Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Five

The next morning, after finishing his work at the shop, Lu Yao personally took Xiaodou to school.

When they arrived at the gate of the Elementary School, Xiaodou pointed to a boy ahead and said, "Sister-in-law, it was him who hit me yesterday!"

Lu Yao looked over and saw that the child was about the same age as Xiaodou, with a very well-proportioned appearance. Although he wore fine cloth clothes, his demeanor was different from the other children around him, as if he were from the city.

Lin Zijian turned around upon hearing this and, seeing Xiaodou approaching with an adult, his face turned pale. "What do you want?"

Lu Yao asked, "Why did you bully Zhao Beidou yesterday?"

Lin Zijian stammered for a while, "Who told him not to let me copy his writing."

"Do you think it's right to copy someone else's work?"

The boy pursed his lips and remained silent, nervously gripping the hem of his shirt.

"If you know it's wrong to copy, why did you still hit him?"

"He started it by calling me stupid and pushing me! He even broke my hand." The boy extended his hand, revealing a scraped palm, which looked worse than Zhao Xiaodou's injuries.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Lu Yao patted Xiaodou lightly. "How could you insult others? You pushed him first and then came home to complain?"

Xiaodou lowered his head in silence, while Lin Zijian's tears fell steadily.

"Apologize to Zijian first."

"S-Sorry, I shouldn't have called you names."

Lin Zijian wiped his tears. "I also shouldn't have torn your backpack strap."

Lu Yao patted both their heads. "Alright, no more fighting. Xiaodou, bring him to our house for tofu pudding sometime."

"Okay."

The two children held hands and entered the school. Lu Yao took the opportunity to meet with the teacher and inquire about Xiaodou's studies.

The teacher stroked his beard and said leisurely, "This child is diligent and studious, with a calm disposition. He may achieve great things in the future."

Lu Yao believed the diligence but wondered where the calmness came from. Still, he was pleased with the praise and slipped the teacher some extra money, asking him to take special care of Xiaodou's education.

Returning to the shop, Lu Yao found Zhao Beichuan working hard alone, drenched in sweat. He quickly rolled up his sleeves and joined in.

At the third hour of Chen, the shop closed.

Today, they had made five more pounds of dough than yesterday, and everything sold out, including the soy milk and tofu pudding. Only a piece of tofu remained.

Lu Yao decided to make dried tofu by simmering it in bone broth to create salty dried tofu.

With another busy market day tomorrow, Lu Yao prepared a large pot of broth and soaked more beans than usual.

On the 20th of March, just past the second hour of Chou, the two woke up.

Lu Yao was so sleepy his eyelids felt heavy, and Zhao Beichuan kept yawning. To stay awake, they splashed cold water on their faces, instantly feeling more alert.

As usual, Lu Yao boiled soy milk while Zhao Beichuan kneaded the dough. Twenty pounds of flour posed no challenge for him.

Once the tofu pudding was set, they loaded the items onto the cart.

Lu Yao carefully locked the door, planning to return later to open it for the children going to school.

"Are you cold?" Zhao Beichuan adjusted the rabbit fur collar on Lu Yao's coat.

"Hiss—It's okay." Lu Yao shivered as he got into the cart. The early spring dawn was colder than the night, making his skin tighten and his breath feel sticky in his throat, with frost filling his nostrils.

Arriving at the shop, Lu Yao quickly lit a fire. The orange flames flickered in the stove, and they huddled together, wishing they could put their hands directly into the warmth.

After finally warming up, Zhao Beichuan began unloading the cart, while Lu Yao divided the dough into small fist-sized balls to prepare for frying oil sticks.

Soon, the old man who collected night soil arrived, placing his bucket far away. "Young sir, give me a bowl of hot soy milk."

"Sure, coming right up." Lu Yao fetched a clay bowl, filled it with soy milk, added a small piece of sugar, and handed it over.

"Slurp—Drinking a bowl of your hot soy milk early in the morning warms me up."

Lu Yao smiled without saying anything. After finishing the dough, Zhao Beichuan started frying the oil sticks.

The first oil stick was a bit overcooked, so Lu Yao picked it out and gave it to the old man. "Grandpa, eat this one; it's free."

"Oh, how can I accept that?"

"It's fine; it's a bit burnt."

The old man happily took the oil stick, dipping it in the soy milk, his eyes closing in pleasure.

Soon, customers began arriving, and the old man quickly finished his soy milk, leaving two coins on the table before departing.

He worried that others might find his smell unpleasant and affect the business.

Lu Yao collected the money and hurried to serve other customers. In the past few days, tofu pudding had been selling well, so most people didn't drink much soy milk, finding it too watery.

However, recently, more people started drinking soy milk, discovering that the shop added sugar, making it taste sweet despite the small amount.

Regardless of age, everyone living through hard times craved a taste of sweetness...

Approaching the hour of Mao, Lu Yao returned home, bringing two oil sticks for Xiaodou and Xiaonian. There was still warm soy milk at home, so he told them to eat while it was hot.

Xiaodou went to school on his own, while Xiaonian washed her face and followed him to the shop. She was worried that her sister-in-law and elder brother might be too busy today.

As soon as it dawned, the place was indeed packed with customers. The shop was full, and some people were squatting outside to eat. All thirty clay bowls were in use, and there was still a long queue of people waiting for their turn to have tofu pudding.

Zhao Beichuan was sweating profusely frying dough sticks at the front, while Lu Yao served food to the customers and cleared tables. Xiaonian took the used bowls to the back to wash them clean.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the Lu family suddenly arrived: Lu Guangsheng, Lu's mother, Lu Lin, and Hu Chunrong. They had come to the market to buy a mule today.

Seeing the young couple rushing around nonstop, Lu's mother immediately rolled up her sleeves and stayed to help without a word, sending Lu's father and Lu Lin to the market.

Lu's mother cleared tables, while Hu Chunrong helped Xiaonian wash dishes in the back. Lu Yao only had to collect money and serve food, which significantly reduced their workload.

They kept busy until well past noon, when the number of customers finally started to dwindle. Lu Yao scooped two bowls of tofu pudding. "Mother, sister-in-law, come over and eat. Don't work so hard."

Xiaonian liked sweet soy milk, so Lu Yao filled a bowl for her with extra sugar.

Hu Chunrong wiped her hands and came over from the back. She had been curious about the taste of the tofu pudding and now had a chance to try it.

Both of them took a spoonful, and they exclaimed in surprise, "This is made from tofu?"

"Yes, it's just softer when making tofu, and not pressed into blocks, so it becomes tofu pudding."

Hu Chunrong said, "This is really delicious, like egg custard, smooth and silky! By the way, why did you start selling food? Didn't you sell tofu before?"

"Speaking of this makes me angry. How has your tofu business been these days?"

Hu Chunrong replied, "The same as usual. We make one board of tofu every day, and it all sells out."

Lu Yao settled accounts for a nearby customer and then moved a stool over to sit down. "That's good. In town, though, a competitor has come and ruined the market. They're selling tofu for three coins per catty and exchanging one catty of beans for two catties of tofu. There's no profit in that."

Upon hearing this, Lu's mother was furious. "Who could be so heartless!"

"That person is Lin Daman's sister-in-law."

"I told you not to trust outsiders, but you wouldn't listen. Look what happened!"

"It wasn't Lin Daman who gave away the recipe; it was his mother who tricked it out of the child."

"But it's the same thing, right? So you can't sell tofu anymore and have switched to selling breakfast instead?"

"Yes, it's tiring, but we're earning decently. Look, we've almost sold out two buckets of tofu pudding and soy milk this morning, and we're nearly done frying twenty catties of dough sticks."

Lu's mother felt a pang of heartache for her son, gently squeezing his slender arm, "You're going to wear yourself out! Look at how thin you are, there's hardly any flesh on you at all. Are you still thinking about having children?"

Hu Chunrong also said, "This business is too much for just the two of you. You look so thin; don't exhaust yourself."

"I'm planning to hire a helper soon."

Lu's mother said, "Why hire someone else? Have Lu Miao come help. He's just sitting idle at home anyway. Just feed him three meals a day!" Lu Miao is fifteen years old now, and he's capable of working. Having a family member help would be more reliable than an outsider.

"Alright, then go back and tell him to come help. I won't let him work for nothing; I'll give him five taels of silver per month."

Lu's mother reached out and pinched him again. "Have you got too much money to spend?"

"Mama, it would cost the same to hire someone else. It's better to give the money to Lu Miao so he can save up for his wedding dowry."

"I don't care anymore; do as you please."

A short while later, Lu's father and Lu Lin returned, leading a mule. This mule was slightly smaller than the one Zhao's family had bought, but it looked strong and sturdy. They spent six guan and three cash, two cash less than what they paid for Dahua, nearly depleting all the money Lu Lin had saved from selling tofu.

Zhao Beichuan finished frying the last bit of dough into youtiao. "Father, Second Brother, come in and have something to eat."

"Alright." Lu Lin tied the mule at the shop entrance. The two of them washed their hands and ate some youtiao with warm soy milk.

Zhao Beichuan wanted to buy some wine and dishes, but Lu's father stopped him. "No need to bother; we should head back now. In a few days, I'll come and help you fix the roof."

"Okay."

Before leaving, Lu Yao secretly slipped a guan of money to Lu's mother. "Quickly put it away; it wouldn't look good if anyone saw."

"Why are you giving me so much money?"

"Use it to buy some meat. Spring plowing is coming soon; help Father and Second Brother build up their strength."

"Do I need your money for that?"

"Just consider it your son's filial piety. Take it and spend it!"

Lu's mother gently patted him. "Take good care of yourself. Don't just focus on making money; if you exhaust yourself, everything will end up benefiting others!"

"Don't worry. Look at the shop name; Lu's Early Breakfast can't be taken by others."

After seeing off the Lu family, they packed up their stall. Today had truly exhausted Lu Yao, and he fell asleep on the way back in the cart.

When they arrived home, Zhao Beichuan carefully carried him inside, took off his shoes and socks, and tucked him in. Then, he busied himself washing the wooden bucket, soaking beans, and feeding the livestock...

Were they tired? Definitely. Zhao Beichuan's hands were shaking as he scrubbed the bucket, but both of them felt content.

Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to eat. Who finds earning money easy?

Moreover, the money they made in a few days was more than what villagers earned from farming for an entire year. The exhaustion was worth it!