Chapter 104 City Streets 4

Chapter 104: City Streets 4

Having been in this era for so long, Liu Guyu had never tasted grilled meat before, and now he finally had the chance.

He went into the kitchen to prepare the ingredients, slicing the bright red venison into thin pieces and marinating them with salt, oil, scallions, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings.

The translucent slices were marinated in several flavors—garlic, numbing-and-spicy—cut to finger-length, neatly arranged on a plate, glossy red with an oily sheen, looking very appetizing.

Venison was the main dish of the day, accompanied by winter bamboo shoots, potato slices, shepherd's purse, cabbage, and other vegetables, along with pepper powder dipping sauce and two plates of refreshing salads to cut the richness.

In addition, Liu Guyu prepared a sweet drink: homemade honey citron jam. He scooped two spoonfuls into a cup, dissolved it in warm water, creating a golden drink. Stirring it with a wooden spoon revealed citron fruit particles, and finally, he sprinkled a handful of dried osmanthus flowers, adding fragrance and visual appeal.

With everything ready, Liu Guyu fetched a wooden ladder and leaned it against the eaves, then tucked up his robe and started climbing.

"What are you doing?" Qin Rongshi happened to see this and quickly asked.

Liu Guyu: "I’m removing a couple of tiles! We don’t have a suitable iron plate for grilling, but tile-grilled meat tastes good too."

Qin Rongshi gestured and said, "Come down, I’ll go up and get them."

With that, he didn’t wait for Liu Guyu’s agreement and took firm hold of Liu Guyu’s wrist, pulling him down.

Liu Guyu had already climbed two steps up the ladder and originally wanted to say, "No need, it’s not hard to grab a couple of tiles!"

But who knew Qin Rongshi would wrap one hand around his wrist and pull him straight down? He was surprisingly strong.

Qin Rongshi fit the classic scholar image in the book—elegant, upright, and dignified in demeanor, speaking softly and gently, wearing a long robe with wide sleeves, the very picture of a proper gentleman. His hands matched his persona—fair, slender, and aesthetically pleasing, without prominent knuckles, only bearing thick writing calluses on his fingers.

He looked delicate, seemingly suited only for turning pages and holding brushes, but the strength with which he gripped Liu Guyu’s wrist made it impossible to break free.

Liu Guyu was pulled down and even supported by Qin Rongshi’s other hand on his lower back, keeping him from stumbling when he landed.

Liu Guyu: "Hey…"

He still wanted to say something, but Qin Rongshi had already climbed the ladder, so Liu Guyu closed his mouth and obediently held the bottom of the ladder steady.

Qin Rongshi fetched the tiles, and Liu Guyu, glaring at him, ordered him to wash them.

The tiles were scrubbed clean, then Liu Guyu boiled water to sterilize them twice before placing them on the table.

The small table was neatly set with the prepared food. A small copper kettle (normally for boiling water) was used for grilling, and bowls, chopsticks, and the sweet drink were arranged around it. Everything was ready.

"Come eat!"

With a loud call, the whole family gathered around the table.

Aside from Liu Guyu, the others had never eaten anything like this. Banban, though clearly craving it, held her chopsticks hesitantly and asked cautiously, "How do we eat this? Do we just put it right on to grill?"

Liu Guyu quickly stopped her, brushing a thin layer of oil on the two tiles first, then using an extra pair of serving chopsticks to place four slices of venison on them.

"Oil the tiles first, or it’ll burn. Don’t use your own chopsticks for raw meat; use these serving chopsticks instead."

He explained clearly, and everyone understood, following Liu Guyu’s example to grill and eat the meat.

"Oh! So delicious! So tender and juicy, lean but not tough!"

"It really is tasty, different from regular meat… no wonder it’s so expensive! I heard only rich families can afford to eat this!"

Liu Guyu served everyone grilled venison and added, "Venison is highly nutritious and a rare treat. We're lucky today! Everyone, have more!"

The family enjoyed a happy meal together—this was the first meal since Qin Rongshi's return, and everyone had a lot to say.

Cui Lanfang seemed to have endless things to tell Qin Rongshi, recounting all the changes at home over the past two years: the renovated courtyard, the purchase of farmland, opening a food stall...

Although Liu Guyu had already told him every detail on the way back, and Qin Rongshi was already aware of everything, he still listened attentively as Cui Lanfang excitedly recounted, occasionally asking a question.

Where was the newly bought farmland located?

How much was the rent for the food stall?

How's business been?

Who had they hired to help with the courtyard renovation?

...

Here, Cui Lanfang seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, "Now that Erlang is back, it’s a good time to discuss this. I’d already asked your Brother Liu to rent a small house in town to avoid commuting daily between the food stall and the village—it’s just too exhausting!"

"Now that you’re back! What if we rented a small house? That way, Gu Yu won’t have to run back and forth every day, and you won’t have to stay at the academy."

Cui Lanfang’s idea was a good one, and she had mentioned it to Liu Guyu before. She felt bad about him making the daily commute and wanted to spend the money to rent a small house so the whole family could move to town.

But back then, their home had just been renovated, and Liu Guyu’s room was completely updated with a large bed, soft quilts, and all-new furniture.

He hadn’t had enough time to enjoy it yet!

Honestly, Liu Guyu preferred living in the village—it was spacious, bright, and surrounded by green mountains and clear water right at their doorstep. The townhouses felt much more cramped.

He figured Qin Rongshi would surely go on to take the civil service examinations and pass the county-level exams and then the provincial exams, and eventually they would have to move to the prefectural city. There would be plenty of time to live in small urban residences later.

Even Qin Rongshi frowned slightly, thinking for a moment before saying, "Mother has a good idea, but I will be going to the prefectural city to take the exams next March."

"I’m ninety percent confident about this exam. My teacher also said it shouldn’t be difficult for me. He mentioned that once I earn the title of scholar, I should study at Xiangshan Academy in the prefectural city. There are more renowned teachers there, and the students are all scholars or provincial graduates. The educational administration is also based in the prefectural city. Studying at Xiangshan Academy would be more beneficial for my career."

"My teacher has a friendship with the headmaster of Wanxiang Academy and can write a letter of recommendation for me."

Jiangzhou is known for its three most prestigious academies. Among them, Luming Academy is the most remote and least prestigious. The other two, Xiangshan Academy and Caotang Academy, are both located in Jiangning Prefecture, the prefectural city of Jiangzhou.

Although named "Xiangshan," Xiangshan Academy functions more like an official prefectural school and is a dream destination for most Jiangzhou students. The head of Caotang Academy, originally a great scholar from a humble background, often supports impoverished students who are dedicated to their studies.

Cui Lanfang had never heard of Xiangshan Academy. In her mind, Luming Academy was the best place imaginable. Now, hearing Qin Rongshi mention Xiangshan Academy, she became so excited that she forgot what they had just been discussing.

"There’s such a thing? Does that mean we’ll have to move to the prefectural city soon after spring begins next year?"

She was excited at first, but then couldn’t help worrying.

"The prefectural city… that’s so far away! It would cost a lot for our whole family to move there!"

"Your Brother Liu’s shop has only just opened and is starting to do well. If we move again… The expenses in the prefectural city are surely higher than in small towns. Food, housing—everything will be a problem. Buying a house or renting a shop will be difficult!"

The more she spoke, the more worried Cui Lanfang looked. Finally, she sighed and cautiously suggested, "Maybe it’s better for you to go to the prefectural city alone. You can stay at the academy while studying. If the whole family goes, I’m afraid we won’t have enough money."

Besides, Liu Guyu was the main breadwinner. If they moved to the prefectural city, wouldn’t it all fall on him to support the whole family?

Cui Lanfang had many concerns, but Liu Guyu himself wanted to go to the prefectural city. He wasn’t satisfied with just a small food stall and dreamed of opening a grand restaurant!

He quickly said, "Mother, Erlang has only just returned. How could you send him off to the prefectural city alone? Erlang and I share the same idea—let’s all move to the prefectural city together."

Liu Guyu had been planning to go to the provincial capital for a long time. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have renovated the house but built a brand new one outright, nor would he have rented a shopfront but saved up to buy one.

Cui Lanfang still asked, "The whole family? But how will we afford it?"

Liu Guyu said, "It’s roughly the same. We’ve saved nearly two hundred taels (ounces of silver) already. Renting a small courtyard and a shopfront in the provincial capital should be enough. No need to worry about that."

Cui Lanfang added, "But your shop just opened! It’s in a good location, and all the tables and chairs are new. We spent quite a bit on building the stone kiln back then! Now that business is picking up, isn’t it a shame to give it up and move to the provincial capital?"

Liu Guyu replied, "What’s there to regret? My skills travel with me wherever I go. Sometimes you have to let go to gain something... Besides, there are more people in the provincial capital, and people have broader horizons. I’m even thinking of sending Banban there to study medicine!"

Hearing her name, Banban finally looked up and asked excitedly, "Really?!"

Liu Guyu nodded and promised, "Of course it’s true! When has your brother ever lied to you?"

Qin Banban was so excited she forgot all about the roasted venison in her bowl, blinking her bright eyes and looking eagerly at Cui Lanfang.

When it came to Banban’s matters, Cui Lanfang quickly relented, as if she had figured something out and finally smiled.

"Alright then! Our family should stick together!"

After a satisfying meal, Cui Lanfang and her daughter cleared the dishes to wash, while Liu Guyu led Qin Rongshi to his room.

Watching Liu Guyu’s back, Qin Rongshi instinctively wanted to say something, but the next moment, seeing him walk naturally into his own room, he thought better of it and stayed silent.

Liu Guyu didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with entering Qin Rongshi’s room. His movements were natural, and once inside, he said:

"You wrote in your letter that you’d be back this month, so Mother cleaned your room thoroughly and changed all the bedding. Last year, when we renovated the house, we replaced all the furniture in every room and even had a new desk and chair made for you. You’re growing fast at your age, and the old desk wasn’t tall enough anymore. Here, take a look and see if anything’s missing."

As he spoke, he plopped down on the bed, bouncing up and down to test it, and waved him over. "Come try it? The bed was newly made last year, specially ordered to be extra large. Of the four beds in our house, yours is the biggest! The mattress is new too, and it’s super soft. Feel it!"

Qin Rongshi had just placed his luggage on the desk when he turned and saw Liu Guyu sitting on his bed, tilting his head. The long cloth strip tying his hair tilted to one side as well, the ends tracing an arc.

It was the willow-leaf-patterned headband he had given him, though Qin Rongshi had never mentioned it was originally a headband. So Liu Guyu had been using it as a hair tie for years, and it was already worn from washing.

Qin Rongshi opened his mouth, wanting to say something to Liu Guyu, who was sitting so naturally on his bed.

But Liu Guyu tilted his head to look at him—first to the left, then, perhaps finding it uncomfortable, to the right.

His eyes were dark and bright, shining with light.

After two years apart, Liu Guyu’s appearance hadn’t changed much, especially his eyes—still just as bright. They were like a clear mirror, reflecting his own image and revealing his true heart.

"Erlang! Qin Rongshi? Come here!"

Seeing Qin Rongshi spacing out, Liu Guyu, without overthinking it, reached out and pulled him over.

They sat side by side on the bed, Liu Guyu still rocking back and forth, bouncing up and down to test the softness of the mattress.

"How is it? Isn’t it soft? I picked the best cotton and made it this thick!"

As he spoke, Liu Guyu stretched out both hands to gesture.

Qin Rongshi scooted over a bit, cleared his throat twice, and a bit flustered, straightened the hem of his robe beneath him, pulling the fabric that had slipped to the sides back onto his lap.

"It’s quite good."

He sounded calm and composed, but his ears, hidden by his hair, secretly turned bright red. Fortunately, the room was dim, and Liu Guyu didn’t notice.

After speaking, he quickly stood up and made to leave, saying urgently, "I’m a bit tired. I’ll bathe and go to bed first."

Liu Guyu watched him leave with a puzzled expression. Just as Qin Rongshi was about to step outside, he called out, "You didn’t take your clothes."

Qin Rongshi: "..."

Without a word, Qin Rongshi turned back, grabbed his clothes, and hurried away.

Liu Guyu sat on the bed, stretching his legs out and wiggling his toes before shrugging and muttering, "Hah, it’s only been two years, and we’ve grown apart!"

Luckily, Qin Rongshi left quickly and didn’t hear what Liu Guyu said, or he might have been both annoyed and amused.

But it was already late. The family had talked for a long time during dinner, and now it was completely dark outside. By the time the kitchen was tidied up, it was almost Hai Shi (9 p.m.).

The family took turns washing up and returned to their respective rooms.

Liu Guyu climbed into bed, pulled the cozy quilt over his head, and prepared to sleep.

Liu Guyu usually slept well, and he grew drowsy soon after touching the pillow, drifting off to sleep without even realizing when.

Not long after falling asleep, he was awakened by the sound of splashing water. Liu Guyu turned over, covering his ears with the quilt, but the sound persisted, and his sleepiness vanished entirely.

He sat up, pouting and muttering, "Who takes two baths in one night? Is water free? Well... village water is indeed free."

Grumbling, he slipped on his shoes, threw on an outer robe, and headed outside.

He followed the eaves corridor toward the kitchen, and just past it was the bathing shed.

The bathing shed was also newly built last year, enclosed by wooden boards on several sides, with a pale gray coarse cloth curtain hanging over the door.

Perhaps thinking everyone in the house was asleep, the person inside hadn’t fastened the wooden latch, only loosely closed the curtain. A gust of wind blew it open a crack.

An oil lamp hung from a post, its dim yellow light enveloped in steam. Warm, moist white mist swallowed the tall figure inside in gulps.

The person wore white trousers below and was bare-chested above. Hazy steam climbed his undulating back, and his fair skin was flushed red from the heat. Water droplets clung to the curtain and the wooden boards on either side, leaving blurred wet patches, while water dripped from the roof.

Everything was shrouded in mist, making it hard to see clearly.

Liu Guyu had just woken up, and perhaps his mind wasn’t fully clear, because instead of turning back, he thought—

I can’t see properly!

Hmm, I’ll move closer for a better look.