Chapter 14: Fish Head Vermicelli Soup

Chapter 14: Fish Head Vermicelli Soup

Lin Su pondered for a while, then dripped a drop of Ability Water onto the leaf of a lush green plant. The leaf trembled under the weight of the droplet, and after a trace of water remained, it dripped into the soil, landing on an ant carrying food.

The ant floundered for a moment, found the edge of the puddle, and continued carrying its food home without lingering.

“...” No appeal at all.

Going with his hunch, he dripped a drop onto a withered grass blade this time.

The droplet was visibly absorbed by the leaf. Lin Su raised an eyebrow and continued dripping, adding over a dozen drops, all of which were absorbed, but the plant showed no change, remaining as withered as before.

It was like a sponge that just absorbs water.

Lin Su also poured a little on the dead tree. It was similarly absorbed without any change.

At this point, he understood the reason.

The sturgeon was about to die of old age, and the dead tree and withered grass were the same.

His Superpower, applied to robust, healthy beings, was like stopping someone on the street to offer them money. They’d take it happily and see it’s only a dime—who's gonna miss a dime? At least give a dollar!

But for the old, weak, sick, and disabled, it was like a single drop of water on cracked, dry ground—meager but still precious.

Useless, but a brief comfort.

Like looking at plums to quench thirst, or enjoying something sweet despite hardship.

Having figured out the reason, Lin Su relaxed, closed his eyes to rest, and waited until it was time to prepare the evening meal.

The rice had been steamed at noon and left uneaten, so he just added some water to reheat it. For the fish head soup pot, he added large firewood, then put in cut tofu and vermicelli to simmer together.

Once the tofu and vermicelli were soft and tender, he quickly seasoned with salt.

He called the three who had finished their work to eat: “Time to eat!”

“Start with a bowl of fish head soup, then mix the vermicelli and tofu with my special spicy sauce. Add more as a side dish to go with the rice.”

He ladled out generous bowls for each, with one piece of fish head per person. Fu Yun, as usual, followed Lin Su's instructions first, drinking half the soup in a few mouthfuls.

Xu Lei wasn’t one for false modesty either; he wiped his sweat and lifted the bowl to drink, downing several gulps before his taste buds relayed the message to his brain.

One word—fresh!

No trace of fishy smell. The soup was thick and smooth, refreshing and not greasy going down the throat—truly delicious!

Then he added a spoonful of bright red spicy sauce, mixed it with the vermicelli and tofu, and slurped up a mouthful—spicy yet refreshing, hot but not irritating to the throat.

Lin Su had really managed to ferment the mustard so well.

Xu Xiaohu, meanwhile, was excitedly shouting while eating, praising Lin Su: “Uncle Lin is amazing! The food you make is so tasty! I’ve never eaten anything this good before! Thank you, Uncle Lin!”

He kept saying thank you while stuffing vermicelli into his mouth, looking quite comical. Lin Su couldn’t help but laugh.

Hearing his laugh, Fu Yun lifted his head from his bowl, turned to look at him, then glanced at Xu Xiaohu. Swallowing the food in his mouth, he suddenly mimicked: “Brother’s cooking is really good! Brother is amazing! Thank you, Brother!”

Sweet talker. Lin Su felt thoroughly pleased.

The evening meal was thoroughly enjoyable. After eating, Lin Su spoke to Xu Lei about his idea: “Brother Xu, suppose this bowl of tofu vermicelli casserole were sold at a food stall—would anyone buy it?”

“Naturally.”

Vermicelli and tofu weren’t expensive; the cost was low, but the fish soup was fresh and nutritious, large portions and filling, so people would find it worthwhile.

“But it’s best to set up the stall in the county town.”

Lin Su agreed with Xu Lei’s words.

In the village, markets were held only once every half month. Although the town had small markets every three days and big ones every five, most people ate at home, so few dined out, making the market small.

The county was different. Yucheng County produced high-quality rice, cotton cloth, and silk, and the Lin River flowed through it, with a dock built there. Countless boats and merchants passed by.

The street near the dock was bustling with shops, crowds flowing like a river, with enormous foot traffic. Choosing this spot would guarantee half the success.

“But with my leg still not fully mobile, I’d like to ask Brother Xu to help with some purchases.”

“Alright.”

Xu Lei agreed without hesitation, asking what he needed and what plans he had.

When he heard that they would go shopping tomorrow and officially set up the stall the day after, he worried that the fresh fish would lose its flavor if left too long. As an impatient man, he immediately said to get everything ready tonight and leave early tomorrow morning.

“Just stew the soup now. I’ll go buy the stuff.” With that, he grabbed his son and strode off.

“Money... Brother, aren’t you taking the money?”

Lin Su, this laid-back fellow, was utterly stunned by him. He had no choice but to get up and stew the fish soup.

The sturgeon’s bones were too large, so Lin Su made three batches. Fortunately, he had bought extra pots; otherwise, he would have had to stew them one by one—too time-consuming.

Once the soup was simmering, he only needed to keep it on low heat, letting it stew overnight without tending.

Just as dusk was turning to night, Xu Lei returned with the purchased supplies: tofu, vermicelli, and seasonings. The vermicelli had just been made that day and hadn’t been sold yet. Xu Shi had planned to dry them for storage, but Lin Su got a bargain.

Lin Su prepared the sauces and agreed with Xu Lei to take his family’s boat to the county the next morning, also asking for his help.

With preparations done and total darkness falling, Lin Su was about to rest well to recharge for the next day when Fu Yun squeezed over, clutching his empty money pouch.

Buying the raw materials had used up all the fifty-odd coins from selling the fish, and they still owed a bunch of debts.

Lin Su thought he was upset and patiently comforted him: “Don’t worry, the pouch will be full again tomorrow. Go sleep in your own spot, be good, okay?”

“...I want to sleep with Brother,” Fu Yun muttered gloomily.

Hearing this, Lin Su felt a headache coming: “Be good. The straw bed's too small for two, it'll be too cramped.”

The person beside him didn’t respond but stubbornly remained motionless, showing his attitude. Lin Su couldn’t help sighing: “Having someone next to me makes it hard for me to sleep. Tomorrow I need to go set up the stall—let me rest well, okay?”

After a long silence with no reply, the dark room was silent. Lin Su was about to give in when Fu Yun's muffled voice suddenly came: “...Why?”

Why can’t you sleep?

“Don’t you like me... Does Brother like Xu Xiaohu more?”

“Is it because I’m too stupid that you refuse to accept me as your husband?”

He knew it all. Lin Su wasn’t really his brother; he was his husband. Even though so many people knew, Lin Su still tried to fool him, refusing to acknowledge it, unwilling to sleep with him.

Husbands are supposed to sleep together.

“...That’s not true. Don’t overthink it.”

He hadn’t managed to persuade him away; instead, he’d upset him. Lin Su had no choice but to turn over and hug him to soothe him. He hadn’t expected the Little Fool to be so sensitive and delicate.

“Brother doesn’t like Xu Xiaohu. Brother likes our little Xiao Fuyun the most. Our little Xiao Fuyun is both beautiful and sensible—how could I not want you?”

Lin Su softly coaxed the person in his arms. After a while, Fu Yun finally poked his head out from under the blanket. His voice carried a hint of anticipation: “Then will you still take me as your husband, Brother? I’m very capable. I can do a lot of things. I can support Brother!”