On the way back, Zhuo Feng asked curiously,
“Chang’an, yesterday your mother insisted on giving me the money from selling that wild rabbit. Fifty copper coins!
“That rabbit only weighed a little over two jin. It couldn’t possibly be worth that much. Did your family really get acquainted with that… what was she… that lady from the Pang Residence?”
“We didn’t get acquainted with her. The lady is simply kindhearted. She pitied my sister and me, so she paid much more than it was worth.”
Zhuo Chang’an answered matter-of-factly.
“She also said we could buy Father’s wound medicine on credit. Ling’er and I went into the woods today to gather wild vegetables and chop firewood so we could deliver them to the Pang Residence and pay off part of the medicine.”
“You’ve truly met a good person.”
Zhuo Feng sighed.
“But how much can firewood and wild vegetables possibly be worth? I was saying to your mother yesterday, since you’ve come across such an opportunity, why not ask that lady if you could apprentice at her family’s pharmacy?
“If you study for ten years or so, maybe you’ll become a physician yourself someday… No matter the times, people in the business of treating illnesses and dispensing medicine never go hungry.”
“No!”
Before Zhuo Chang’an could respond, Zhuo Ling wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, puffed out her cheeks, and shouted,
“Eldest Brother… not go!”
What kind of awful idea is that, Uncle Feng?
An apprenticeship would take ten years! If Eldest Brother leaves, who am I supposed to partner with as my middleman to make money?
Eldest Brother belongs to me, Zhuo Ling! None of you are allowed to steal away my business partner!
“This foolish girl actually understands what we’re talking about.”
Zhuo Feng chuckled.
Patting Zhuo Chang’an on the shoulder, he spoke earnestly.
“Chang’an, the famine’s only getting worse. If this crop fails, people are going to start starving to death.
“How long can you make a life for yourself staying in the village? Better to learn a skill you can rely on.”
“I know you’re looking out for me, Uncle Feng. Thank you.”
Zhuo Chang’an glanced gently at Zhuo Ling, a faint smile lingering in his deep eyes.
“But I’m clumsy. I have no interest in becoming a physician. Besides, my family can’t afford to lose another pair of hands.”
Zhuo Feng sighed helplessly.
“Fair enough. I was only making a suggestion. You’ll have to decide for yourself.”
After escorting the siblings back to the entrance of the village, he reminded them to be careful before heading back into the forest to hunt.
Zhuo Chang’an continued carrying Zhuo Ling in his arms.
Only after Zhuo Feng’s figure had completely disappeared did he speak.
“Ling’er, if we go home with an empty basket, Mother will definitely ask questions. How about… we make another trip into town and buy Father’s wound medicine?”
“Great idea, Eldest Brother! We were thinking exactly the same thing!”
Zhuo Ling’s eyes lit up.
“I was just about to suggest it, and you beat me to it! Eldest Brother… are you the tapeworm in my stomach?”
Zhuo Chang’an burst into laughter.
“Your comparisons are always… rather unique.”
“That’s called having a sense of humor! Personally, I think I’m pretty funny.”
Zhuo Ling proudly tossed her little head, making her two pigtails bounce.
“Yesterday, when we went into town, I saw so much delicious food for sale! Meat buns, wontons, baked flatbread, fried dough twists, braised tofu…
“When we get there, let’s stuff ourselves first, then buy some to bring back for Great-Grandpa, Father, and Mother. What do you think?”
The day before, they’d rushed into town in a hurry.
Fenniang had been too preoccupied with buying wound medicine to think about treats for the children.
Ever since then, Zhuo Ling had been dreaming about the food sold at the roadside stalls.
She’d seen all of it while browsing records of ancient Chinese civilization in the archives.
Back then, she’d drooled so much she almost short-circuited the display screen.
Zhuo Chang’an nodded.
“Very well.”
Clink.
Zhuo Ling had already opened the Marketplace System and withdrawn every last bit of their balance.
A surprisingly heavy money pouch appeared in her tiny hand.
“Eldest Brother, this is all our savings. Not counting what we gave Mother yesterday… let me see…”
She stuffed the pouch into Zhuo Chang’an’s hands and spent quite a while counting on her tiny fingers.
In the end, she still couldn’t figure out the exchange rate.
“Anyway, there should still be around three or four taels.”
She couldn’t help it.
She’d never been good with numbers.
Ever since she was little, she was the kind of student who still couldn’t learn math even if the teacher spoon-fed it to her.
“It should be enough to buy several days’ worth of medicine. We’ll figure out the rest later.”
Zhuo Chang’an rubbed her little head gently.
“Ling’er, if you hand over all your money at once, your purse will be empty.”
“So what if it’s empty? We’ve already found a way to make more!”
Zhuo Ling patted his shoulder carelessly.
“Besides, this isn’t just my money. It’s our shared property! Without you, I couldn’t have earned any of it.”
“…Mm.”
A faint mist seemed to pass through Zhuo Chang’an’s deep eyes.
“Carriage! The carriage’s here! Hey!”
Excitedly waving both arms, Zhuo Ling completely failed to notice the emotion hidden in his gaze.
The moment they entered town, Zhuo Ling dragged Zhuo Chang’an straight to the steamed bun stall.
Prices had risen dramatically.
Meat buns that used to cost four copper coins had doubled to eight.
There were hardly any customers.
“Meat buns, eight coins! Vegetable buns, five! Young man, want one?”
The vendor had been worrying over his poor business.
When he saw two village children approach, he didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.
He’d seen plenty like them.
They’d stand in front of the stall staring at the buns for ages before leaving with nothing but drool.
Before Zhuo Chang’an could answer, Zhuo Ling held up one finger.
“One…”
“Coming right up!”
Before she could finish speaking, the vendor lifted the steamer lid, grabbed a vegetable bun, and handed it over.
“That’ll be five copper coins…”
Black lines practically appeared across Zhuo Ling’s face.
Who are you looking down on?
She waved her finger in front of the vendor’s face and said in her childish voice,
“I said… one basket! Meat buns!”
“What? A whole basket?”
The vendor stared at her in astonishment before looking at Zhuo Chang’an.
“Young man… I didn’t hear wrong, did I? One basket is six buns. That’ll cost…”
Without a word, Zhuo Chang’an counted out forty-eight copper coins and placed them on the table.
“Meat buns.”
The vendor froze.
A big customer!
Unable to wait another second, Zhuo Ling snatched up a bun.
Without even bothering to blow on it, she took a huge bite.
“Mmm! Mmph!”
“Did you burn yourself?”
Zhuo Chang’an quickly reached out.
“Eat slowly. Eldest Brother will blow on it for you.”
“N-Not…”
With her mouth stuffed full of juicy meat bun, Zhuo Ling shook her head.
“I bit… my finger…”
Zhuo Chang’an was speechless.
The unique aroma of wheat flour blended perfectly with the rich, savory meat filling.
Soft, fragrant, and just slightly chewy…
The incredible texture and flavor were unlike anything she’d ever tasted.
Tears streamed down her face.
It was so delicious!
In the underground city, only the rich could afford to eat buns.
It turned out…
Poor people truly couldn’t imagine the happiness of being rich.
“Just look how desperately this child wanted meat…”
The vendor sighed sympathetically as he watched her tear-streaked little face.
“Poor thing. Your family hasn’t eaten meat in quite a while, has it? In times like these, being able to eat even one meat bun is already a blessing.”
“Eat more slowly.”
Zhuo Chang’an went to the neighboring stall and bought a bowl of small wontons.
He scooped up a spoonful of broth, blew on it gently, and held it to Zhuo Ling’s lips.
“Ling’er, have a few sips of soup.”