Zhou Bao had just returned from his duties today. Before he even reached the alley entrance, Zhou Yi and Zhou Er came running over, each grabbing one of his sleeves and tugging him homeward. “Father, hurry home!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Mom says she wants you to have a handsome little brother!”

Zhou Yi’s voice boomed so loudly that several old women sewing by the doorway giggled. Zhou Bao’s face flushed crimson as he kicked each of them in the rear. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I’m not making it up! Mom said so!”

“I don’t care. I want a handsome little brother.”

Zhou Bao returned home just as Zhou Niang finished cooking. She looked a bit worn out. “You’re back. Dinner’s ready.”

Zhou Yi stood with hands on hips. “Mom, Dad’s home! Where’s my handsome little brother?”

Zhou Niang hadn’t expected the two rascals to still be thinking about it. “There isn’t one. Come eat!”

Hearing there wasn’t one, both kids plopped down on the floor, kicking their legs. “I want a handsome little brother! I want a handsome little brother!”

Zhou Niang was nearly driven mad by them. “Wait a year!” 

“No way! I want one now!”

“I want one now!”

Fed up, Zhou Niang ignored them. “Let’s eat.”

Zhou Bao sat down. This wasn’t the first time these two rascals had made a fuss; they’d eventually tire of it. “What’s the problem today?”

“What else could it be? We saw the little ger from the Lin family today, and these two brats are demanding we bring him home.”

The little rascals wailed endlessly, demanding a pretty little brother. What a load of crap! Zhou Bao felt like these two were going to drive him to his grave. If another brat were born, he’d swear his life would be over.

Zhou Bao grabbed one in each hand and lifted them up. “Alright, tomorrow your mother will take you both to see him again.”

“Ooh~” The two kids finally stopped crying. Zhou Bao rubbed his temples, his head pounding.

That night, Zhou Niang snuggled closer to Zhou Bao. “How about we have another one? What if it’s a cute little ger or girl?”

“Give it a rest. I’m afraid we’d just get another little debt collector.”

Zhou Niang glared at him. “I said we’re having another one!”

“But those two little brats only want good-looking ones. Do you really think we could produce a good-looking one?”

He still remembered when these two little brats were born, wrinkled like little monkeys, their cries piercingly loud. Back then, he’d been so eager to hold them but their wails only grew louder, shattering his tender fatherly heart into a thousand pieces.

Madam Zhou chuckled. “True enough. Master Lin is handsome, so his children are handsome too. Go to sleep. Taking them both today wore me out.”

She’d thought they’d forget about visiting their little brother after a night’s sleep, but first thing in the morning, they dragged her out again, demanding buns and to see their brother. No choice—the family of four headed back to the bun shop.

Business at the shop was booming again today. Many came specifically to taste Lin Yu’s delicious chive-and-egg soup, while others bought bowls to take home. The place was packed the moment it opened.

The two boys both rushed to the bamboo basket to find Little Tuang. “Pretty little brother!”

Their mother called out to them, “Come eat your buns first, then you can see your little brother.”

Lin Yu wasn’t too busy today. New help had arrived—Xiao Luzi’s husband came to assist, proving quite adept at kneading dough and wrapping buns. Unlike the typical delicate ger, Xiao Luzi’s husband had slightly darker skin. Were it not for the birthmark on his forehead, Lin Yu might have mistaken him for a man.

Strong and quick, he took over the dough kneading right away. With his cheerful, honest nature—not the type to cut corners—and the shop now turning a profit, Lin Yu wasn’t one to quibble. Seeing how hard he worked, he promptly raised his daily wage to forty copper coins.

Xiao Luzi’s husband gratefully thanked him repeatedly. The pay here was high. Though he started early in the morning, the shop closed by noon, so it wasn’t too exhausting. By the end of the month, he earned more than Xiao Luzi himself!

With an extra pair of hands, the shop could produce more buns, easing Lin Yu’s workload. When Tuan-ger didn’t need tending, he’d help clear the tables of bowls and chopsticks.

Today, Zhou Yi and Zhou Er lingered again until late before leaving. Seeing Tuan-ger’s handsome features, Zhou Niang grew quite fond of him, thinking to herself how wonderful it would be to have such a well-behaved little ger of her own!

Lin Yu’s steamed bun shop gradually gained some fame. During the busiest morning hours, customers had to line up to buy, and his shop had the best business on the entire street.

Although everything had to be purchased at the county seat, the bustling streets meant that, by the end of the day, he actually earned more than in the town.

The couple running Old Zhu’s Dumpling Shop craned their necks to glance over at Lin Yu’s stall. “Tsk, another line. His business is just that good.”

Old Zhu’s wife snorted in annoyance. “Ever since he opened up, our business hasn’t been as good. This won’t do! We’ll have to teach him a lesson one of these days.”

During today’s roll call briefing, Wei Qingshan assigned a new task: a notorious bandit had recently appeared in the county seat, killing people and robbing them of their money. He handed each patrol squad a wanted poster. “Be extra vigilant during today’s patrol. If you spot him, apprehend him immediately.”

At the mention of an official assignment, excitement lit up every face. “Whoa, ten taels of silver as reward? That’s no small sum!”

“Everyone stay vigilant. This is a matter involving bloodshed,” Wei Qingshan cautioned.

Zhou Bao brushed it off. “Don’t worry, Captain Wei. We’ve all seen battle. What’s one highwayman to us?”

Zhou Bao’s words subtly mocked Wei Qingshan’s lack of real skill, but Wei Qingshan didn’t take it to heart. Why bother arguing with a roughneck? He led the team to their patrol area, then split them into groups of five.

Today everyone was fired up. This was a big fish! Whoever caught him would get ten taels of silver—no small sum.

Their city guard unit often received bounty missions from the magistrate’s office—part of their duties. They particularly relished these high-reward targets, as the larger the bounty, the tougher the catch.

Ten taels nearly matched their annual salary. Everyone wanted it, so today’s patrol was conducted with exceptional diligence.

Not just the patrolmen, even Lin Yu had heard that a notorious bandit had been spotted roaming the county. His steamed bun shop was bustling daily, and he’d overheard the chatter from customers sitting inside.

“They say he’s got four or five lives on his hands!”

“Ten taels of silver? That reward has me itching to get my hands on it.”

“Hah, you’d better be alive to collect it.”

“See how diligent the patrols are today? They’ve already passed by twice in just a short while.”

Lin Yu craned his neck toward the entrance upon hearing this, just as the city guard passed his shop. Wei Qingshan must be pursuing the bandit.

After closing the shop, Lin Yu took Zhao Yueniang and the others to buy some vegetables before heading home. As soon as they arrived, he locked the door. Though it wasn’t dark yet, it was always better to be cautious.

After Wei Qingshan finished his patrol, Lin Yu asked him about it. Wei Qingshan hummed in acknowledgment. “There is such a case.”

“Then be careful. I hear this bandit has blood on his hands.”

“No worries. There are plenty of patrols.” Having seen no suspicious activity for three days since taking the assignment, Zhou Bao was growing disheartened. “Could he have slipped away?”

“Who knows.”

Not a single trace had surfaced these past days, and the other squad leaders reported no movement either. Everyone began suspecting the bandit might have already fled.

Just as Zhou Bao was stewing in frustration, he spotted a beggar crouched in the shadows by the roadside. “Hey! Move along!”

The figure lifted its head slightly, a fierce glint flashing through the hair. Zhou Bao paid it no mind and led his men away. Not long after, he suddenly remembered something. “Wait! Go back and check! What kind of beggar is so well-fed?”

Zhou Bao turned back with his men. From afar, they spotted the beggar walking with head bowed. Zhou Bao bellowed, “Hey! You filthy beggar! Stop right there!”

The figure ahead broke into a run. Zhou Bao sensed something was off. “Chase him! His build looks familiar!”

Five men gave chase, eventually cornering the figure in a dead-end alley. Seeing escape was impossible, the man showed no fear. He drew an axe from his waist. “Just you lot?”

Zhou Bao recognized the face. “Damn it, it’s that bastard! Guys, be careful!”

The men charged forward with their knives raised. But this bandit wasn’t a pushover. Zhou Bao and his crew couldn’t land a single blow, instead taking hits themselves. The bandit wielded his axe with deadly precision, striking for kills. Zhou Bao’s group wanted to capture him alive—then they could compare statements and confirm his identity.

Xiao Lizi grimaced in pain after getting kicked. “Brother Bao, should we call for backup?”

“Later. More people mean more silver to split.”

Zhou Bao wanted to try again. He refused to believe five of them couldn’t subdue one man!

Zhou Bao and his crew didn’t call for help. A timid passerby who witnessed the fight fled in panic, running off to summon reinforcements. His path crossed Wei Qingshan’s group, who swiftly approached with their men.

By the time Wei Qingshan arrived, the men were locked in a scuffle. Zhou Bao’s arm had been slashed. Wei Qingshan drew his trusty machete from his back and lunged forward, slashing at the man’s face. Zhou Bao shouted, “Take him alive!”

Wei Qingshan’s machete veered slightly, cleanly severing the bandit’s arm in one stroke. Those nearby gasped in shock, never expecting their Captain Wei to be such a ruthless fighter.

Wei Qingshan kicked the man straight into Zhou Bao’s arms. Zhou Bao hurriedly shoved him aside, covered in blood, wondering if Wei Qing Shan had done it on purpose.

“Seize him.”

The others swiftly bound the man. Having witnessed Wei Qingshan’s first strike—which had cleanly severed an arm—they now regarded him with new respect. Though he’d secured his position through connections, his skills were undeniably genuine.

Covered in blood, Zhou Bao stomped angrily. “Wei Qingshan, did you do that on purpose?!”

Wei Qingshan lifted an eyelid, giving him a faint glance. “Better collect your own reward silver.”

Alright, Zhou Bao was certain now—Wei Qingshan had done it on purpose! He snorted in fury.

Zhou Bao received his share of the reward silver—two taels. Not that he was short of silver, but getting the reward made him quite happy. “Brothers, tomorrow’s our day off! I’m treating you all to drinks!”

“Oh! Alright!”

“Brother Bao, where should we go? The Drunken Immortal Pavilion again?”

Zhou Bao was stumped. That place was outrageously expensive. Two taels wouldn’t cover twenty people, and he’d have to chip in more himself. Going home? He had too many people, and his place was too small to accommodate them all.

“No, let me think of somewhere else.”

Zhou Bao suddenly remembered the steamed bun shop wasn’t open in the afternoon. Their place was spacious. Why not give two taels to Mr. Lin to whip up something simple? Just fill our bellies and have some drinks—no need for fancy food.

“Give me a minute to run over and ask if they’ll take the order. If they’re willing, we’ll go.”

“Brother Bao, where is it? Why so mysterious?”

“Of course! With two taels of silver and this many people, I’ll make sure you’re all stuffed, if not fancy.”

Zhou Bao slipped away to Lin Yu’s dumpling shop. Lin Yu looked surprised. “You want to eat here?”

“Mr. Lin, would you be willing? It’s not much silver, but see if you can accommodate us.”

Lin Yu agreed. Zhou Bao was a frequent customer and practically a regular. Plus, he worked for the city guard—maybe he even knew Wei Qingshan personally, being a colleague.

“Alright, come by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thanks, Mr. Lin, you’re a real help.”

Zhou Bao left two taels of silver behind. Back at the barracks, he announced tomorrow’s day off and ordered everyone to head to Lin’s Steamed Bun Shop at Shili Street, Xiao Luzi gasped, “Brother Bao, we’re going to eat buns?”

“Eat buns my ass! I’m treating you guys to a proper meal.”

Zhou Bao was relatively well-off among them and never skimped on silver. Whenever he got some, he’d treat his brothers. Before Wei Qingshan arrived, everyone followed his lead, earning their loyalty.

Xiaoluzi whispered, “Brother Bao, should we invite Captain Wei?”

“Invite him if you must. Like I’d stop him from coming?”

Zhou Bao deliberately spoke loudly, ensuring Wei Qingshan heard. He hadn’t expected Zhou Bao to choose a steamed bun shop for their meal.

Xiao Luzi asked because previously, when they’d go out drinking in small groups, no one ever invited Wei Qingshan. Everyone knew Zhou Bao and Wei Qingshan didn’t get along, and since Zhou Bao treated them well, they naturally sided with him.

This time, Wei Qingshan had even subdued that notorious bandit. Ten taels of silver divided among six men—when it came time to split the reward, Wei Qingshan had declined his share, letting the other five split it evenly at two taels each.

Zhou Bao snorted. He’d made his point—whether Wei Qingshan went or not was his own business.

Since they’d taken Zhou Bao’s job, Lin Yu had made extra buns that morning. Hearing there’d be about twenty people, he’d saved quite a few.

The men of the military unit loved drinking and eating meat. Lin Yu had Wei Qingshan go to the market to buy a couple of chickens, or some wild game like rabbits, and even some cheap pig heads and offal. so everyone could eat well on a budget, and the extra meat would pair nicely with the wine. After closing the shop, the group didn’t head home. Instead, they grabbed bowls of mutton soup with flatbread on the street. Lin Yu played with Tuan-ger in the shop while Wei Qingshan and the others handled the purchased ingredients.

Tuan-ger needed his morning nap, sometimes sleeping for half an hour. This gave Lin Yu time to braise the pig’s head and offal.

Seeing Tuan-ger start to yawn, Lin Yu gently rocked him before placing him in the basket. He asked Zhao Yueniang to watch him while he went to the back to cook.

In the back yard, Wei Qingshan was scraping pig hair with a knife. Soon, two chickens and two rabbits would need processing too. Shi Xiaoliu tended the fire nearby. Lin Yu tossed the cleaned offal into the pot first; once the pig head was ready, he’d add it to simmer as well.

These parts weren’t worth much silver. The pig’s head had little meat, so people rarely wanted it. Those unfamiliar with preparing it didn’t know how to cook it, and when boiled, it gave off a strong, unpleasant smell.