Chapter 11: Still Uncertain of Your Thoughts
Village Chief Fang pondered, “The secret recipe, are you willing to sell it?”
Su Tang’s brows arched slightly.
Just as expected.
“Uncle wishes to buy it?” Su Tang asked with a gentle smile.
Village Chief Fang was about to reply when the door behind them opened and the young master stepped out from the room.
His clear, bright eyes swept over them, still as indifferent and cool as before, yet it made Village Chief Fang’s words stick in his throat, unable to be uttered.
Su Tang noticed her young husband as well and went over to inquire, “Husband, what would you like to eat? Shall I bring you some water? Or perhaps buy some pastries to satisfy your craving?”
The young master frowned deeply.
“Not fond of them? What does my husband like then? Tell me, won’t you?” Su Tang pressed on.
He turned away, moving beside the big black dog, petting it.
The meaning was obvious—leave me alone.
Su Tang could only withdraw awkwardly, returning to her seat before Village Chief Fang with an apologetic tone, “Uncle, I’m sorry.”
Village Chief Fang witnessed the scene, forcing a smile, “No matter.”
Su Tang’s eyes flickered, her lips curving, “I must thank Uncle for presiding over the wedding of myself and my husband the other night.”
Village Chief Fang nearly turned to leave on the spot.
That remark felt like a slap in the face.
Yet, thinking of his wife and brother-in-law, Village Chief Fang had no choice but to firmly plant his feet where he stood.
Su Tang was slightly surprised.
When she woke up dazed that day, she learned that the matchmaking and witness had been done by the fortune-teller and the village chief. She’d meant to thank them, but the fortune-teller was absent and she’d only met the village chief. At the time, she’d thought him a good-tempered man. Now, it seemed he was more than that.
Village Chief Fang looked at the pretty young wife before him and the young master still petting the dog, truly not wishing to linger. He considered, “I’ve heard about the events at your doorstep today. Ultimately, it is tied to that secret recipe, hence my offer. I propose twenty taels of silver for purchase, investment into the Peaceful Town restaurant, and ten taels per month for twenty years. What do you think?”
Su Tang was astonished.
A shareholding arrangement, profit-sharing.
A solution devised after the trouble caused by Master Zhao.
This village chief was not just good-tempered, but generous.
Su Tang thought for a moment, “I don’t want twenty years.”
Village Chief Fang was taken aback—was it too much or too little?
Su Tang explained, “I would like to exchange those twenty years for a favor.”
Village Chief Fang was surprised, “What is it?”
Su Tang glanced at her husband, still petting the dog. “I wish for my husband to attend school.”
School? That silly boy?
Village Chief Fang looked over, rubbing his forehead, “Has the young master ever studied?” he asked.
“At home, he has,” Su Tang replied.
“What has he read?”
“Uncle, please wait a moment.” Su Tang rose and went inside.
Outside, the young master stopped petting the dog and came to sit.
Once again, Village Chief Fang met those calm, pale eyes.
He’d seen Lu Dashan’s wife back in the day; she was somewhat pretty, but nothing compared to this boy—so most likely, she’d given birth elsewhere and Lu Dashan had raised him as his own without question.
---
Just seeing him brought to mind Lu Dashan. Offering such generous terms was meant to ease Lu Dashan’s mind, and the young wife was pitiable, too.
But schooling was not like other matters—
While Village Chief Fang was silently steeling himself, Su Tang came out, carrying all the books from their home.
“These books, my husband has read them all,” Su Tang said.
Village Chief Fang looked them over—children’s primers, classics, histories.
“It’s best to understand their meaning,” Village Chief Fang remarked.
“Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning reveals itself,” Su Tang replied. “My husband knows them by heart.”
Casually, Su Tang opened a page and read the first few words, then blinked at her husband, “What comes next?” Just as he’d recited the other night.
Village Chief Fang watched the young master.
Had he truly memorized them all?
The young master looked at Su Tang, lips pressed tight.
The big black dog wagged its tail, coming over.
Wherever its young master was, it followed.
In the courtyard, only the dog’s panting could be heard.
“Hehehe.”
...
For a long while, Su Tang didn’t hear her husband speak, and Village Chief Fang had already turned to look at her. Though he said nothing, his gaze spoke volumes—this was “knowing them by heart”?
Su Tang’s smile twisted, almost faltering.
Ten taels a month for twenty years—that was two thousand four hundred taels!
Her heart ached as she decided to give up.
But her husband was not cooperating!
Had that effortless recitation the other night been an illusion?
She’d even chosen the book he recited best!
Su Tang drew a breath, smiled, and turned to Village Chief Fang, “Actually, my husband is just shy…”
Before the word “shy” could leave her throat, a clear voice rang out.
The young master began reciting.
Su Tang’s heart leapt in excitement; she hurriedly held up the book, matching word for word.
Indeed, not a single word was missed.
After her husband finished reciting a page, Su Tang looked to Village Chief Fang, her eyes nearly brimming with tears, “Uncle~”
Oh, how hard it had been.
Village Chief Fang looked at the tearful Su Tang, then at the young master who had recited a passage with indifferent composure, as if nothing had happened, and finally nodded.
“All right.”
...
Village Chief Fang left.
In the courtyard, Su Tang was full of joy.
“We can go to school now. Husband, are you happy?”
“Though we’ve lost two thousand four hundred taels, at least your wish is fulfilled, isn’t it?”
---
“When you astonish everyone at the school, they’ll see how capable you are and won’t dare bully our family again.”
“With you here, it may seem like we’ve lost two thousand four hundred taels today, but in the future, we’ll have four thousand eight hundred, or even more.”
“...”
“Husband, have some tea. I’ll go about my work now.”
After comforting her husband, Su Tang went out again.
A few days ago, she’d promised that her spicy hotpot would be even cheaper for five days, and Uncle Village Chief had agreed to discuss the sale after these days passed. Clearly, earning money was urgent now.
She closed the courtyard gate.
The young master rested his hand on the big black dog’s head, staring through the crack in the door at the shadowy figures outside, murmuring, “She truly loves money~”
*
Behind the stall, Su Tang was busy attending customers. Li Qingtian, who was sorting ingredients, had a fierce look in his eyes and muttered, “Chili and Sichuan pepper—none for sale in the whole town. That wretch must be behind it.”
“Perhaps it’s just sold out. It’ll be back tomorrow,” Su Tang replied.
Cutting off supplies—an age-old tactic.
But it seemed it was a step too late.
****
Zhao Residence.
In the main hall, Zhao De almost cradled his belly as he shook his head and sighed.
“Brother-in-law, you acted too soon!”
“I just bought up all the Sichuan pepper and chili essential for that spicy hotpot. In two days, they won’t be able to continue. Then we can name any price—forget twenty taels, even five or three would do, and she’d have to accept.”
Village Chief Fang did not even glance at Zhao De, sipping his tea as he asked, “How much did you lose last night?”
Zhao De held up five chubby fingers, “At least this much.”
“You mean to blame this on the Lu family?” Village Chief Fang sneered.
Zhao De spread his hands.
Village Chief Fang set down his teacup with a sigh, “The Zhao family has been in Peaceful Town for a hundred years, generations as local gentry. Only with generosity can you endure!”
“With you ahead, how can I compare~” Zhao De laughed.
Village Chief Fang glanced at him, “Fine. Now, tell me—have you found who set the fire?”
“I have,” Zhao De said seriously. “It was that young wife from their family. Only, there’s no evidence; otherwise, I’d have sent her straight to the magistrate.”
“Don’t speak nonsense,” Village Chief Fang said gravely. “A fire at night, no property lost—it might even have been your own men. If there truly were a villain, any clue at all, you’d have gone to your brother-in-law for backing.”
Zhao De grinned, “That’s why you’re my brother-in-law~”
Village Chief Fang shook his head, “In two days, the recipe will be yours. Return the Sichuan pepper and chili you bought. After all, it’s their hard work.”
“But that young wife is definitely suspicious,” Zhao De still protested.
Village Chief Fang stared at him, “Have you forgotten she nearly died when she arrived? Even if there’s an issue, it’s not with them!”
“And don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Stop bothering that young wife. Your brother-in-law is still in office for another year~”
His last words were deliberately weighty. Zhao De’s heart jumped; he peeked at Village Chief Fang, caught his gaze, and quickly gave a goofy smile, “I’ll listen to you.”