After the start of autumn, the nights were quiet. Even after the Qiao family had gone to sleep, a few candles still flickered in the alley.
In the main hall of the Wang family, Wang Dazhu specifically called his mother out. “The younger brothers are asleep, so I’ll just say a few words. What’s going on between you and that man from the Zeng family next door?”
“What could be going on? We’re just neighbors. He’s been coming by more often lately, but at my age, what could there possibly be?”
As she spoke, Widow Wang grew annoyed, her voice rising. “Who the hell is spreading rumors? I’ll tear their mouths apart!”
“Mother, it’s not just one or two people talking. Everyone has eyes—they can see,” Wang Dazhu said. He wasn’t tall, not even seven feet, with round eyes much like his mother’s. “Keep your voice down. If the younger brothers hear, it won’t be good for you. I’m telling you—no matter what you think, our family’s life is finally improving, and I’m arranging a marriage. Don’t do anything improper.”
Widow Wang clenched her teeth. “If I wanted to remarry, I would have done so long ago. I’m your mother, and instead of trusting me, you come here to warn me. Dazhu, am I still your mother?”
Wang Dazhu looked awkward. Recently, he had been visiting Scholar Chen’s home frequently. If he could marry the scholar’s daughter, his future children might be able to study, and their prospects would be completely different.
For the sake of his own marriage, no matter how uncomfortable it was, he still had to speak clearly. “You are my mother—that’s why I’m telling you this. Just remember what I said. Don’t let anyone from the Zeng family come over again. In the future, you’ll rely on me for support.”
Watching her son return to his room, Widow Wang felt deeply troubled.
She had been widowed for many years. It wasn’t that no one had proposed to her before—she had considered remarrying in her early years.
But those men either wanted her to marry alone or only allowed her to bring her two youngest sons. The older children were already aware of things, and no one wanted to raise someone else’s kids. For the sake of her five sons, she could only grit her teeth and endure.
But she was still human. Sometimes she felt lonely and wanted someone to talk to.
Recently, Zeng Hongzhi had been coming by more often. She could clearly see the thoughts in his eyes. She had no intention of getting involved with him—it was just that life felt empty. At her age, having a man show interest in her gave her a bit of vanity and comfort. At most, they would just chat.
She hadn’t expected that after only a few days, people would start gossiping. Being a woman really wasn’t easy.
What hurt her most was that her eldest son had come to warn her before she had even done anything—just for the sake of his own marriage.
She was his mother. Did he have any respect for her?
Though upset, she still depended on him for support in old age. She could only swallow her anger and barely slept that night. The next morning, when she encountered Zeng Hongzhi while going out to dump water, she kept a straight face and said nothing.
“Sister, you…” Before Zeng Hongzhi could finish, she ignored him completely. He froze for a moment, then hurried after her, only to be blocked at the door by Wang Dazhu.
“Uncle Zeng, my mother is tired lately and needs rest. Please don’t come looking for her anymore.” His meaning was clear. After speaking, he shut the door without giving him any face.
Widow Wang looked at her son. “Was that necessary?”
“I’m doing this for everyone’s good,” Wang Dazhu replied, then went to wake his younger brothers. There were many boys in the family, and they ate a lot—everyone had to work just to barely get by.
Zeng Hongzhi lost face. He glared at the Wang family’s door and muttered a curse before turning away. As he did, he saw Xu Zhongyi from across the street carrying a chamber pot. Immediately, he turned away in disgust, avoiding any interaction.
Xu Zhongyi was mute and made a living carrying waste and cleaning chamber pots—the dirtiest work. Zeng Hongzhi always thought he smelled bad and avoided him.
Still upset from being snubbed, Zeng Hongzhi told his daughter-in-law he was going out for breakfast and headed off.
When he arrived at the Qiao family’s food stall, they were just starting their fire. He greeted them cheerfully, “Brother Mancang, still selling meat today? With Mianmian running the stall, you can support your whole family now, right?”
“We’re just running a small business. I don’t sell meat every day. Relying only on Mianmian’s stall wouldn’t be enough,” Qiao Mancang replied while cutting pork into portions.
Zeng Hongzhi chuckled, placed some coins on the table, and said, “Mianmian, give me a bowl of braised pork offal mixed noodles. We’re neighbors, so make the portion generous.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be full,” Qiao Mianmian replied. Although she didn’t have a good first impression of him—he was already older but still spoke in a frivolous tone—he was still a paying customer.
She grabbed a large handful of noodles and dropped them into the pot.
She added some lard to the bowl, then mixed in the cooked noodles with a spoonful of braising sauce and chopped scallions, finally topping it with braised pork offal. Paired with a bowl of pork bone soup, it made a hot, hearty breakfast.
Lin Shi helped deliver the bowl. As soon as she set it down, another customer arrived. “Please sit. I’ll slice some braised dishes for you.”
Zeng Hongzhi picked up a mouthful of noodles. The aroma of lard awakened his senses, and the spicy heat traveled down his throat, warming his whole body.
“Really good!” he praised. As an accountant, he was relatively well-off and had eaten at places like Chunxi Restaurant and Fumanlou. But this bowl of noodles truly impressed him. “Mancang, when your business grows, hire me as your accountant.”
“It’s a small business. Everything can be calculated quickly—we don’t need someone of your ability,” Qiao Manzang laughed.
“Small now doesn’t mean it’ll stay small,” Zeng Hongzhi said as he finished eating and stood up. “When you get rich, don’t forget your old friends.”
Qiao Mancang only smiled without replying.
After he left, Lin Shi snorted. “Even if we become a big restaurant, we won’t hire him. I heard he argued with his employer before, though I don’t know why.”
She simply didn’t like him. He had a habit of sizing people up with his eyes.
“Let’s not speculate about things we don’t know,” Qiao Mancang said. “Business seems even better today. Go help—Mianmian can’t handle it alone.”
Qiao Mianmian was indeed overwhelmed, constantly preparing noodles while remembering each customer’s order.
“Miss Qiao, two bowls of pork bone soup noodles, please.” Xu Mingxuan came by before heading to school. Their relationship with the Qiao family had improved, and he often supported their business.
“Alright, please have a seat,” she replied politely.
Lin Shi, however, was curious. “Scholar Xu, is the exam result announcement today?”
“Yes,” Xu Mingxuan said. “I’ll go check after eating.” He felt nervous—it was his second time taking the provincial exam.
Lin Shi smiled. “Then I wish you success! If you pass, I’ll give you some braised meat!”
Before long, Lu Zhao and Qing Jiu also arrived. Qing Jiu had burned the meal again the day before, so Lu Zhao came straight here for breakfast.
The tables were full, so they shared one with Xu Mingxuan.
Qing Jiu chatted eagerly, urging Xu Mingxuan to hurry to check the results.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhao and Qing Jiu finished their noodles quickly. Still hungry, Lu Zhao called out, “Two more bowls!”
Lin Shi laughed. “I like customers like Lord Lu—such a hearty appetite!”
Soon, more noodles were served.
After Xu Mingxuan left, Lin Shi sighed about the high cost of education. Even basic schooling required significant money.
From their conversation, Qiao Mianmian realized that scholars were highly valued in this era. Having one in the family brought many advantages.
But for now, that had nothing to do with her.
“Mother, we should learn to read,” she suggested.
“What for? I’m nearly forty—it’s useless for me,” Lin Shi replied.
“It’s very useful. We need to keep accounts. Otherwise, everything will become confusing,” Qiao Mianmian explained.
Lin Shi hesitated—no one in the family could teach them.
Just then, Qing Jiu overheard and said, “My master can teach you! And I can help too—we won’t charge anything.”
Lu Zhao agreed, though he added they were only free in the evenings.
Lin Shi felt conflicted, but Qiao Mianmian seized the chance. “If you feel bad about it, we can treat them to meals in return.”
Lin Shi immediately agreed. “Then come eat at our house tomorrow!”
After some persuasion, Lu Zhao accepted.
Qing Jiu was overjoyed—he had long been tempted by the delicious smells from their kitchen.
Seeing Lu Zhao agree, Qiao Mianmian smiled brightly. Building a good relationship with him would be beneficial.
As Lu Zhao looked at her, he noticed the lively sparkle in her eyes—full of energy and life.
For a moment, something warm stirred in his heart.