Though he had an idea in mind, Ye Li didn’t tell Jiang Ji just yet.

Competition in this line of work was fierce, and business wasn’t easy.

Beiyang County had both dedicated beverage shops and street vendors pushing carts through neighborhoods.

They all sold drinks

The variety was wide.

Beyond basic honey water, there were fruit juices, curd made from cow or goat milk, and herbal decoctions infused with spices.

Some catered to volume sales.

Others focused on premium wellness.

Thus, without a unique selling point, profits remained slim.

Bao Beiyuan was already struggling enough; Ye Li couldn’t offer reckless advice.

He’d wait until he’d developed a truly unique beverage before sharing it with Jiang Ji.

Battling his thirst, Ye Li finished the last half of his flatbread. Then he sat by the stove, stuffing dry wood into the firebox.

Though the Jiang household had a well, it was far too shallow.

Moreover, being exposed to the elements, the water buckets were simply left on the ground.

Therefore, Ye Li dared not drink this well water directly without boiling it first.

Jiang Ji, seeing him eat so little, assumed he was exhausted. Once the water in the pot came to a boil, he urged Ye Li to wash up and then rest in the room.

Ye Li accepted without hesitation; he truly needed to give serious thought to the beverage sales venture.

He ladled several bowls of hot water onto the stove to cool, then fetched a wooden bucket of hot water to wash in the small shed.

The weather was warm enough to skip the bathtub.

After washing, he carried his bowl of cooled boiled water back to the west room.

Soon after, Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya skipped into the main hall.

Jiang Ya babbled about being stuffed, so stuffed he couldn’t jump anymore, prompting Jiang Mai to scold him a couple of times.

The two little rascals headed straight for the east room, their voices fading away.

Ye Li lifted his bowl, sipped a few mouthfuls of cool water, and pricked up his ears to listen for sounds in the courtyard.

After waiting a long while, footsteps finally echoed in the courtyard.

He waited and hoped until drowsiness washed over him, when he finally heard Jiang Ji enter the main hall.

But Jiang Ji went into the east room first. Only moments later did he head toward the west room.

He hadn’t locked the door.

The oil lamp was still lit.

Jiang Ji pushed the door open and walked straight in.

Seeing him sitting cross-legged on the kang, Jiang Ji couldn’t help asking, “Why aren’t you lying down?”

“Waiting for you. Why so late?” Ye Li’s gaze swept over him. Before Jiang Ji could answer, Ye Li already had his answer.

His long hair hung loosely over his shoulders—clearly, he’d washed it.

But the hot water in the large pot wasn’t enough.

He must have boiled another pot.

Sure enough, as Jiang Ji approached, he said, “I boiled more water and washed myself from head to toe.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. “Afraid I wouldn’t let you onto the kang?”

“Didn’t you wash too?” Jiang Ji sat down by the kang, lifting a finger to tap the loose collar of Ye Li’s shirt. His tone held a hint of meaning. “Its late at night, why are you dressed like this?”

Ye Li chuckled at the remark, grabbing his slender fingers. “I’m just waiting to seduce you.”

The young man before him wore his long hair casually tousled, exuding a lazy air. His face had shed the “ferocity” of daytime.

Homey yet strikingly handsome.

Truly irresistible.

Hearing Ye Li’s words, Jiang Ji could no longer suppress his amusement. Taking charge, he seized Ye Li’s wrist and pulled him into his embrace.

But the position felt awkward. Ye Li pushed him away. “You get on top.”

Jiang Ji kicked off his shoes, wrapped his arms around Ye Li, and rolled into the inner part of the kang.

He was on top, Ye Li below.

Their gazes met, and they instinctively sought each other’s lips.

When their lips touched, a wave of satisfaction washed over them both.

These past days, all he’d thought and longed for was this very moment.

Jiang Ji’s tongue merely brushed Ye Li’s upper jaw, yet soon had him panting, his body going limp.

When the kiss ended, Ye Li’s eyes glistened with moisture, his cheeks flushed.

Jiang Ji lay pressed against him, and Ye Li clearly sensed his arousal.

Had this been any other time, his hands would have surely wandered downward.

But after being apart for several days, he had accumulated many words he wished to share with Jiang Ji.

Right now, he wanted nothing more than to talk with his husband.

Regaining his breath, he gripped Jiang Ji’s shoulders and asked, “When are you leaving tomorrow?”

“After breakfast.”

Jiang Ji answered softly, his gaze gentle.

The city gates opened during morning study time. Rather than rushing to catch half a session, it was better to eat breakfast leisurely before leaving.

Ye Li exhaled deeply upon hearing this. “Then I’ll make you some pancakes tomorrow morning, a meat-stuffed bun… No, to be precise, it’s a pancake-stuffed meat.”

“Slice in a green pepper too—it won’t be greasy at all.”

“No need to trouble yourself. I’m not back to make things difficult for you. Whatever you, Xiao Mai, and Ya-ger eat, I’ll eat.”

Jiang Ji felt warmth spread through him, unable to resist kissing Ye Li’s glistening lips.

“It’s no trouble—just making a few pancakes, not steamed buns.”

“Besides, with all that meat, if you don’t eat it, just the three of us… How long would it last? It’s hot out, I’m worried it’ll spoil.”

Jiang Ji: “…”

That was true.

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow morning, I’ll make some flatbread sandwiched with meat. After you go to the private school, have Bao Beiyuan try some too.”

“That poor boy—I can’t help him much right now. At least let him have a meat-filled pancake. With his family background, he’ll hardly get to eat meat in the future.”

“Too bad you came back early. I had my eldest brother buy duck eggs in town, but they were just pickled a couple of days ago and aren’t ready yet.”

“But you need to nourish yourself—studying drains your energy. Tomorrow I’ll give you twenty wen. Don’t be stingy with them. Whether you treat yourself out or add two eggs to your meals each day in the kitchen, you absolutely must spend it to build your strength.”

Ye Li counted on his fingers, listing each point for Jiang Ji.

Earlier, he hadn’t just been pondering the beverage business—his dear husband was incredibly important too!

Hearing this, Jiang Ji felt even warmer inside, his lips curving upward. “You don’t need to give me money. I’m not a child, and I have my own savings.”

“You’re too stingy to spend your own savings, but you must spend what I give you.”

“I earned over three hundred wen just today. I have money—I can afford to support you.”

Ye Li lifted his chin slightly, adopting a look that screamed, I’m not short on cash.

Seeing this, Jiang Ji’s smile widened. “I know you’re capable, but a big deal like twenty-five jin of twisted doughnut isn’t something that comes along every day. You should save some money for other things. Didn’t you want to buy another pot?”

“That can wait!”

Ye Li shook his head.

The weather would only grow hotter day by day. He could use a wooden basin to collect water for bathing.

Besides, they still had the stove and clay pots at home.

Worst case, he could boil drinking water in the clay pots later.

In any case, nourishing his cheap husband’s body was undoubtedly more important.

Worried Jiang Ji might refuse again, he deliberately stiffened his expression and growled, “I told you to take it, so take it. Don’t make me lose my temper.”

Jiang Ji: “…”

He sighed softly, cupping Ye Li’s face with his large hand before kissing him again.

Could he be blamed for thinking of Ye Li from time to time?

Could anyone blame him?

If he didn’t want this, he’d be heartless.

This kiss was gentler than before. Jiang Ji no longer deliberately teased Ye Li’s sensitive spots. He simply entwined Ye Li’s tongue, sucking and licking with tender care.

Ye Li enjoyed this style too.

The soft, gentle caress felt even more intimate.

But now that the serious business was done, it was time for something else.

His husband’s reaction was so obvious—holding back wouldn’t be good for his health.

He wrapped his arms around Jiang Ji’s neck, tangled his legs around his waist, and deliberately rubbed against that spot: “Making pancakes doesn’t take much effort or time. Why not?”

Jiang Ji: “…”

He drew a deep breath.

He hadn’t come back for this!

He worried about his friend and couldn’t sleep on the kang bed in the dormitory.

He also wanted to see the person before him.

Just seeing him once made him happy.

Of course, he’d come prepared for a showdown.

After all, when he’d left last time, he’d made an agreement with Ye Li.

Ye Li had reminded him to return for the money. Given their circumstances, then, the implication was clear.

But Jiang Tong’s fate had made him reflect.

These past years, the sacrifices made by him, the Ye family, and his second uncle’s household for his education—no, not just sacrifices, but blood and sweat!

With expectations as heavy as mountains weighing on him, how could he still dwell on carnal desires?

“What are you hesitating about?” Seeing Jiang Ji’s silence, Ye Li was greatly surprised.

“…I’m afraid of becoming addicted.”

Ye Li: “…”

Good heavens.

He’s actually worried about getting hooked!

Ye Li found himself both amused and exasperated. He cupped Jiang Ji’s cheeks and rubbed them gently. “My dear husband, is your self-control really that weak?”

“Haven’t you thought about it these past few days?” Jiang Ji asked.

“…I have thought about it.” Ye Li answered honestly.

“See? You thought about it, too.”

Not to mention, he was a young man in the prime of his life, full of vigor and vitality.

Jiang Ji shifted his gaze elsewhere.

These past few days, Ye Li had crossed his mind often. If they did it again tonight, he feared that once he returned to the private academy, those occasional thoughts would become constant.

If that happened, it would truly be disastrous.

Even though they were already married, Ye Li forced himself to hold back. He exhaled softly and said with a smile, “Then we won’t do it tonight.”

His husband is eighteen.

A college entrance exam candidate.

At this stage, becoming obsessed with… no, even having occasional intimate encounters, really wouldn’t be appropriate.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he must abstain completely.

After all, they were married.

But moderation was key!

Ye Li’s voice remained calm, causing Jiang Ji to turn his gaze back to him. “Aren’t you angry?”

“What is there to be angry about? Even according to our agreement, we were supposed to wait until the day you returned to collect the money.”

“But since you’re back today, I’ll give you the copper coins from these past few days.”

“Alright, alright, stop pressing me. Come, let’s lie on our sides.”

Ye Li lowered his legs, gesturing for him to change positions.

Jiang Ji silently rolled over, lying face-to-face with him.

“You really aren’t angry?”

Ye Li sighed helplessly at the question.

He wasn’t the original person; he wouldn’t throw a tantrum for no reason.

Earlier, he’d only asked about doing it because his husband’s reaction had been so strong.

He decided to change the subject: “I’m not angry. But I have a question.”

“Ask away,” Jiang Ji replied immediately.

“Where do you usually keep your silver? I was foolish before—I brandished a stick at Xiao Mai, but he didn’t tell me.” Ye Li was genuinely curious.

“…I keep it with my second uncle.”

Jiang Ji raised his hand toward the ceiling as he spoke: “Though this is my home, I was at the private school these past few years while Xiao Mai was with our second uncle. So I entrusted all my savings to him.”

“I figured as much.”

Ye Li wasn’t surprised by this answer.

Jiang Dahu relied on Jiang Ji to support him in his old age and would never withhold a single wen.

“Tomorrow I’ll give you one hundred and seventy wen. Deposit one hundred and fifty with Second Uncle, and keep twenty on you.”

Jiang Ji fell silent. After locking eyes with him for a moment, he said, “I’ll ask Second Uncle to return it tomorrow. From now on, you’ll keep it. It’s not much—just over ten taels.”

At this, Ye Li was taken aback. “You trust me?”

“I do,” Jiang Ji answered without hesitation.

Given his stance, if Jiang Ji still guarded against him, it would truly be disheartening.

“Hmm…” Ye Li raised an eyebrow.

Who would’ve thought this husband was such a hopeless romantic?

Handing over the financial reins so readily.

Still, he couldn’t accept the money: “Let Second Uncle keep it for now. I fear he might overthink it. He’s always worried about you supporting him in his old age. Handing the money to him shows you trust him and rely on him.”

“If you demand the money back, he’ll likely feel terrible.”

“Wouldn’t that hurt you?” Jiang Ji retorted immediately.

“It wouldn’t hurt. It’s enough that you meant well.”

Ye Li leaned in with a smile, pressing a kiss to Jiang Ji’s lips.

He intended to spend his life with Jiang Ji.

And now Jiang Ji felt the same—what a happy ending.