Chapter 68: The Teahouse

Chapter 68: The Teahouse

Lin Shu was about to haggle when the shopkeeper, as if sensing her intention, cut her off. "The prices I've given are already the lowest. No bargaining."

Lin Shu paused, then smiled. "Shopkeeper, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. I've roughly calculated that a set of ink, brush, paper, and inkstone would cost 190 wen at your prices. If I buy two sets, how about you charge me 350 wen?"

The shopkeeper was speechless, realizing his earlier words had been wasted.

"Shopkeeper, you seem well-versed in literature, a scholar yourself. Don't we scholars value righteousness above all? Wealth is like dirt, but integrity is worth a thousand pieces of gold! My younger brother is a born scholar and will surely achieve great things. We're a bit short on cash right now. If you could offer a small discount, it would be a kind gesture..."

After this barrage of persuasion, the shopkeeper was left dumbfounded. Finally, he waved his hand. "Alright, alright. 350 wen for two sets of ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. Take them."

Lin Shu pressed on. "I don't have much money left. I'd like to buy a copy of the *Thousand Character Classic* and the *Three Character Classic*. Could you include a copy of the *Hundred Surnames* for free?"

The bookseller was speechless.

In the end, the shopkeeper gave Lin Shu a slightly damaged copy of the *Hundred Surnames*.

The cover of this *Hundred Surnames* had accidentally gotten wet, and the first page had some blurred characters that were hard to read. But Lin Shu thought it was no big deal—she could just trace over the characters with ink later.

Zhou Ye waited until she had finished buying all the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone before shifting his gaze from the assorted books on the shelf. He then carefully placed the two sets of supplies into his back-basket, one by one.

Lin Yushu hadn't brought a basket, so his set was also placed in Zhou Ye's back-basket.

"Thank you, Brother Ah Ye," Lin Yushu murmured.

Two sets of ink, brush, paper, and inkstone for 350 wen, plus three primers for 120 wen, totaling 470 wen. Lin Shu asked Zhou Ye to pay for everything together.

Lin Yushu was not foolish. The shopkeeper had assumed they were together and offered a significant discount for the bulk purchase. So, he waited until they had left the bookshop before giving Lin Shu his share of the money.

Lin Shu didn't stand on ceremony. She took the coins and counted them, only to find there were fifteen extra wen.

"For the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, we were supposed to split the 350 wen evenly. Did you calculate it as 190 wen?"

Lin Yushu explained, "Thanks to Sister A Shu, I already got a free copy of the *Hundred Surnames*. How could I take more advantage? If it weren't for Sister A Shu, I would have had to spend thirty more wen today."

Lin Shu immediately separated fifteen coins and handed them back. "It was just a bit of talking. Are you going to pay me for that? We'll split the 350 wen for the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone evenly—175 wen each. Take back these extra fifteen wen. Cousin Yushu, don't be generous with what isn't yours. This money was hard-earned by Third Aunt. When you can earn your own money, if you want to give me extra, I'll accept it then."

Lin Yushu flushed with embarrassment at her words. Thinking of his mother's hardships, he took back the fifteen coins.

When they returned, Zhang Qiaohua's straw sandals on the stall hadn't sold out completely—there were still seven pairs. There was one large pair of men's open-toe straw sandals and six pairs of women's closed-toe straw sandals, identical to the ones Zhang Qiaohua had previously given to Lin Shu and Lin Xiaopu.

Ordinary straw sandals of common style and craftsmanship typically sold for about twenty-five wen per pair in the market. Zhang Qiaohua's straw sandals were made with more durable materials and better craftsmanship, so she sold them for thirty wen a pair. The women's straw sandals were even finer and more decorative, with more complex designs, and sold for forty wen a pair.

Men worked more and wore out shoes faster, so not only did market-goers and vendors buy men's sandals, but also the town's laborers. As a result, men's straw sandals sold quicker. In contrast, women's closed-toe straw sandals, though made to be more refined and attractive, were less popular among the townswomen, who preferred cloth shoes.

Zhang Qiaohua looked up at the sun overhead, squinting against the brightness.

It was almost noon, and the number of market-goers had thinned considerably. The next busy period would be when the sun began to set.

Most vendors, except those who had sold out early, typically stayed the entire day. To clear their remaining goods, they would lower their prices significantly just before the city gates closed.

At that time, besides townsfolk looking for bargains, other vendors would also buy daily necessities from each other's stalls. Her straw sandals would also sell better then.

For now, even though foot traffic had diminished, Zhang Qiaohua didn't dare leave her stall to rest in the shade. If she left, the prime spot she had secured early in the morning would be taken by someone else.

So, even under the scorching sun, she had to remain there.

In the past, Zhang Qiaohua's straw sandals would have sold out by morning. But since Lin Yushu started studying, she had found she had boundless energy. Before this market day, she had managed to make eight or nine more pairs of straw sandals than usual!

She was determined to sell all the sandals today. Before leaving home, she had told Lin Dashui that if she returned late, he should just throw together a simple meal for dinner.

Zhang Qiaohua wiped the sweat from her forehead and beamed when she saw the group returning.

As Lin Yushu approached, she quickly asked if he had bought everything. Learning that he had gotten all the ink, brush, paper, inkstone, and primers, and even saved a lot of money, her smile widened. "A Shu, have you finished your shopping? Are you heading back now? The sun is getting hotter, and traveling now would leave you dizzy from the heat. Why not look around for a bit longer?"

"There's so much to see in our town! Who leaves right after buying what they need? There's the cosmetics shop on the market street—even if you don't buy anything, just looking around can take a long time. Then there's the teahouse at the street corner—around noon, they have storytellers. You and A Ye can order the cheapest loose tea for just five wen and stay for a full hour! And there's the scarf and kerchief shop on the street—the embroidered handkerchiefs there are beautifully patterned. You might even find some I embroidered among the silk handkerchiefs. And then there's the scent shop…"

Hearing this, Lin Shu realized that villagers coming to town for market day weren't just there to shop. For those from nearby villages, it might be different, but for those who traveled far, how could they not find some enjoyment in town?

Aside from the teahouse where one could listen to storytelling, the other places Third Aunt mentioned were spots women enjoyed browsing. With this itinerary, one could easily spend more than a day exploring.

Thinking that Zhou Ye usually returned to the village right after selling his goods and had probably never even been to the teahouse Third Aunt mentioned, Lin Shu asked him, "A Ye, would you like to go to the teahouse and listen to the storytelling?"

When she asked, she assumed Zhou Ye would agree. After all, who wouldn't enjoy drinking tea and listening to stories in such a leisurely setting?

To her surprise, Zhou Ye didn't hesitate at all. He said to Third Aunt, "I'm not fond of such things, Third Aunt. Please accompany A Shu. Cousin Yushu and I will mind the stall."

Lin Shu was surprised by his response, and Zhang Qiaohua herself thought she had misheard.

Who doesn't like drinking tea and listening to stories?!

Lin Shu recalled the tone Third Aunt had used when mentioning these shops earlier and glanced at Zhou Ye's calm expression. A thought drifted into her mind: Did A Ye notice the look of longing and regret in Third Aunt's eyes and soften his heart to let her go with Lin Shu?

As this thought crossed her mind, even Lin Shu herself didn't realize that her gaze toward Zhou Ye had softened with tenderness.

Before the apocalypse in her previous life, she had been just a student. Back then, the girls in her class loved sharing novels and comics. When discussing male lead character types, most preferred the kind who was ruthless to everyone else but gentle and devoted only to the female lead.

Everyone said this kind of exclusive treatment was something to swoon over, but Lin Shu always wondered: What if the male lead changed his mind and took back that exclusive affection? In novels, the male lead never changes, but reality isn't like that.

In reality, there were too many variables. She preferred someone who was inherently good.

Of course, not the kind who was nice to everyone—a people-pleaser—but a gentleman who kept a polite distance from strangers while still being warm-hearted.

"Really not going?" Lin Shu asked Zhou Ye, her eyes curved into a smile, her tone gentle.

"Mm, I'm not really into those things. Third Aunt knows a lot—it's perfect for her to go with you."

"Then we'll leave the stall to you. Third Aunt and I will go wander around?"

Zhou Ye nodded. "If you get hungry, order a snack at the teahouse. After the teahouse, check out the other shops Third Aunt mentioned. Stay close to Third Aunt on the road—don't wander off alone."

Still uneasy, he added to Zhang Qiaohua, "Third Aunt, the market is crowded. Have A Shu hold your arm so you don't get separated in the crowd."

Before Zhang Qiaohua could process this, the two had already made the arrangements, startling her so much her eyes went wide. "Wait, you're really letting me go?"

Lin Shu had already linked arms with her and was pulling her away. "Let's go, Third Aunt. We'll first go to the teahouse you mentioned for tea and storytelling, then to the cosmetics shop, the scarf and kerchief shop, the scent shop…"

As the two walked away arm in arm, Lin Yushu watched Zhang Qiaohua's retreating figure, her hesitation turning into excitement, and felt tears well up without realizing it.

"Brother Ah Ye, thank you, and thank Sister A Shu. My mother… she hasn't been to places like these in a long, long time…" His voice choked up toward the end.

To save money for his studies, his mother had been working tirelessly from dawn to dusk. Besides handling all the household chores, she spent every spare moment weaving straw sandals and embroidering handkerchiefs. Except for the scarf and kerchief shop, she hadn't set foot in places like teahouses, cosmetics shops, or scent shops for years.

Zhou Ye patted his shoulder and said simply, "Study hard. When you succeed, Third Aunt will be happier than anything."

Then he took out the books he had bought from the bookshop earlier and handed them to Lin Yushu. "I'll mind the stall. You find a shady spot to read. Staying here won't be of much help."

"Brother A Ye, I..." said Lin Yushu.

"You may go."

When Lin Yushu left with the books, his eyes grew even redder, and two tears nearly fell from the corners of his eyes.

He used to think Brother A Ye was intimidating, but he was clearly the best kind of person.

-

The teahouse Zhang Qiaohua mentioned was right across from Wine Full Tower. Lin Shu had noticed it earlier but hadn't paid much attention, never expecting there to be storytelling inside.

When they arrived, the place was crowded, with only some cramped corner spots still available for seating.

Zhang Qiaohua muttered that the seats weren't good, but the excitement in her eyes never faded.

Lin Shu hadn't brought a basket but had some copper coins on her. After ordering two bowls of loose tea, she sat down with Zhang Qiaohua to wait.

"Don't rush, don't rush! In another two quarters of an hour, the storyteller will come out! I wonder if it's the same storyteller as last time and if they're telling the same story."

Though she claimed not to be in a hurry, Zhang Qiaohua craned her neck, eagerly watching the stage.

Lin Shu glanced around the teahouse. Aside from a few private rooms at the back, separated by bamboo curtains, the rest of the tables and chairs were in the main hall.

The front two rows had lacquered wooden carved tables and chairs, while the outer areas had simple bamboo-backed chairs and small square stools. She and Third Aunt were sitting on low bamboo-backed chairs.

Even the tea varied. Though she couldn't see what was served in the private rooms, the tea served in the main hall was of two kinds.

One was served in lidded bowls—a porcelain bowl with a matching lid and saucer. Lin Shu didn't know how the tea tasted, but the way people held the saucer with their left hand, used the lid to push aside the floating leaves with their right, and took small sips made the whole ritual seem uniquely elegant.

The other type was the plain tea she and Third Aunt had ordered—a coarse pottery bowl with a few loose tea leaves tossed in, steeped with boiling water.

And for just boiling water with a few tea leaves, they actually charged five copper coins!