CH 29

In a blink of an eye, it was the day before the autumn temple fair.

Early in the morning, the Yu family packed up their belongings and headed to the county town, just like they did last time when they paid their land tax.

Qiao Yuan saw that the whole family from the old house had left, and asked: “Mom, what if Big Brother and brother-in-law come back later?”

Lin Cuifen said, “I have already told Grandma Jiang. So, when they come back, we’ll have them come find us in the county town.”

Qiao Yuan nodded and looked at the pile of bedding that the family had brought with them, saying, “We’ll need to buy some more bedding for the shop later.”

“Okay.” Lin Cuifen replied, “After I finish making your cotton-padded jacket, I will have some free time, and then I will make a few more blankets.”

When Qiao Yuan heard that Lin Cuifen was making a cotton-padded jacket for him, he was instantly happy and said, “Mom, you’re making a cotton jacket for me?”

Lin Cuifen laughed, “Of course, I can overlook others but not you.”

Yuan Ge’er was always very filial to her. As soon as September arrived, she started making cotton clothes for Yuan Ge’er. Now, two thin ones had been made, and two thick ones still needed to be made. Yuan Ge’er’s small body would not withstand the cold.

Qiao Yuan happily babbled to Yu Dameng, “Mother is making me a padded jacket.”

His little husband’s rare childish display made Yu Dameng’s heart stir, a smile also appearing on his face.

Laike House would open for business starting noon tomorrow. They only had one day and night to prepare. Upon arriving at the shop, they immediately got busy.

Qiao Yuan and Lin Cuifen were responsible for kneading the dough, and the others were responsible for pounding and juicing.

They needed a lot of dough this time, with many different colors, which exhausted the two. After the dough was fermented, it still needed to be kneaded a second time. But by then, they only needed to knead, and Yu Dameng and Old Man Yu could help with their strength.

At noon, Yu Dameng came back from buying food outside.

Yu Laoda and Meng Qiu arrived on time, coincidentally during mealtime. As soon as he entered the door, Yu Laoda said, “Grandma Jiang gave me the address of the shop. I thought she might have remembered it wrong. It turned out that Brother-in-law had taken over the shop so quickly.”

Everyone was delighted to see Yu Laoda and Meng Qiu, who they hadn’t seen for a long time.

Qiao Yuan modestly said: “It’s rented.”

Yu Lao Da pretended to be an old scholar and said: “Not so, not so.”

Making everyone laugh heartily.

During the meal, Lin Cuifen told the two of them everything that had happened at home recently, focusing on praising Qiao Yuan. But she spoke cautiously, afraid that if she said too much, Qiu Ge’er would think too much.

After listening, Yu Laoda was even more impressed with Qiao Yuan, “Qiu Ge’er and I cannot always be by our parents’ side to fulfill our filial duties, thanks to my brother-in-law for taking care of them.”

Qiao Yuan shook his head and said: “It’s my duty. We are one family, no need to be polite.”

In his heart, he truly regarded Old Man Yu and Lin Cuifen as his own parents.

Yu Laoda was also straightforward and stopped being polite.

Seeing the adults stop talking, Yu Shanwu jumped in to brag, “Eldest brother, I’m going to martial arts school next year!”

This was a family that Yu Dameng had found in the county town. Their surname was Liu, and they used to be escorts. Now they made a living by teaching people martial arts. They were quite skilled. Next spring, Yu Shanwen and Yu Shanwu would go to learn from them.

After hearing the story, Yu Laoda gave each of the Yu twins a resounding knock on the head. “You better study properly when you go!”

Qiao Yuan: “……”

So, Yu Laoda was also this violent?

After the meal, Meng Qiu pulled Qiao Yuan aside and gave him a gift shyly. “I…I embroidered this purse myself, and I want to…give it to you.”

Qiao Yuan took a look and saw that the light green purse was embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns and adorned with two tassels. He couldn’t help but praise, “It’s so beautiful.”

Meng Qiu smiled shyly.

Qiao Yuan immediately hung it on himself, showing how much he liked the purse.

Then, he suddenly remembered that he had never given Yu Dameng anything so far.

Yu Dameng had at least given him ointment cream and clothes.

But except for cooking, he didn’t know how to do embroidery and make clothes, which were the skills of this era’s women and gers.

Qiao Yuan was troubled, but there was no time to think more with the tasks at hand.

In the afternoon, it was mainly Yu Dameng and Old Man Yu doing the work. Qiao Yuan and Lin Cuifen guided from the side occasionally. They had already started making the basic flower buns that would be used in larger quantities.

Yu Laoda and Meng Qiu followed along to learn, although their progress was slower, they could still be helpful.

After that, when all the dough was kneaded, Qiao Yuan left and focused on making the flower buns that required higher skills. The others continued to make the basic flower buns that Qiao Yuan had taught them before. When they had accumulated enough, Yu Laoda would light the fire and steam them.

Working tirelessly until late at night, they finally managed to make all the flower buns that Laike House had requested. Qiao Yuan stood up, supporting his waist and taking a deep breath, saying, “My waist is going to give out.”

Yu Dameng felt sorry for him that he didn’t care that his parents and older brother were all present, and hurriedly went forward to support him.

Seeing this, Yu Laoda and the parents exchanged smiling glances.

Qiao Yuan was too tired to care about shame, and he just leaned on Yu Dameng.

Yu Dameng carried him back to the room.

The next day, Qiao Yuan got up early to do the final check and if anything was missing, he would quickly make up for it with the extra ones he had prepared.

“It’s very lively outside!” Yu Shanwu said as soon as he entered the courtyard.

The children had gone to bed early last night and they had something exciting to do today, so they got up earlier than the adults.

Yu Laoda also got up early and had already recited a book before everyone else woke up. He had already brought in breakfast.

Breakfast was steaming buns and tofu pudding from Grandma Niu’s. Qiao Yuan had the sweet tofu pudding. After eating his fill, he went to scoop the savory one from Yu Dameng’s bowl. Seeing him suddenly favor the salty one, and worrying he might want the sweet one again later, Yu Dameng weighed his options and decided to just wait till Qiao Yuan was done eating before having any himself.

Right after breakfast, Steward Li from the Laike House came, bringing four lanky helpers.

This was his idea, and he had been restless and anxious for the past few days, afraid of messing it up and affecting his own work. So early in the morning, he couldn’t sit still and rushed to Qiao Yuan’s shop.

Qiao Yuan led him to the back kitchen to see the finished product. Steward Li was stunned for a long time when he saw the stack of flower buns that was one and a half meters1Previously, the raw used chi to refer to the height of the stacked buns but this chapter used meters high, and then he was overjoyed. He knew he had done his job right!

Steward Li happily cupped his fists and bowed to Qiao Yuan, “Yu Fulang, you have my admiration.”

Qiao Yuan humbly said, “Not at all, not at all. I only ask that Steward Li remember to mention where you ordered the flower buns when you introduce them.”

Steward Li was clever. He naturally understood Qiao Yuan’s intention. Moreover, this was something that the owner had already instructed him to do. He was happy to impress Qiao Yuan, so he agreed.

The lanky helpers had difficulty moving it, so they had to ask Yu Dameng and Old Man Yu for help. Qiao Yuan also went along to collect the final payment. The group went to Laike House together.

Boss Wang, who was attending to the door, was startled when he saw the giant flower bun that was one and a half meters high. It was stacked layer by layer, and if it was placed on the table, even a strong man like Yu Dameng who was tall would have to look up at it. Not to mention, each layer was decorated with various colors of flower-shaped buns, as well as lucky bamboo, golden nuts and golden ingots, and there were majestic dancing lions on the four sides. It looked so majestic.

After the initial shock, Boss Wang continuously exclaimed in admiration, “I thought Yu Fulang’s ideas were brilliant just by looking at the illustrations, but I didn’t expect it to be more shocking when I saw the real thing.”

Upon closer inspection, Boss Wang noticed that the top of the giant flower-shaped bread was actually in the shape of the entrance to the Laike House, with the words “Guests from Beyond the Sky2天外来客 (tiān wài lái kè) – Literally means “visitors from beyond the sky,” which refers to extraterrestrial beings or otherworldly visitors.” written on it. Guarding the entrance was a mythical creature called a Pixiu3聚财 (jù cái) – A Pixiu, a mythical creature in Chinese culture that is believed to bring wealth and good fortune., known for bringing wealth and fortune. He was even more delighted and happily gave the remaining sixty taels of silver to Qiao Yuan.

Qiao Yuan weighed the sixty taels of silver that he had just received and counted with his fingers. “We have a total of one hundred and forty taels of silver now.”

He had spent a lot of money on renting the shop, decorating it and preparing for this deal with Laike House. Fortunately, this deal was finally done. The big stone in Qiao Yuan’s heart fell to the ground, and he dragged Yu Dameng back to the shop to catch up on some sleep.

When noon came, Laike House officially opened for business, setting off firecrackers and unveiling the plaque.

The people who had been curious about the giant flower bun and gathered around the roadside to watch the excitement couldn’t help but ask.

“Boss, what is this?”

Boss Wang smiled and said, “This is a flower bun. Today, we are opening our Laike House, and our boss has specially sent someone to order it from the newly opened Yu Qiao Shop in West Street. In two hours, everyone can come here to receive a flower bun until they are all gone. As for the twelve zodiac signs, only guests who spend more than five taels of silver today can receive them.”

Someone asked loudly, “What do I need to do if I want that pair shaped like flower baskets?”

After listening to Qiao Yuan’s words last time, Boss Wang had already come up with a plan. He said, ” If you can deposit two hundred taels of silver in advance at our Laike Lou for future spending, then you can get one.”

The young master who had just asked the question stepped forward and smiled, “As expected, A-Yin4This refers to Pei Yin, prefix A- shows closeness between the two. knows how to make money.”

Boss Wang took a closer look and saw that it was him! He was the childhood friend of their eldest young master, the mortal enemy of their second young master, and the notorious devil who was famous throughout Shengjing5This is a place, not sure if this is the capital, a country, a province or just a town, so I just left it as is like in the raws.! Boss Wang thought of his beard that had been burned before and felt dizzy.

The young master took another step forward and said, “What? Don’t you recognize me after not seeing me for so long, Boss Wang?”

Boss Wang repeatedly claimed he didn’t dare. Just as the young master was about to say more, he was invited upstairs by the attendant Pei Yin had sent down.

After this interlude, everyone resumed their discussion.

“This is really grand, I think the flowers on top look just like real ones!”

“I think the gold ingots are real. I like the gold ingots!”

“Boss, you said that it can be collected two hours later without spending any money?”

“Yes.” Boss Wang nodded and after thinking, added, “Those dining at our Laike House today may select first.”

Hearing this, someone couldn’t wait and rushed into the restaurant, yelling loudly, “Boss, I want that gold ingot on the huge flower bun later!”

The crowd laughed and cheered.

His friend who came with him joked, “That’s not real! You even need a golden ingot to eat a flower bun! Boss, I was born in the year of the rabbit, so I want a rabbit-shaped one later.”

Business at Laike House today was naturally booming. That pair of flower basket cakes were eventually bought by Qian Yuanwai, a rich merchant in the county town.

Steward Li looked at the endless stream of customers at the restaurant, thinking the money spent on those flower buns was well worth it.

…

In the afternoon, Qiao Yuan finally woke up. The others had already gone out and wandered several times.

“Why didn’t you go out?” Qiao Yuan stretched out his hand to Yu Dameng, who took the opportunity to scoop him up from the bed and hug him in his arms. “I’m staying with you.”

Qiao Yuan felt sweet inside. He affectionately nuzzled against Yu Dameng.

Yu Dameng played with Qiao Yuan’s fingers and blushed, feeling very embarrassed as he said, “I…I have something to give you.”

“What is it?” Qiao Yuan immediately perked up. He had just been thinking about what gift to give Yu Dameng, yet this clueless guy was giving him something first instead.

It was quite exciting!

Qiao Yuan’s eyes were bright, making Yu Dameng feel even more embarrassed. Yu Dameng scratched his head and took out two silver rings from his pocket, mumbling, “You…you said before that married couples where you’re from would wear rings. I made a pair myself. I don’t know if they are like this.”

Qiao Yuan looked at the two rings that overlapped each other and was stunned. His heart was filled with tenderness. He never thought that one day, someone would remember his casual words and give their sincere love.

Yu Dameng hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and called out in a gentle voice, “Yuan Ge’er.”

“I… I’m not good at talking.” He looked at him earnestly and said very sincerely, “But I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He pursed his lips and added, “I will always love and cherish you for a lifetime.”

Qiao Yuan’s eyes were already wet, his heart painfully tight. Pouting, he pretended to scold, “Why are you being so sappy!”

The next second, he threw himself into Yu Dameng’s arms, secretly wiping away his tears and commanding, “You…you quickly put it on for me!”

Yu Dameng obediently put the ring on Qiao Yuan’s ring finger.

The night was deep, the moon had sunk, and the lovers embraced each other.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter.