RMCF: CHapter 53

 

Chapter 53

Xu He was going to go up the mountain to cut some bamboo. He planned to weave curtains from bamboo strips for the tea stall windows to block the light. Before he could go to fourth uncle's house to call Zhang Shiyue, she came over with her child to help. At this time of year, the crops in the fields weren't ready for harvest yet; they had entered a brief period of agricultural downtime, so there wasn't much to do at fourth uncle's place anyway.

Over at their place, besides building the tea stall, they also needed to plant more seasonal vegetables and fruits in the fields. Once the tea stall opened, they could pick their own produce instead of having to buy it elsewhere. Of course, buying vegetables from nearby villages was easy enough and cheaper than in town, but Xu He had always been one to save whenever possible.

Zhang Shiyue didn't come as a guest. She wore a gray hemp garment with an apron tied around her waist, she brought Guan Xiao'e and immediately started working. Her movements were quick and efficient, it was clear she had been the one managing everything at home before. Even the timid Guan Xiao'e knew how to do everything. When she heard Xu He was making blinds, she immediately took a small knife and helped him split the bamboo strips, handling it with practiced ease.

Xu He hadn't actually intended to let a child this young work. Although twelve wasn't that young in the village, the girl looked so small, he couldn't bear to have her do such tasks.

But Guan Xiao'e said, “Little ones also need to eat, and if you eat, you have to work.”

Xu He had no response to that. He thought she was a sensible child, but he also knew that after the family's tragedy, Zhang Shiyue must have taught her well. Now that they had returned to her natal family for shelter, though it was her own home, as a woman she had become dependent on others. It was a bitter situation, and the only way to feel worthy of being taken in was to work even harder.

He thought that if he hadn't been fortunate enough to meet Zhang Fangyuan, his own life in his husband's family might not have been much different. Look at his second sister—she thought marrying would bring a good life, but now she was forced to do all sorts of chores. It was really something to sigh about.

With help at home, Xu He's workload became much lighter. Actually, Zhang Fangyuan had told him not to work so hard; no one would blame him even if things weren't finished, but he always wanted to get things done.

Zhang Shiyue came over and busied herself: she weeded the yard, cleared the vegetable patch, even helped gather firewood and carry water. Xu He naturally kept them for meals and told her about Zhang Fangyuan's plan.

Zhang Shiyue was quite surprised. At her eldest brother's house, she had felt nothing but unwanted, yet here her fourth and fifth brothers’ families were vying to take her in. For a moment, her heart swelled with comfort.

“Fourth Uncle's place is good too, but it's a bit cramped. It's up to you, Second Aunt. If you come here, you can stay in the room that used to belong to Father and Mother-in-law,” Xu He said, putting food in Guan Xiao'e's bowl. “The bed, cabinet, table—everything's there. No need to do much fixing up. This was A-Yuan's idea.”

Zhang Shiyue was tempted. She knew fourth brother was genuinely willing to take her in, and his wife hadn't said anything or shown displeasure, but the problem was the lack of space. Back when the family divided the property, their parents had given the old house to the eldest brother's family, and she'd heard her sixth brother had gotten quite a bit of land.

The children in the middle had gotten the short end. She remembered fourth and fifth brothers had always been the honest, quiet ones.

“But moving here might disturb your life as a young couple.”

“Not at all. We'll be busy with business often enough. It's no disturbance. Having more hands to help is a good thing.” Xu He spoke directly, not any sentimental talk about being one family and needing to support each other in hard times.

After all, the closeness between second aunt and his father-in-law when they were alive was a matter of the previous generation. Zhang Fangyuan hadn't spent much time with his aunt either. Using flowery words would only make her uneasy. Stating the family's situation plainly was more reassuring.

Xu He had also been a bit calculating, waiting until the person had done some work before making this offer. He was quite worldly-wise; knowing to make sure the people were capable before taking them in. If he ended up with someone like his second sister, that'd be really unlucky—housing someone who'd just sit around to be waited upon. And as their elder, they couldn't exactly lecture her. Then there'd be endless trouble.

Zhang Shiyue said, “Fourth Brother told me a bit about it. Once the tea stall opens, Xiao'e and I can help out there. If it's not too much trouble, then we'll come stay with you two.”

Xu He nodded. “When A-Yuan gets back, I'll tell him. He'll be happy.”

With Zhang Shiyue and her daughter moving in, the house became much livelier, but it didn't disturb the couple's life.

During the day, everyone had their work to do. At night, when the couple needed some quiet time for married life, the room Zhang Shiyue occupied was separated by a corridor, far enough away that it didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

Zhang Fangyuan sat by the table in the inner room, drinking cold tea.

“Are you coming to bed or not?”

Xu He poked his head out from the mosquito net, looking at the man who'd been sitting there for an incense stick’s time and still wouldn't get into bed.

“I'm not coming up until you tell me where you hid it.”

Hearing this, Xu He let the net fall back. “Then sleep or don't, suit yourself. The tea stall is almost finished. Tomorrow I might as well go over there to clean up and move the pots and bowls. I won't go to town.”

“I won't be there with Little Black to haul things for you. Let's see how you move all that.”

“Can’t I carry it on my back?”

Zhang Fangyuan stood up angrily, and swept aside the mosquito net. He saw Xu He lying there pretending to sleep with his eyes closed. and couldn’t help but lean forward to lift his chin. “I think you've gotten much fairer, and your face is a bit fuller.”

“Don't give me that useless talk.”

Zhang Fangyuan grabbed his arm and shook it gently. “If we keep that thing stored away too long, it'll go bad. What a waste.”

He regretted lying about the price now. If he'd known Xu He would hide it because he thought it was too expensive to use, he'd never have done it. It's true even the most meticulous plans can have flaws.

Xu He opened his eyes. “Then why did you tell me buying more was cheaper? You bought so much to stockpile. By your logic, isn't it the same now?”

“…”

Xu He pursed his lips and glanced away. “In the cabinet.”

Zhang Fangyuan immediately kissed his cheek and scrambled off the bed.

Xu He sighed helplessly. When Zhang Fangyuan returned, he adjusted the mosquito net. He really didn't like doing such things in summer—not because it was unpleasant, but because it was too hot. After all the effort, they'd have to wash off the sweat again, and wouldn't second aunt know then?

Though there was nothing unusual about a married couple engaging in such matters, he was still embarrassed.

He told Zhang Fangyuan not to mess around too much, just keep it simple.

Zhang Fangyuan asked, “What counts as simple?”

Xu He blushed. “You know what I mean!”

“I really don't. If you don't explain clearly, how will I know?”

“Just… don't switch positions so much.”

Zhang Fangyuan had originally thought, since they'd been married so long and there were no problems like before, maybe he could bring out the illustrated booklet he got from An San'er and use it again. After all, they'd paid for it, and the techniques in the book seem much more refined than what he currently knew.

If he could learn and apply them, surely he could reach a higher level.

Unfortunately, before he could even bring it up, his fulang shut him down. He thought about pleading on account of his birthday tomorrow, but considering Xu He really couldn't stand the heat and was thin-skinned, he simply agreed.

“Don't be embarrassed. Second aunt has a child; she knows what we're up to. Haven't you noticed she never comes out at night?”

Xu He kicked him. “You think everyone's as thick-skinned as you?”

“Alright, alright, I'm thick-skinned.”

They didn't carry on long, and Zhang Fangyuan did as Xu He asked. Still, they ended up covered in sweat. Xu He wanted to get out of bed to fetch some water to wash up, but Zhang Fangyuan, still unsatisfied, figured they'd need to wash up anyway, he might as well go two more rounds before stopping.

The next day, Xu He changed into his new clothes to go set up the stall in town with Zhang Fangyuan.

He hadn't been to town since they started building the tea stall. Today's trip was because he'd long promised Zhang Fangyuan they would eat at a restaurant for his birthday.

Zhang Shiyue saw the young couple tidying themselves up and knew they had plans. She smiled and asked, “Will you be back for dinner?”

Xu He was a little embarrassed. “Yes.”

Zhang Shiyue nodded, pretending not to know anything else. “It's Fangyuan's birthday today. I'll make a few nice dishes tonight.”

“Good.”

They set up the stall in town, got through the morning rush, then packed up. After freshening up, Zhang Fangyuan took Xu He to the restaurant.

Xu He had no experience with eateries in town. He'd assumed Zhang Fangyuan would take him to an ordinary restaurant. But when they arrived, he saw it was a walled courtyard.

Just inside the gate, roses and peonies bloomed on both sides. Further in, there was even a lake.

At the height of summer, the lotuses in the lake were in full bloom. Over a dozen thatched pavilions had been built on the water, each with tables and benches for dining.

Several tables were already occupied, guests enjoying the flowers and wine in perfect comfort.

Zhang Fangyuan pulled him along. “If you come early, you can sit in a pavilion on the lake. If you're late, you have to eat on the shore. In summer, you can enjoy the flowers. When the lotus roots are ripe, the ones at the east fence also have unique flavor—sweet pastries, stewed ribs, stir-fried lotus root cubes… all kinds of dishes.”

It was Xu He's first time dining out, especially at such a nice place. He felt a little nervous at first. Following Zhang Fangyuan to a pavilion at the edge of the lake, he relaxed and leaned on the railing, gazing at the lotus-covered water.

The delightful surprise was that there were fish swimming under the lotus leaves.

Zhang Fangyuan had already ordered a few dishes from the waiter. He came over and watched the fish with Xu He.

“They used to raise koi here, then they added some black carp. Once they're big enough, they just catch them for dishes. Saves buying from fishermen.”

The breeze over the lake rippled their clothes like water, a refreshing and carefree feeling.

Before long, the waiter brought the dishes and set them on a small table.

Xu He waited until the waiter left before sitting down to examine the dishes carefully.

There was a plate of cold cucumber with garlic, a whole roasted eggplant, bitter melon stir-fried with eggs, and two crabs.There was nothing particularly special about the dishes—in fact, they were simple homestyle fare, and the portions were small.

What set them apart was the tableware. The plates and bowls were porcelain, pure white inside, painted on the outside with lotus flowers and green leaves. The whole set matched, clearly arranged for aesthetic pleasure rather than simply filling the stomach.

Xu He had seen such beautiful tableware when he went to buy bowls and dishes. The shopkeeper kept them on high shelves, never even recommending them to ordinary customers.

He quietly asked Zhang Fangyuan, “A meal here must be very expensive, right?”

Zhang Fangyuan paused for a moment. “A bit.” He didn't give a direct answer, afraid Xu He would fret over the cost. They were usually quite frugal. If Xu He knew this meal cost two or three hundred wen, he'd be upset.

Unexpectedly, Xu He poured a cup of flower tea and pushed it over to him, not asking the price at all. Instead, he smiled and said, “A birthday only comes once a year. It's good to get out and broaden our horizons. When our tea stall opens and we start earning money, we'll buy white porcelain dishes like these too.”

Zhang Fangyuan nodded. “And with the green lotus leaf pattern too.”

They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and lingered until the afternoon before returning to the meat market.

“I won't stay to mind the stall this afternoon. I'll go back early and get the tea stall cleaned up. Also, I need to pay the two cousins for their work. I'll make dinner early—fourth uncle and the others will probably come over tonight.”

Zhang Fangyuan agreed. “Take a cart back from the city gate. It'll be faster.”

Xu He used to begrudge this small expense of few wen, but today he didn't mind. Walking back would waste too much time.

“Got it.”

Xu He took a cart directly to the tea stall. Construction had started in early June, and by early July, it was finally finished. People from surrounding villages passed by often, knowing a tea stall was opening here. Occasionally, curious villagers would stop to have a look. Xu He didn't shoo them away; he'd even placed wooden benches outside the stall, letting anyone sit, whether they drank tea or not.

Zhang Shiyue had already cleaned the stall inside and out. Tomorrow morning, they'd bring the pots and pans from home, set everything up, and boil water to fumigate the place. The day after, they could open for business.

Zhang Shiyue dusted herself off. She treated this project as if it were her own. Living here gave her hope. She smiled and said, “Fourth brother looked at the almanac ages ago. The day after tomorrow is a good day for opening a business.”

It was a bit rushed, but it suited Xu He perfectly. He'd been itching to start and hadn't worked a stall in a while.

“Then we'll set it for the day after tomorrow.”

“Young master, big sister, want to buy some flowers and plants?”

They were talking inside the stall when an old man's face appeared at the window, pushing aside the bamboo blind.

“Now that the tea stall's built, planting a couple of flowers around it would be festive and nice to look at, wouldn't it? This old man has mountain orchids, mountain chrysanthemums, and some excellent golden osmanthus. Want to take a look?”

Zhang Shiyue was about to shoo him away, but Xu He went out the door. These flowers and plants could be found in the mountain forests around the village; there was no need to spend money. But when he saw a golden osmanthus as thick as a thumb and already blooming, he inexplicably picked it up.

“Young master, smell it—this golden osmanthus is fragrant. Planted at your stall’s entrance, it'll surely bring in wealth and good fortune.”

“How much?”

“This is the last one. How about thirty wen?”

Xu He chuckled. “Uncle, we're all country folk. I'd like to support your business, but you're not offering a fair price. Twelve wen. If you sell it to me, it'll be for a good omen.”

The old man clicked his tongue. This one was a real businessman—wouldn't even let him earn two extra wen.

“Alright. Wishing you, young master and big sister, a prosperous business!"

Xu He paid the man, exchanged a few polite words inviting him to stop at the tea stall to rest whenever he came to sell his mountain flowers, and watched him walk away.

Zhang Shiyue asked, “Plant it at the entrance?”

“Take it home. Plant it in the yard. I've noticed most households have either jujube or peach trees in their yards, but ours is bare.”

Zhang Shiyue smiled. “That boy A-Yuan wouldn't bother with such things on his own, so the yard's been empty all this time. This golden osmanthus has lost some leaves from lack of water. Once you plant it and water it before sunrise, it'll definitely flourish.”

They chatted for a while, then took the golden osmanthus and headed home to start preparing dinner.

 

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