Chapter 58

Chapter 58

The earnings from their third day of business had barely warmed Lu Yuan’s hands before they were spent on tables, chairs, bowls, and spoons, all in preparation for their soy milk venture.

On the designated day, before dawn, Lu Yuan rose to soak the soybeans. After breakfast, she headed to the clinic.

On her way back from the clinic, she passed through the West Market to check on the furniture she had ordered.

After paying a deposit for the chosen furniture, the vendor agreed to deliver it to their home, saving them the trouble of transport. So, on the way back, Lu Yuan had Qi Cheng carry a bundle of firewood from the West Market while she carried the six newly purchased bowls and spoons.

By the afternoon, when the tables and chairs were delivered, it was almost early afternoon. Lu Yuan then took Qi Cheng to the bakery to use their mill.

When the couple arrived at the bakery, the shopkeeper’s wife looked Qi Cheng over carefully before leading them to the backyard to use the mill.

The bakery’s backyard was filled with numerous steamers, and pastries were still being steamed at the time.

With others busy working in the yard, the shopkeeper’s wife didn’t linger to watch them but returned to the shop instead.

She said to her husband, "That young couple is quite pitiable. He's quite handsome, yet he’s blind."

The shopkeeper, packing custom-ordered cakes into boxes, replied, "At least they have a means to make a living. There’s no need for you to pity them. If you really feel sorry for them, you could let them use the mill without charge."

The shopkeeper’s wife, however, was unwilling. She puckered her lips and said, "That won’t do. If we don’t charge, everyone would come here to use the mill for free. How would that work?"

The shopkeeper chuckled and glanced toward the yard, where he saw the blind man operating the mill.

Though blind, he was still self-reliant and wouldn’t starve.

While Qi Cheng operated the mill, Lu Yuan added soybeans and water into it, using a small brush to sweep the thick slurry into a bucket.

After grinding about half of the beans, Lu Yuan noticed a light sweat on Qi Cheng’s forehead and said, "If you’re tired, take a break."

Qi Cheng shook his head. "I’m not tired, just a bit hot."

Lu Yuan, who was feeling somewhat cold, thought to herself: *Is it normal for someone who came out of a coma less than two months ago to run so hot?*

She untied the cloth from her waist and walked over to him. "Stop for a moment and wipe your sweat."

Qi Cheng paused and was about to reach for the cloth when she lifted her hand and wiped his forehead.

After realizing his feelings the previous night, Qi Cheng had become more comfortable with such intimate gestures between husband and wife. Having feelings for his wife was, after all, perfectly natural.

He smiled at her. "Thank you."

Lu Yuan didn’t notice anything different about him compared to usual. After wiping his sweat, she returned to work.

Once the soy milk was ready, Lu Yuan paid the shopkeeper’s wife six coppers.

The shopkeeper’s wife handed her a piece of date cake. "This is our shop’s best-selling pastry. Take it as a treat."

Lu Yuan accepted it and thanked her, then added, "I also run a stall at the night market selling *youtiao*. If you stop by, I’ll treat you to some."

The shopkeeper’s wife exclaimed in surprise, "So the new snack at the night market is from your family! I was just telling my husband earlier that I wanted to try it tonight."

Lu Yuan smiled. "No need to pay. It’s my treat."

The shopkeeper’s wife smiled. "Alright then, I’ll stop by later."

Lu Yuan said, "I’ll head back now and not disturb your business any longer."

The shopkeeper’s wife nodded and watched them leave.

Outside the bakery, Lu Yuan said to Qi Cheng, "Open your mouth."

As soon as he opened his mouth, she placed a warm piece of date cake inside. The sweet, rich flavor of red dates instantly spread through his mouth.

Lu Yuan broke off a small piece to taste herself and asked, "Do you like it?"

Qi Cheng replied, "It’s alright. I’m not particularly fond of very sweet desserts."

Lu Yuan said, "I think it’s quite delicious. It’s not too sweet."

In this era, sugar was expensive, so pastries weren’t made overly sweet. They were far less sugary than the desserts she had eaten in her previous life, so she found the sweetness just right.

"Then you eat it. No need to share more with me," he said.

Lu Yuan nodded, finished the pastry in a few bites, and brushed her hands off.

"When we return to Weishan Village, we should buy some pastries to bring back. Chun Hua and Qiu Hua have never tasted anything like this. They’ll be thrilled."

"We should also buy some for the village chief’s family and Sister-in-law Chen."

On the way home, Lu Yuan talked enthusiastically about what they would buy and who would receive gifts when they returned.

Once home, she had no time to talk about anything else. She focused on preparations, and by the time the sun set, she began boiling the soy milk.

The soy milk was ready just in time for them to set up their stall.

As darkness fell, Qi Cheng removed his blindfold and used two ropes to tie up the tables and chairs, which he then carried on his back.

With one hand steadying the furniture and the other carrying the soy milk, he followed Lu Yuan, who walked ahead carrying a half-basin of water to clear the way.

Though there weren’t many people around yet, they had to ensure Qi Cheng wouldn’t bump into anyone due to his limited vision—or that others, unaware of his condition, wouldn’t assume he would move aside and accidentally bump into him.

When they reached a spot near their previous stall, Lu Yuan stepped forward to help Qi Cheng hold the table steady as he slowly set it down.

Lu Yuan had him watch the stall while she hurried home to fetch the oil. She also brought out the necessary bowls and spoons in a carrying basket.

Soon after they opened their stall, a man with a child came to buy *youtiao*.

Lu Yuan recommended, "*Youtiao* go well with soy milk, or you can even dunk them in it. Would you like to try a bowl of soy milk?"

"How much for a bowl?" the man asked.

Lu Yuan replied, "Same as other places—one copper per bowl."

"Then give me two *youtiao* and two bowls of soy milk."

With that, he led his child to sit at one of the tables behind the stall.

Lu Yuan wrapped the fried dough sticks and handed them over, then ladled the soybean milk and asked Qi Cheng to bring it over.

Qi Cheng knew the arrangement of the tables and chairs. Though he moved a bit slowly, he steadily placed the soybean milk on the table.

Lu Yuan watched and, seeing no mishap, breathed a sigh of relief.

After the customers left, Qi Cheng relied on his poor eyesight to collect the bowls from the table, then bent down and put them in the basin of water.

Sitting on the low stool, he rolled up his sleeves and began washing the bowls.

Lu Yuan took out the fried dough sticks from the wok and looked over at Qi Cheng.

Truly, a handsome man could make even washing dishes or taking out trash seem pleasing to the eye.

Lu Yuan’s gaze fell on Qi Cheng’s forearm.

It seemed he had been recovering well—the muscles on his forearm looked much firmer, appearing strong even without much exertion.

If he were to exert force, the muscle definition on his arm would surely look impressive.

Since the muscles on his arms had recovered, had the abdominal muscles beneath his clothes also recovered?

She remembered that even when he was unconscious and lying in bed, he still had a faint layer of muscle. Now, after nearly over a month of recovery and eating well, she wondered how much of it had returned.

Lu Yuan’s gaze trailed upward from his arm to his shoulders, but as she continued to observe, Qi Cheng had already finished washing the bowls and stood.

“What’s wrong?” Qi Cheng asked.

Though he couldn’t see clearly, he could sense her gaze lingering on him, intense and scrutinizing.

Lu Yuan looked away and said, “It’s nothing.”

Then she turned back to continue frying dough sticks.

She muttered to herself, *Since his recovery, he never changes clothes in front of me, acting even more cautious than me, a woman.*

As Lu Yuan fried the dough sticks, someone approached the stall. Without looking up, she asked, “How many dough sticks would you like, ma’am?”

“So it really is you.”

A familiar voice tinged with surprise reached her ears. Lu Yuan looked up and saw the heavily made-up Huang Li standing in front of the stall. She paused for a breath.

She had expected to run into Huang Li, who danced at the entertainment house, at the night market, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon—only their fourth time setting up the stall, and Huang Li had already found them.

Huang Li glanced at Qi Cheng behind her and greeted him cheerfully, “Young master, we meet again.”

Lu Yuan’s smile instantly vanished, and her tone turned cold. “Are you here to buy dough sticks?”

Huang Li looked down at the freshly fried dough sticks, glistening with oil, and though her eyes showed disgust, she still said, “Wrap two for me.”

Lu Yuan swiftly packed them and held out her hand. “Six copper coins.”

Huang Li handed over six copper coins, took the dough sticks, and pointed to a building nearby. “I dance at Li Yun Pavilion. The customers there are quite wealthy. I could speak to the manager and have them buy your dough sticks as snacks.”

Lu Yuan knew the saying: *If you accept favors, you’ll have to repay them.* Moreover, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

She and Huang Li had no relationship to speak of, so it was unlikely Huang Li was offering out of goodwill. Without much thought, Lu Yuan knew Huang Li hadn’t given up on persuading Qi Cheng to join their dance troupe.

Before Lu Yuan could refuse, Qi Cheng stepped to her side and declined outright, “No need. Our food doesn’t keep well and isn’t suitable for serving as snacks at your entertainment house.”

Lu Yuan nodded and said bluntly, “You don’t need to go to such lengths. My husband has no intention of joining your dance troupe.”

Huang Li laughed. “What are you thinking? I just thought we were fated and wanted to help you out. If you’re not interested, then forget it.”

With that, she left with the dough sticks.

Lu Yuan watched her graceful figure retreat and remarked, “I hope she doesn’t throw those dough sticks away. What a waste.”

Dancers, to maintain their figures, typically avoid fried foods.

Qi Cheng said, “She’ll probably gift them to someone else. They won’t go to waste.”

Lu Yuan snapped out of her thoughts and asked, puzzled, “What’s going on with Huang Li? We’ve refused her several times, yet she still won’t give up on trying to recruit you for their dance troupe.”

Qi Cheng thought for a moment before replying, “Their troupe’s contract with Li Yun Pavilion is probably about to expire. They want to renew it, but Li Yun Pavilion isn’t interested. So, the troupe is looking for attractive performers to draw crowds and create buzz, hoping to secure a renewal.”

“Why would—” Lu Yuan started to ask, but another customer arrived for dough sticks. She quickly served them and took the opportunity to promote the soybean milk.

After the customer left, Lu Yuan turned back and asked, “Why do you say that?”

Qi Cheng analyzed, “That dancer has a slick personality and some savings. She doesn’t seem like a newcomer to the troupe—she’s likely been there for years and is certainly not young anymore.”

Lu Yuan exclaimed in surprise, “You figured all that out?!”

“Huang Li must be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.”

Qi Cheng continued, “From what I’ve gathered talking to others, dancers in troupes are usually under twenty-five. Those older than twenty-five typically find other paths and don’t stay in the troupe.”

“The fact that she’s still there at her age suggests their troupe is seriously short on people.”

At this, Qi Cheng frowned and looked at her.

Seeing her blurry outline, he said seriously, “They might even offer you money to persuade me. If that happens, no matter what they say, don’t agree to it. Not even if it’s offered for free.”

Lu Yuan found it amusing. “Do you think I’m foolish? What decent person would give away money for no reason?”

“Even the most charitable wouldn’t go that far. Only those with ulterior motives, pretending to be kind, would offer money to others.”

Just then, customers started arriving one after another, leaving no more time for chatter.

She had prepared less dough than the previous time, so by near midnight, she had sold out.

The soybean milk had already run out by late evening.

As Lu Yuan was preparing to close up, she spotted Huang Li in the distance, accompanied by a burly middle-aged man.

The two were observing them from afar.

Lu Yuan: …

*Truly shameless and persistent like a lingering ghost.*

She briskly cleared the table and had Qi Cheng carry the tables and chairs back first. She would wait for him to return, and they would go home together. Qi Cheng could find his way back even in the dark, so she didn’t need to worry.

After Qi Cheng left, Huang Li brought her troupe leader over to Lu Yuan.

"Mrs. Su, this is the troupe leader of Liyun Opera Troupe, not the dance troupe. If your husband is willing to join the troupe, he won’t need to dance—just make a few appearances."

Without another word, the troupe leader set down a silver ingot on the lid of the bucket.

Lu Yuan glanced at it indifferently and continued washing bowls in the tub.

To her surprise, the troupe leader thought she was dissatisfied with the amount and placed another silver ingot beside it, saying, "If you can convince your husband to sign a three-month contract with our troupe, I’ll give you twenty taels, plus ten more."

"Thirty taels of silver—that’s more than you could earn here in a year of running this stall."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath and looked at the tall man before her. "My husband has poor eyesight, and he has no other skills—just a handsome face. I don’t understand why you’re so persistent."

The man smiled. "You’re too modest, madam. I’ve been observing for half the night and noticed that even though your husband can’t see well, his steps are steady, and he can locate things by sound. Obviously, he has martial arts training."

"If your husband joins my troupe, he won’t need to sing. With just his looks and his skills, I can make him a star."

"Rather than letting his talents go to waste here at this stall, it’s better for him to develop a skill that can support him in the future."

Not needing to sing in an opera—it sounded like lip-syncing.

So even in ancient times, there was such a thing as phony performances. This was truly eye-opening.

Lu Yuan noted the man’s burly build, capable of knocking her out with one punch, and guessed he had some influence in the night market that could ruin her business. She didn’t dare to outright reject him.

"Though this stall doesn’t earn much, it’s enough to make ends meet."

Those who joined opera troupes usually came from extremely poor families and were often sold into them as children. In this era, opera troupes were truly frowned upon.

Most performers in troupes were sold into them because their families couldn’t survive otherwise.

Seeing that she wasn't persuaded, the troupe leader placed another ingot on the bucket lid.

Lu Yuan: ...

*As if that amount of silver was a fortune! Did they really think she was so easily impressed, as if she’d never seen money before?*

"Take your money back. Don’t talk to me—go speak to my husband if you have something to say."

With that, she picked up the three silver ingots and shoved them back into Huang Li’s arms, pulling her hand back quickly.

Huang Li hurriedly caught them and looked at the troupe leader.

After a moment of silence, the troupe leader said, "Then I’ll speak with your husband."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan ignored them and continued packing up.

By the time she finished, Qi Cheng had returned quickly.

He vaguely saw two people standing near his wife and, as he approached, caught the familiar scent, furrowing his brow.

Lu Yuan said impatiently, "These two want me to persuade you. I don’t have time for them, so they can talk to you themselves."

Hearing her irritation, Qi Cheng knew the matter had really bothered her.

Without expression, he walked toward the tall figure and stopped a few steps away, staring intently at the man.

The troupe leader met his cold gaze and froze.

*Wasn't he supposed to be blind?*

*Why did it feel like he could see?*

"Sirs, I believe my wife has made herself clear. I will not join your dance troupe."

Huang Li corrected from the side, "Not a dance troupe—an opera troupe."

Qi Cheng: "Whether it’s a dance troupe or an opera troupe, I have no interest."

The troupe leader said, "I’ll give you thirty taels upfront, plus five taels monthly for three months."

"Forty-five taels in just three months—that’s more than you could earn in two years."

Qi Cheng suddenly laughed, confusing everyone.

"You seem to underestimate my wife."

Lu Yuan: "?"

*What did this have to do with her?*

Qi Cheng continued, "How can you assume my wife couldn’t earn forty-five taels in two years? She could earn that in just one year."

Lu Yuan frowned slightly.

He was overestimating her.

And why did his words sound so strange?

It almost sounded like he was planning to live off her.

The troupe leader was taken aback, clearly thinking the same as Lu Yuan, and asked in surprise, "Are you, a grown man, really counting on your wife to support you!?"

Qi Cheng raised an eyebrow and retorted confidently, "Why not?"

The troupe leader: ...

Huang Li: ...

Lu Yuan: ...???

He sounded so proud saying it.

Lu Yuan saw the contempt on the troupe leader’s face after hearing his words.

She spoke up at the right moment: "I handle earning the living, and my husband is responsible for using his handsome appearance to make me happy. I’m happy with that. But I don’t want him joining some opera troupe to please others with his looks."

Hearing this, Qi Cheng couldn’t help but smile. "Setting that aside, we have two daughters. I don’t want people gossiping about their father having been in an opera troupe when it’s time for them to marry. So, I hope you can understand a father’s concerns and not pressure us."

Lu Yuan thought to herself that he had embraced the role of father quite quickly.

After a moment of silence, the troupe leader said, "Since you’re so unwilling, forget it. If you change your mind, come to Liyun Opera Troupe and ask for Master Huang. Anyone there will direct you to me."

With a cupped-hand salute, he turned and left.

Huang Li glanced at the couple and rushed after the troupe leader.

"Master, are you really giving up on such a find?"

From the start, Huang Li had been impressed by the man’s looks, but later she noticed that even though he was blind, his steps were steady, and his hearing was remarkable.

Having spent a long time in the dance troupe, she had a good eye and could tell he was a practiced fighter. That was why she kept trying to persuade him, and brought the troupe leader along.

The troupe leader said, "I even put up some cash, but they weren't budging. It’s clear they truly don’t want to join. It's not like we can threaten them, can we?"

"You should really drop it. It's too bad, I know, but it’s better than making enemies."

"Don't count them out just because they're down on their luck now. Who knows if they might make something of themselves in the future?"

Huang Li chuckled lightly upon hearing this, "They’re just a backwoods couple. What prospects could they possibly have?"

The troupe leader’s group often performed for nobles and had seen the demeanor of high-status people. He shook his head and said, "That couple carries themselves well—nothing like ordinary mountain villagers."

Both husband and wife had real class about them, poised and dignified. How many backwoods couples could carry themselves like them?

After the visitors left, Lu Yuan's face fell. She said irritably, "I hope this is the last time. I don’t want them showing up all the time trying to persuade you."

Qi Cheng felt bad and said, "I’m sorry for causing you trouble."

Lu Yuan handed him the bucket and washbasin with the bowls.

"Earlier, when you told them you wanted me to support you—were you being serious?"

Qi Cheng replied like it was obvious, "I work for you. Shouldn’t you support me? Or do you expect me to work for free?"

Lu Yuan: …

*He almost had me there.*

She laughed and said, "You’re my husband. What’s wrong with making you work for free?"

Qi Cheng steadied the items in his hands and replied with a smile, "I don’t need wages, but you have to provide three meals a day."

"Three meals a day, each with fried dough sticks and soy milk. Will you eat that?"

Qi Cheng: "I could live with that."

"You wish! Fried dough sticks use up so much oil. How could we afford to eat them every meal?"

The two bantered and laughed as they made their way home. As for what had just happened, it seemed to have little lasting impact on them.