Zhou Xiaonan took a bite of cornbread and sat motionless. Everyone in the village knew his father was a drunkard, and their family was poor. Who would be willing to sell him liquor on credit? Only Zhou Da, kind-hearted, would extend credit for meat to their household.

Seeing Zhou Xiaonan unmoved, Old Zhou grew irritated. “Good-for-nothing! If you don’t listen, I’ll marry you off!”

Zhou Xiaonan flinched in fright. He hadn’t realized his father knew—at sixteen, he was marriageable age in the countryside. Matchmakers did come calling, but his father’s reputation meant suitors were mostly from impoverished families or those with questionable reputations themselves.

Life at home was hard, but life as a bride would be just as hard. Zhou Xiaonan dreaded a life of hardship, and his father was even more unwilling. When drunk, his father had once boasted about marrying him off to a wealthy family—he simply wanted to sell him for a good price.

“Brother, hurry up! Father’s waiting for his drink.”

Zhou Xiaonan shot his younger brother Zhou Gouwa a silent glare before rising to take the copper coins and go buy liquor.

Some families in the village brewed their own liquor. Zhou Xiaonan knew which ones did and planned to buy from Wang Er’s house. Wang Er’s Fulang wasn’t skilled at brewing, and his liquor wasn’t strong, which would prevent him from drinking too much and causing trouble.

Just as Zhou Xiaonan reached the doorway clutching the earthenware jar, his father’s voice called from behind him, “Go buy from Old Six’s place—his liquor is the finest!”

Zhou Xiaonan lowered his head and walked on. Old Six’s liquor was potent.

Over at the Zhou Da family’s place, things were bustling too. After selling offal in the afternoon, they’d now put braised pork belly stewing in the pot. Shen Linchuan had specially taught Zhou Ning how to make it. The dish was simple to prepare—it was all about the seasoning. Getting the proportions right made all the difference.

Zhou Ning grasped it after just one demonstration. It wasn’t that he was a poor cook; rather, every household had its own distinct flavor. Skilled cooks and chefs, whether women or men, often came from families with generations of culinary expertise, rarely sharing their secrets with outsiders.

The stove blazed beneath, oil sizzling in the pot as the braised pork simmered. Neatly arranged beside it were dried tofu, tiger-skin eggs, and dried beans—though the cost of this single pot was no small matter.

Zhou Ning stared at the pot of meat as if it were a pot of copper coins. “Shen Linchuan, you’re really something!”

Seeing Fulang’s eyes gleam with admiration, Shen Linchuan found it rather amusing. Ning-ger’s face rarely showed such childlike enthusiasm.

“You haven’t even tasted it yet, and you already know how amazing I am?”

“It smells delicious!”

Zhou Da also stepped inside to take a look. The aroma was indeed irresistible. “Your skills, Linchuan, are truly beyond reproach. Did you study this somewhere?”

“Not at all. I just followed the young masters around town, sampled some fine dishes, and pored over a few miscellaneous books. That’s how I picked up these recipes.”

Shen Linchuan offered an excuse. His father knew all about this—when his elder brother and sister-in-law had arranged a match for him, they’d told his father every detail, good and bad. His father was aware of everything, so he might as well use this as a cover.

Zhou Da laughed heartily. “Seems I really need to read more books.”

Zhou Da circled the kitchen once more before stepping out. Zhou Ning nudged the person beside him with his elbow. “Don’t let those people bully you anymore. It’s not right.”

“Ouch!” Shen Linchuan clutched his stomach. Zhou Ning immediately looked over, worried his strength might have hurt his delicate little husband. “Where does it hurt? I… I was holding back!”

Fearing he might have truly hurt Shen Linchuan, Zhou Ning fumbled to unbutton Shen Linchuan’s short coat to check for injuries.

Shen Linchuan couldn’t help but laugh as Zhou Ning’s touch tickled him. “Just kidding. It’s my waist, not my stomach.”

Zhou Ning frowned and turned away. Seeing his Fulang getting annoyed, Shen Linchuan quickly snuggled up, rubbing his head against Zhou Ning’s neck. “Oops, my bad. I was just teasing you.”

Zhou Ning’s ears were flushed crimson, nearly bleeding. This was far too intimate. How could Shen Linchuan act like this, like a child? He pushed the head nestled against his chest away. “I’m… not angry.”

Shen Linchuan wanted to cling on a little longer. He loved being pressed against his Fulang, wishing he could hang onto him. Seeing his Fulang’s face flush, he leaned in and planted a kiss on him. With a soft smack, Zhou Ning’s face turned even redder. “Tonight… tonight I’ll give it to you.”

Shen Linchuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Zhou Ning buried his face deeper, making Shen Linchuan’s heart flutter. How adorable his Fulang was!

That evening, Zhou Da steamed white rice, ladled meat gravy from the pot over it, and topped it with a slice of braised pork, an egg, a piece of dried tofu, and a handful of dried beans. Zhou Ning loved it, and Zhou Da kept praising Shen Linchuan’s cooking skills.

Shen Linchuan felt tomorrow’s business shouldn’t be too bad. The past two days have laid a foundation, attracting some customers. This batch of pork belly was all prime cuts; those ladies and Fulang should appreciate it.

After dinner, Shen Linchuan washed up and closed the room door. He wiped the dining table spotless, set out his books, and resumed his studies.

The Four Books and Five Classics were essential, of course, along with the Hundred Schools of Thought. Texts like the Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu contained over a million characters combined—all material he needed to memorize thoroughly. Who knew which passage might be selected for the essay question during the county-level examination?

Zhou Ning had already tidied up and was lying in bed. After waiting a long while without seeing the oil lamp in the main hall go out, he emerged wearing only his undergarments and saw Shen Linchuan still studying there.

Zhou Ning took a pair of scissors and adjusted the lamp wick upward, making the light brighter. “I’ll bring the oil lamp from the inner room for you, too.”

“No need. One lamp is enough.”

“How can that be? What if you damage your eyes?”

Zhou Ning brought the inner room lamp out. “Don’t worry about the oil cost. Damaging your eyes isn’t worth it.”

“Alright.” Shen Linchuan couldn’t resist tugging on Fulang’s hand, causing Zhou Ning to blush and pull his hand back. Shen Linchuan chuckled. “You should go to sleep first.”

Zhou Ning nodded and returned to the inner room to rest.

Shen Linchuan then threw himself back into his studies. Even though he’d graduated from a prestigious university in his previous life, he dared not take this lightly. The imperial examinations were no joke. Countless people failed even the lowest-level Tongsheng exam, let alone the Xiucai. And passing the Xiucai merely granted entry into the ranks of scholars.

Moreover, Xiucai were ranked in tiers: first-tier Binsheng received monthly grain rations from the government; second-tier Zengsheng received no provisions; and third-tier Fusheng merely gained admission to the county academy.

Shen Linchuan aimed for the top-tier Bensheng status—that meant a government stipend! Most country bumpkins had to pay taxes when harvest time came. Getting fed by the state was an honor, and it would bring glory to his father and Ning-ger.

It was still early. Country folk were stingy with oil lamps, preparing supper long before dusk. Now, barely into April, the countryside had no night watchmen; time was measured by the sun, and nights were marked by rooster crows. It was likely only around seven o’clock, so Shen Linchuan continued his studies.

Zhou Ning lay in bed with nothing to do. Normally, he would have retired long ago after the lamps were extinguished. But Shen Linchuan was studying, and though they had only recently married, Zhou Ning had already grown accustomed to Shen Linchuan’s presence. Without him, sleep eluded Zhou Ning.

Gradually, the faint sound of pages turning drifted from the next room. Zhou Ning had hoped to wait for Shen Linchuan to sleep alongside him, but his eyelids began to droop.

“Zhou Da! Zhou Da! It’s bad! You must go persuade him!”

Zhou Ning was nearly asleep when the knocking startled him awake. Shen Linchuan, who had been drafting strategies, also snapped out of his thoughts. In the countryside, people slept early, rising with the sun and resting at dusk. Once night fell, nearly every household extinguished its lamps and retired. Visitors at this hour were rare.

Shen Linchuan carried the oil lamp and opened the main hall door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Diao Da. Old Zhou is causing trouble again. My family can’t calm him down. Could Uncle Zhou come over and give him a stern talking-to?”

Shen Linchuan knew the Granny Diao family. This “Diao Da” must be someone from that household. As for “Old Zhou,” he didn’t know who that was, but since they shared the Zhou surname, they were likely from the same clan.

Zhou Ning, startled awake, quickly dressed and rose. “So Nan-ger’s father is causing trouble again. Let’s go see.”

Zhou Da, hearing the knocking, also sprang up. “Ning-ger and Linchuan, you two sleep on. I’ll go check. That Old Zhou needs another lesson!”

“Father, I’ll go too. Nan-ger is just a little ger.”

Zhou Ning feared there might be awkward situations where his presence as a young ger could offer some assistance. Since Zhou Ning was going, Shen Linchuan naturally followed. He didn’t particularly want to meddle in others’ affairs, but as a fellow villager and clan member, maintaining a good reputation within the community was important.

Zhou Da opened the courtyard gate and strode out first. Zhou Ning and Shen Linchuan followed. The night carried a hint of chill, and the moonlight was dim, barely illuminating the path beneath their feet.

Shen Linchuan took Zhou Ning’s hand. “Judging by how familiar father seemed, this probably isn’t the first time trouble has erupted at Zhou Xiaonan’s house.”

“Yeah. Nan-ger’s father is a chronic drunk. When he gets too drunk, he beats people. Nan-ger’s mother couldn’t take it anymore and left. After she left, the beatings started landing on Nan-ger himself.”

Shen Linchuan frowned. Domestic abuser.

Before they even reached Zhou Xiaonan’s courtyard, curses, sobs, and the sound of things being smashed echoed from within.

Zhou Da strode swiftly into the courtyard, where he saw Old Zhou wielding a thick stick as he pounded on the door, shouting curses: “You little bastard, come out here! You good-for-nothing! You’re just like your whore of a mother! Now you dare talk back to your old man? I’ll beat you to death!”

A club that thick could easily kill someone if it landed on the head. Even if it hit the body, it would leave a nasty bruise.

Zhou Da spat, then stepped forward under the moonlight to wrest the stick from the man’s grasp. Grabbing Old Zhou by the collar, he hoisted him up. The old man, short and frail, dangled in Zhou Da’s arms like a little chick, kicking his legs wildly.

Shen Linchuan pulled Zhou Ning to the side. Watching this, he could only think: Dad is awesome!

His father was naturally burly, with a thick beard around his jaw. Having slaughtered pigs for years, he carried a distinct blood-soaked aura. Not just Old Zhou, but even that vicious dog would tuck its tail and take a detour upon seeing him.

Tonight, he truly radiated a menacing aura—no wonder the Diao family had summoned his father to intimidate them.

“Old Zhou, what the hell are you doing in the dead of night?!” Zhou Da bellowed, sending Old Zhou’s legs straightening in fright as he screamed for mercy.

Despite the commotion at Zhou Xiaonan’s house, only the Diao family had come out to investigate. Not a single onlooker lingered in the courtyard—a clear sign that such disturbances had become so commonplace that neighbors no longer batted an eye. Shen Linchuan noticed this too.

Zhou Ning tugged gently at Shen Linchuan’s hand, and he finally let go. Zhou Ning stepped forward and knocked on the door. “Nan-ger, are you all right?”

The door finally opened. Zhou Xiaonan was crying like a drowned rat. In the moonlight, Zhou Ning saw that his face was swollen. Zhou Xiaonan wiped his tears with his sleeve. “Thank you, Zhou Da and Ning-ger.”

“Come on, let’s go to my place to clean up your face.”

Zhou Xiaonan shook his head. “No need.”

Zhou Da released his grip, flinging Old Zhou to the ground. Old Zhou was terrified of Zhou Da. Earlier, when he’d gotten too rowdy, Zhou Da had dunked him in the water vat to sober him up. He cursed Zhou Da under his breath for meddling, but dared not speak it aloud—lest he face a thorough beating.

Zhou Da kicked the man sprawled on the ground. “If you ever hit anyone again, Old Zhou, I’ll break your arm!”

“I won’t, I won’t.”

Zhou Da went over and comforted Zhou Xiaonan a little more. “Go to sleep, Nan-ger. If that good-for-nothing father of yours dares to hit you again, call Uncle over.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zhou.”

After Zhou Da’s intervention, peace finally settled over Zhou Xiaonan’s home. Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning followed suit and left.

As they departed, Shen Linchuan noticed a half-grown boy hiding beside the shed. Even when his own brother was beaten, he hadn’t stepped in to help. Zhou Xiaonan’s household truly was a mess.

On the way, Shen Linchuan asked, “Is this kind of chaos common at Zhou Xiaonan’s house?”

Zhou Ning nodded. “When Nan-ger’s mother was still alive, his father beat her. She couldn’t take it and disappeared two years ago. Now Old Zhou beats Nan-ger whenever he’s drunk.”

“What about his younger brother?”

Zhou Ning paused. “I’ve never seen him hit Gouwa.”

Shen Linchuan snorted derisively. “A bully who picks on the weak.”

Zhou Da also grumbled, “That Old Zhou never does any real work. He’s never weeded his own fields—it’s always been Nan-ger, since he was just a little boy, pulling weeds in the fields.”

The three returned home together. Zhou Da saw the main hall brightly lit, with books still spread across the dining table. “Linchuan is studying. Don’t stay up too late—you’ve worked hard today. Get some rest.”

“Understood, Father. You should rest early, too.”

“Alright.”

Each returned to their own room. Shen Linchuan closed the main hall door and sat down again. Zhou Ning poured him a bowl of hot tea. “Still want to read?”

“Mhm, just a little longer.” Shen Linchuan teased, “The villagers already mock you for marrying a useless scholar. If I fail the exams again next year, who knows how many will laugh behind our backs.”

Zhou Ning’s expression hardened. “Who dares to laugh!”

“I was just joking. Go to bed early.”

Shen Linchuan pushed Zhou Ning back into the inner room to sleep. After all that commotion, it was already late.

Shen Linchuan felt a surge of frustration welling up inside him. He wasn’t just trying to prove himself—he refused to be the laughingstock of the village.

When the first cock crowed, Shen Linchuan rubbed the back of his neck before setting down his brush. Memorizing the text wasn’t the hard part—mastering calligraphy was!

His brushstrokes looked like gibberish. He knew the strokes by heart, but that didn’t help when he couldn’t actually write them. He’d have to practice calligraphy later—handwriting was his reputation!

Shen Linchuan tidied up and went to bed. The first crow of the rooster had been at midnight, between eleven and one. Now it must be half past midnight.

Who would’ve thought that after all these years since college graduation, he’d have to relive senior year? This was unbearable—he needed to seek comfort from his Fulang.

Shen Linchuan slipped quietly into the bed. It was the deepest part of sleep, and as soon as he lay down, Zhou Ning murmured dazedly, “Shen Linchuan, you’re back.”

“Mm, go back to sleep.”

Seeing his husband drift back to sleep, Shen Linchuan blew out the oil lamp. He crept closer, resting his head on Fulang’s chest. Zhou Ning, still half-asleep, reached out and pulled him into an embrace. Shen Linchuan’s lips curved upward—this felt rather nice.

Being slightly shorter and more slender than Zhou Ning, Shen Linchuan fit perfectly in Fulang’s embrace. Thinking Fulang was asleep anyway, Shen Linchuan decided to take advantage of the moment, planning to switch positions once dawn approached.

So tired… only my Fulang’s embrace can make it better.

After a night of sound sleep, he’d slept soundly in Zhou Ning’s arms. When he opened his eyes, he found himself staring at his Fulang’s beautiful, honey-colored pectoral muscles.

Perhaps because he’d tossed and turned in his sleep, his Fulang’s white undershirt had come undone. Shen Linchuan swallowed hard and quietly got up, nearly unable to leave the bed—such beauty was truly distracting!

Shen Linchuan rose as soon as dawn broke. Dahuang, the dog in their little hut, spotted him and rolled over, tail wagging. Shen Linchuan gave the dog a hearty pat on the head, causing Dahuang to flip onto his back and wriggle playfully. Shen Linchuan chuckled and hurried off to work.

As usual, he began by filling the water barrel at the kitchen door. After days of practice, he wasn’t exactly swift on his feet yet, but at least his movements were steady. Even the boxing techniques Zhou Ning had mocked him for earlier now looked reasonably competent.

Zhou Ning rose early too, waking when Shen Linchuan began his practice. He watched Shen perform a sequence with remarkable grace. Shen Linchuan’s natural good looks combined with the fluidity of his movements made the form look effortless—a vast improvement over his earlier, limp-looking punches.

Zhou Da had also risen. As usual, he first took a lap around the fields. Zhou Ning went to cook, and during a break in the meal prep, he mixed feed for the four chickens in the yard.

While some households were still asleep, the Zhou household was already bustling with orderly activity, each person fulfilling their duties.

By the time Zhou Ning brought out the meal, Shen Linchuan had closed his book, and Zhou Da had already loaded the miscellaneous items and workbench onto the wheelbarrow. The three ate a simple breakfast and set out together.

They left early. Zhou Da, who slaughtered pigs for a living, needed to make the morning market. As they passed, Shibozi’s family was just opening their gate. Seeing the trio, they called out, “So early!”

Zhou Da responded with a simple, “Yeah.”

The trio hurried out of the village. In the distance, the sun had just begun to peek out, its face half-red. Zhou Da pushed the cart, with Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning helping on either side.

Their cart was a single-wheeled type, widened on both sides. Near the handles, two wooden supports formed a fixed triangle, allowing it to stand steadily when not in use. This lightweight cart was convenient for peddlers traveling through neighborhoods to sell goods.

But now that his family was in the pork business and had added braised meats and pickled pork to their offerings, the cart was packed to the brim. The single-wheeled cart was becoming insufficient.

Shen Linchuan recalled the two-wheeled carts he’d seen. Compared to the single-wheeled cart, they offered more space and could be both pushed and pulled. They were far more convenient than the single-wheeled cart, whether for business or farm work.

“Father, our wheelbarrow is getting too small. With two businesses now, we’re running out of space.”

Zhou Da noticed too. “Father knows. But if we add another wheelbarrow, we’d need another person to push it. Better to just squeeze everything in like this and save on manpower.”

“If only we could buy a mule cart sooner. It’s spacious enough for all our business goods, and Father wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

Zhou Ning’s longing for a mule cart grew stronger. Shen Linchuan was right—his father had spent years pushing heavy loads under the scorching sun. How much longer could his body endure this?

His father ran a butcher shop, which brought in decent silver, but over the years, supporting his second uncle’s son, Zhou Youcheng, through school had left them unable to afford even a single mule.

Shen Linchuan noticed Zhou Ning’s disappointment, understanding his concern for his father’s hardship. He comforted him, “Ning-ger is right. It would be wonderful to have a mule cart. I believe it won’t be long before our family can afford one.“

Seeing both his son and son-in-law so considerate of him, Zhou Da laughed heartily. ”Alright, once we save enough silver, we’ll buy a mule cart.”

A mule wasn’t something they could acquire immediately, and with so much cargo to move, they needed a new cart right away.

“Father, I know of a two-wheeled cart described in books. That kind can even pull loads. It’s a bit larger than our wheelbarrow. Why not have my eldest brother help build one for our business?”

“Linchuan, aren’t you talking about those flat-fronted carts pulled by oxen or horses? Those won’t do—they’re too heavy. This wheelbarrow saves much more effort.”

“Father, it’s not a flat-front cart. It’s lighter and more convenient. I’ll have my elder brother build one soon and bring it home for us to use.”

Zhou Da didn’t refuse. His son-in-law was thinking of the family’s best interests. Though he didn’t know what kind of cart this frame cart was, two-wheeled carts were all pulled by animals. If pulled by people, two wheels would surely be laborious. It seemed the single-wheeled cart was indeed more convenient.

“Alright, then I’ll cover the cost of building the frame.”

“Father, what are you saying? Ning-ger and I have earned over five hundred wen, plus the three taels from the last collection—enough for a cart frame. Just don’t scold me for spending the family money.”

Zhou Da burst into hearty laughter. “If you two say that silver is your private money, then it is. Just discuss how to spend it with Ning-ger.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Shen Linchuan knew Ning-ger would surely agree. Though he hadn’t asked yet, he knew Ning-ger would indulge him.

Shen Linchuan understood what his father meant by a flat-front cart. Many merchants in town used such carts for hauling goods. Two long wooden poles extended from the cart’s shaft, with a crossbar fixed atop them to harness the draft animals. Wooden planks were nailed to all four sides to form a cargo bed, though it lacked a cover—designed for easy loading of heavy items.

The entire frame was constructed of wood. Since flat-top carts used wooden planks on all four sides, the more material used, the heavier the frame became. This was precisely why peddlers running small businesses opted for lightweight wheelbarrows instead. If someone were to pull a flat-top cart, they’d be exhausted to death.

Compared to flatbed carts, however, the frame cart lacked a fully enclosed cargo compartment. Its sides featured only slightly elevated rails, requiring less material and being narrower overall, making it considerably lighter and more maneuverable.

Shen Linchuan planned to visit his elder brother’s place this afternoon. With the frame cart finished, not only would his father’s business run smoother, but his brother could also earn more silver. The two Shen children clearly suffered from malnutrition; with extra silver, life on the Shen side could improve.

Lost in thought, Shen Linchuan arrived at the town square. Early-rising women and men were already out, baskets slung over their shoulders, buying vegetables. The crowd wasn’t particularly large yet, but it would soon swell.

The three of them busied themselves setting up their stalls. Zhou Da unloaded the counter from his wheelbarrow and hauled down half a pig, completing his stall setup.

Shen Linchuan’s setup was slightly more complicated. On a small table sat two clay stoves: one pot held offal stew, the other braised pork belly, both needing to be kept warm over a fire. A wooden tray displayed slices of pork cheek.

Yesterday in the village, they’d sold some pork head meat and offal. The pork head meat was pricier, so villagers bought less of it, but it sold well in town.

Zhou Ning helped Shen Linchuan set up the stall. Holding chopsticks, Shen Linchuan was ready to start work. “Go help your father first. He’s been swamped all morning. I can manage this side by myself.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Ning went to help Zhou Da sell pork. Early morning brought many customers—some wanted sliced meat, others minced pork—and his father couldn’t manage alone.

Watching Zhou Ning wield the butcher’s knife with deft slicing, chopping, and mincing, Shen Linchuan found it fascinating. Truly, he was a worthy Fulang—so skilled!

Shen Linchuan cleared his throat with a smile and began his own call: “Braised pork belly, cold-cut pork head meat, stewed pork offal! Pork-flavored dried tofu—one wen per piece! Pork-flavored dried beans—one wen per handful!”

Shen Linchuan was sharp—he deliberately announced the prices for the dried tofu and dried beans.

These two bargains served as what we’d call “loss leaders” today—once people came for them, they’d browse other items. Plus, he wouldn’t lose money on the dried tofu or beans; each sold item netted him one wen. Small profit, high volume.

Shen Linchuan was handsome, clad in a brown short tunic with his hair tied high in a ponytail by a ribbon. The ribbon draped over his dark locks, adding a touch of grace when the wind blew. Among all the vendors on the street, none could match Shen Linchuan’s good looks. His calls drew the attention of many women and their Fulang.

The first customer was the man who’d bought a pig’s head from him last time. On the very first day of Shen Linchuan’s small business, this man had purchased his pig’s head meat. He returned the next day but found none left. After asking Shen Linchuan when he’d have more, he’d come early the following morning to wait.

“Young man, give me a pound—no, make it two pounds of pig’s head meat!”

“Sure thing, big guy. You’re up bright and early today.”

“You bet! I beat you here. Just made a round and saw your stall set up across the street. Scared you’d sell out, ha ha ha!”

Shen Linchuan chuckled. He was weighing out two pounds of pork head meat for the big guy, piling it high on the scale. Hearing the man’s words, Shen Linchuan picked up a piece of dried tofu and offered it to him. “Thanks for your support, big guy. Try some of our new snacks.”

The big guy didn’t hesitate, grabbing a piece. “I won’t say no then.”

This fellow was a lively sort. Holding the tofu skin without eating it, he chatted with Shen Linchuan. “You wouldn’t believe it. Last time I bought half a pound of pork head meat from you, I couldn’t bring myself to eat it all in one sitting, so I saved some for the afternoon. But then my father-in-law showed up and polished it off.”

“After that, he insisted I buy him more. But it was already pitch dark—where could I find any? I promised to get him some the next day. But guess what? You sold out by then! I got another earful when I got home. So today, I had to come first thing!”

Hearing such high praise for his food, Shen Linchuan smiled as he sliced the weighed pork head meat for the man.

After exchanging a few casual words, the man dug into the tofu skin Shen Linchuan had given him. He took one bite of the palm-sized piece and devoured it whole. “Delicious! Young man, how much for this tofu skin?”

“One wen each. Just made a batch today.”

“Young man, how do you make your food? How can a piece of tofu skin taste this good?”

“I braise it with meat, so it picks up a bit of the savory flavor.”

Shen Linchuan wouldn’t reveal his secret marinade, of course. It was his family’s recipe, like the culinary skills of cooks and Fulang, never passed to outsiders. It was their livelihood.

The man had risen early to buy pork head, and his stomach was already rumbling. Shen Linchuan’s tofu skin only made him hungrier. “I’ll grab a baked bun. Young man, put some of that tofu skin inside for me.”

“Sure thing.”

The man bought a baked flatbread from the neighboring stall. The simmered pork slices smelled incredibly fragrant, and the cotton string tying them together looked quite unusual. “Give me a full serving from the pot!”

A big customer had arrived. The man looked well-off and was generous with his money. This was Shen Linchuan’s first major sale of the day. The set of pancakes cost eighteen wen, plus forty wen for the pork head meat, totaling fifty-eight wen.

Shen Linchuan used clean scissors to cut the cotton string, then stuffed the pork slices directly into the baked flatbread. He halved the tiger-skin eggs, snipped the dried tofu and dried beans to fit inside, and finally ladled some broth over the top. The flatbread was packed full of ingredients, looking exceptionally tempting.

The man took it and began eating. With the first bite, his taste buds were instantly awakened. The dried beans carried a rich, meaty aroma and offered satisfying chewiness. The egg was fluffy and grainy, while the pork slices melted in his mouth—the fatty parts tender, the lean meat carrying a unique, savory fragrance. He had never tasted anything this delicious!