Shen Linchuan nodded. “I understand, Sister-in-law. I’ll live well with Ning-ger.”

Shen Dage cleared his throat and asked, “Linchuan, will you continue your studies? Take my advice—stop messing around. The Zhou family is doing well now.”

Keep messing around, and you’ll drive the Zhou family into poverty.

He didn’t voice this thought, knowing his brother, a scholar, valued his reputation above all. The one thing he couldn’t bear to hear about in front of him was his failure to pass the Xiucai exams year after year.

The villagers hadn’t spared their gossip. He was much older than his younger brother. Their father was a carpenter, and growing up, they’d never gone hungry. They even had meat once a month. Life was simple but peaceful and harmonious.

When Shen Linchuan passed the Tongsheng exam at age ten, his parents were overjoyed, convinced they’d produced a child prodigy who would one day become a high official and bring honor to the family. The villagers showered them with praise, and for the first couple of years after passing the Tongsheng exam, his family truly lived in splendor.

Later, his parents passed away one after the other, and the burden of supporting his younger brother’s education fell squarely on his shoulders. He firmly believed his younger brother had the makings of a scholar. If one year wasn’t enough, then two; if two weren’t enough, then three. After his parents died, he supported his brother for five years, to the point where his own family could barely afford to eat.

The former prosperity vanished, while his younger brother grew increasingly lazy. After eight years as a Tongsheng candidate, he still hadn’t passed the Xiucai exam. With their family now destitute, they were often mocked by villagers for raising a good-for-nothing.

The Zhou family, having agreed to take him in as a son-in-law, knew all this. It meant they were willing to support his younger brother even if he didn’t work. Wasn’t this arrangement perfect? Uncle Zhou slaughtered pigs for a living, and his family fared better than theirs.

If he kept studying, they’d end up like his own family—barely scraping by.

Shen Dage sighed at this thought. “Linchuan, listen to your elder brother. We’re done with school. Eight years—if you could pass the exams, you would’ve done it by now. We’re just farmers at heart. You can’t handle Uncle Zhou Da’s pig-slaughtering work. It’d be better for you to learn farming from him.”

After speaking, Shen Dage glanced at Shen Linchuan’s expression. He hadn’t been the first to urge him to quit school.

Every time he went to town for studies, he’d disappear for a month without returning home. He’d take the silver and spend it feasting with wealthy families. The moment anyone suggested he stop studying, he’d throw a fit, drawing neighbors over to gawk and mock his family.

But to his surprise, his younger brother merely smiled. “Brother, I understand. I already told Father. I’ll stop studying for now. In a couple of days, I’ll go to town and pack up my things.”

Shen Dage brightened. “Really?”

“For real, big bro. I’ve come to see things clearly. You were right. Before, I was just being stubborn and dragging the family down. I’m done with school. I’ll help Dad farm and run the business. Next year’s the Xiucai exam, right? I’ll give it one last shot. If I don’t pass, that’s it.”

“Fine then. Just don’t get your hopes up. You’ve failed all these years. Why would next year be any different?”

“I know, Brother. I’ll live properly and stop messing around.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Shen Dage sighed. “If only you’d come to this realization sooner. You’re literate—you could’ve worked as an accountant in town or something. You wouldn’t have had to marry into that family. Who knows…”

As Brother Shen spoke, Shen Dasao discreetly kicked him under the table. What nonsense was he spouting? Shen Linchuan had never been keen on becoming a son-in-law in the first place. Bringing it up now risked another argument, making them a laughingstock.

Shen Dage quickly clamped his mouth shut. He’d only meant to speak his mind, never realizing he’d touched his younger brother’s sore spot.

Shen Linchuan wasn’t the original host—so what if he married into the family? Thanks to the original host’s lack of ambition, he’d landed such a great match. Otherwise, he’d never have married—or rather, she’d never have married—into such a fine family, nor met such a wonderful Fulang!

Shen Linchuan chuckled at the thought. “Brother, look who’s talking! You’re even more stuck in the past than I am. My life is going just fine now.”

“That’s good. That’s good.”

Seeing Shen Linchuan truly held no grudge, Shen Dage finally relaxed. It seemed marriage had matured him. Back when they were younger, if he’d mentioned not studying or becoming a son-in-law, his little brother would have rolled around the courtyard in protest.

Shen Linchuan was an excellent cook, and the aroma drifted far and wide. He called out to the courtyard, “Ning-ger, bring the table from the main hall out here. The sun’s out today—let’s eat in the courtyard.”

“Aye!” Zhou Ning had just eaten some crispy pork, his hands still greasy. With mischief, he rubbed the oil onto the little mutt, who promptly started licking his neck.

Shen Linchuan happened to see this. So his Fulang had a childish side, too!

Zhou Ning fetched the square table from the main hall, while Shen Huzi and Shen Xiaoyu followed suit, hauling out stools. As carpenters, the Shen household had no shortage of seating—the two youngsters brought out several in quick succession.

Zhou Ning went inside to serve the dishes. The table was already laden with several cooked dishes: braised carp in soy sauce, stir-fried pork belly with garlic shoots, spare ribs, braised tofu…

Seeing Zhou Ning approach, Shen Linchuan smiled at him. “Almost ready.”

“Mm.”

The sight of the feast on the table had the two little ones glued to the table, refusing to budge. Worried they might sneak a bite, Shen Dasao sternly warned, “Shen Huzi, if you dare touch a single piece, I’ll knock your hands off!”

“We know, Mom! Just tell Uncle to hurry up with dinner. My brother and I are starving!”

“I know, I know! It’ll be ready soon. You two act like you haven’t eaten meat in eight hundred years!”

Shen Huzi stopped playing with his little dog and perched by the table, staring at the pile of meat. “Uncle Ning, when will you come again?”

Zhou Ning smiled. “During the holidays. If you ever crave meat, you can come find your second uncle.”

“Okay!”

The Shen family’s meal today smelled better than any banquet. Gouwa, who’d just run home, was now sprawled at the Shen family’s doorstep. Shen Huzi spotted him and stuck his tongue out. “Starve to death, heh heh heh~.”

Shen Dasao emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes. “Who is it?”

“Mother, it’s Gouwa.”

Seeing it was Gouwa, Shen Dasao fell silent. If it had been any other child, she would have called him in for a piece of meat. But Gouwa’s family didn’t get along with hers. They lived better than they did, and whenever Gouwa’s family ate meat, they’d deliberately wave it in front of her two little ones.

The children would clamor for meat. Every time Gouwa’s family ate meat, it inevitably led to Shen Huzi getting beaten. Not just the children—even the adults craved meat. The kids couldn’t help their tantrums; the family simply didn’t have the extra money to buy meat.

Shen Dasao ignored Gouwa standing outside the door. Let him stare if he wanted.

Shen Linchuan brought out the finished meal—a table laden with dishes. Even the rice today was polished white, likely bought by his eldest brother from town.

Shen Huzi had been waiting impatiently. Seeing everyone seated, he eagerly picked up his bowl but dared not lift his chopsticks first. His mother had told him to wait for the guests to eat before he could.

Shen Dage and his wife urged him, “Eat, eat.”

Shen Dasao also enthusiastically served Zhou Ning, “Ning-ger, eat up. We’re all family here, no need to be polite.”

Seeing the adults start eating, Shen Huzi immediately scooped a forkful of meat and began shoveling rice into his bowl.

Shen Linchuan’s cooking was truly delicious, and Zhou Ning loved every dish. He especially enjoyed the braised carp in sauce—its skin crispy, glazed with a hint of sweetness.

“Gouwa! What are you doing lurking at the door? Come home for dinner!”

Gouwa’s mother called out, but he refused to leave. She came over, grabbed him by the ear, and dragged him away, muttering curses under her breath, “Useless brat! We can’t afford meat at home, so you’re drooling over someone else’s doorstep!”

“Mom, I want meat too! Fried meat!”

“How about I fry you instead!”

Gouwa’s mother shouted so loudly that several people eating nearby heard it clearly. Shen Dage stepped in to smooth things over, “Have some wine. Can Ning-ger drink?”

“Right, right, have some wine. It’s been ages since we had such a happy occasion at home. Today’s Ning-ger’s first visit to our doorstep—we absolutely must have some wine!”

Shen Linchuan and his husband had brought two small jars of liquor. Shen Dasao opened one and poured everyone a little. “Here, have some. From now on, we’re all family.”

Shen Linchuan leaned over and whispered, “Can you drink? If not, I’ll finish it for you.”

Zhou Ning nodded. “I can drink.”

“It’s fine, just have a little,” Shen Dasao said. She poured Zhou Ning only a small amount—after all, it was the wedding night, and a little wine would liven things up.

The four adults drank and ate. Shen Dasao was in high spirits today. Not only had the family finally gotten rid of the burden that was Shen Linchuan, but seeing the two of them doing reasonably well now eased her mind somewhat. As long as Shen Linchuan didn’t cause trouble, life in the Zhou household would be manageable.

A child’s wails echoed nearby. Gouwa had been beaten by his mother and was now crying for meat. His mother had muttered that meat for a son-in-law wasn’t so easily had. Though she’d spoken softly, Gouwa had heard it clearly. He wailed that he wanted to marry into someone’s family, too, enraging his mother enough to slap him several more times.

The child’s wails grew louder. “I don’t care! I don’t care! I want to marry into that family too! I want meat too!”

Zhou Ning glanced at Shen Linchuan. “I’ll go check on him.”

Shen Linchuan held him back. “Don’t worry about it. It’s the truth. Let them say what they will. I married into your family. Are you going to reject me now?”

Zhou Ning shook her head hastily. “I’m afraid you’ll be hurt if you hear it.”

“Why would I be hurt? If I hadn’t married into your family, I wouldn’t have gotten such a wonderful Fulang like you.”

Shen Linchuan’s teasing tone made Zhou Ning blush. Here they were in front of his brother and sister-in-law, and after just a couple of sips of wine, he was already talking nonsense. Zhou Ning couldn’t bear to look at anyone. He lowered his head and used chopsticks to place a piece of fish tail meat onto Shen Linchuan’s plate. “Eat.”

Seeing Shen Linchuan genuinely unruffled, Shen Dage and Shen Dasao relaxed. That was the right attitude—let others say what they would; they just needed to live their own lives.

Ignoring the commotion outside, the family enjoyed a lively meal together. Not only were the Zhou family’s fortunes improving, but the Shens no longer had to support a scholar. With Shen Dage working as a carpenter, they’d have plenty of meat to eat from now on.