Chapter 18: Cherishing the Wife

“Father-in-law, this bowl of Dragon’s Beard Noodles has a bit more,” Su Tang said as she placed another bowl in front of Lu Dashan.

Lu Dashan was silent.

Su Tang set the previous bowl in front of the young master. “This one is for my husband.”

As she bowed her head, she whispered without a sound: The first bowl.

The young master said nothing.

Li Qingtian quietly settled himself to the side, picking up his own bowl of noodles.

Lu Dashan glanced at the young master, who said nothing, merely sat down before his bowl.

Lu Dashan pursed his lips and took a seat beside him.

Long, slender noodles lifted with the chopsticks released a richer aroma. The seemingly tender noodles melted in the mouth, yet a hidden resilience leapt and danced within, the savory broth slowly blooming in the throat, as if warmth seeped from the core to every limb and bone. One mouthful followed another, and another…

“Mmm… slurp… so good… slurp… Eh, it’s gone already?”

Lu Dashan felt as if he’d only just begun, but his bowl was already empty.

Wasn’t this the fullest bowl?

He looked across; Li Qingtian’s bowl was nearly empty as well. Noticing Lu Dashan’s gaze, Li Qingtian quickly finished the last of his noodles in a few swift gulps.

Lu Dashan looked away again.

Next to him, the young master and Su Tang ate slowly and unhurriedly.

“Is there more?” Lu Dashan asked.

Li Qingtian pointed.

Lu Dashan looked: steamed buns, porridge, side dishes—none of the Dragon’s Beard Noodles.

“Where is it?” Lu Dashan pressed.

Li Qingtian seemed to realize, “There were only four bowls.”

Lu Dashan rubbed his stomach. It didn’t feel full at all.

“Tasty, but not enough,” Lu Dashan said.

“Father-in-law, what do you think of forty copper coins?” Su Tang asked.

Lu Dashan’s eyes widened. “That expensive?”

Su Tang smiled. “That’s what you said at first too.”

Lu Dashan scratched his head. When he first tasted mala soup, he’d said the same, but then the whole town seemed to have money for it.

“But it’s just noodles—the broth’s flavor can’t even be seen,” Lu Dashan argued.

Su Tang replied seriously, “You’re right, Father-in-law, but these are ‘Dragon’s Beard Noodles’.”

Lu Dashan’s eyes lit up in sudden understanding. “Right, right, just the name makes you want to try. One bowl isn’t enough, two are too little, three would about do.”

Li Qingtian rolled his eyes discreetly.

Su Tang nodded, “Father-in-law is wise. Mala soup gives a fleeting pleasure, but it can’t be eaten every day. Dragon’s Beard Noodles are different—different ingredients, different flavors—you could eat them three times a day.”

“Exactly! Our new daughter-in-law is thoughtful,” Lu Dashan praised. “Our family’s young master is truly lucky.”

The young master ate without looking up.

Su Tang’s hand slipped beneath her sleeve to pinch her thigh, her eyes turning red in an instant. “It is I who am fortunate. If not for you and my husband, I would have long since lost my way. Whether it’s today’s Dragon’s Beard Noodles or the mala soup from before, all I wish is for our family to live more comfortably. So Father-in-law need not toil daily, so that the air of slaughter doesn’t cling. To enjoy peace at home, and when my husband succeeds in his studies and earns a name, then I too will rejoice. That will make all your years of hardship worthwhile.”

Once a noble daughter, now plainly dressed, with tears trembling on her lashes, her gentleness and sincerity shone through. The childless Lu Dashan was left a little befuddled.

“Yes, yes indeed,” Lu Dashan nodded, casting a glance at the young master.

The young master finally finished, set down his chopsticks, and spoke. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the academy.”

Eh?

Lu Dashan was stunned.

Su Tang’s eyes lit up with joy. “Let me accompany you, husband.”

“No need,” the young master replied.

“Husband~”

Her gentle voice sounded, and Li Qingtian’s pupils contracted.

The young master’s brows knitted tightly.

Lu Dashan hastily interjected, “Ah, I’m fine, I’ll go with him. No need for you to worry, daughter-in-law. Eat, eat—one bowl of noodles isn’t even enough to fill the gap between my teeth.” He stood to fetch the already-prepared dinner from the stove.

He seemed hungry, but more like making a hasty retreat.

“I’ll help too,” Li Qingtian said, swiftly getting up as if fleeing trouble.

Su Tang looked to the young master, who met her gaze. “I’ll eat too.”

Su Tang feigned surprise, “Husband likes Dragon’s Beard Noodles.”

The young master’s lips twitched faintly.

Dragon’s Beard? He’d rather have the dragon’s head.

On the dark table were dishes: grayish steamed buns, thick porridge, side dishes—some spicy, some not, three or four in total.

The meals had always been like this, but the young master had never eaten with them before. This was the first time.

As always, Lu Dashan devoured his food—a single bite halved the bun.

Li Qingtian, though his mouth was smaller, moved quickly. If Lu Dashan took one chopstick’s worth, Li Qingtian would already have snatched two or three. Lu Dashan, undaunted, would take half a plate at once, and Li Qingtian would only quicken his pace.

So, among the dishes, chopsticks flashed like lightning...

Su Tang’s brow twitched.

It was always like this at meals.

And today, they’d already had a bowl of Dragon’s Beard Noodles first.

The young master, clearly witnessing this for the first time, watched with a dazed expression.

“Father-in-law often teams up with my elder sister,” Su Tang whispered.

The young master finally returned to his senses, his gaze settling on Lu Dashan.

The moment his eyes landed, Lu Dashan’s chopsticks, grabbing for food, paused, then slowly picked up a piece and ate.

Though he still ate heartily, the previous frenzy was gone.

Su Tang couldn’t help but glance at her husband.

Without a word, but under his gaze, even her own father-in-law behaved.

The young master acted as if he hadn’t noticed Su Tang’s look, eating slowly, just as he had with the noodles.

Su Tang looked back at Lu Dashan, who now ate methodically, as if all she’d seen before was an illusion.

Su Tang’s eyes glowed with barely concealed admiration.

In this moment, she truly admired that mother-in-law she had never met.

Gone for years, she’d left a child with her former husband who raised him well. And with a single look, he could humble even his own father.

If not for deep love, how could a man so burly dote so on a child he’d raised but a year?

Indeed, the bigger the man, the more he cherishes his wife.

No one is perfect—such is life.

The young master, catching a glimpse of Su Tang’s expression, frowned slightly.

He had the distinct feeling she was lost in wild thoughts.

After the meal, the young master returned to his room.

Lu Dashan prepared food for the big black dog—leftover rice and dishes, along with offal brought back from the day’s butchering.

The big black dog wagged its tail, eating noisily.

Su Tang mused: With her porridge, even leftovers could be counted as earnings—a kind of donation, perhaps?

But the system remained silent.

Su Tang sighed quietly, then turned to Li Qingtian, who was tidying up behind her. “Sister Li, please give me forty copper coins.”

Without hesitation, Li Qingtian took a handful of coins from her pouch.