A pot of wine later, the grief and resentment poured out, and Luo Biao’s heart felt slightly lighter. He wiped his face, noticed the empty wine pot, and called the waiter for another.
"Supposed to be drinking together, but I ended up hogging most of it," he said with a strained smile.
"It’s fine." Shen Xuanqing sighed inwardly at his forced cheer and asked, "What are your plans now?"
Luo Biao picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of meat. "The madam’s been glaring at me these past few days. I doubt I can stay at the brothel much longer. Maybe it’s for the best, no more sideways glances when people hear where I work."
The waiter refilled their cups. Shen Xuanqing drained his in one go and said, "If you’ve got nowhere to go, my home has plenty of empty houses. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need, until you figure things out."
"Second Brother Shen, I appreciate the offer. But I just… can’t stay. Yesterday, I heard from Qiu Lao-san that they’re heading north to trade horses, a two-month trip. I’ve lived this long, it’s time I saw more of the world."
Luo Biao took another sip and added, "The caravan’s hiring hands. I’ll never amount to much, but I can work as a guard or porter. The pay’s better than the brothel, even if the road’s long."
Since he’d made up his mind, Shen Xuanqing didn’t press. "When do you leave?"
"Day after tomorrow, at dawn."
Shen Xuanqing raised his cup. "Then this drink’s for your farewell. Come find me in Jixing Town when you return."
"Definitely." They drained their cups.
By afternoon, the worst heat had passed, and the streets grew lively again.
"Auntie, my man isn’t here, and I’ve got the child to tend while minding the shop. I can’t slaughter the chicken for you." Lu Gu held the just-cried Lingjun in one arm while pulling a hen from the cage with the other.
The old woman at the door frowned. "Of all times for him to be away. I came here to save myself the trouble."
Lu Gu smiled apologetically. "I’m really sorry. He’s out today."
"Fine, forget it." The woman left in a huff.
Unfazed, Lu Gu returned the hen to the cage. The shop was cramped. Lingjun, used to the spaciousness of their old and new homes, grew restless cooped up inside. With Lu Gu tied to the shop, he couldn’t just leave, so the child threw a tantrum and cried.
He stepped outside to glance toward the street corner, no sign of Shen Xuanqing yet. Figuring Lingjun's tantrum was due to missing his nap, he went back inside, cradled the child, and gently patted him to sleep.
He’d brought a small quilt that morning. Once Lingjun was asleep, he laid him on the bed—half under, half over the quilt would suffice.
Returning to the front, he sat down to rest, occasionally peeking through the door crack to ensure the child hadn’t rolled off.
Luckily, Shen Xuanqing returned before long.
Lu Gu quickly poured tea. Sitting down, Shen Xuanqing said, "The pig’s tied up in the backyard. We’ll slaughter it tomorrow morning. On my way into town, I announced it, tomorrow’s the day."
To do business, one had to shed pride. He’d shouted it all the way through town. Even if no one responded immediately, the news would spread, and those interested would come.
"One chicken sold. An auntie came by wanting it slaughtered, but Ling ger was fussy, he cried the moment I put him down. I had to turn her away, so she left empty-handed." Lu Gu sat down too, recounting the day’s events with a smile.
"Her loss." Shen Xuanqing set down his cup. "Where’s the child?"
"Asleep. In the back." Lu Gu asked, "Are you hungry? Did you eat lunch?"
"I did. What about you two?" Shen Xuanqing smiled.
"A bowl of noodles, with an extra poached egg. Ling ger ate half, plus some milkfruit." Lu Gu grinned. Now that he was used to life in Jixing Town, even managing the shop alone didn’t fluster him.
"Good." Shen Xuanqing relaxed, then hesitated before adding, "We won’t be supplying rabbits to the brothel anymore. I’ve already told Biaozi."
"Mm." Lu Gu nodded. If they stopped, so be it. The shop could still earn money.
Shen Xuanqing had been hesitant, but Lu Gu wasn’t an outsider, so he quietly explained the Niujia Village hunter and Hongyao’s story.
Lu Gu wasn’t close to Luo Biao, they’d barely spoken, but if Shen Xuanqing said he was a good man, he believed it.
He’d never met Hongyao either, but after listening, he knew she must have been a good woman.
"Guzi, got any eggs left? Weigh me a few. Lots of folks ordering scrambled eggs today." Granny Zhao from the noodle shop next door called out as she approached, apron still tied.
"Sure." Lu Gu stood to ask how many she needed.
Life and death were unpredictable. A few cries, a few sighs, but life went on.
The mule clopped into the back alley, stopping at the sixth house’s rear gate.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of Zhenzhu Alley, Ji Qiuyue turned in with Zhao’er in her arms. The front gate was wide open. Before she even entered, Guaizi woofed and scrambled up from the ground, wagging his tail at her.
"Sister-in-law!" Lu Gu had been making the bed in the east wing. Hearing the dog and Zhao’er’s voice, he hurried out.
"Daqing’s coming in from the back alley," Ji Qiuyue said with a smile.
"I’ll open the gate." Lu Gu rushed to the backyard.
Ji Qiuyue set Zhao’er down to toddle. Guaizi immediately bounded over to play.
Shen Xuanqing wanted to go hunting in the mountains to earn extra money. He couldn’t leave Lu Gu and the child alone in town, and the butcher shop needed tending. With him gone for days, Shen Yaoqing had to step in.
As a man, Shen Yaoqing had to avoid impropriety, so Ji Qiuyue and Zhao’er came along - both to keep Lu Gu company and to pass the time.
It had been the same last time. Familiar with the routine, she peeked into the east wing, then made the bed herself.
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