When Lu Gu brought the two children out, Yan Shi and Wei Lanxiang immediately reached out, each taking one into their arms.
Having been inside with the kids, Lu Gu didn’t know how sales were going. Hearing Shen Yaoqing say they’d sold eleven rabbits, he looked up with a smile, just in time to meet Shen Xuanqing’s gaze.
Shen Xuanqing poured him a bowl of tea and said, “One side of pork is completely sold out, the other still has most left. The offal like lungs and intestines are nearly gone, only a few pieces left.”
He had saved the two pig ears for Old Man Yang. Later, Yan Shi would braise them as a drinking snack for him.
Lu Gu took the tea bowl, blew on it, and took a sip. Glancing at the pork on the wooden racks and the small cuts on the table, his smile never faded.
After resting for a while, a few customers from Jixing Town, having heard about the cheap meat, came by to buy a pound or two. Business trickled in sporadically.
After such a busy morning, Shen Xuanqing suggested eating at a restaurant on Xixing Street. Though the butcher shop had pots and bowls, it was cramped, and even if they could set up tables and chairs, it would feel crowded. Besides, with Old Man Yang and Yan Shi around, going to a proper eatery made more sense.
Yan Shi, however, insisted they shouldn’t waste money on the first day of business. Moreover, her son Yang Xian ran a tavern, it wouldn’t make sense to eat elsewhere on such an important occasion. No matter how much Shen Xuanqing tried to persuade her, she refused, knowing he was trying to save him expenses.
Shen Xuanqing knew she meant well. Though he had spent a considerable amount setting up the shop, the hundreds of taels he’d saved over three years were more than enough. Still, Yan Shi wouldn’t budge, so he settled for bringing pork and rabbit to Yang Xian’s tavern to have them cooked there.
Earlier, when Yang Xian and his wife left, Shen Xuanqing had already cut them ten pounds of pork for their tavern business. Yang Xian tried to pay, but Shen Xuanqing refused. The meat he brought now would be enough for their group’s meal.
With so many people, lunch was important. They closed the shop temporarily, planning to reopen in the afternoon.
Over a dozen people, adults and children alike, crowded around a table, eating meat and drinking wine in high spirits.
They had been in Jixing Town for two days. With so much work at home, they couldn’t rely entirely on Shen Shunwang and Shen Yuping to take care of things, they had their own chores too.
Back in the room, Lu Gu packed their belongings. There wasn’t much, Little Lingjun had eaten eight milk fruits, so the basket was lighter than when they arrived.
Wei Lanxiang was in the backyard, washing the wet diaper Lingjun had just used, wanting to finish up before leaving so they wouldn't have to carry a dirty diaper home.
“Remember to bring it in at night, in case the wind blows it away or it rains. If it’s not dry, let it sun again tomorrow.” Lu Gu tied up the bundle, which included the small clay pig and dog he had bought on the street the previous afternoon, then reminded Shen Xuanqing, who was sitting on the bed playing with the baby.
Shen Xuanqing kissed Little Lingjun’s cheek and said, “Got it.”
The clay pig and dog were for Lingjun. Children loved such toys, and Shen Xuanqing had been particularly taken by the chubby clay pig’s endearingly goofy look and the lively clay dog that seemed to bark at people. As for the nine-linked rings and large kites he’d seen while shopping, Lingjun was still too young for those.
“Say Dad, Dad.” Shen Xuanqing held his son, trying to teach him to speak. When Lingjun only stared at him with big, curious eyes, he repeated, “Say Dad, Dad.”
Lu Gu placed the bundle in the large bamboo basket and laughed. “He can’t say it yet. Maybe in a couple of months.”
Shen Xuanqing, who would stay overnight to mind the shop, was reluctant to part with his little shuang'er. Since the baby couldn’t speak yet, he gave up and planted another kiss on Little Lingjun’s cheek.
Compared to Lu Gu, his kisses were rougher, sometimes making Lingjun frown—like now.
“Can’t you be gentler?” Lu Gu, naturally more protective of the baby, couldn’t help but complain softly. Lingjun’s skin was so tender, he’d even cried once when Shen Xuanqing’s stubble scratched him.
Seeing his son’s expression and hearing Lu Gu’s reproach, Shen Xuanqing quickly relented. “Alright, alright, I’ll be gentler.”
Only then did Lu Gu’s frown ease, his smile returning.
The borrowed mule cart had been left at the inn where they’d stayed the previous night. Shen Yaoqing had just brought it to the shop’s front. The innkeeper had taken good care of the mule, feeding it well in the morning for a small fee to cover the fodder and water, ensuring the animal was in good spirits for the journey ahead.
Since Shen Xuanqing wasn’t returning home today, he carried Lingjun out to see the family off.
He had to stay to sell meat. With prices low for the next two days, business would be brisk. The quick rabbit sales had surprised him—tomorrow, he’d need Shen Yaoqing to bring another dozen or so. As for their own mule cart, it would stay in the Yang family’s backyard for future use.
Once Lu Gu was settled on the cart, Shen Xuanqing handed Lingjun to him.
“We’re heading back. Remember to lock up at night.” Lu Gu held the baby and reminded him.
“Mm, I will.” Shen Xuanqing smiled and nodded.
Wei Lanxiang added, “Keep your wits about you. If it gets too busy, call your master over to help.”
Old Man Yang no longer hunted and had little else to do. Even if Shen Xuanqing didn’t ask, he’d likely drop by to check on things.
Shen Xuanqing agreed to everything. Once the farewells were done, Shen Yaoqing led the mule forward, the cart wheels creaking as they turned.
Lu Gu looked back from the cart, watching Shen Xuanqing grow smaller in the distance. When Shen Xuanqing raised a hand in a slight wave, Lu Gu smiled and waved back—until they turned the corner and he could no longer see him.
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