Da Shuo Dynasty, Xi Shi, Jingdu.
The Gu Family residence.
Fragrant aromas wafted intermittently from the kitchen, luring neighbors to press against the walls, eagerly sniffing the air.
“Old Gu is truly blessed to have such a skilled cook for a daughter. It’s just a pity about his lame leg delaying her marriage. A girl her age should have been wed long ago.”
“Indeed! The Zhang family’s daughter, born in the same month, already has two chubby sons at sixteen.”
“Shh… Old Gu’s blood-sucking son is back. Misfortune will strike the Gu family again. Quick, let’s go before bad luck rubs off on us.”
Just then, a figure burst through the main gate and dashed straight to the kitchen.
“Sister, save me! Sister!”
Gu Yanxi was experimenting with snacks when someone suddenly clung to her arm.
Her hand jerked, spilling most of the salt container into the pot.
The air froze for two seconds.
Gu Yanxi tossed the empty container aside and grabbed a kitchen knife, pointing it at Gu Yu.
“How many times have I told you? Those people are conspiring to cheat you, yet you keep foolishly falling into their traps. Handle your own problems—don’t bother me!”
“Sister, please help me! I was wrong, I’ll change! Just get me through this crisis, and I’ll never gamble again.”
Gu Yu knelt, clutching his sister’s legs, tears and snot streaming down his face.
“Well, well, so you’re this brat’s sister? Not bad-looking.”
The cramped kitchen suddenly filled with men.
The once-appetizing air now reeked of male sweat and sour foot odor.
Several thugs struck what they thought were imposing poses, leering at Gu Yanxi with lust-filled eyes.
Disgusted by the stench, Gu Yanxi’s brow furrowed deeply.
She swung the kitchen knife toward the intruders. “Get out! And if your eyes can’t look properly, I don’t mind digging them out for a wash.”
“Oho, feisty little girl! Perfect—I like ’em spirited.”
“Your brother owes me a hundred taels of silver, due in two months. You’re not thinking of skipping out, are you?”
As he spoke, Li Si, the leader, gestured, and his lackeys encircled the siblings.
Li Si stepped forward, scornfully eyeing the kneeling Gu Yu before squinting at Gu Yanxi.
“But… I’ve taken a fancy to you!”
“Stick with me, and not only will I wipe your brother’s debt, I’ll keep you in luxury for life. How about it, beautiful…”
As Li Si reached for her, Gu Yanxi flicked her wrist, sending the kitchen knife flying to slice off his topknot.
“Ah!!”
Li Si, unprepared for such a move, collapsed in terror.
After a long moment, he felt his head… still attached.
Gu Yu peeked out from behind his sister. “We agreed on two months—the deadline hasn’t passed yet!”
Gu Yanxi’s expression hardened. She pressed the knife to Li Si’s throat. “You know exactly how that debt came about! Scram! Next time, I can’t guarantee the blade won’t ‘slip’ toward your neck.”
“Leaving! I’m leaving right now…”
Li Si scrambled out of the Gu residence in a panic.
Finally, peace returned.
Gu Yanxi glanced at the ruined Tieban Tudou in the pot. What a waste.
“Sis, I…”
Gu Yu felt somewhat guilty, pressing against the wall as he tried to sneak away.
A whoosh cut through the air, and a kitchen knife landed horizontally in front of him.
Terrified, Gu Yu no longer dared to play any tricks. He sincerely slid to his knees on the ground, “Sis, I truly know I was wrong. I swear, from now on, I’ll listen to you. If you tell me to go west, I won’t take a single step east!”
“In that case, starting tomorrow, you’ll work with me. Without my permission, you’re not allowed to go anywhere.”
Work?
Gu Yu’s eyes darted around, “Will I get paid?”
Gu Yanxi scooped the excess salt from the pot, thinking she might as well salvage what she could.
“As long as you behave, I’ll pay you wages.”
“Other people can get their wages in advance, so what about me…” Gu Yu rubbed his hands together, his face full of expectation.
Gu… Yu!
Gu Yanxi threw the spoon aside, struggling to calm her emotions. She gritted her teeth and spoke word by word, “Are you planning to go to Caiyun Guan again?”
“No, no, no, of course not!” Gu Yu quickly waved his hands, “I owe some money, so I was just thinking of paying it back first. Otherwise, if they catch me outside later and kill me, how could I help my dear sister with her work, right?”
“Cut out your little schemes. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”
Just then, a cheerful voice came from the doorway, “A-Yan, here’s today’s wages from collecting night soil. You keep it all.”
The person walking in had a slight limp—it was Gu Yanxi’s father, Gu Guosheng.
Gu Guosheng was a veteran of Da Shuo. Since retiring from the military ten years ago, he had made a living by hunting. But nine years ago, on a night like any other, he went out hunting only to be caught in a sudden heavy rain. While chasing prey, he fell and broke his leg.
Now, sweat covered his forehead, a clear sign of how scorching the July weather was.
Before Gu Yanxi could take the money, Gu Yu’s hand shot out, only to be slapped away by Gu Guosheng, “This is for your sister. Keep your pig trotters to yourself.”
“Dad, you’re biased…” Gu Yu pouted.
Every time their father earned a little money, he gave it to his sister—not a single coin ever came his way.
People always said raising a son would secure one’s old age, but his father seemed to be guarding against him instead.
Gu Yanxi counted the coins—three hundred wen in total. “Dad, why is there so much this time?”
Collecting night soil was a foul and grueling job, but the employer, seeing Gu Guosheng’s willingness to endure hardship, paid him one hundred wen a day.
For the Gu Family, this wage was considered high. After all, the young men hauling cargo at the docks only earned fifty wen a day.
Even so, the money was never enough.
Their mother, Zhao Shi, had ruined her health while giving birth to Gu Yu and relied on daily medicine to stay alive.
Gu Guosheng’s lame leg acted up whenever it rained, requiring medicine to ease the pain.
With all these expenses coming and going, they had never managed to save any money.
Gu Guosheng washed his hands and grinned humbly, “Last night, Goudan and Gousheng couldn’t make it because of family matters, so I did their work for them. The employer paid me their wages too.”
After saying this, Gu Guosheng proudly lifted his chin, “So, how about that? Is your dad impressive or what?”
“Very impressive,” Gu Yanxi replied helplessly, glancing at his injured leg. “It must be hurting again. Sit down and rest. Don’t push yourself so hard in the future. Gu Yu, hurry and fetch a basin of hot water for Dad to wash his feet.”
Gu Yu was still lost in thoughts about the three hundred wen, wondering how he could get his hands on some money.
“Gu Yu.”
“Gu Yu!”
“Ah, coming!”
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get the water.”
…
Late afternoon.
The Tieban Tudou and Liangmian were served, their domineering aroma capturing everyone’s attention.
“Yanxi, did you make these?”
Mother Zhao Shi stared at the food on the table, her eyes filled with doubt.
“Yes, try some,” Gu Yanxi responded as she served a bowl for each of the three people.
Zhao Shi didn’t move, instead fixing her gaze on her daughter. “The food you make has always been barely edible. How could you possibly create something so perfect in appearance, aroma, and taste? Where did these… truly come from?”