Author Archives: sandy

Handling Trouble

“Dear customers, I’m afraid we’ve sold out of all our food for today. If you want to try it, you can come back earlier tomorrow.”

Although Yu Jiuque patiently explained this to the men in front of him, it was clear they were deliberately causing trouble.

“I don’t care! You better find a way to get me some! If you don’t…”

The man, looking sleazy, ran his fingers over his lips with a malicious grin directed at Yu Jiuque. “You may be dressed simply, but you’ve got quite the looks. Why not join us for a drink at the tavern across the street? If you come with us, I won’t make a fuss.”

What had initially been a petty disturbance had now escalated into something much worse.

Yu Jiuque silently gripped the handle of the kitchen knife on the counter and coldly asked, “What do you mean by that?”

The man with a mole on his face, who had been standing slightly behind, stepped forward and said, “What do you think we mean? We mean exactly what you’re thinking. You’re just a poor peddler, and you’re giving us attitude? Let me tell you, our boss is doing you a favor by taking an interest in you. If you make him happy, the tip you’ll get could cover a whole day of selling your food!”

As the conversation grew increasingly outrageous, Yu Jiuque, now fuming, gripped the knife tightly and raised it.

“I’m not going to drink with you! If you take another step, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

However, his threat didn’t intimidate the men. The ringleader, “Third Master,” even began clapping.

“Good! I like that spirit! Little beauty, you really won’t come with me? If you do, you’ll never have to expose yourself on the streets again. I’ll make sure you live well and…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the “Third Master” was abruptly silenced, like a rooster being strangled.

Yu Jiuque widened his eyes, realizing that Qin Xia had returned just in time. He had grabbed the man by the collar, yanked him back, and kicked him to the ground before twisting his arm behind his back.

Seeing Yu Jiuque still holding the knife and frozen in place, You Ge’er mustered up some courage, rushed over, and pulled Yu Jiuque to a safer corner behind him.

The knife remained tightly gripped in Yu Jiuque’s hand, leaving deep marks on his palm.

“Stop! Stop! It hurts!”

Whether due to a vital joint being strained or otherwise, the man’s face turned red from the pain.

The two lackeys hesitated, wanting to intervene, but Qin Xia’s threatening gaze made them stop in their tracks. He seemed ready to break the man’s arm further if they approached.

Frightened, the man yelled at them, “You idiots, back off! Back off!”

Seeing no other option, the lackeys retreated several steps. Qin Xia then coldly ordered, “Get lost, and stay away from my stall!”

The man screamed in pain, prompting his lackeys to quickly obey and retreat even further.

This man, who had been causing trouble on the streets for years, was nothing more than a bully who preyed on the weak. He had thought Yu Jiuque was an easy target, but he hadn’t expected his partner to be so fierce!

Now in a tough spot, he pleaded for mercy.

“Please, spare me! It was all a misunderstanding!”

With his other hand, Qin Xia slammed the man’s face into the ground.

“A misunderstanding? I didn’t hear it wrong. You disrespected my husband and spoke so indecently. Was that also a misunderstanding?”

The man felt as though Qin Xia’s hand was a hot iron clamp, pressing him down and leaving him too scared to move. Was every cook this tough nowadays?

Realizing there was no easy way out, he desperately sought to escape.

“Sir, it was truly a misunderstanding. I… I mistook you for someone else! Isn’t that right, boys?”

He shouted at his lackeys for confirmation. The mole-faced one seemed slow to react, but the other, with narrower eyes, quickly caught on and shouted, “Yes, yes! It’s true! Our boss mistook you for someone else! It’s all a big misunderstanding!”

Qin Xia remained silent. The man cursed Qin Xia’s ancestors in his heart but had no choice but to continue groveling.

“Sir, I apologize to you and your husband! Please, be lenient!”

It’s often said that it’s easier to deal with the king of hell than with little devils. Street thugs like these, even if reported to the authorities, would likely get away with just a scolding. But Qin Xia felt he had taught this man a lesson more effective than any official could.

Before letting go, Qin Xia twisted the man’s wrist one last time, then released him.

The man scrambled to his feet, his arm feeling like it was about to break. He glared at Qin Xia, realizing today was just his unlucky day.

As he tried to slink away, Qin Xia called him back with an irritated tone, “Apologize properly.”

With no other choice, the man grudgingly bowed to both Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque, muttering a half-hearted “Sorry,” clearly still resentful.

Just before the man could walk away, Qin Xia warned him, “So you’re called Third Master, right? We’re just small-time peddlers and wouldn’t dare trouble someone like you. Please remember to avoid this spot in the future.”

Liu San’er let out an embarrassed snort and limped away, followed by the mole-faced man and the narrow-eyed one, soon disappearing around the corner.

The crowd gradually dispersed, with some who had enjoyed the spectacle cheering for Qin Xia.

Qin Xia flexed his wrist and nodded in the direction of the departing troublemakers before quickly walking over to Yu Jiuque.

As he looked down, he saw the cold gleam of the kitchen knife.

He placed his hand over Yu Jiuque’s and gently said, “It’s all over now, you can let go.”

Yu Jiuque snapped out of his daze and quickly released his grip.

Qin Xia sighed in relief and put the knife in a safe place.

He then turned to Yu Jiuque and thanked the sugar cake vendor, You Ge’er.

“Thank you for protecting Ah Jiu.”

You Ge’er smiled. “Don’t mention it. I was just looking out for myself, hiding with your husband once you showed up.”

He said this modestly, though it was clear that the vendor selling pickled vegetables on the other side had pretended to see nothing the entire time.

It’s easy to see the difference in people by how they react in situations like these.

As the two returned to the cart, the son of the wonton vendor across the street ran over to deliver the pastries Qin Xia had bought earlier.

In his haste to deal with Liu San’er, Qin Xia had left the pastries at the wonton stall. Fortunately, they were still intact.

After thanking the boy, Qin Xia handed him a couple of sesame candies, making the boy beam with joy as he ran back home.

“Father! Mother! We have candy!”

Qin Xia also shared some with You Ge’er.

“They’re from Ganyuan Zhai. Even though they’re a bit broken, they still taste the same.”

Candy wasn’t cheap, especially from Ganyuan Zhai. A small bag cost several coins, so who would mind if it was broken?

You Ge’er carefully wrapped the candy in oiled paper, saying he would take it home for his children.

“The kids were just asking for candy the other day. We sell sugar cakes, but they never seem to get enough of the sweet stuff!”

With that, he too began packing up to leave.

Afterward, Qin Xia used chopsticks to pick up a piece of sesame candy and handed it to Yu Jiuque.

“You’ve been lost in thought. Here, have something sweet.”

Since the incident, Yu Jiuque had been distracted, his lips pale.

“Are you feeling unwell? Should we visit the clinic?”

Yu Jiuque’s head injury was serious, and since Qin Xia’s arrival had altered the original story’s events, he was worried it might affect Yu Jiuque’s recovery.

Perhaps the recent stress had worsened his condition, like causing a blockage in his circulation—Qin Xia wasn’t sure of the medical details but was concerned about Yu Jiuque’s condition.

Yu Jiuque shook his head.

“I did feel some chest tightness and dizziness earlier, but I’m fine now.”

When Liu San’er and his gang showed up, he was indeed nervous but not as frightened as he expected.

With the knife within reach, he instinctively grabbed it without hesitation.

In that moment, he was certain that if they had attacked, he would have used the knife without hesitation.

He couldn’t understand where he had found the courage.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Jiuque accepted the sesame candy from Qin Xia and took a small bite.

It was crispy and sweet.

“It’s really good. Did you buy pastries from Ganyuan Zhai?”

Qin Xia nodded.

“Yes, I know your mouth gets bitter from the medicine, so I bought some of their famous pastries. They’re known for their quality and fair prices. I hope you don’t mind me spending the money.”

Though they were only nominally “husband and wife,” Yu Jiuque had been working hard at the stall with him. Qin Xia believed that the money they earned should be considered “shared property.” Since he had spent a significant amount, he felt it was right to inform Yu Jiuque.

Looking at the paper package, Yu Jiuque could tell it wasn’t cheap. But knowing Qin Xia had bought it for him made him happy.

“Let’s enjoy them together when we get home.”

Qin Xia popped the remaining half of the sesame candy into his mouth and smiled. “Sure.”

The small incident didn’t significantly affect their mood. Qin Xia could see that Yu Jiuque wasn’t someone who would easily suffer a loss, and Yu Jiuque had witnessed Qin Xia’s abilities firsthand.

If they encountered such people again, they’d deal with them as needed, without letting it bother them too much.

On the way, Yu Jiuque tentatively asked Qin Xia why he knew martial arts, to which Qin Xia smiled.

“It’s nothing much, just some grappling techniques. I used to have a friend who specialized in grappling and combat. I learned a few moves from him. He said that once you master these techniques, you can easily handle most petty thugs.”

Originally, he practiced just for fun, but over time, it became muscle memory.

Besides, as a chef, he had built up considerable strength, making these techniques even more effective.

It’s more than enough to deal with street hooligans.

As they continued walking down the street, they passed by the county’s poultry market.

From a distance, they could already smell the distinctive scent of animals with fur and feathers, mingled with the noisy clucking and chirping sounds.

Qin Xia thought of his empty backyard and unconsciously slowed his pace.

Yu Jiuque followed his gaze and noticed Qin Xia looking at the straw cages on the street, which were filled with chickens and ducks.

Peering through the gaps in the cages, he could see the fluffy little yellow creatures inside.

Qin Xia felt tempted and took a step forward to ask the woman tending the stall.

“Auntie, are you selling chicks?”

Before she could answer, Yu Jiuque chuckled.

“Husband, those are geese, not chickens.”

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thingyan: ALL MALE LEADS MUST KNOW HOW TO FIGHT. PERIOD! And why am I yelling? Hehe

Sandy: It’s one of the MC-must-have skills

Cabbage Stuffed Pancakes

The grilled cold noodles received high praise from Xing Yiming.

He had only taken a few bites before asking Qin Xia how long he would be running the stall.

“If there’s still some left before dinner, I’ll come back and buy more to take home for my wife and kids to try.”

Qin Xia glanced at the remaining tofu and noodles. “I’m afraid we might sell out before dinner, but if you want, I can reserve some for you and make it fresh when you return.”

Xing Yiming swallowed another mouthful of grilled cold noodles and nodded repeatedly.

“That sounds great. Set aside two large portions of grilled cold noodles and two portions of iron plate tofu for me, with one half spicy and the other not. Add two eggs to each portion of the grilled cold noodles.”

Yu Jiuque quickly calculated the total.

“That’ll be fifty-four wen, but since that number doesn’t sound too good, just give us fifty-three.”

Xing Yiming, however, counted out fifty-five wen.

“You’re running a small business; it’s not easy. Let me round it up for you. This is a deposit, and I’ll pay the remaining thirty wen when it’s delivered.”

Yu Jiuque accepted the payment and thanked him several times.

Xing Yiming then asked Qin Xia, “Since you can reserve the food, could you also deliver it? My shop, Ganyuan Zhai, is just up ahead. You can bring it by at the beginning of the You hour.”

So he’s the owner of Ganyuan Zhai?

Qin Xia had inherited memories from the original owner and knew that Ganyuan Zhai was quite famous in the county town.

They had a signature pastry called soft fragrant cake, which was a best-seller, especially during festivals. Many people would bring Ganyuan Zhai’s “Ten Fruit Pastry” box as a gift when visiting relatives and friends.

“I’ve got it noted. I’ll make sure it’s delivered by the beginning of the You hour.”

Xing Yiming nodded in satisfaction and strolled away leisurely with the grilled cold noodles that he hadn’t finished.

In the afternoon, after making three more servings, Qin Xia massaged his slightly sore arm and prepared to warm up some stuffed pancakes they had brought from home to fill their stomachs before getting busy again.

Street food wasn’t cheap, and it might not suit everyone’s taste. Since the weather was cold and food wouldn’t spoil quickly, Qin Xia had made plenty of cabbage and meat stuffed pancakes early in the morning at home.

The pork was separated into lean and fatty portions. The lean meat was minced, and the fatty meat was diced and rendered into crispy bits, with the resulting fat reserved.

The cabbage was finely chopped and mixed with the crispy pork bits into the minced meat, seasoned with salt, sugar, and soy sauce, then mixed with a bit of starch and chopped green onions before adding the reserved fat to create the filling for the pancakes.

Making the stuffed pancakes was quite enjoyable.

The dough was spread out in the palm, the filling placed in the center, and the edges of the dough were pulled towards the center without worrying about it tearing.

Once the filling was completely enclosed, the pancake was shaped and slightly flattened, ready to be cooked.

The result was a pancake that oozed juice with every bite.

It had to be made with cabbage; no other vegetable would produce the same flavor.

At the stall, the stove was already set up, so they could just reheat the pancakes, which tasted almost as good as when they were freshly made.

However, eating only pancakes might be a bit monotonous, so Qin Xia took some money and went to a nearby stall to buy two bowls of small wontons.

These small wontons were tiny, with just a bit of meat filling, but the broth was excellent. Qin Xia could tell immediately that it was made from a well-boiled bone broth.

The two of them started eating with the wonton soup. Qin Xia was full after two pancakes, while Yu Jiuque finished the remaining five.

Even then, Qin Xia was still worried that he hadn’t eaten enough and went to the neighboring stall to buy two fried sugar cakes.

You Ge’er selling the cakes noticed and was surprised at how much Yu Jiuque, who appeared so delicate, could actually eat.

He shook his head to himself—people really can’t be judged by their appearance.

After eating, despite using oiled paper, it was inevitable that their hands got a bit greasy from the meal.

They scooped some water to wash their hands and sat on the stools, chatting quietly.

Yu Jiuque said, “This morning, we must have made over five hundred wen. We’re almost out of eggs. After accounting for the four reserved for that shopkeeper, we only have five left.”

The eggs they bought cost four wen each, so they only made one wen of profit per egg.

Even though Qin Xia believed that grilled cold noodles were incomplete without an egg, he had to admit that there were few who were willing to spend extra for it, so he only brought twenty eggs today. As expected, only a few customers had opted for the additional egg so far.

“If someone wants these last five, that’s great. If not, it’s no big deal—eggs don’t spoil easily.”

The other ingredients were also running low, and they hoped to sell out by early evening. After delivering the order to Ganyuan Zhai, they could close up shop.

Having been busy since early morning, both of them were quite tired, and having just eaten, they were naturally feeling a bit drowsy, so they didn’t rush to get up. The cart in front blocked the wind, and the stove was still warm, making it quite cozy.

Yu Jiuque tucked his hands into his sleeves and fell silent, his eyelids growing heavy. The medicine from the clinic he had been taking for a few days had reduced his dizziness, but it made him sleepier than before. Qin Xia had explained that the medicine had calming and sedative effects, and while Yu Jiuque understood this, he still felt it hindered his work.

Seeing Yu Jiuque struggling to stay awake, nodding off like a little chick pecking at grain, Qin Xia felt a warmth in his heart, as if a feather was gently brushing against it.

“If you’re sleepy, lean on me and take a nap. I’ll wake you if someone comes.”

He pointed to his own shoulder. “You haven’t fully recovered yet, and it’s too tiring to be out here every day with me. If it’s too much…”

He was considering suggesting that Yu Jiuque return home earlier or come later in the morning, but before he could finish his sentence, Yu Jiuque quickly responded, “I’m not tired!” as if afraid that Qin Xia would leave him behind.

Qin Xia had no choice but to keep the rest of his thoughts to himself. In the end, he persuaded Yu Jiuque to lean on him and take a short nap. It was just under half an hour before a passerby stopped to ask what they were selling and how much it cost.

Yu Jiuque immediately woke up, rubbing his eyes and sitting up straight. Qin Xia couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss as his shoulder lightened.

…

As evening approached, there wasn’t much left at the stall. Qin Xia kept track of the time and prepared the two portions of iron plate tofu and the large grilled cold noodles that Xing Yiming had ordered, leaving Yu Jiuque to watch the stall while he jogged over to Ganyuan Zhai to make the delivery.

At the shop, Xing Yiming looked as if he had been waiting eagerly.

“I’ve been thinking about that taste all afternoon since lunch, imagining enjoying it with some good wine when I get home. Isn’t that just perfect?”

Seeing that Qin Xia was so punctual, Xing Yiming’s favorable impression of him grew. He cheerfully paid the remaining thirty wen and noticed Qin Xia looking at the shop’s pastries.

“Are you thinking of buying some to take home?”

Qin Xia nodded.

“My husband has a sweet tooth, and no other pastries in the city can compare to yours. Since I’m already here, I can’t leave empty-handed.”

Xing Yiming, who had already held Qin Xia in high regard due to his culinary skills, was impressed that a street vendor could speak so smoothly, rivaling someone from a merchant family.

Whether it was true or not, Qin Xia’s words were crafted to be pleasing to the ear.

“Pick whatever you like, and I’ll give you a good price.”

Qin Xia smiled and cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you, shopkeeper. May I ask for your esteemed surname?”

“My humble surname is Xing. And yours?”

“Ah, so it’s Shopkeeper Xing. My surname is Qin.”

“Then you must be Boss Qin.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qin Xia didn’t just offer empty words; he seriously selected several pastries, including Ganyuan Zhai’s famous soft fragrant cakes and tuckahoe pies, five of each, and also took a bag of peach crisps.

The two kinds of pastries were five wen each, totaling fifty wen, and the bag of peach crisps, which contained six, was fifteen wen.

Xing Yiming rounded down the total, only charging Qin Xia sixty wen.

“It turns out I ended up eating yours for free and even made an extra five wen.”

He then instructed a worker to bring a small bag of sesame candy and placed it together with the pastries Qin Xia had bought.

“These got accidentally broken during production, but they taste just the same.”

The implication was that he was giving them to Qin Xia as a gift.

Both sides were being straightforward, effectively meaning that Qin Xia had traded his own snacks for Ganyuan Zhai’s pastries.

After expressing his thanks, Qin Xia took his leave. It wasn’t long before he spotted his stall.

To his surprise, despite the ingredients being sold out, which should have meant that anyone inquiring would quickly leave upon finding out there was nothing left to buy, three men were still lingering in front of the stall.

Even from a distance, he could vaguely hear that the three men were raising their voices.

Realizing something was wrong, Qin Xia furrowed his brow and quickly jogged a few steps forward to see what was happening.

Business Booming

The man eventually bought a large portion of grilled cold noodles with an egg added, along with a portion of iron plate tofu, totaling twenty-two wen.

Before leaving, he even asked Yu Jiuque for two extra bamboo skewers, perhaps intending to share with others.

After sending off the first customer, there was still a large portion of grilled cold noodles left for sampling, so Qin Xia shared two pieces with You Ge’er, the seller of fried sugar cakes.

You Ge’er was quite surprised and delighted to get a free taste, especially since he had overheard how expensive it was.

“Look at this, I feel bad taking it.”

After exchanging polite words, he carefully took it and ate it while it was still hot.

As he marveled at how delicious it was, customers began to gradually gather at Qin Xia’s food stall.

Among them were a few who had bought iron plate tofu at the temple fair, but most were first-time customers.

Some were drawn by the new food stall, while others were simply attracted by the enticing aroma.

Facing first-time customers required a bit more effort to explain the offerings.

Qin Xia was busy making two types of snacks simultaneously, keeping track of each person’s different preferences, which was quite a challenge.

As a result, most of the explaining and money handling was taken care of by Yu Jiuque.

“Iron plate tofu, five wen per portion, five pieces in total. Grilled cold noodles are six wen for a small portion, twelve wen for a large one.”

“Scallions, cilantro, and red onions are unlimited. If you like them, feel free to add more; if not, you can skip them.”

“Chili sauce? Sorry, we don’t sell it separately.”

“That’ll be twelve wen; here’s your food. Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Yes, you can sample it. Please wait a moment, and I’ll pick a piece for you to try.”

…

Although the business wasn’t overwhelmingly busy, the two of them barely had a moment to rest.

After an hour of steady work, they had sold around twenty portions of iron plate tofu and ten portions of grilled cold noodles, finally getting a chance to catch their breath.

Seeing Qin Xia sweating by the stove in the cold weather, Yu Jiuque quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead and then poured him some hot tea.

The cart had two small stools stored inside, which they took out and set on the ground to sit and relax their legs.

The fried sugar cake seller, You Ge’er, also had a good round of business earlier, making about a hundred wen, with seven or eight of those customers coming from Qin Xia’s stall. While waiting, they had looked around and casually bought one or two sugar cakes to take with them.

Mutual exchanges like this are just part of human interactions.

You Ge’er placed a sugar cake into an oiled paper bag, called out to Yu Jiuque, and handed it over.

“Here, take it and eat.”

The couple thanked him together, and You Ge’er smiled broadly, scooting his stool closer to chat with Yu Jiuque, the two of them sitting together like close friends.

Once the sugar cake had cooled enough to eat, Yu Jiuque turned around and tugged at Qin Xia’s sleeve.

“You eat first.”

Qin Xia tried to refuse but eventually had to take a small bite.

“I ate a lot for breakfast, so I’m still full. You can have it.”

In truth, after smelling the oil and smoke all morning, he had little appetite for something so sweet and greasy.

But it was clear that Yu Jiuque liked it very much, eating with shiny, oily lips, making them look softer than usual.

Qin Xia’s thoughts wandered for a moment before he quietly averted his gaze.

After finishing the breakfast rush, the previously empty stall beside the Qin family’s food cart finally had someone arrive.

The person began unloading small pickling jars from a basket, clearly running a stall selling pickled side dishes.

A row of ten jars, each with a red paper label indicating its contents: radishes, mustard greens, cucumbers, ginger, mountain peppers, and Chinese broccoli, among others.

While most households could pickle these items themselves, some people simply couldn’t make them taste as good as those sold in the market, which kept the business steady for stalls like this.

The two exchanged nods, a simple acknowledgment of each other.

When Qin Xia had initially chosen to rent a stall here, he had considered this aspect. The sugar cake stall on his left was also selling breakfast items, but sweet ones, while the pickled goods on his right had no overlap with the food he was selling.

With these three stalls together, there would be no competition for customers, and potential disputes over territory or business could be avoided.

As noon approached, it became evident that more people were out shopping for food.

Some were out walking, mostly looking for a noodle stall or wonton stand to sit down and eat. Others, carrying baskets for grocery shopping, would pick up some ready-made food to add to their meals at home.

Pingyuan Prefecture, where Qinan County was located, was not as prosperous as the rice-producing regions of the south. During years of famine, the locals had even resorted to eating tree bark, but those were stories of the distant past.

In the past decade, the weather had been favorable, and the granaries were well-stocked. People in the city had become more willing to spend money on food, unlike in the original protagonist’s childhood when there were far fewer restaurants and eateries in town.

“Little boss, give me a portion of iron plate tofu, but no chili or scallions—the kids won’t eat it.”

“How much are these grilled noodles? Six wen? That’s too expensive. I can get a bowl of plain noodles for five wen, and your portion isn’t that big.”

“I want two portions of tofu. Can you add an extra piece?”

Unlike the early morning crowd of workers buying food, this time of day brought housewives and homemakers who were generally more frugal. After all, they had to manage their household expenses carefully, so they would inspect the tofu for larger pieces and haggle over the price before paying.

As a result, Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque had to spend more effort in conversation, but fortunately, many people asked for samples and ended up buying, so it wasn’t a wasted effort.

At the busiest times, Qin Xia felt like his iron plate was almost sparking from the constant use. Whenever two people were waiting together, they would often suggest to Qin Xia, “Boss, your stove isn’t enough; you need to add another one.”

Qin Xia could only smile wryly—if only it were that simple.

When the jade dice were pawned, they fetched twelve taels of silver. Buying the cart at a bargain price cost three and a half taels, which he thought would be the biggest expense. But later, buying the iron plate alone cost four taels.

After accounting for other expenditures, only a little over one tael of the twelve remained.

The production of ironware was strictly regulated by the government, and the number of blacksmith shops in the entire county could be counted on one hand. Qin Xia initially wanted to buy another iron pot to experiment with other snacks, but when he found out it would cost five taels, he decisively postponed that idea.

Now he understood why an iron pot could be passed down as a family heirloom in these times.

Better to wait until he had more money.

**

Lined with various shops, Liu Bao Street had an old and established pastry shop called “Ganyuan Zhai,” which was quite well-known in the county.

The shopkeeper, Xing Yiming, was a plump man with a broad heart. He had no other hobbies besides his passion for exploring the world of food.

He prided himself on being a “gourmand,” having tried every known dish within Qinan County.

On this particular day, it was nearly noon by the time he arrived at the shop. As he sat behind the counter going over the morning’s accounts, he found himself growing restless.

Xing Yiming called over a young apprentice and asked, “Has the street filled with vendors selling fresh food? There’s a particularly fragrant smell in the air.”

The young apprentice, whose nose was only attuned to the sweet scent of their own pastries, didn’t understand what his boss was asking about.

It wasn’t until he noticed Xing Yiming eyeing the oil-paper-wrapped boxes carried by passersby that the apprentice realized.

“Master, it seems there’s a new stall at the end of the street selling tofu. They call it iron plate tofu. This morning, some of the customers buying pastries mentioned it.”

Iron plate tofu?

This was the first time Xing Yiming had heard of such a dish, and his curiosity was immediately piqued.

He promptly set the account book aside. “You keep an eye on things here; I’ll go take a look.”

The apprentice, well accustomed to Xing Yiming’s ways, merely nodded and watched as his boss walked off. Then he picked up a cloth to wipe down the counter and soon busied himself with serving the new customers.

Xing Yiming followed the scent down the street until his attention was drawn to a small food stall surrounded by several people.

He moved closer and sniffed the air, his eyes lighting up.

Yes, this was definitely the source of the aroma!

“What are you selling here? Give me a portion of each.”

Yu Jiuque had just finished putting away the money from the previous customer when he heard this. He looked up with a smile and listed the prices for iron plate tofu and grilled cold noodles.

“Would you like a small or large portion of the grilled cold noodles? And would you like to add an egg?”

Xing Yiming, true to his gourmand nature, didn’t even know what grilled cold noodles were, but he was already sold on the enticing smell. Without hesitation, he said, “A large portion, with all the extras.”

“No problem, that’ll be twenty-two wen. There are three customers ahead of you, so please wait a moment. There’s a stool here if you’d like to sit.”

Xing Yiming waved off the offer to sit. It wouldn’t be long, and he had been sitting in the shop all morning. He welcomed the chance to stretch his legs and watch the food being made.

After collecting the money, Yu Jiuque noticed another portion of iron plate tofu ready to be served. He skillfully prepared the paper box, filled it, and added scallions, cilantro, and chili.

Xing Yiming observed for a while and quickly understood that the so-called iron plate tofu was simply pan-fried tofu.

This method of cooking is actually quite common in home cooking—pan-frying tofu and adding sauce. However, while there are vendors selling fried stinky tofu or marinated tofu in the streets, no one has ever thought of pan-frying tofu and adding sauce to create a unique dish with a catchy name.

What intrigued him even more was the grilled cold noodles that followed.

Qin Xia prepared two portions in quick succession, his movements fluid and effortless, so much so that Xing Yiming couldn’t help but feel impressed.

When it was his turn, Xing Yiming moved to the front and struck up a conversation with Qin Xia.

“Where does this street food come from? I’ve never seen it before. Did you come up with it yourself?”

Qin Xia immediately recognized that Xing Yiming was likely a shopkeeper of some standing, dressed in fine silk with a jade ring on his finger.

Such a person visiting a street food stall seemed a bit out of place.

“My grandmother was a cook, and she often experimented with different dishes at home. I’ve made some modifications to her recipes to make a living.”

(T/N: I previously wrote it was MC’s mother who was a cook but I was wrong. It’s his grandmother. Apologies)

Since the original owner’s grandmother had passed away, Qin Xia could conveniently attribute the idea to her.

“I see,” Xing Yiming nodded, believing the story.

Since the previous dynasty, the role of a female cook had become increasingly popular. Unlike male cooks who typically worked in restaurants, female cooks were often employed by wealthy families. A skilled cook could command a high price, so having such expertise wasn’t surprising.

Soon, the iron plate tofu was ready. Xing Yiming took a bite while continuing to watch Qin Xia prepare the grilled cold noodles.

The tofu, eaten while hot, was fragrant on the outside, crisp in the middle, and tender on the inside. Although Xing Yiming hadn’t originally asked for chili, he noticed the chili powder and requested Yu Jiuque to sprinkle half a spoonful on his tofu to try.

“You’ve added quite a few spices to this chili powder, haven’t you? If you were to drizzle some hot oil on it, I bet even shoe soles would taste good!”

Hearing this, Qin Xia realized that this shopkeeper was indeed someone who not only appreciated food but also understood it well.

“You’re quite the connoisseur,” Qin Xia complimented.

Xing Yiming laughed heartily, “Not as skilled as you.”

With that, he eagerly turned his attention back to the grilled cold noodles, clearly excited to try them.

Grilled cold noodles

“How about making sweet and sour spare ribs, a cabbage and bean curd casserole, stir-fried celery with dried tofu, and a radish and meatball soup?”

Hearing the list of dishes, Liu Douzi’s mouth nearly watered.

“Xia ge, with two big meat dishes in one meal, it’s almost like we’re celebrating the New Year!”

Qin Xia took out the ingredients he had bought from the basket and smiled, “You think this is like the New Year? Just wait until the actual New Year, and I’ll really show you something special.”

Liu Douzi nodded eagerly.

He had no doubts about Qin Xia’s cooking skills now. If the everyday meals were already this good, the New Year’s feast would be even more extraordinary.

His brother-in-law marrying Xia-ge was like falling into a pot of gold!

Meanwhile, inside the house, Fang Rong was sitting opposite Yu Jiuque on the heated brick bed.

“Try this orange, Douzi bought it at the dock. It’s rare to find one that’s not too sour.”

Yu Jiuque took the orange and thanked her.

Seeing how polite he was, Fang Rong couldn’t stop smiling.

As an elder of Qin Xia, Fang Rong knew Qin Xia’s character very well. So, now that they were talking behind closed doors, she felt the need to give Yu Jiuque a few words of advice.

“Qin Xia, that boy, has been a little rascal since he was young, always getting into trouble. His father had to break several canes disciplining him. It’s a pity that both his parents passed away one after the other, leaving him without proper guidance. Over the years, he’s done quite a few foolish things…”

Fang Rong recounted some of the “silly things” Qin Xia had done to Yu Jiuque.

“In short, Jiu Ge’er, you need to be patient with him. If he ever does something to upset you, just come to me, and I’ll straighten him out for you!”

Yu Jiuque held the honey-orange, which looked like a small lantern, feeling rather puzzled.

The things Fang Rong described didn’t sound like something the Qin Xia he knew would do.

But then he thought about the set of dice Qin Xia had pawned off, so he assumed Qin Xia had indeed turned over a new leaf and reformed his ways.

“You’re worrying too much, Auntie. My husband treats me very well.”

Fang Rong had been a widow for many years, but she had once been a young girl herself.

Seeing Yu Jiuque’s expression, she could tell that the couple was indeed getting along well, which eased her mind.

“That’s the best. You two should live a harmonious life together, and soon, bring a child into the Qin family. That way, Qin Xia’s parents can rest in peace.”

Yu Jiuque hadn’t expected the conversation to jump to that topic. After all, he and Qin Xia had yet to consummate their marriage.

But this was something he couldn’t let Fang Rong know, so he stammered a bit. Fang Rong, assuming it was just a case of youthful shyness, didn’t press the issue further.

If Fang Rong had any reservations about Qin Xia’s newfound abilities before dinner, they were completely dispelled after tasting the three dishes and soup he prepared.

The sweet and sour ribs were perfectly coated in a shiny, smooth sauce, cooked just right so that the meat fell off the bone with a gentle suck.

The cabbage and bean curd casserole was filled with sweet, tender cabbage and smooth, silky bean curd, while the stir-fried celery with dried tofu retained its vibrant green color and crisp texture, completely different from the limp appearance it usually had when she made it.

And then there was the large pot of radish and meatball soup, with meatballs freshly minced and prepared by Qin Xia himself. The broth was clear, fragrant, and not at all greasy.

Even after finishing the last sip of soup, Fang Rong couldn’t figure out when Qin Xia had learned such skills.

Whatever Qin Xia had claimed about learning from Mother Qin could fool Liu Douzi, but it couldn’t fool Fang Rong.

After all these years, he would have learned it long ago if that were the case.

Of course, Fang Rong couldn’t imagine that Qin Xia was no longer the same person as before.

Although she was full of doubts, the thought that Qin Xia now had the ability to lead a prosperous life as an adult brought her more comfort than any other worries.

When the moon was high in the sky, Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque returned home together.

They carried a lantern from the Liu family, its dim light illuminating only the ground at their feet.

The alley’s ground was uneven, and as they walked, they occasionally bumped into each other’s arms.

Seeing that it would still be a while before they reached the wider main road, Qin Xia hesitated for a moment but then reached out his hand to Yu Jiuque.

Yu Jiuque paused for a moment but then chose to place his hand over Qin Xia’s.

Qin Xia’s palm was warm, quickly warming Yu Jiuque’s cold fingers.

In the darkness, unseen by anyone, Yu Jiuque quietly tightened his grip, intertwining his fingers with Qin Xia’s.

…

The temple fair was over, but the business had to continue.

Qin Xia rented a long-term stall on Liubao Street in the county town for fifty copper coins a month.

The stall was under the jurisdiction of the county’s street office. After paying the fee, he received a wooden plaque with a number on it. The back of the plaque had the stall owner’s name, business content, and corresponding records filed with the street office.

When setting up a stall, this wooden plaque had to be hung above the stall, making it easier for street office patrolmen to check.

If the street office discovered unlicensed or impersonated operations, the stall would be immediately shut down.

Moreover, if the goods sold were of poor quality, if the food caused illness, or if the stall dirtied the ground and wasn’t cleaned up in time, the punishment could range from fines to being dragged to the county office for a beating or even imprisonment.

So, the ancient people’s management methods were not to be underestimated.

On the first day he received the wooden plaque, Qin Xia tidied up his small cart.

He tied a rope on either side of the oil-paper umbrella, hanging the wooden plaque issued by the street office on one side and a sign reading “Qin’s Food Stall” with the names of the dishes on the other.

At the break of dawn, Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque arrived at their stall’s location.

The ground was marked with white lines by the street office, and each stall had to operate within the lines, not crossing the boundary or occupying too much space.

Most of the neighboring stalls were also occupied; since it was still early, only the stall to the left had someone there—a Ge’er selling fried sugar cakes, who looked older than Qin Xia.

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he curiously observed his new “neighbor.”

“You’re here so early. Are you also selling breakfast?”

Qin Xia turned his head, smiled, and replied, “You could say that. Since it’s our first day, we wanted to get an early start.”

The Ge’er noticed that they were a young couple who seemed friendly, so he offered some advice.

“You’ve come at the right time; it’s just when customers start arriving. If you come later, those early risers heading to work will have already eaten, and the next rush won’t be until noon.”

Qin Xia had come at this time after some observation, but he still thanked the Ge’er for his kindness. After all, they would see each other regularly since they had fixed stalls, so it was important to maintain a good relationship.

As they say, harmony brings wealth.

With everything set up, the cart was soon fully stocked.

Technically, iron plate tofu wasn’t really a breakfast food. The reason Qin Xia started his stall early was because he had added a new dish starting today—grilled cold noodles.

In modern times, grilled cold noodles are often made from pre-prepared sheets, but Qin Xia didn’t have that luxury, so he used the original method of grilling noodles directly.

The noodles were made from buckwheat flour he bought at the grain store, which had a coarser texture compared to white flour, but Qin Xia believed that cold noodles made from buckwheat flour were the most authentic.

The small portion was priced at six copper coins, and the large portion at twelve copper coins.

If customers wanted to add an egg, it would cost an additional five copper coins.

Winter eggs were expensive, but the price could be lowered a bit when the weather warmed up.

The cold wind dispersed the faint white mist of the early morning streets. Seeing that some passersby had started stopping to buy breakfast, Qin Xia set up the stove, preparing to make a portion of grilled cold noodles as a “sample.”

“Aren’t you the one who was selling tofu at the Wenhua Temple fair a couple of days ago? Are you setting up here regularly now?”

Qin Xia was laying out the noodles in the pan when he looked up at the sound.

He had a good memory, and looking at the middle-aged man in front of him, he recognized a familiar face.

“Yes, I’ve rented a stall here. Would you like to try another portion?”

The man particularly liked the tofu and had been thinking about it since he first tasted it. He had been disappointed that he hadn’t asked where the vendor usually sold it, and today, he happened to stumble upon it.

“I’ll take a portion. Make it extra spicy.”

Qin Xia smiled; it seemed he hadn’t mistaken the man—he did like spicy food.

“No problem, but please wait a moment. I only have one stove, so I’ll finish this grilled cold noodle first and then make yours.”

Hearing this, the man perked up.

Grilled cold noodles? What was that?

“Isn’t cold noodles supposed to be served cold? Why would you grill them?”

He looked into the pan and saw Qin Xia shaping the noodles into a near-square shape, brushing them with oil on both sides, and sprinkling some water on them midway through cooking.

How was this supposed to be eaten?

Qin Xia was confident in the grilled cold noodles. From the success of the iron plate tofu, he could tell that the tastes of common people had remained consistent over the centuries.

“These are specially made buckwheat noodles, more chewy than white noodles. Grilled noodles have a texture completely different from stir-fried ones. Like iron plate tofu, they’re brushed with sauce, sprinkled with seasonings, cut into small pieces, and eaten with bamboo skewers. You can even add an egg.”

Seeing the man’s hesitant expression, Qin Xia didn’t push too hard.

“This portion is just for display and sampling. When it’s ready, feel free to try it. If you like it, you can buy it; if not, no worries.”

Customers always liked hearing this—no one wanted to waste their money.

“That sounds good.”

The man then stood back, leisurely waiting.

Qin Xia glanced at the middle-aged man out of the corner of his eye, noting that the man’s clothing was of mid-range quality, and he even wore a fur hat with ear flaps for warmth.

Despite getting up early, the man seemed to be in no rush, suggesting that he was likely some sort of minor manager wherever he worked, exactly the type of “customer” Qin Xia had in mind.

Someone who enjoyed street food and didn’t mind eating while walking.

Someone who had spare money to spend on food and cared more about taste than just filling their stomach.

Qin Xia returned his focus to the pan in front of him.

The noodle sheet had mostly set, so Qin Xia brushed another layer of oil on the surface, flipped it over, and sprinkled a bit of water on the bottom.

The purpose of adding water was to generate steam, which would further soften the noodles.

Once the timing was right, Qin Xia began brushing the sauce.

The sauce for the grilled cold noodles was specially made, different from the iron plate tofu, with added tomato for a slightly sweet and sour flavor.

After brushing on the sauce, he sprinkled a layer of minced red onion and chopped scallions, then rolled up the noodle sheet, cutting it into small pieces with a special spatula before placing them into an oiled paper box. Done!

Yu Jiuque picked out a piece with a bamboo skewer, added a bit of garlic chili sauce that Qin Xia had specially made for the grilled cold noodles, and handed it to the man who had been waiting to try it.

“Here you go, sir. Please have a taste.”

Speaking in his gentle voice, the man was quite pleased.

“Is that red stuff chili? Why not use chili powder? I really liked the flavor of that.”

Yu Jiuque had learned some explanations from Qin Xia in advance and immediately responded with a slight smile, “Different dishes require different seasonings. This chili sauce is unique to my husband—just try it and see.”

The man laughed.

“You two have quite the confidence. I’ve traveled around a bit when I was younger, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

With that, he didn’t hesitate, picking up a piece of grilled cold noodles with the bamboo skewer and popping the whole thing into his mouth.

“This taste…”

He chewed carefully, savoring the taste, and found it remarkably unique.

The way these noodles were prepared completely amplified the “chewy” characteristic of hand-pulled noodles. The sauce combined salty, sour, sweet, and spicy flavors, with the added aromas of red onion and scallions. Every bite was a delightful surprise.

The newly added chili sauce was indeed different from the chili powder on the iron plate tofu, just as the vendor’s husband had said. The only similarity was that both made this spice lover crave more.

Just one taste was nowhere near enough!

The man didn’t even ask the price; he simply took out his money pouch and instructed Qin Xia, “Give me a full serving of this cold noodle, and be quick about it!”

Tomato Fish Fillets

Qin Xia didn’t expect that when he woke up, it would already be dark outside.

The bed beside him was empty, and Yu Jiuque was nowhere to be found.

He threw off the covers and, despite being tempted by the warmth of the heated brick bed, gathered the courage to get up.

The room was dim; that was one downside of ancient times.

Qin Xia didn’t rush to light a lamp. He put on his outer clothes and opened the door, noticing that the kitchen was lit.

“Ah Jiu?”

Qin Xia walked to the kitchen and, sure enough, saw Yu Jiuque standing at the cutting board.

Upon seeing him, Yu Jiuque’s face showed a trace of unease.

It was only then that Qin Xia noticed Yu Jiuque was cutting vegetables; on the cutting board were already chopped tomatoes, along with some scallions, ginger, and garlic.

Before going to sleep, he had mentioned to Yu Jiuque that he planned to make tomato fish fillets for dinner, along with stir-fried shredded potatoes, a dish of winter bamboo shoots, and steamed rice.

“You’re awake.”

Yu Jiuque put down the knife and wiped his hands with a cloth, a bit nervously. “I wanted to help you by prepping some of the ingredients, but I was afraid I wouldn’t do a good job with the shredded potatoes, so I just prepared these. I also started cooking the rice.”

He looked unsure, as if worried that something might be wrong due to his lack of experience.

Qin Xia’s expression softened.

“You’ve done well.”

It was getting late, and he was starving.

He handed Yu Jiuque a few potatoes to peel while he rolled up his sleeves, ready to prepare the snakehead fish.

Who would have thought that after lying in a wooden basin of shallow water for several hours, the fish was still barely alive?

It’s often said that snakeheads are fierce and hard to kill, and this one certainly lived up to that reputation.

For most people, this would be a challenge, but not for Qin Xia.

He pulled out the rolling pin, firmly grasped the slippery fish with one hand, and gave its head a few solid whacks.

A few hits later, the snakehead was no more.

He quickly grabbed a knife, scraped off the scales, and removed the fish’s innards.

The four-pound snakehead was quite large, nearly as long as half an arm when including the head and tail.

Given his own preferences, Qin Xia would normally make it into spicy boiled fish.

But since Yu Jiuque was currently taking medicine and couldn’t eat anything too spicy, he decided against it.

Tomato Fish Fillets are also great, with a sweet and sour taste that’s perfect with rice.

“If only we had some chickens or ducks at home, even the fish intestines wouldn’t go to waste,” Qin Xia mused, already switching into a frugal, homemaking mindset. You could hear the roosters from the Wang family crowing early in the morning, followed by the ones from the Li family—everyone had chickens and gardens, and he didn’t want to fall behind.

Yu Jiuque placed the peeled potatoes back on the cutting board and responded, “It’s cold now, so I’m not sure if they could survive, but it would be nice to have a couple of them.”

Qin Xia rinsed the fish clean and brought it over to the stove. “We probably can’t buy chicks or ducklings now, but we can check out the poultry market next time we’re there. If we find any suitable ones, we can buy them; if not, we’ll wait until spring.”

Yu Jiuque imagined the lively scene of chickens and ducks in their backyard and, liking the idea, cheerfully agreed, “That sounds good.”

Qin Xia found himself lost in thought for a moment. If he remembered correctly, according to the original book’s plot, Yu Jiuque would regain his memory three months after being sold to the Qin family. That meant by the time spring arrived, this young man would likely have left the household.

He just hoped that their act of pretending to be a married couple would end peacefully when the time came.

Qin Xia chopped the black fish into pieces, seasoned it with salt, scallions, ginger, and a bit of yellow wine, and let it marinate for a while. During this time, he took the cooked rice out of the pot and placed it in a basin, ready to steam alongside the fish.

Once the fish was marinated, he coated the pieces in flour and fried them until they were crispy. After that, he removed the fish from the pan and added scallions, ginger, and chopped tomatoes, sautéing them until the tomatoes released their juice. He then adjusted the seasoning and added rock sugar, letting it melt until the sauce thickened.

Qin Xia tasted the sauce with chopsticks, found it just right, and then put the fried fish pieces back into the pan. He poured in some hot water from a small clay stove, placed a steamer tray over it, added the rice, and started simmering the fish.

With the fish and rice cooking, he turned to slice the potatoes.

Yu Jiuque had been peeling winter bamboo shoots, but when he heard the sound of the knife, he turned to look. He saw Qin Xia skillfully wielding the knife, slicing the potatoes into even slices, and then quickly turning them into uniformly thin strips.

“Ah Jiu, could you please fetch a basin of water for me?” Qin Xia asked, realizing he’d forgotten to prepare water to soak the potatoes. Yu Jiuque quickly brought a basin, and Qin Xia placed the potato strips into the water. Noticing Yu Jiuque’s puzzled look, he explained, “Potatoes contain starch. If you don’t soak them to remove some of it, they won’t be crispy when fried, and soaking them also prevents discoloration.”

Yu Jiuque nodded, having learned something new. Whenever these moments happened, Qin Xia found it hard to reconcile this obedient person in front of him with the villain described in the book.

With the ingredients for the stir-fried dishes ready and the fish and rice cooking, it was time to finish up. Yu Jiuque set the table and arranged the dishes, while Qin Xia quickly washed the pan and prepared the remaining two dishes.

“Dinner’s ready!”

On the table were three dishes: tomato fish fillets, vinegar-flavored shredded potatoes, and stir-fried winter bamboo shoots with meat. The rice was perfectly cooked, releasing a rich aroma unique to fresh rice.

Qin Xia placed a piece of fish into Yu Jiuque’s bowl. “Try this. I think you’ll like it. The black fish doesn’t have small bones, but be careful while eating.”

“Thank you, husband,” Yu Jiuque replied, swallowing a bit of saliva as he took a bite of the fish fillet. The thick sauce coated the fish, creating a sweet and sour taste from the tomatoes that he found delightful. Even the rice, after being dipped in the sauce, tasted better!

Qin Xia had the same thought as Yu Jiuque. After eating two pieces of fish and marveling at how wild-caught black fish tasted better than farmed ones, he scooped some sauce over his rice.

When he wanted something salty after the sweet and sour flavors, he switched to the vinegar-flavored shredded potatoes or the stir-fried bamboo shoots.

Bamboo shoots are enjoyed in two seasons: spring and winter. Spring shoots are crispy, while winter shoots are tender. To Qin Xia, both had their unique flavors. However, bamboo shoots were tricky; they looked big on the outside, but once peeled, there wasn’t much left. To make this one dish, he had to buy seven large winter shoots, just enough for him and Yu Jiuque to have one meal.

After dinner, Yu Jiuque volunteered to wash the dishes again. Although he was learning to cook, he knew he couldn’t match Qin Xia’s skills in a short time. The best he could do was help with prep, stoking the fire, and cleaning up.

As a newly married husband, especially one bought from a broker, he felt like he was living a charmed life. There were no elders imposing rules, and there weren’t many household chores to worry about.

As Yu Jiuque stacked the clean dishes, the thought of Qin Xia made him smile unconsciously.

But the smile quickly faded as he caught the bitter scent of medicinal soup.

“Drink it all in one go, and you can have two pieces of candy,” Qin Xia coaxed, holding two pieces of candy in his hand as if he were dealing with a child, making it clear that Yu Jiuque wouldn’t get them until the medicine was finished.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Jiuque steeled himself and downed the bowl of medicine, which was a mix of sour, bitter, and spicy flavors—indescribable in its unpleasantness.

Seeing his features scrunch up in discomfort, Qin Xia quickly handed him the candies.

Yu Jiuque popped the candy into his mouth, and although his tongue was initially numb, the sweetness gradually spread, finally easing his expression.

After the soup came the pills. Qin Xia handed him water, feeling as if he were caring for a heavy-eating companion who also happened to be a little medicine jar.

And yet, he felt no impatience whatsoever.

Qin Xia started to realize that his feelings… might be a bit unusual.

However, no amount of romantic thoughts could distract Qin Xia from his focus on making money.

The two-day temple fair concluded with great success. Thanks to the good reputation from the first day, Qin Xia ordered an extra slab of tofu from the Liu family on the second day, and it all sold out as well.

Each slab of tofu yielded around forty portions, and he earned over two hundred coins from it.

Overall, the temple fair brought in around five qian of profit.

To thank Liu Douzi for his help and since it had been a while since he visited the Liu family, after closing up on the second day, Qin Xia took the items he had bought, brought Yu Jiuque along, and headed to the Liu residence in Zitong Alley.

Fang Rong had met Yu Jiuque before and still found him likable. She grabbed Yu Jiuque’s hand and, pretending to be stern, scolded Qin Xia, “I told you not to go out in this cold weather, and here you are, dragging Jiu Ge’er out with his little face frozen pale. And you still bring gifts when you come to my house. Next time, I’ll kick you out!”

Fang Rong had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Qin Xia, inheriting the original owner’s memories, understood this well and immediately made a show of leaving.

“Mother, that’s harsh. I know I was foolish before, but I’ve changed since getting married. If you don’t want me here, maybe Jiu Ge’er should stay, and I’ll go?”

Fang Rong couldn’t help but laugh. “You and your smooth talk! Fine, fine, I know you’ve been doing well lately, but you’re still a guest here. Douzi, take your Xia ge and Jiu Ge’er inside for some tea. I’ll take care of dinner.”

Qin Xia quickly signaled Yu Jiuque.

Yu Jiuque caught on immediately, tugging on Fang Rong’s hand. “Mother, Xia ge specifically came to cook for you. He wants you to try his cooking. Please, let him be filial.”

Fang Rong glanced at Yu Jiuque, then back at Qin Xia, finally shaking her head with a smile. “All right, all right, I can see you two are of one mind. I’ll leave it to you, then.”

Liu Douzi, eager to avoid more polite exchanges between his mother and Qin Xia, urged them both inside. “Mother, just go in already! Bring my sister-in-law in to warm up. I’ll bring some fruit over in a bit!”

Yu Jiuque prepared to follow Fang Rong inside but exchanged a quick glance with Qin Xia before doing so.

Qin Xia, smiling, mouthed, “Go on.”

Yu Jiuque nodded slightly, then helped Fang Rong lift the curtain and stepped inside.

Meanwhile, Liu Douzi, who had stayed behind to help Qin Xia, was eager to get started.

Like a restless monkey, he followed Qin Xia into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together. “Xia Ge, what are we cooking tonight?”

A Big Success at the Temple Fair

Two quarters of an hour earlier.

The stall was empty, but Qin Xia had already begun frying the tofu in an orderly manner. He heated the pan, added oil, and placed the tofu slices neatly on the iron plate. When the time was right, he flipped each piece with a spatula, ensuring they were perfectly cooked—neither sticking to the pan nor burning.

When he poured the sauce over the tofu, the aroma wafted through the air, making even the hearty lamb soup simmering in a large pot at the stall across the way seem less appealing.

The first two servings were given to Yu Jiuque and Liu Douzi. The next two were handed out to the neighboring vendors—one selling fruit and the other selling hot rice wine.

The sight of the four of them eating together caught the attention of both the nearby vendors and the occasional passersby, who couldn’t help but take a second look.

So when Qin Xia noticed a wave of people approaching from the far end of the street, their eyes scanning the stalls before locking onto his and heading straight for it, he knew his strategy had worked.

“This dish is called iron plate tofu, available in both spicy and non-spicy versions. It’s five coins per serving. Would you like to try some?” Qin Xia asked.

“Iron plate tofu?” The man looked disappointed. To be honest, given the enticing aroma, he had expected some sort of meat dish. Even though the iron plate used here was unique and added a certain charm, he wasn’t a fan of tofu’s typical taste.

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t willingly eat tofu. However, he couldn’t bring himself to leave, especially since the rich aroma had already made his mouth water.

Swallowing, he asked, “How much do you get for five coins?”

Seeing that he was about to make his first sale, Qin Xia smiled and said, “For five coins, you get five large pieces. Since you’re my first customer today, I’ll throw in an extra piece.”

Hearing this, the man’s spirits lifted. He had taken a good look at the pre-cut tofu earlier—they were generously sized and thick, not the skimpy portions one might expect from some food stalls.

“Alright, I’ll take a serving to try,” he said, immediately loosening his money pouch and counting out five coins.

Yu Jiuque collected the payment while Qin Xia placed several pieces of tofu back on the iron plate, the hot surface making them sizzle.

Once the tofu was golden on one side, Qin Xia used a small brush to coat each piece with a layer of sauce he had prepared earlier. This sauce had been enhanced with a pinch of ground Sichuan pepper and black pepper for added flavor. Unfortunately, without the technology to produce oyster sauce, Qin Xia couldn’t add it to the mix, which would have made the tofu even more flavorful.

“Do you want it spicy or not?” he asked.

When the man replied, “Not spicy,” Qin Xia set aside the chili powder and instead sprinkled some fresh green onions over the tofu before serving it.

“Here you go, be careful—it’s hot.”

The man took the steaming serving of iron plate tofu. He heeded Qin Xia’s warning, blowing on it a few times before taking a bite.

The first taste was of the rich, savory sauce, followed by the crispy yet tender tofu. The finely chopped green onions added a refreshing balance, leaving no greasy aftertaste.

“Tastes just as good as it smells—delicious!” the man exclaimed. He was about to walk off with his tofu when he turned around and was surprised by the crowd that had gathered.

Just moments ago, there had been no one around. How had a line of people formed in the time it took to fry some tofu?

Unbeknownst to him, these people had been drawn by the aroma, but unsure about spending money, they waited for him, the first customer, to taste it and give his verdict.

Some who overheard that Qin Xia had added an extra piece of tofu for the first customer hurried forward, saying, “I came with him, but he got ahead of me. I want a serving too, and I hope you’ll add an extra piece for me as well.”

Typically, a fresh block of tofu could be divided into three servings of iron plate tofu. Since Qin Xia sourced his tofu from the Liu family at a price 20% lower than the market rate, each serving of five pieces could yield a profit of over two coins. Adding an extra piece meant only a small reduction in profit.

Noticing that six or seven people had now gathered at his stall, Qin Xia thought for a moment and said, “We’re a small business, so I hope you’ll understand. But since this gentleman brought it up, the next nine customers will also receive an extra piece!”

Though Qin Xia’s voice wasn’t loud, it was clear enough for everyone in the queue to hear. Those who had been hesitating now stepped forward, eager to claim the small bonus.

In just a short while, Yu Jiuque’s money pouch had collected fifty coins. After touching each coin, he would quickly wipe his hands with a cloth before handling the paper boxes and skewers. Seeing his careful hygiene practices, some in the queue felt even more favorable towards the modest little food stall.

The first customer, noticing how popular the stall had become, decided to buy another serving—this time, the spicy version.

With ten servings sold, totaling sixty pieces of tofu, the initial batch Qin Xia had prepared was no longer enough. Liu Douzi then washed his hands with water from the wooden bucket and stood by the cutting board to slice more tofu.

“Boss, can you brush on a little more sauce?”

“Just a little bit of spice, not too much!”

“Boss, could you add more green onions for me?”

The crowd pressed closer to the stall, each customer making specific requests about how they wanted their tofu. Qin Xia was accommodating, remembering each order perfectly despite the rush.

Some took their tofu and continued on their way, while others stayed nearby to eat, just like the first customer. Those who opted for “mildly spicy” were still feeling the heat, exclaiming as they ate, but couldn’t resist devouring the next piece. The chili powder was indeed special—not just a fiery burn but a flavor that made them crave more.

Liu Douzi continued chopping tofu as fast as he could. When Qin Xia didn’t tell him to stop, he kept going. However, when he looked up and saw that the line had grown even longer—now stretching to over ten people—he was stunned.

He glanced up at the sky, realizing that only about half an hour had passed. Liu Douzi felt a bit dazed.

The same went for Yu Jiuque, whose money pouch was now heavy with nearly a hundred coins. The stack of paper boxes, once piled high, had noticeably dwindled, as had the bamboo skewers.

After the initial ten customers enjoyed the “buy five, get one free” deal, others who wanted to haggle were met with a counteroffer from Qin Xia:

“We’re celebrating the grand opening today. If you buy two servings, I’ll add an extra piece; buy three, and I’ll add two more, and so on.”

Tofu is light on the stomach, so one serving was just a taste for an adult man. Seeing the bustling crowd and hearing the rave reviews, many people decided to buy more servings, attracted by the additional pieces offered.

There were also pairs of sisters or brothers who would buy together—one person wanted some, so the other would be pulled along to buy too, resulting in each of them getting an extra half piece. A half piece was no small amount; it couldn’t be finished in just one bite.

Some people even came up with a new way to enjoy it: they would buy two servings of iron plate tofu from Qin Xia, then head to the lamb soup stall across the street for a bowl of lamb soup and two baked buns. By placing the tofu inside the hot bun and taking a bite, followed by a sip of lamb soup with extra pepper, the taste was simply unbeatable!

By the end of the morning, the first block of tofu had completely sold out, and the second block was nearly finished. Together, they had sold around fifty servings and earned over two hundred coins.

The surrounding stalls also benefited from the excitement and did brisk business, and the vendors, grateful for Qin Xia’s tofu, returned the favor with small gifts.

The fruit vendor gave them a bag of five plump persimmons covered in a fine white frost. When broken open, the persimmons revealed a juicy, bright orange center.

The rice wine vendor offered three cups of hot rice wine, with a special addition of honey to Yu Jiuque’s cup.

Taking advantage of a brief lull, the three of them quickly ate their lunch, consisting of these gifts, some tofu, and the steamed buns they had brought from home.

Despite their brief break, customers continued to come to the stall. By the time afternoon arrived, there were only enough tofu left for five or six more servings.

They thought they would need to stay a while longer to sell the remaining tofu, but then a returning customer showed up, wanting to buy four servings to share with friends.

Qin Xia counted the remaining tofu and said, “Brother, I only have six servings left. If you buy five, I’ll throw in the sixth for free.”

Normally, it would be a “buy five, get four” deal, but in this case, it became “buy five, get five.” For just an extra five coins, the man figured he could eat the extra portion himself.

“Alright, let’s do it. Make three spicy and three non-spicy, and make one of them extra spicy.”

“Got it.”

Qin Xia promptly cooked the tofu. Since the man was ordering a large quantity, Yu Jiuque, who was in charge of packing, stacked one paper box inside another to create a makeshift lid. He then tied the three boxes together with straw, making them easy to carry.

As the man walked away, Qin Xia couldn’t help but remark, “I hadn’t thought of doing it that way.”

The villain’s mind works quickly.

Yu Jiuque smiled gently. “Just a little cleverness, nothing compared to your skill in folding the boxes.”

Qin Xia scratched his cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed.

This wasn’t something he had come up with on his own; in fact, he had learned it in an arts and crafts class back in school.

Liu Douzi, listening to the couple’s banter, rubbed his arms against the cold wind, feeling lonelier than ever.

It was getting colder, and he wished he had a spouse too.

“Alright, let’s pack up and head home.”

Having sold out earlier than expected, Qin Xia was in a great mood. After they packed up, Qin Xia took some coins from Yu Jiuque and bought a bag of dried fruit and a jug of rice wine from the neighboring stalls as a gift for Liu Douzi.

“Take this home to my godmother,” he said.

Liu Douzi’s first instinct was to refuse, but Qin Xia insisted, shoving the items into his arms. “First, it’s only right for me to honor my godmother. Second, I can’t let you spend a day out here in the cold for nothing.”

Unable to argue with Qin Xia, Liu Douzi was quickly sent on his way, though he kept looking back every few steps.

Qin Xia waved him off, then pushed the cart with Yu Jiuque in another direction.

They turned a corner into a street lined with fresh produce and meat vendors.

Although the afternoon produce wasn’t as fresh as in the morning, the prices were lower.

After walking a short distance, Qin Xia spotted a fish stall. He looked into the large basin and saw that the blackhead fish inside were still lively, so he bought one.

The blackhead fish, also known as snakehead, is a common and affordable winter delicacy, cheaper than pork.

“It’s four catties and one tael. I usually sell it for six coins per catty, but since it’s almost closing time, I’ll give it to you for five coins per catty. That’ll be twenty coins total.”

Qin Xia accepted the fish, which was tied with straw, and turned to Yu Jiuque.

Only then did Yu Jiuque realize he was holding the money, so he quickly counted out twenty coins and handed them over.

As they left the fish stall, Yu Jiuque said to Qin Xia, “It might be better if you carry the money from now on.”

Qin Xia, who had always hated managing money, especially when he ran his private restaurant in his previous life, said, “No need, you can handle it. I trust you completely.”

After all, once Yu Jiuque regained his memory, he wouldn’t care about the little money they had.

Hearing this, Yu Jiuque touched the money pouch at his waist and felt a bit more secure.

“Then I’ll take care of it for you.”

To prepare the fish, Qin Xia specifically picked up a few tomatoes from the vegetable stall. He also bought a good amount of greens like bok choy, potatoes, radishes, and winter bamboo shoots.

With Yu Jiuque’s big appetite, what would last three days for an average household would be gone in one day in theirs.

Qin Xia thought to himself, it’s a good thing he had a special skill, or else they really would be eating themselves into poverty.

The day’s sales had been a great success.

Back home, the two cleaned the cooking equipment and wiped down the condiment jars before eagerly counting the day’s earnings.

After a while, Qin Xia looked up and stretched his neck. “I have 205 coins over here. How about you?”

Yu Jiuque carefully counted the last few coins before looking up. “I have 155 coins.”

Qin Xia did the math.

“That’s a total of 360 coins. Add in the 40 coins we spent on groceries, and that makes 400 coins, which is about 80 servings… close enough.”

He had estimated that the two blocks of tofu would yield around ninety servings. After accounting for what they gave away, his calculations were pretty accurate.

“Purely counting gross profit, we made two silver coins in one day.”

If business continued like this for a month, they could earn six silver taels by the end of the month.

In the city, a job that paid two silver taels a month was considered a decent job, so you should never underestimate the earning potential of a street vendor.

Qin Xia remembered the skewer vendor who used to sell grilled skewers outside his school in all kinds of weather. That man had managed to buy a house for his son from the earnings of that small business.

Of course, this was the best-case scenario Qin Xia could imagine.

There were many people at the temple fair, but if they set up a stall on the street on a regular day, they might not achieve the same level of sales.

But that was fine; Qin Xia had plenty of snack ideas up his sleeve. Making iron plate tofu was just a test run. Now that he knew it was profitable, he could add more varieties.

After putting the money back into the jar, Qin Xia let out a long yawn.

Even though he usually got up early, today had been an exceptionally early start.

He checked the time, and since it wasn’t yet time to prepare dinner, he stretched lazily and asked Yu Jiuque, “I’m thinking of taking a nap. Do you want to rest too?”

Trial Opening

Considering the food he planned to sell, Qin Xia spent a full four taels of silver at the blacksmith’s shop, commissioning a craftsman to urgently forge an iron plate. Despite the rush, the work was completed just in time for the temple fair.

The day of the temple fair arrived quickly.

Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque woke up early, dressing in the dim light at the edge of the kang bed.

Once they were properly dressed, Qin Xia got out of bed to boil water, while Yu Jiuque rubbed his eyes and neatly folded the bedding.

The hot water bottles tucked in the bedding were already in the house, but after a night, the water had cooled. Still, it was clean and would be perfect for mixing with hot water for washing up.

The two, still drowsy, washed their faces and brushed their teeth in the main room. Yu Jiuque skillfully tied up his hair with a wooden hairpin, then noticed Qin Xia struggling with his topknot in front of a basin of water.

No matter how hard Qin Xia tried, a few strands of hair still stubbornly stuck out.

Seeing the frustration growing between Qin Xia’s brows, Yu Jiuque offered, “Husband, let me help you.”

Qin Xia, unable to manage the ancient hairstyle, had no choice but to sit down and let Yu Jiuque take over.

The young man’s hands were much more practiced, and in no time, he had neatly gathered Qin Xia’s hair into a smooth topknot, not a single stray hair in sight.

For breakfast, they ate the steamed buns Qin Xia had made the day before, dipped in egg and fried. The old dough buns were soft and chewy, paired with millet porridge and pickled mustard greens. Though simple, the meal warmed them from the inside out.

After finishing their meal, the two quickly packed up everything they needed for the food stall. By the time they were ready, daylight had fully arrived.

With aprons tied and ear warmers in place, Qin Xia pushed the cart while Yu Jiuque helped guide it. The wooden wheels creaked as they slowly made their way through the muddy alley.

…

Wenhua Temple, though not an ancient site, had been built only a few decades ago. Despite this, it had a thriving worship scene, and the temple fair was lively.

As they headed toward the temple in the southern part of the city, they saw many other small vendors pushing carts and carrying poles. Some were city dwellers, while others had come from nearby villages and towns.

It was still early, and the crowds had not yet gathered, making it the perfect time for vendors to stake out good spots.

“Xia Ge! Over here!”

As Qin Xia looked around, he spotted Liu Douzi jumping up and down, waving at him from the side of the street.

When they reached him, they found that Liu Douzi had already secured a spot for them and had been guarding it.

Looking down, they saw two large wooden boxes at his feet, filled to the brim with fresh tofu.

“This spot is sheltered from the wind, and there’s plenty of foot traffic. I walked around and found this to be the best place,” Liu Douzi said.

The Liu family had a fixed tofu stall in the county, not far from this location. Since few people would buy fresh tofu at the temple fair, they didn’t usually participate. However, Fang Rong, hearing that Qin Xia planned to set up a stall, had prepared extra tofu and sent Liu Douzi to deliver it.

“This spot is indeed ideal. Thanks a lot,” Qin Xia thanked Liu Douzi.

“It’s no big deal, Xia Ge, there’s no need to be so polite.”

Liu Douzi couldn’t help but notice that Qin Xia seemed unusually “polite” lately. It was a good thing, but something he still wasn’t used to.

After parking the cart, Qin Xia unloaded the baskets, and the three of them began setting up the stall.

Three condiment jars were lined up, containing sauce, chili powder, and chopped scallions.

The chili powder was Qin Xia’s own secret recipe, guaranteed to taste different from what was available in the market. For those who liked their tofu spicy, they could add a bit on top.

The oil-paper umbrella could shield them from rain or dust, depending on the weather.

Nowadays, many vendors would stick a small umbrella on their carts as decoration, balancing aesthetics and practicality.

Qin Xia’s umbrella was much simpler. After all, he was just selling snacks, and there was no need to buy a fancy one that he’d worry about staining with oil.

“Husband, Douzi, have some ginger tea to warm up.”

Seeing that they were almost ready, Yu Jiuque lifted a pot of ginger tea from home, still warm, and poured it into three bowls.

The ginger tea had been sweetened with dates, balancing the spicy kick of the ginger with a touch of sweetness.

Liu Douzi took a sip and immediately felt the warmth spread through his body.

“This ginger tea isn’t spicy at all, Xia Ge. How did you make it? I’ll ask my mother to learn it.”

Qin Xia explained, “It’s quite simple. Most people boil ginger tea starting with cold water, but if you start with hot water, it reduces the spiciness.”

With that, Qin Xia took a small sip himself.

He wasn’t particularly fond of ginger tea; he had brewed this pot entirely for Yu Jiuque, who was still recovering from his injuries.

To suit Yu Jiuque’s taste, he had even added pitted dates.

Seeing Yu Jiuque’s face flush with warmth after downing a small bowl, Qin Xia couldn’t help but feel pleased.

With the ginger tea in their bellies, they no longer felt the cold stiffness in their limbs.

While there were still no customers, Qin Xia wiped down the cutting board and started slicing the tofu, while Yu Jiuque folded the prepped oil-paper boxes.

Unlike other vendors who simply lined their food with a single sheet of oil paper, Qin Xia had taught Yu Jiuque a method to fold paper into small boxes. For the past two nights, they had spent their evenings making these boxes by lamplight.

The folded oil-paper boxes were neat and square, resembling small lidless bowls, with a sturdy base that wouldn’t leak any sauce.

With each person having their own tasks, it soon became apparent that Liu Douzi was an extra hand at the small stall.

Qin Xia was a bit puzzled.

“Aren’t you going home?”

Liu Douzi rubbed his hands together and explained, “Actually, my mother said that with the temple fair today, our stall wouldn’t have many customers, so she asked me to stay and help.”

However, neither Liu Douzi nor Fang Rong had expected Qin Xia to bring Yu Jiuque along to help.

Now, looking at the tiny food stall, what use was there for three people?

Qin Xia, however, understood Fang Rong’s intention.

As an elder who had watched Qin Xia grow up, Fang Rong knew his character very well.

It would be hard to believe that someone like him suddenly wanted to start a business unless it was just a passing whim..

Moreover, the original owner was impulsive and had a history of getting into conflicts and arguments with others on the street. Fang Rong probably asked Liu Douzi to come along for this reason, so that if any trouble arose, he could help mediate.

“If you’re willing, you can stay. Once we open for business, you can help me cut the tofu, I’ll do the frying, and Ah Jiu can handle the money,” Qin Xia said.

Liu Douzi agreed readily, but in his heart, he was nervous. He had tasted the iron plate tofu, and it was certainly delicious, but whether or not it would sell well was another matter. If Qin Xia ended up losing money and his mother found out that the idea of setting up a stall came from an offhand comment of his, he feared his ears might be in for some serious twisting.

As Liu Douzi pondered this, he was already considering going to Wenhua Temple to light an incense stick, praying that Qin Xia’s business would thrive today.

After the si hour (around 9-11 am), the flow of people at the temple fair gradually increased. The vendors who had been waiting there perked up and started calling out to attract customers.

“Sturdy and durable handwoven baskets for sale!”

“Fresh wontons in bone broth, come and get your wontons!”

“Crispy sesame buns! Only two coins each!”

Having sold tofu with his mother since he was a child, Liu Douzi was well-versed in the art of hawking. With nothing else to do, he volunteered to shout for Qin Xia, “Xia Ge, I can help call out! How about ‘Iron Plate Tofu, five coins a serving’?”

But Qin Xia shook his head. “No need to shout just yet.”

When it came to “advertising,” Qin Xia had a more direct approach than shouting about something no one had ever heard of.

It was the winter month, and the weather was getting colder by the day. Unless it was for work, few people were willing to go out in the freezing winter, and even then, it was mostly the temple fair that enticed them to leave their homes.

However, regulars at the temple fair rarely saw anything new. Entertainment options were usually the same: people carrying sedan chairs, puppet shows, or monkey performances. If they got tired and wanted something to eat, those who liked soups would get lamb soup or wontons, while those who preferred something to chew on would buy a hot sesame bun or a steamed bun for a hearty meal. Children who loved sweets would be satisfied with a stick of candied hawthorn, a couple of rice cakes, or a few pieces of sesame candy.

Many people wandered around, warming the copper coins in their hands, unsure which stall to spend them on. That was until they caught a whiff of a new, enticing aroma.

“What’s that smell? It’s so good!”

“It smells like something with soy sauce—maybe someone’s braising meat!”

On this street, there were already several restaurants and eateries. People, drawn by the aroma, assumed it must be a fresh dish from one of the kitchens. But soon, those walking ahead discovered the true source of the fragrance. It wasn’t a restaurant at all but a food stall they’d never seen before!

A food-loving man with a sharp nose was the first to rush over, taking just a few steps to reach the stall. “Boss, what are you selling? How much for a serving?” he asked eagerly.

Going to the Market

If the original owner could be summed up in eight words, they would be: “high aspirations, low abilities; loves eating, hates working.”

A young man with a healthy body, yet he idly ate away his family’s wealth day after day, and at over twenty years old, still couldn’t find a wife.

Out of desperation, he emptied his savings to buy Yu Jiuque from a broker.

But even then, he didn’t cherish him, living day by day with nothing left for the next, dragging Yu Jiuque into his misery, and ultimately, reaping what he sowed.

This was the conclusion Qin Xia drew from the original owner’s memories, so when he saw Liu Douzi’s surprise, he wasn’t at all shocked.

As for the change in behavior, the reason was already prepared.

“Before, I only had to worry about myself. Now, it’s different.”

Liu Douzi glanced between Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque, finally giving Yu Jiuque a thumbs up.

“Sister-in-law, you’re more impressive than I thought.”

Yu Jiuque looked confused, having no idea why Liu Douzi suddenly said that.

To prove his determination to Liu Douzi, Qin Xia decided to act immediately.

After lunch, under the pretext of taking a walk to digest, he pocketed the few taels of silver and the jade dice, and followed behind Liu Douzi, leading Yu Jiuque out the door.

Soon after, they stopped in front of a pawnshop.

Liu Douzi knew that the jade dice were Qin Xia’s prized possession, something he couldn’t go a day without playing with before bed.

Now, he was willing to pawn it off for money to start a business and support his family.

Marriage, truly terrifying!

“Xia Ge, are you sure? Even if it’s a temporary pawn, you’ll need to pay significant interest to redeem it later.”

Even the best items lose half their value in a pawnshop, and Liu Douzi felt the pain for Qin Xia.

But Qin Xia entered the pawnshop with a calm expression.

Liu Douzi waited outside, anxiously pacing back and forth. When Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque finally emerged, he rushed over.

“How did it go? Did you really pawn it?”

Yu Jiuque stood to the side, hesitant to speak, worry in his eyes as he looked at Qin Xia.

He hadn’t expected Qin Xia to walk in and ask for an outright sale.

An outright sale meant there was no chance of redeeming the item, but it also meant getting slightly more money.

When Liu Douzi heard “outright sale,” his jaw nearly hit the ground.

“An outright sale? Xia Ge, you know that dice is worth more than twelve taels.”

Though twelve taels was already a lot, enough to feed a typical county family for half a year if they tightened their belts.

Qin Xia patted the now heavier money pouch in his chest.

“You know the origins of this dice; it was ill-gotten gains from a gambling house. Holding onto it feels like it’s burning a hole in my pocket. Now that I’m married, I’ve resolved to reform, quit drinking, and give up gambling. Keeping this is useless, so I let it go.”

His words were firm and resolute, leaving Liu Douzi in awe. He patted his chest and said, “Xia Ge, as long as you’re determined, you’ll surely succeed! We’re brothers, no need for formalities. If you need anything, just ask!”

Qin Xia clapped Liu Douzi on the shoulder, not holding back.

“There is one thing you can help with. Do you know which medical clinic in town has the best doctor? I want to take Ah Jiu for a check-up.”

Liu Douzi didn’t ask what was wrong with Yu Jiuque. The other was older than him, and a little brother-in-law. Asking too many questions would be impolite.

The three of them weaved through the bustling streets until they reached a corner, where Liu Douzi pointed ahead.

“That’s ‘Chengyi Hall.’ The old doctor Xu inside has a great reputation and charges fairly. He only asks for ten coins, regardless of who it is.”

Qin Xia thanked Liu Douzi and asked for the locations of affordable grain stores, oil mills, and general stores before letting him head home.

Tofu making was tough business; every day, they had to start grinding beans before dawn, so Liu Douzi often took naps in the afternoon.

After walking around for most of the day, he was already yawning.

Inside the clinic, they paid the consultation fee.

When the nearly sixty-year-old doctor took Yu Jiuque’s pulse, his bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“This pulse indicates internal injury with blood stasis. The weak pulse and depleted energy mean a dangerously shortened lifespan if left untreated!”

With the compassion of a true healer, the old doctor fixed Qin Xia with a stern gaze, as if he was the one responsible for Yu Jiuque’s precarious condition.

Luckily, Yu Jiuque quickly spoke up to defend him.

“This has nothing to do with my husband. I was once homeless, lost my memory, and was sold by a broker. Now that I think about it, I might have been injured before.”

If he had fallen into a broker’s hands, anything could have happened to him.

The old doctor considered the peculiarities of the pulse he had felt and let out a deep breath, still eyeing Qin Xia with a bit of suspicion.

Qin Xia scratched his nose.

“Doctor, since I’ve brought him here, I want him to be treated. Please just prescribe the medicine, and we’ll follow your instructions carefully.”

The old doctor huffed, taking Yu Jiuque’s pulse again before writing a prescription.

“This is not a matter to take lightly. His internal weakness means he cannot take strong tonics; rushing things will do no good. Take these ten doses, then we’ll discuss further.”

He handed over the prescription, glancing at the two of them, and added patiently, “Young man, it’s natural to be full of youthful vigor, but until this condition improves, avoid any bedroom activities.”

Yu Jiuque’s face instantly flushed bright red.

Qin Xia wasn’t much better, his ears burning as he quickly went to get the medicine.

Ten doses cost eighty coins, plus a bottle of calming pills for thirty coins. Over eight taels of silver were gone in the blink of an eye.

Yu Jiuque felt a mix of emotions.

He was distressed by the money Qin Xia spent on his medicine, but also worried that he might be a big burden to Qin Xia.

Would Qin Xia still have the patience for him in the long run?

As they descended the clinic’s steps, Yu Jiuque turned to Qin Xia, walking beside him, and said, “I’ll find a way to pay you back for the medicine. I heard that some families or shops in town hire helpers. Even if it’s just a few coins a day, I can save up to repay you.”

Qin Xia only gave him two words in response.

“No need.”

Yu Jiuque’s heart tightened with anxiety.

From last night until now, Qin Xia had been incredibly kind to him.

This kindness felt almost unreal, making him even more worried about losing it.

Qin Xia noticed Yu Jiuque’s expression.

His “no need” was because everything he had done so far was not just out of kindness; deep down, there was a selfish reason too.

Being so good to Yu Jiuque was an investment in the hope that when the time came for him to regain his memory, he would remember this kindness and spare his little life.

He had already made up his mind: once he earned some money by selling street food, he would find another place for Yu Jiuque to live in the city and return the contract of sale to him. At that point, they would have no real marital ties, and a simple divorce document would be enough to sever their relationship.

However, these plans were something he couldn’t explain to the young man.

“We’re family now, so there’s no need to say such distant things. Just focus on taking your medicine and resting well.”

What else could Yu Jiuque do? He could only hold the package of ten doses of medicine as cautiously as if he were holding gold.

Seeing the doctor was only one of the reasons for going out. Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque also went around the streets, purchasing quite a few items.

Their first stop was the grain shop. The rice and flour at home were completely used up, and if they didn’t buy more, they’d truly be left with nothing.

It was a peaceful time, and grain prices were stable.

They bought a dou (about 10 liters) of white flour and a dou of white rice, costing 80 wen and 100 wen, respectively.

Refined grains were expensive, and with Qin Xia’s current financial situation, they couldn’t afford to eat them every day, so they also bought two dou of mixed grain flour.

Mixed grain flour was much cheaper, at 50 wen per dou, so two dou only cost 100 wen.

In addition, they bought some millet, sorghum, glutinous rice, red beans, and peanuts.

Among these, glutinous rice and peanuts were the most expensive, with the former costing 15 wen per sheng (about 1 liter) and the latter 3 wen per liang (about 50 grams). That meant a sheng of peanuts cost 30 wen, which could buy three sheng of white rice.

Upon asking, they learned that peanuts were a relatively new crop, introduced by the government and only recently cultivated in the region. Few farmers grew them, so the price was naturally high.

Qin Xia was grateful to have transmigrated to a time when crops like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and chili peppers were common. Although peanuts were expensive, just being able to access them was a blessing, especially for a chef like him, who would otherwise feel constrained without such ingredients.

After leaving the grain shop, they headed to the oil mill.

They bought a jug of cottonseed oil for lighting lamps and a jug of rapeseed oil for cooking, spending a total of 50 wen.

Qin Xia specifically asked the shop assistant if they could get a discount for buying more in the future, to which the assistant nodded, though he wasn’t sure how much of a discount they would get.

Their last stop was a general store.

The shop recommended by Liu Douzi was well-stocked with a wide variety of goods. Qin Xia bought salt, sugar, and selected some spices like pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili peppers, and star anise, spending 150 wen in total.

In fact, buying these items at a general store was not cost-effective. Peppercorns and chili peppers could easily be grown in their backyard.

Unfortunately, the Qin family’s vegetable garden had been left completely untended, with only a few wild scallions still standing tall, while everything else was barren.

If they wanted to be self-sufficient, they would have to wait until spring to start planting.

At this point, both of them were carrying large bundles, and they still hadn’t bought the bulk of the groceries, like vegetables, eggs, and meat.

Qin Xia noticed passersby carrying baskets and shoulder poles, and he realized just how inexperienced he was in daily life.

Just then, he spotted a carpenter’s shop across the street.

His eyes lit up, and he strode over.

After a brief conversation, Qin Xia bought a slightly flawed wooden cart from the carpenter for three and a half taels of silver.

The cart had a designated spot for placing a stove, with supports to keep it steady when parked, the same kind used by many street food vendors.

Though it was a practice piece made by an apprentice, with mediocre wood and some rough spots, Qin Xia didn’t see this as a problem.

With the cart, both of them were able to free up their hands.

“Now we just need a stove, a set of spice jars, and an oil-paper umbrella that can be fixed to the cart…”

Qin Xia pushed the cart, mentally listing what else they needed to buy before they could set up their food stall.

Yu Jiuque also tried to think and reminded Qin Xia, “Husband, didn’t you forget the containers for the snacks? I noticed that most people use oil-paper wrappers on the street.”

Qin Xia slapped his forehead.

“You’re right, I really forgot about that. Let’s go buy some oil-paper and bamboo skewers.”

Counting the days, in five days it would be the tenth day of the winter month.

Wenhua Temple in the city held a fair every fifth and tenth day of the month, similar to the village markets, and it was the busiest time of the month in the city.

Qin Xia decided that he would set up his stall at the temple fair and see if his iron-plate tofu could earn him his first pot of gold.

Iron Plate Tofu

“Xia Ge (Brother Xia)! Open the door! It’s Douzi!”

Qin Xia heard the voice and went to the courtyard. As he opened the wooden door, he saw a short man wearing a net cap standing outside. It was none other than Liu Douzi, the son of the original Qin Xia’s godmother, Fang Rong.

Fang Rong was a close friend of Qin Xia’s mother, Bai Ruxin. The two women had decided to become god-sisters while their children were still in the womb.

The original Qin Xia, despite his many flaws, was at least dutiful to his godmother and often looked out for Liu family siblings.

Even though he was often unreliable, whenever anyone caused trouble at Liu’s tofu stall, Qin Xia would always stand up for them.

“What brings you here? Just got back from the market?”

Qin Xia glanced at the cart behind Liu Douzi, stacked with wooden boxes used for carrying tofu.

“Yeah, just got back. Business was good today, sold out early. My mom told me to drop off some tofu for you on my way home.”

“Is godmother not home?”

“My sister’s pregnant, and she’s been having severe morning sickness. My mom went back to the village to look after her. Left early this morning by ox cart.”

With that, Liu Douzi grabbed a small, heavy, woven basket from the cart containing a large piece of tofu.

“There’s also half a bucket of soybean dregs. If you don’t mind, you can have those too.”

Qin Xia took the items. “You said you sold out?”

There were still tofu and soybean dregs left, which could fetch a few more coins.

Liu Douzi chuckled, scratching his head.

“Left these for family; no need to count that as business.”

As Liu Douzi turned to leave, Qin Xia stopped him.

“If there’s no one home, and it’s just a cold kitchen waiting for you, why not stay and eat with us?”

**

Liu Douzi sat in the kitchen, peeling garlic, while occasionally glancing at Qin Xia’s back.

Qin Xia noticed this several times and finally asked, “Is there something on my back that keeps you staring?”

Liu Douzi placed the peeled garlic into a bowl, tilting his head. “I can’t quite say. It feels like Xia Ge, you’ve changed.”

Qin Xia remained composed.

“Oh? How so?”

Liu Douzi scratched at the thin garlic skin, furrowing his brow.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but… you seem more composed now? And Xia Ge, you used to hate cooking, but now you seem quite enthusiastic about it.”

Qin Xia washed his hands and was pressing the water out of the soybean dregs with a cloth.

“Since I got married, I’ve naturally changed.”

Liu Douzi nodded in realization.

“No wonder. My mom always says I’m not mature enough, and she should probably find me a wife. So that’s the reason.”

Qin Xia couldn’t help but smile.

After all, Liu Douzi was only sixteen years old, which, by his modern standards, was the age of a high school student.

Children are easy to fool.

“After you’re done peeling the garlic, go to the backyard and pick some wild onions. I’ll make you two dishes you’ve never had before for lunch.”

Liu Douzi eagerly ran to the backyard to pull up the onions, while Qin Xia prepared the squeezed soybean dregs and thick slices of tofu, wiped his hands, and headed back to the main room.

At the table, Yu Jiuque was carefully threading a needle.

Hearing Qin Xia enter, he quickly stood up.

“Husband.”

“What are you busy with?”

Yu Jiuque pushed the clothes on the table aside.

“I found some clothes in the chest with holes in them, probably from moths. I thought I’d mend them.”

After breakfast, Qin Xia had purposefully cleaned the house inside and out. To give Yu Jiuque some light tasks to avoid his dizziness, he had assigned him the job of sorting through the chest.

Yu Jiuque had been very diligent, having already folded all of Qin Xia’s wearable clothes.

Qin Xia was somewhat surprised.

“You know how to sew?”

According to the original novel’s plot, even though Yu Jiuque was still far from the high status he would later attain, he was already one of the Twelve Stewards in the palace, in charge of important affairs. He hadn’t expected Yu Jiuque to be skilled in such domestic tasks.

Yu Jiuque pursed his lips.

“I know a little. It’s enough for mending clothes.”

He knew that he wasn’t as skilled in needlework as other ge’ers. Yu Jiuque touched the calluses on his fingers and palms, still unsure of what he had done for a living in the past.

“That’s impressive.”

Qin Xia, who in his previous life could barely sew on a button, was genuinely impressed by Yu Jiuque’s skill.

“Husband, did you come looking for me because you need help with something?”

Yu Jiuque glanced outside the door, aware that there was an outsider in the house.

“Nothing much, just wanted to tell you that I invited Douzi to stay for lunch. He’s my godmother’s son, a little brother.”

To Yu Jiuque, this was Qin Xia’s house, so it was only natural for him to entertain guests, without needing to inform him. But Qin Xia still mentioned it, showing that he respected Yu Jiuque.

This warmed Yu Jiuque’s heart a little.

“Since he’s your brother, we should host him properly. How about I go greet Brother Liu? Otherwise, it might seem rude.”

So, when Liu Douzi came back from the backyard with a few dirt-covered wild onions, he was surprised to see a young man standing next to Qin Xia in the courtyard.

The young man greeted him politely, saying, “Greetings, Brother Liu.”

Startled, Liu Douzi hurriedly dropped the onions and returned the bow, stammering, “H-Hello… greetings to you too, Sister-in-law!”

This made Qin Xia laugh, and even Yu Jiuque couldn’t help but smile.

Liu Douzi blushed bright red but remembered what his mother had said to him.

His mother had helped prepare the bridal chamber the previous day and had commented that Brother Jiu was very handsome and well-matched with Xia Ge.

“Your Xia Ge, despite everything, is very good-looking. Usually, anyone standing next to him looks like a plucked chicken, but this Jiu Ge’er really stands out. Let’s just hope that after marriage, he’ll settle down and live a good life together with his husband. That’s the right way.”

Now it seemed like his mother had been right.

Yu Jiuque wanted to help in the kitchen, but Qin Xia convinced him to stay inside, saying the kitchen was too small with just him and Liu Douzi in there.

“Just stoke the fire in the brazier and keep warm. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”

After Yu Jiuque left, Qin Xia noticed Liu Douzi giving him a knowing smile.

“Xia Ge, you and Sister-in-law seem to get along really well. I’ll have to tell my mother; she’ll be relieved.”

Qin Xia shooed the chatty young man back into the kitchen.

Qin Xia planned to make two dishes: iron plate tofu and soybean dreg pancakes.

Although Liu Douzi had sold tofu with his mother for a long time, he had never heard of “iron plate tofu” and was very curious.

So, Qin Xia taught him as he cooked.

He poured oil into the pan and added the thick slices of tofu to fry.

When frying tofu, you must be patient. Constantly poking at it with a spatula will only cause it to stick to the pan or break apart.

While waiting, Qin Xia mixed a sauce with the few available seasonings.

Three spoons of soy sauce, one spoon of vinegar, half a spoon of sugar, and chopped garlic were stirred together and set aside.

“The tofu needs to fry for a bit longer. Let’s start shaping the soybean dreg pancakes.”

He beat some eggs, mixed them with the soybean dregs and flour in a bowl, added salt and chopped green onions, and stirred until well combined. Then, he shaped the mixture into small, flat patties.

Liu Douzi quickly got the hang of it, and Qin Xia left him in charge while he poured the sauce over the tofu, which had finished frying on one side.

The tofu turned from golden yellow to a rich brown, and the aroma filled the kitchen, rising with the steam.

Liu Douzi swallowed several times.

Who would have guessed that Xia Ge’s cooking skills had improved so much? Could getting married really have this effect?

When the tofu was cooked on both sides, the dish was ready.

He carefully placed the tofu pieces on a plate, poured the remaining sauce over them, and sprinkled them with green onions. Even before tasting it, the dish was already a feast for the senses.

“How many soybean dreg pancakes have you made?”

Liu Douzi counted, “About twenty.”

Qin Xia nodded, cleaned the pan with a piece of tofu to absorb any leftover sauce, then heated some more oil and began frying the first batch of pancakes.

The center of the pan was the hottest, and soon, a few of the small pancakes turned a golden yellow color.

Qin Xia picked one out and handed it to Liu Douzi, saying, “Try it.”

Liu Douzi’s eyes lit up as he took it eagerly, not even caring about the heat. He took a bite, and the delicious flavor practically leapt off the pancake.

“This is so good! Making soybean dregs this way is way better than the soybean dregs rice my mother makes!”

Qin Xia smiled, “Your mother’s soybean dregs rice is also very tasty; you’ve just grown tired of it.”

The two of them continued, one shaping the pancakes and the other frying them, turning half a bucket of soybean dregs into dozens of small pancakes, piled high in the basket.

“Xia Ge, will we be able to finish all this? This stuff won’t taste as good once it cools down, will it?”

Qin Xia thought to himself, you haven’t seen how much the person inside can eat.

“Don’t worry, we’ll finish it.”

Finally, with the remaining bit of tofu, he made a small plate of scallion tofu to cleanse the palate, and the lunch at the Qin household was ready.

Yu Jiuque, having just put away the mended clothes in the chest, came out to set the table.

The aroma of tofu, sauce, and oil filled the air, and even before picking up the chopsticks, he was eagerly anticipating the meal.

Liu Douzi was so focused on eating that he didn’t even lift his head, with oil dripping from his mouth.

“This is so delicious! Xia Ge, did Aunt Qin ever make this dish? I don’t remember ever having it.”

Liu Douzi knew Qin Xia’s cooking skills likely came from the Qin family’s matriarch, who had worked as a cook in a wealthy household when she was younger.

Qin Xia replied vaguely, “She made it a few times, but it uses a lot of oil and sauce, so she didn’t make it often.”

Liu Douzi didn’t suspect anything, and with his mouth full of tofu, he mumbled, “The flavor is amazing! I bet if you set up a stall at the temple fair, people would buy this for five coins a serving!”

When Qin Xia heard this, he paused slightly as he was about to scoop some scallion tofu for Yu Jiuque.

It’s true, he thought. Iron plate tofu is a popular street food in modern night markets. The main ingredient is just tofu, and the rest of the ingredients are inexpensive.

Low cost, high profit.

If he were to set up a stall, he could get tofu from Liu’s family, and both families could help each other out.

Not long ago, the original Qin Xia had heard from Fang Rong that there were two new tofu stalls in the nearby market, and their business was getting harder to manage.

Yu Jiuque noticed Qin Xia lost in thought, holding the spoon mid-air without taking a bite, and gently picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks and placed it in Qin Xia’s bowl.

Qin Xia was brought back to reality by the gesture.

Looking at Yu Jiuque, who was eating with his cheeks puffed out like a little hamster, Qin Xia couldn’t help but smile. After finishing the tofu his “husband” had served him, he continued the conversation.

“Now that you mention it, I really am thinking about setting up a stall to sell this.”

Liu Douzi’s hand shook, and the soybean dreg pancake he had bitten into fell back into his bowl. He looked at Qin Xia with wide eyes.

“Did I hear that right? Xia Ge, you’re actually willing to set up a street stall?”

Scallion Oil Thousand-Layer Pancakes

Yu Jiuque looked down at the bowl of noodles in front of him.

The broth was a creamy white, and the noodles were smooth and glossy. Although the rehydrated cabbage wasn’t as green and tempting as fresh vegetables, the golden fried egg beside it more than made up for any shortcomings.

His stomach growled fiercely, and seeing Qin Xia already eating without a word, he cautiously took up his chopsticks and picked up a few noodles.

Once he took the first bite, there was no stopping—he quickly moved on to the second and third bites.

The hot noodles were smooth and chewy, cooked to perfection. The fried egg, with its slightly runny yolk, released its rich flavor as it mingled with the broth, filling his mouth with warmth and satisfaction.

Yu Jiuque felt a sting in his nose and eyes.

Perhaps it was the days of going hungry and having to fight for scraps at the brokers’ market, he ate quickly, swallowing the noodles almost without chewing.

Seeing him eat so quickly, Qin Xia worried that he might get stomachache and couldn’t help but say, “Eat slower. There’s more in the pot if you need it.”

At Qin Xia’s words, Yu Jiuque obediently slowed down.

Relieved, Qin Xia continued to eat his own portion.

After finishing a large bowl of noodles, Qin Xia felt about eighty percent full.

He noticed that Yu Jiuque had finished his bowl too, but the way he licked his lips and looked wistfully at the empty bowl suggested he was still hungry. So, Qin Xia offered to get him another bowl.

There was still plenty of broth left in the pot, and since they hadn’t taken too long to eat, the noodles hadn’t clumped together.

Yu Jiuque polished off the second bowl just as eagerly, and by the time the bowl was empty again, he hadn’t even let out a burp.

Qin Xia hesitated, studying him, a somewhat incredulous thought crossing his mind—could it be that he wasn’t full yet?

When he voiced his suspicion, Qin Xia saw Yu Jiuque’s cheeks turn a visible shade of red.

“I might have a big appetite,” he admitted, quickly adding, “But I don’t have to eat until I’m full.”

The more you eat, the more you spend.

Yu Jiuque feared that Qin Xia might resent him for being too expensive to keep.

Qin Xia thought about the storyline in the book. Besides describing Yu Jiuque as lavish and extravagant, with meals fit for an emperor and as a personal food taster for the emperor, he couldn’t recall anything about him eating too much.

And besides, looking at Yu Jiuque’s slender frame, how big could his appetite really be?

With that thought in mind, Qin Xia calmly returned to the kitchen to knead more dough.

This time, Yu Jiuque followed him.

He was now wearing another cotton jacket that Qin Xia had dug out from a chest, sitting on a small stool and helping to stoke the fire.

But soon enough, Qin Xia realized he had underestimated the situation.

One ball of dough, two balls of dough, three balls of dough…

Third bowl of noodles, fourth bowl, fifth bowl!

Yu Jiuque downed five big bowls of noodles in a row without a sound.

By the time Qin Xia was rolling out the last of the dough, he was completely numb to it. He even found himself questioning whether Yu Jiuque was really full when he finally declared so after the fifth bowl.

“Are you sure you’re full?”

Yu Jiuque had long since resigned himself to the fact that he was a “bottomless pit.”

If Qin Xia decided to return him to the brokers’ market tomorrow because he ate too much, it would be understandable.

Qin Xia, after repeatedly asking, finally believed him when Yu Jiuque let out a tiny, restrained burp.

“As they say, being able to eat is a blessing. Besides, look at you—you can eat a lot and still stay slim. That’s a good thing.”

Qin Xia offered reassurance, but he also glanced discreetly at Yu Jiuque’s small belly.

The book described Yu Jiuque as a sinister and ruthless figure, wielding immense power with a venomous temperament.

But in Qin Xia’s eyes, no matter how fearsome a villain, they couldn’t escape the cuteness of a full belly after a meal.

When you think of it that way…

The villain was actually kind of adorable.

At this time, the watchman in the alley had already struck the clappers twice—midnight had passed.

Though there was no curfew, with taverns and entertainment houses often staying open all night, most ordinary people, who labored from dawn to dusk, were still accustomed to going to bed early.

The original owner of this body had been a carefree idler, often staying out drinking and bragging with friends past midnight. But now, with Qin Xia here, it seemed he was on the path to becoming a health-conscious early sleeper.

Thinking about this, Qin Xia, who was brushing his teeth with a twig, couldn’t help but yawn.

After washing up, he turned off the lights and went to bed.

There were enough quilts in the house, so Qin Xia decided to make two sleeping areas—one for himself and one for Yu Jiuque.

As a grown man, he knew that morning could bring certain natural reactions. Moreover, having been attracted to men in his previous life, Qin Xia didn’t see Yu Jiuque any differently. If things got out of hand, it could turn into a disaster with him being brutally murdered.

As for why he wasn’t proceeding with the “wedding night,” he had already thought of an excuse while kneading dough earlier.

“I heard from the broker that your health is not good, and it’s not advisable to consummate the marriage until you’ve recovered. Earlier, I was drunk, so don’t take it to heart.”

Yu Jiuque felt a mix of relief and apprehension upon hearing this.

Before leaving the broker’s place, a sister who was also waiting to be sold had told him that being sold to a respectable family as a proper husband was a blessing that many would beg for. If he could please his husband in bed and give birth to a healthy son, the family would likely release him from his contract and restore his status as a free man.

Yu Jiuque had prepared himself to endure whatever came his way, but Qin Xia had unexpectedly stopped at the last moment. It made him wonder if his new husband was already having second thoughts. After all, who would want to spend five taels of silver to marry someone who ate like a horse and was too weak for intimacy?

He hesitantly probed Qin Xia with a few questions, but Qin Xia seemed to genuinely have no interest in such matters. In fact, he was so unconcerned that he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, breathing steadily within moments.

Yu Jiuque had no choice but to curl up under his quilt, lying awake with a head full of chaotic thoughts until he finally drifted into a troubled sleep.

The next morning, Qin Xia woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the window.

Winter mornings were slow to brighten, and Qin Xia estimated it was still before seven o’clock, a schedule that matched the healthy routine he had painstakingly developed in his previous life.

As he mentally reviewed his plans for the day, Qin Xia realized something was amiss. At some point during the night, the boy who had shared his bed must have gotten so cold that he curled up into a ball and, despite the separate quilts, had somehow snuggled up close to Qin Xia.

Because he had slept soundly, Qin Xia hadn’t noticed, and the two of them had ended up spending the night huddled together.

As he carefully extricated his arm, he accidentally touched Yu Jiuque’s exposed fingers. They were icy, like a small piece of snow.

It was still early, and they could both sleep a bit longer, but Qin Xia gently eased himself out of bed, making sure not to wake Yu Jiuque, whose brows were still furrowed even in sleep.

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to take the dough that had risen overnight from the bedside.

The morning air was crisp and clear as Qin Xia looked up at the sky, which was as clear as glass, and officially accepted his reality of being trapped in this novel.

Looking on the bright side, his new identity came with a healthy body, a roof over his head in a county town, and no significant hardships. Not bad conditions at all.

Once he figured out how to get rid of the “great Buddha” that was Yu Jiuque, he could rely on his own hands to achieve a decent life in this world.

With this optimistic mindset, Qin Xia felt lighter.

After washing up with water in the kitchen, he set about making breakfast with the dough he had prepared the night before.

Nothing is more important than a good meal.

The dough, made from a mix of flour, had risen to twice its size overnight, with a soft texture that retained the indent of a finger. In this era, without yeast, the dough had to rise naturally.

Next time, Qin Xia planned to save a piece of the risen dough as a starter, which could be mixed into future batches to speed up the rising process.

After setting aside a bit of dough as a starter, Qin Xia heated some oil in a pot. Once the oil was heated and cooled, it became “cooked cool oil,” which he mixed with flour, salt, and wild onions from the backyard to make an oil paste for scallion pancakes.

But Qin Xia wasn’t planning to make ordinary scallion pancakes—he wanted to make thousand-layer pancakes.

He rolled out the dough on the board, spread it with the oil paste, and then made cuts at regular intervals before folding the dough into layers. After lightly rolling out the folded dough, he cooked it on the griddle. Once done, the pancake would be soft, with layers upon layers of flaky, onion-filled goodness.

Considering Yu Jiuque’s appetite, Qin Xia made two large pancakes, which could be cut into six big pieces each.

Since there was no rice in the house for porridge, Qin Xia decided to make a large pot of egg drop soup with a couple of eggs.

When Yu Jiuque woke up, the smell of food filled the small courtyard just as it had the night before.

He blinked at the empty bed across from him, and when he realized he had overslept, he jumped up in a panic.

As a new husband, it was bad enough that he hadn’t risen early to help with chores, but to sleep in so late—Yu Jiuque could already see himself being divorced by Qin Xia.

Panic-stricken, he quickly dressed and rushed outside, but in his haste, or perhaps due to the cold, he felt dizzy as he crossed the threshold.

In his panic, he reached out to steady himself on the doorframe, only to fall into a strong embrace.

When he looked up, he found Qin Xia gazing down at him with concern.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Qin Xia held onto Yu Jiuque, feeling a rush of fear.

If he hadn’t been walking this way at that moment, with his long legs covering the distance quickly enough to catch Yu Jiuque in time, the boy might have taken a nasty fall.

Seeing the pale color of Yu Jiuque’s face, Qin Xia quickly realized what was happening.

It must be a lingering internal injury causing these fainting spells.

Yu Jiuque, unaware of the underlying issue, only felt nervous.

After the wave of dizziness passed, he stood up straight and tried to apologize.

“I’m fine,” he said, before bowing his head in guilt. “I’m sorry for oversleeping. It won’t happen again.”

After Qin Xia’s words fell, what responded to him was a warm, light laugh.

He looked at Yu Jiuque as if he were some rare, curious object.

“You rushed out in such a hurry that you tied your robe all wrong, just to apologize to me?”

Yu Jiuque looked down and realized that he had indeed made a mess of his robe’s ties.

He raised his hand to fix it, but in his haste, he turned a simple knot into a tight, stubborn one.

Seeing this, Qin Xia couldn’t help but smile.

He gently guided the young man back inside, positioning him in a spot where the sunlight streamed in. As he skillfully untangled the knot and retied the robe properly, he said, “It’s just the two of us in this house. I’m used to getting up early; it has nothing to do with you. If you want to sleep in, you can sleep until midday—it’s not a problem.”

As he spoke, his long fingers deftly undid the knot and adjusted Yu Jiuque’s clothing.

“Are you still feeling dizzy?”

Yu Jiuque was surprised.

“You knew that I…”

Qin Xia nodded.

“The broker told me you had lost your memory. People who lose their memories like that usually have suffered head injuries. It makes sense that you might have some lingering effects since you probably never saw a proper doctor after getting hurt.”

So that’s it.

Yu Jiuque met Qin Xia’s gaze for a brief moment, and for some reason, he felt like the man in front of him had eyes that could see right through him.

After this small interlude, the two finally sat down together in the main room to eat breakfast.

Each piece of the thousand-layer pancake was larger than a palm and very thick. The top layer was crispy, and the inside, even though made from mixed flour, was just as delicious as one made from white flour.

There was no need for pickles or salted eggs—eating it plain was satisfying enough.

Qin Xia, eating more than usual, managed three pieces before stopping. He then sipped his egg soup slowly, watching Yu Jiuque as he ate with great enjoyment.

Yu Jiuque ate a lot, but his eating manners were refined, and every bite seemed to bring him genuine pleasure.

After watching him for a while, Qin Xia began to understand why food-eating broadcasts were so popular online in his previous life.

He leisurely finished his soup, pacing himself so that they both ended their meal at the same time.

This time, Yu Jiuque insisted on washing the dishes, not allowing Qin Xia to intervene.

Seeing no other choice, Qin Xia made sure Yu Jiuque wasn’t feeling unwell and reminded him to mix the dishwater with warm water before letting him go.

Soon, the sound of water could be heard from the courtyard. Qin Xia wiped down the table, and after a while, brought out a clay jar.

The original owner of this body had no sense of how much money he had left and spent recklessly. Qin Xia couldn’t rely on his memories.

But when he emptied the money jar, Qin Xia realized just how unreliable the original owner had been.

After counting, he found less than five taels of silver in the jar.

Besides that, there was only a small pouch containing three jade dice, which the original owner had won during a rare lucky streak at a gambling house.

This was all that remained of the original owner’s wealth after purchasing Yu Jiuque.

Qin Xia could only roll his eyes at the sight.

This person really did things half-heartedly, as if planning to survive on air with his newly acquired husband.

No wonder he ended up becoming a perpetually angry drunk, taking out his frustrations through domestic violence.

In his previous life, Qin Xia had been fairly well-off and had seen his share of fine things.

He poured out the dice and examined them in the light, thinking they might be worth something.

He decided that pawning them might provide some much-needed “startup capital.”

For ordinary people to establish themselves in this place, there are essentially four paths: becoming a scholar, farmer, artisan, or merchant.

The paths of scholar and farmer are self-explanatory. Being a cook doesn’t quite fall under “artisan,” so the only viable option left is the food business, starting as a small vendor.

But the most important question at hand is: what kind of food should he sell to earn that first bucket of gold?