As the year-end approached, the city was decorated with lanterns and banners, bustling with activity.
Shu Rui bought several modest red lanterns to hang on the persimmon tree in the backyard and a few in front of the inn by the elm tree, adding festive cheer for the New Year.
The holiday season was lively, but prices for vegetables, meat, and grains had all risen at least ten percent. Shu Rui had no stock that avoided the price hike, so he adjusted the menu prices accordingly. Fortunately, everyone else was doing the same, so business was unaffected—indeed, it was better than usual.
Recently, more customers came to order from their inn, some traveling from the west side of the city for roast lamb and spiced meat buns.
Shu Rui worked busily in the kitchen. Although the inn didn’t serve these dishes on-site, he prepared them daily. In the freezing weather, he worried that dishes delivered far away would lose flavor if reheated.
Each delivery was packed tightly. For distant customers, Shu Rui always had Lu Ling personally deliver them, rather than leaving it to casual runners.
He had chosen wisely. When delivered, the recipient often thought it was freshly cooked in the neighboring house. Satisfied, they would order again for gatherings.
For some wealthy households, tips were given generously, sometimes exceeding the cost of the food itself. Such instances were rare but happened, making money easier to earn at year-end.
“Brother Lu is really hardworking, sending out dishes and managing the street shop—never a complaint,” Shu Rui remarked after delivering the last order. He felt his arms ache from stirring the pans.
Yang Chunhua arrived and poured hot soup for him. “You’re trying to make up a little for the new shop, right? Money is tight, so you’re working extra to supplement it.”
She brought some winter jujubes from her family—a large basket. Unable to eat them all, she shared some with Shu Rui. Families always remembered each other across the seasons: melons and vegetables in spring, grains in autumn, delicacies at other times.
Yang Chunhua’s in-laws had never done such things. This was the first time visiting A Xing (Shu Rui’s family), and they even took items from his shop. She found it tiresome but had no way to avoid the visits during the New Year.
Sitting down by the brazier to warm her hands, she said to Shu Rui, “You two are really capable. The inn has only been open a few days, and now you’re already setting up a new shop.”
Shu Rui sat down by the fire to warm himself. “The inn hasn’t really earned much,” he said. “It’s just that he’s been thinking about business. Men are like that—having a mind for trade is good. I figured out a way to gather a bit of money so he could try his hand at it.”
Yang Chunhua said, “Brother Lu is capable and always considers your future. How’s it going? Is the good news near? What does their family say?”
Shu Rui, having kept a low profile at Lu’s household, rarely visited after the shop opened, so the neighbors hadn’t really noticed, and Yang Chunhua didn’t know much either.
“They agreed on their side, but my family hasn’t settled matters yet,” he replied.
“Good things take time. Once your business is steady, there’s no need to worry so much,” Yang Chunhua said.
Looking at Shu Rui, she clicked her tongue and added, “I swear, your complexion looks a lot fairer now and finer too!”
Shu Rui blinked and touched his face. “Really?”
Just then, Qing’er came in from the kitchen to fetch water, prompting Yang Chunhua to call out, “Qing’er, look! Has our shopkeeper really gotten fairer?”
Qing’er, seeing Shu Rui every day at the shop, hadn’t noticed before, but now, hearing Yang Chunhua, he raised his eyebrows. “It’s true! Lately, I’ve noticed A Shao looking more handsome, though he teased me, saying I was flattering him.”
Shu Rui feigned disbelief. “You two are just trying to please me with compliments.”
Yang Chunhua clicked her tongue. “We have no reason to make you happy. It’s the truth. Qingqing remembers when you first came to the inn—so full of spirit, but your face looked so sallow.”
Shu Rui explained, “That was true. It was near summer. Sitting in a cart under the midday sun while traveling, I got terribly sunburned.”
“Ah, the summer sun. But now, with autumn and winter, the sun is weaker—you’ve recovered your complexion.” She teased him further, “Happiness brightens the spirit. With Brother Lu always around, your face has improved.”
Qing’er covered his mouth to hide a smile. “I think A Shao has matured a bit, shedding his old look. When our third sister was little, her hair was dull, and her face lacked glow. But in these months, he looks lively and fresh.”
“Exactly. Growing up brings change,” Shu Rui said, relieved. With his skin improved and his pockmarks lightened, he just had to wait for the trip back to his hometown.
That evening, Shu Rui shared the story with Lu Ling.
“If they don’t believe it, all your efforts are in vain,” Lu Ling remarked.
Shu Rui picked up a small pair of scissors to trim Lu Ling’s clumsy nails. They sat by the charcoal brazier, dressed in their winter bedding, yet felt warm. A vase of yellow plum flowers on the nearby table emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance.
“How’s the shop? Enough money to manage?” Shu Rui asked.
Lu Ling looked down as Shu Rui worked on his nails. “It’s enough. The main expenses are covered. I’ve already interviewed some assistants and hired two skilled ones at a monthly wage of one string and eight coins each.”
Shu Rui knew such employees cost more than usual; the fixed monthly expense was already thirteen strings and six coins, which made him slightly anxious about future shop income.
Seeing Shu Rui silent, Lu Ling added, “Don’t worry. We already have some channels for business. I spoke with our inn’s agents; when they bring in customers, they’ll also recommend people to our shop.”
Shu Rui asked, “And the storyteller’s side?”
“That hasn’t been arranged yet,” Lu Ling replied.
“Then I’ll let them know when it’s time to settle accounts. Our new shop isn’t just for storage; small items can be kept too. There might be a demand in the city,” Shu Rui said.
Lu Ling nodded. “The shop is progressing quickly. Carpenter Tong brought three apprentices; most of the work is done. I think we can open after the New Year.”
Shu Rui agreed. “This shop isn’t like a retail food store. Opening day doesn’t require much; it’s more about publicity. Passersby won’t just spend money without knowing what’s inside.”
“If it were earlier, we could have taken advantage of the year-end rush.”
“Mm,” Lu Ling murmured, gazing at Shu Rui’s long lashes, delicate nose, and graceful features. He soon stopped thinking about business altogether. Leaning closer, he murmured, “Sss~”
Shu Rui’s eyes widened—his scissors had accidentally pricked Lu Ling’s finger. He froze, then gave a dry smile.
Lu Ling buried his face in Shu Rui’s shoulder, crying, “It hurts!”
Shu Rui removed the scissors; blood welled from the fingertip. Hastily, he took a cloth to staunch it. “Don’t move suddenly! You scared me. How could I poke you?”
“You poked me and still act fierce!” Lu Ling looked aggrieved.
“Alright, alright. It’s my fault,” Shu Rui said, patting him gently. “I’ll bandage it. Only the skin is broken, no bones. Don’t get it wet; it’ll heal in two days.”
Lu Ling refused to move. “No, I’m angry. I’ll sleep here tonight so I won’t be mad.”
Shu Rui raised an eyebrow. “Who cares if you’re mad? If you don’t get up, I won’t even bandage your hand.”
“Then I’ll let it stay injured and depend on you to care for it.”
“That works too—less fuss.”
Lu Ling pouted and suddenly stood. “How can you be so cruel?”
Shu Rui chuckled, heading for the cabinet to get the first-aid box, only to find the bed empty.
“Lu Ling!” he called. The boy had already slipped under the covers. Shu Rui bent to pull him out, but he was too light to catch.
“If the blood stains the bedding, I’ll be really mad,” Shu Rui warned.
Hearing this, Lu Ling poked his finger out from under the blankets. Shu Rui gave in, treated the wound with alcohol-soaked cotton, and bandaged it neatly.
“If you don’t get up, I’ll sleep in your room,” Shu Rui said, preparing to fetch his outerwear. Lu Ling immediately sat up. “I just want to be with you, nothing more.”
Shu Rui smirked. He had known this would happen long ago.
Seeing Shu Rui remain silent like a stern official, Lu Ling stretched half his foot off the bed. “I’ll sleep on the floor if I must.”
“Not allowed.”
Seeing Shu Rui’s coldness, Lu Ling pressed his lips tightly, got out of bed, hurriedly slipped on his shoes, and went outside, walking as if deeply aggrieved.
Shu Rui watched him leave, then peeked out the door—Lu Ling really had gone back inside.
He latched the door, returned to the corner, and softly called, “Tomorrow we’ll eat at home together.”
Lu Ling didn’t respond.
Shu Rui knocked gently on the wall.
“I’m sleeping,” came the reply.
Shu Rui blinked. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you talking?”
“I won’t talk anymore,” Lu Ling said.
Silence fell. Lu Ling’s ears listened to the neighboring sounds, intending to sulk, but when he realized Shu Rui didn’t return to bed, he gave up. “Fine. Tomorrow we’ll go back and hear them praise you.”
“Praise me for what?”
“For hiring two servants and a skilled worker. The old man told me I won’t have to pull his carriage in the mornings. You can see his delight firsthand.”
Shu Rui couldn’t help smiling.
“Go back to bed,” he said.
“I will, but if I don’t sleep soon, I’ll come over,” Lu Ling said.
“Still mad?”
“Yes. I wish I’d married you sooner. Once we’re wed, we’ll see what you can say to chase me away,” Lu Ling murmured.
Shu Rui snuggled under the warm covers, inhaled gently, and didn’t respond. He wrapped himself tightly, letting the warmth comfort him.