
When the regular customers saw him, they immediately became more talkative, asking where he had been these past two days. Remembering the shopkeeper’s words, Yuan Zhao helped spread the news.
“Xiangxiang Restaurant bought my sauce. I just delivered it to them.”
“What? Xiangxiang Restaurant bought it? Are they going to make wraps too? Why do they copy everything? If we want to eat it, we can just buy it here!”
“That’s not fair either. Sauce has many uses! Hey, little boss, are you selling this sauce? It tastes really good—works with anything!”
“Exactly! Can you sell it? When it gets cold, you can stir-fry dishes with it. Winter only has cabbage and radish anyway—no flavor without salt!”
Yuan Zhao thought for a moment. “I’ll make more later. If you want it, just bring a bowl.”
“That works!”
“Wow, today’s sauce even has meat bits in it! That must be expensive! I’ve never seen sauce with meat before!”
The man who had just taken a bite of the wrap couldn’t help exclaiming.
Meat was always a luxury.
Yuan Zhao said, “It’s meat from our own home. You can eat it with confidence. Even our children eat it.”
The customers were delighted. They trusted Yuan Zhao’s stall—clean, honest, and they often saw the family eating their own food. Naturally, they felt reassured.
Business improved after the sauce change. At the usual time, Yuan Zhao prepared to push the cart toward the academy, though this time they took a different route.
Shi Wuxiang had told him there was a section of the academy wall rarely checked. Occasionally, students would go there to quietly buy things from peddlers.
So Yuan Zhao went through the front, while Madam Shi Zhang pushed toward another section of the wall. The students would understand.
Shi Wuxiang really was clever.