Sun Shi looked at Wen Ranran’s earnest expression, and the Hong Shao Rou she had been savoring suddenly lost its flavor. Anxiously setting down her bowl and chopsticks, a hint of wariness flickered in her eyes.
Wen Junliang, carefree as ever, poured a ladle of meat sauce over his rice and shoveled a large mouthful, sighing contentedly as he savored the delicious Hong Shao Rou. “San Yatou, just speak your mind. Third Uncle will definitely help… Ouch! Why did you step on me?”
His cry of pain drew strange looks from everyone at the table toward Sun Shi.
Sun Shi forced an awkward smile, her lips tight as she looked at Wen Junliang. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, which held a clear warning. “You should weigh your own capabilities before making grand promises. In your current state, what help could you possibly be? We’d be lucky if you didn’t cause more trouble.”
Then she turned to Wen Ranran, her smile becoming more natural. “Ranran, tell me what difficulty you’re facing. Let your Third Aunt hear it first.”
“Of course,” Wen Ranran thought Sun Shi’s reaction was perfectly reasonable—one should always act within their means!
“It’s like this,” she began, her eyes curving into smiles, clear and bright like stars. “A few days ago, I saw small vendors selling their goods at restaurants and teahouses—everything from cosmetics and jewelry to snacks and pastries. I thought I’d give it a try too, so our family could have an additional source of income. That’s why I asked Dong Shu to help me build a stove. But this means I won’t have time to manage the Night Market stall, so I was wondering if Third Uncle and Third Aunt could help watch over it. I won’t ask you to work for free—after deducting costs from the daily earnings, we can split the profit seventy-thirty. How does that sound?”
Sun Shi’s heart leaped at the mention of a seventy-thirty split. The thought of the silver made her ecstatic. She nodded eagerly, about to agree, when her heated mind gradually regained some rationality: setting up a stall was so undignified… What would people say if word got out?
But then… she glanced at Wen Ruru beside her. The child who used to be no bigger than a pillow had now grown into a graceful young woman. Before the Wen family’s misfortune, they had already arranged a good marriage for her—the son of Vice Minister Fang of the Court of Judicial Review, a respectable civil official family. But then…
Sun Shi sighed inwardly: Ruru is in the prime of her youth; she can’t waste away in this shabby courtyard. If we can achieve something, Ruru’s marriage prospects will improve. At the very least, if we can’t find a suitable match for her in the future, we’ll have the means to support her.
Wen Junliang glanced at the preoccupied Sun Shi and pretended to be in great pain, frowning and waving his hand. “No, no, I can’t do it. I’m in this state—I’d only cause you trouble.”
Sun Shi wished she had stepped harder earlier. “Have you been beaten stupid? Why wouldn’t you take on such a fantastic opportunity?” she exclaimed, then immediately turned to Wen Ranran with an ingratiating smile. “Don’t listen to your Third Uncle—he’s thoughtless. We’ll do it!”
Once Sun Shi set aside her reservations, she grew increasingly delighted, unable to wipe the happy smile from her face. Although they wouldn’t become wealthy overnight, at least they would have an income. Every coin she saved would give Ruru more security in the future. They absolutely couldn’t continue living idly, waiting for manna from heaven!
Wen Junliang rolled his eyes behind her back, secretly mimicking Sun Shi’s fawning expression with exaggerated, comical gestures that were hard not to laugh at.
“What about you, Third Uncle?” Wen Ranran glanced at him twice.
Wen Junliang returned to his usual expression and gestured toward Sun Shi with his chin. “I’ll do whatever your Third Aunt says.”
Sun Shi froze for a moment, somewhat awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear. As she lowered her head, a trace of shyness colored her movements.
Wen Ruru watched her parents interacting so harmoniously and cast a grateful look toward Wen Ranran.
Wen Ranran gathered the bowls and chopsticks, smiling brightly as she suggested, “Then why don’t Third Uncle and Third Aunt come with me to the Night Market stall tonight? Observe and learn a bit, so you’ll have a general idea and won’t be flustered in a few days.”
“Good, good! We’ll listen to Ranran!” Sun Shi beamed, snatching the plates and chopsticks from her hands. “Don’t bother with these small tasks—leave them to your Third Aunt. I’ll make sure they’re done well!”
Before Wen Ranran could respond, Sun Shi had already briskly cleared the table and bustled off to wash the dishes.
Shen Shi watched her retreating figure and couldn’t help but sigh, “Third Sister-in-law seems like a completely different person.”
Wen Junliang curled his lip. “She’s only doing it for the money.” He glanced at Sun Shi’s diligent form and found it hard to watch. “Acting like such a bootlicker…”
Wen Yiliang pointed at him helplessly. “Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law is doing this for your family’s sake.”
Wen Junliang turned away impatiently. “Yes, yes, I know. At most, I’ll let her manage all the money we earn.”
Wen Ruru rinsed her mouth elegantly and murmured softly, “Mother has always managed our family’s money anyway.”
Wen Junliang: “…”
That night, the capital was adorned with splendid lanterns, and the streets buzzed with lively chatter.
Sun Shi followed Wen Ranran, covering her head and face along the way while cautiously observing her surroundings, afraid of running into anyone she knew.
Wen Junliang rolled his eyes disdainfully. “You’re acting like a thief!”
“You’re the one acting like a thief!” Sun Shi retorted angrily, hands on her hips. Her shrill voice drew sidelong glances from passersby. Stunned, she hunched over in a panic, hiding her face and trying to make herself inconspicuous, looking utterly flustered.
Wen Ranran chuckled softly at her antics: No wonder they’re a married couple—they’re quite well-matched.
She patted Sun Shi’s shoulder and said with a laugh, “Third Aunt, do you think setting up a stall is shameful?”
“No, no…” Sun Shi waved her hands repeatedly, afraid Wen Ranran might leave her behind. “I—I just, I just…”
Wen Junliang leaned in and murmured, “She’s just embarrassed!”
Wen Ranran looked at Sun Shi’s flustered expression and spoke gently, “Third Aunt is modest, unlike Third Uncle, who was born with a thick skin.”
“Pfft—” Sun Shi covered her mouth and laughed.
Wen Ranran squeezed Sun Shi’s hand and comforted her, “Making a living with your own hands is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you should take pride in it. Honor lies in hard work, and shame in laziness! Don’t you think that makes sense, Third Aunt?”
Sun Shi pondered this and found it quite reasonable. Gradually, she straightened her posture and tried lowering her hands from her face. Though she still felt timid inside, it seemed much better than when she first arrived.
Colorful lanterns glowed all around—how many lovely scenes had she missed earlier?
By the time they reached the Wazi, someone was already waiting.
“Wen Xiaoniangzi, you’re finally here! I’ve been craving those duck heads!”
Wen Ranran flashed a bright smile as she busied herself setting up. “Alright, I’ll pack some for you first!”
Regular customers were plentiful, chatting idly with Wen Ranran about daily life. She listened cheerfully, chiming in now and then—the atmosphere was wonderfully harmonious.
Sun Shi quietly observed Wen Ranran’s words and actions, momentarily distracted by the sound of string and wind instruments drifting from the Wazi entertainment district.
In the past, on the first and fifteenth of each month, she would bring Ruru out to admire lanterns and listen to music, adorned in gold and purple with a retinue in tow. Now, she had to stealthily set up a small stall, fawning and catering to customers.
The scenery remained the same, but her circumstances and state of mind were entirely different.
Wen Ranran handed the packaged braised dish to a customer with a smile, urging them to come again. Just thinking about the rudimentary oven taking shape in the courtyard filled her with joy, and the corners of her lips curled even higher.
As she rejoiced, she suddenly noticed Sun Shi’s despondent expression as she pursed her lips. Not long ago, Sun Shi had been the lady of the Bo Residence, but now she had fallen to the status of a street vendor. It was only natural for her to feel the disparity.
Wen Ranran thought for a moment and handed her the money pouch: “Auntie, help me with the change.”
“Ah!” Sun Shi snapped back to attention, counted the change, and handed it to the customer in front of her. She forced a smile, trying to imitate Wen Ranran’s poised and confident manner by saying, “Come again next time!” But after several attempts, she hesitated and couldn’t bring herself to utter the words.
Her repeated hesitation cost her the opportunity, and the customer had already left. Sun Shi stared at the retreating figure, stomping her feet in regret and biting her lip in self-reproach.
“Auntie, take your time. No one is born knowing how to do this,” Wen Ranran comforted her gently. “Feel the weight of the money pouch—it holds the fruits of your efforts!”
Sun Shi clutched the heavy money pouch, and a genuine smile spread across her face. This was the foundation for her Ruru’s livelihood!
Wen Ranran’s almond-shaped eyes curved like crescents: “You helped me scrub the pots, boil water, prepare the fillings, and even pushed the cart and set up the stall. Today, I made the Bo Zai Gao puddings much faster than usual. This silver was earned by your own hands—doesn’t it feel incredibly rewarding?”
Hearing this, Sun Shi truly felt a sense of fulfillment and happiness welling up from within.
Everyone on the street wore smiles, and even the vendor across the way beamed with joy after earning a few coins…
She watched quietly, feeling herself gradually infected by the lively atmosphere around her.
This feeling of striving on her own was far more empowering than before!
Sun Shi gathered her spirits and, after a moment’s hesitation, took the initiative to help: “Um, what would you like to eat?”
The customer remained silent for a while, and Sun Shi nervously clutched her sleeve, feeling extremely anxious.
“Give me two Bo Zai Gao puddings with mung bean filling, two portions of dried tofu, and two duck wings.”
“Right away!” Sun Shi relaxed, and a smile unconsciously crept into the corners of her eyes. Though she fumbled a bit while wrapping the items and the packaging looked somewhat messy, it didn’t matter.
She handed over the wrapped goods and, imitating Wen Ranran, said cheerfully, “Come again next time!”
The customer eagerly took a bite of the Bo Zai Gao pudding and laughed heartily: “I’ll definitely be back tomorrow. I can’t go a day without this now.”
Sun Shi stared fixedly at the retreating figure, hardly believing she had actually managed it. She turned to Wen Ranran with an excited expression, her eyes full of anticipation.
Wen Ranran, seeing Sun Shi’s look of eager praise, didn’t hold back: “Auntie, you were amazing!”
The usually sharp and critical Sun Shi now seemed like a child, blinking shyly: “It doesn’t seem so hard after all!”
“Of course it isn’t!” Wen Ranran smiled with squinted eyes and turned to attend to other customers.
Half an hour later—Sun Shi held the money pouch with a distressed expression, looking up at the starry night sky on the verge of tears.
Heavens above!
Where did all these people come from!
How could I possibly remember what each person bought and how much change to give!
How did Ranran manage to do this so effortlessly!!!