Chapter 41

Chapter 41

After saying that, Shen Xi gazed up at Shen Yuan with a pitiful expression, tilting his little head up and snuggling his little body against him.

"Big brother, do you think Xixi is very bad?"

Shen Yuan hadn't expected his younger brother to be such a cunning yet affectionate little fox. He curled his finger and tapped Shen Xi’s nose lightly, giving his brother an absolute sense of security.

"No, big brother will always think Xixi is cute. Besides, becoming that kind of person would be very painful, and big brother won't let Xixi suffer."

Shen Dong and Shen Nan also looked at Shen Yuan with eager eyes.

Psychological shadows can't be completely dispelled with just one or two promises. With inexhaustible patience, Shen Yuan smiled and nodded, repeatedly promising his brothers, "Right. I love you, so I will never disappear without a word or leave you behind."

He had infinite patience for those close to him.

"Big brother, Xixi loves you too," Shen Xi said, hugging his brother and nestling close affectionately. Shen Dong, being more steady, simply sat closer, leaning against Shen Yuan.

Shen Nan didn't say a word, just clutched the hem of Shen Yuan's clothes, stealing a smile.

He felt he was the happiest, most blessed child right now. Later, when he went to Auntie Liu's house to pick up the baby sister, he would secretly tell her how happy he was today.

The three children, having eaten their fill and received an abundance of love from their brother, were ecstatic.

They ran off to play with the children who had come over to the Shen family’s side, gathering near their own family members to sip some wild vegetable and millet porridge. Shen Xi was mainly responsible for boasting about his big brother, Shen Dong nodded steadily to confirm it was true, and Shen Nan whispered in agreement that what Third Brother said was correct.

The three little ones earned a chorus of "wow"s from the children of Dashu Village, along with countless envious looks.

Of course, when some children expressed that they also wanted Shen Yuan to be their big brother, the three little ones sternly refused. Others guarded their food; they guarded their big brother.

Shen Yuan watched his brothers with a smile. Even in their boasting mode, he found them utterly adorable.

"Brother Shen, thank you."

Hearing this, Shen Yuan turned his head. It was Shen Liushu.

Shen Liushu knew he shouldn't hide. What couldn't a real man face? After wrestling with his thoughts for a long while, he still came to express his gratitude.

He held a cracked clay bowl in his hands, containing steaming hot millet porridge with wild vegetables.

"Thank me for what?" Shen Yuan asked.

Shen Liushu frowned awkwardly. "For letting me come work."

Shen Yuan chuckled lightly, not taking it to heart. "I had you come work simply because you were the right fit."

"Aren't you angry that I treated Shen Dong and the others poorly before, telling others not to play with them?" Shen Liushu asked, puzzled. "The debt for saving Shen Nan was already cleared when you helped me look for my brother. Why are you still helping me like this?"

Shen Yuan looked toward his brothers not far away and asked Shen Liushu, "Do you think Shen Dong and the others are happy now?"

Shen Liushu didn't dare look, but he stole a quick glance. His gaze touched the smiles on their faces before he immediately looked away. "Happy."

In the entire Dashu Village, there wouldn't be any children happier than them.

"Because you deliberately ostracized Dongdong and the others before, I didn't like you. But I kept thinking, what would happen to them if I weren't by their side? Would they lack clothes and food? Would they not grow up? Every time I think about these things, my heart aches."

Shen Yuan looked at his brothers, a smile on his face, and continued softly, "I'm not helping you. I'm just thinking, if there comes a day when I'm not by their side, I hope they can encounter someone who lends them a helping hand when they're out in the world."

He had always thought this way.

Shen Liushu pressed further, "What if there isn't? Not everyone is like you."

Shen Yuan smiled. "I don't expect everyone to be like me. I only seek peace of mind."

It wasn't just because of Shen Dong and the others; it was also because of the orphanage from his previous life.

He couldn't stand by and watch children who were alone and helpless. Back then, he too was taken in by kind people and grew up healthy.

"Besides, your nature isn't bad," Shen Yuan said, looking at Shen Liushu. "You didn't actually harm Dongdong and the others before. I asked them about letting you come work, and they nodded in agreement."

Shen Liushu lowered his head, picking at the cracked edge of his clay bowl.

After a moment of silence, he spoke awkwardly, "I was wrong before. I will apologize to Shen Dong and the others. Brother Shen, I also truly thank you for helping me look for my big brother."

"When he left, he said he was going to the county town to earn money and would be back soon. He also said he'd buy coarse flour to make me longevity noodles for my birthday."

Shen Liushu's tears dripped into his bowl. His voice became hoarse and soft. "If you find him, just tell him that if he makes me a bowl of longevity noodles on my birthday, I'll act as if nothing ever happened."

Finally, he shook his head. "Forget it. If he doesn't want to come back, just tell him I'm doing well now and I can support myself."

"Tell him to find time to come see me once a year, or every two or three years is fine too. Give me a timeframe; I can wait."

Shen Yuan sighed softly. Before he could respond, he heard Shen Xi say, "On your birthday, I'll cook longevity noodles for you. Anyway, I can't let my big brother cook them."

The little guy didn't know when he had noticed them here or how much he had heard. Now, with his hands on his hips and his round little belly sticking out, he spoke with great seriousness.

Shen Liushu looked up at Shen Xi, his eyes still red. "Weren't you the one who hated me before?"

Shen Xi nodded. "Yes, that's why I plan to put poison in the longevity noodles. So, are you going to eat them or not?"

He still remembered Shen Liushu's earlier accusation about them poisoning the chicken soup and was now using those words to mock him.

Shen Yuan couldn't help but laugh. The kid really held a grudge.

Seeing Shen Xi with his belly puffed out, speaking so seriously, Shen Liushu also couldn't help but chuckle. "Who puts poison in noodles?"

Shen Xi snorted. "After you eat my noodles, if you still hate me because I have a big brother, then I will never play with you again."

For Shen Xi, who loved excitement, this was a very severe punishment.

Actually, Shen Xi wished Shen Liushu would become the old Shen Liushu again. That Brother Liushu used to always help him climb trees to pick fruit.

He was a good Brother Liushu.

Before, he didn't understand why Brother Liushu had turned bad, but now he did. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his big brother, not even a little bit.

So, for the sake of the fruit from before, he wouldn't blame Brother Liushu for telling the other kids not to play with him anymore.

Although Shen Liushu had a stubborn and somewhat rigid temperament, he was someone who dared to act and take responsibility, keeping his word.

He said directly to Shen Xi, "I was wrong before. I won't do that again."

Shen Xi pursed his lips but finally couldn't hold back a smile.

Seeing Shen Liushu apologize first and ask for forgiveness, Shen Xi blinked and tossed aside what he had been thinking earlier. "Then from now on, I'll be the boss of all the kids in Dashu Village, and Brother Liushu, you protect me. Then I'll forgive you."

Admitting his fault, Shen Liushu nodded. "Alright."

As for Shen Liushu’s ban on other children playing with Shen Dong and the rest, the only victim was Shen Xi, who thrived on bustle.

In the past, the eldest brother was taciturn, the second brother was quiet, the fourth brother wasn't one for talking, and the fifth sister wasn't talking yet.

So bored, Shen Xi even talked to his straw sandals.

Shen Dong and Shen Nan, who were unscathed by this incident, saw Shen Xi initiate conversation with Shen Liushu and followed suit by greeting him.

After the meal, there was still work to be done, so Shen Xi didn't bother Shen Liushu further.

Since it was late, the three children followed Shen Yuan to Aunt Liu's house, then carried Shen Bei to Aunt Ping's house to settle in for the night.

The next day was another clear, sunny day.

Shen Yuan ate a millet bun, drank a bowl of water, and headed for the teahouse with Wang Sanhu.

There was no exclusive booking today, so Wang Sanhu and Fang Zaoshang would begin their storytelling.

Originally, only Shen Yuan's session was scheduled for the morning, but now there were two.

One session featured Shen Yuan presenting new material, and the other featured Wang Sanhu narrating a chapter.

In the afternoon, Shen Yuan would tell a session of new content, and Fang Zaoshang would narrate a chapter.

Word had already been put out. Yesterday, when Ji Xingwang turned customers away, he had explained that the previous day's arrangements were moved to today with no changes.

When the two of them arrived at the teahouse, Ji Xingwang pulled Shen Yuan aside with a laugh. "What you asked for, the manager has all taken care of!"

It was pure coincidence; a trading caravan was in Qingyun County these past few days. He went to find his friend after work yesterday and took him to the livestock market.

His friend was an expert at picking out livestock and had acquaintances in the market. Through various introductions, he successfully chose a healthy milch goat and a gentle, sturdy mare.

They were both tethered in the teahouse's backyard.

Ji Xingwang led Shen Yuan to the backyard. After Shen Yuan carefully examined the goat and the horse, he saw they were both clean, spirited, and chewing their feed heartily.

He was very satisfied and said sincerely, "The manager is really something, getting it done so quickly!"

These things might be easy to obtain in future generations, but in this place where everything was in short supply, livestock this good wasn't something money alone could buy. It took connections, guanxi, and know-how.

Otherwise, it was easy to be cheated. The livestock might look fine when you saw it, but end up listless and half-dead within a couple of days; it was a common occurrence.

Manager Ji brushed it off, his smile not diminishing in the slightest. "You can count on the manager to get things done."

Seeing that it was almost time for the storytelling, the two returned to the main hall chatting and laughing.

As soon as they lifted the curtain, what caught their eye was Song Zijuan sitting in the first row, putting on a casual, smiling face.

It was no wonder Shen Yuan picked him out immediately.

His appearance and temperament were indeed outstanding. Plus, the craftsmanship of his clothes was clearly a cut above those around him. Some fabrics and colors were the exclusive purview of the elite; those of lower status couldn't even get them with money.

The retainers of the Xie family dressed better than the nobility of Qingyun County. Sitting among the crowd, he stood out like a sore thumb; it was hard not to notice him.

A customer is a customer, so Shen Yuan didn't pay him much attention.

He methodically finished today's content about the afterlife and ghosts, which the tea guests listened to with rapt attention and bated breath.

Today's session received an unprecedentedly enthusiastic reception.

This was due to the content and also because they had been made to miss the storytelling yesterday.

Previously, they just thought about not being able to listen and felt it would be uncomfortable.

When they really had to go without, they realized it wasn't just uncomfortable—it was absolute torture!

They felt listless all day, unable to drum up any interest in anything.

Today, finally getting a continuation of the story, it was as if they’d gotten a new lease on life; their energy and spirit returned.

They really couldn't be without storytelling anymore!

Song Zijuan took out two silver discs while observing the other tea guests giving tips.

Although the Xie family's wealth was comparable to a nation's, such a speed of earning money was still breathtaking.

Thinking about it, it was also extremely reasonable.

After all, in the absence of other entertainment, such fresh storytelling was truly irresistible.

The Xie family's song and dance houses in Youyang, featuring foreign dancers, earned a fortune daily as dens of extravagance for the nobility.

The reason so many people went was that the Wu Country lacked sophistication and tradition in that regard.

Compared to song and dance houses, the tips from storytelling, though collectively insignificant, were not to be underestimated. After all, it was just one teahouse with limited seating.

Other tea guests weren't unwilling to come; there were simply no seats available.

Shen Yuan was also considering expansion.

After the first session, as Shen Yuan expected, Song Zijuan came to find him.

In Shen Yuan's eyes, the smile on Song Zijuan's face was the sly, scheming grin of a fox.

"Master Shen, I have booked a table at Chunfeng Restaurant. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a modest meal?"

Facing this "Hongmen Banquet," Shen Yuan refused. "I have to rest at noon; I won't have time."

"It's a fine day, so the moonlight should be lovely tonight. Going in the evening is also fine," Song Zijuan said, not discouraged.

Shen Yuan shook his head. "That's no good either; I have things to do in the evening."

Song Zijuan thought it was an excuse and preempted him. "Oh? What matters? If you don't mind, you can tell me. I will definitely help Master Shen resolve it perfectly."

He was determined to hound Shen Yuan tonight; he only had two days left!

Shen Yuan really wasn't lying; both statements were entirely truthful.

He originally intended to say he didn't need help, but on second thought, he felt it wouldn't hurt to take advantage of the offer.

So Shen Yuan showed a friendly smile. "Alright then, Strategist Song, follow me."

If the matter of roughing up the official gets out, then a strategist under the Xie family was involved too. If the sky falls, Song Zijuan will be the one to prop it up; Brother Ping'an and he himself won't have to risk it.

Besides, Song Zijuan had pulled one over on him before, and this time he had handed himself over.

"Well, since you're here."

Song Zijuan was taken aback, so there really was something going on? He asked, "Could you tell me what it is?"

Shen Yuan remained silent.

Things like bringing a scholar to a fight and using him as a scapegoat or shield couldn't be discussed openly.

"Just tell me if you're coming or not. It's a bit dangerous, after all," Shen Yuan reminded him.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Song Zijuan didn't believe Shen Yuan could do anything too outrageous; he did look quite well-behaved, after all.

Song Zijuan nodded firmly, "I'll go!"

-----------------------

Author's note: Shen Xi, the extroverted schemer: Just another day of being spoiled by his brothers.

(Thinking about Xixi in the future, I pity his opponents.)

Song Zijuan upon learning the truth: [clown]