Chapter 54

Xiao Wanling tugged on his sleeve. “Someone’s behind them, pulling the strings!”

Just judging by how cowardly the Li family was, they should’ve given up and gone elsewhere to try their luck by now.

Shen Qing carried Xiao Wanling and placed her on the horse. “When will the shop be closed?”

Holding onto the saddle, Xiao Wanling replied, “We’ll rest for a month. We reopen on the fifteenth of the first lunar month.”

Shen Qing did a quick calculation with his fingers—fifteen days of escort duties left, then he could stay home.

The Li family trailed behind at a distance. The street vendors packing up for the day pointed at them and whispered. Xiao Wanling glanced back at them once, then looked away.

Shen Qing led the horse on the left. When they reached home, he opened the courtyard gate and led the horse inside.

The grey wolf dashed out from the middle of the yard and chased the Li family all the way down the mountain. Only after seeing them far away did it turn back and run into the yard.

Father Li patted his chest. “That dog is vicious!”

Shen Qing played with the wolf for a bit outside. Just as he reached the house, Xiao Wanling waved him over. “Even if we hand them over to the authorities, they’ll only be locked up for a few days. We need solid proof of a crime.”

Shen Qing asked, “So, what’s the plan?”

Xiao Wanling said, “Find them some work. Then, when they try something—poison, drugs, framing—we catch them red-handed!” As for guilt-tripping, that didn’t work on her at all.

Shen Qing nodded. “I’ll find them a job tomorrow.”

Xiao Wanling said, “The greenhouses are being built on the mountain. Let Father and Brother Li go there.”

“Got it,” Shen Qing replied, then gently placed his hand on her belly. “Is our baby giving you any trouble?”

Xiao Wanling rolled her eyes. “She’s only two months old! Kicking won’t start until four or five months.”

“Did you read that in a medical book?” Shen Qing asked curiously.

Xiao Wanling yawned. “Yeah. I want some pearl milk tea.”

“Bubble… milk tea?” Shen Qing thought hard for a few seconds. “How do you make it?”

Leaning back in her chair, Xiao Wanling said, “First, knead tapioca starch into little pearls. Then dry-fry tea leaves with sugar until they smell caramelized. Boil it, strain it, and add milk.”

Shen Qing said, “I’ll give it a try!”

He scooped her up by the waist and legs and gently sat her by the bed.

Xiao Wanling flipped through a medical text. “I also want red bean buns.”

“Okay!” Shen Qing said and walked out in big strides. He tied on an apron and got to work in the kitchen. The grey wolf wagged its tail once before crawling back into its nest.

Half an hour later, Shen Qing came in holding a bowl of milk tea. It looked pretty legit. Xiao Wanling took a sip; it was just like she remembered. “Shen Qing, you really have talent! The milk tea is delicious. You should try it! These red bean buns are better than the ones from the shop.”

Shen Qing was so happy he kissed her all over the face. When she didn’t glare at him, he quietly giggled to himself.

He boiled bathwater, carried her over, and even took care of the laundry. Every day, he hovered around her like a servant. Xiao Wanling asked, puzzled, “It’s almost New Year’s. Don’t you need to train with the troops?”

Shen Qing replied, “No need!”

Every day, he went to the shop, wore Xiao Wanling’s pink apron, and helped make snacks. The apron was especially small on him.

Xiao Wanling couldn’t help but laugh every time she saw it, then bossed him around making snacks. When she wanted tea, she’d call out, “Shen Qing, I want tea!”

He would rush to her side in an instant. “What kind of tea?”

When she started peeling an orange, he’d snatch it and peel it perfectly clean. Xiao Wanling praised, “The way you peel them tastes better. It’s not bitter at all!”

Shen Qing grinned from ear to ear, sitting beside her, cracking walnuts, and feeding her the pieces.

Gu Yaofang saw this and blushed. She teased Xiao Wanling quietly, “General Shen’s really like that? Is he even more over-the-top at home?”

Xiao Wanling said, “He’s the same. Ever since he found out I’m pregnant, he treats me like porcelain.”

Customers outside the shop were gossiping. “I heard General Shen does all the housework at home. He even washes Director Xiao’s socks!”

An elderly man with snow-white hair raised his brows. “Nonsense! The man should be the breadwinner; the woman should manage the house! This is turning the world upside down!”

The previous customer argued back, “What’s wrong with Madam Xiao managing things? How many men can do what she does?”

The white-haired man scolded, “A gentleman stays out of the kitchen. How can General Shen earn respect behaving like this?”

The other customer couldn’t be bothered and turned to someone behind him. “So, do you like your tofu pudding sweet or salty?”

The old man was so angry he huffed and puffed, “Such vulgar topics!”

Meanwhile, the tea house put up a sign for tofu pudding, and instantly, two long lines formed at the door.

Someone in the left line said, “I walked dozens of miles just to eat that silky smooth tofu pudding!”

Another said, “I came to buy milk tea and red date longan ginger tea!”

Chen Gui looked up at his own shop sign that said “Tea Shop,” smacked his thigh, and rushed to Xiao Wanling. “Can I buy some of your tea packs?”

Xiao Wanling was putting money in a box. “You want to sell milk tea? Milk is expensive!”

All the fresh milk came from the Jin family, and it often ran out.

Chen Gui chuckled, “The customers are tired of the same old thing. They want something new!”

Xiao Wanling said, “Your steamed rice cakes are pretty solid!” She had bought some and cooked them at home.

Chen Gui beamed from ear to ear. “I once saved a whole camp with my rice cakes!”

As she counted the money, Xiao Wanling said, “Make them extra firm so they last longer. Call them nian gao—New Year cakes. Slice them up to stir-fry or cook in soup—they’re great either way.”

Of course they’re called New Year cakes for a reason! Chen Gui’s eyes lit up. He clasped his hands and bowed. “Thank you!”

He ran back to his tea shop. “Once they’re done, I’ll bring you some to try!”

Xue Cui rolled her eyes at Chen Gui. “She’s tricking you.”

Could someone like Madam Xiao really be so nice?

Chen Gui went off to buy vegetables and leftover pork scraps. He closed the shop and started working on the New Year cakes.

Gu Yaofang brought a bowl of New Year cake soup into the backyard, which was floating with a few leaves and strips of meat.

Shen Qing craned his neck to look. “Is it edible?”

Xiao Wanling had Gu Yaofang test it for poison. She took a bite; the cake slices fell apart instantly. “Too soft, or cooked too long!”

Gu Yaofang walked back out. Chen Gui was waiting eagerly by the snack shop door. “How is it?”

She repeated Xiao Wanling’s words, “Not firm enough. Cooked too long!”

Chen Gui took that to heart and rushed back to his tea shop, slamming the door and pounding away again.

Xue Cui felt anxious. If today’s red bean buns didn’t sell, she wouldn’t have money for new supplies. She shouted loudly, “Red bean buns!”

Customers walked over, took one look, then turned and headed to the other snack shop.

The bun skins hadn’t risen properly, and the filling hadn’t been cooked. Xiao Wanling gave them a glance, then looked away.

Li Mo supported Mother Li as they walked over angrily. “Fourth Sister, you can’t just ignore our parents. You live in such a nice house—don’t you feel guilty?”

Xiao Wanling smiled. “Why don’t you let them live with you, then?”

Li Mo froze. “I… I can’t.”

“Then go earn money. I don’t owe them anything.”

Li Mo opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. “Aren’t you afraid people will talk behind your back?”

Xiao Wanling turned and walked back toward the tea shop. “That’s my business.”

Mother Li teared up at the thought of sleeping in that drafty, ruined temple. “Wan’er, can we stay just a few nights? For the sake of me giving birth to you?”

The nearby customers perked up their ears, curious if Director Xiao would agree.

They’re being so pitiful; surely she’ll say yes, right?

Li Mo pouted. Her fourth sister was wearing new clothes again today. The twin butterfly hairpin on her head fluttered as she walked, so pretty; she wanted them too.

Xiao Wanling: “No.”

Both Li women were stunned. Mother Li nearly cried. “Why not? Just for a few nights—it’s freezing outside!”

Xiao Wanling replied, “I have valuables at home. If anything goes missing, you’ll go to jail.”

Li Mo sneered, “So if you lose something, we go to jail?”

Just then, Jiang Ting noticed an issue with an order and called Xiao Wanling away.

Xue Cui came over to the Li women. “Why don’t you just take the stuff now?”

She was thinking Madam Xiao must have hidden some valuable recipes somewhere at home.

Mother Li, seeing how much money the three shops made every day, assumed they had plenty of silver stored up.

Li Mo, on the other hand, had her eyes on Xiao Wanling’s clothes and jewelry—just her outfit today was worth several taels of silver. The three women each had their own plans.

Mother Li whispered to Li Mo, “Next time, don’t fight with her. She responds better to soft tactics.”

Li Mo wasn’t happy. She thought Xiao Wanling was just lucky. Without Shen Qing, she’d still be struggling in the mud. What was she so smug about?

Of course, she didn’t dare say that now. Her father and brother were still nursing injuries—Shen Qing had them working on that stupid greenhouse project.

A gust of wind blew, and Li Mo shivered. “How much longer? It’s freezing—I can’t take it.”

Mother Li thought, You think I’m not cold? But she still said, “There are plenty of rich young men in town. If you find a good one, I can count on you for support.”

Li Mo glanced down at her shabby clothes. What nobleman would want her? Her face turned pale as she sulked and looked away.

Just then, Chen Gui came out with a bowl of New Year cake soup and overheard their conversation. He couldn’t help but chuckle twice, “Ouch, it’s so hot!” He turned back inside and brought the soup to the snack shop on a tea tray.

Gu Yaofang took it inside. Chen Gui waited hopefully at the door.

Xue Cui rolled her eyes. “Sucking up to Madam Xiao again!”

Chen Gui shouted back, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

You want to die? I don’t! If Shen Qing hears you, he’ll knock your teeth out and cripple your legs. Are you asking for it?

He stepped farther away.

Gu Yaofang came out with the empty bowl. “It’s better this time! But the seasoning’s a bit too light—it’s a little salty.”

Chen Gui was thrilled. He asked the village head to help write a sign, then shouted loudly, “New Year Cake Soup—five wens a bowl with shredded meat!”

Xue Cui clicked her tongue. “You believe everything Madam Xiao says? That meat alone costs a hundred cents. How many days before you make that back?”

She figured everyone was losing money because of Xiao Wanling.

Chen Gui stepped back. “Are you going to buy it or not? If not, go away!”

His pot of New Year cake soup quickly sold out. He hugged his money box and shook it, grinning at the sound.

Mother Li, seeing Xiao Wanling’s talent with her own eyes, humbled herself and walked over. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Xiao Wanling figured she’d made them stew long enough. “All the shop work is covered. What skills do you have?”

Mother Li blurted out, “I can roast tea!”

Xiao Wanling replied, “I don’t sell tea.”

Li Mo nervously picked at her nails. Before she could learn how to fry tea, their tea shop went bankrupt.

Onlookers whispered, “They call themselves family but clearly know nothing about her.”

Mother Li added quickly, “I’ll do anything you need. I want to make it up to you!” She swallowed on the word “daughter,” afraid it would anger Madam Xiao.

Xiao Wanling said, “There’s firewood on the mountain. Go try chopping that.”

Mother Li nodded eagerly. She’s finally talking to me. She’ll soften eventually.

Li Mo complained, “Mom, we don’t know how to chop wood. A whole bundle only sells for one wen. After a whole day, we’ll barely earn ten!”

Mother Li whispered, “Just pretend to work and keep her happy. Better than freezing out here. Ten wens is enough to buy a bowl of cake soup.”

She was already fantasizing about Xiao Wanling letting them move in.

Notes:

• • Nian Gao: A sticky rice cake traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year. Symbolizes progress and growth year after year.

Tofu Pudding: A soft tofu dish, either sweet or savory depending on regional preferences.

Pearl milk tea: A modern beverage originating in Taiwan, made with tapioca pearls and milk tea. Here, it’s introduced creatively using traditional ingredients.