Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Shen Bing was at home recovering from childbirth, staying in Yi'an and Erkang's room, while the two boys squeezed in with Shen Jue and Shen Lin.

Zhao Lu stayed home to take care of things, and his son Zhao Dong was brought down the mountain by a friendly hunter.

Once the winter wheat was sown, the weather turned colder, and Liu Chunxia brought out the family's hefty money box.

This worn-out money box had gone from holding a few copper coins, to being stuffed full of them, then to a few taels of loose silver, and now it held neat silver ingots.

The family hadn't gotten new winter clothes in ages, and with the weather turning cold, they needed to get ready ahead of time.

Shen Chong needed to go to the private school, and Yi'an and Erkang had to deliver vegetables to other towns, so they skipped the trip.

Liu Chunxia called on Shen Ning from Wangjia Village, bringing the three children along, while Li Geng stayed home to look after his elderly mother.

Shen Song had told Xie Zhiyu he'd be going shopping for winter clothes with his family today, so he'd skip his character lessons for the day. After the deliveries, he and Chi Jiu drove the ox cart back to pick up the family and head into the county town.

Their ox cart couldn't fit everyone, so they borrowed the village chief's cart too. Shen Song drove one cart, and Chi Jiu drove the other.

The family headed straight to the fabric shop in the county town. The shop sold not just cloth but also cotton.

But the Shen family had never bought cotton before.

In winter, they'd always used straw for bedding, and the family would huddle together as much as possible to stay warm.

On nice days, the straw bedding had to be aired out in the sun, or it wouldn't stay warm.

The clothes they wore were still the same old ones from before, the only difference from spring, summer, and fall being that they'd stuff straw or cattail fluff inside for warmth.

Cotton clothes, cotton shoes, cotton quilts, cotton pads—anything with cotton in it cost an arm and a leg.

After using the cotton quilt and mattress Shopkeeper Xu had given them, the Shen family really came to appreciate how great cotton was.

This year, for winter clothes, they planned to make two cotton outfits and two pairs of cotton shoes per person, so there'd be something to switch between.

Even though the Shen family wasn't strapped for cash now, they still couldn't just buy ready-made clothes.

Ready-made clothes cost twenty percent more than making your own. Since they had free time this time of year anyway, it made more sense to buy cloth and cotton and make them at home.

Cotton was seriously pricey—one catty cost a hundred and twenty-five wen. The price changed every year; the shopkeeper said this year was on the cheaper side. Last year it was a hundred and forty wen a catty, and one year it went for four hundred wen a catty. That year, the winter was brutal, and the main cotton-growing areas had been hit by disasters, so demand was high but supply was short, and prices naturally shot up.

The Shen family needed winter clothes for everyone, and Liu Chunxia also factored in her two daughters' families.

The Li family had it rough this year, and as their grandma, she couldn't stand to see her grandkids go without winter clothes. In past years, she didn't have the means, so there was nothing to be done. But this year, she had the means, so Liu Chunxia would pinch pennies where she could and splurge where she had to.

Men's winter clothes needed five to six catties of cotton, women's and older girls' needed four to five, and kids' needed two to three.

As for fabric, this time they didn't go for the cheapest hemp cloth. They bought the top grade of hemp cloth, which ran three hundred fifty wen a bolt—over thirty wen more than in the summer.

The fabric felt sturdy, wasn't as drafty, and looked a cut above the cheapest stuff.

Liu Chunxia knew full well that with the family business doing well, they couldn't keep dressing so shabbily.

Besides, the whole point of making money was to eat better, dress better, and live better. They couldn't swing the pricier stuff, but the cheapest just wasn't warm enough.

Lin Yue had given them a few bolts before, and those were even nicer than what Liu Chunxia was eyeing now. They felt softer, and Liu Chunxia figured they had cotton threads blended in.

The family hadn't been willing to use them for clothing before. Liu Chunxia figured she'd use those bolts from Lin Yue to make one or two sets of underclothes for everyone, and buy extra cloth for the winter gear.

Winter clothes needed more fabric than the other three seasons, with enough room to stuff in the cotton.

After Liu Chunxia did some careful number-crunching, with Shen Song helping her with the math, the Shen family bought two hundred forty catties of cotton and fifteen bolts of cloth, for a total of thirty taels and two hundred wen.

That covered the whole big family—two pairs of cotton shoes and two winter outfits for each person.

They were supposed to pay fifty more wen, but Liu Chunxia haggled, and the shopkeeper happily let it go.

Shen Song, standing nearby, was blown away when he heard the shopkeeper agree to drop the fifty wen, and he felt even more awe for his mom.

Fifty wen—he could get seven bowls of big wontons with thin skins and hearty fillings, and still have a wen left over for some malt sugar.

The ox cart was stacked high with cloth and cotton, and the Shens hired another cart to haul them back to the village.

Once home, Liu Chunxia got her daughters, daughters-in-law, and sons-in-law all busy.

Cutting fabric, sewing clothes, and stitching shoes.

After half a month of hard work, it was all finally done.

The nimble-fingered ones had used every bit of cloth and cotton to the absolute max.

With the cloth from Lin Yue, everyone got two sets of underclothes, two winter outfits, and two pairs of cotton shoes—plus, they used the scraps to make two pairs of socks for each person.

The newborn Zhao Bao didn't get new clothes—a baby's skin was too delicate for fresh fabric. He wore the clothes his big brother Zhao Dong had worn as a baby, and the diapers were saved from back then too. But Liu Chunxia made him a swaddle blanket. In the past, the family couldn't afford such things, so none of the kids ever had one.

In mid-December, the first snow of the season hit Yunxi County.

The snow wasn't heavy, just drifting down softly, dusting the ground and rooftops with a thin layer of white.

Shen Song, in his new cotton clothes and shoes, ran around the family courtyard, puffing out white breath.

An alien who'd never seen real snow.

He was over the moon.

Even with the cold, quite a few villagers still went to the Earth God temple to burn incense. In fact, every household sent someone over each day.

They prayed for good harvests.

In the dead of winter, they'd look at the Shen family's new house, their cotton clothes and winter gear, their thick cotton shoes, all shielded from wind and snow, and they couldn't help but envy them.

The families that had been first to worship the Earth God, while not as well-off as the Shens, were still doing better than in past years. With a bit more cash in hand, they laughed a lot more.

Village chief Shen Gaoshan's family was even better off.

They'd originally been the wealthiest family in the village. Now they couldn't hold a candle to Shen Dashu's family, but this year they not only had a bumper harvest, but while most villagers couldn't find work outside, two people in his family had work every single day—and they could even skip a meal at home.

Once the cold set in, the water froze over, and canal transport ground to a halt.

So the dockworkers all went hunting for other work, and the remaining manual labor jobs in town and the county were basically snapped up by them.

For villagers like them, once they finished farm work and went out looking, there was nothing left to find.

It was precisely because of Shen Gaoshan's example that even the villagers in Shengjiagou who resented the Shen family didn't dare make a move.

As the New Year approached, the Shen family started getting ready with New Year supplies.

This was the first time in years their family had stocked up for the New Year.

Liu Chunxia opened the money box once more and headed out to buy New Year provisions.

Shen Song loved shopping, so he skipped his literacy class again to tag along with the family.

The family loaded up at the pastry shop in town.

Some were gifts for clients in town and the county, and the rest was for villagers who came calling.

The Shens didn't need to buy any sweets—all the pastries they ate came from the Xie family's cook.

Shen Song hauled home a big pile every day; he had to eat them or they'd spoil, and wasting them would be a crying shame.

They also hit the meat market, buying everything—chicken, duck, fish, goose, and pork.

This year, they were going to have a New Year where they could eat meat to their heart's content!

After a full day of shopping, they hauled a cartload of stuff back home.

The Shens split up the rice they'd saved and divvied out the wrapped pastries. The next day, the New Year gifts went out of the village with the vegetable and donkey carts.

Shopkeeper Xu was in high spirits this year, feeling on top of the world. With a grand wave of his hand, he handed out bonuses to every waiter and helper at his restaurant. Zhou Niandong got a special bonus of six taels of silver.

Zhou Niandong was over the moon. Six taels of silver—before, after covering his living costs, he'd have had to work his tail off for two years to save that much.

His monthly wages had already doubled from previous years, and he never expected such a big bonus on top of it.

He figured it was all thanks to his younger brother's in-laws.

As long as the Shens kept doing well, the Zhou family's life would surely keep improving if he just worked hard!

Zhou Niandong was full of hope for the year ahead and beyond.

Shopkeeper Xu felt the same way about the future.

His restaurant was the best in Qingyun Town, and the other eateries all looked up to him. He had no bigger ambitions—he figured things were perfect just the way they were.

At most, he might expand the place into a proper tavern and bump up the prices a bit. But that was about it—not worth the hassle.

Lin Yue's little restaurant was also doing better and better. Whenever the young folks wanted to eat out, they basically came to his place.

His name had gotten around, so he didn't worry about people not finding the place. From open to close, there was always a steady stream of diners.

But Lin Yue was still strapped for cash.

When the New Year gifts from the Shens arrived, both Shopkeeper Xu and Lin Yue were thrilled.

That very evening, Lin Yue used the rice the Shens had sent to cook up a pot.

The smell of rice from the clay pot grew stronger and stronger. The little boy, told by his dad to watch the fire, sniffed the air and blurted out, "Dad, today's rice smells so, so good!"

Lin Yue had just finished washing clothes, his hands frozen red from the cold. He stepped into the kitchen, lifted the lid with his chopsticks, and poked at the rice. "Almost done, let it steam a little longer. If Xiao Huai thinks it smells good, you can eat a bit more today."

Lin Huai nodded obediently, then burst into a fit of coughing.

The coughing made Lin Yue instinctively crouch down and pull Lin Huai's cotton coat tighter. "Are you feeling sick somewhere?"

"No, just a tickle in my throat," Lin Huai said truthfully.

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief and scooped the child up. "Better to go lie down in the room. Dad will tuck you in, and when the food's ready, I'll bring it to you."

Lin Huai lowered his eyes, wrapped his little arms around Lin Yue's neck, and nuzzled him to calm his dad down, whispering, "Dad, don't forget to give me extra rice."

Lin Yue smiled at that. "Alright, I won't forget."

The Shens' rice was truly delicious—fragrant, soft, and sticky, crystal clear, with a hint of sweetness when you chewed it. Even without any sides, you could easily put away two big bowls of rice by itself.

Lin Huai was eight years old, and after eating, he got sleepy.

Lin Yue wiped the kid's mouth, tucked him in, then cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the small table and washed them in the kitchen.

After that, he lit the little medicine stove and started brewing the herbal remedy.

The medicine bubbled away, and the smells of rice and food in the kitchen were blown off by the cold wind before the medicinal odor could take over.

Lin Yue was lost in the smell of the herbs. The bitterness he used to notice now felt familiar, barely registering.

If he really couldn't smell that scent, he'd be scared and unable to sleep.

Before he started ordering vegetables from the Shens, the restaurant's income back then wasn't enough to buy more medicine.

A dose of herbs was boiled over and over until the medicinal strength was almost gone, making it way less effective.

Back then, his Huai Ge'er kept running high fevers and coughing, his little face as pale as snow.

Lin Yue thought about selling the family's little restaurant, but then wondered what kind of business he could run to afford Huai Ge'er's medicine.

Luckily, after ordering vegetables from the Shens, the restaurant's business picked up more and more.

But there was only so far it could go.

His own cooking wasn't good enough to be a real chef, and the chef he'd hired couldn't get any better either. The restaurant's business had hit its ceiling.

But Huai Ge'er's medicine costs really seemed to have no end in sight.

Lin Yue stared at the steam rising from the medicine stove, racking his brain for ways to earn more money.

He sighed.

Over the past few days of deliveries, Shen Song noticed Lin Yue's complexion getting worse, the dark circles under his eyes deepening, and his chin growing sharper.

After hauling the vegetables inside, he didn't leave—he asked Lin Yue how he was doing.

"You been feeling okay these past few days? Something wrong?"

Hearing Shen Song's worried question, Lin Yue pulled himself together, gave a tight smile, and said it was nothing.

"It's just that the kid had a fever that dragged on for a few days, but he's doing much better than before. Ever since your family started delivering, I heard from Shushu's Grandpa that they're good for the body, so I've been cooking them for Huai Ge'er. Luckily, after eating them for so long, Huai Ge'er's gotten a bit stronger—nothing serious."

From their interactions over these days, though they hadn't sat and talked much every day, Shen Song knew Lin Yue's husband had died young, leaving him to raise his son, who had a heart condition, all by himself.

Because of the heart condition, the kid was very frail.

Fevers were a regular thing.

Shen Song only had the Earth Ability, which could infuse things grown from the soil with energy to improve health. But it couldn't work like a healing superpower to completely cure any illness.

As for Lin Huai's condition, he was at a loss too.

Previously, he had also consulted Qi Yuanjing, whose medical expertise was exceptional, so he understood the condition more thoroughly.

For a heart ailment, unless one undergoes a heart transplant, the only option is to spend money just to keep him alive and nurture the body, taking it one day at a time.

The next day, Shen Song came by to deliver vegetables to Lin Yue and handed him a wooden box.

Curious, Lin Yue opened it up and found it packed with silver.

At least fifty taels.

Startled, he quickly shoved it back at him, saying, "Why are you giving me this? Take it back right away, put it somewhere safe at home, and don't lose it."

Shen Song said, "Huai Ge'er's illness needs money to keep him going, and you've been working so hard you've gotten skinny. My family's not strapped for cash right now, and I've already talked it over with them. Just take it, alright?"

Lin Yue's eyes got all teary, calling Shen Song a fool, "You're just handing me all this silver like it's nothing, aren't you scared I won't be able to pay you back? Take it back. With your family supplying my little restaurant, I can still keep things running."

Shen Song didn't get mad at Lin Yue for calling him a fool, because Lin Yue was tearing up when he said it.

"Even if you never pay it back, that's fine. If my family needs money, I can always earn more. Buy better medicine for Huai Ge'er so he can get healthier. Silver's not a big deal; I want to give it to you, and my family agrees that Huai Ge'er's health matters more."

The Shen family had been through poverty, hardship, and pain.

They knew all too well what it was like to watch a loved one suffer from illness and be held back by money.

When Shen Song brought up giving Lin Yue silver to treat Lin Huai, the Shen family's first thought was also that the person's life mattered most.

Besides, the family's current good fortune was thanks to Xiao Ba's skills. He never haggled over money, and since he rarely asked for anything, and this was a legitimate matter, no one was unwilling to back Shen Song's kindness toward a friend.

When Lin Yue learned that the entire Shen family had agreed to let Shen Song give him this money, he was completely stunned.

On his husband's side, the child's grandparents hadn't been willing to pitch in.

Soon enough, Lin Yue figured out why: Shen Song was such a kind, innocent soul, and his family must have shielded him well, which was why he stayed that way.

No wonder the Shen family didn't bat an eye about it.

"Song Ge'er, I'll write you an I.O.U."

Lin Yue couldn't turn it down any longer; he wanted to buy better medicine for Lin Huai so the kid could get through the winter more comfortably, and switch to cheaper meds once spring came.

When he got to the Xie residence, Xie Zhiyu was waiting for Shen Song in the study, just like always.

Because of his health, he ran cold and hated the chill.

Even with a brazier of silver-thread charcoal burning in the room, Xie Zhiyu still had on a big water-blue cloak with a white fox-fur collar.

His chin was buried in the fluffy fox fur, making his lips look even redder.

Like snow against red plum blossoms.

Shen Song reached out, his slightly cool fingertips heading toward Xie Zhiyu's cheek.

Xie Zhiyu's brow twitched slightly, but he sat there, still as a statue.

The rounded fingertips didn't land where Xie Zhiyu had expected, but pressed into the fluffy fox fur instead.

Shen Song's round eyes were full of delight at how soft and plush the fur felt.

"This feels so nice to the touch."

Xie Zhiyu's gaze dropped slightly, watching Shen Song's hand messing around on the fox fur.

His voice was cold. "Don't disturb their sleep."

Shen Song paused, "What do you mean?"

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Xie Zhiyu's mouth. He didn't remove Shen Song's hand but turned to ask him, "Do you know about fox spirits?"

"What's that?" Shen Song asked curiously.

"Don't know... Shall I tell you?"

"Sure!"

That day, Shen Song skipped his literacy class again, listening to his teacher tell horror stories all morning.

Shen Song was terrified.

His hand went from clutching the fox fur to tightly gripping Xie Zhiyu's hand.

Frowning seriously, Shen Song earnestly advised Xie Zhiyu, "Quickly get rid of this tail. What if the fox spirit seeks revenge for its kin and guts you, skins you alive?"

Xie Zhiyu watched Shen Song, analyzing the various meanings in his expression, and finally spoke softly, "Worried about me?"

Shen Song nodded immediately, speaking truthfully, "I am worried, and I'm scared too. Don't let anything happen to you, Xie Zhiyu."

Xie Zhiyu kept looking at Shen Song, trying to see if this person was telling the truth or lying.

In the end, he only saw the purest concern in Shen Song's eyes.

He truly believed every word, even believing in the existence of fox spirits.

Xie Zhiyu said calmly, "It's fine, I'm tough to kill. People can't kill me, and neither can fox spirits."

Shen Song didn't believe him this time, "The gu worm can kill you. You almost died before, and it scared me a lot."

Xie Zhiyu looked at Shen Song, "Isn't it because you're here?"

Because I'm here.

Shen Song repeated Xie Zhiyu's words in his mind.

He chuckled, his eyes curving into crescents, "That's right, I'm here. I won't let the gu worm harm you."

"So, Shen Song, you can't stay too far from me."

"Don't worry!"

-

As the year drew to a close, the demand for vegetables from various towns' restaurants and taverns didn't decrease.

The roads grew harder to travel, and the Shen family also needed to prepare for the New Year. Since the cold weather allowed vegetables to be stored longer, the Shen family delivered ample supplies to all the restaurants and taverns before the new year.

They wouldn't resume deliveries until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

From spring plowing to year's end, the Shen family finally stopped to rest.

Tonight, Liu Chunxia planned to stew meat.

She had once heard Shen Jing mention that he'd had meat at the medical clinic, and it was sweet, sticky, and delicious.

One day, Shen Song skipped his literacy class again and spent the morning listening to his teacher tell horror stories. Shen Song was terrified. His hand went from clutching a fox tail to tightly gripping Xie Zhiyu's hand.

Shen Song frowned and seriously urged Xie Zhiyu, "Get rid of that tail quickly. What if the fox spirit seeks revenge for its people and guts you, skins you alive?"

Xie Zhiyu watched Shen Song, analyzing the various meanings in his expression, and finally spoke softly, "Worried about me?"

Shen Song immediately nodded and said honestly, "I am worried. I'm also scared. Don't let anything happen to you, Xie Zhiyu."

Xie Zhiyu kept looking at Shen Song, trying to see if this person was telling the truth or lying. In the end, he only saw the clearest concern in Shen Song's eyes. He truly believed every word he said, even believing in the fox spirit.

Xie Zhiyu said calmly, "It's fine, I'm tough to kill. People can't kill me, and neither can the fox spirit."

Shen Song didn't believe him this time. "Gu worms can kill you. You almost died before, and it really scared me."

Xie Zhiyu looked at Shen Song. "Isn't it because you're here?"

Because I'm here. Shen Song repeated Xie Zhiyu's words in his mind. He chuckled, his eyes curving into crescents. "That's right, I'm here. I won't let the gu worms hurt you."

"So, Shen Song, you can't stay too far from me."

"Don't worry!"

-

As the year drew to a close, the demand for dishes from restaurants and taverns in various towns didn't decrease. The roads were getting harder to travel, and the Shen family also needed to prepare for the New Year. Since the weather was cold, vegetables could be stored longer, so the Shen family delivered ample supplies to all the restaurants and taverns before the New Year. They wouldn't resume deliveries until after the Lantern Festival.

From spring plowing to the end of the year, the Shen family finally stopped to rest. Tonight, Liu Chunxia planned to stew some meat. She had heard Shen Jing mention once that they had eaten meat at the medical clinic, and it was sweet, sticky, and delicious.

So she specially selected pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean, cut it into chunks, and bought honey and spices, preparing to stew the dish Shen Jing had mentioned.

While fetching the honey from the house, she saw the door to Shen Chong and Li Maizi's room open, with Li Maizi sitting on a small stool, mending Shen Chong's padded jacket in the light from outside.

Liu Chunxia casually remarked, "Fifth Brother's padded jacket is torn again?"

Li Maizi's hand trembled in surprise, and he quickly looked up to respond. "There's a small tear on the sleeve. I can patch it up quickly."

Liu Chunxia, busy with cooking, muttered, "He's someone who studies at the academy, yet his clothes wear out faster than someone who works in the fields."

It was cold now, and Shen Song had also delivered vegetables to Qingyun Town and the county many days in advance. But Shen Song still made a daily trip for Xie Zhiyu's vegetables, also taking the opportunity to learn to write.

During dinner, Liu Chunxia picked a piece of meat with her chopsticks and placed it in Shen Song's bowl, discussing, "Xiao Ba, tomorrow when you go to Lord Xie's place, why don't you tell him you won't be going before the Lantern Festival? It's freezing cold, and the roads are slippery. Mother thinks you've been studying very hard, so you can take a break. You can pick it up again after the Lantern Festival."

Shen Song thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright, I'll tell Xie Zhiyu tomorrow."

After dinner, Shen Yian came to find Shen Song, saying he had something to discuss with him. Shen Song took out two pieces of sweet cake from his satchel and handed them to Shen Yian, telling him to eat as they talked. Shen Yian took the cakes, but since he had just eaten and wasn't hungry, he put them away to share with Erkang later in case he got hungry at night.

"Little uncle, didn't you lend Uncle Lin some silver before, so he could buy medicine for his son?"

Shen Song had some memory of it. "Yeah."

Shen Yian said, "I've observed during my vegetable deliveries to town these days. Some families in town, though not as rich as those in the county, are still more willing to spend on food and drink than ordinary families. When they have happy occasions or need to host guests, they either cook at home or order delivery from restaurants.

These families simply can't afford to book private rooms or rent out the main hall at county taverns for banquets. What if the town restaurants could cater their banquets at a lower price than the county taverns?"

Shen Song perked up. Although he didn't know how to do business in his past life, he knew restaurants had these services.

Seeing Shen Song nod frequently, Shen Yian went into more detail on his idea. "I thought of two options. One is to order dishes from the restaurant in advance, and when the time comes, the restaurant brings people and ingredients directly to the home. After the banquet, the restaurant handles all the cleanup. Another option is for the restaurant to have a dedicated banquet space, which also requires advance booking and scheduling. A deposit is required, and if you cancel a few days ahead, the refund rate depends on how early you cancel. This way, it ensures neither side is at too much of a disadvantage."

Shen Yian felt more and more that it was feasible as he spoke. "It might not have worked before, when people would rather save a bit and cook at home. But during my deliveries this time, I noticed many families, although they don't go to restaurants because of the cold, will order dishes from restaurants to be delivered home for banquets.

Because only those restaurants have such delicious dishes. No matter how hard they try, they can't replicate that flavor at home. The price is a bit higher, but compared to county taverns, it's still quite a bit cheaper."

"I think it could work." Shen Song agreed with Shen Yian's idea. He ruffled Shen Yian's head and said with a smile, "Yian, you're really amazing. Just by observing during your own deliveries, you've seen so much insight."

Shen Yian was a bit embarrassed. "I was just thinking about it in my spare time. I feel Uncle Lin could try it out. This would also be a way to expand the restaurant's business."

"I'll talk to Lin Yue about it tomorrow!"

The next day, Shen Song first went to the Xie residence. After finishing his lessons, he went through Qingyun Town on his way home to find Lin Yue. This way, they'd have a bit more time to converse.

Ever since Shen Song was scared by Xie Zhiyu's horror and supernatural stories, whenever Xie Zhiyu wore anything with fur, Shen Song would stare at it from time to time. The more he stared, the more Xie Zhiyu wore it. Shen Song could only worry every day, paying even more attention to Xie Zhiyu's body and the energy fluctuations around him.

Having studied characters with Xie Zhiyu, and with the language barrier no longer an obstacle, Shen Song learned quickly and could already read books independently. Now, at Xie Zhiyu's place, his main focus had shifted from learning characters to how to make his chicken-scratch handwriting look better.

"Xie Zhiyu, I'm not coming starting tomorrow. I'll come back after the Lantern Festival."

Xie Zhiyu's hand paused as he reviewed documents. "Your handwriting is this terrible, and you still want to be lazy? Starting tomorrow, I'll have a carriage pick you up and drop you off."

Shen Song said he wasn't being lazy. "I'll practice at home too. I feel I've been quite diligent."

Mother even said he was diligent and needed a rest.

"Diligent?" Xie Zhiyu chuckled lightly, as if he'd heard a joke. He leaned in, and Shen Song felt the faint cold fragrance that had been lingering at the tip of his nose grow slightly stronger—a very pleasant scent, like a faint gardenia fragrance soaked in snow.

The brush in his hand was taken away, and the back of his hand felt a brief, fleeting coolness. Shen Song's gaze followed the hand holding the brush, noticing the delicate rings on the fingers and the beautiful curve of the knuckles. As the brush moved, characters appeared on the paper, right next to the ones Shen Song had just written.

Xie Zhiyu laughed coldly. "Is this your diligence? Writing this badly and still thinking about resting?"

Shen Song looked at his own writing, then at Xie Zhiyu's beside it. He suddenly reached out and covered Xie Zhiyu's mouth.

"Stop talking. Your words have made my characters ugly."

Before Xie Zhiyu said anything, Shen Song had been quite satisfied with his own characters. Xie Zhiyu's lips unexpectedly pressed against the soft, delicate palm. His Adam's apple rolled, and after a long moment, he forced out a muffled "Mm."

During lunch, Xie Zhiyu irritably rubbed his ear—it had been burning all along, which was annoying. Shen Song also noticed Xie Zhiyu's ears were red. "Have someone make you something to protect your ears. They've turned red from the cold."

Xie Zhiyu looked at Shen Song with a chilly gaze. "Eat your food."

Shen Song had his mouth stuffed with delicious braised duck meat, chewing, chewing, chewing. "I am eating."

After the meal, Shen Song wanted to go back. Xie Zhiyu said, "I'll have someone drive the ox cart back. You take the carriage home. The carriage will come to pick you up tomorrow. No being lazy."

Shen Song thought of the obvious contrast between the characters on the paper and pouted in displeasure. Seeing Shen Song like this, Xie Zhiyu frowned and said, "What else are you unhappy about?"

"Originally, I didn't think my characters were ugly. You keep criticizing me, and you even write next to mine. Now, great, I've started thinking it's ugly."

Xie Zhiyu reasoned with Shen Song. "Your characters are ugly only because you wrote them poorly. It's not that my saying so, or my writing the same characters next to yours for comparison, made it ugly."

He lowered his eyes to look at Shen Song, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. "Shen Song, you're... quibbling."

The phrase "taking advantage of his favor" hovered on the tip of his tongue before he swapped it for another word.

He didn't want Shen Song to pull him aside and ask what "getting cocky from being spoiled" meant.

Too sappy.

Shen Song asked, puzzled, "What does 'twisting the truth' mean?"

Xie Zhiyu chuckled lightly, "Twisting things to make yourself sound right, just like you did a moment ago."

Shen Song gave a little snort, "I'm done talking to you. I'm heading home."

"Are you coming tomorrow?" Xie Zhiyu asked.

Shen Song didn't speak, but he nodded. He'd come.

The carriage was fitted with a portable heater, plush cushions, and a warm wool blanket.

There were also sweet soup, pastries, and dried persimmons.

Shen Song stayed warm all the way, enjoying the treats until he reached Lin Yue's small eatery.

He took out the pastries and dried persimmons he'd saved and gave them to Lin Yue to eat. The sweet soup couldn't be split easily since there was only one bowl, so Shen Song drank it himself.

Shen Song sat with Lin Yue for about thirty minutes, telling him everything Shen Yian had said yesterday.

Lin Yue listened in amazement, "Your Yian is something else. He thought all this up himself?"

Shen Song puffed out his chest, nodding proudly, "Yes, he noticed it while making deliveries."

"What he said is a big help to me. I've been thinking about how to grow my business to earn more money. But my resources are limited, so I'm stuck in the middle."

Lin Yue now felt like things were finally clear; following Shen Yian's advice, the eatery's business was bound to improve.

His eatery was a bit small, so booking tables for banquets inside wasn't really an option for now.

Lin Yue planned to try having the cook bring dishes, pots, and utensils to people's homes to cook meals.

As it turned out, during the New Year period, few customers came to the eatery to dine in; most just ordered dishes to take away.

He acted on it right away.

The cook at the Lin family eatery was also a poor guy—orphaned, raised by his grandfather, who passed down his cooking skills so he could survive in this world.

Over twenty years old, he'd never had a match proposed, and no one had ever set him up with anyone.

As a gē'er (a male with omega status), he couldn't buy a house or land, and since starting work at the Lin family eatery as a cook five years ago, he'd lived there.

Lin Yue had set up a room just for him, more than enough for one person, and it doubled as a way to keep an eye on the shop.

Lin Yue told all the takeout customers about his new home banquet service.

By the end of the day, three families had booked a time and even paid deposits.

Lin Yue and the cook, Fang Qiao, were overjoyed—their small eatery's business was finally growing!

On the morning of New Year's Eve, the Xie family's carriage still stopped outside the Shen family's bamboo fence.

Shen's parents looked at the carriage and sighed.

They'd seen the inside of that carriage before.

It was more comfortable than their own house.

They just couldn't come up with a reason to tell Xiao Ba not to go anymore.

Even if they did, Mr. Xie didn't seem likely to agree. If he was going to, he would've done it last time, and he wouldn't have sent the carriage again today.

But a young gē'er who wasn't betrothed, going to the home of an unmarried man on such a special day...

It really didn't look right.

Shen Dashu and Liu Chunxia racked their brains for a solution, hoping that if someone came to arrange a marriage, things would get better.

But ever since that meal at the Qin family restaurant, they hadn't seen Sun Fulang that day, and they hadn't seen him at all since.

Shen Dashu looked at his wife's worried expression, then at the carriage driving away, "How about we find a matchmaker to set Xiao Ba up with someone after the New Year? Last time, Xiao Ba didn't seem upset about the matchmaking, and he went happily to the introduction."

"That's because he'd never eaten at a nice restaurant," Liu Chunxia said, knowing her kid inside and out. She paused, then added, "But what you said works too. Xiao Ba isn't opposed to it. I'll go talk to a matchmaker after the New Year."

Shen Song had a nice snack in the carriage, and after getting off, You An replaced his satchel with a new one full of pastries.

Today, Shen Song had just arrived at the study when someone came to see Xie Zhiyu.

Xie Zhiyu went out, and the person dropped their voice, making it hard for Shen Song to hear what was said.

Soon after, Xie Zhiyu came back inside and told Shen Song to go home first.

Not only that, he even said, "Don't come near the Xie estate again until I send the carriage to pick you up, understand?"

Shen Song frowned slightly, his first thought was: what would Xie Zhiyu eat if he ran out of food?

"Then if the food here runs out, what will you eat? Don't you only eat the vegetables from my family's fields?"

Xie Zhiyu was taken aback for a moment, "I can take medicine. That's how it's always been. It's fine."

"So you were even thinner before, and now you look better. I need to bring vegetables."

Xie Zhiyu sighed, unable to argue, and said, "Shen Song, be good."

Shen Song fired back, "Xie Zhiyu, you be good."

Xie Zhiyu looked down at Shen Song's sweet, innocent face and said softly, "Why are you so stubborn?"

"I'm actually tougher than you think. I won't get hurt... I can even protect you." Shen Song was determined; he simply couldn't bear not knowing how Xie Zhiyu was doing every day.

He hadn't felt this way before, but when Xie Zhiyu told him not to come again, the thought popped into his head and wouldn't go away.

Shen Song got anxious, stepping closer to Xie Zhiyu, grabbing his sleeve tightly, and looking up to say, "I just want to see you every day, to make sure you're safe."

Xie Zhiyu lowered his head, frowning, and after a long pause said quietly, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I know," Shen Song nodded. "I want to see you, and I want you to be safe."

Xie Zhiyu clenched his fists, trying to keep his emotions in check.

"I won't be at the Xie estate from now on. Even if you come, you won't find me, and it'll be dangerous for you and your family."

Xie Zhiyu's face showed reluctance, an emotion he couldn't hide no matter how hard he tried, "Shen Song, wait for me in safety, alright?"

A hint of fear rose in Shen Song's heart, and his grip on the sleeve tightened, "What's going on, Xie Zhiyu? What happened? Will you be alright? What am I supposed to do if I want to see you?"

"I've told you, no man or demon can kill me." Xie Zhiyu took a deep breath, brought his hand up to Shen Song's neck, and gently pressed his thumb against the pulse beating at the side of Shen Song's throat, "Shen Song, as long as you're doing well, I'll be fine."

Shen Song thought of the gu worm inside Xie Zhiyu that could act up at any moment, and he nodded, "I know."

"No, you don't."

Xie Zhiyu knew without thinking that Shen Song had misunderstood his words.

But now he couldn't say more, "Wait until I send someone to find you. Next time we meet, I'll tell you a secret about me, alright?"

His last words carried an unconscious, gentle coaxing tone. Shen Song had never heard Xie Zhiyu speak to him like that, and he was instantly charmed.

"Alright."