Lin Yu hurriedly grabbed Wei Qingshan’s sleeve, “T-that’s too much.”

“It’s not too much. Just pull this much fabric first. When it’s time to make the cotton jackets or robes, we can come back for more.” Wei Qingshan suddenly thought of something, “Do you know how to make clothes?”

“Yes.”

Wei Qingshan thought to himself, if his little husband didn’t know how to make clothes, he would just ask He Daniang for help when they returned. Wei Qingshan’s lips curled into a smile, “Then when winter comes, I’ll have my husband make me a cotton jacket.”

Lin Yu seriously nodded, “I’ll make you a cotton jacket.”

He Dongdong, who had been watching from the side, was wide-eyed. Qingshan-ge really had a big heart, pulling fabric for four sets of spring clothes all at once, and they were all high-quality fabrics!

Sometimes, he couldn’t even make one new outfit in a whole year. He really envied that!

The shop assistant’s smile grew wider. He originally thought they were just coming to pull a bit of fabric, but it turned out that this gentleman really spoiled his husband. He quickly pulled fabric for four new sets of clothes, even including the inner wear!

The assistant tied the fabric with a red string, “Sir, it’s a total of three taels and five wen. Thank you for your patronage.”

Hearing that it cost over three taels of silver, Lin Yu wondered if he had misheard. How could it be so expensive?

The shop assistant was a shrewd businessman. He noticed Lin Yu was concerned about the cost, so he said, “Sir, you’re truly blessed. Your husband really dotes on you.”

Before leaving, the assistant also gave two silk handkerchiefs—one for Lin Yu and one for He Dongdong. He Dongdong didn’t expect to receive one and was thrilled. “Today I really got lucky thanks to Yu-ger! These silk handkerchiefs must be worth seven or eight wen.”

Lin Yu looked at his handkerchief. The pattern on it was a bit outdated, likely a leftover gift. He carefully folded it and tucked it into his chest.

The town’s market was bustling. Not only did Lin Yu rarely come, but He Dongdong also didn’t often visit. The distance was a factor, and as an unmarried ger, he didn’t want to stand out.

The three walked leisurely through the street. Wei Qingshan lowered his head to speak to Lin Yu, “Is there anything you want to buy? Just tell me.”

Lin Yu shook his head. Having already spent nearly four taels of silver, he didn’t dare to buy anything else. After all, even five taels of silver could last a poor family for a year with careful budgeting.

He Dongdong had twenty wen. His mother had been generous this time, and He Dongdong wasn’t holding back. Whenever he saw something he wanted to eat or buy, he did so, but he wasn’t spending recklessly. His mother had asked him to bring back snacks for his two little nephews.

He Dongdong spotted a shop selling snacks and bought ten wen worth of candy for his nephews. There wasn’t much, so the little ones would have to ration it.

Wei Qingshan also had the shopkeeper pack two portions of fruit cakes. Lin Yu grabbed his sleeve, “I don’t want any.”

Wei Qingshan chuckled, “For when we visit.”

The fruit cakes contained golden thread honey, sesame seeds, honeyed flowers, and crisped lotus root cakes. They were wrapped together in two parcels, which cost fifty wen—much more expensive than the candy.

Lin Yu felt both warmth and a slight bitterness. He quietly said to Wei Qingshan, “There’s no need for such expensive gifts.”

Wei Qingshan was unsure of the place Zhao Jiazhu and his wife held in Lin Yu’s heart. After all, they were his uncle and aunt. He casually replied, “What’s wrong? Do you not like them?”

Lin Yu hummed, “I don’t like them.”

Lin Yu didn’t like Zhao Jiazhu and Cai Chunhua at all. After his father disappeared and his mother passed away, Zhao Jiazhu had come to take him in, acting all righteous, bowing to the neighbors and saying, “Rest assured, I’m Lin Yu’s uncle. I’ll take good care of him.”

Lin Yu knew he didn’t owe the Zhao family anything. Zhao Jiazhu’s reason for taking him in was that he coveted his family’s house. Though the family had no silver left, that house was still worth quite a bit.

He later found out the house had been sold when he returned after being beaten, and his uncle had said it was sold for ten taels of silver, all spent on him. Lin Yu, being young, didn’t dare to argue.

It wasn’t until he went to visit his mother’s grave that he learned from a neighbor that Zhao Jiazhu had sold the house for twenty taels of silver. That was when Lin Yu understood how Zhao Jiazhu suddenly had the money to build his own house.

Thinking of this made Lin Yu feel a pang in his heart. It was the place where he had lived since childhood, and it was sold just like that by Zhao Jiazhu. He had never told Wei Qingshan about this.

Lin Yu lowered his head and muttered softly, “I don’t like them.”

Wei Qingshan didn’t expect him to answer so frankly. How could such a simple young man exist? It really made him feel sorry for himself. If it had been someone more cunning, they wouldn’t have said they didn’t like them directly. After all, that would be a way to retreat.

Zhao Jiazhu and his wife weren’t good people. If it were someone else, they might have thought, “Maybe I can use the excuse of being bullied to threaten them.” But his foolish little husband just bluntly said he didn’t like them, without even fearing being bullied later.

Wei Qingshan had the urge to rub his little husband’s head.

Even though he disliked Zhao Jiazhu and Cai Chunhua, in order not to let his husband be looked down upon by the people from both villages, the things that needed to be prepared still had to be done.

Wei Qingshan bought a piece of pork belly from the butcher’s shop. He was supposed to bring wine too, but for some reason, he didn’t buy any.

He Dongdong, seeing a vendor selling candied hawthorn skewers, couldn’t resist and bought one for two wens. Wei Qingshan also bought one for his little husband, and the two of them walked along, eating their candied hawthorn while strolling.

Lin Yu carefully bit off a piece. The unhappiness in his heart eased, and fortunately, now that he had met Wei Qingshan, he held the skewer up to Wei Qingshan’s face and said, “You eat too.”

Facing his little husband’s offer, Wei Qingshan certainly didn’t refuse. He lowered his head and took a bite, chewing a couple of times before quickly swallowing it. If Lin Yu hadn’t been watching, Wei Qingshan’s face would have already contorted. He had to maintain his composure. How could these two not find it sour?

Seeing that Wei Qingshan liked it, Lin Yu handed him another piece, but Wei Qingshan declined. He really couldn’t eat any more, but Lin Yu thought Wei Qingshan was just being considerate.

The three of them walked around for a while. By now, the sun was high in the sky. This time, Wei Qingshan didn’t let Lin Yu choose what to eat, allowing his little husband to make the decision instead. He was probably worried that Lin Yu would hesitate to spend money.

Wei Qingshan was about to enter a food stall, but Lin Yu tightly grabbed his sleeve, his eyes filled with hesitation, yet he spoke firmly, “I don’t want this.”

Seeing his little husband on the verge of tears, Wei Qingshan gave in, “Then, is there something else you want?”

Lin Yu thought for a moment, then pointed to a stall selling pancakes, “I want that.”

In the end, the three of them each grabbed a pancake, costing three wen a piece. Lin Yu was finally happy, and the water was on the house.

After they had bought most of what they needed, the three of them headed back along the street. When they passed by a rice and flour shop, Wei Qingshan bought half a bag of rice and half a bag of flour. Since they didn’t own land, he had to buy food.

Wei Qingshan put the grains in a basket, handed the cloth to Lin Yu, and carried the other items. When they passed the village entrance, many people were chatting under the big pagoda tree.

“Qingshan went to town, didn’t he?”

“Wow, he bought so many things. He must have spent quite a bit of silver.”

“His new husband is really lucky.”

Wei Qingshan greeted them briefly and continued walking, while Lin Yu, feeling shy, stayed close to his side.

“I counted five different fabrics!”

“Qingshan really values his new husband!”

“Of course! He had four new outfits made at once.”

Wen Fulang was also at the village entrance, and she saw everything clearly. Her gaze was full of envy, and there was another woman who wasn’t on good terms with her who sneered, “Who was saying earlier that they didn’t have new clothes? See, here they are.”

“Where did Wei Qingshan get so much silver from? Wasn’t he poor, only having a broken straw hut?”

“Even if someone is poor, they wouldn’t let their husband go without clothes.”

After returning home, Wei Qingshan put the grains in the kitchen, while Lin Yu carefully stored the other items. Then, he gently took off his winter spring robes and put on Wei Qingshan’s clothes.

He stepped out to wash his hands, but as soon as he exited the room, the black dog suddenly jumped at him.

Lin Yu screamed in surprise and fell to the ground. Wei Qingshan happened to see this and scolded sharply, “Dahei!”

Wei Qingshan quickly stepped forward and gave Dahei a light hit on the head. The dog stopped, whimpering in protest. Although Wei Qingshan hadn’t scolded his hunting dogs much, this time Dahei had actually pounced on his husband.

Wei Qingshan helped Lin Yu up. Lin Yu was so scared that his eyes were red.

“It’s okay. I’ll lock them in the backyard later.”

Lin Yu realized that Dahei just wanted to play, especially since it didn’t show its teeth.

Seeing that Lin Yu was so frightened, Wei Qingshan was about to scold Dahei again, but Lin Yu stopped him, saying, “It’s not Dahei’s fault. I was just a bit scared. It only wanted to play.”

“Did it show its teeth?”

“No, no.”

Wei Qingshan was relieved. A hunting dog that didn’t recognize its master had to be let go, but since Dahei didn’t show aggression, he could keep it.

“Do you want to pet them? Dahei doesn’t like people, but Baixue is lively.”

Seeing that Lin Yu didn’t object, Wei Qingshan took his hand and placed it on Dahei’s head. He hoped Lin Yu would get used to the dogs, especially since they were his old companions.

If he went hunting, one of the dogs could stay with his little husband for protection. It would be best if Lin Yu grew close to them.

With Wei Qingshan’s hand covering Lin Yu’s, and his back leaning against Wei Qingshan’s chest, it felt like being embraced. Lin Yu’s heart began to race.

Lin Yu gently rubbed Dahei’s head, and to his surprise, its fur was not as soft as he had imagined—it was hard and a bit prickly.

Wei Qingshan took his hand and guided him to pet Baixue’s head. Baixue wagged its tail enthusiastically, looking very happy.

Wei Qingshan chuckled inwardly. Baixue didn’t even act this excited around him, but now it was so affectionate toward his little husband!

Once Lin Yu seemed comfortable with the two hunting dogs, Wei Qingshan finally relaxed. “You can play with them. When I go hunting on the mountain, you can choose one to stay with you at home.”

Wei Qingshan took a step back and rubbed his fingers. His husband’s hands were so small but a bit rough. He had forgotten to buy some ointment in town.

Looking at Lin Yu from behind, Wei Qingshan noticed his earlobes were red. He wondered who had been so bold the previous day, wrapping their arms around his neck and almost making him lose control.

Lin Yu glanced behind him and, seeing that Wei Qingshan was right there, turned around quickly as if caught doing something bad. He crouched down to pet Baixue.

Baixue immediately flipped onto its back, exposing its belly, and Lin Yu, no longer scared, rubbed its soft belly. Baixue happily wagged its tail, and even the usually aloof Dahei came over and rested its paws…