Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Shen Dong’s mind was racing with only one thought: it was over.

Big Brother was angry with him, so Big Brother didn't like him. Would Big Brother leave him then?

He probably would leave him.

He had heard people in the village say that Shen Liushu's older brother left because he didn't like Shen Liushu.

Shen Dong was scared out of his wits, trembling as he grabbed Shen Yuan's hand. His vision blurred as tears began to well up. "Big Brother, don't be angry. I'm not good. If you don't want me around, I can leave. Just please don't abandon my younger siblings..."

Without Big Brother, his younger siblings would die.

Without Big Brother, he would probably die too.

But it's okay, it's okay... Shen Dong silently comforted himself.

Finally, Shen Yuan understood what had been secretly consuming Shen Dong all this time.

He didn't pull his hand away. The child was so scared he couldn't control his strength, gripping Shen Yuan's wrist hard enough to hurt.

"Dongdong, Big Brother is angry because you're being too careful and cautious around me."

Shen Yuan's voice was very soft, afraid of startling his brother who was on the verge of breaking down. "You're afraid I'll suffer, afraid I'll be tired. You do your utmost to take meticulous care of me, toiling without complaint like an old ox at such a young age. You always put yourself last, wanting to give the best things to me. But Dongdong, have you ever thought that my heart aches for you because of this? It aches so much I can't sleep at night, just thinking about when Dongdong will learn to love himself a little, to worry a little less?"

Shen Dong's vision grew increasingly blurry, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Heartache... for him?

He opened his mouth to speak, but his throat was parched and tight. The heat behind his eyes felt like it would scald him.

Shen Yuan used his other hand to gently stroke Shen Dong's head. "Dongdong, do you know why Big Brother gave food to the village chief's family?"

Shen Dong nodded, his voice hoarse. "Because the village chief lent us grain. Big Brother is repaying the kindness."

"That's the first reason. There's a second one." Shen Yuan lightly nuzzled Shen Dong's head with his chin, tickling him. "The second reason is that because the village chief lent us grain, our Dongdong didn't have to kneel and kowtow anymore, could come home earlier, and didn't have to endure as much hardship."

"Every time Big Brother thinks about the wound on Dongdong's forehead that day, he feels another wave of gratitude towards the village chief. He not only saved Big Brother, but also saved Big Brother's beloved younger brother."

"Dongdong, don't be afraid that Big Brother will leave. You are all so good, Big Brother won't abandon you. Our family will live together from now on, living a good life. Big Brother is going to pester Dongdong until Dongdong gets sick of it." Shen Yuan asked Shen Dong with a smile, "Will Dongdong be scared because of that?"

Shen Dong's tears burst forth like a breached dam. He threw himself into Shen Yuan's arms, clinging tightly to Shen Yuan's neck.

He was his brother's beloved younger brother! He was special!

This was the first time Shen Yuan had felt Shen Dong's passionate emotional release.

"I'm not scared, wu wu wu wu... Big Brother pestering me, I'm not scared at all, not one bit, wu wu wu wu..."

Shen Yuan patted Shen Dong's back, soothing the child. "Dongdong, promise Big Brother that from now on, don't put yourself last. Learn to love yourself, be good to yourself. And don't be afraid or worried. You and your younger siblings are Big Brother's home. Wherever you are, that's where Big Brother will be."

"So, from now on, in front of Big Brother, say whatever you want to say, do whatever you want to do. Okay, Dongdong?"

Shen Dong cried uncontrollably, sobbing heavily. With great difficulty, he managed to say haltingly, "Then... Big... Brother... must... always, always, always... pester... me."

Shen Yuan knew that Shen Dong had lost too many loved ones and was afraid of losing more. The fear in his heart needed a great, great deal of love to fill.

Coincidentally, he didn't have much of anything else, but he had plenty of love.

"It's a promise, Dongdong."

Shen Yuan pinched his nose and, smiling, washed the little tear-streaked face again.

After washing up and going back to sleep, all the children were already asleep.

Early the next morning, Shen Xi turned his back to Shen Dong, pouting angrily.

He had been too tired and fallen asleep last night, so he hadn't been able to ask Big Brother his questions! It was all Second Brother's fault for scaring him earlier and not letting him speak!

After last night, Shen Dong's perspective had changed somewhat.

He was beginning to believe that Big Brother truly wouldn't leave them.

He had originally disapproved of his younger brothers bothering Big Brother with trivial matters. But now, seeing Shen Xi upset, he unusually offered comfort. "Ask Big Brother when he comes back tonight. I won't say anything to stop you."

Shen Xi's eyes lit up. He stopped pouting and circled Shen Dong, pressing him. "Really? Really? And you won't scare me by saying things? Second Brother, the things you said were so scary they could have killed me! How could you say such scary things!"

Words like "Big Brother might hate them"—he couldn't bear to hear even a hint of that.

Afraid of being pestered by the little one in front of him, Shen Dong didn't dare smile but nodded expressionlessly. "Really. Hurry up, we need to gather more wild vegetables to sell for money."

"I am hurrying!" Shen Xi, carrying his basket, broke into a little run, but still turned his head to ask Shen Dong, "Second Brother, look! Am I fast like this?"

"Fast, fast, fast. You're the fastest."

Shen Xi planted his hands on his hips: "I am the fastest!"

...

The long table and storyteller's block that the teahouse urgently needed were completed by Xu Dagui in just one day.

When Shen Yuan arrived at the teahouse, he happened to run into Xu Dagui who had just delivered the table and was about to leave.

To finish it quickly, Xu Dagui hadn't slept at all the previous night.

Getting it done sooner was naturally better. Delivering it now meant the teahouse could start the storytelling trial this very morning.

Shen Yuan settled the remaining payment with Xu Dagui.

The teahouse bought the wood directly from Xu Dagui. The cost for the materials was one hundred and ten wen. The labor fee was fifty wen, plus an express fee of fifty wen.

The one hundred and ten wen for the wood had already been paid earlier as a deposit. The one hundred wen for labor and express fees were now settled in full.

Having two hundred and ten wen in hand all at once eased much of Xu Dagui's worry.

Although such an order might come only rarely, or perhaps never again, it was still a good start regardless.

Moreover, it proved that even with only one hand, he could still make wooden furniture quickly and well.

After receiving the money, Xu Dagui thanked Shen Yuan. Not wanting to delay Shen Yuan's business, he didn't dare linger for small talk and bid farewell to return to the village.

After Xu Dagui left, Shen Yuan gathered all the teahouse staff for a brief meeting.

Everyone had long been prepared for the teahouse to start storytelling. So when Shen Yuan announced they would begin today, everyone was full of drive, waiting for Shen Yuan to assign tasks.

Fang Zaoshang was originally a waiter in the main hall. After observing how Shen Yuan received guests, he had studied and learned, and his skills had improved significantly. Knowing that Fang Zaoshang learned quickly, was willing to work hard, and was articulate, Shen Yuan assigned him to attract customers outside first.

This form of promotion wasn't just about simply inviting people in for tea; it involved vividly describing the highlights of the story Shen Yuan had written to attract people into the teahouse to listen.

This required someone with eloquence, who was unafraid of public speaking and was lively and energetic.

Besides Fang Zaoshang and Shen Yuan, there really wasn't anyone else in the teahouse who could be chosen for the task.

With Fang Zaoshang outside attracting customers, the duties of the hall server had to be taken over by Manager Ji for the time being.

Auntie Chun and the others continued working in the backyard, keeping their original duties unchanged.

Shen Yuan's plan was to introduce new snacks and dishes at the teahouse once business improved.

Of course, he would find ways to weave mentions of these foods into the stories to pique the curiosity of the patrons. Would he even need to worry about sales then?

The profits from pastries and snacks were highly substantial.

As for the position of storyteller, for the time being, Shen Yuan had to fill the role himself.

If the storytelling today was a success, he would need to continue writing stories later. With limited energy, he would definitely have to find another person to be the storyteller eventually.

Time waits for no one. After delegating the tasks, Shen Yuan had Manager Ji write "A Tale of Human and Ghost" on a banner to hang out, catching the eye of literate passersby.

He then went over the key story points he had prepared with Fang Zaoshang, ensuring he remembered them and could tell them in an engaging way.

Fang Zaoshang proved to be a quick study. Within half an hour, he was able to give a credible performance.

Although it still lacked a bit of emotional depth, it was more than enough to pique people's curiosity.

Manager Ji hung up the banner. Fang Zaoshang stood at the entrance, clearing his throat. Shen Yuan addressed the aunts and uncles in the backyard: "We may get quite a crowd today. Everyone needs to pay extra attention when roasting and brewing the tea; let's avoid any mistakes."

The aunts and uncles nodded earnestly, promising, "Don't worry, Xiao Yuan, we definitely won't make mistakes, and we won't cause any trouble!"

Shen Yuan left with a smile, took a deep breath, and sat down behind the long table.

To his right was a cup of tea poured by Ji Xingwang; to his left was the storyteller's block with its corners smoothed and rounded.

At the teahouse entrance, Fang Zaoshang's bright voice rang out.

"Come one, come all! Don't miss out! Today, the Ji Family Teahouse presents a new tale from the previous dynasty—A Tale of Human and Ghost!"

"Hey! What is this 'Tale of Human and Ghost'? It's the story of love and hatred between a mountain herbalist and a young master from a prominent family!"

"How they lived was known to all, but who knows what happens after death? Do you, esteemed guests, wish to know what it's like after death? Then come listen to our 'Tale of Human and Ghost'!"

In the morning, Duofu Street had a fair number of people.

Although the Ji Family Teahouse's business hadn't been thriving, this street had many cloth shops, jewelry stores, and rouge shops, as well as taverns, restaurants, and pastry shops. Overall, the customer traffic was good.

At this time, many ladies and young misses were out shopping, and many young masters were rounding up friends to go to the taverns.

The teahouse, which had always been habitually overlooked, suddenly hung a new banner and began calling out promotions.

People initially thought it was just the usual hawking of tea and didn't pay much attention.

However, the shouting continued incessantly, accompanied by occasional strikes of a gong, forcing people to take notice.

Once distracted enough to listen, they truly heard something remarkable.

A Tale of Human and Ghost.

What person? What ghost? What tale?

Those who had no concept of ghosts were full of confusion. Ghost? What is that?

Those who knew of the legends from the North Country were utterly shocked. Ghosts? Do they really exist in this world?

The final sentence especially heightened everyone's curiosity to the peak.

Who knows what happens after death? Do you want to know what it's like?

Yes! Of course!

Through Fang Zaoshang's relentless efforts, he finally drew customers from the surrounding shops toward the Ji Family Teahouse.

"Tea server, what is this 'ghost' you speak of?"

"Do ghosts truly exist? Are they the kind spoken of in the North Country?"

"What is the appearance after death? And how do you know?"

"Does your teahouse have people from the North Country?"

The novel claims sparked intense curiosity. The gathered crowd only wanted to satisfy their questions immediately.

Facing the barrage of questions, Fang Zaoshang didn't rush to reply. Instead, he waited for the noise to die down a bit before smiling and inviting them in. "If you wish to know, why not come inside and listen!"

"The answers to all your questions lie within the story 'A Tale of Human and Ghost'!"

So, what on earth was this "Tale of Human and Ghost"!

These were all people of status. Naturally, they grew impatient without getting a direct answer. However, the Ji family wasn't to be trifled with either, so they suppressed their irritation and, driven by intense curiosity, entered the teahouse in a huff.

If the storytelling didn't satisfy them, they wouldn't hesitate to reprimand even a servant of the Ji family!

Shen Yuan's gaze swept over the group of people dressed in luxurious clothing.

They all seemed rather displeased.

Thinking about it, it made sense. People who are always respected and catered to, wanting to know something immediately and being kept in suspense—it was normal for them to feel irritated.

Under Manager Ji's welcoming smile and arrangements, everyone was seated.

He casually asked, "What kind of tea would our guests like?"

Each one was a patron who didn't lack money. Since he asked, they all ordered a pot.

Thus, as soon as it opened today, the Ji Family Teahouse earned more from tea sales than it usually did in a full day.

Manager Ji went joyfully to the backyard to report the tea orders. Shen Yuan, meanwhile, picked up the storyteller's block and gave it a sharp rap. The noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Shen Yuan smiled and greeted them, "Greetings to all our esteemed guests. I am the storyteller, Shen Yuan. Next, I will tell you a story from the previous dynasty, which I have titled 'A Tale of Human and Ghost'."