“I’ve heard everything. Nothing to worry about. Xiao He knows everything and has it all figured out. Cao-ger was a bit scared and wanted to walk back on his own.” Ji Rongxia felt slightly relieved.

“You’re at ease now?” Gu Tangjin asked.

Ji Rongxia nodded. “Yes, I am.”

He pulled some glutinous rice balls from the basket and leaned close to Gu Tangjin. “Let’s save up more money so we can buy land sooner!”

Gu Tangjin added some firewood to the stove. He knew Xia-ger was still a bit upset. The Qian family dared to suggest sending their child to learn a trade, not just because Cheng’er was pregnant. Such matters aren’t decided overnight. Do you think they finalized it after just one trip back? They likely harbored this intention long ago. Frankly, they’re just taking advantage of their large family and abundant land, aren’t they?

“It’s a shame,” Ji Rongxia sighed. “My husband’s parents are the eldest son’s family. Even if the Qian family split their household, his grandparents would still have to live with the eldest son. Sigh.” “I’ll definitely not play favorites in the future. I’ll raise my own children well!”

Gu Tangjin stifled a laugh. “We haven’t even gotten started yet. Besides, you’ve been so exhausted lately. I don’t want you to get pregnant this soon.”

“True, things have been tough lately. Let’s wait a bit longer.” Ji Rongxia’s thoughts drifted in and out; she said it but quickly forgot, not taking it seriously.

Soon, the glutinous rice balls were ready, and Ji Rongxia warmed up some pancakes.

“Hey, you two, stop sunbathing like fools. Come eat your glutinous rice balls.” Ji Rongxia emerged to find the children still dutifully guarding the quilts in the courtyard. An outsider might think their family treasured these quilts beyond measure.

Xiao He and Cao-ger both froze, stunned, unable to believe Ji Rongxia was calling them.

“Cao-ger, Xiao He, come help bring the bowls and chopsticks,” Gu Tangjin said patiently as she carried out a tray. “Just four bowls, four pairs of chopsticks, and four spoons.”

Hearing they had a task, Xiao He and Cao-ger finally sprang into action.

They carefully gathered the bowls, chopsticks, and spoons, following Gu Tangjin and Ji Rongxia into the main hall.

“Sit down. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Fill your bellies first before we talk about anything else.” Ji Rongxia handed Xiao He and Cao-ger a crumb-filled pancake each.

Hong Yuelian scooped several glutinous rice balls from a large bowl into smaller ones. “Eat up, eat up.”

The bowl for Qian Xuecheng held the most—about ten rice balls—while the other three bowls contained only three rice balls each and two spoonfuls of soup.

Cao-ger dared not sit down to eat, standing beside the chair with his head bowed.

Ji Rongxia crossed her legs on the bed and smiled. “You managed to find your way here all by yourself. What’s there to fear about eating something? Sit down and eat.”

Only then did Cao-ger dare to sit down. His quiet, reserved demeanor hardly seemed like that of someone who dared to run such a long distance.

The glutinous rice balls were sweet, fragrant, and sticky.

Cao-ger took just one bite before hesitating.

This is too delicious! Too delicious!

Qian Xuecheng reached out to gently rub his slightly dry hair, soothing him, “Eat up.”

Only then did Cao-ger slowly begin eating the glutinous rice balls. The pancakes were fragrant and spicy, with meat inside. Cao-ger ate until his eyes filled with tears.

He didn’t want to cry, but it was so delicious, he couldn’t help it!

Xiao He ate only two glutinous rice balls. She planned to secretly save the last one for Cao-ger. When Cao-ger noticed, he quickly finished his own cake and declared he was full. Only then did Xiao He silently eat the remaining rice ball in her bowl.

Watching this, Ji Rongxia sighed. No wonder Cao-ger came looking for Xiao He after she left.

“We agreed—you work for the Ji family, and I’ll give you fifty wen a month. Don’t complain, it’s too little.” With her belly full, Hong Yuelian’s anger had subsided. She pulled Cao-ger and Xiao He close and explained earnestly, “If I can find you both good marriages, I’ll help you with that. Just one thing—be good at home, work hard, and live your lives. We’re a humble family; no need for all that fuss.”

“Auntie, I’m strong and will work hard!” Cao-ger quickly assured her.

Xiao He chimed in, “I can embroider handkerchiefs and weave cloth!”

“Good. When Cheng-ger married into the family, I had your great-uncle build a loom—it’ll come in handy. Xiao He can weave cloth and embroider handkerchiefs, while Cao-ger will help me with the heavy labor.” Hong Yuelian cut straight to the point without further pleasantries.

Hearing their tasks assigned, Cao-ger and Xiao He actually felt relieved.

As they spoke, Ji Rongxia heard a knock at the door. He hurriedly pulled Gu Tangjin to open it.

The moment the courtyard gate swung open, Ji Rongxia saw his father and elder brother returning with a handcart loaded with six sacks.

“Oh my! I hear you’re taking in a child for the Qian family?” Wang Laofulang’s voice drifted over.

Ji Rongxia glanced outside to see Wang Laofulang seated at the Zhang family’s doorway, clearly waiting to see the commotion.

At her outburst, Madame Zhao and Cheng Laofulang couldn’t help but glance toward the Ji family.

“What are you talking about? My husband is expecting, so we asked my sister and my younger brother from my maternal family to come help look after things. How come the Zhang family has no relatives to assist? Don’t you know that?!“ Ji Rongxia let her father and brother enter first, then stepped outside with her arms crossed.

Wang Laofulang choked. This deaf woman had such a sharp tongue that she could spin anything negative into something positive: ” Hmph! We’re afraid of people like you—unreliable. You’ll learn our craft and run off with it!“

”Our family’s carpentry is masterful! It’s not something you can pick up just by watching. How come the Zhang family’s lacquerwork is so easy to learn? Just glance, and you’ve got it? That’s why their craftsmanship is so mediocre—no wonder they can’t find work! They should ask my family to hook them up with jobs!”

Ji Rongxia said with sudden understanding.

“You! What nonsense are you spouting? My family’s craftsmanship is excellent! You talk big now, but you deaf fool, don’t come crying later! Heaven made you deaf for a reason—you deserve it!” Wang Laofulang’s fingers trembled with rage as he pointed at Ji Rongxia and cursed.

Ji Rongxia replied slowly, “An ungrateful person sees everyone as ungrateful! Dog shit looks like dog shit to everyone!”

“Who are you talking about?” Wang Laofulang’s triangular eyes narrowed menacingly.

“Whoever’s pushing themselves forward!” Ji Rongxia said softly, “You old fool who remembers the food but not the beating. I warned you—if you provoke me again, my husband and I will go outside the academy and make your grandson famous. Third time’s the charm. I’m keeping score. If you dare disturb me again, I won’t let you off!”

Wang Laofulang fell silent, sulkily shrinking his neck. He’d only come over because everyone was watching the Ji family’s spectacle, and had completely forgotten Ji Rongxia’s threat.

Ji Rongxia glanced around. The onlookers in the alley all avoided his gaze. Xia-ger cursed without using vulgar words; it wasn’t worth provoking him.

Ji Rongxia pulled Gu Tangjin, who was standing behind him offering support, into the courtyard and slammed the door shut.

“Brother Xia is so awesome! Just like Auntie Hong. Cao-ger, we have to be like Auntie Hong and Brother Xia from now on.” Xiao He’s pointed little face was flushed red, her fists clenched in excitement.

Cao-ger nodded emphatically: “Mm!”

“I told you not to be afraid. Brother Xia isn’t scared of outsiders at all.” Qian Xuecheng had just brought the children out to check on them after hearing the door open, worried they might be frightened.

Hong Yuelian helped Carpenter Ji and Ji Ronghu unload the grain.

“We agreed on one small sack of millet and two large sacks of coarse wheat per person per year.” Ji the Carpenter stated plainly.

“Not bad. Did they cause trouble?” Hong Yuelian inquired.

“They did. Dad and I just sat in the courtyard. No matter how much they protested, we ignored them. We only demanded the grain. If they didn’t give it, they wouldn’t leave. The Qian family’s grandparents didn’t want the villagers to see the commotion, so they settled the grain matter right then.” Ji Ronghu chuckled.

Don’t underestimate him—he has his moments of shrewdness.“Well done, brother. Good work.” Ji Rongxia patted his older brother’s sturdy arm. Ji Ronghu’s smile broadened. 

Only then did Ji Rongxia and Gu Tangjin leave with peace of mind.

Walking hand in hand, Ji Rongxia suddenly exclaimed, “Oh dear, I forgot we need to hurry! Today’s my turn to tend the stove, and I haven’t even told Father or Brother yet.”

“Don’t worry. Mother and Brother-in-law will tell Father and the others. Let’s go to the grain shop first. Buying some glutinous rice before heading back won’t be too late.” Gu Tangjin’s thumb gently stroked Ji Rongxia’s web of the hand in reassurance. And Ji Rongxia instantly calmed down.

The two first went to the grain shop and bought a small sack of glutinous rice.

“The glutinous rice at the grain shop is still too expensive,” Ji Rongxia calculated the silver coins. Twenty wen per catty of glutinous rice meant they had spent a hundred wen for five catties. The more she calculated, the more her face scrunched up.

Gu Tangjin rubbed Ji Rongxia’s cheek. “Stop frowning. Restaurants buy grain from farmers, and glutinous rice can be saved for making zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival or glutinous rice balls for the Lantern Festival. This time we’re just buying some to replenish our supply—it’s not like we buy glutinous rice all the time.”

“Now I finally understand why Father insists on making zongzi for Dragon Boat Festival and glutinous rice balls for Lantern Festival—so we can save the glutinous rice without feeling guilty about eating it,” Ji Rongxia said with a smile.

Gu Tangjin replied, “Exactly. No guilt, but it sure is hard work.”

“Making money never comes easy. I’ve got plenty of strength—I’m not afraid of hard work,” Ji Rongxia waved dismissively.

“We really need to earn money quickly to buy land!” Ji Rongxia declared earnestly. “Then our restaurant can use rice and flour grown right here on our own land.”

“Mhm.” Gu Tangjin nodded. He thought to himself, this was the second time Xia-ger had brought up buying land today. The Qian family matter must have really upset him.

When the two returned to the eatery, Yao Tianlan and Gu Chuncai were just about to open for business.

“Father, Mother, something happened at home. We got back a bit late,” Ji Rongxia quickly explained upon seeing them.

“What happened?” Hearing this, Gu Chuncai put opening the shop on hold and asked with concern.

“It’s a long story,” Ji Rongxia said, trying to summarize today’s events as simply as possible.

Gu Tangjin added details from the sidelines.

After listening, Yao Tianlan voiced her worry: “Is it really safe to have those two kids staying at your place? Your brother-in-law is still pregnant. Don’t let anything happen.”

Yao Tianlan couldn’t help but recall how she’d hired her second brother’s child as a waiter.

That was truly inviting wolves into the house—it nearly cost Gu Tangjin his life!

Gu Chuncai also looked at them with concern.

Gu Tangjin and Ji Rongxia exchanged a glance. They couldn’t very well say they’d overheard the children’s conversation, but these two kids did seem well-behaved.

“My brother-in-law raised these two children. He knows their temperaments,” Ji Rongxia said after a moment’s thought.

“That’s true. Your brother-in-law grew up with them, so he certainly knows them well. Ah, the Qian family really has no conscience. Xia-ger, Tangjin, you two should go back more often and keep an eye on things.” Yao Tianlan still couldn’t shake her unease as she urged.

Yao Tianlan now felt a sense of shared suffering toward her in-laws. Hadn’t her second brother’s family done the same? Seeing they had only one son, Tangjin, they’d tried to seize control of their family’s restaurant. How delusional!” “I understand, Mother,” Gu Tangjin replied.

Ji Rongxia nodded in agreement: “Mhm.”Gu Chuncai: “Get things tidied up first. It’s time to open for business.”Ji Rongxia excitedly headed to the kitchen, and Gu Tangjin followed with a smile. He helped her find a clean cloth in the kitchen to wrap up the chopped scallions.“Thanks,” Ji Rongxia said, patting her head to make sure the scallions were securely in place and wouldn’t fall out while she cooked.”I’ll head out front then. ” Gu Tangjin patted his shoulder encouragingly.

These days, Gu Chuncai and Ji Rongxia handled all the kitchen work, while Gu Tangjin went to the front to keep accounts and assist Yao Tianlan with serving dishes.

Ji Rongxia: “Yeah, go ahead.”After Gu Tangjin left, Ji Rongxia washed his hands thoroughly and took a deep breath.

He began to hope silently: Someone please order scrambled eggs!!!