A loud wail from Aunt Wu startled the neighbors, and people nearby came out to see what was happening. Lin Shi and the others also went to the doorway.
“Auntie, it’s Ermao,” Lin Shi recognized him first and said happily, “It’s a good thing he’s back. You and your son are finally reunited.”
Three years ago, Wu Ermao had gone to join the army. Since then, Lin Shi had often seen Aunt Wu burning incense and praying everywhere. Now that he had returned safely, it was truly a blessing.
“Yes, it’s a good thing,” Aunt Wu said, her voice trembling. He was her only son. Seeing him return safely finally put her heart at ease. Hearing the congratulations from others, she wiped her tears and smiled. “Thank you, everyone. I’ll treat you all to duck eggs tomorrow.”
Then she pulled her son inside. “You haven’t eaten yet, right? I’ll make you hand-pulled noodles. How many eggs do you want? Three or five?”
“Three is enough,” Wu Ermao replied.
Next door, Zhang Shi went to the kitchen, filled a bowl with steaming braised pork offal, and asked her eldest grandson to deliver it. “The Wu family only has Ermao left. He must not have eaten yet. Leave the bowl and come back.”
Qiao Jiawang agreed. Lin Shi looked at the full bowl and whispered, “There are only two of them. Can they finish it?”
“If not today, then tomorrow. Don’t be stingy—it’s just a kind gesture between neighbors,” Zhang Shi said, urging her grandson to hurry, then quietly asked her daughter-in-law about the Yuan family.
“Mother, don’t worry. The Yuan family said they’ll come tomorrow to propose,” Lin Shi said, her lips curving into a smile. “We’ll just wait at home. We can wash the pork offal in the afternoon.”
As they spoke, she saw her youngest daughter go into the kitchen and followed to help.
Starting tomorrow, Chunxi Restaurant would need more braised pork offal, and they still had their own stall to run. One pot wouldn’t be enough—they would have to cook in two batches, doubling the work.
The oil lamp flickered in the kitchen as Qiao Mianmian put a fresh batch of pork offal into the pot.
“Mother, go rest. I’ll watch it,” she said.
The dim light made the wrinkles on Lin Shi’s face appear deeper. She had worked hard all her life—how could she sleep when there was still work to do?
“I’ll stay with you,” she said, sitting beside her daughter and sighing softly. “Your father and I are useless, making you suffer like this.”
“What are you saying? When have I ever suffered at home?” Qiao Mianmian leaned against her shoulder, looking at the starry sky through the doorway. “Having you all by my side is the best.”
The mother and daughter yawned as they watched the pot. When the pork offal was about eighty percent cooked, they took it out, planning to finish cooking it the next morning.
After a good night’s sleep, morning came. Qiao Jiawang went to deliver the pork offal, while the elders stayed home waiting for the Yuan family. Qiao Jiaxing carried the load to set up the stall.
Just as Qiao Mianmian finished preparing the stove, Luo Da arrived.
“The young master in my house can’t stop thinking about your pork offal. He sent me again today. Miss, give me five bowls,” Luo Da said. He planned to keep one for himself and bring the rest home for his children—it was cheaper than buying meat.
Qiao Mianmian filled his bowls extra full. “You’re a regular customer, so I’ve given you a little more. I also added some vegetables for you to try. If you like them, you can buy them together next time.”
“Alright! You really know how to do business,” Luo Da said, thinking how great it would be to have such a capable daughter-in-law—if only his son were old enough.
Business was best in the cool morning hours. When it slowed down, Qiao Jiaxing scooped himself a piece of pork heart. It was chewy, less greasy than intestines, with a slightly spicy flavor from the braising sauce.
“Fifth Sister, you probably don’t know—Ermao has become a centurion,” Qiao Jiaxing said, eyes full of envy. “If I had joined the army back then, do you think I could have become one too?”
Three years ago, he had wanted to enlist, but Qiao Manchang had beaten him and stopped him.
Qiao Mianmian didn’t support her brothers joining the army. Medical care in ancient times was poor, and the battlefield was dangerous—injury or death was almost certain. Wu Ermao had a martial arts background from his father, a bodyguard, which helped him succeed.
As for her brothers, it was better to stay home. Their family would rather spend money than risk their lives.
“Did you forget Brother Zeng? He died after just three months. Father and Mother already paid money to keep you from going—you’re not meant to be a centurion,” Qiao Mianmian said directly.
“But I just carry goods at the docks. How much can I earn?” Qiao Jiaxing said. Though he seemed carefree, he felt anxious inside.
His elder brother was about to marry, and his fourth sister would soon wed—both required money. Even his youngest sister could earn, while he only made twenty or thirty coins a day. It weighed on him.
Qiao Mianmian saw through him and patted his shoulder. “Second Brother, you’re strong and good with words. Those are your strengths. If you use them well, you’ll succeed someday.”
Just then, Aunt Wu came running over in a panic.
“What happened?” Qiao Mianmian asked.
“I don’t know. Your mother was smiling this morning—I even asked if something good had happened. Then someone came to your house, and soon they started arguing. If you’re almost done selling, you should go back and check,” Aunt Wu said with a sigh.
Qiao Mianmian frowned. Today was supposed to be the day of the engagement discussion with the Yuan family. How could there be a fight?
She stopped selling, and together with her brother, rushed home.
“Mother, who’s causing trouble?” Qiao Jiaxing shouted as he entered. “Which bastard came to stir things up?”
“Stop yelling,” Qiao Manchang said unhappily.
Only then did Qiao Mianmian notice a young man and woman kneeling in the courtyard. Her fourth sister was nowhere to be seen, and her mother sat to the side, eyes red from crying.
She went to her grandmother and quietly asked what happened.
Zhang Shi, furious, pointed at the man. It was Yuan Qiang.
“Constable Yuan?” Qiao Mianmian looked at him, then at the woman beside him—yellowish complexion, but seductive features. She quickly understood.
Qiao Manchang spoke angrily, “Get out! All of you, get out of my house! From now on, we are strangers!”
“Uncle Qiao, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come,” Chen Honglian sobbed. “I didn’t mean to ruin this marriage. I’m unfortunate—I don’t seek status, just a way to survive. I was afraid Miss Lin couldn’t accept me, so I came to apologize.”
“Didn’t you hear? Get out!” Lin Shi shouted, her chest heaving. She raised a teapot as if to throw it, then put it down. “Yuan Qiang, your former fiancée is impressive—one husband died, and now she clings to you. And you’re no better. If that’s the case, take her and leave!”
“Auntie, there’s nothing between us. She was driven out by her husband’s family. I only helped her rent a place out of past feelings. I truly want to marry Xiahe—”
Before he could finish, Qiao Mianmian came out with a bucket of slop and splashed it on both of them.
“My parents told you to leave—didn’t you hear?” she snapped. “One of you claims you didn’t want to ruin a marriage, yet comes here right before the engagement to cause trouble. Acting innocent while doing shameless things! And you—pretending not to understand, knowing she wants to rely on you, yet still helping her. Both of you—get out!”
Seeing them stunned, she called out, “Big Brother, Second Brother—throw these disgusting people out!”
The Qiao brothers had long wanted to act. They dragged Yuan Qiang out, while Chen Honglian fled after him in fear.
Many neighbors had gathered outside. Qiao Mianmian’s heart tightened—though remarriage for widows was allowed, reputation still mattered for women.
Recently, matchmakers had been visiting often. Even without explanation, people could guess it was for her fourth sister’s marriage.
Just as she feared gossip, Chunsheng’s mother stepped forward first. “Constable Yuan, have some decency. The Qiao family has nothing to do with you—how dare you bring your lover here?”
Aunt Wu spat. “A constable, yet so shameless! No wonder the alley smelled this morning—it’s because trash crawled out of the gutter!”
Widow Wang also came over, hands on her hips. “Get lost! What nonsense are you?”
Everyone chimed in, making Yuan Qiang’s face turn red, while Chen Honglian kept her head down. She softly called “Yuan lang,” then hurried after him when he left.
Lin Shi rushed out and threw rotten vegetable leaves at them. “Get out! Don’t ever come back!”
She was furious. What she thought was a good marriage turned out like this, damaging her daughter’s reputation. If Xiahe were talked about because of this, she would storm the magistrate’s office herself.
“Thank you all for speaking up. It’s over now—please disperse,” Qiao Youfu said as the head of the family.
Some neighbors left, but Aunt Wu and Chunsheng’s mother stayed to comfort Lin Shi.
“Don’t dwell on this. We all know what kind of girl Xiahe is. It’s fortunate the engagement wasn’t finalized,” Chunsheng’s mother said, hinting, “For marriage, it’s best to choose someone well-known to you. Otherwise, you might end up with trouble.”
Aunt Wu agreed. “That’s right. As a mother, you must stay strong. Later, find Xiahe an even better match.”
While they talked outside, Qiao Mianmian went to find her fourth sister.
Lin Xiahe had already cried once and was now being held by Qiao Mianmian.
“Fourth Sister, don’t be upset. We did nothing wrong. Yuan Qiang couldn’t let go of the past. When I earn more money and we move to a bigger house, people will line up to propose.”
“I just feel wronged,” Lin Xiahe said. “My father disliked me for being a daughter. I finally thought I found a good family and could have my own home—but this happened. Why am I so unlucky?”
The Qiao family treated her well, but she still felt the difference between blood relatives. She wasn’t jealous, only longing for a home of her own.
“You won’t always be unlucky. Someone better will come,” Qiao Mianmian said, hugging her. “I mean it—I’ll earn a lot of money so our whole family can live well.”
After a while, when their mother and grandmother came in, Lin Xiahe wiped her tears. “Mother, Grandmother, I’m hungry.”
Lin Shi had been struggling to find words to comfort her, but upon hearing that, she immediately asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it!”
“I’ll cook,” Qiao Mianmian said. “There’s still some braised pork offal left. I’ll make noodles with it. We also have pickled vegetables—slice them thin and add a little sugar to balance the richness.”
Sugar was expensive, but Lin Shi immediately agreed. “I’ll go buy some eggs from Widow Wang and fry eggs for you!”
Seeing the family’s care, Lin Xiahe’s eyes filled with tears again—this time from being moved.
“Alright, I’ll help start the fire.”