Chapter 37: Do You Think I’m Good Enough?

In the days that followed, Wen Xiuyi and Wen Jun left home early and returned late every day. Each morning, they set out with baskets brimming with ingredients, and each night, they hauled back pork heads and intestines for the next day’s needs. The braised meat business had only grown more prosperous; even townsfolk now made the journey out to buy from them. Because of this, Wen Xiuyi made a special trip to the market to negotiate with Butcher Zheng, settling on a price for the extra pork he’d need. From then on, Zheng would deliver not just pork heads and intestines but also a larger supply of meat each day.

Selling beef was illegal at this time—otherwise, Professor Wen would have certainly asked Wen Yao to braise some beef as well.

What was truly remarkable was that, even knowing how profitable their braised dishes had become, Butcher Zheng kept the price for a bucket of pork intestines at the agreed fifteen coins, never raising it. Whenever Zheng came with deliveries, he would chat with Wen Xiuyi, who once asked him about it. Zheng replied that honesty was the foundation of both business and life. Since he’d promised Wen Yao fifteen coins a bucket, then fifteen coins it would always be, regardless of how much Wen Xiuyi earned. That was his price, and he’d sell at no other.

Wen Xiuyi admired Zheng’s character deeply—he was only a step away from swearing brotherhood with the man.

Meanwhile, Madam Luo kept herself busy: when she wasn’t helping Wen Yao with chores, she was scouring the village for eggs. Every day, Wen Xiuyi took fifty eggs with him, and while there were sometimes extras left over, more often than not, all were sold. His amiable approach to business drew in many villagers who raised their own chickens and were reluctant to part with their eggs for mere coins. Instead, they would bring eggs to Wen Xiuyi and ask him to add them to their fried rice. Wen Xiuyi never refused; even if someone brought their own vegetables, he would cook them as well, time permitting.

Thus, in less than a month, word of Wen family’s fried rice had spread from the docks to the town itself, attracting visitors who came solely for a taste. Wen Yao teased Wen Xiuyi, saying he had unwittingly turned their stall into a must-visit hotspot. But Wen Xiuyi cared little for fame; his only desire was to earn more—and more still—so his three children could live well.

As for their pitiful thatched kitchen, after a month of enduring the elements, Grandfather Wen finally waved his hand and ordered his two younger brothers and several cousins to rebuild it. At last, Wen Yao no longer had to stand among the straw and display her culinary skills.

By now, after deducting costs and expenses, Wen Yao had nearly ten silver taels saved up—a small fortune. Whenever she saw those silver ingots, her eyes would shine as brightly as they once had upon seeing red bills in her previous life. Madam Luo continued coming every day to help. Each time she saw Da Tou reading or writing with a stick on the ground, the old woman would sigh. Even Old Man Wen, who would sometimes visit Wen Yao to request a special meal, found himself staring blankly as Da Tou studied. Old Man Wen was not one for direct expression; he always seemed on the verge of saying something, then stopped. But Madam Luo was not so reserved. More than once, she asked Wen Yao when they could take Da Tou to have his voice checked.

Now that they had savings, the three of them knew full well what lay ahead for Da Tou, and that one day, he would surely speak. But this could not be explained to the elders. After some discussion, they decided it was time to take Da Tou to town to see a doctor—if only to set the old couple’s minds at ease.

One day, Wen Xiuyi and Wen Jun went out to the stall, instructing Wen Yao to visit the old house and ask the elders if they knew of any skilled doctors for such matters. It was best to inquire first, so when the time came, they could take Da Tou directly. Involving the elders was another way to give them peace of mind.

Wen Yao led Da Tou to the old residence, only to find guests had arrived. It was the first time since they’d moved here that she’d seen visitors at the old house. The guest was an elderly woman who bore a resemblance to Madam Luo. When she saw Wen Yao and Da Tou appear, surprise flickered in her gaze as she looked to Madam Luo for explanation.

Madam Luo, now accustomed to the eldest son’s family coming by every few days, was caught off guard herself. It wasn’t until the guest asked quietly, “Elder sister, these are from the main branch’s family…?” that she remembered: all their relatives and friends knew they had split households and no longer associated with the eldest’s family—it was as if they were strangers.

Madam Luo found herself at a loss for words to explain, so she simply beckoned Wen Yao and Da Tou over. “Yao Yao, Da Tou, come greet your grandaunt.” Wen Yao took Da Tou by the hand and approached, offering a proper bow and greeting, “Grandaunt.” Da Tou performed a polite salute.

These manners had been taught by Madam Liu and were etched in their memories.

“Oh, no need for that, no need at all!” The younger Madam Luo started in surprise, quickly rising to help the siblings up. Their bow was far more graceful than the rustic etiquette of country folk. Seeing how poised Wen Yao and Da Tou were, she couldn’t help but marvel: children raised by a scholarly family’s daughter-in-law were indeed different from the village bumpkins. It was just a pity, she thought, that the daughter-in-law had run off.

With this thought, the younger Madam Luo cast a sympathetic glance at her elder sister. Madam Luo, bewildered by the look, squinted her eyes and glared back, causing the younger woman to collect herself.

With greetings completed, Madam Luo let the two children go play. Once they had left, the younger Madam Luo sidled up, curiosity in her voice. “Elder sister, what about Xiuyi and his lot? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t see them anymore?”

Madam Luo replied calmly, “After Liu left, he mended his ways. Now he’s quietly raising the three children. In the end, he’s my own flesh and blood. What do they say? ‘A prodigal who turns back is more precious than gold.’ Yes, that’s it. We’re family, after all.”

With that, the younger Madam Luo asked no more. After all, all the relatives had once placed their hopes in Wen Xiuyi.

That little episode over, the sisters resumed their previous conversation. But the younger Madam Luo’s brow furrowed again with worry and grievance.

“Elder sister, what am I to do? We’d already arranged for a cook to prepare the wedding banquet for my second son, but with the wedding only days away, he suddenly says he can’t make it. You have to help me! If there’s anyone in your village who can handle a feast, please ask around. We can’t let the guests go hungry on the big day.”

Madam Luo was troubled herself—her nephew’s wedding was important, but where was she to find a suitable cook? “The ones in our village, their cooking’s not fit for a proper banquet. We’d be better off doing it ourselves. No, it won’t do,” she said, waving the idea away.

Wen Yao, who had been listening from the side, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and leaned in. “Grandma, do you think I could do it?”