Gu Xiao couldn’t understand what Shen Xihe meant. He hadn’t bothered to change clothes all the time she was outside, yet the moment she came in, he suddenly wanted to change.
Seeing the look on Gu Xiao’s face, Shen Xihe’s heart tightened. Afraid she might misunderstand again, he quickly said, “Right, Xiao Xiao! My clothes got worn through—look, right here.”
The sleeve had a small tear.
Shen Xihe showed it to Gu Xiao, then hurriedly took off the garment. Holding it in his arms, now only wearing a thin inner shirt, he added, “I need you to help me mend it…”
Gu Xiao hadn’t even seen clearly where it was torn.
The sewing box was with Madam Zhou. Whenever Shen Xihe’s clothes tore, it was always Madam Zhou who patched them. Gu Xiao said, “The sewing box is in Mother’s room. Go ask her.”
Her intention was for Shen Xihe to take the clothes to the east room, but he misunderstood. His eyes lit up, thinking Gu Xiao’s suggestion was excellent. “You’re right, I’ll go get it now.” He put down the torn garment, changed into coarse work clothes, and hurried off to the east room.
Gu Xiao: “…”
There was no farm work left in the fields—just some weeding in the mornings and evenings. Madam Zhou was inside, busy with her sewing. Work clothes wore out quickly, patched and repatched, lasting for years.
Madam Zhou’s needlework was fine and neat. Shen Xihe knocked and entered, seeing her mending clothes—the words he had prepared stuck in his throat.
How could Madam Zhou not know her son’s ways? She glanced at him and asked, “Third Brother, do you need something?”
Shen Xihe replied, “No.”
He could just borrow it later that night anyway. He nodded slightly, then turned to head back to the west room.
Madam Zhou set down her work. “Stop right there.”
Shen Xihe froze, bracing himself.
She asked, “What’s the matter? You’re hemming and hawing—never seen you like this before. Do you need money?”
It was only when he needed money that Shen Xihe acted this way. He knew life at home wasn’t easy. The money for paper and brushes came from copying books himself, and whatever he saved he would bring back as little treats for the family.
Shen Xihe quickly denied it. “No.”
Madam Zhou frowned, eyeing her youngest son suspiciously. “Then what is it?”
Shen Xihe glanced at the sewing basket beside her and said, “Mother, I want to use the sewing kit. My clothes are worn through.”
Without thinking, Madam Zhou replied, “I’m mending clothes right now. Bring it here, I’ll patch it up for you.”
But Shen Xihe didn’t move. “I just need to use the sewing basket…”
Madam Zhou: “You? As if you know how to sew.”
“I don’t, but Xiao Xiao does!” Shen Xihe muttered, lowering his head in embarrassment—especially in front of his mother. He had insisted last time that the eldest child should deliver meals, but now he wanted to go back on that.
Madam Zhou found it amusing, almost laughed but held it in. “Oh? Xiao Xiao can sew? I’ve never seen her mend anything. If it turns out ugly, don’t come running back to me.”
Shen Xihe said firmly, “It won’t.” Even if it did look ugly, he would still wear it.
Madam Zhou wasn’t eager to sew anyway. She pushed the basket toward him. “Take it.”
Relieved, Shen Xihe carried the sewing basket back to the west room. Closing the door tightly, he said, “I brought it back.”
Shen Xihe had taken quite a while going back and forth. Gu Xiao asked, “You really want me to sew it?”
Once Shen Xihe made up his mind, he wouldn’t go back on it. Just as Madam Zhou had said—even if it looked ugly, he would still wear it. “Of course.”
This was actually Shen Xihe’s best piece of clothing. His other garments were covered with patches. Normally, two scraps of cloth would have sufficed, but Gu Xiao felt reluctant. She thought of embroidering two bamboo stalks instead. The green robe with emerald bamboo leaves—it would suit him well.
Glancing at the sewing basket, Gu Xiao saw green, teal, and black threads. That was enough. She said, “Alright, leave the clothes here. I’ll mend them this afternoon.”
Shen Xihe was taken aback. A few stitches wouldn’t take long—he wanted to watch. “Not now?”
Gu Xiao asked, “Are you in a hurry to wear it?”
“No.” Shen Xihe looked into her eyes and suddenly understood.
Madam Zhou had just said that if Gu Xiao’s stitching turned out poorly, he wasn’t allowed to bring it back.
Shen Xihe said, “Xiao Xiao, even if it doesn’t look good, I’ll still wear it.”
Gu Xiao replied, “If you think my sewing is ugly, why don’t you do it yourself?”
Shen Xihe said, “I don’t think that—I only meant if, hypothetically…”
Gu Xiao gave him a look. “If you want me to sew, then go do whatever you should be doing. If not, take the clothes and the sewing basket away.”
Shen Xihe opened his mouth, hesitated, and fell silent.
Gu Xiao asked, “So—are we sewing or not?”
“Of course! I’ll step out right now…” Shen Xihe stood up, walked a few steps, then turned back to glance at her. Clenching his fist, he said, “Xiaoxiao, no matter how it turns out, I’ll wear it.”
Gu Xiao: “…” She regretted agreeing—whoever wanted to deal with it should deal with it.
The tear was on the sleeve. Gu Xiao picked out three threads—green, teal, and black—and held them against the fabric.
With the shifting shades, a cluster of fresh bamboo leaves appeared over the worn spot little by little. Three leaves, perfectly matching Shen Xihe’s name: Third Shen.
It was Gu Xiao who stitched them, but she didn’t want Shen Xihe watching. Before long, the garment was finished. She folded it neatly and placed it on the bed.
Shen Xihe left the room, took up a hoe, and went to the fields. The seeds had already sprouted, but weeds had grown thick. Under the blazing sun, he weeded for more than an hour before heading home.
Madam Chen was feeding the chickens in the courtyard. Shen Xihe asked, “Sister-in-law, where’s Xiao Xiao?”
She answered casually, “She went to the back garden to pick vegetables.”
The clothes should be finished by now. Shen Xihe set down the hoe, washed his face at the well, and then went inside.
The window was open, letting in a cool breeze. The sewing basket sat on the table, threads swaying gently in the wind. His garment lay folded on the bed. At the cuff, three green bamboo leaves—vivid and lifelike.
Shen Xihe stood there for quite a while, then picked up the clothes and carried them out. He fetched a wooden basin, some soap pods, and even the laundry mallet, then headed toward the door with the basin in his arms.
Madam Chen put down what she was holding and stopped him. “Third Brother, what are you doing? Where are you taking those clothes? Leave them—I’ll wash them.”
Shen Xihe said, “I’ve got nothing else to do. I can wash them myself.” He wanted to wear them tomorrow. Otherwise, if he left them at home, he’d have to wait five days before coming back again.
Madam Chen sighed. Shen Xihe was sensible, not like the Zhang family’s grandson at the village head, who only knew how to read and eat, never washed his own clothes, and saved them up to bring home.
But Shen Xihe didn’t rush off. “Sister-in-law, my clothes were torn, and Xiao Xiao mended them for me. Do you think they look alright?”
Madam Chen glanced at them. “If Xiao Xiao sewed them, they must be fine.”
Shen Xihe’s lips curved slightly, then he quickly lowered them again. “Mm, I think so too.” He went to the river to wash the clothes, wrung them so dry that not a drop of water remained, then hung them in the courtyard. By morning, they should be dry.
After hanging the clothes, Shen Xihe returned the sewing basket. All through dinner, he didn’t say a single word to Gu Xiao.
After the meal, Madam Zhou told Gu Xiao, “Tonight, make pig’s trotters and spare ribs for Third Brother.”
Gu Xiao nodded vigorously. Madam Zhou hadn’t bothered to avoid Madam Chen when she said it—giving Shen Xihe special dishes was nothing new, and Madam Chen was long used to it.
Madam Chen wiped down the table, then wiped her hands. “Mother, I have something to discuss with you.”
Madam Zhou looked at her. “What is it?”
Madam Chen took a deep breath. “Mother, I’d like to start selling flatbreads at the academy gate at noon from now on.”
Madam Zhou’s face hardened. “So you want to go too.”
Madam Chen’s heart thumped nervously. “I’ll tidy up the house in the morning, and after selling at noon I’ll come straight back. It won’t interfere with any other chores.” She didn’t dare meet Madam Zhou’s eyes. Having lived under her authority for years, this was the first time she had voiced her own idea.
Madam Zhou’s gaze was sharp. Just as Gu Xiao was about to speak, the door to the west room creaked open. Shen Xihe stepped out and said, “Mother, I think it’s a good idea for Sister-in-law to sell flatbreads at the academy gate.”
Madam Zhou cherished her youngest son most. The moment Shen Xihe appeared, her expression softened considerably. She asked, “Why do you say that?”
Shen Xihe explained, “Most of the academy students live far from home, so their families send meals. I’ve noticed that nearly every meal includes an egg. One egg costs one coin, plus a steamed bun—altogether about two coins. A flatbread for two coins, with an egg inside, fills you about seventy percent full, and it tastes better than the usual meals.”
Madam Zhou still hesitated. She said it wouldn’t interfere with household work, but if something came up, where would she find help? Second Brother and Madam Li were already earning plenty, and Madam Zhou wasn’t a greedy woman.
Shen Xihe added, “Mother, Second Brother and his wife have been making flatbreads for several days now. Others can easily learn by watching. If someone else sets up a stall at the academy gate first, it’ll be too late to regret it.”
Madam Zhou turned to Gu Xiao. “Xiao Xiao, what do you think?”
Gu Xiao replied, “My husband is right.”
Business depends on seizing the moment. Whoever acts first owns it. If someone else set up a stall at the academy gate, there’d be no way to argue.
Shen Xihe glanced at Gu Xiao. Night had already fallen. An oil lamp burned in the kitchen, its dim glow casting a gentle warmth across their faces.
Shen Xihe lowered his gaze. Madam Zhou gave a cold snort. “Always stirring up trouble. Fine—go tomorrow at noon. But if you can’t sell them, then don’t bother going again!”
Madam Chen nodded quickly. “Mother, I promise I’ll do it well. They’ll definitely sell!”
She had never sold before, but if Madam Li could manage, then surely she could too.
Madam Zhou waved her hand. “Enough. Go do what you should be doing.”
Grateful, Madam Chen glanced at Shen Xihe. “Then I’ll head back.”
Madam Zhou returned to her room, and Madam Chen left as well. Only Shen Xihe and Gu Xiao remained in the kitchen. Shen Xihe said, “I’ll tend the fire.”
Gu Xiao replied, “Go inside. I’ll handle it.”
Shen Xihe: “Studying isn’t bound to one moment…”
“You just ate dinner. A midnight snack isn’t urgent. Go inside and read.” Gu Xiao shut the cupboard. “Why are you still standing there? Go back.”
“Mm…” Shen Xihe returned to his room. He sat with his book, not knowing how long he read. When he finally looked up, he smelled something fragrant. He rose, rubbed his shoulders, and pushed the door open.
Outside, the air was filled with the scent of cooking. Gu Xiao lifted the lid of the pot and brought out a small bowl of rice.
“Eat rice with the dishes. You… get the chopsticks.” Gu Xiao herself didn’t want rice—she would just eat the meat.
There was a small basin of pig’s trotters and spare ribs, and another small bowl, golden in color. Shen Xihe hadn’t yet seen clearly what it was.
The books were pushed aside, and the dishes were set on the table. There was only one bowl of rice, which Shen Xihe immediately picked up and scooped into Gu Xiao’s bowl.
Gu Xiao protested, “Hey, I don’t eat rice. I’ll just have the meat. The rice was made for you.” If there had been steamed buns left, she wouldn’t have cooked rice at all.
So it turned out she had made it especially for him.
Shen Xihe said, “Then eat more meat.”
Gu Xiao was busy gnawing on a pig’s trotter—she didn’t need him to say that; of course she would eat more.
Shen Xihe took a bite of rice, then paused to look at her.
Gu Xiao didn’t seem to notice his gaze, so Shen Xihe grew bolder—taking a bite, then glancing at her again. He wanted her to eat more, waiting until she picked up food before he did.
Gu Xiao frowned slightly. Why was Shen Xihe staring at her? Thinking of the only possible reason, she stopped and asked, “Do I have something on my face?”
Shen Xihe froze. “Ah?”
“Otherwise, why do you keep looking at me…” Gu Xiao touched her face, but felt nothing.
Shen Xihe’s heart leaped into his throat. Somehow, he nodded. “Yes, right here…”
The young man leaned forward, his hand brushing lightly across her cheek like a dragonfly skimming water. “There, it’s gone now.”
As soon as he spoke, Shen Xihe quickly hid his hand behind his back.