The proprietor laughed, taking no offense at his bluntness. “Ah, I'm getting old, and I haven't the strength for business anymore. I can't compete with Phoenix Arrival Bookshop at the eastern end of town. So I'll stay in my little shop and sell whatever I can. If nothing sells, it's pleasant enough just watching you young people study.”
A remarkably easygoing proprietor, Tang Yi thought. Still, who went into business without wanting to make money? The owner of Broad Horizons Bookshop had probably adopted this peaceful attitude because he simply could not compete with Phoenix Arrival.
Just then, the two students in the corner finished their books and came to the counter to pay, still discussing the story they had read.
One said, “Miss Guizhi was so kind and beautiful. She never deserved an ending like that.”
The other sighed. “Exactly. It's a pity we'll never meet her in this life. If fate ever allowed me to see her, I'd risk my life to spare her such suffering.”
“Forget it. Miss Guizhi is as beautiful as a goddess. She wouldn't give you a second glance!” The first student laughed.
The other was not offended. Instead, he said dreamily, “I wonder what Miss Guizhi really looked like. They say she was a rabbit spirit. Do you suppose her eyes were red?”
“Don't start that again! Miss Guizhi's eyes were red because she'd been crying over that fool…”
As the two marveled at the beauty of the little rabbit spirit in the book and lamented her tragic fate, Tang Yi listened with growing interest. He walked over, picked up the book they had been reading, and leafed through it. An idea began to take shape.
Putting it down, he asked, “Sir, do you rent out brushes and ink?”
The proprietor looked momentarily surprised, then smiled and shook his head. “No, I'm afraid not. But do you truly want to learn?”
“I do,” Tang Yi answered seriously.
“Very well,” said the proprietor with a smile. “I have some old paper and brushes that suffered water damage and can't be sold normally. If you want them, I'll let you have the paper for one copper coin a sheet. There are also a few brushes whose handles have been gnawed by rats, though the tips are fine. They're not worth repairing. I'll sell you one for twenty copper coins. As for ink, even the cheapest stick I have costs five taels of silver. If you're really keen, I'll grind a little ink from the stick I use myself. You can take it home, add water, and use it.”
Tang Yi was delighted. The paper might be damaged and the brush worn, but as long as he had a chance to show his drawings to someone, he would have no fear of being unable to afford better supplies later. He gratefully accepted the offer. Unfortunately, he did not even have that small sum now, so they agreed that he would return in a few days. The proprietor accepted the arrangement cheerfully.
It was getting late, and the brothers quickened their steps toward the village. Tang Shi walked in silence for a long while before speaking up as they approached the entrance. If Tang Yi truly wanted to study, he was prepared to grit his teeth and contribute what little he could.
Tang Yi smiled when he heard this. This brother was just like his brother in his previous life: sharp-tongued but tenderhearted. Why else would Tang Shi discourage him from studying, then offer every coin he could spare? His real elder brother was the same. He had built a System to reform pampered rich heirs through hardship, yet deliberately equipped it with three missions to help its subjects establish a secure life in their new world.
Tang Yi's nose suddenly stung. He missed his real family terribly, especially his elder brother and grandfather. They had always been stern, even fierce, insisting he learn this and that. Yet everything they did had been for his own good. Their threats were far worse than their actions; they had never truly harmed him.
Only after suffering in this world did he appreciate how good his previous life had been. Perhaps that was what his brother had intended when he designed the System.
Tang Yi smiled and sniffed, returning to the present. “Big Brother, I'm twenty already. How could I have the nerve to spend your money? Don't worry. I'll find a way to earn what I need. I won't let my studies leave either of our families struggling to make ends meet.”
Tang Shi stared. “Where did you learn such fancy expressions? From listening to people while drinking in town? Ah, do as you like. But remember, you must never do anything crooked or against the law. We're poor, but we manage. There's nothing wrong with a quiet, ordinary life. I don't need you to be rich or powerful. I just want the whole family to be safe and have something to look forward to.”
“All right. I'll remember,” Tang Yi replied.
The brothers parted soon after entering the village. In the distance, Tang Yi saw smoke rising from the chimney of his little house. Wen Yan must be cooking. An unexpected sense of comfort and security filled him. How wonderful it felt to know someone was waiting at home. He used to live in the Tang family's enormous villa, but his relatives all had houses elsewhere and seldom stayed there. Whenever he came home drunk late at night, the lights were already off. Only the housekeeper remained, and by the time she switched on the lights and cooked for him, he had usually fallen asleep in a drunken stupor.
It had been rare to come home to a hot meal. Perhaps that was why he had never liked going back. He preferred to spend the night drinking elsewhere. At least there was company in hotels, even if it changed every few days.
But if Wen Yan was cooking now, that meant… perhaps he had not eaten enough at lunchtime?
Oh, no…
Tang Yi hurried home and pushed open the door just as Wen Yan lifted the lid from the pot. Clouds of warm steam drifted upward, veiling the young man's delicate face.
Hearing the door, Wen Yan turned and gave Tang Yi a slight smile. “I've just heated some water. Come and wash.” Seeing how Tang Yi had insisted that both of them bathe as soon as he arrived, Wen Yan had decided he must be a clean person. He imagined the day's work had left him sweaty and smelly, so he had timed the water heating for his return.
Seeing that it was only hot water, Tang Yi relaxed a little. “Thank you! That's wonderful. I was just thinking how badly I need a bath. I smell terrible. It's unbearable.”
He set the bag from his shoulder on a shelf. “This is ten catties of mixed-grain flour. Put it away.”
Wen Yan opened the bag delightedly and pinched a little flour between his fingers. “It's so finely milled! Did it cost a lot?”
Tang Yi smiled. “One copper coin for two catties. I bought five coins' worth. Oh, and…” He took out the seven copper coins he had left. “There are seven coins remaining. Find somewhere to save them.”
Wen Yan froze and pointed at himself in disbelief. “Me? You're giving me the money?”
“Of course,” Tang Yi said matter-of-factly. “I'm out working every day. Aren't you the one looking after everything at home?”
Wen Yan wanted to ask whether he was not afraid Wen Yan would take the money and run away, but the words would not come. After hesitating, he wiped his hands, accepted the coins, and hurried to the inner room to find a clean jar to store them in.
Tang Yi ladled the hot water into the bathing tub and tested the temperature. He was about to undress and climb in when Wen Yan came running out. “I made an egg pancake. Would you like something to eat first?”
Tang Yi nearly toppled headfirst into the tub. He turned around speechlessly. “Where did the egg come from? Don't tell me you didn't eat properly today.”
Wen Yan had not expected Tang Yi to care so much. Not only had he repeatedly reminded him to eat before leaving, but he had immediately asked about it on coming home. Wen Yan felt a mixture of warmth and aching emotion. He did not want Tang Yi to worry and quickly explained, “I ate enough. This morning I had a flatbread and an egg. At lunchtime I ate two flatbreads and stir-fried a plate of potatoes. I was really full.”
Tang Yi finally eased up. “Where did the potatoes come from?”
“Your sister-in-law came today. She brought some vegetable seeds and potatoes.”
Tang Yi thought for a moment. “Then peel a few potatoes in the inner room. We can mix them with the flour and make pancakes tonight.”
“All right!”
Wen Yan ran off happily to prepare the food. Mixed-grain pancakes were a treat in the village: fragrant and filling. The food in their house had been wonderful these last two days.
Tang Yi stripped off his sweaty clothes in the outer room and climbed into the tub, soaking with relief. But he could not help thinking that their meals were dreadful. They were living almost entirely on starch. He would have to earn more money to buy meat and vegetables. Otherwise they would both end up malnourished.
Only after his bath did Tang Yi realize he had forgotten to prepare clean clothes. He was reluctantly about to put on his sweaty garments when he spotted a neatly folded stack of clean clothes on the stove nearby. Wen Yan had prepared them in advance. He was deeply touched.
They were thin, coarse-cloth garments with patches of every size, but they had been washed thoroughly and warmed beside the stove. They were comfortable enough when he put them on.
Hearing him finish bathing and dressing, Wen Yan emerged from the inner room to cook. He had sliced the potatoes into fine, thin shreds. He mixed them with the flour, added a handful of finely chopped scallions, some water and salt, and stirred everything into a batter. A little oil went into the pan, followed by a large ladleful of batter. Soon a delicious aroma rose into the air.
Tang Yi checked the oil jar. It held only the last little bit of pale yellowish-white lard. It was not particularly good quality, but it was better than nothing. They would make do.
Fortunately, Wen Yan was an excellent cook, so the potato pancakes tasted good even without eggs. As for the egg pancake, Tang Yi cut it in half and put one piece into Wen Yan's bowl.
Famished, Tang Yi quickly ate four potato pancakes. Just as he was about to eat a fifth, glowing red words suddenly appeared in his mind: “Mission One progress: 1/30 complete. Keep working hard. You can do it!”
Tang Yi looked up at Wen Yan and, sure enough, saw the young man put down his chopsticks and stop eating. The System was rather useful. Perhaps it could be adapted into a weight-loss program. It could light up as soon as someone was full and prevent them from overeating just because food tasted good—exactly what he had been about to do.
