At the Zhao Family Backyard.

The old matriarch of the Zhao family cursed and ranted, wailing incessantly about aches and pains all over her body. She berated Jiang Yun and Brother Tang Wu, then turned her wrath on the Lu family—what business did the Lu family have meddling here? After a full round of cursing, her gaze finally fixed on her eldest daughter-in-law.

“You’re just as stupid as the rest of them, blabbing everything. How could you possibly say that arranging a match for Brother Tang meant stealing from the Tang family? Do you even have a brain? You’re as thick as a pig’s head, not a shred of sense in you.”

Sun Honghong, Zhao Dalang’s wife, had actually regretted her words and felt guilty right after speaking them. But now, facing her mother-in-law’s scolding, she couldn’t possibly admit to this accusation. Otherwise, her mother-in-law would use this against her later, constantly reminding her husband of it and picking on her.

She glanced over and saw her husband staring at her, clearly thinking she’d messed things up.

Sun Honghong immediately put on a hurt act, whining, “Mother, I was just defending Dalang! He’s your son, too! But all the benefits go to Second Brother! Now Brother Tang Wu is yelling right in front of the shop, and the whole neighborhood is watching! If I don’t speak up, they’ll pin this whole mess on Dalang!”

“If he gets misunderstood, how will Dalang ever do business on the street again?”

“You only think of Second Brother, but he lives outside the city walls. What criticism could his family face? Dalang and I are different. Brother Tang Wu has a sharp tongue. Even if you deny it to the death, the neighbors aren’t fools. We’ll face criticism for years to come.”

Zhao Dalang realized she had a point. His anger toward his wife cooled by half. Mother favors my younger brother, but at least my wife is my own. She stands by me.

Hearing this, the old lady felt a surge of anger, as if a mouthful of blood had lodged in her throat. “You’re foolish enough to speak so much, but do you think you can poison my eyes? The Tang family has so many things that belong to the second son, but doesn’t the eldest have any? Who am I doing all this for? How could you, the eldest son, let your wife speak to you like this?“

Zhao Dalang remained silent.

Seeing this, the old lady cried out, ”My heavens! Old man, you died too soon. Look at how your son treats me!”

“Your younger brother isn’t unreasonable! The kids went to the countryside to play. Didn’t they eat and drink at his place? Did he say anything? Ah! Eldest son, you’re breaking your brother’s heart!”

Zhao Dalang and Sun Honghong had a son and a daughter, both currently playing at Zhao Erlang’s house in the countryside outside the city.

“Mother, you can’t speak like that. Every time the children visit their uncle, haven’t I given them money? Haven’t you always packed bags full of things to take over, using the kids’ meals and snacks as an excuse to stuff our second brother’s family with all sorts of goodies?” Sun Honghong had been bottling up resentment for years.

The old woman sprang to her feet, clutching her chest with one hand. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at her eldest son in disbelief. “Eldest son, won’t you do something? Your wife has broken my heart. Are you trying to drive me to my death?”

“Mother, what nonsense are you talking? I’ve worked diligently in the shop, always following Dalang’s lead. Where have I ever failed? When you scolded me before, did I ever argue back? Even today’s incident—it’s all you’re doing! If you hadn’t favored Second Brother and tried to plunder Tang’s family goods for him, would Dalang have deserved to be beaten by that widower on the street? “

Zhao Dalang: ”Enough. Stop arguing with Mother.”

Only then did Sun Honghong shut her mouth. She wiped her tears, hissing and gasping in pain. Her arms and waist throbbed with stinging soreness—the bruises were already setting in.

Though Zhao Dalang had addressed her as “mother,” the old matriarch felt a chill and closed her eyes. She knew her eldest son had taken his wife’s words to heart, believing she favored the second son and had turned away from her. In the past, the eldest son never let his wife speak so recklessly.

The old matriarch shuffled unsteadily to her room, sitting down to wipe away her tears.

Sun Honghong rolled up her sleeve, revealing scratches all over her forearm. “My back and waist hurt too, Dalang. Help me check…”

Zhao Dalang had felt a twinge of guilt watching his mother retreat into the room, wondering if he’d hurt her feelings. But upon hearing his wife’s words, he stopped in his tracks. He examined her injuries first, thinking: This time, Mother really did cause the trouble. My wife is right.

Mother had already joined his family—why was she constantly thinking of the second son?

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

At dusk, Cui Dabao came to collect milk, knocking on the Tang family shop door.

Tang Xianling handed him the milk jug.

“This is the hemostatic medicine my husband used earlier. Mr. Tang, please take it if you don’t mind.” Cui Dabao handed over the medicine bottle.

Tang Xianling: …

He chuckled.

“Thank you, Old Man Cui.”

Cui Dabao couldn’t quite place the meaning behind Shopkeeper Tang’s smile, so he asked bluntly, “What are you laughing at, Shopkeeper Tang? It doesn’t seem like you dislike my medicine.”

Foodies are always so straightforward.

Tang Xianling explained, “My mother suffered a few scratches. I rinsed the wounds at noon, and while there’s a bit of swelling, they aren’t bleeding anymore. By the time Old Man Cui brought the medicine, her wounds had already scabbed over.”

Cui Dabao: …

He finally understood the meaning behind Master Tang’s earlier smile.

“Ha! I thought you’d been in a fierce fight.“

”If it had come to needing hemostatic medicine, we’d have had to see the town clerk,“ Tang Xianling teased, though he also thanked Cui Dabao for his kindness.

Cui Dabao waved it off. ”So breakfast business should be good tomorrow, then?”

Tang Xianling: …

Foodies really only have eyes for food.

“Yes!”

Cui Dabao beamed, carrying the milk without retrieving his own medicine—he’d already given it away. “Seeing how spirited Mr. Tang looks, he must have won. That’s good news. I’ll tell my husband when I get home; he’s been worried sick.”

“Thanks. I did win,” Tang Xianling confirmed.

He felt damn good, that’s for sure.

After seeing Cui Dabao off, the streets were deserted. Shops were closed, the city gates shut tight. Tang Xianling locked his own door, then suddenly heard a clatter—like a hallucination. His hand froze mid-motion. “Sounds like a mule,” he muttered to himself.

He leaned out to glance down the street.

The sight froze him in place. Not far away, Huangfu Tieniu dismounted from a mule, covered in dust, yet his eyes burned with intense heat.

“When did you return?” Tang Xianling asked, dazed.

He had rushed back just before the city gates closed last night, and now he was already here.

Huangfu Tieniu’s heart settled instantly upon hearing the word “return.” He chewed on the phrase “I’m home,” then said aloud, “I went into the mountains overnight, gathered my belongings, and spent the morning tanning and preparing the deer hides. But after a while, I couldn’t settle down—all I could think about was you.”

“Tang Xianling, I’m truly sorry. I gave the deer hide to Uncle Zhang.”

“For a fur coat, tiger skin might be too flashy. Two fox pelts would work too.”

“If you like the deer hide, I’ll hunt one myself this winter and make it for you.”

Tang Xianling’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “What’s all this mumbling about?” Before Tieniu could rush to explain, she cut in, “Big dumb ox, I don’t care about deer or fox fur coats. Have you eaten?”

“You definitely haven’t eaten.”

“Come in. I’ll cook for you.”

Huangfu Tieniu’s handsome, icy-cold face suddenly softened into a silly grin.

“Alright.”

Tieniu’s belongings were moved entirely into his room. Once everything was placed, the room felt cramped with barely any space to move. Tang Xianling said, “It’ll be fine once we reclaim the courtyard later.”

Huangfu Tieniu: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

“Wash your hands and face, then rest. You rode back through the night yesterday, spent the morning processing hides, then rushed onward. That means you’ve gone a full day and night without rest or food?” Tang Xianling glared at Huangfu Tieniu.

Tieniu: “Not really. I brought plenty of food. I ate a few bites of flatbread when the mule rested.”

“So you didn’t sleep at all.”

“It’s fine. Back when I hunted in the mountains, staying up all night was common.”  Huangfu Tieniu said.

Tang Xianling felt a pang of concern. ”Go lay out the bedding in the front room. We won’t go to the inn tonight—it’s too late. I’ll cook dinner.“

”Is that okay?“ Huangfu Tieniu felt it was improper; they weren’t married yet.

Tang Xianling raised an eyebrow, and Huangfu Tieniu quickly said, ”It’s fine. I’ll go.”

“Good thing you changed your tune. Everything’s in the other corner—the bedding’s on top of the cabinet in my room, wrapped in straw mats. Move it all over.” Tang Xianling spoke as she headed toward the kitchen.

Jiang Yun had come out at the sound of their voices. Seeing Tieniu arrive, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. In her heart, no matter how capable Wu-ger was, he was still just a ger. After the incident at noon, she feared the Zhao family might retaliate tonight. Having Tieniu here now was reassuring.

Huangfu Tieniu was assembling a bed frame in front of the shop when footsteps drew his attention. He turned and called out, “Aunt—” His words trailed off abruptly. His brows knitted together. “Aunt, what happened to your face? “

It couldn’t have been Tang Xianling.

Huangfu Tieniu’s expression darkened. ”But who bullied you?”

“At noon, Wu-ger got into a fight with the Zhao family…” Jiang Yun explained cautiously, careful not to fan the flames lest Tieniu also get involved. She concluded, “Our family has severed ties with the Zhao family. As long as we avoid them from now on, you mustn’t act impulsively again.”

“I understand, Auntie.” Huangfu Tieniu nodded and turned toward the backyard.

Jiang Yun exhaled in relief as Tieniu retreated. Let this matter rest.

In the kitchen.

Tang Xianling was kneading dough. He and Jiang Yun had already eaten, so now he was preparing a meal just for Tieniu. Thinking of Tieniu’s bumpy ride on the mule, he decided to make noodle soup—it would be quick. Just as the dough was forming into a smooth ball, Tieniu entered.

“I’ll start the fire.”

“The stove’s already lit. I was about to boil water for washing up before bed.” Tang Xianling finished kneading the dough and set it aside to rest.

Huangfu Tieniu asked, “Need to pick some greens?”

“Pick them, yes. These.” Tang Xianling handed over a bunch of greens and began peeling garlic cloves. Seeing the big man bent over, quietly and diligently picking leaves and stems, he found it rather amusing. “Did you know I fought a fight this afternoon?”

Huangfu Tieniu looked up.

“You were practically beaming with joy earlier, but now you’re all sullen.” Tang Xianling guessed right. Huangfu Tieniu never put on airs around him—he wore his heart on his sleeve, making him easy to read.

Huangfu Tieniu set down the greens and studied Tang Xianling closely.

Tang Xianling let Tieniu look his fill, grinning. “Total victory! I’m unharmed. My mom got into it with that old lady and her daughter-in-law, and I felt awkward joining in. Luckily, Sister Zhou helped out. Nothing serious. I’m so smart—I brought a fire poker this thick. I whacked Zhao Dalang until he was howling, but he didn’t hurt me.“

”Really.” He emphasized.

Huangfu Tieniu didn’t relax either. “I don’t want to leave anymore.”

Just that one sentence made Tang Xianling’s lips curve upward. “You’re not leaving!”

“Tomorrow I’ll go to the West Market to book a room at the inn. I’ll still stay in the shop, keeping watch over you.” Huangfu Tieniu resumed picking vegetables. ”I heard from Master Yuan that we’ll need to buy some things on the betrothal day, including ready-made clothes. I’ll leave them at the inn. We’ll depart from there for the betrothal ceremony. I haven’t bagged a pair of wild geese yet, but I’ll present them to you on our wedding day. “

”The wild geese you’re giving me—are they for eating? Or for releasing?” Tang Xianling, having never been married, didn’t understand.

This question stumped Huangfu Tieniu as well.

“Eat them?”

“But they symbolize our marriage. Are we supposed to roast the geese?” Tang Xianling hesitated. “But if we don’t eat them and just release them, that seems such a waste.”

Huangfu Tieniu: “Exactly.”

The two debated whether to eat the wild geese, and as they talked, they both burst into laughter. The earlier somber mood vanished completely.

Their final conclusion: The wild geese weren’t that important. They could take them or leave them.

After Tang Xianling clashed with the Zhao family, Huangfu Tieniu now refused to leave the Tang family shop. He feared more bullies might come looking for Tang Xianling. If he went hunting in the mountains, he’d be gone at least two days—and he couldn’t bear the worry.

Tang Xianling understood. He suggested that instead of the wild goose, they could roast chicken or duck—cheaper and more practical.

Wild geese might be available in the eastern or western markets if hunters brought them in, but they’d be expensive. Chickens and ducks, however, were relatively cheap, offered more meat, and, being farm-raised, they were safer to eat.

The more Tang Xianling thought about it, the more he favored chickens and ducks.

“Then give me a pair of ducks!”

Huangfu Tieniu glanced over. Seeing Tang Xianling’s eyes sparkle with greed at the mention of roast duck, his mood inexplicably lifted. Not content with just agreeing, he repeated, “Fine, I’ll buy a pair of ducks. I’ll go pick them out.”

“Get fat ones—the kind that ooze oil when roasted.” Tang Xianling began rolling out dough, his hands working with renewed vigor as he thought about the roast duck. “You mentioned an Uncle Zhang earlier? I didn’t get a chance to ask about him.”

Huangfu Tieniu: “Yeah, my adopted father’s friend, Zhang Huai. Like my father, he’s an outsider who settled in Xucun. He used to be a hunter in the mountains. To get game, he’d have to go deep into the wilds—damp, cold, and deserted places. He’d stay out for ten days or even half a month at a time. Uncle Wang—Zhang Huai’s husband—got bored waiting in the mountains, and Zhang Huai was worried about the dangers. So he came down to become a farmer.”

“I didn’t understand before, but now I do.”

If Zhang Huai were here, he’d be utterly astonished. When did Tieniu—who usually couldn’t string two words together—become such a chatterbox? And so talkative at that.

Tang Xianling nodded. He’d been about to slice noodles, but now paused his knife. He looked at Tieniu and grinned, “Oh, I get it! Huangfu Tieniu is saying you didn’t know the taste of love before, but now you do. You don’t want to be a lonely hunter anymore~”

“And who’s that someone?”

Before Huangfu Tieniu could answer, Tang Xianling resumed slicing noodles with a steady rhythm of chop-chop-chop. “Well, it’s obviously me, Tang Xianling! My charm is truly irresistible!”

“Yes.” Huangfu Tieniu’s lips curved upward as he affirmed earnestly.

A bowl of clear broth noodles, with lard as the base, scallions, soy sauce, and hot soup poured over. Tang Xianling also pan-fried a sunny-side-up egg and a few slices of bacon, crispy on the edges, the egg yolk slightly runny. The hand-rolled noodles were firm and springy, the noodles themselves emitting a faint yellow hue, the color of wheat.

Outside, night had fallen.

Candles flickered on the table. In the moonlight, Tang Xianling sat beside him, sipping water as he watched Tieniu eat. For Tieniu, this was his first proper meal in a day and night, beyond a dry piece of flatbread. He took a sip of broth, the steam rising before his eyes. For some reason, his heart felt calm, grounded, and filled with happiness.

He truly had a home now.

Huangfu Tieniu looked at Tang Xianling. “Delicious.”

Tang Xianling laughed heartily. “You’ve only had a sip of soup, and you’re already saying it’s delicious.”

“I knew it would be delicious even before tasting it.”

“I knew it too.”

The two chatted endlessly, their banter spilling into laughter.

After finishing their meal and tidying up, Tang Xianling carried the straw mat and bedding, which Huangfu Tieniu had taken from him. With his bare hands holding nothing, Tang Xianling walked to the front of the shop, watching Huangfu Tieniu spread out the bedding. Once it was laid out, he sat at the foot of the bed, stretched lazily, and said, “Time to sleep. Good night.” Then he stood up.

“Good night,” Huangfu Tieniu echoed Tang Xianling’s words.

After Tang Xianling left, Huangfu Tieniu sat on the spot where Tang Xianling had just been. Lost in thought, his face flushed dark red for a moment before he collapsed onto the straw mat.

The next day, as usual, the Tang family courtyard stirred before dawn.

Huangfu Tieniu rolled up his bedding and headed out to fetch water. Passing by the Zhao family’s door, his gaze lingered briefly, but he took no action. After drawing water, he waited for Tang Xianling to finish washing and tidying up before placing his own rolled bedding atop the cupboard.

Businesses along the main street began bustling with activity.

More customers than usual gathered outside the Tang family’s breakfast shop. Seeing the door open, they all breathed a sigh of relief, saying, “Thank goodness they’re open today.” “I wasn’t on the main street yesterday. Only later did I hear about the fight between Mr. Tang and the Zhao family.” “The Zhao family really has a dark heart, introducing such a simpleton to Mr. Tang.”

Cui Dabao: “I told you they’d open. I asked about it yesterday.”

“Oh! Our young helper is back? When did you arrive?”

“It’s good you’re here. We need someone to back up your boss.”

“This fellow looks sturdy, though he’s a bit young.”

“Not too young. He’s got strength—carrying that furnace with ease. What’s he got to fear about handling Zhao Dalang? I bet one punch from him would knock the guy flat.”

“Oh, don’t stir the pot! Yesterday’s fight should be over. Otherwise, this brawling will never end and disrupt business. Besides, if it escalates, we’ll have to face the district constable.”

“Sigh, you’re right. I just can’t stand it—why does the Zhao family pick on the Tang family and not others? They’re just bullying us because we have no one to stand up for us. Thank goodness Boss Tang is tough; he didn’t swallow his anger this time.”

Huangfu Tieniu bowed his hands in thanks to the patrons, explaining to each: “I’m seventeen, turning eighteen at year’s end. I stand firmly with Boss Tang. If the Zhao family dares to come again, I’m not afraid to face the district officials. But Boss Tang said yesterday’s matters are settled—no more quarreling.”

“Well deserved!” “No need to be polite.” “Master Tang is truly magnanimous not to hold a grudge against the Zhao family.”

Only Cui Dabao studied this young Tieniu. Why did he feel that Tieniu’s words and actions mirrored those of the Tang family?

Not like the Tang family—more like Mr. Tang himself.

Doubts stirred in Cui Dabao’s mind, but once the stove was stoked and Mr. Tang began making pancakes, Cui Dabao stopped eating his melon seeds. He called out clearly, “The usual—two pancakes and one pork floss bread.”

With Tieniu around, business ran smoothly and effortlessly.

Everything sold out before noon.

Lu Sanniang came to report, ”Wu-ger, I’ll tell you—the Zhao family opened their shop today too, but no one went to buy from them.”

Tang Xianling saw the little girl’s face lit up with a look of “revenge is sweet,” which amused him. He put on a serious expression of surprise and joined her in “eating the melon,” asking, “Really, no one went?”

“Not exactly. I watched. All morning, none of the regulars went. Only a few scattered people went into the shop to buy sugar-coated rice cakes.”

Lu Sanniang snorted. She’d counted them—“No more than ten people, give or take.”

Tang Xianling instantly wore a look of satisfaction. “That’s fantastic! Our neighbors in the district have sharp eyes and a strong sense of justice.”

“Exactly!” Lu Sanniang agreed happily.

After chatting for a bit about how satisfying it was to see the Zhao family’s business suffer, Lu Sanniang skipped off to have her lunch. Tang Xianling’s face was still beaming when he turned and saw Tieniu staring at him. He chuckled, “That Lu family girl is quite something. She deliberately waited until our shop sold out to come chat with me and vent her frustration.”

She just didn’t want him to casually offer her some food from his shop or something.

Huangfu Tieniu: “Well, she’s quite nice.”

“There’s a tiny bit of jealousy in your tone,” Tang Xianling teased with a smile.

Huangfu Tieniu admitted, “You’ve managed to placate me.”

Tang Xianling: …This man really! How could he be so easily appeased? He didn’t even seem to notice.

Tieniu was sometimes steady, sometimes still carrying a touch of youthful naivety—quite straightforward.

In their relationship, they spoke openly about everything, hiding nothing from each other.

Another day passed. Lu Sanniang visited the Tang family shop every morning and afternoon to “pass on intelligence” about the Zhao family’s business, describing it with phrases like “gloomy and bleak” and “a thousand miles of diarrhea.” Tang Xianling found it amusing and made a batch of candied peanuts—crispy shells coated in sugar glaze and dusted with glutinous rice powder, crunchy and sweet.

“Eat while you talk. Hearing you vent makes me feel better,” Tang Xianling urged the girl to help herself without hesitation.

Lu Sanniang felt shy at first, but the sugar-coated peanuts looked irresistibly delicious. She took a handful, popped one into her mouth, and chewed. The taste made her eyes squint in pleasure.

“Wu-ger, I wish you were my real brother.”

Huangfu Tieniu, working nearby, overheard and smiled too, his expression easing.

With his mouth full, Tang Xianling mumbled, “Too bad I was born into the Tang family. But we’re neighbors, right? Now we’re sharing peanuts and gossiping about the Zhao family’s business—how satisfying is that?”

He wasn’t the type to just “let bygones be bygones” and move on. When he had a grudge, seeing the other side’s business suffer brought him genuine delight.

Today’s work was done, tomorrow was a day off, and the day after tomorrow was the betrothal.

Tang Xianling was feeling very relaxed now, his mood light as he chatted idly with Lu Sanniang. He’d agreed with Tieniu to go bathing tomorrow morning and buy some new clothes. It was too late to find a tailor for custom-made garments, so he’d have to buy ready-made ones, which actually cost about the same as custom-made.

If he wanted to save money, buying fabric and sewing it himself would be the cheapest option.

But Tang Xianling couldn’t sew. Jiang Yun could, but there wasn’t enough time. Yesterday evening, Jiang Yun found him and whispered, “Wu-ger, buy some red fabric. Mother will make your wedding robe. The betrothal clothes won’t be ready in time, but the wedding robe should be.”

Tang Xianling: …

While stubbornly protesting, “What wedding dress? I’m a man!” he felt a twinge of embarrassment. Yet he also thought, men wear suits for weddings too—so what if his was a “red suit”? There was nothing to be ashamed of.

The Tang family shop was bustling with cheer, mainly because Tang Xianling was in an exceptionally good mood.

The Zhao family shop, however, was gloomily deserted. This had been the case for two days straight. Many of the sugar-oil pancakes made that morning remained unsold. These were best eaten freshly fried; once cooled, the oil became greasy and the sugar filling hardened, making them cloyingly sweet.

The entire family was frugal, especially Old Mrs. Zhao. Seeing yesterday’s leftovers, she was heartbroken. She refused to throw them away, insisting they could still be sold—meaning she planned to offer them again this morning.

Having run the shop for years, Zhao Dalang knew better. “Mother, have you lost your mind? Selling leftovers ruins our reputation. Who would buy them?”

“Just fry them again in oil. Won’t they be almost like freshly made?”

Zhao Dalang: “You don’t understand. Stay out of it.”

It was the first time the old lady had been so bluntly rebuffed by her eldest son. Even when she’d spoken harshly or made unreasonable demands before, he’d never been so openly direct to her face.

That day, there were leftovers again.

The shop hung in gloom. For the past two days, the family had shut themselves in, mother and daughter-in-law trading accusations. Zhao Dalang resented his mother for stirring trouble, but two days of poor sales left a surplus of sugar-oil cakes. Giving them away felt wasteful, and his frustration mounted.

He no longer blamed his mother. Now he blamed the Tang family, blamed Tang Wu-ger for meddling.

His mother had introduced a simpleton. If it didn’t work out, just say no. Why make such a fuss? It ruined his family’s business for two days. What used to sell in a day now barely matches what they’d sell in a single morning before. How could he not be furious?

“Who knows what kind of catch Tang Xianling thinks he is? What does he think he’s made of? Just some young, unmarried virgin ger? Pfft.” Sun Honghong glared at the pile of sugar-coated pancakes, muttering under her breath.

Hearing this, the old woman—who’d been unusually kind to her eldest daughter-in-law these past two days, perhaps because she knew how to talk—agreed. “Exactly! What kind of husband does he think he’s got? He’s just a widow whose husband died.”

“I’ll be damned if I don’t see what kind of fine match Tang Xianling finds next.”

“He might just stay a widow forever. When they come knocking, the whole neighborhood will whisper he’s a brute. Who’d dare take him?” Sun Honghong retorted.

The neighborhood gossips say her family has ulterior motives—does that mean they won’t mock Tang Xianling anymore?

“Who wouldn’t mock him? In ten days or half a month, our shop’s business will still be thriving, but his reputation will be ruined. When matchmakers come to inquire, just watch me spread the dirt behind his back. Jiang Yun can forget about her Wu-ger ever finding a decent match.”