Even though Shi Wuxiang had secured the position, Yuan Zhao didn’t dare spend recklessly. His money was tightly clutched, only splurging when buying rice and flour.
Under Shi Wuxiang’s “threats,” he still bought a large chunk of meat, some bowls, and a few sweets and candies—treats they hadn’t had even during the New Year.
Though it cost a lot, the money was spent wisely and acceptably.
After a day of running around, Shi Wuxiang felt quite exhausted; his body still needed strengthening.
“Let’s ride the ox-cart back,” Yuan Zhao suggested suddenly. “I saw other villagers coming to town, and if there are many people, there will be an ox-cart.”
Shi Wuxiang tilted his head. “How much does it cost per person?”
“One copper coin each.”
“You really are willing to spend that for me?”
Yuan Zhao nodded firmly. “Of course! If you get sick from exhaustion, the medicine will cost more than the ox-cart. I can prioritize.”
Shi Wuxiang couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re clever,” he said. Indeed, Yuan Zhao was right—poor people couldn’t afford illness, and they were very poor.
The ox-cart ride was smooth, and the other passengers, noticing Shi Wuxiang had recovered, asked all sorts of questions. Yuan Zhao handled the conversation, giving Shi Wuxiang a peaceful ride.
By the time they returned home, it was near noon. Smoke rose from every household except the Shi family, who were still in the fields. Only the two children remained at home and could not cook.
“We’re back.”
“Brother!” Yuan Yuan, who had been waiting with ears pricked, ran over and obediently called Shi Wuxiang “big brother.”
Yuan Zhao immediately set down the heavy basket and called Shi Qingran over. “We bought food for you! But we’ll wait for Granny and A-Yue to eat together. For now, bring it inside; I’ll start cooking!”
Shi Wuxiang, unsure how Yuan Zhao always had so much energy, helped carry the rice and flour inside. Yuan Yuan and Shi Qingran carried the snacks and candies.
With the meat he bought, Yuan Zhao cooked with more vigor, slicing off a palm-sized piece for future use and wrapping the rest in leaves.
He reheated leftover buns, cooked two meat dishes, and added dried vegetables to the leftover pot water, creating a fragrant soup.
Afterward, he portioned the dishes into bowls and the soup into a polished wooden bucket.
“I’ll deliver the food; you start eating,” he said, sweaty but cheerful.
Shi Wuxiang hurried to stop him. “I’ll come with you.”
A child running in the mountains was dangerous.
Yuan Zhao looked at him suspiciously. “I’m not a child! And you look like you might faint—better eat first!”
Shi Wuxiang said nothing, carrying the remaining food into the house. The two little ones, attracted by the aroma, followed.
Yuan Zhao blinked. Why was he still upset? He would coax him later.
“Zhao Ge’er!”
Just as Yuan Zhao stepped into the yard, Zhao Hu, the young man he had saved earlier, appeared, carrying a basket.
Seeing him stop, Zhao Hu ran over, his honest, shy face smiling. “My mother sent me to give you two pine vegetables and some snacks I bought in town. Please accept them.”
“Snacks are expensive; why are you giving them to me?” Yuan Zhao’s dark face showed utter shock.
He had only bought enough cheap snacks for the family. Why would someone buy such costly things for them?
“Well… you saved me, right? Consider it my thanks. I work in town and earn silver; if you want more snacks in the future, just tell me,” Zhao Hu said awkwardly, without pretense.
“Why should I ask? And these are expensive. Better to stick with solid food,” Yuan Zhao replied, puzzled.
Zhao Hu hadn’t expected this reaction; he assumed Yuan Zhao would be grateful and cheerful.
“No, don’t you understand?” Zhao Hu looked dumbfounded.
“I understand. You want to repay me for saving you. I’ll accept the pine vegetables. My husband likes them recently, thank you,” Yuan Zhao said innocently, taking the two pine vegetables from the basket and turning to go inside. “That’s enough, you may go back now.”
The smile vanished the moment he turned away.
Oh dear, his life was at risk—he was already married!
The poor man was oblivious; did he want to get him killed?
The shabby courtyard couldn’t hide the two of them, nor could it conceal Shi Wuxiang’s tall frame. Zhao Hu, hearing movement, prepared to greet Yuan Zhao, only to see this scene.
“H-Husband!” Yuan Zhao called first. “Brother Zhao is repaying us for saving him before, bringing two pine vegetables.”
He hadn’t mentioned the snacks to avoid misunderstanding.
Shi Wuxiang glanced lightly at Zhao Hu, then at Yuan Zhao. “Go back inside and eat. Otherwise, after they finish, you’ll be stuck with dirty bowls.”
Yuan Zhao tilted his head, confused. “???”
He obediently entered. Today’s meal was even more lavish than New Year’s; he could eat less, but not skip it.
“Ah—” Zhao Hu stared after him, words stuck. Finally, he handed the snacks to Shi Wuxiang and ran off.
Shi Wuxiang held the snacks, glanced at Yuan Zhao, and saw him widen his eyes.
“How can you accept this? Don’t you know… this is—”
He wasn’t really foolish. Zhao Hu’s intentions were clear, but he hadn’t explicitly stated them. Yuan Zhao had no choice but to feign innocence and subtly affirm that he was already married.
“That snack was clearly meant as a friendly gesture, and yet Master Shi actually accepted it!”
“He shoved it to me and ran off,” Shi Wuxiang frowned. “Yuan’er, do you know where Zhao Hu’s family lives?”
Yuan Yuan nodded firmly. “I know, Big Brother.”
Shi Wuxiang looked satisfied. “Then you quietly return the snack later. Don’t cause a fuss or disturb anyone.”
“All right!” Yuan Yuan was thrilled to be entrusted with such an important task. A rare flush of excitement colored his waxy little face.
Hearing that the snack would be returned, Yuan Zhao’s expression softened slightly. He knew Shi Wuxiang didn’t favor him, but if the other were to push him aside while they still had a bond, it would truly crush him.
Utterly crushed!
“Everything’s being taken care of for you, and you’re still upset?” Shi Wuxiang gently poked his cheek, only to be met with Yuan Zhao’s outburst.
“—I’m dead!” Yuan Zhao suddenly clutched his mouth. How had his inner thoughts accidentally slipped out!
Shi Wuxiang frowned. “No nonsense.”
“Oh!” Yuan Zhao hummed, continuing his meal. The coarse buns were chewy; he treated each bite as if he were feeding Shi Wuxiang.
Chew, chew, chew!
Yuan Yuan quickly returned with two large cabbage heads, but this time they didn’t need to be sent back. A little token of gratitude for a lifesaving favor was acceptable.
After lunch, Yuan Zhao instructed Shi Qingran and Yuan Yuan to care for Shi Wuxiang, then hurriedly changed into his worn clothes and rushed to the fields.
On the way out, he regretted not having eaten before delivering the food; it would have saved him from the extra trips.
Fallowing new land was hard work and tedious, but given their current lack of fields, it was a golden opportunity—they had to make the most of it.
Yuan Zhao worked relentlessly, while the others naturally had to keep pace. By the end of the second day, they hadn’t yet cleared half an acre.
As the sun dipped, Yuan Zhao leaned on his hoe. “Let’s head home for now. Pushing ourselves too hard could ruin our health.”
Shi Zhangshi and Shi Qingyue, exhausted, didn’t protest. The three of them supported each other on the way back.
Shi Wuxiang had already prepared the meal and was about to head out to meet them.
Shi Zhangshi fretted, “Your body just recovered. How can you work so hard? You’re a scholar; constantly fussing around the stove doesn’t suit you!”
Shi Wuxiang’s expression was calm and fearless. “People eat the five grains; naturally, I can prepare them. What’s shameful about cooking? Or are you saying my cooking is bad?”
“Mother doesn’t mean that!” Shi Zhangshi sighed. “You still need to continue your studies and aim for success!”
“That can wait,” Shi Wuxiang said firmly. “First, let’s manage our present life. Come, eat.”
Meanwhile, Yuan Zhao could sense the tension in the air.
He mentioned Shi Wuxiang’s new job. “Master Xiang is impressive; he’ll start work tomorrow!”
Shi Zhangshi nodded with a sigh, saying nothing further. Her son had his own plans, so why worry too much?
After dinner, Yuan Zhao tidied up and stepped out under the moonlight.