Chapter Bonanza (5/10)

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

The Tang family courtyard dried out over the next five days as the work neared completion—just finishing touches and details. Since Tang Xianling started cooking, the seven master craftsmen worked even more meticulously without slowing down.

The masters joked daily: “The moment we open our eyes, we can’t wait to get to work.” 

“In all my years of work, this job has the best meals.”

Truthfully, it was because the Tang family treated them like human beings.

During the hottest part of the day, the Tang family provided lunch and a rest break. Master Tang said there was no rush to start work. Yesterday afternoon, he even bought a cold melon, and each worker got a slice to share.

At noon, they had hearty steamed buns and rice, with dishes rich in oil and meat slices. In the afternoon, they drank mung bean soup, and at dusk, they ate pancakes with cold vegetable salads.

Whatever the Tang family ate, the workers ate too.

Pay was settled daily in cash, promptly and without fuss. Naturally, if something wasn’t done right, Master Tang would point it out directly. The workers didn’t feel embarrassed by his criticism; they just fixed it.

Today, they were building a mule shed and an outhouse, right by the courtyard gate.

There were still some materials left over from repairing the courtyard. One master craftsman remarked, “We’ve got plenty of materials left over. Boss Tang, where should we lay them? Should we use it for the back of the courtyard?“

The Tang family had already laid large bricks for the outhouse.

”Or how about extending the eaves to create a covered walkway?“ Huangfu Tieniu suggested to Tang Xianling, pointing toward the path from the kitchen to the back door of the shop. ”That way, people wouldn’t get wet when it rains.”

Tang Xianling stroked his chin. ”Actually, there’s another option. Is the wall between the storage room and the kitchen a load-bearing wall? If not, we could tear it down and connect it to the front of the shop. That would make serving food much easier.”

The master tapped the wall and inspected it carefully before shaking his head. “No good. Demolishing it risks collapse.”

Tang Xianling: …

“Then let’s just build a covered walkway,” Tang Xianling quickly revised his suggestion, turning to Tieniu. “I was worried building a roof would cost too much in cash for lumber.” His tone softened slightly, almost like a gentle plea.

Huangfu Tieniu was thrilled. “Money is no object! I’ll order the wood. It doesn’t need to be too thick, and we won’t need much.”

“Alright, you decide,” Tang Xianling said with a smile.

His Tieniu loved it when he spent money!

When Tang Xianling had visited that feudal lawyer’s house before, it resembled a small courtyard residence. A square corridor encircled the entrance, connecting all rooms so one could move between them without getting wet in the rain.

Now, his own home only had a covered walkway connecting the kitchen door to the back entrance of the shop—a quicker, more economical solution. Aside from the rectangular vegetable patch in the middle, most of the front courtyard was paved with large bricks. In the center of the garden stood their persimmon tree.

It hadn’t looked too good before—probably because the Li family had built their wall right up against it, causing the tree to look a bit droopy. Now that the wall was gone, just a few days later, Tang Xianling noticed his persimmon tree looking plump and vigorous.

Indeed, when one’s spirits are high, everything looks pleasing.

Jiang Yun returned from grocery shopping with a basket slung over her arm. Tang Xianling stepped forward to take it from her. It was heavy, prompting him to say, “Mother, it’s too heavy. Have someone deliver it. I’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

“It’s not heavy. I can manage going out alone.” Jiang Yun felt uncomfortable staying home alone while all the workers were there.

Tang Xianling suggested, “Then send Tieniu.”

“I’ll go instead,” Jiang Yun replied, following him into the kitchen. “At least I can chat with people. If Tieniu goes shopping, he’ll just buy whatever you ask for without haggling.”

Tang Xianling nodded. “True. I’m not great at haggling either. “

His haggling technique was: ‘Can you knock it down a bit, boss?’ or ‘Could you round it down?’ While others wielded the Dragon-Slaying Sword of bargaining, he used a fruit knife—or rather, a nail clipper?

”What about Tieniu?” Jiang Yun heard her Wu-ger speak thus; he was defending Tieniu.

Tang Xianling: “Order some lumber. We’ll add a connecting corridor between the kitchen and the shop later.”

“Alright.” Jiang Yun nodded, asking no further questions.

The expenses for renovating the courtyard and paying the Li family’s lease termination fee all fell on Tieniu. Though Jiang Yun felt the cost was painful, she never voiced it. She never But Wu-ger spent this money even more freely and decisively than he did Old Tang’s. Jiang Yun hadn’t been used to it at first, but now she found it quite agreeable.

Marry a man, marry a man who will provide you clothes and food.

“Let’s have noodles for lunch,” Tang Xianling suggested.

Jiang Yun went to pick vegetables. Soon after, someone knocked on the shop door. Her face lit up. Wiping her hands, she said, “I’ll go see who it is.”

These past few days, every knock at the door had filled Jiang Yun with joy. She’d rush to open it, hoping it was Second Sister or Third Sister returning. Tang Xianling watched this, but never dampened her spirits with words.

But when Second Sister and Third Sister married out, the Tang family courtyard hadn’t been rented out. Even if they came back, they’d use the back alley entrance—how could there be noise from the shop front?

Sure enough, moments later, Jiang Yun’s voice called out: “Wu-ger, did you buy vegetables? There are so many!”

What vegetables? Tang Xianling was puzzled. The family always bought their daily groceries and meat fresh.

“It’s snow pea shoots—two whole baskets!”

As Tang Xianling stepped out, he remembered and replied, “Yes, I ordered them.”

At the shop entrance, Han Kai finally exhaled in relief upon hearing Master Tang’s voice. The first batch of snow pea shoots had arrived at his home. He remembered Master Tang had requested it, and in large quantities. This time, he’d packed two full baskets. He’d even asked the man to come with him, pushing the cart over.

But when he reached Baxing District, he saw the “Closed” sign hanging on the Tang family shop. Overhearing the neighbors’ scattered chatter, he learned Mr. Tang was observing mourning and hadn’t opened for business in days. Han Kai’s heart sank. What would happen to his vegetables?

The man grumbled beside him, implying he was unreliable. “You got all excited and brought two huge baskets. Now look—they’re closed and not doing business. What are we going to do with these vegetables?”

Jiang Yun saw the man scolding his husband and felt as if she were seeing her former self. She quickly interjected, “Don’t worry, I’ll ask my Wu-ger.”

None of them went back; he called out loudly first.

Tang Xianling hadn’t remembered right away and was a bit slow to respond. Han Kai’s heart sank, preparing for the worst. Immediately after, he heard Mr. Tang say, “Yes, that’s what he wanted.”

“Han, it’s been ages. Thanks for remembering me.” Tang Xianling entered the shop, pretending not to notice the man behind Han’s gloomy expression. He smiled warmly, “Have a seat, grab some water. I’ll order for you and clear a basket.”

Jiang Yun’s tense heart settled back into place. “I’ll go pour some tea.”

“Mother, scoop some mung bean soup,” Tang Xianling said.

Han Kai waved it off beside him. Jiang Yun ignored him and headed to the kitchen. Tang Xianling examined the vegetables. Two large baskets, covered with straw mats—likely to keep them from wilting in the heat—were now opened. One basket was placed on the ground, and Han Kai and his husband hurried over to lend a hand.

The vegetables were neatly arranged, free of weeds.

Snow pea greens are perfect for pickling or making preserved vegetables. Tang Xianling nodded in satisfaction. “Good. “

He had previously negotiated the price with Han Kai, and this price was higher than what Xu Gouwa sold for wild greens. Xu Gouwa’s wild greens were picked by hand with no cost involved, but the snow pea greens was cultivated. Looking at the green leaves with a few insect holes, one could tell the grower had put in a lot of effort to care for them.

One basket weighed over forty jin and sold for sixty wen.

Jiang Yun brought over two bowls of mung bean soup, inviting them to drink some to cool down. “…It’s hot out. You must be exhausted from traveling all this way. Drink up, don’t be shy. It’s homemade, it didn’t take much effort.”

Han Kai and the man drank, quenching their thirst. With the vegetables sold, smiles spread across both their faces.

Tang Xianling took the money and settled the payment.

“No rush for now. Wait ten days. If you still have more, bring two more baskets. Same price.”

Preserved mustard greens needed hot weather to make. They stored well, so he’d stock up during the summer.

He’d need to buy a few more large jars for storage later.

Han Kai was overjoyed at the news. “Alright, alright!” he agreed, taking the money from the man. They left beaming with joy. This time, the man took the initiative, carrying two empty baskets and deftly loading them onto the cart. He pushed it himself, refusing Han Kai’s help.

Jiang Yun watched, her expression shifting slightly—though she seemed pleased.

Tang Xianling cleared the empty bowls after their meal, missing the exchange. “Mom,” he said, “leave the vegetables for now. After lunch, we’ll haul them out to dry in the yard.”

Their courtyard had already been paved with bricks, offering ample space to spread things out.

“Xiao Han’s husband reminds me of Old Tang back in the day,” Jiang Yun remarked. “But looking back, he’s actually better than Old Tang.”

Tang Xianling:?

“How is that better? He was just complaining about Han Kai a moment ago.”

“How could a married couple not bicker? Especially when you’re poor, and troubles pile up. When we first started our business, Old Tang would push the cart out to set up. Once, just as he’d arranged the tables and stools, a downpour hit. Your father yelled at me so fiercely that he looked like he wanted to eat me alive. But it wasn’t me who made the heavens rain!” Jiang Yun recalled how truly terrified she’d been back then.

Whenever business was slow, he’d blame her.

There was some truth to her words. When money was tight, conflicts inevitably multiplied. But you can’t just dump blame on your partner. When the business failed, and no money came in, it was all Han Kai’s fault. Yet when we finally made money, wasn’t that suddenly his achievement?

Tang Xianling wasn’t one to back down. Just as he was about to retort, he suddenly noticed Jiang Yun’s expression had turned grave.

“Wu-ger, if I die someday, please don’t bury me and Old Tang, together. I don’t want to be his slave in the afterlife.“ Jiang Yun said with utmost sincerity.

She’d spent most of her life as a slave. No more.

Tang Xianling immediately laughed, wrapping an arm around Jiang Yun’s shoulder as he readily agreed: ”Alright, I’ll find a good spot. We’ll bury our whole family together,

“What nonsense are you talking? You’re still so young. Children shouldn’t speak like that,” Jiang Yun scolded softly.

Tang Xianling’s smile deepened. “Alright, Mother. I won’t say it. I’ll listen to you.”

For lunch, they had meat soup with noodles. A whole large pot was made, and as usual, the masters ate it all clean, praising its aroma. Tieniu hadn’t returned yet, so Tang Xianling set aside a bowl of vegetables for him. He’d make fresh dumplings when Tieniu came back, as noodles lose their chewiness if soaked too long.

After lunch, Tang Xianling and Jiang Yun began drying snow-red radishes near the east room’s doorway.

The west room adjoined the kitchen, where the master carpenter was digging foundations for the connecting corridor, burying wooden supports—making quite a mess.

By afternoon, Tieniu returned with a load of lumber; another batch would arrive tomorrow. Tang Xianling urged him to rest, then went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of noodles. He hadn’t prepared dinner that day, so he bought some steamed buns and mixed them with cold dishes for supper.

Two more days passed. The snow peas had been steamed once. Though only sun-dried and steamed, it already tasted like preserved mustard greens. Snow-covered red mustard greens truly produced the best preserved mustard greens in both appearance and flavor.

During these days, the timber shop in the West Market gradually delivered furniture.

The entire courtyard was finally repaired.

On the final day, Tang Xianling cooked two meat dishes and one vegetable dish, and also baked some honey rolls to give to the craftsmen. The village custom dictated that a house-raising banquet be held when a new structure was completed, and the same principle applied to the major renovation of his courtyard.

The courtyard repairs and furniture purchases cost Tang Xianling and Tieniu thirty-three taels of silver.

That amount could build a grand courtyard anywhere in the village.

Jiang Yun also carried a dish and some honey rolls to the Lu household. Carrying a food box, she delivered some to Zhou Xiangping at the pork butcher’s.

The dish was meant for immediate consumption. Tang Xianling wrapped five of the small honey rolls in oil paper for the seven craftsmen.

“Our courtyard looks splendid now, thanks to your dedicated efforts,” Tang Xianling said with a smile.

The craftsmen ate and took more, feeling quite embarrassed. If only every job came with an employer like Mr. Tang—it felt like burning incense and dreaming.

“I’ll deliver some more to Old Man Cui’s house. No meals this time, just the buns,” Jiang Yun said.

Tang Xianling: “Mother, you shouldn’t go. Tieniu and I will handle it.”

“Alright,” Jiang Yun agreed. Old Man Tang had only recently passed away. She feared gossip if she mingled in places crowded with men.

That afternoon, the master craftsmen left the site, carrying baskets filled with their tools, eating utensils, and a bag of bread. Some had eaten one or two rolls, while others hadn’t touched theirs, saving them all to bring home for their families to try.

At the Cui family’s home.

Sun Douzi opened the door. Seeing Boss Tang, surprise and delight flashed across his face. “Dabao isn’t home. Please come in, Mr. Tang.”

“I won’t come in then. I baked these honey rolls myself. Try them.” Seeing no one else at the Cui residence, Tang Xianling now knew to avoid the taboo and didn’t enter to sit. He had come with Tieniu.

Sun Douzi had intended to “decline” politely, but his shy nature hadn’t taught him the art of refusal. More importantly, the moment he heard “buns,” he knew Dabao would love them. Refusing them would have felt wrong.

“Thank you, Boss Tang. Wait a moment, I’ll go clear the basket.” Sun Douzi grabbed the basket and dashed to the kitchen, quickly emptying it so Mr. Tang wouldn’t have to wait long.

Huangfu Tieniu took the empty basket in his hands.

“Mr. Tang, when will your place open? I’m not rushing you, but Dabao loves your breakfast. He’s lost some weight lately, and with this heat, his appetite’s gone.” Sun Douzi felt a pang of concern.

Tang Xianling smiled warmly. “Soon! I’ve been experimenting with new dishes. When we open, we’ll serve breakfast and some meals too.” The fast-food boxed lunch place on the street on the street went out of business, and he wanted to fill that gap.

“That’s wonderful news!” Sun Douzi was delighted and planned to share it with Dabao as soon as he returned.

The two didn’t linger long. Tang Xianling and Huangfu Tieniu left.

When evening came, Father Cui saw his son with his head hanging low. he knew his son hadn’t eaten well again that day.

“Didn’t you say a new restaurant opened in the West Market? How was the food?” Father Cui asked.

Cui Dabao replied, “The mutton soup dumplings. I tried them, but they weren’t as good as Old Tang’s. They were much better than the Li’s mutton offal soup. Logically, I should have been craving them after so long without eating them, but when I actually tried them, they were just okay.”

“Ah, I still have Mr. Tang’s preserved vegetable pot stickers.“

Sun Douzi brought out a plate of small bread rolls from the kitchen, his eyes sparkling. ”This afternoon, Mr. Tang and his husband came to our house to deliver these bread rolls. Dabao, you must try them! He also mentioned he’ll be opening a shop soon, serving not just breakfast but dinner too.”

“!!” Cui Dabao’s drooping head snapped upright, his eyes sparkling. “I’ll go wash my hands. It doesn’t look like pork floss to me.”

“Oh dear, I forgot to ask!” Sun Douzi groaned in frustration.

“No worries, I’ll know once I taste it. Have you tried any?” Cui Dabao washed his hands and rushed to the table. He didn’t really need to ask—Douzi definitely wouldn’t sneak a bite. He grabbed two, gave one to Douzi, shoved the other into his own mouth, and called out to his dad, “Dad, you should try some too.”

The small bread was much smaller than the pork floss bread, about the size of a child’s fist, square-shaped, with a bright golden crust. One side was flat, a deep honey-brown color sprinkled with white sesame seeds. It carried a faint, honey-sweet aroma.

Cui Dabao took a bite. The bread was soft and fluffy, with a milky aroma and red bean flavor. The flat side was the best part—crispy, sweet, and not overly rich.

“Delicious! No wonder it’s made by Master Tang.”

Father Cui only ate half, giving the rest to Dabao. He didn’t care for sweets. He added, “If Tang’s shop opens, forget about dinner. First, buy a pot of steamed buns and egg pancakes. It’s been ages since I’ve had preserved vegetable pork.”

”With this hot, dry weather, they should have preserved vegetables ready now.” Cui Dabao munched on his small bun, his mind racing with possibilities. Just the thought of Master Tang’s shop opening soon filled him with hope!

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

At the Tang household.

Tang Xianling fired up the oven in the front shop and baked a batch of honey rolls. The honey came from a chance encounter while buying ingredients—someone was selling it, so he grabbed a small jar. He was now making pastry boxes, not for sale, but as a gift for Master Yuan and his husband.

His marriage to Tieniu, including the lawsuit he filed, truly owed everything to Master Yuan.

Now that everything at home was settled and he had free time, Tang Xianling brought the ‘gift box’ to the front. The custom-made box had come back with the furniture. It was double-layered, with all four corners rounded and polished, coated in varnish. After cleaning and drying, it was ready to hold food.

It was hot, so he decided to make some pretty, delicate pastries.

Peanut brittle, mung bean cakes, red bean cheese cakes, pork floss shells.

The pork floss shells were incredibly tricky to make, especially the filling. But this time, Tang Xianling wasn’t afraid. He stared intently at Tieniu, his face a study in determination.

“Tieniu~” she drawled.

Huangfu Tieniu couldn’t hold back a laugh. Tang Xianling, feigning anger, elbowed him playfully. “I’m being cute!”

To Tieniu, those words were pure coaxing. His heart softened, and he readily agreed.

Then he transformed into a human egg beater.

Tang Xianling fanned Tieniu while saying, “When we go back, let’s bring some of these for Uncle Zhang and Uncle Wang too. Riding a mule there and back in one day should keep them fresh.”

The hottest days of summer hadn’t even arrived yet.

Huangfu Tieniu agreed, saying he’d follow Tang Xianling’s lead.

Tang Xianling made the first batch, naturally baking them all at once. He selected the perfectly shaped ones for the box, placing the imperfect scraps on a plate for their own consumption.

He washed his hands and face, then changed into clean, formal clothes.

“Mother, Tieniu, and I are heading out now.”

Huangfu Tieniu hitched up the flatbed cart. They’d built it earlier for transporting bricks, so now they didn’t need to hail a carriage—they had their own. Tang Xianling wrapped the food box in red cloth, tied it with a neat bow, and hoisted it onto the cart.

“Alright, go ahead.” Jiang Yun saw them to the door and closed it behind them.

Huangfu Tieniu drove the cart while Tang Xianling sat on a straw mat, carefully smoothing her clothes. They left around nine in the morning, when the sun wasn’t yet too harsh.

“We really should build a canopy,” Huangfu Tieniu remarked.

Tang Xianling chuckled, leaning close to Tieniu. “Too much trouble. If I get sunburned, I’ll just use an umbrella.”

“This is perfect as it is. If we built a canopy, you’d be driving outside while I sat inside—how boring would that be? Now I can see you, talk to you, and touch you whenever I want.”

Huangfu Tieniu was charmed into his innocent self again, his ears turning crimson.

The reason was that despite being married for so long, they hadn’t consummated their union. Having never experienced the real thing, Tang Xianling’s old habit resurfaced—his mouth ran wild, and he knew only how to tease Tieniu. During their courtship, the most daring thing they’d done was hold hands or steal a quick kiss behind closed doors when they had a moment.

Tang Xianling grew bolder, spouting sweet nothings with practiced ease.

He’s really something!

Hehe.

So on the mule cart’s wooden platform, the young couple found no dull moments, whispering sweet nothings all the way. The driver, a handsome lad with a flushed face, looked slightly bashful, his eyes sparkling with unhidden joy. Beside him sat a slim young husband beside him, his face radiant with pride, his handsome brows and eyes gleaming with sly triumph.

Like a little cat or fox that had just gotten away with something mischievous.

No sooner had the two departed than a carriage entered through the West Gate of Fengyuan City. It had a canopy, covered in the most ordinary navy oilcloth, now dusty and grimy from the journey. Inside sat Tang Nuan, the third daughter of the Tang family who had married into the Shi Jing Prefecture, along with her eldest daughter.

“Mother, is this Fengyuan City?” The child, whose maiden name was Xiangxiang, peered out the canopy window. “It looks much like our Shijing Prefecture, doesn’t it?”

Tang Nuan had been married to Shijing Prefecture for eight years. Having married far from home, she and her husband returned together every New Year during her early years as a bride. Later, her husband sensed his father’s disapproval and, unwilling to endure cold stares, stopped returning. She, too, grew resentful and ceased coming back.

Unexpectedly… this return was for a funeral.

“Mother, how are things at your family home?” Zhao Xiangxiang had intended to ask about her maternal grandparents, but remembering her grandfather had passed away, she immediately swallowed the words.

Tang Nuan stroked her daughter’s hair. “Your maternal family runs a mutton business. different from ours. Back when your grandfather made mutton steamed buns, if there were leftovers from the evening meal that didn’t sell, that’s when we sisters could have some.”

“Honestly, it wasn’t that good.”

Having grown up surrounded by the smell of mutton, Tang Nuan had grown genuinely sick of it. Back then, she’d avoided her home, her father, and the family business like the plague. When it came to finding a husband, she’d considered any profession except food preparation.

Running a food business was just too hard.

The whole family worked from dawn till dusk. She and her two older sisters learned to wash dishes, sweep floors, and serve customers from a young age. Some patrons would tease them, but Father pretended not to see. By then, she was older, no longer a little girl. When people made fun of her, she’d blush fiercely, unable to save face. Mother would meekly speak up to defend her once or twice, only for Father to turn around and berate Mother.

Tang Nuan hated those days intensely.

Now that Father was dead, Tang Nuan couldn’t quite describe her feelings. “Your maternal grandmother is kind-hearted. I visited her with your father during the New Year once before, but it was cold, and you were still too young, so I didn’t bring you along.”

She thought then that when Xiangxiang was three or four, she’d bring her to see her Grandma. But they stopped visiting often after that. She wonder if her mother thinks she was heartless for not coming back.

“Mother, Fengyuan City has such wide, spacious roads!” Zhao Xiangxiang, unaware of her mother’s thoughts, marveled as their carriage rolled onto a broad thoroughfare. Aside from pedestrians, there wasn’t a single vendor in sight.

After four years away, the closer they got to home, the more Tang Nuan felt a mix of apprehension and melancholy. But her daughter’s voice cheered her up. “This is Fengyuan City’s proper main thoroughfare. No street vendors allowed here. Your maternal family has a shop, and right outside that shop is the main street where they can set up stalls.”

Zhao Xiangxiang’s expression lit up with outward curiosity.

Worried his daughter might set her hopes too high, Tang Nuan added, “Your maternal grandfather lived frugally. When he ran his business, he only closed during the New Year celebrations. He worked year-round, hardly ever resting. The courtyard looked spacious but was messy. The bedding smelled of sheep. We had a house, but your grandfather disliked spending money on furniture. So I shared a room with my second sister, and we kept some chickens…”

Dad insisted on raising them, saying a few months would be perfect for slaughtering them for New Year’s instead of buying meat, saving money. Back then, it was even hotter than now, and the chicken droppings stank. When her eldest and second sisters cleaned up, their skirts accidentally got splattered. A customer with a sensitive nose remarked, “What’s this chicken dung smell? I can’t eat this.”

That evening, her father slaughtered the chickens, then berated her eldest and second sisters, even slapping her eldest sister across the face.

She was young then and cried in fright.

Tang Nuan tried to recall some good memories of her father. After he died, she’d wept bitterly at home during the mourning period. But as she thought about it, only the unpleasant, painful memories surfaced. As for hatred, her father was gone. What was there to hate? Who could she even hate?

Her mind was in turmoil as the cart drew nearer, familiar scenery visible outside the window.

Not far from that big locust tree was the well. Their family ran a business that used a lot of water, so they fetched and carried water every day. Back then, she’d carry a half-bucket of water behind her second sister, spilling water all the way. By the time she got back, the palms of her hands would be red.

Back then, she was only three years older than Xiangxiang.

“Stop here.” Tang Nuan counted the courtyard gates until they reached her family’s entrance. But upon looking, the faded, worn gate had been replaced—newly repaired and freshly painted.

Zhao Xiangxiang looked at her mother, her eyes asking: Is something wrong?

Tang Nuan carried her daughter out of the cart. “Let me take another look.” She scanned left and right. No mistake—this was her home. Next door was the Lu family’s steamed bun shop; the other side was much farther away because her family occupied two courtyards.

“Knock on the door.”