To buy “Gold and Jade Full House,” the people at the mill surrounded Zhuang Yubai completely. It wasn’t that the villagers had much spare money to buy these treats. Although the Dragon Boat Festival wasn’t as grand as the New Year, it was still an important holiday. During festivals, gifts were a must.
Visiting relatives and friends or paying respects to elders, bringing along “Gold and Jade Full House” was ideal. First, the name was auspicious, second, the price was reasonable. Most importantly, even Aunt Liu praised it, so it must be good. Aunt Liu had just bought a big basket from Meng Shulang’s house, and someone saw it with their own eyes.
Who was Aunt Liu? The eldest daughter-in-law of the clan leader’s family! The famous “Elbow Feast” back in the day was held by the clan leader’s family to welcome this daughter-in-law. Having the same gift as the clan leader’s daughter-in-law for the Dragon Boat Festival was definitely prestigious. Even those not well-off would buy “Gold and Jade Full House” now and save money after the festival.
The mill owner’s wife was busy in the backyard. Hearing that the master who made “Gold and Jade Full House” came to grind flour, she stopped her work, wiped her hands on her apron, and ran over.
The crowd surrounded one person, and without guessing, it was definitely the master who made “Gold and Jade Full House.” The owner’s wife quickly squeezed through the crowd to the front.
To make food that even Aunt Liu praised, the master must be highly skilled. In this hot weather, with a crowd like this, it would be bad if something happened.
“Where’s the ‘Gold and Jade Full House’ master?” the owner’s wife shouted as she squeezed to the front. “Spread out a bit, be careful not to suffocate the elder!”
“Third Aunt, have you ground flour until your eyes are blurry? Where’s the elder?” someone joked good-naturedly.
The owner’s wife squeezed to the center of the crowd and looked at the stool. Indeed, it wasn’t an elder. Instead, there was a young man with delicate features, sitting there properly.
Perhaps it was the crowd, or maybe the heat, but the young man’s cheeks were flushed, and he looked a bit nervous.
“This is Meng Shulang’s cousin, just arrived a few days ago,” someone introduced.
“Meng Shulang is so tall and strong, I didn’t expect his cousin to be so gentle and refined. What’s your name? How old are you?”
The owner’s wife started, and others found a new topic, quickly asking, “Where is the young man from?” “Is he married?” “What kind of person does he like?”…
Huh? What’s going on? This was supposed to be a food show, how did it seamlessly switch to a dating show?
The crowd surrounded Zhuang Yubai, talking all at once, bombarding him with questions…
The owner’s wife couldn’t leave the millstone, so she left with a main request, waving her hand and saying today’s grinding fee was waived, but the young man must make 5 portions of “Gold and Jade Full House” for her family first.
Others were unhappy when they heard this, arguing loudly with the owner’s wife, saying they had reserved with the young cousin first, so they should be ahead of the mill.
“He’s my cousin, no matter what, we should get a portion of Gold and Jade Full House. When Zhizhang fell into the pond as a child, I was the one who fished him out!”
“If that’s the case, we should get a portion too! When Zhizhang was five, his father spanked him to tears, and I gave him a piece of cake to comfort him.”
“Look at you! Just for a piece of cake, you’ve kept a ten-year account with the child! Zhizhang even slept at our house once when he was little, did I tell anyone? So, we should get a portion too, no, two portions!”
The noise and clamor…
Zhuang Yubai felt like his head was about to explode, as if a thousand magpies were circling above him.
A moment of extroversion led to a lifetime of introversion. He regretted not checking the almanac before leaving the house.
“Sorry! I… I have water boiling at home. I need to go check…”
Zhuang Yubai didn’t remember how he squeezed out of the crowd, nor how he shook off the hands grabbing his shoulders and arms. Once free, he ran home.
…Fleeing in panic.
Today, Zhuang Yubai truly experienced the enthusiasm of the Meng Family Village people. Perhaps the wooden gate of Meng Zhizhang’s house was like the circle drawn by Sun Wukong; once you stepped out, countless situations awaited.
Out of breath, Zhuang Yubai not only closed the wooden gate but also shut the door, hiding inside for some peace.
But the peace didn’t last long before the sound of the wooden gate echoed outside.
Zhuang Yubai’s ears perked up, alarm bells ringing. Could it be the people from the mill chasing him home?
“Play deaf, play dumb, play dead,” Zhuang Yubai planned to “passively avoid danger.” There was no stock at home now, so it was useless for anyone to come. He couldn’t handle their enthusiasm, always feeling he would let them down.
Sigh! Temporarily be an ostrich.
He hid behind the door, peeking through the crack. The wooden gate was simple, “guarding against gentlemen, not villains.” If someone really wanted to enter, it was just a matter of lifting a hand.
The visitor, seeing no one opening the door, actually reached in…
In broad daylight, chasing someone home. This… really not treating oneself as an outsider?
But the visitor indeed wasn’t an outsider.
Meng Zhizhang pushed the door open, about to turn and close it, when his sleeve was suddenly grabbed, and he was forcibly dragged inside.
“…!”
After just a few steps, the grip on his arm suddenly loosened.
Zhuang Yubai hurriedly returned, sneakily poking his head out the wooden gate, looking around to ensure everything was safe and no one was following, then “clang” closed the gate.
Still not reassured, he tightened the wooden latch inside.
“Brother Meng, was the road safe? No one followed you, right?”
Zhuang Yubai lowered his voice, panting as he pulled Meng Zhizhang inside, immediately locking the door.
“What happened? Is there a villain?” Meng Zhizhang looked at the mysterious Zhuang Yubai.
“Not a villain, but scarier than one. Let me tell you…”
Zhuang Yubai recounted today’s experiences to Meng Zhizhang, adding embellishments and dramatics.
He was glad Meng Zhizhang wasn’t there, missing the spectacle of a crowd talking at once; but also regretted he wasn’t there, as he could have helped handle it and pieced together his childhood from their words.
Meng Zhizhang hung the document bag on the book wall, changed out of his long robe into casual wear like Zhuang Yubai, more comfortable at home.
He listened seriously to Zhuang Yubai’s complaints, nodding comfortingly, guiding him to sit on a chair.
“No worries. They’re always this enthusiastic.” Seeing Zhuang Yubai about to argue, he added, “I have good news…”
Zhuang Yubai thought, of course, you’re fine. Even if a villain came, seeing your muscular build, they’d think twice. Hearing about good news, he quickly responded, “Let’s hear the good news first!”
Zhuang Yubai looked up at him, eyes sparkling.
“A classmate’s uncle raises fish and shrimp. I’ve ordered a basket, and it’ll be delivered tomorrow morning.”
“Really!” Zhuang Yubai was worried about where to get shrimp, and this solved the immediate shortage crisis. In his excitement, he forgot about today’s “siege,” jumping up from the chair.
But jumping up didn’t seem to express his feelings enough. Zhuang Yubai’s gaze swept across, and a broad chest suddenly filled his view. Without thinking, he lunged forward, standing on tiptoe to hug tightly.
“You’re truly my dear good brother!”
Two slender arms wrapped around a solid body, his face rubbing against the sturdy, warm chest. Indeed solid.
“And the bad news?” An innocent face slowly lifted from the well-defined chest.
Meng Zhizhang, strong and fit, usually unapproachable by three or four adults, was now firmly locked in place by two slender arms, unable to move.
“…!” Meng Zhizhang’s Adam’s apple bobbed, words stuck in his throat.
Zhuang Yubai followed his gaze down, eyes widening. Realizing what was happening, he quickly let go: “Oh, sorry, got carried away.”
Stepping back to steady himself, Zhuang Yubai quickly picked up the previous topic, perhaps to dispel the inexplicable heat in the air.
“You mentioned another bad news, what is it?”
Meng Zhizhang cleared his throat, his brow subtly twitching: “I said I have one good news, and another… good news.”
Zhuang Yubai didn’t expect Meng Zhizhang to be playful. Then again, Meng Zhizhang was only seventeen or eighteen, in his prime, naturally having a sunny, cheerful side.
Meng Zhizhang pulled out a paper from the document bag: “The Gold and Jade Full House I brought to the academy today was indeed popular.”
Zhuang Yubai glanced at it, names and numbers densely written: “Is this the reservation list for Gold and Jade Full House?”
Meng Zhizhang nodded. He was surrounded as soon as he arrived at the academy.
Those who had heard of “Gold and Jade Full House” wanted to see what it was, and those who hadn’t were curious because it was made by Meng Zhizhang’s cousin.
Mainly, Meng Zhizhang was well-liked, with two “top scores” to his name, having many admirers and followers.
When the package of jade pieces was opened, the noise that almost lifted the roof quieted down, leaving only the sound of “crunch, crunch, crunch.”
Even the usually stern teacher, seeing it was a rare treat brought by Meng Zhizhang, didn’t rush to maintain order. Instead, he walked over, smiling, took the jade piece from his beloved student, asked what it was, and joined the “crunching.”
The teacher was the first to reserve “Gold and Jade Full House,” saying he had some old friends known for their “picky palates” and planned to invite them to taste it.
“Three portions!” The teacher stroked his beard, instructing Meng Zhizhang to note the reservation, then reconsidered, “Better make it five.”
Meng Zhizhang had just adjusted the number when the teacher returned, sternly saying, “No, the portion for Mr. Nan at Sansheng Academy should be on your account. He even let you copy that ‘Cao Tang Ji Wei,’ which I begged him for a month to borrow for two days. It must be on your account.”
“Alright, I’ll personally deliver Mr. Nan’s portion when someone comes from the Prefecture City to pick up the book, saying it’s specially prepared by the teacher for Mr. Nan.”
The teacher stroked his beard: “It’s almost the end of the month, Mr. Nan’s side should be sending someone soon.”
“Yes,” Meng Zhizhang replied.
Author’s Note: