The light gauze curtains had been put up by his father just yesterday, after chatting with the neighboring fulang. They’d reminded him that even decent households in the lane had installed screens for the warmer weather—not to mention the mosquitoes that had already started to appear.
Su Chi had just woken from his nap. He was draped in a light, sheer shirt, sitting at the head of the bed, clutching the two property deeds Xie Yushu had brought back—his heart pounding.
These two deeds had cost over six hundred strings.
He never imagined that his wife’s trip to the county would have spent so much silver.
He couldn’t help but worry—after spending all that money, had she used up all their savings?
Then he consoled himself—his shop had also made a decent amount, and combined with the household funds he managed, they had at least a few hundred strings left. Enough for daily needs, at least.
But… he often heard Xie Yushu say that the workshop needed to expand and that she needed to hire more people.
What if she was short on funds? These expenditures were no small sum. Su Chi’s brow furrowed slightly.
The bedroom door was gently pushed open. Xie Yushu walked in carrying a plate of chilled fruit, still beaded with cold droplets.
“Awake?” She set the plate on the table and came over, pulling Su Chi into her arms and pressing a kiss to his still-sleepy eyelids.
Su Chi nestled contentedly in her arms, taking small bites of the sour fruit. The tart juice filled his mouth, and his eyes curved into happy crescents.
“That good?” Xie Yushu looked at his blissful expression, skeptical.
Su Chi held the bitten side up to her lips: “It’s delicious!”
She took a skeptical bite—and her whole face scrunched up.
How could it be that sour?
Had that stall sold unripe fruit?
Seeing Xie Yushu’s reaction, Su Chi’s lips broke into a sweet smile—there was a hint of mischievous triumph, but mostly the happiness of being doted on.
Xie Yushu leaned down, pretending to bite his cheek fiercely, then slipped her tongue past his lips, tasting the sweet-and-sour flavor lingering in his mouth.
They tussled for a while until Su Chi was out of breath, and only then did Xie Yushu let him go.
After catching his breath, Su Chi remembered the important matter. He cupped her face and said earnestly: “Yushu, I’ll open the shop and support you. Your workshop and your workers—I… I’ll find a way.”
His skills were good—people in town loved his buns and wontons. People in the county would surely like them too. Besides, he had many new dishes he hadn’t introduced yet.
And the county had so many more people than the town. If he worked hard, he could definitely support the family.
Hearing this, Xie Yushu’s throat tightened. A warm, tender ache bloomed in her chest.
Her fulang said he’d support her—how could he be so endearing?
But she kept her composure, raising her eyebrows slightly: “Oh? Worried I’ve gone broke buying the house and shop?”
“Of course not!” Su Chi looked up, a little flustered—and met her teasing, mischievous eyes.
But even when she was teasing him, he loved her all the same.
Xie Yushu gently placed her hand over his still-flat belly, her palm warm, her voice tender enough to make anyone swoon: “Don’t worry about money. As long as you and the baby are well, I’ve got everything covered.”
Hearing that, Su Chi relaxed. His wife was so capable—why would she need his help?
He took her hand and swayed it gently, his eyes bright with admiration.
Xie Yushu couldn’t resist kissing his smooth forehead. Remembering his father’s instructions, she wrinkled her nose at the fruit: “Want a few more?”
Seeing her exaggerated disgust, Su Chi smiled softly: “Alright.”
·
The days passed, one after another, until late May rolled around.
By then, Su Chi was two months along—still no visible bump. But that didn’t stop Xie Yushu from watching him like a hawk.
She’d taken him to Sun Wuyou’s pharmacy for two check-ups. Only after Sun Wuyou declared both Su Chi and the baby were doing well did she finally relax.
They’d agreed: at the beginning of June, they’d move to the county.
Before that, everything in town needed to be settled.
Xie Yushu wasn’t worried about the base—Ye Youchun had gradually taken over. From now on, she’d come to the county every half-month to report on the accounts.
As for Su Chi’s bun shop, he didn’t plan to sell it. He invited Chen Fulang over to discuss it.
Inside the Xie household’s main hall.
“Su Fulang, you… you’re saying you want to give me the shop?” Chen Yun’s voice wavered, his face shocked.
He’d already heard the young couple was moving to the county. He’d thought he’d have to find another job once the bun shop closed. He never imagined Su Fulang would summon him today to say he’d hand over the whole shop.
“Yes,” Su Chi nodded calmly.
“But… how could I possibly accept that?” Chen Yun’s mouth opened and closed, stunned.
“This shop was built with my own hands—I put a lot of heart into it. I couldn’t bear to sell it, but I trust you with it.” Su Chi took small sips of his sour plum drink, his tone unhurried. “From now on, we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty.”
In truth, during all the time Chen Yun had helped at the shop, Su Chi had already taught him the key techniques for making the buns and wonton fillings.
These past few days, Su Chi had gone over everything again, making sure Chen Yun had mastered it.
He didn’t worry about passing on his skills. He knew his own worth and was confident. His mind held plenty of other recipes—and his wife had even more brilliant ideas. They’d be able to create plenty of delicious new dishes in the future. A few recipes were no loss.
Hearing that, Chen Yun finally relaxed, his earlier panic fading: “Of course, of course—even if you hadn’t said it, I couldn’t just take it for nothing. This shop is yours, Su Fulang, and the skills are yours too. You taking five parts is still too little.”
“Five is enough. You can hire others to help you. This shop will be your foundation from now on—just take good care of it.”
Chen Yun choked up as he looked at Su Chi: “Thank you… thank you, Su Fulang!”
With most things settled at home, they’d be moving in a few days.
These past few days, Su Chi had been clinging to Wang Wen, following him everywhere. Wang Wen was both amused and touched.
He hated to leave his son too—but his son was moving to the county for a better life. How could he refuse?
Wang Wen reassured him: “Once your belly’s bigger, Father will come take care of you.”
Su Chi’s eyes curved with a smile: “Good—then you’ll move in with us, and we’ll all live together.”
“You’re a married fulang now, about to manage a big house, and you’re still like a child.” Wang Wen stroked his son’s smooth black hair with affection.
“Father, will you say yes?” Su Chi pouted, his eyes glistening—as if he might cry if his father refused.
“Alright, alright—whatever you say. I’ll live with you and my grandchild.” Wang Wen quickly soothed him, knowing his son had been thoroughly spoiled by his wife, growing more childlike by the day.
He said yes for now, but in his heart, he thought it wouldn’t be so hard to split his time between both places.
His village house had been his home with his wife for so many years—every brick and tile was precious to him. He couldn’t bear to part with it. For now, he’d just keep Su Chi calm. Later, he could always spend half the year in the county and half in the village.
·
At the base.
Xie Yushu had He Chao fetch Xiu He and Xiuwei.
“Boss, what is it?” Xiu He came with Xiuwei, feeling a little nervous.
“In a few days, I’ll be moving to the county.”
Xiu He nodded—everyone already knew the boss was shifting the business focus there.
“I want to ask you,” Xie Yushu looked at Xiuwei, “are you willing to part with your brother? I’d like to take you to the county with me, to serve the fulang and help him out.”
Xiu He was stunned.
He’d thought she was going to hand over base responsibilities—he never expected such a wonderful opportunity.
For his younger brother to attend the boss and her fulang—that was a tremendous blessing.
Both the boss and her fulang were kind, generous people. Everyone working at the base was treated well, never harshly. If Xiuwei went with them to the county, they’d surely look after him. What reason did he have to worry?
Besides, they both owed a great debt to the Xie family.
Seeing Xiu He’s stunned expression, Xie Yushu turned to Xiuwei, her tone gentle: “Xiuwei, would you like to? Remember the fulang who came with me last time? You’d come live with us at the county house. The fulang will need your help as his belly grows.”
“Yes—I’d love to!” Xiuwei nodded emphatically, his eyes bright.
He remembered that fulang—beautiful and gentle, soft-spoken, whose cooking could charm your soul away. Just looking at him made you want to be close. Serving such a fulang would be the best job imaginable.
Besides, he didn’t want to be a burden to his brother.
When the time came for his brother to marry, he couldn’t drag him down. Having his own work would be the best outcome.
Seeing his brother agree, Xiu He wiped his tears. Then he dropped to his knees and kowtowed to Xie Yushu.
Xiuwei did the same—both brothers bowing low to her.
Xie Yushu was startled, her face changing. She’d never seen such a display.
She ordered them sternly to get up, saying she’d be angry if they didn’t.
They rose, pouring out endless gratitude before finally leaving.
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