“It’s gone then.” Gu Xiao poked at the pig’s trotter with her chopsticks twice, then lowered her head and continued eating.
Shen Xihe let out a quiet breath of relief. The room was silent, his heartbeat pounding. He rubbed his fingers, uncertain whether he had really touched her face just now or not. His mind was in turmoil, and he only wanted to say a few more words to Gu Xiao. “By the way, Xiao Xiao, are these peas…?”
It was half a bowl of golden beans. Shen Xihe, used to farm work, recognized them at once.
Gu Xiao nodded. “Yes, braised in spiced broth. Try them.”
The household didn’t have much of anything else, but beans were plentiful—bags of them. Normally they weren’t eaten often, but Gu Xiao had noticed there were still several sacks left.
Flatbreads could be filled with many things. If they wanted customers to keep coming back, there had to be something memorable. Braised beans—soft and tender, infused with the flavor of stewed meat—and most importantly, beans were cheap.
Shen Xihe took a big bite. “Delicious.”
Gu Xiao said, “If you like them, eat more.”
She ate quickly, while Shen Xihe ate slowly. The meal lasted more than a quarter of an hour.
When he finished, Shen Xihe immediately stood up. “I’ll wash—”
Gu Xiao carried the bowls and chopsticks out. “No need. You go read.”
It was just past the hour of Hai (around 9–11 p.m.). At the academy, he would still be studying for another hour. Even at home, Shen Xihe was strict with himself, usually reading until midnight before resting.
Gu Xiao treated him well, liked him, so Shen Xihe felt he ought to work even harder. Watching her leave, he said softly, “Then go to bed early. Don’t wait up for me.”
Though Shen Xihe studied late into the night, he always rose early the next morning. He moved quietly, while Gu Xiao curled up on the couch, her back turned to him. He wanted her to sleep in the bed, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.
He stood there for a while, until Gu Xiao turned over. “You’re leaving already?”
Gu Xiao couldn’t bear to part with him, and Shen Xihe couldn’t bear to go either. He said, “Five days—count them one by one, Xiao Xiao… I’ll be back soon.”
The weather wasn’t so cold anymore; a thin quilt was just right.
Gu Xiao didn’t want to get up. Half-asleep, she nodded. “Mm… Be careful on the road.”
Gu Xiao rose late. By the time she had tidied up, Madam Li and Second Brother had already gone out.
Madam Chen had been up early, cleaning the house, washing clothes, feeding the chickens. All morning she was smiling. “Da Wa, is everything ready?”
Da Wa, having followed Second Brother for several days, was already practiced. “It’s all loaded on the cart.”
With Da Wa there, Madam Chen didn’t need Eldest Brother to accompany her.
Just after the hour of Si (around 9–11 a.m.), Madam Chen pushed the cart toward the county town.
Gu Xiao had wanted to go watch, but with no one left at home to cook, and with Da Wa along, nothing was likely to go wrong.
Once Madam Chen left, Madam Zhou began scolding. “She’s got it easy—off enjoying herself, while all the housework is left to me, this old woman.”
Er-Ya spoke timidly, “Grandmother, I can help…”
Madam Zhou grew even angrier. “Help with what! Can you cook, or can you earn money…”
Gu Xiao put down her work and came out of the room. “Mother, Sister-in-law already did the chores, and Er-Ya washed two basins of clothes this morning. What would you like for lunch? I’ll cook it for you.”
Madam Zhou couldn’t feel at ease without grumbling. “Hmph, it’s better when they’re all gone—less burden at home. For lunch, have an egg. They don’t have the fortune for it, Xiao Xiao, you eat!”
Gu Xiao said, “Then I’ll steam an egg custard for lunch—it’s easy on the teeth.”
Meanwhile, on the other side, Madam Chen and her two children pushed the cart to the academy gate.
Class was nearly over, and a crowd had already gathered at the entrance, waiting for meals to be delivered.
Madam Chen’s heart wavered. “Da Wa, do you think they’ll buy our flatbreads?”
Da Wa had felt the same way his first time. He said, “Business won’t be great today. We’ll sell whatever we can. Oh, right, Mother, Er Wa—I need to remind you…”
“When we’re outside, we can’t call Auntie ‘Auntie.’ Since Uncle hasn’t earned his scholarly title yet, marrying early is frowned upon.” Da Wa prided himself on being a good nephew—he remembered what Gu Xiao had said, even though she herself had forgotten.
“What does marrying have to do with passing the exams…” Er Wa scratched his head, and Madam Chen wore the same puzzled look. “Exactly.”
Da Wa didn’t know either. He only remembered Gu Xiao’s words. “Doesn’t matter. If it really affects him, Grandmother would never forgive us.”
Madam Chen nodded. “Got it. Once we’re done here, Da Wa, go help your Second Uncle and his wife. A family should support each other.”
Soon, the students poured out of the academy in groups of three and five.
Madam Chen glanced at Da Wa, nervously wiping her hands. “So many people…”
Da Wa tried calling out like Gu Xiao had taught him, but not a single person came over.
It made sense—this wasn’t a street corner. The students all had family bringing meals. Life wasn’t wealthy, so who would spend money on flatbreads?
Those with a little extra money went to restaurants. No wonder food stalls at the academy gate struggled to sell.
Madam Chen grew anxious, joining Da Wa in shouting, “Freshly made flatbreads, tasty and cheap…”
The stall next door selling sesame cakes had already sold two, while their flatbread stall hadn’t made a single sale.
Just as they were waiting, Shen Xihe came rushing out of the academy. He looked around at the stalls for a while, and when he didn’t see Gu Xiao, he finally pulled his gaze back. “Sister-in-law, you’re here. Let me help.”
Da Wa said, “No need, it’s not busy at all.”
Shen Xihe asked, “Xiao Xiao didn’t come?”
Er Wa rubbed his nose. “Little Aunt didn’t come. She’s at home with Grandmother.”
Shen Xihe suddenly looked at Da Wa. Da Wa quickly added, “Yes, Little Aunt is with Grandmother. She didn’t come.”
Shen Xihe’s breath caught. He said, “I understand. The first sale is always the hardest. Once you sell one, the rest will be easier.”
Madam Chen understood that truth. With Shen Xihe there, she wasn’t so anxious anymore. “Third Brother, wait a moment. Sister-in-law will make one for you. Ah—why are you wearing that outfit? You washed it yesterday and it’s already dry today?”
Madam Chen had seen with her own eyes Shen Xihe carrying the basin out to wash the clothes—could they really have dried in just one night?
Shen Xihe touched his sleeve. “They’re already dry.”
Madam Chen had only asked casually. Dry or not, Shen Xihe was wearing them anyway.
Da Wa tended the fire, while Madam Chen cooked the flatbreads—scallion oil flatbreads. She reheated the dishes in the pot, spread soybean paste on a sheet of bread, added a generous spoonful of vegetables, a braised egg, and finally a ladle of soft, tender braised peas. The flatbread was ready.
Madam Chen smiled as she handed it to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe took it. He had worn this outfit thinking Gu Xiao would come. But she hadn’t. He bit into the flatbread. It tasted the same as before, yet somehow different. Glancing at the bamboo embroidered on his sleeve, he couldn’t help but ask, “Did Xiao Xiao today…”
“How much is this flatbread?” A student squeezed in, interrupting.
This might be their very first sale. Madam Chen couldn’t spare a word for Shen Xihe, quickly replying, “We have vegetarian ones and ones with meat and egg. Vegetarian is one coin, with meat and egg two coins.”
“I’ll take one with meat.” Meat sounded more worthwhile than just egg—of course he chose meat.
After finishing that order, Madam Chen’s face lit up with a smile. Shen Xihe had nearly finished his flatbread. He asked, “Sister-in-law, did Xiao Xiao say anything…”
“What kind of flatbread is this, and how much?” Another person had come. Madam Chen explained again, selling one with egg.
Shen Xihe drew a deep breath and asked Da Wa, “Did your Aunt say anything…”
Da Wa shot Shen Xihe a disapproving look. Auntie had even lied about being his younger sister for the sake of his future—how could Uncle be so thoughtless?
“Little Aunt didn’t say anything.”
Shen Xihe pressed his lips together. After a long pause, he finally said, “Mm.” He helped collect money and wrap flatbreads in oiled paper. As the time drew near, Chen Ningyuan came over.
“Brother Xihe! I’ll buy a flatbread.” Chen Ningyuan had already eaten lunch, but a flatbread could be saved for supper. Last time he had eaten at Shen Xihe’s place, so both out of friendship and courtesy, he felt he should support him.
Madam Chen cheerfully made one, adding extra vegetables and beans since he was Shen Xihe’s classmate.
Chen Ningyuan couldn’t resist taking a bite. “Brother Xihe, these beans are so fragrant.”
Shen Xihe’s expression was not pleasant. “They are good.”
Chen Ningyuan said, “Two coins isn’t expensive. It’s easier than having family deliver food. Tomorrow at noon I’ll eat flatbread instead.”
Shen Xihe replied, “Eat then.”
Chen Ningyuan found everything agreeable—except that he hadn’t seen Gu Xiao. “Will your younger sister come tomorrow?”
Even Shen Xihe himself didn’t know if Gu Xiao would come. Chen Ningyuan’s gaze was clear, his eyes smiling.
Shen Xihe had studied alongside Chen Ningyuan for seven years. He knew his classmate came from a wealthy family, was the only son, and that his parents were already considering his marriage prospects. But what did that matter? Gu Xiao liked him, thought of him, cared for him.
Shen Xihe said coldly, “Stop prying into her affairs.”
Chen Ningyuan laughed lightly. “I only asked in passing; don’t be angry. Brother Xihe, the bamboo leaves on your sleeve look beautiful.”
Shen Xihe lifted his hand, glanced at the embroidery again, and said, “I think so too.”
Chen Ningyuan swallowed back the words he had wanted to say. He had recently acquired a new fan, beautifully painted with bamboo, quite similar to the bamboo on Shen Xihe’s sleeve.
“Come on, let’s go. The teacher’s lecture this afternoon—we should hurry.”
That noon, they sold a total of thirteen flatbreads: eight with meat, five vegetarian. After subtracting the cost of ingredients and accounting for their own lunch, the entire midday effort had barely broken even.
Madam Chen muttered in frustration, “Da Wa, how many does your Second Aunt usually sell in a morning?”
Da Wa answered casually, “Twenty or thirty, I guess.”
Madam Chen’s heart sank. “Go help your Second Aunt. I’ll take Er Wa and head home first.”
She pushed the cart back to the house, went straight to the east room, and handed over the money. “Mother, altogether twenty-one coins. It was only our first day—business will be better tomorrow.”
Madam Zhou nodded. “As long as you didn’t lose money the first day, that’s fine. But don’t forget the chores at home. Don’t leave everything to Xiao Xiao.”
Madam Chen quickly agreed. “Mother is right.”
Running back and forth wasn’t easy, especially pushing a cart. After resting a while, she began cleaning and unloading. She hadn’t finished when noises came from the gate. Looking up, she saw Second Brother and his wife. Normally, they sold until dark before returning. Why had they come back so early today?
Madam Chen looked again and saw Madam Li’s eyes red with tears. “What’s going on—why are you crying?”
Madam Li held her belly and wiped the corners of her eyes. “Sister-in-law, two or three more flatbread stalls have appeared on the street. They even took our spot, forcing us into a corner. We hardly sold anything all morning.”
She hadn’t dared confront them. Pregnant as she was, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became, until she had cried half the day.
Second Brother sighed, while Da Wa said, “If they dare again tomorrow, I’ll beat them up!”
Hearing the commotion, Gu Xiao came out from the house. At the alley entrance, stall space cost one coin, and whoever arrived first claimed it.
They had been selling flatbreads there for several days, and the surrounding vendors all knew it. How could someone just take it?
Gu Xiao said, “Second Sister-in-law, you’re pregnant. Crying isn’t good for the baby.”
Madam Li’s eyes were swollen like walnuts. She couldn’t stop sniffling, but at least she stopped crying.
Gu Xiao continued, “If they dare to take it, then we’ll take it back. Tomorrow I’ll go.” She had expected others might imitate them, but hadn’t thought they’d be so shameless.
The next morning, Gu Xiao told Madam Li to stay home and went into town with Second Brother and Da Wa.
Those other families had come prepared, arriving even earlier, with their goods already set out.
Their original spot was taken, but nearby there was a small patch of space—just enough to squeeze in a cart, though it was cramped.
“Da Wa, we’ll set up here.”
If rivals wanted to steal business, then let them watch firsthand how it was done. Otherwise, they’d never truly learn.
Da Wa grinned. “Alright, Little Aunt.”