Gu Xiao’s coming made Shen Xihe happy deep down. Yet somehow, just like that time with the clothes, he said what he shouldn’t have.
Shen Xihe asked, “So you’re leaving now?”
Gu Xiao nodded. “The rolls are wrapped in oiled paper. Easy for you to eat. I’ll go back for my meal.”
Shen Xihe faltered. He lowered his head, picked up a roll, and handed it to her. “This one’s for you…”
The rolls were meant for his own meal. How could Gu Xiao take them? Besides, the stall wasn’t far.
Before she could refuse, Shen Xihe said, “It’s too much. I can’t finish alone. You…”
He remembered—when he shared food with Gu Xiao, she was always happy.
Gu Xiao glanced at him, smiling. “If you can’t finish, save it for tonight. Or share with classmates. You eat slowly. I’ll go.” Her smile never reached her eyes. The moment she turned, it vanished completely.
Shen Xihe stood rooted, sighing in regret. Gu Xiao had come with such joy, and he had spoiled it with his words. Still, the meal had to be eaten. This roll was larger than yesterday’s, with minced pork inside—fat and lean, fragrant but not greasy. He finished one, but couldn’t bear to eat the second.
Tomorrow, it would surely be Da‑wa again.
Shen Xihe carried the roll back. Someone bumped his shoulder. He turned—it was Chen Ningyuan.
Chen Ningyuan said, “I thought I saw your younger sister just now. Brother Xihe, was it your sister who brought lunch today?”
Shen Xihe couldn’t nod, couldn’t shake his head. He chose silence.
Chen Ningyuan didn’t mind. “Then it must be. From afar she looked familiar.”
Chen Ningyuan’s brows were clear, his eyes bright. When he mentioned Gu Xiao, his gaze softened, gentle.
Shen Xihe clenched his fingers. He didn’t know Chen Ningyuan’s intent, only that he hated the feeling. Gu Xiao liked him—she was his. He didn’t want to hear her name from anyone else’s lips.
Even if that person was his closest friend.
“Why do you keep mentioning her?” Shen Xihe’s face was expressionless. “If you consider me a friend, then stay away from my sister.”
Chen Ningyuan: “…”
Truly unjust. He hadn’t kept mentioning her—didn’t he also mention Da‑Wa often? Why didn’t Shen Xihe get angry then?
“It’s only because she’s your sister that I spoke. You and I are close friends, and your sister…”
Shen Xihe’s expression turned cold. “You’re still talking?”
Chen Ningyuan tapped his mouth lightly with his fan. “I was foolish. If you don’t like hearing it, I won’t say more.”
Shen Xihe pressed his lips together and walked ahead. Chen Ningyuan caught up in a few steps. “What food is that? I haven’t seen you eat it before.”
It was the pancake roll Gu Xiao had brought him.
Shen Xihe said, “A pancake roll. There were too many; I couldn’t finish. I’ll save the rest for tonight.”
With a snap, Chen Ningyuan opened his folding fan. The handle was carved with bamboo, the fan surface painted with ink bamboo that seemed to grow from within. “That’s a fine food—still warm, easy to eat.”
Shen Xihe was silent for a moment. Chen Ningyuan was right: the rolls were hot, convenient. One was enough to fill him seven‑tenths full. If they sold them at the academy gates, wouldn’t he see her every day?
Shen Xihe’s lips curved, then quickly fell again. “Thank you.”
Chen Ningyuan: “Why thank me?”
Shen Xihe glanced at the roll. “Brother Ningyuan, try it—see how it tastes.”
Chen Ningyuan: “Me?”
Shen Xihe said, “Yes.”
Chen Ningyuan’s family was well‑off. If he also thought the flavor was good, then selling at the academy gates would be worthwhile. And Shen Xihe could come by to help.
Chen Ningyuan nodded. “Then I’ll respectfully accept.”
The pancake roll had a thin skin, yet wrapped the filling tightly. Inside was egg, rich and flavorful.
Though Chen Ningyuan had already eaten, he still found it delicious. “Not bad.”
Shen Xihe let out a breath. That was enough. If Gu Xiao came tomorrow, he could speak directly. If it was Da‑Wa…
Shen Xihe sighed. Then he would say he had something to discuss with Gu Xiao.
After delivering the meal, Gu Xiao carried the basket and strolled around the academy gate. Several stalls sold food there—plain noodles, soaked bread, scallion cakes. None were expensive, just one or two coins a portion.
Gu Xiao took note, then headed back. Da‑Wa felt guilty. If he hadn’t been so busy and forgotten, Gu Xiao wouldn’t have had to make the trip.
“Auntie (xiǎo shěn), eat quickly.” Da‑Wa handed her a plump pancake roll, filled not only with meat but also with egg.
T/n:小嬸 (xiǎo shěn) refers to a younger uncle’s wife.
Gu Xiao accepted it, then thought something was off. “Da‑Wa, come here. I have something to tell you.” She found a quiet alley, just the two of them. Gu Xiao spoke plainly: “From now on, outside, call me Little Aunt (小姑 (xiǎo gū).”
Da‑Wa: “Ah?”
Gu Xiao said, “It’s for your Little Uncle’s sake. He hasn’t yet earned his title. Marrying too early isn’t good.”
Da‑Wa didn’t understand how marriage could affect the exams, but he was always honest. Whatever his elders said, he obeyed.
“I understand. Outside, I’ll call you Little Aunt.” He scratched his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll remember.”
Gu Xiao nodded. That reassured her.
The two returned. Madam Li poured Gu Xiao a bowl of water. “Xiao Xiao, we’ve sold more than half already. Looks like we won’t be back until dark. You should head home soon and let Mother know you’re safe.”
It was tiring, but deeply reassuring.
Madam Li thought: when Shen Xihe stops studying in the future, she and her husband could set up a small stall in the county.
Gu Xiao said, “I’ll walk around the street a bit, buy some spices, and then head back.”
Madam Li answered cheerfully, “Be careful on the road.”
Gu Xiao still wanted to buy meat.
Second Brother had bought a jin of pork, but that had to be saved for selling. Madam Zhou kept strict accounts—whatever was for sale, the family didn’t touch a bite.
While Second Brother sold pancake rolls, Madam Zhou and the others at home ate steamed buns and stewed vegetables, with barely any oil.
The men ate only the simplest rolls with vegetables. But Gu Xiao longed to eat meat in big mouthfuls. She had a hundred coins she could spend, and her excuse was ready: her husband’s holiday was coming; he needed good food.
At the butcher’s stall she said, “One jin of pork belly, one jin of ribs, two pig’s feet, and two jin of mutton.”
The mutton had both fat and lean—perfect for skewers of grilled lamb.
The bamboo she had dried wasn’t all needed for fans. Umbrella handles required thin bamboo, but with so much left, she could make skewers—enough for countless kebabs. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin—how fragrant it would be.
She often bought meat, so the butcher knew her well. “I’ll throw in two bones.”
Big bones had little meat, but were perfect for soup. And since she was braising meat, they’d add flavor. She counted out seventy‑five coins, then carried her basket to the medicine shop.
The apothecary had all the spices. Gu Xiao bought bay leaves, cinnamon, and star anise—just a small bundle cost twenty coins. With the five coins left, she bought a small jar of tung oil.
Tung oil wasn’t edible, so it was cheap. But for oil‑paper umbrellas, she had to make the paper herself.
Gu Xiao carried her purchases home. Madam Zhou was waiting at the door.
“You’re back. Was the road tiring?”
Gu Xiao shook her head. “Not at all. Mother, Husband will be home in a few days. I bought some meat—we’ll cook it then.”
Madam Zhou was silent for a long while before saying, “What can I say about you? Spending money again. The family isn’t without meat. And in this heat, it won’t keep.”
“If it won’t keep, then we’ll eat it. Mother, I think Husband looks thinner. Da‑Wa and the others are like beanpoles. And Second Sister‑in‑law—six months along, yet so thin, her belly looks frightening.” Gu Xiao tugged Madam Zhou’s hand. “You need to nourish yourself too.”
Zhou turned her head, muttering, “I don’t see that Third Brother’s gotten thinner. He looks fatter to me…”
Madam Chen, listening nearby, found it curious. Whenever Third Brother came home, Madam Zhou would cling to him, crying. When had she ever said he looked fat?
Madam Chen washed her hands. “Mother, Xiao Xiao means well. If we put the meat in the well water, it won’t spoil.”
With the meat bought, surely they could all have a bite.
Gu Xiao said, “Mother, I bought some lamb. Lamb is more nourishing than pork. We can stew it or roast it. Shall I take care of it?”
Madam Zhou replied, “Of course… but don’t start yet. Come inside with me.” She walked ahead, telling Gu Xiao to close the door.
Opening the cabinet, Madam Zhou took out a packet of pastries. Shen Xihe had brought them home, but she hadn’t the heart to eat them, keeping them until now.
Madam Zhou said, “These are from Third Brother, for you.”
Gu Xiao: “…”
Madam Zhou was doing it for Shen Xihe. She knew her son’s nature—silent, tongue‑tied, unable to say sweet words. As his mother, she had to help him along.
Madam Zhou said, “Third Brother asked me to give them to you, but I forgot.”
Gu Xiao knew well enough. Likely Shen Xihe had given them to Madam Zhou, and Zhou herself hadn’t wanted to eat them.
“Mother…” Gu Xiao was moved—not because of Shen Xihe, but because of Madam Zhou.
Madam Zhou said, “Take them away. They’re just taking up space here. Give them to whomever you like. I don’t care. Anyway, Third Brother bought them for you…”
Gu Xiao accepted the pastries. “Thank you, Mother.”
Eight pastries. Gone in a bite. Inside was red bean paste, outside a layer of flaky crust. They hadn’t spoiled. Shen Xihe had chosen carefully when buying for Madam Zhou—they were quite good.
Gu Xiao had made such pastries before, steamed in a bamboo steamer—fragrant, soft, delicate. But making pastries required molds and steamers. Meat was quicker. Thinking of it, she gave up the idea.
Madam Zhou ate one piece of the pastry and divided the rest between Madam Li and Madam Chen. She didn’t feel reluctant; instead, she thought Gu Xiao was generous and filial.
After eating the pastry, Gu Xiao went to the back mountain and cut a few bamboo stalks to use for umbrella handles. She split and polished bamboo skewers in her room, and soon it was the next day.
From the two jin of lamb, Gu Xiao roasted one jin first. The marinated meat was cut into small chunks, skewered on bamboo skewers, and then grilled over charcoal.
The charcoal was leftover from winter. Madam Zhou herself had fetched it. “Never seen anyone so wasteful—using charcoal just to cook. That should be saved for winter…”
“Mother, I’ll get you fresh charcoal in winter. And you’ll have the first skewer of lamb. Don’t scold me.” Gu Xiao fumbled with the brazier, unused to it.
Madam Zhou worried she’d burn her hands. “Fine, fine… Xiao Xiao, will you still deliver to Third Brother later?”
Gu Xiao didn’t care much about Shen Xihe, but in front of Madam Zhou she never stopped mentioning him.
“Of course I’ll deliver to Husband. I’ll go soon.”
Madam Zhou said, “Leave one skewer each for Da‑Wa and the others. The rest, eat when you return.”
Gu Xiao agreed, wrapped three skewers, and went to the academy.
Meanwhile, Da‑Wa remembered the mealtime, rolled two pancakes, and brought them to Little Uncle.
Shen Xihe came out early today. Chen Ningyuan had his own meal and ate together with Shen Xihe.
“Brother Xihe, isn’t that Da‑Wa?”
Shen Xihe felt a hollow emptiness. “Mm.”
Chen Ningyuan added, “And that one farther off—isn’t it your sister?”
Shen Xihe looked into the distance. At once he saw her. “Yes!”
Da‑Wa walked quickly. “Little Uncle, I brought your meal.”
Shen Xihe was about to speak when Da‑Wa turned his head. “Ah, Little Aunt came too.”
Little Aunt (小姑 (xiǎo gū).
Shen Xihe snapped his gaze toward Da‑Wa, but Da‑Wa was completely unaware.
Da‑Wa shook his head. “Little Aunt must have come to bring food…”
T/n: 小姑 (xiǎo gū) refers to the youngest daughter of the family, which meant Shen Xihe’s younger sister.