Thriving in Red
There were quite a few returning customers for the bread stuffed with skewers.
Besides Zhu Xing, several others showed up early the next morning.
Still, for many people, spending four or five wen on a single stuffed pancake was undeniably expensive.
Only someone as well-off as Zhu Xing would buy several at once—and return two days in a row.
A few dozen wen over two days could buy two jin of pork fat.
If one could afford pork fat, how many would choose pancakes and tofu instead?
Yet the stuffed bread was delicious.
Exceptionally so.
The spicy tofu puffs and orchid skewers paired with chewy bread—one bite was satisfying and indulgent.
People wanted it, yet balked at the price.
But there were ways around that.
Two returning customers who lived in town came carrying bowls. They skipped the pancake entirely and bought only tofu puffs and skewers, planning to stuff them into steamed buns at home.
That way, for just one or two wen, they could enjoy the flavor.
Others brought their own bread or buns.
The candied hawthorn vendor next door, who had balked at spending three wen the day before, returned today with a corn flatbread he’d steamed himself. He bought one orchid skewer for a wen and asked Liu Yi to add extra sauce.
Liu Yi agreed to every such request with a smile.
It didn’t matter how much they bought. So long as they came.
And in any case, his parents’ stall was earning more than before.
—
By the hour of Si, a boat docked.
Travelers and merchants disembarked, hiring carts to continue on toward Beiyang County.
Beiyang had escort agencies and numerous cart companies. From there, one could travel northward to many destinations.
Before long, a small caravan entered town—seven or eight donkey carts laden with goods, guarded by over a dozen burly men and several assistants.
At their head was a corpulent merchant dressed in silk—clearly a man of means.
If they were entering town at this hour, it was likely to find food.
Though Baxian Town was well supplied, it could not compare to Beiyang County. Most merchants rested properly only once they reached the county seat.
Liu Yi immediately raised his voice:
“Red oil sesame tofu puffs! Delicious tofu puffs! Bread stuffed with tofu puffs—Baxian Town specialty! One of a kind!”
The merchant looked over.
In an unfamiliar place, the word “specialty” naturally drew attention.
Besides, they were indeed seeking flour-based food. Shipboard meals were mostly rice—monotonous fare.
“Tofu puffs?” the merchant murmured. Since when did Baxian have such a specialty?
He stepped forward.
At the stall, he caught sight of the vibrant red oil and glistening tofu puffs. Without waiting for a greeting, he asked, “These are tofu puffs?”
“Yes. Made from tofu, fried and seasoned. Fragrant, spicy, springy. Three for a wen. Excellent with bread—everyone who tries them praises them.”
The merchant swallowed discreetly.
“One pancake. Two wen worth of tofu puffs.”
Soon, Liu Yi handed him a bulging bread.
Six tofu puffs filled it generously; red oil soaked through, dripping from the edges.
The merchant took a large bite.
After only one chew, his eyes lit up.
Behind him, an assistant asked, “Master—is it good?”
The merchant turned.
Not only the assistants but even the dozen guards were staring at him expectantly.
…
Very well. He would be generous today. They could tighten their belts at the next meal.
He stepped aside. “Have a try.”
In an instant, the stall was surrounded.
Liu Yi, Ye Liang, Liu Fu, and Liu Mu were beaming.
By the time the caravan departed, the jar held only scraps of spinach and streaks of red oil.
Each man had eaten three stuffed breads—and still complained of hunger, vowing to find noodles afterward.
Ye Liang consolidated the remaining contents into one jar, then took two jars back toward Wild Jujube Slope to fetch the next day’s supply.
—
At the Jiang household—
After breakfast, Ye Li found the soap pods the former owner had purchased in the county and unearthed a small clay stove from storage.
He placed a clay pot atop it, lit the fire, and began boiling soap pod water.
After more than an hour, he had produced a large bowl of dark cleansing liquid.
Meanwhile, a pot of hot water boiled in the iron cauldron.
He began washing his hair.
Just as he finished, Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya returned with pig fodder.
Drying his hair with a cloth, Ye Li asked casually, “Mai, Ya-ge’er—want to wash your hair too?”
“No,” Jiang Mai replied instantly, dropping his basket by the vegetable patch.
Jiang Ya scratched his head.
It had been days. It itched.
“Why not? It’s been several days. Your hair’s oily,” Ye Li said lightly.
Jiang Mai stayed silent.
Truth be told, his scalp itched too.
Ye Li turned to Jiang Ya. “Ya-ge’er, there’s hot water and soap liquid. Shall I wash your hair?”
Wash his hair?
Jiang Ya’s eyes went round.
But Jiang Mai tugged his hand, snapping him back to caution. He shook his head.
Second Brother had warned him not to get too close. Who knew if Li-ge might suddenly hit him?
“I won’t wash,” he said firmly—though his fingers crept back up to scratch his head.
“So if you don’t wash, you won’t be Jiang Ya anymore,” Ye Li said meaningfully.
“Huh?” Jiang Ya blinked. “Then who am I?”
“You’ll be Stinky Jiang Ya.”
Jiang Mai: “…”
Jiang Ya’s face scrunched up.
He did not want to be stinky.
Seeing his dilemma, Ye Li beckoned. “Ya-ge’er, I’ve thought of a new way to wash hair. Very comfortable. And the soap won’t run into your eyes. Want to try?”
Won’t sting the eyes?
That alone nearly convinced him.
He took a few steps forward—only to be tugged back again.
“Second Brother?”
Jiang Mai hesitated, deeply conflicted.
“Mai,” Ye Li said gently, “you can stand beside him and watch. If I try anything, you can pull him away. I’m your brother-in-law. Must Ya-ge’er hide from me forever?”
That struck true.
After a moment, Jiang Mai led Jiang Ya forward.
If the fool had truly changed, they would see.
If not—he would shield his little brother.
“Good,” Ye Li smiled. “I’ll fetch stools.”
He tied up his hair and went inside.
His new method was simple: wash while lying down.
He lined up three stools in a row and had Jiang Ya lie across them. The child was small; three stools were enough.
He mixed hot and cool water in a wooden bucket until it was just right.
Returning, he handed the ladle to Jiang Mai.
“You pour slowly over his head. I’ll do the washing.”
Jiang Mai blinked.
He had a role too?
Jiang Ya lay still, glancing up at his brother. His small fingers had been nervously twisting his clothes—but now that Mai was helping, he relaxed slightly.
“Pour slowly,” he instructed solemnly. “Don’t get it in my eyes.”
“…All right.”
After wetting the hair, Ye Li applied the soap liquid and began massaging—rubbing, kneading, scratching gently.
The itch vanished at once.
His fingers pressed and circled at just the right strength.
Jiang Ya’s tense body slowly softened. His bright eyes darted between his brother and Ye Li.
“Comfortable?” Ye Li asked.
“Yes,” Jiang Ya replied earnestly.
“Shall I always wash it like this?”
Jiang Ya did not answer—he looked to Jiang Mai instead.
Ye Li followed his gaze. “Mai, your turn after.”
“No need,” Jiang Mai muttered. He was older. He could wash himself.
But judging from Ya-ge’er’s expression… it must truly feel good.
“You’re only two years apart. If Ya-ge’er has something, so should you. Otherwise, when your elder brother returns, he’ll say I favor one over the other.”
Then Ye Li added with feigned concern, “Or are you waiting to complain about me?”
Jiang Mai’s eyes widened. “No!”
He would never burden his elder brother with petty matters. He studied hard and worked part-time already.
“You won’t complain? Then you’ll praise me?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow.
Silence.
“If you speak truthfully, that’s praise enough. I want you to praise me more—so lie down and let us wash yours too.”
Jiang Ya tugged his sleeve. “Second Brother, wash. It feels good.”
Jiang Mai looked away awkwardly.
After a long pause, he gave a small nod.
He did want to try lying down like that…
If the fool truly washed his hair gently—when Elder Brother returned, he would speak well of him.
Of all the Ye family, only the fool had ever been cruel.
More than anyone, Jiang Mai hoped his brother-in-law had truly changed.
Please consider a coffee if you like my translations. I have translated many books but the website is free version. I would like to upgrade so I can put all my translations here.