Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi burst into laughter. Lin Yue even pretended to be serious as he apologized to the old temple keeper, “My bad for startling you, sir.”

The old priest saw right through him, waving it off. “Never mind. Young folks should be lively. What brings you two lads here? Looking to buy something? Or perhaps seek a fortune-telling or draw an oracle slip?”

Indeed, though small, the Land God Temple offered it all—fortune-telling, divination, and even feng shui readings if you weren’t picky. Quite the one-stop shop.

Lin Yue peered inside and said, “We’d like to offer two sticks of incense to pay respects to the Earth Deity and make a small donation.”

Hearing this, the old temple keeper’s demeanor grew more attentive. He proceeded to describe all three types of incense available: “First, the premium incense costs ten wen per stick. Next, there’s the three-wen-per-stick variety, and finally, the one-wen-per-stick option. Which would you prefer, Lin Yue?”

Lin Yue chose the third option without hesitation. “Two sticks of the one-wen kind, please.”

He wasn’t seeking anything specific, just hoping for good fortune. The one-wen incense, plus a one-wen offering, was sufficient. There was really no need for the top-grade kind. When Shen Huaizhi passed the provincial examination, he could come and offer a stick to thank the Earth God for his blessings.

The old temple keeper showed no disappointment—two coins were still a fair sum. He carefully selected two sticks of incense and then led Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi into the temple.

It was the first time for both Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi. Everything in the temple fascinated them, and they paid their respects to the Earth God with great reverence.

Eager to return home, they didn’t linger long. After a brief look around, they hoisted their carrying poles and prepared to head back.

The old temple keeper was a talkative man. Seeing them carrying poles, his curiosity piqued: “What are you two young fellows carrying?”

Lin Yue lifted the lid halfway off the wooden bucket, pushing it over for the old temple keeper to see. “It’s the plum syrup we brewed today. We’re carrying it to town to sell. Care for a bowl, old man?”

The old temple keeper stroked his beard and shook his head. “I’m too old for this. Hardly any teeth left. Can’t handle anything sour like that.”

Lin Yue smiled, narrowing his eyes. “You look as sturdy as an ox, old man. How could you not handle something sweet and sour? Or are you just trying to sweet-talk a youngster?”

Seeing Lin Yue’s playful grin, the old temple keeper thought of his own eldest grandson—just a lad in his teens who’d surely love this. “How much for a bowl?”

“One copper coin per bowl, but you can’t take the bowl home.”

The old temple keeper bent down and pulled a bowl from the cabinet. It was one of his eldest grandson had brought extra when delivering food last time—perfect for this. “Give me a bowl. I’ll bring my own.”

Lin Yue naturally had no reason to refuse—it even saved him the trouble of washing dishes. Smiling, he said, “Since you’re bringing your own bowl, Old Man, I’ll give you a bit extra.”

That sounded good. The temple keeper had been a bit reluctant to part with the money earlier, but now he felt it was worth it. “That’s wonderful. Thank you both, young men.”

While the two were doing business, Shen Lingzhi was already thinking of turning back to pay another bow to the Earth God. His wish had been for good business, and now, before even leaving the temple, he’d earned a coin. Wasn’t that a bit too effective?

In the end, he didn’t go back. Another bow would mean buying more incense, which would cost another coin. He could always come back another time.

The short walk from the temple to the town gate yielded three more bowls sold—far more than the four he’d managed after wandering earlier.

With business picking up, Lin Yue saw no rush to return home. After discussing it with Shen Lingzhi, they lingered near the town entrance for another half-hour.

It was now the hour when townspeople returning from the market passed through. Though not a market day, some still came. After spending most of the day in town, many were willing to try a bowl of bayberry soup. Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi sold three more bowls. Seeing fewer and fewer people in the town, the two finally strolled out of town.

No sooner had they stepped outside than Shen Lingzhi couldn’t hold back. Grabbing Lin Yue’s sleeve, he blurted out the whole story.

Lin Yue nodded frequently as he listened. “I made that wish just now, and it came true so quickly. If business isn’t too bad over the next few days, we’ll come back in ten days to fulfill our vow. We should at least offer a three-cash incense.”

Shen Lingzhi suggested, “Let’s bring two fruits from home as offerings too.”

“Sounds good!”

It wasn’t necessarily the Earth God’s divine intervention. It was the hottest time of day, and those buying the bayberry soup were all adults with children. Spending one wen to sweeten their kids’ mouths and quench their thirst was something any family not struggling would gladly do.

But what did it matter? It was just for peace of mind. Though the temple was small and the offerings modest, it supported many beggar children. Sometimes they even distributed rice porridge. Lin Yue had heard his mother say that in years when their family was well-off, they would donate a few coins for incense offerings to the temple as an act of charity. He just hadn’t come along back then.

After leaving the town, both of them unconsciously quickened their pace. Though it was still early, there weren’t many people on the road, and it was better to get home sooner rather than later.

Lin Yue held his breath the entire way until they entered the village, when he finally felt a little better.

The Shen family’s courtyard gate stood firmly shut. Shen Zhengchu and his wife were still out in the fields and hadn’t returned yet. Lin Yue and his companion headed straight for the kitchen. They gulped down two large bowls of water before finally catching their breath. The day was unbearably hot.

After drinking, the two exchanged an unspoken glance. With perfect understanding, they each pulled out the money they’d collected earlier and placed it on the table. A small pile of copper coins sat there, making the table seem almost precious.

Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi sat on opposite sides, not rushing to count the coins. Instead, they just stared at the pile before them, grinning like fools.

Shen Lingzhi leaned on the table, drawing out his praise: “Brother, you’re so amazing!”

Lin Yue also propped his chin on his hands, eyes sparkling with a hint of smugness. “We’re both amazing.”

Truth be told, aside from their hoarse voices from shouting, they weren’t tired at all today. Earning this much money had both of them overjoyed.

After a long while, they finally sat up straight and began counting the coins one by one. Even after finishing, they still felt uneasy and counted them again, switching off.

It was Shen Lingzhi’s first time earning money, and he felt like he could float away. “Brother, we actually made forty coins today! Are you sure we counted right?”

Lin Yue was a bit more composed, but only slightly. “No mistake. Forty coins. If we’d made the sweet pea paste ahead of time, or sold other snacks, we might have made even more.”

What Lin Yue didn’t say was his gratitude to the onlookers—they were truly kind souls.

At the dinner table that evening, Shen Lingzhi chattered away, recounting every detail of the day. Shen Zhengchu and his wife listened with rapt attention, taking turns praising the two boys.

Lin Yue felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and quickly changed the subject. “Father, Mother, the ingredients for today’s pastries and the bayberry soup all came from our home, as did the firewood. I was thinking of splitting the earnings into four parts: one for buying more supplies, one for you to keep for household expenses, and one each for Lingzhi and me.”

Upon hearing Lin Yue’s words, Song Xunchun knew he intended an equal split. She immediately refused—how could she take advantage of her child like that?

“No need to divide it into four shares. You made all the pastries; Lingzhi and I merely helped out. Three shares will suffice. Keep the money for ingredients yourself. As for the household share, we’ll take it. As for Lingzhi’s portion, if you’re willing, two wen will be enough.”

“Once the household expenses are covered, your father and I will handle any purchases needed. You needn’t concern yourself with staples like rice, flour, beans, sugar, oil, or firewood, Yue.”

Shen Zhengchu chimed in, “No need for further discussion. Just listen to your mother.”

Shen Lingzhi nodded in agreement. “Brother, two coins truly suffice. I won’t take a single extra coin, I promise.”

Lin Yue naturally couldn’t agree. After lengthy discussions with each of them, he finally persuaded Song Xunchun and his wife to accept one-third for household expenses, giving Shen Lingzhi half of that. Beyond his salary, this also served as Lin Yue’s gradual contribution to his trousseau.

This time, the pastries and bayberry soup earned forty coins. The two spent three coins in town, needless to say, and handed over twelve coins for household expenses—six for Shen Lingzhi and twenty for Lin Yue.

As for Shen Huaizhi, he seemed invisible at today’s dinner table. He tried several times to speak up but couldn’t find a moment amid their heated discussion. He could only eat quietly by himself, discreetly refilling each of their bowls with bayberry soup before quietly clearing the dishes and returning to his room to study.

Indeed, they hadn’t noticed Shen Huaizhi during their discussion either.

By the time Lin Yue and Song Xunchun finished discussing tomorrow’s pastries and returned home, half an hour had passed. Along the way, they’d also made a trip with Shen Lingzhi to deliver the remaining pea paste dessert to Grandma Shen. The bayberry soup was divided into two portions—one for Grandma Shen, the other for their neighbors, Aunt Shen’s family.

Seeing Shen Huaizhi studying, Lin Yue didn’t disturb him. Before night fell completely, he gathered two soiled garments to wash by the river before returning home. He then retrieved his own clean clothes, picked up the bathtub, and tiptoed out.

Only after the Shen couple and Shen Lingzhi had bathed and retired did Lin Yue enter the kitchen, bolting the door from within to bathe and change.

By the time he returned to the room, night had fallen completely. Shen Huaizhi had lit the oil lamp and was tidying his desk.

Lin Yue took half of the money he’d earned that day, hurried over to Shen Huaizhi in two strides, and thrust the money forward, saying excitedly, “Here’s your spending money.”

Shen Huaizhi looked at the slender, delicate hand before him, blinked, then broke into a gentle smile. Rising, he bowed his hand. “Thank you, my husband. Since you are willing to provide for me, I shall not refuse.”

As he took the money, Shen Huaizhi’s fingers, calloused from labor, brushed against Lin Yue’s palm, sending a tingle of ticklish sensation.

Lin Yue cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I was just teasing you. It’s just that this is the first money I’ve earned since we married, and I wanted to share it with you.”

Shen Huaizhi’s eyes sparkled with amusement, yet his movements were swift. He tucked the coins into a pouch and tucked it into his robe, brushing against Lin Yue’s chest through the fabric. “I know. It’s my honor. Once I receive payment for this transcription work, I’ll give you some too.”

Lin Yue didn’t refuse, only adding, “Though I’ll keep it, you know where it’s stored. Take what you need whenever you want—no need to ask me.”

Shen Huaizhi shook his head. “That won’t do. Aren’t you afraid I’ll stash away some for myself? Naturally, I’ll discuss it with you first before taking any.”

Lin Yue felt a bit embarrassed and didn’t want to discuss this further. He changed the subject: “It’s very late. The water’s still boiling on the stove. Go wash up and come back to sleep.”

Shen Huaizhi, sensing his embarrassment, didn’t tease him further. He simply said, “Alright, you go ahead and sleep. I’ll be back soon.”

“Got it.”

Though Lin Yue agreed, lying in bed brought him no sleep. His mind was filled with tomorrow’s tasks, and when Shen Huaizhi returned, he chattered excitedly for a long while.

Only when Shen Huaizhi rolled over and pinned him down did Lin Yue finally stop talking. Unfortunately, his mouth couldn’t stay quiet, and soon other sounds filled the air.