Chapter 54
As soon as he got home, Zhou Ger couldn’t wait to tell Aunt Liu and Uncle Liu about the matter.
For farmers like them, who had spent their lives toiling under the sun with their backs bent to the soil, they had no skills beyond farming and brute strength. It was hard for them to establish connections with townsfolk, let alone a big restaurant like Zuixiao Restaurant.
Both elders were overjoyed.
This was a long-term opportunity.
Setting up a stall to sell vegetables was unpredictable—sometimes it all depended on luck and fate.
When sales were poor, the vegetables would often rot in the fields, rendering months of hard work wasted. Yet, all they could do was feel heartbroken and helpless.
Aunt Liu, calming down, said, "We owe Fang boy a huge favor now."
"Exactly," Uncle Liu, being an honest and grateful man, replied, "We still have that hen in the backyard, right? Should we give it to Zhao Ger?"
Aunt Liu shook her head. "Forget it. That child Zhao Ger wouldn’t accept it. We’ll just remember this kindness. He and Fang boy have no one to rely on in the village. In the future, we’ll lend them more help and support each other."
She turned to Zhou Ger and Uncle Liu and instructed, "From now on, when delivering vegetables to Zuixiao Restaurant, pick only the best ones. Don’t send any that are old or insect-bitten. Fang boy opened this path for us, so our family must show sincerity and not embarrass him."
If they sent subpar goods, Zuixiao Restaurant might hold it against Fang Zichen.
Everyone understood this reasoning and immediately agreed.
In the following days, Zhou Ger picked vegetables daily and delivered them to town, returning with an empty basket within just two hours. Since it wasn’t market day, selling vegetables that fast was impossible.
The villagers only needed to ask around to figure it out.
Everyone was envious.
Befriending someone promising had been the right move—now they were getting support!"
____
With chickens bought for the household, the backyard was lively all day. Guaizai’s favorite activity now was squatting by the chicken coop, chirping along with the chicks.
Zhao Ger sat nearby, sighing. He wanted to earn money but couldn’t think of anything he could do.
Jobs were already hard to come by. With a child to look after and being a ger, it was even more difficult.
His frustration and worry showed on his face. Though he tried to hide it whenever Fang Zichen returned, Fang Zichen had sharp eyes and noticed everything.
One day at the dinner table, Zhao Ger poked at the rice in his bowl, seemingly unable to eat. Fang Zichen asked, "What’s wrong? You seem troubled."
"Nothing," Zhao Ger didn’t want to say, but to avoid worrying him, he made an excuse. "It’s just some ger matters. It’s nothing."
Fang Zichen’s mind quickly made the connection.
Ah, so it’s that time of the month.
But...
Curious, he picked up a piece of meat for Guaizai, pulled his stool closer to Zhao Ger, and whispered, "Do you ger also get... you know, periods?"
Zhao Ger paused. "What?"
In this era, they didn’t call it that. Fang Zichen thought for a moment and rephrased, "I mean, menstrual cycles. Do ger have those too?"
How could he say such things so bluntly?! Zhao Ger’s face flushed slightly. "...No."
That night, after bathing, Zhao Ger and Guaizai were already in bed, but Fang Zichen was unusually late. Guaizai rubbed his belly and asked, "Daddy, why is Father taking so long to bathe? Guaizai misses him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Zichen knocked on the door. In a high-pitched, coquettish voice, waving a small face towel with a flourish, he leaned against the doorframe, feigning shyness. "Hey~ Zhao Ger."
"Ah~ Father?" Guaizai burst into laughter, rolling on the bed.
"..." Zhao Ger had no idea what he was up to.
Fang Zichen swayed his hips as he walked in and sat beside Zhao Ger, nudging him with his shoulder. "Zhao Ger, your bestie Fang Ger is here to chat with you!"
Zhao Ger couldn’t help but laugh, swatting at him. "What are you doing?!"
"Don’t keep things bottled up. It’s uncomfortable," Fang Zichen said. "Tell Fang Ger all about it! Come on, Zhao Ger, spill!"
Guaizai laughed so hard his stomach hurt, rolling around before climbing onto Fang Zichen’s back and wrapping his arms around his neck. "Father turned into a ger! So funny!"
Fang Zichen kissed him and pulled him into his lap, trying to coax him to sleep.
Outside, frogs and crickets chirped—the night was their domain. At first, Fang Zichen had found the noise irritating, but after months of adjustment, he’d come to appreciate the leisurely atmosphere it brought.
Once Guaizai was asleep, Zhao Ger wrapped his arms around Fang Zichen’s waist and pressed his face against his chest, murmuring gloomily, "I want to find work, to earn some money. But... I feel like I don’t know how to do anything."
"Studying requires a lot of money. After the tongsheng exam, there’s the xiucai exam. And xiucai have to study at academies in the prefectural city..."
He didn’t want to be separated from Fang Zichen.
Prefectural academies provided lodging for students. If he wanted to follow, he’d have to rent a place. Even a tiny courtyard with just one room in town cost over four hundred copper coins a month—the prefectural city would be even more expensive.
Food and lodging would cost money. Without it, he’d have to stay in the village and wait.
Wait for Fang Zichen’s monthly day off.
But he didn’t want to wait.
He didn’t want to be apart.
A family should stay together, whole and complete.
When Fang Zichen asked, he explained everything honestly.
"I want to be with you every day, but I’m useless. I don’t know how to do anything besides farm work."
"Who said you’re useless?" Fang Zichen pinched his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Who said that?"
Zhao Ger instinctively looked away. "No one did. I just feel that way."
"I won’t allow you to belittle yourself. If someone else said that, I’d beat them up. If you say it, I’d beat you too—but since it’s your first offense, I’ll let it slide this time." Fang Zichen softened his voice. "Never underestimate yourself. Every person has limitless potential. To me, you’re the most important one. Irreplaceable."
The words were like pouring an entire bottle of honey into clear water—suddenly, overwhelmingly sweet.
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