At this moment, Shi Xiaoliu was rolling on the ground fighting with a slightly older boy. This boy was about twelve or thirteen years old, tall and sturdy from eating well, while Shi Xiaoliu was short and dark, thin and dark.

But ever since Shi Xiaoliu’s parents had passed away, he had become a beggar on the street, fighting big beggars for steamed buns, snatching food from wild dogs—so when it came to fighting, he was especially fierce.

Shi Xiaoliu had already seen the mule cart coming over, but he was being pinned to the ground by the boy. Shi Xiaoliu was a bit anxious; he had to hurry over and unload the stall!

He bit down hard on the fat boy’s arm. The fat boy cried out in pain and stood up, viciously kicking Shi Xiaoliu a few times. “I told you not to go. I’m going. You go die somewhere else.”

This fat boy had seen the meat stall owner give copper coins to Shi Xiaoliu before. Although he hadn’t seen exactly how many, there had to be seven or eight, quite a few, and the job didn’t even take that long.

He wanted to go too—why should Shi Xiaoliu get it? Shi Xiaoliu was a ger, and so skinny. He himself was tall and strong. Compared to the two of them, of course, the boss would choose him!

Shi Xiaoliu had been kicked so hard that he couldn’t get up from the ground. The fat boy hurriedly ran toward the stall. “Boss, Shi Xiaoliu said he’s not coming today. I’m here to help out today.”

Lin Yu looked at this half-grown boy covered in dirt—he obviously just fought—and there was even a bruise on his chin. Lin Yu’s face darkened. “Where’s Shi Xiaoliu?”

“Boss, Shi Xiaoliu said he’s too tired, he’s not doing this anymore. Boss, I’ll do it!”

Wei Qingshan immediately saw that this boy was lying. Shi Xiaoliu had been doing just fine here—how could he just quit?

Afraid that his job would be stolen, Shi Xiaoliu, clutching his stomach, with a bruised nose and swollen face, ran over. “Uncle Wei, Lin Ama, I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

The fat boy curled his lip in disgust. “Boss, use me instead. I’m strong and can work. Look at Shi Xiaoliu, he is skinny like a ghost, and he’s a ger too—how could he be as useful as me?”

Shi Xiaoliu was also scared that Wei Qingshan and Lin Yu wouldn’t want him anymore. He really wasn’t as strong as this fat boy. Shi Xiaoliu swayed and said, “Uncle Wei, Lin Ama, I beg you, please don’t cast me away. I can take fewer copper coins.”

Shi Xiaoliu was so anxious he was about to cry. Ever since he got this job, his family not only had enough to fill their stomachs, but they could even eat white flour. If he lost this job, their family of four would be starving again.

Lin Yu had a good temper and rarely showed a cold face, but seeing this boy lying through his teeth for the job and even beating Shi Xiaoliu, he was truly angry. “What’s wrong with being a ger? I’m a ger too! I just don’t want you. Go away. We will only hire Xiaoliu. If you dare bully him again, I’ll have my husband beat you to death.”

Lin Yu looked toward Wei Qingshan. “Husband!”

Wei Qingshan, holding a butcher’s knife, slammed it down on the chopping block. “Try laying another hand on him, and Lao Tzu will chop your hand off.”

The fat boy was so scared that his face turned white, and he ran off in a panic.

Shi Xiaoliu saw how Uncle Wei and Lin Ama were protecting him, and his nose stung as tears fell. He had been a little beggar on the street for over a year before his mother picked him up and brought him home. Though he helped take care of his younger siblings, his mother treated him no differently than the two younger ones.

They ate and dressed the same. He no longer had to be chased by wild dogs on the street or bullied by old beggars. He could sleep under a warm blanket now. He could dress cleanly now, too.

Uncle Wei and Lin Ama were the best people to him besides his mother.

Shi Xiaoliu wiped away his tears, endured the pain, and hurried to set up the stall and start the fire. Lin Yu stopped him. “I’ll do it. In a bit, just help serve offal to the customers.”

“Thank you, Lin Ama.” Shi Xiaoliu sniffled.

“Yueniang, get some water to help Xiaoliu clean up.”

“Okay.”

There was water on the cart. Zhao Yueniang wet a silk cloth and wiped Shi Xiaoliu’s face. She took off his torn felt hat and wiped the dirt off his face. “Aiya, turns out you’re a little ger. How old are you?”

“Eleven.”

“You’re two years younger than me, then.”

As soon as Shi Xiaoliu said it, he regretted it. He was afraid Uncle Wei wouldn’t want him and had told them he was twelve or thirteen, but seeing that Uncle Wei and Lin Ama didn’t say anything, Shi Xiaoliu finally felt relieved.

After cleaning himself up, Shi Xiaoliu hurried to help set up the stall.

Quite a few old customers who came by often recognized Lin Yu. Seeing him, they all greeted him warmly. “Lin Fulang is here today.”

“Yes, I just came over to help a bit.”

“Boss Wei is really lucky. Lin Fulang not only looks good, but the food he makes is delicious.”

“Aiya, what happened to Xiaoliu?”

Shi Xiaoliu made up a lie. “I ran over too fast and fell.”

“Then you must be careful.”

After setting up the stall, Shi Xiaoliu skillfully ladled the braised offal for the customers, while Lin Yu helped collect the copper coins nearby. Zhao Yueniang, having nothing to do, helped add some firewood to the brazier.

Hearing the clinking sound of copper coins falling into the wooden box, Zhao Yueniang felt genuinely happy for her older brother. Her brother said business was good, but she hadn’t expected it to be this good—one bowl cost six copper coins! Zhao Yueniang thought that if she could wash more of them out, wouldn’t her brother be able to earn even more silver?

Several buckets of braised offal were quickly sold out. Once the group cleaned up the stall, there was nothing else to do. Lin Yu said to Wei Qingshan that he was going to escort Shi Xiaoliu home.

“Be careful. Let me know when you’re back.”

“Mm, I know.”

“Xiaoliu, let’s go.” Lin Yu called out to Shi Xiaoliu, and Zhao Yueniang followed along as well.

Shi Xiaoliu had been quite badly injured, especially having taken a kick to the stomach. He had been enduring it while working earlier, but now that he had stopped, his stomach started to ache, and he walked a bit hunched over.

Lin Yu noticed and came over to ask, “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

“Just a bit of pain in my stomach.”

Lin Yu crouched down and lifted his clothes, only to see a bluish-purple bruise on Shi Xiaoliu’s belly. Lin Yu’s brows furrowed; that boy had really been too heavy-handed.

“I’ll carry you home.”

Shi Xiaoliu waved his hands repeatedly, “No need, no need.”

Lin Ama didn’t dislike that he was small and skinny, and even let him work there—he was already very grateful. How could he let Lin Ama carry him back?

“It’s fine. You’re not heavy. Come on up.” Lin Yu crouched down.

Zhao Yueniang saw the bruises on Shi Xiaoliu’s face, turning blue and purple, and also urged, “Hurry and get on. Go home and rest early.”

Only then did Shi Xiaoliu lie on Lin Yu’s back. Lin Yu carried him and walked into a narrow alley. Lying on Lin Yu’s back, Shi Xiaoliu felt like crying. After his father and mother were gone, no one had ever carried him like this again. Lin Ama was a bit thin, but he walked steadily with him on his back.

Under Shi Xiaoliu’s directions, Lin Yu twisted and turned through the alleys until they entered a narrow one. Just as they stepped in, they saw the fat boy who had bullied Shi Xiaoliu playing at the alley’s entrance. Upon seeing them, the boy quickly ran inside and shut the door.

Shi Xiaoliu pointed to a worn-out door, “Lin Ama, that’s my house.”

Lin Yu carried Shi Xiaoliu over. Before Lin Yu could knock, Shi Xiaoliu shouted, “Mother, Mother, I’m back!”

“Xiaoliu is back.” A woman’s voice came from the courtyard.

Lin Yu carried Shi Xiaoliu inside. The courtyard wasn’t large and was filled with hanging clothes. In the middle was a plainly dressed woman, her head down, scrubbing clothes. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, “Xiaoliu—aiya.”

Madam Wu quickly stood up. “And this is?”

Shi Xiaoliu stuck his head out from Lin Yu’s back, “Mother, this is the Boss Lin I told you about.”

“Xiaoliu, what happened to you?”

Madam Wu hurriedly took Shi Xiaoliu off Lin Yu’s back. Shi Xiaoliu wiped his face, “Mother, I’m fine. I just fell.”

“Nonsense. How could a fall cause this?” With Lin Yu there, Madam Wu didn’t ask more. She hurriedly brought over the stool she had been using while washing clothes. “Lin Ama, please sit, please sit.”

“No, no, I still have to go walk around town.”

“At least drink some tea before you go.” Madam Wu quickly went inside to fetch tea, and Shi Xiaoliu went into the house to get a stool, “Sister, you sit too.”

“Thank you.” Zhao Yueniang sat down beside Lin Yu.

Madam Wu brought over the tea. “Drink some water before leaving.”

Lin Yu didn’t decline. They had been drinking cold water in town, but now there was hot tea—he lifted the bowl and drank.

Madam Wu wiped her hands and sat off to the side somewhat awkwardly, a smile constantly on her face.

Lin Yu heard children giggling inside the house. Looking up, he saw two small heads peeking out at him. Lin Yu smiled at them.

Madam Wu was a little embarrassed and explained, “Those are Xiaoliu’s younger brother and sister. They’re young and shy around strangers.”

After finishing the tea, Lin Yu stood up. “Thank you, Madam Shi. We’ll head back now.”

Lin Yu assumed Madam Wu followed her husband’s surname, so he called her Madam Shi. Madam Wu didn’t say anything about it and quickly followed them to see them out. “I’ll walk you out. These alleys inside are hard to walk through.”

Madam Wu only returned after escorting them to the main road. As soon as she got back, she hurried to check Shi Xiaoliu’s injuries. “What happened?”

Shi Xiaoliu told his mother about the fight with the chubby kid over work. Madam Wu was very distressed. “Mother will rub some medicinal wine on you. Aiya, Boss Wei and Lin Fulang are both kind people. It’s just that Mother hasn’t taken good enough care of the three of you.”

“Mom, it’s fine, Lin Ama just wants me, he even praised me for being clever and quick with work!” Shi Xiaoliu’s eyes were bright and sparkling. When Lin Ama carried him today, he could even smell it—Lin Ama’s body smelled nice.

“Mm, do well in the future.”

“I know, Mom.”

After sending Shi Xiaoliu off, Lin Yu went back, first greeting Wei Qingshan to keep him from worrying, then took Zhao Yueniang shopping on the street.

Zhao Yueniang hadn’t been to town much before, so she followed closely behind Lin Yu, looking around here and there. On both sides of the market were all kinds of small stalls—selling vegetables, embroidered handkerchiefs, sewing needles and thread, hair ties, children’s toys…

“Is there anything you like?”

Zhao Yueniang shook her head. “No, no.”

Lin Yu pulled her over to a small stall selling hair ties and hair ornaments. The hair tie Zhao Yueniang had on her head was just a scrap of fabric. Little girls all liked to look pretty; she couldn’t keep wearing a scrap of cloth.

“Do you like this red one?”

Zhao Yueniang did like it, but she was afraid Lin Yu would spend money on her. “Brother, I’ll pay for it myself.”

“All right, pick what you like then.”

Only then did Zhao Yueniang boldly start picking. She chose two red hair ties, and when she saw a green bamboo hair ribbon next to them that looked very pretty, she took that too.

“Yueniang, that bamboo green one doesn’t suit you. Pick some with brighter colors.”

“Brother, I think it looks nice.”

Lin Yu didn’t say anything more. It was fine as long as the little girl liked it.

The stall owner smiled so much their eyes nearly disappeared. “Little girl has great taste. These are thirty wen in total.”

Zhao Yueniang didn’t hesitate over the money. She counted out the copper coins from the small cloth pouch at her waist and gave them to him. After buying them, she immediately took off the scrap of fabric on her head and replaced it. Her two round little buns, now tied with red ribbons, looked very cute.

Zhao Yueniang happily shook her head for Lin Yu to see. “Brother, does it look good?”

“It looks good, it really does.”

Zhao Yueniang, still with a childish heart, twirled once in front of Lin Yu, then held out the bamboo green hair ribbon to him. “Brother, I bought this for you.”

“Big brother already has one. You keep it for yourself.”

The little girl had some copper coins now, all earned through her hard work. How could Lin Yu take them?

Zhao Yueniang pouted. “You think I’m poor, so you won’t take my gift? I’m angry now.”

Only then did Lin Yu smile and accept it. “All right, thank you, Yueniang.”

Only then did Zhao Yueniang smile brightly. “Brother, I’m really so happy right now.”

The two of them didn’t buy much else on the street. Lin Yu had come to town today mainly to buy cotton for Zhao Yueniang to make a jacket. The two of them went to a shop, bought cotton, and also picked out some fabric. It cost nearly two taels of silver.

Zhao Yueniang insisted on using the copper coins from her little cloth pouch to pay. She still had the money from selling chestnuts and her recent wages—scattered together, it totaled around seven or eight hundred wen.

She already owed her brother too much. Now that he was also buying her winter clothes, she couldn’t feel at ease.

Zhao Yueniang came out hugging the cotton. She felt a bit guilty but also happy. Lin Yu also wore a smile on his face. “Tomorrow, the two of us will finish making the cotton jacket.”

“Mm!”

Wei Qingshan’s winter clothes had already been made. He had used old cotton, which he had taken apart and washed, then added some new cotton inside. Lin Yu’s winter clothes were also newly made this year. After being aired out in the sun, they were very warm.

After buying their things, the two of them walked toward their stall. On the way, they ran into a familiar face. Zhao Yueniang got scared and tightly grabbed Lin Yu’s sleeve. “Brother.”

“Don’t be scared, it’s fine.”

Coming toward them was Zhao Dazhi, arm in arm with a gaudily dressed woman. The two of them were carrying fruit, roast duck, and other food in their hands, both loaded down. It looked like they had spent quite a bit of silver.

Zhao Dazhi also saw them. “Yo, isn’t this my cousin and little sister? What did you buy, cotton? That must’ve cost quite a bit of silver, huh?”

Lin Yu ignored him and pulled Zhao Yueniang to pass by on the side. Zhao Dazhi had been flattered so much by Qingyi lately that he was getting carried away. Seeing it was just the two of them, he grew bolder and blocked Lin Yu’s way. “Yu-ger, have you missed your big brother these past days?”

Lin Yu kicked Zhao Dazhi straight away. Not seeing him for a while made him even more disgusting. Lin Yu didn’t hold back with that kick, and Zhao Dazhi let out an “aiyo!” from the pain.

Zhao Dazhi wanted to step forward and fight back, but Zhao Yueniang mustered her courage and blocked him. “You—you dare?”

Qingyi also pulled Zhao Dazhi back. These two looked like they were from good families, and yet Zhao Dazhi actually harassed them in the street—it was truly disgusting.

She coaxed Zhao Dazhi, “Alright, alright, let’s hurry back. This little lady is already tired from walking around.”

Lin Yu also took Zhao Yueniang away. Zhao Dazhi was still shouting and cursing from behind, “Zhao Yueniang, you’ve grown bold since leaving home, daring to talk to your elder brother like that! Twenty taels of silver is too cheap, I say you should be sold for fifty! Two little bitches dared to hit me— I should’ve sold both of you into the brothel back then!”

Qingyi listened with disgust, but her face still wore a smile. If life weren’t unbearable, who would willingly do this kind of work? Besides, one of those two just now was probably this bastard’s younger sister.

“Esteemed Scholar, who were those two?” she asked.

“Oh, them? One’s an ungrateful wretch—my mother married her off to a poor hunter, we only got ten taels of silver as a betrothal gift. The other one is my younger sister. She didn’t know what was good for her— she refused to marry Official Gao from town. She ran away and made a fuss about wanting to die, so my mother sold her to my dear cousin for twenty taels.”

Qingyi frowned deeply as she listened. Just a moment ago, she had still felt a little guilty about tricking silver out of Zhao Dazhi, thinking he was actually quite good to her. So all the money she’d been spending came from selling his cousin and sister?

Now Qingyi felt like she couldn’t even swallow the things she was carrying in her hand. What kind of trash was this? Just looking at Zhao Dazhi now made her feel sick, and that little bit of guilt she had completely disappeared.

What the hell—he thought twenty taels was too little and wanted to sell his own sister into a brothel? Just wait and see if she didn’t kill this dog bastard.

Qingyi helped the limping Zhao Dazhi back, saying gently, “Why get angry at them? This little lady will go back and serve Master well.”

When Lin Yu got back, he told Wei Qingshan about running into Zhao Dazhi. He avoided Zhao Yueniang while talking and only mentioned that Zhao Dazhi had a woman with him, who looked like she was in that kind of business.

Wei Qingshan only cared whether his little husband had been bullied. “He didn’t bully you, did he?”

“No. I pulled Yueniang away and left. Why bother with him?”

“Mm, if we see someone like that again, let’s just avoid them.”

Zhao Dazhi had already been hooked by Qingyi for a while now, and it looked like the time was just about right.

Wei Qingshan was right. The five taels Zhao Dazhi brought back this time were all gone in just a few days, so Zhao Dazhi could only return home to ask for more silver.

Zhao Dazhi had already spent a large chunk of the twenty taels. Even Zhao Jiazhu, after getting the silver, ran off to town—either eating at restaurants or hanging around the gambling dens.

That twenty taels of silver had long since been spent. When Zhao Dazhi returned this time, he specially brought back a package of fruit. Seeing Zhao Dazhi come back, Cai Chunhua was overjoyed. “Dazhi’s back! How did it go?”

Yao Jinling also quickly welcomed the family’s only scholar into the house. “Dazhi’s back! Oh, and you brought something—quick, have some tea.”

Zhao Dazhi sat like a lord, being attentively waited on by the two of them. Yao Jinling asked, “Dazhi, how is your learning going under the Juren?”

“What do you think? The scholar praised my essay writing!”

“Oh, that’s great! Next year you’re sure to pass the exam!”

Yao Jinling’s face was full of joy. Her father really had bet on the right person. No wonder her dowry had included ten taels of silver from her maiden family.

Though Zhao Dazhi was a country bumpkin, he was a scholar. He had passed the children’s exam when he was just ten years old. Becoming a Xiucai was only a matter of time, and once he became a Xiucai, he could become a provincial graduate. If she became the wife of a provincial graduate, even the county officials would have to bow and scrape before her!

In her head, she already imagined herself sitting in a sedan chair, surrounded by a crowd of maids and old servant women, wearing golden hairpins, a jade belt, clothed in silk and satin, followed everywhere by an entourage.

“Mother, give me some more silver.”

“What, asking for silver again? We’ve already spent over ten taels. Didn’t you say the Juren already told you the exam questions for next year? Why do you still need money?”

That twenty taels of silver the family had received—Zhao Dazhi had spent over ten taels, Zhao Jiazhu had spent several taels, and she herself had bought some good food and drink—it was all gone.

“Mother, this time it’s different. This Juren is actually the examiner for next year. If he personally points me out, I’ll be a Xiucai just like that.”

When Cai Chunhua first heard that he wanted more silver again, her face fell. But when she heard that the scholar could personally appoint him, she quickly became happy again.

“My son, you’re making things so hard for your mother. All the family’s silver has been spent—there’s nothing left. What are we going to do now?”

Zhao Dazhi stretched his legs out and sprawled on the chair. “Then what should we do? This year, a lot of people have already given silver to the scholar. The number of people who’ve passed the Xiucai exam has already exceeded the quota. If we don’t get him to appoint me, we’ll have to wait until the year after next to take the test again. By then, the exam questions won’t be the same.”

Cai Chunhua panicked as soon as she heard that. Over the years, just studying had already cost them quite a bit of silver. And this past month alone has cost more than ten taels. Now that success was just around the corner, they were short on money—what were they going to do?

Cai Chunhua paced anxiously in the room. If she had known, she wouldn’t have let Zhao Jiazhu spend those few taels. Now look, at the most critical moment, the family had no silver left.

Yao Jinling thought Cai Chunhua must still have some silver hidden away, so she kept urging her from the side, “Mother, hurry and give Dazhi the money!”

“You think I don’t want to? Dazhi’s schooling costs silver every year. We just got twenty taels, and it’s already gone. Where am I supposed to get more silver now?”

Yao Jinling was so anxious that she kept stomping her feet, thinking that Cai Chunhua was unwilling to take the money out. “Mother, we’re only one step away from passing the provincial exam now. All the previous silver has already been used. How can you be unwilling to take it out at the critical moment?”

If they didn’t spend this silver, how could she still become the wife of a top scholar next year?!

Cai Chunhua glared at her. “You think I don’t want to take it out? In previous years, the family could still have a few taels of silver left over, but this year we’ve spent so much, how could there still be any silver left?!”

Zhao Dazhi realized there really was no more silver this time. That wouldn’t do—Qingyi was still waiting for him in Yanghua Alley.

“Forget it, at worst, I’ll just take the exam again the year after next. At most, it’s just waiting two more years.”

“That won’t do! How can we wait two more years? Tomorrow I’ll go back to my family and get some silver.” Yao Jinling was about to become a scholar’s wife. How could she give up now? She gritted her teeth and decided to make a trip to town the next day.

Zhao Dazhi grabbed Yao Jinling’s hand. “Wife, at the critical moment, it’s still up to you.”

Zhao Dazhi had no silver, so he couldn’t go out today. He could only wait at home for a day. Once Yao Jinling brought back the silver from town, he could continue to live it up in Yanghua Alley.

That night, Cai Chunhua was the one who cooked the meal. The whole table was green vegetables, and not even a trace of meat could be seen. Zhao Dazhi had been eating meat and fish outside every day and had long gotten used to it. The moment he saw this food, he instantly lost his appetite. “Mother, why isn’t there any meat?”

“Exactly, now you’re even unwilling to fry a plate of eggs.”

Yao Jinling was also very displeased. When she first got that twenty taels of silver, the family ate meat every day, and she even treated Cai Chunhua more kindly. But how long had it been? Nowadays, things at home weren’t even as good as when she had first married.

“It’s because there’s no silver left in the house. Where do you want me to slice the meat from?”

“Mother, if I don’t eat well, I won’t be able to study properly.”

Cai Chunhua immediately went to get the key and fetched eggs from the cupboard. The weather was cold now, and the few hens at home weren’t laying anymore. There weren’t many eggs left in the cupboard.

Cai Chunhua was only willing to take out two eggs and went to the kitchen to fry them. The moment the dish was served, Yao Jinling and Zhao Dazhi each snatched it up with their chopsticks. Cai Chunhua could only stare blankly. “That was fried for Dazhi. What are you eating it for?”

Yao Jinling wiped the grease from her mouth. “I’m going to my parents’ house tomorrow to get silver. What’s wrong with me eating a bite of egg?”

If it had been before, Cai Chunhua would definitely have started a fight with Yao Jinling. But thinking about how she was going to get silver in town tomorrow, she swallowed her anger.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Early the next morning, Yao Jinling went to the kitchen and carried out more than half a sack of rice. It was so heavy that her waist couldn’t even straighten. When Cai Chunhua saw it, she yanked the rice sack off her back. “What are you doing!”

Yao Jinling was yanked and fell heavily to the ground. “Why are you pulling me! I’m going to my parents’ house to borrow silver. I can’t go empty-handed! If not, I won’t be able to borrow anything. You go to your parents’ house and borrow!”

Cai Chunhua snorted coldly. Her own parents had long died, and she looked down on her mud-legged brothers. She hadn’t contacted her family in ages. Where could she get silver?

Only then did Cai Chunhua say no more. Yao Jinling went back into the house and brought the box of candied fruits Zhao Dazhi had carried home yesterday, then hoisted the heavy sack of rice on her back and left. Cai Chunhua was so angry behind her that she kept gnashing her teeth. “Little tramp, just wait till you come back and see how I deal with you.”