As Chen Shiyi was nearing home on her way down the mountain, a large creature suddenly flapped right in front of her, startling her into taking several steps back.
"Hah…"
Chen Shiyi looked up to see Cui Yong'an leaning against a pine tree, his eyes teasing as he crossed his arms.
"What's wrong?"
"The chicken on the ground is for you. Tomorrow, prepare a full banquet for me—I have guests to entertain."
Seeing the plump chicken on the ground, Chen Shiyi quickly nodded.
Today, she had truly stumbled upon a stroke of luck.
Dinner was exceptionally lavish.
The pale-pink yam softened the coarse rice, bubbling away in the earthen pot. The pheasant, plucked and cleaned, was first stir-fried and then stewed with Fir Mushrooms, their savory-sweet aroma wafting through the courtyard. Rendered chicken fat was used to fry several small fish until crisp and fragrant, and a plate of glossy shepherd's purse was stir-fried to perfection. Everything was ready.
When Wen Zhiheng returned and saw such a sumptuous meal, he couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"What's the occasion today? Is it a holiday?"
Chen Shiyi shook her head with a smile.
"No, today a pie fell from the sky—something that happens maybe once in a lifetime. Shouldn't we make the most of it?"
Wen Zhirou sat nearby, suppressing a laugh.
"Look at you, so easily impressed."
"Well, that's just how I am."
During the meal, everyone was in high spirits.
Wen Zhiheng kept piling meat into Chen Shiyi's bowl.
"Young Master, I already have more than enough."
"Eat more. You're all skin and bones."
After dinner, Chen Shiyi lay on the bluestone slab, her hand resting on her belly.
So this was what it felt like to be stuffed.
Her stomach was full to the brim, with no worry of hunger creeping up on her anytime soon. Her head felt heavy and drowsy, her eyelids drooping with sleepiness.
She had often heard people say that eating too much makes you sleepy—turns out it was true.
Usually, she was too hungry to sleep.
In her daze, she heard footsteps approaching.
She quickly sat up as Wen Zhiheng walked over and settled beside her.
"Walk around a bit after eating, or you won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Not at all, I could fall asleep right now."
Hearing this, Wen Zhiheng chuckled softly.
"What's all this green grass spread on the ground for?"
"Oh, the locals call it Chicken Nest Grass. It sells for five wen a pound in town."
Wen Zhiheng nodded in understanding.
"Thank you for your hard work, managing this household for me."
"I'm your maid. It's what I should do."
Wen Zhiheng's dark eyes fixed intently on her, his gaze shifting subtly in the flickering firelight of the night, taking on an unusual quality.
Chen Shiyi felt her scalp prickle under his stare and self-consciously touched her face.
"Young Master, what are you looking at?"
Wen Zhiheng withdrew his gaze, lowering his head with a soft laugh.
"You're beautiful."
Chen Shiyi gave an awkward smile, wondering if there was something wrong with the young master's eyesight.
"Shiyi, can you tell me about your past?"
Chen Shiyi shook her head.
"I'm happy right now. I don't want to think about the past."
"What about the future? Have you ever thought about it?"
"My mind is simple—I only know I want to eat my fill and stay warm. Who knows what the future holds? Back in Xiangyang Village, there was a boy named Junsheng, about my age. From a young age, he was determined to become the manager of Yueman Tower in town. He secretly went to school to learn characters, and his father pulled strings to get him a job as a waiter at Yueman Tower. Step by step, he moved closer to his dream. But sadly, a conscription notice came, and he went off to the battlefield, where he died in the end. His mother cried so much she went blind. So, what’s the point of talking about the future?"
"Young Master, I told the young lady a few days ago that my greatest wish was to have a full meal. I never thought it would come true so soon. I’m very happy now—that’s enough for me."
Wen Zhiheng fell silent for a long moment, then looked up at the pitch-black sky overhead.
"Yes, that’s enough."
The next day at mao hour, Chen Shiyi rose early. She swept the courtyard clean, warmed the leftover food from the night before, heated water in the large pot, then shouldered her basket, picked up a kitchen knife, and strapped on a bamboo tube of water before setting off for the mountains.
Seeing this, Wen Zhiheng quickly called out to her.
"Why so early?"
Chen Shiyi smiled.
"Starting early gives me more time to dig up Chicken Nest Grass, earn some coins, and exchange them for rice and grain in town."
Wen Zhiheng felt deeply frustrated, but there was nothing he could do—he couldn’t get away.
"Then be careful. Don’t go too deep into the mountains."
Watching Chen Shiyi’s cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Wen Zhiheng clenched his fists so tightly the veins bulged.
Powerless as he was, all he could offer now were empty words of concern.
Chen Shiyi went up the mountain early not only to dig more Chicken Nest Grass but also for another important reason: she had promised Cui Yong’an she would prepare a feast for him today. After all, she couldn’t just eat his chicken for free.
By noon, she had filled her basket with Chicken Nest Grass. Returning to the courtyard, she spread the herbs out to dry, informed the madam, and then headed out.
As soon as she stepped into Cui Yong’an’s courtyard, the noisy chatter inside stopped her in her tracks.
"Why are you only coming now?"
Seeing Chen Shiyi, Cui Yong’an quickly pulled her into the yard.
There were at least seven or eight people in the courtyard, all staring wide-eyed at Chen Shiyi.
"Yong’an, when did you get married? Why didn’t you invite us to the wedding feast?"
Cui Yong’an waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t talk nonsense. She’s just the cook I hired."
One of them, a loudmouth, chimed in.
"That’s what I thought—how could Yong’an ever fancy someone like her?"
In the kitchen, Chen Shiyi gritted her teeth, thinking, Maybe I should add extra salt to their dishes. Let them drink more water to wash out their filthy mouths.
But thinking was one thing, saying another, and doing yet another.
After working all afternoon to prepare a table full of delicious dishes, the disdainful looks on the men’s faces turned slightly sheepish.
The man in the white robe arrived later. Seeing Chen Shiyi, he greeted her familiarly.
"Little girl, you’ve worked hard again."
"I have a name—it’s Chen Shiyi."
"My surname is Lan, given name Qinghe, courtesy name Youzhi. How’s the tidying up of your courtyard going?"
Chen Shiyi carried dishes to the table, replying as she worked.
"I’ve been living there for a few days already."
Lan Qinghe couldn’t hide his surprise.
"That was quick."
"There were too many rats in the old place, and troublemakers kept lurking outside, so I cleaned up a room and moved in right away."
Once she finished her work, Chen Shiyi washed her hands, said goodbye to Cui Yong’an, and prepared to leave.
Lan Qinghe quickly stopped her.
"You’ve worked so long—stay and eat before you go."
Chen Shiyi shook her head.
"No, I haven't prepared the meals at home yet. I need to hurry back."
Cui Yong'an frowned.
"If you don't cook, will they just starve to death waiting?"
Chen Shiyi paused her steps as she was about to leave the courtyard and turned to say.
"I'm their maid. This is my duty."
"Wait a moment…"
Cui Yong'an brought a cut of pork from the kitchen and handed it to Chen Shiyi.
Chen Shiyi's eyes sparkled.
"I already accepted your chicken before. I can't take this too."
Cui Yong'an curled his lips and let out a disdainful laugh.
"Just take it when it's given to you. Why pretend?"
Chen Shiyi's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and accepted it.
Cui Yong'an really was a good person, even if his words were a bit unkind.