Liang Erxiang’s pumpkin crop was thriving.

She delivered three over yesterday.

Each was over a foot long—just right for one meal.

Jiang Ji picked up the kitchen knife, peeling the pumpkin and scooping out the seeds.

He saved the seeds for Ye Li to roast into pumpkin seeds.

He cut the pumpkin into chunks and placed them in the pot. Then he rinsed a handful of rice, preparing to make pumpkin congee.

He lit the fire, stuffing two logs into the stove to burn slowly.

He pulled a small basket from under the cutting board table. Inside lay a pile of potatoes, each about the size of Jiang Ya’s fist.

These were potatoes grown by the Ye family, planted at the start of spring. They were now ready to eat, though small in size.

Yesterday, Ye Liang had delivered half a basketful.

He washed a few, peeled them, and slowly sliced them into thin strips.

His knife skills were average, and the oil lamp provided dim light, so he dared not hurry.

After slicing, he transferred the potato shreds into a clay bowl. He added half a bowl of flour and two eggs, mixing thoroughly with chopsticks. Then came salt and five-spice powder—a blend Ye Li had made himself from whole spices.

Then he brought out the stove and a small iron skillet, ready to fry potato pancakes.

This was quite a luxurious way to eat.

Not only did it use white flour and eggs, but more importantly, it consumed a lot of oil!

If there wasn’t enough oil, the pancakes would stick and burn.

But now, with the family frying things daily, oil was the last thing they lacked.

Besides, everyone had been utterly exhausted these past two days. They needed something rich and nourishing.

Placing the stove by the kitchen door, he began frying the pancakes with slightly unaccustomed hands.

By the time he finished frying all the shredded potatoes from the clay pot, the first pale light of dawn was peeking over the horizon.

Dawn was breaking.

The rice and pumpkin porridge in the large iron pot was also done.

He washed his hands, entered the main room, and first turned right to peek into the east room.

The two little ones hadn’t woken yet.

Then he went to the west room.

The room was unlit, but he’d opened the window after getting up, so now he could just make out a figure.

Ye Li lay sprawled on the kang. Seeing him enter, he rolled over to face him.

A smile flickered in his eyes. “Awake?”

“Awake. I’ll get up now,” Ye Li replied.

He’d woken when Jiang Liu arrived, but Jiang Ji had told him to sleep in, so he’d comfortably drifted back to sleep.

Now fully rested, the fatigue of the past two days completely gone, he felt refreshed and energetic—energetic enough to punch ten oxen flying with a single blow!

“Xiao Mai and Ya-ger aren’t up yet. You can rest a little longer,” Jiang Ji said, sitting down at the edge of the kang.

“No more lying down. I’ll get up and mix some dough, then soak a batch of sweet potato noodles. We’ll have tofu and noodle buns for lunch. You can take a few with you when you return to the private school.”

Ye Li said as he sat up.

Jiang Ji quickly reached out and pressed his hands on Ye Li’s shoulders. “No need to trouble yourself. You, Xiao Mai, and Ya-ger are all exhausted from the past two days. Rest today. I’ll just bring some salted duck eggs when I leave.”

“Besides, you still have to give me pocket money. This food is already quite good.”

“How can this be considered good?”

The daily fare for college entrance exam candidates was vegetable dumplings and thin porridge. Adding an egg to a meal was considered a nutritional boost!

He truly feared his beloved husband’s mental stamina wouldn’t hold up.

After some thought, he said, “How about this? Since you’re not helping at Second Uncle’s place today, shall we make a trip to the county town?”

“Go to the county town? What for?” Jiang Ji asked curiously.

“To buy some things to nourish you—fish, walnuts, that sort of thing.”

“Fish? We’ll stew it for soup at noon. Grind the walnuts into powder. When you eat, scoop a few spoonfuls into the thin porridge in the kitchen. That way, you’ll get a little brain nourishment with every meal.”

The more Ye Li thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed. She grabbed Jiang Ji’s wrist. “Go ask Brother Datong if they’re using the ox this morning. If they’re not, we’ll borrow it to pull the cart to the county town.”

A while back, Jiang Dachuan had bought a plow ox.

Now, during the wheat harvest season, the ox’s value was obvious.

But since Jiang Ji and he only needed it for a morning, if Jiang Dachuan wasn’t in a rush to haul the wheat, they might still be able to borrow it.

There was no other way. Time was tight. Though Yezaopo was close to the county town, the town itself was large.

To buy everything they needed, they’d have to run to several different places.

Seeing Ye Li’s enthusiasm and remembering they’d never gone out alone together, Jiang Ji agreed.

While Ye Li washed up, he hurried over to Jiang Dachuan’s house.

Just as Ye Li had anticipated, the Jiang family did need the oxen for plowing. Borrowing them for just the morning wasn’t a problem—they could harvest the wheat in the morning and use the oxen to haul it home in the afternoon.

When Jiang Ji returned with the oxen, Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya had also woken up.

The two little ones knew their eldest brother and brother-in-law were heading into town after breakfast, their little faces betraying unmistakable longing and envy.

They wanted to go to town too…

But there was so much work to do at home!

If they didn’t go out to cut pig grass, the two little pigs would go hungry.

Without a word, they washed their small hands and began filtering the bean pulp as usual.

Once finished, Ye Li immediately paid them their wages: one copper coin each.

Jiang Ya clutched the coin in his damp little hand. His big eyes blinked twice before he raised his small hand toward Ye Li: “Brother Li, I’ll give you my money. Can you buy sugar figurines for Second Brother and me?“

Hearing this, Ye Li smiled instantly: ”No problem.”

Last time he made soy milk rice cakes, he knew Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya wanted to save their wages for Jiang Ji’s travel expenses. So he told them he would cover Jiang Ji’s schooling from now on.

The wages these two little rascals earned through their own efforts were theirs to spend freely.

But the two little rascals were always busy, and when the peddler occasionally came around, they were never home.

So they never had a chance to spend any money.

Now, for the first time, Jiang Ya was asking to spend money, and Ye Li was quite pleased.

He held out his hand to Jiang Ya: “Give me this copper coin. I’ll buy sugar figurines for both of you.”

Jiang Mai, standing nearby, immediately chimed in: “One sugar figurine costs several wen. I’ll go get the money from the house.”

Earlier, when they first received their wages, he’d feared Ye Li might rummage through the east room and snatch the money back. So he’d buried both his and Jiang Ya’s wages near the spot where they often gathered firewood.

After more than ten days, seeing Ye Li had truly changed his ways, he’d dug the money up and placed it in the east room.

“Ah, no need! Since this is your first time asking me to carry something for you and Yae, I’ll give you a big discount! Just one wen!”

Ye Li called after him, smiling warmly.

Jiang Ji, standing by the stove scooping porridge from the pot, chimed in, “Xiao Mai, listen to Brother Li.”

Jiang Mai scratched his head at this. “Really, just one wen?”

“Of course! You two have been so good—what’s wrong with buying you some sugar figurines? Too bad there’s no sugar-coated hawthorn on sale right now, or I’d get you some of that too.”

Ye Li said.

Hawthorn berries only ripen in autumn.

There were no vendors selling candied hawthorn in the county town at this time.

Hearing this, Jiang Mai still scratched his head with his little hands.

He felt a bit uneasy inside.

Though Brother Li had been treating him and Ya-ger very well lately—not only paying them wages, but also washing their hair and clothes!

When going to the county town, he’d even bring them treats.

Ya-ger would often snuggle up in Brother Li’s arms!

But neither he nor Ya-ger ever asked Brother Li for things.

They were always observant and knew their place!

They behaved this way with their second uncle and aunt, and likewise with Brother Li.

But now, he and Ya-ger acted just like other children whose parents had gone to town—demanding this and that. And Brother Li? He just smiled and agreed.

Just like any ordinary family…

It felt strange to him.

But more than that, he felt excited and happy.

The two emotions swirled inside him, leaving him unsure which expression to wear. Instinctively, he shifted closer to Jiang Ji, using the man’s tall frame to shield himself.

Out of Ye Li’s sight—or so he thought—a smile crept onto his lips.

Ye Li couldn’t fathom Jiang Mai’s little thoughts.

Still, he knew this little guy was always a bit awkward.

But right now, the little guy was clearly happy, so Ye Li relaxed. “Is there anything else you two want? We’re riding the oxcart into town today, so we can go to lots of places.”

“No,” Jiang Ya shook his little head.

“You two don’t have to spend your money. I’ll buy it for you,” Ye Li added.

Jiang Ya’s big eyes darted around as his little head turned, but after a full circle, he still shook his head. “Thanks, Brother Li. Nothing else.”

He already had a toy—a big pinwheel.

Brother Li also made little snacks sometimes.

He didn’t really need to buy anything.

Jiang Mai chimed in, “Thanks, Brother Li. I don’t need anything either.”

Seeing this, Ye Li could only say, “Alright then.”

The two little ones were so sensible.

Heartbreaking.

Jiang Ji’s breakfast turned out quite tasty. Worried the potato pancakes might be too salty, he deliberately used less salt. But paired with shredded pickled vegetables, the saltiness was just right.

The thick rice and pumpkin porridge was also delicious. The soft, glutinous rice blended perfectly with the pumpkin’s subtle sweetness, tempting Ye Li to polish off two bowls.

After breakfast, Jiang Ji went to Jiang Dahu’s house to fetch the handcart, hitched up the ox cart, and, with Ye Li wearing a straw hat, they set off for the county town, riding the gentle morning breeze.

Upon entering the town, they first went to the vegetable market to buy fish.

Beiyang County, close to the South-North Canal, never lacked fish, and the fish wasn’t particularly expensive either.

After buying three grass carp, they headed to the dried goods shop.

Walnuts were ridiculously expensive—over twenty wen per catty, pricier than pork lard.

Yet Ye Li bought five catties in one go.

These were walnuts in their shells; once shelled, their weight would be halved.

He also bought two catties of black sesame seeds.

They still had rice at home, but not much, so he went to the grain shop and bought ten jin of rice.

Of course, he couldn’t forget the sugar figurines for the two little ones.

But sugar figurines were made by blowing molten sugar, which Ye Li considered rather unsanitary. So he only bought two small rabbit-shaped sugar figurines, intending to remind the two little ones to only hold them and not eat them.

To make it up to the two little ones, he bought some cane sugar to make homemade snacks.

And he had a new idea!

Standing at the candy shop entrance, Jiang Ji looked at the cart’s load and couldn’t help but raise his hand to rub his chest.

Ye Li’s shopping spree had burned through several hundred wen in just one morning.

Every single thing was for him, for them—his brothers.

Not a single item was for Ye Li himself…

By now, the sun had climbed higher, and the heat was noticeably more intense than when they’d left.

He suggested, “How about we head back?”

Ye Li had already bought most of what she needed. After a moment’s thought, she nodded. “Alright, let’s go back.”

Jiang Ji gripped the reins tightly, turning the oxcart around as he said, “Then let’s stop by the cloth shop.”

“Why the cloth shop?” Ye Li asked from the cart, tidying up the items.

“To get you some cloth. I just asked Second Uncle for five hundred coins. That should buy you a few yards of cotton fabric to make a new outfit.”

Jiang Ji explained.

“…Get me clothes?”

Ye Li looked up, utterly surprised.

Jiang Ji had already turned the cart around. Hearing this, he stood beside the reins and asked, “Don’t you like it?”

“I don’t like it!”

Ye Li answered decisively.

He wasn’t some delicate young ger who liked dressing up!

Besides, the original body’s needlework skills were mediocre, and having inherited those memories, his were even worse.

He had no patience for sewing clothes.

Having something to wear was good enough.

He tugged at Jiang Ji’s sleeve, grinning. “I don’t want to sew. We won’t buy any fabric for now.”

“…”

Jiang Ji had never seen Ye Li handle a needle.

But Ye Li had done so much for him, for Xiao Mai, for Ya-ger!

He truly didn’t know how to treat Ye Li better.

Today was their first time shopping together. When they went to Jiang Dahu’s house to pick up the cart, he’d already planned to buy Ye Li something.

His silver was limited. Remembering how Ye Li used to love dressing up, he’d considered buying a few yards of cotton cloth so Ye Li could make new clothes.

But now Ye Li didn’t want to sew…

He suggested, “How about I get you some pretty hair ribbons instead?”

“No, no, let’s just go home!” Ye Li still shook his head. “The walnuts, black sesame seeds, and rice need to be roasted before grinding into flour. There’s so much to do. We can buy hair ribbons later.”

“When we do, I’ll pick them out, and you pay.”

Hearing Ye Li say this, Jiang Ji felt a little better inside.

But before he could speak, Ye Li added, “You absolutely must not sneak off to do odd jobs for money. Once you pass the Juren exams, you’ll instantly have both status and wealth.”

“As for now…”

Ye Li beckoned him with a finger. “Come here.”

Jiang Ji bent down, their hat brims touching. “What is it?”

Ye Li gazed at his handsome face mere inches away, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “My dear husband, I know your heart. No need for all this. Just repay me with your body tonight.”

Jiang Ji: “…”

Like a thief, he instinctively glanced around.

Fortunately, only the two of them stood at the candy shop entrance.

Still, a wave of heat washed over him.

His cheeks flushed slightly.

In broad daylight!

This audacious Fulang!

He drew a deep breath, mentally adding those three words to his midday thoughts, then straightened up.

Last night, after helping Jiang Dahu haul wheat, he returned home to find both little ones already asleep.

It was far too late, so they hadn’t done anything.

But now that Ye Li had made it clear, he absolutely had to repay him before heading to the private school today.

Ye Li, having received those words, couldn’t help but smile: “Then hurry back.”

Jiang Ji wasted no time, leading the oxcart out of town.

By the time he reached home, the two little ones had already returned.

However, the two piglets had eaten a lot, so the boys needed to go out again to cut pig grass. Ye Li handed them two sugar figurines, which delighted them so much they thanked him repeatedly.

Ye Li warned them not to eat the treats. Reluctantly, they placed the sugar figures back in the east room before hoisting their baskets and heading out.

Ye Li then had Jiang Ji crack walnuts while he rinsed the rice and black sesame seeds. Too lazy to air-dry them, he tossed them straight into the wok to roast.

After roasting these ingredients, he sent Jiang Ji to the mill to grind them into flour. He then carried the three fish to the wellside, gutted them, and prepared to stew the fish soup.

Busy as they were, by the time the two little ones returned, the fish soup was simmering.

Then it was time to eat.

The Ye family’s wheat harvest wasn’t over yet, so Ye Liang didn’t come until the afternoon. After lunch, the two little ones went back to their room for a nap.

Jiang Ji locked the courtyard gate from the inside, then carried Ye Li’s special stool in one hand while pulling Ye Li back into the house with the other.

Ye Li laughed so hard he could barely stand straight. “Aren’t you afraid someone might come?”

“If someone really comes, we’ll just pretend we’re not home,” Jiang Ji said, sliding the bolt across the west room door.

Ye Li clicked his tongue twice. But when Jiang Ji turned back, he wrapped his arms around Jiang Ji’s waist.

His dear husband had to go back to his studies.

He didn’t want to let him go.

Watching Jiang Ji’s thin lips, he stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

Jiang Ji bent slightly, returning the kiss while undoing Ye Li’s sash.

Once his trousers fell to the floor, Jiang Ji scooped him up and laid him on the heated bed.

Doing this in broad daylight for the first time felt more stimulating visually than at night.

Plus, both men were each other’s aesthetic ideal, viewing one another through rose-colored glasses, which only heightened their excitement.

After a while on the kang, Jiang Ji carried Ye Li over to a stool.

Ye Li sat exposed on the stool. In broad daylight, under the peak summer sun, every detail beneath the gaze was starkly visible, crystal clear.

The scene Jiang Ji had imagined in his mind became reality.

He felt even more stirred than he had at night.

The consequence of this excitement was that when Ye Liang arrived, the tofu puffs weren’t even finished frying.

Moreover, Jiang Ji was sitting before the stove, stirring the tofu puffs in the pot with long chopsticks.

Ye Li was nowhere to be seen.

Ye Liang found this odd. “Where’s Brother Li?”

“He’s been a bit tired these past few days. I told him to get some rest,” Jiang Ji explained calmly, sitting steady on the high stool, his expression unflappable.

Ye Liang gave a light ‘Oh’ and nodded. “Of course, of course.”

He felt quite relieved.

Li-ger had married a good man!