Chapter 103 City Streets 3

Chapter 103: The Prefectural City Market 3

Liu Guyu didn't take his words to heart, assuming he was only talking about sweets.

He prepared a serving of double-skin milk, adding two spoonfuls of sugar syrup as requested, then scooped a thick layer of red bean paste on top before finally handing it to Qin Rongshi.

"Eat up, I'll get you two tea cakes as well."

With that, he took the plate and went to the back. Qin Rongshi didn't start eating immediately but instead picked up the small spoon and turned to watch him.

Soon enough, he saw Liu Guyu returning with a plate carrying two pieces of novel and exquisitely crafted snacks. Soft, thin green wrappers were rolled and layered over and over, seemingly wrapped around creamy white filling and fresh fruit pieces.

Though called tea cakes, they were actually sweet treats Liu Guyu had created by imitating modern Swiss rolls. He ground tea leaves to make matcha wrappers, wrapping them around milk and seasonal fruit bits.

Liu Guyu had built a stone oven in the kitchen, allowing him to make many modern-style foods. He had even baked bread. Though he couldn't perfectly replicate modern delicacies, his creations were unique in ancient times.

Liu Guyu placed the food in front of Qin Rongshi and sat across from him, chin in hands, staring at him for a long while.

He stared at Qin Rongshi, and Qin Rongshi stared back. One didn't speak, the other didn't eat; both simply gazed blankly.

Finally, Liu Guyu pushed the bowl and plate closer, smiling, "Eat up! This is one of the shop's signature items, and it's quite expensive! Give it a try—it should suit your taste."

Qin Rongshi finally took a bite, starting with the green tea cake Liu Guyu had brought. "Anything you make naturally suits my taste."

Liu Guyu, still propping his chin, couldn't help but tsk twice. "Qin Rongshi... what exactly did your teacher teach you? Now you speak sweeter talk than a songbird!"

Qin Rongshi looked up to glance at him but said nothing more, quietly finishing the double-skin milk and tea cakes.

There were still many customers outside waiting to be served, so Liu Guyu didn't have time to chat with Qin Rongshi and returned to the counter to busy himself.

Earlier, he had prepared double-skin milk and sweets for Qin Rongshi. At noon, he made him a plate of mushroom-infused oil noodles. Later, Liu Guyu stepped out of the shop and flipped the sign hanging at the door.

It was a two-sided sign—one side red, the other green. According to Blessed Water Town's custom, the green side meant the shop was open for business, while the red side indicated that new customers were not being accepted. Anyone in town who often dined out knew this unspoken rule.

A passerby who'd been about to come in for a bowl of sweet soup looked up and saw Liu Guyu switching to the red side.

He showed a regretful expression and asked, "Hey, Boss Liu, why are you closing so early today?"

Liu Guyu smiled and replied, "I have something to do today and need to head home early!"

The man said nothing more, only nodding regretfully before leaving.

Liu Guyu returned to the shop, tended to the few remaining customers inside, and let Ming Geer, who was helping out, go home first.

When he walked back into the kitchen, he saw Qin Rongshi draining freshly boiled noodles.

"Finally done?"

Qin Rongshi glanced back at him, then placed the freshly prepared noodles on the small table, waving Liu Guyu over. "You've been busy all morning without even a sip of water. Come have something to eat first."

Such was the life of food service—too busy to eat during peak hours. Noon was the busiest time, and Liu Guyu had only prepared a plate of tossed noodles for Qin Rongshi to tide him over, without eating anything himself.

Qin Rongshi wasn't skilled in the kitchen, but he had often watched Liu Guyu cook and had picked up a thing or two. Following Liu Guyu's earlier method, he prepared mushroom oil and seasonings, mimicking his actions to make a plate of mushroom-infused oil noodles.

Unlike the old snack stall, Liu Family Eatery now sold main dishes alongside sweet soups and desserts, such as shredded chicken noodles, scallion oil noodles, and fried combination platters—a combination of crispy fried pork, chicken tenders, and lotus root fritters, all very popular with customers.

Customers arriving during meal times often ordered a main dish and a sweet soup for a satisfying meal.

Liu Guyu had been so busy he hadn't noticed his hunger. Now, seeing Qin Rongshi had made him mushroom-infused oil noodles, he realized how hungry he was. The dish involved slowly frying hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and scallions in oil to extract their fragrance, then mixing the boiled noodles with salt, soy sauce, a few drops of aromatic black vinegar, mushroom oil, and a sprinkle of scallions. Those who liked spice could add a spoonful of chili oil—it was delicious.

Finally relaxed, Qin Rongshi asked, "Why isn't Banban helping at the shop? You hired someone else?"

Liu Guyu shoveled noodles into his mouth, answering between bites, "On market days or holidays, when the shop is too busy, Banban does come to help. But I don't let her come on ordinary days."

"I set up a stall and opened a shop not just to make money, but because I enjoy cooking and experimenting with food. But Banban might not feel the same—I can't have her working as help with me her whole life."

"I can see she genuinely enjoys studying medicine. She's read all the medical books you sent back. No doctor in town is willing to take on a female apprentice, but it might be different in the prefectural city. When the time comes, I'll even pay her way to study."

Qin Rongshi's gaze remained fixed on Liu Guyu, watching him eat earnestly and speak earnestly. His expression softened, and he stared unblinkingly as Liu Guyu chewed, took a sip of scallion broth, and continued chewing.

"I originally planned to ask Chen Sanxi—he's someone we're used to and familiar with. But he's not in Upper River Village anymore."

Qin Rongshi wasn't particularly concerned about Chen Sanxi, but he still asked upon hearing Liu Guyu's words, "He's not in the village? Where did he go?"

Liu Guyu took another sip of soup. "Not sure. He had no family, no ties, and no land in the village, so he left without looking back. He just said he wanted to go out and seek his fortune. He's young, hardworking—it's not surprising he has that drive."

This was what Chen Sanxi had said last year after helping with the rice harvest—that he wanted to venture out and that they'd need to hire someone else for planting next year.

Bringing up farmland, Liu Guyu added, "I bought ten *mu* of land this year, thinking that once you pass the civil service examinations next year, we'll be exempt from taxes."

Though no one in the family was skilled at farming, Dayong was an agriculture-based society. Without land, one never felt secure. Even wealthy households and officials owned considerable farmland and estates.

Qin Rongshi had been away for over two years, and due to his travels, he had only sent letters home without receiving any in return. Thus, he was unaware of the changes at home during that time.

He wasn't surprised by Liu Guyu's words, nor did he object. Instead, he nodded and said, "That's good. When my father was severely injured, he sold much of our family's land. Even in his illness, he was angry, hating that he was a burden to the family. Buying it back now would give our ancestors peace."

After chatting for a while, Liu Guyu finished his meal. The two cleared the counter and headed out.

With the New Year approaching, they bought some New Year's goods before returning to the village.

"Let's buy more red paper. Mom said yesterday she wanted to cut paper cutouts herself. We can use the leftovers to write Spring Festival couplets and good fortune characters."

"Hey, there are oranges for sale. Let's buy some too. The oranges from the village trees are too sour."

...

They bought quite a few things. Before returning to the village, they stopped by the academy to pick up the luggage left on Lv Shiwen's cart, then finally headed home.

As they turned into the path and caught sight of their courtyard, Liu Guyu began calling out.

"Mom! Banban! Come quick and see who's here!"

Soon, the gate opened.

Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban emerged from the house one after the other. They had already guessed upon hearing Liu Guyu's call, but seeing Qin Rongshi standing at the gate still startled them.

"Erlang!"

"Second Brother!"

Cui Lanfang stood stunned under the eaves, while Qin Banban excitedly rushed out. She grabbed Qin Rongshi's arm, exclaiming excitedly, "Second Brother! It's really you! You're back!"

Even the family dog bounded around excitedly. Though Qin Rongshi had been away for two years, the dog seemed to remember him, circling him happily and lifting its front paws to jump on him.

After two years away, the old courtyard from his memory seemed changed.

The thatched roof had been replaced with new black tiles, and the house had been expanded. A new room had been built beside Cui Lanfang's main room. Qin Banban had just run out from this room, so excited she'd even forgotten to close the door. Qin Rongshi glanced inside and saw it was fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, vanity table, and small desk.

The chicken coop and donkey stable had also been renovated with wooden fencing. A small shed, waist-high, stood outside the donkey stable, with a small wooden sign nailed to the door that read: Lucky's Villa.

Obviously, only Liu Guyu would have that kind of free time, building a doghouse for the dog and even hanging a sign on it.

Further out, leaning against the drainage ditch, a new small shed had been erected. Inside hung rows of cured meats and sausages, all prepared as this year's New Year's supplies.

Qin Rongshi looked around quickly, then looked over as Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban came running out. With a smile, he replied, "Mom, Banban, I'm back!"

"It's good to have you back, it's so good to have you back."

Cui Lanfang was so overwhelmed she hardly knew what to say, repeating herself.

Liu Guyu also walked in. As he passed the clothesline, he noticed several strings of bright red sugar-dusted dried persimmons hanging there—ones he had made a few days earlier.

He untied one and waved it at Qin Rongshi, saying, "Freshly made dried persimmons. Want to try one?"

Right after he said this, he noticed Qin Rongshi’s hands were full, carrying large and small packages. Smiling, he simply fed it directly into Qin Rongshi’s mouth.

Qin Rongshi had been about to say he’d eat it later, but just as his mouth opened, a flat sugar-dusted dried persimmon was popped into it, leaving him unable to utter a word.

Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban snapped out of it, hurriedly taking the packages from Qin Rongshi’s hands.

With his hands now free, Qin Rongshi finally had a chance to take the persimmon still in his mouth. He took a couple of bites, then turned to look at Liu Guyu, who was also eating a sugar-dusted dried persimmon, though he hadn’t noticed when Liu Guyu had picked it up.

Noticing Qin Rongshi looking at him, Liu Guyu smiled, tilting his head and asking cheerfully, "Well? Sweet, isn’t it?"

Qin Rongshi looked at him intently, a smile in his eyes. He first nodded firmly, then, feeling that wasn’t enough, swallowed the persimmon in his mouth and replied earnestly:

"Sweet, very sweet."

Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban carried the packages into the living area, then hurried back out, pulling Qin Rongshi over to look him over again.

"Come, let Mom see..."

"Hmm, you’ve grown so much taller! And better looking too! Wonderful!"

"Erlang! Where all have you been these past two years? Is there anything you didn’t mention in your letters? Tell us everything!"

The three of them stood together, talking excitedly for quite some time. Finally, Liu Guyu spoke up.

"Should we get dinner going first? Erlang, today’s your first meal back. What would you like to eat? I’ll cook it!"

Liu Guyu usually worked at the food stand, busy day in and day out, so when he returned home, Cui Lanfang typically didn’t have him do household chores.

But today, Liu Guyu was so happy that he decided to personally cook a delicious meal to celebrate.

Before Erlang could answer, Qin Banban raised her hand.

"Qing Zhu brought some deer meat over! Mom was planning to save it for when Erlang returned, and it worked out that he’s back today!"

Deer meat? Now that's rare!

Liu Guyu asked in surprise, "Deer meat? Where did Qing Zhu get deer meat?"

Qin Banban added, "I heard it was from Butcher Song. Apparently, a hunter caught a wild deer and brought it to his meat stall. Butcher Song kept some and gave it to Qing Zhu!"

"Hmm... now that you mention it, those two seem to be getting closer! I bet they'll have news soon!"

Cui Lanfang couldn’t help poking her forehead, teasing, "You're a grown woman, and still not shy! Not worried about your own marriage, but worrying about everyone else's business!"

Banban rubbed the spot on her forehead where a finger mark had been left, unable to suppress a pout.

Qin Rongshi, however, said, "Banban is still young. There’s no hurry for her to marry."

Liu Guyu, eager to see the fresh deer meat, hurried into the kitchen to check the basket. He called out, "This meat is so fresh! Let’s have roasted deer meat today!"

The family went back and forth, talking about all sorts of things. Everyone had a smile on their face, filled with joy.

Author's note: Went to see "Nanjing Photo Studio" - sigh.