Ch 34: Reborn to Raise My Husband

“This Foreman Liu has a household of four—one son and one daughter. The eldest son is currently studying at the county school, and the daughter is around the same age as Fang Ge’er.”

“Foreman Liu’s wife is surnamed Fei. She’s quite a good-looking woman and really enjoys walking around the street markets.”

Fang Youliang shared the information he had gathered with Qi Beinan: “I picked this up bit by bit while delivering fruit and vegetables to their home. Foreman Liu also mentioned that the county workshop will be working on the canals this month, but they’re short on workers, so he gave me a recruitment slip.”

Qi Beinan glanced at the slip—authentic.

After listening, he made some rough assessments.

“Foreman Liu’s household may not be large, but with a son in school and a wife fond of shopping, their expenses must be high. He only holds a team leader role in the county workshop, and the salary isn’t impressive. If they don’t have some extra income on the side, it’d be hard to manage.”

Qi Beinan had lived in the county seat before. His father had been a teacher and scholar. Not to mention holidays—there were regular banquets for birthdays, shop openings, or neighborhood celebrations.

City folks liked to gather and throw feasts. Even regular families invited guests, let alone those who worked in the county office. He had seen it plenty during his years in government.

Qi Beinan rummaged through his belongings and pulled out two annotated books and a fine Lu Prefecture inkstick he had saved—not because he was stingy, but because he hadn’t had the need for it until now. Better to put it to good use.

“Wrap these up and bring them to the Liu household. They’ve got a scholar in the house and aren’t exactly a wealthy or well-connected family, so these should be appreciated.”

Fang Youliang hesitated: “You’ve already helped with all the planning. How can I take your things too?”

“Fang Jie’er wanting to learn a trade is a good thing. I’m just helping her a bit now. She’s the kind who repays kindness—if it works out, I’ll benefit too.”

Qi Beinan pressed the bundle into his hands. “Lucky for us the Liu family has a scholar in the household—otherwise I’d have nothing to offer to make the connection.”

Fang Youliang was both moved and a little ashamed.

“I’ll accept for now. When the time comes, I’ll definitely thank you properly.”

“No need for such words between us.”

Qi Beinan motioned for him to sit: “I’ve still got more to discuss. Just this much won’t be enough. The Liu family may not be rich, but they spend a lot. We’ll need something more substantial.”

Handing over a cash gift wouldn’t work. The Fang family couldn’t afford a decent amount, and a meager one would be embarrassing.

But now that Fang Youliang had that recruitment slip, they had a route.

“If Foreman Liu is willing to make the introduction to the hairdresser for Fang Jie’er, offer him forty percent of your wages from the canal job. What do you think?”

Fang Youliang’s eyes lit up: “I was thinking the same.”

Qi Beinan nodded. “Also prepare a proper gift ahead of time. If the meeting with the hairdresser works out, you can’t show up empty-handed.”

“Right. We’ve paid off most of our earlier loans with this year’s earnings. Borrowing a bit more should be doable.”

Fang Youliang planned to prepare five strings of cash and a fat goose as the formal apprenticeship gift: “Think that’s enough?”

Qi Beinan estimated it should be. If the hairdresser was open to taking her in, that would meet normal standards.

If not, no amount would be enough—and the Fang family certainly couldn’t afford extravagance.

So the next day, Fang Youliang brought the books, inkstick, and an old hen from home and delivered them to the Liu household.

Lately, seeing her brother running around and giving away valuable things, Fang Jie’er felt uneasy and remorseful. She felt she had added to her already burdened family.

But the matter had gone this far—she could only hope it wasn’t all in vain.

That same day, Zhao Guangzong returned from the county seat and brought back a stack of handwritten notes—copies carefully made by the elderly gentleman who had been teaching him. He didn’t want to take advantage of everything without giving something back, so he picked up extra paper and ink and brought some pastries for Xiao Yuanbao—two pieces each of peach and plum flavor.

As luck would have it, Jiang Fulang arrived carrying a fresh pig stomach.

He’d just gotten it from a butcher and originally meant to invite Xiao Yuanbao over to cook and teach him how to prepare it.

But Xiao Hu had gone up the mountain and Xiao Yuanbao was home alone, so instead, Jiang Fulang brought it straight to the house.

Xiao Yuanbao had gotten clingy lately—worried about his brother anytime he wasn’t home, like he might get snatched up by someone.

So Jiang Fulang figured—what’s one more person at the table? Easier to just come over and cook.

“Little Uncle, you and I are really heart-to-heart. I drop by, and bam—I get to eat your food.”

Zhao Guangzong chuckled when he saw Jiang Fulang.

Jiang Fulang gave him a look: “You glutton, not cooped up studying for once, huh? Actually showing your face.”

“How else would I catch your cooking?” Zhao Guangzong grinned.

Zhao Guangzong feigned a sigh. “Ever since Little Uncle got himself a new apprentice, I’ve barely had a chance to eat his cooking. I’m craving it so bad—my mother even says I’ve gotten thinner.”

Xiao Yuanbao was overjoyed to see Jiang Fulang arrive.

He ran over, took the basket from Jiang Fulang’s hand, looped it over his own arm, and led him into the house.

Jiang Fulang was warmed by the sight of obedient Xiao Yuanbao, and joked with Zhao Guangzong, “You’re not getting thinner because you’re missing my food—it’s because you’ve been working hard at your studies.”

“If Little Uncle says that, I really can’t be glib anymore.”

Qi Beinan poured tea for Jiang Fulang and invited him to sit.

“You two talk, I’ll let you be.”

Jiang Fulang said, “I’ll cook with Bao Ge’er.”

Qi Beinan was truly grateful for Jiang Fulang’s thoughtfulness. “Then we’re in for a treat.”

Upon hearing they were going to cook, Xiao Yuanbao carried the heavy basket into the kitchen.

Inside the basket was a bundle of fresh, uncleaned pig stomach and several spices.

Xiao Yuanbao recognized bay leaf, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, spicy zhuyu berries, and a jar of oil-based sauce.

It was still early—no rush to cook just yet.

Jiang Fulang tossed the pig stomach into a basin and first sprinkled in coarse salt, ready to show Xiao Yuanbao how to clean it thoroughly.

“These organs—whether from chicken, duck, sheep, or pig—no matter how you cook or eat them, the key is getting them clean first. Otherwise, even the best chef will turn out a stinky, inedible mess.”

“Start with coarse salt, scrub repeatedly, then rinse. After that, add flour to draw out the remaining gunk.”

Xiao Yuanbao was fascinated that there was a method to everything and listened earnestly.

Jiang Fulang said, “You try it.”

At banquets, most of the time was spent observing and learning—hard to get hands-on. But cooking at home was more casual. If he didn’t do it himself, it’d all be theoretical.

“Okay!”

Xiao Yuanbao eagerly rolled up his sleeves and tied a little apron around his waist.

He brought a small stool to stand on and climbed up beside the cooking counter.

He reached in and began scrubbing the slippery pig stomach—it felt like a stretchy dough to him.

Jiang Fulang was pleased to see he wasn’t bothered by the smell.

“Offal may seem unappetizing, being what stores an animal’s waste, but if cleaned and cooked properly, it’s delicious with rice or wine. A staple in everyday home cooking.”

“In the future, whether you’re hosting your own guests or cooking at someone else’s table, if you can turn out a few good dishes of pig offal, folks will always praise your skill.”

Qi Beinan leaned against the kitchen doorframe, quietly watching the master and apprentice at work.

He saw Xiao Yuanbao, so small he barely reached the counter, earnestly scrubbing the pig stomach.

Zhao Guangzong tugged at Qi Beinan’s sleeve from behind, and the two of them returned to the main room.

Zhao Guangzong leaned in with a mysterious air. “Little Uncle has made up his mind to really teach Bao Ge’er.”

Qi Beinan raised a brow. “How so?”

“Little Uncle’s best dishes are all offal,” Zhao Guangzong whispered. “He used to make amazing offal dishes at our house when my father entertained guests.”

“Braised, stir-fried, pickled, stewed, smoked and steamed—he did it all. Once people tasted his cooking, his reputation spread.”

He lowered his voice further. “Now he’s teaching Bao Ge’er his signature dishes—if that’s not commitment, what is?”

Qi Beinan glanced back toward the kitchen.

Xiao Bao had only been studying under Jiang Fulang for two months, and already he was willing to teach him his specialties. He must truly like the boy.

By noon, Jiang Fulang had turned the fresh pig stomach into two dishes: one was stir-fried slivers with spring onions they’d grown back in February, and the other was a stew of pig stomach and lettuce stalks.

Qi Beinan had tasted the stir-fried version at the Zhao Guangzong home before—savory and crisp.

The stew was new. The soup had been thickened slightly and cut into strips—tender, soft, yet still held their shape. Very tasty.

Xiao Yuanbao ate with great appetite—he had three bowls of rice.

Not only were Jiang Fulang’s dishes rich and flavorful, but Xiao Yuanbao himself had worked hard today.

He’d scrubbed that pig stomach so long his fingertips were all wrinkled, and he’d also learned how to score the meat with decorative knife work.

Jiang Fulang said this technique was also used on chicken gizzards, duck gizzards, and pork kidneys.

Cross-hatching the cuts allowed the offal to bloom like flowers in hot oil.

Xiao Yuanbao was amazed.

Although his teacher hadn’t yet let him use a knife by himself—large chef’s knives were heavy, cold, and sharp, a little intimidating—he wasn’t afraid.

That morning, the teacher had guided his hands in practicing a few cuts.

As long as he curled the fingers of his left hand inward while holding the meat, he wouldn’t get cut.

After the meal, Jiang Fulang noticed some bamboo shoots still soaking in cold water by the well.

He peeled them, but they were turning green and already tough: “These water bamboo shoots are usually small and crisp, but these are bigger than my thumb—clearly good ones that got left too long. What a waste.”

Xiao Yuanbao told him they were a gift from Big Brother Fang’s family. They’d cooked some earlier, but it had a bitter aftertaste.

With only a few people at home, it hadn’t been eaten up quickly.

Jiang Fulang shook his head. “Bamboo shoots are crisp and flavorful, but they have to be properly prepared. If that raw flavor isn’t suppressed, they’re not exactly pleasant to eat.”

“You two cooked them by boiling—how could it turn out tasty? If you want to cook it again yourselves later and keep it simple, just slice some cured pork and stir-fry it.”

He picked through the bamboo shoots and peeled them with Xiao Yuanbao. The fresher, more tender ones were kept aside for pickling into a jar of preserved shoots, while the rest were blanched and set out under the sun to dry.

These simple vegetables were often pickled in autumn and stored for winter. If there were a woman or a housekeeper at home, Xiao Yuanbao—being clever—would have quickly learned to prepare them.

But that Qin Niazi was lazy and had never taught the child anything truly useful.

“In the future, when you’ve got time, come to your teacher’s courtyard. I’ll teach you more whenever I can.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Yuanbao nodded eagerly and ran off carrying the bamboo shoots.

…

At the end of the month, Fang Youliang returned beaming with good news.

He came to the Xiao residence with Fang Jie’er. They had barely stepped through the gate when he couldn’t hold back his joy and told Qi Beinan the results.

“It’s done, it’s all settled!”

Qi Beinan and Xiao Yuanbao were overjoyed to hear it and quickly ushered the two inside.

“The Liu family accepted the gifts and passed the message to Madam Wang through their own wife. And as luck would have it, Madam Wang was just planning to take on a disciple, so she didn’t reject Madam Fei outright and agreed to first meet the girl.”

Fang Jie’er was happy but also uneasy. This hairdressing lady served only the rich and noble; she must’ve seen a lot of the world. With her plain looks, she feared she wouldn’t be chosen.

She hurried to her cousin’s house to borrow a proper outfit made of fine cloth to tidy herself up before going to meet the woman with her brother and the gift.

Madam Wang lived in Jiaozi Alley, not far from the bustling market. It was a spacious street where property wasn’t cheap.

But her courtyard was still large, with four or five rooms—clearly a wealthy household.

Fang Jie’er felt even more unsure of herself. But upon seeing Madam Wang, she was surprised.

She had imagined that someone who made a living styling hair for others and lived so well would be flashy and extravagant.

But Madam Wang wore a plain charcoal-gray outfit, and though her hair was her trade, her own hairstyle was exceedingly simple—on the streets, she wouldn’t stand out at all.

Only with a closer look could one see the material of her clothes was fine, and her hair was sleek and shiny.

Fang Jie’er guessed that Madam Wang must be someone who disliked showing off.

Madam Wang didn’t put on airs just because the siblings were from the countryside. On the contrary, she was warm and friendly.

She asked Fang Jie’er her age, whether she had studied, if she could read, and what kinds of hairstyles she knew or had seen…

After all those questions, Fang Jie’er felt disheartened. Aside from her age, she couldn’t answer much at all—and nothing particularly well.

Then Madam Wang let down her own hair and asked her to style it.

Her hands trembled as she stepped forward.

Thankfully, she had styled plenty of hair at home—not just her own, but for her mother, Fang Ge’er, and Bao Ge’er. Her fingers were used to it and nimble.

Once she got started, her hands steadied, and she managed to tie a simple, neat bun.

Madam Wang looked at it from all angles in the mirror, touched it lightly, then looked at her and said:

“You’ve started learning this craft a bit late, and you don’t know much about hairstyle types or the craft’s ins and outs.”

Fang Jie’er held her comb and stood silently. She knew there was no use trying to be slick in front of such a shrewd woman.

Her family had already gone through so much to open this path—if she wasn’t determined now, there’d be nothing more they could do to help her.

So she gathered her courage and said quietly but sincerely:

“I grew up in the countryside and never had a chance to learn much or see much. I don’t have many skills. Only thing I know is how to make hair tidy.”

“I never thought this would lead anywhere. Figured I’d just marry young and live out life that way. But when I heard there’s such a profession as hairdressing in the city, I couldn’t sleep at night. Though I’m a girl, I also want to have a skill I can live on.”

“Not just for my parents and siblings, but for myself—so that no matter what happens, I have a way to survive. That’s why I’ve come to beg you, Madam Wang. I know I’m not very clever or gifted, but I do have one strength: I’m willing to work hard and learn.”

Madam Wang listened, then looked again into the mirror.

“For a country girl, you’ve got ambition. You may be older and unfamiliar with hairstyle trends, but your hands are quick.”

When she first saw this girl, with her lowered eyes and meek demeanor, she thought she was timid and inarticulate. But her words were earnest and well-spoken.

Madam Wang didn’t give the siblings an answer that day. She simply told them to go home and said she’d give a reply in a few days.

Fang Jie’er, recounting the visit, was flushed with joy. “I really thought Madam Wang wasn’t going to take me, and that she was just being polite. But a few days later, my brother went to the county again, and Foreman Liu said Madam Wang agreed.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes sparkled. “Congratulations, Fang Jie’er!”

Fang Jie’er smiled bashfully. “If it weren’t for Mr. Qi helping me, I wouldn’t even have had this chance. I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

Saying that, she stood up to bow to Qi Beinan.

Qi Beinan quickly got up, but didn’t know whether he should stop her. Xiao Yuanbao slid off his stool and ran over to tug her sleeve.

“Fang Jie’er, don’t bow. Brother isn’t a teacher or a master—you don’t need to bow to him.”

Fang Jie’er was overjoyed that she could finally go study a craft—so much so that she wiped at her tears:

“My family emptied out what little we had just for me, and even if I wanted to properly thank you, Mr. Qi, I truly have nothing to offer. So all I can do right now is swear an oath here: I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to learning this craft, and in the future, as long as you ever need anything from me, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

Qi Beinan smiled and said, “Fang Jie’er may not have studied, yet you even know to say ‘go through fire and water’—that shows your sincerity.”

“I already understand your gratitude. That alone is enough.”

“Now that your wish has come true and Madam Wang has taken you in, it’s largely because you suited her expectations. Going forward, as you learn this craft, don’t let a sense of owing anyone weigh too heavily on your heart. Just do your best—there’s no need to burden yourself too much with the need to repay others.”

Fang Jie’er felt warmth rise up inside her and nodded deeply, lips tightly pressed.

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