"The Book and Tea House over there has been decorated. Uncle also delivered the new signboard. I checked the almanac; the 15th, the first day of the New Year, is actually a good day, suitable for opening. Tomorrow, Master, go take a look at the shop to see if there's anything still unsatisfactory. If it's all set, I'll send someone to make the arrangements."
Fang Yu, soaking his feet, flipped through the thirty booklets delivered from the printing house.
The booklets weren't dirty and had no extra ink stains; he was quite satisfied. However, compared to magazines and journals from later times, they still lacked something. Every page was densely packed with text, lacking any illustrations or breaks for the eye, making them tiring to read.
But for a first attempt, achieving this standard was commendable. They could identify the shortcomings one at a time and refine things gradually.
He closed the booklet: "Anything you handle, how could it be unsuitable? Have you arranged for someone to roast the watermelon seeds?"
Qiao Hezhi said, "That's precisely what I wanted to discuss with you, Master. We don't have any food shop under us, nor any servants with culinary skills who have signed indenture contracts. If we hire people from outside, the recipe will be leaked immediately. I've thought it over and over; would it be feasible to borrow some helpers from my parents' side?"
Fang Yu said, "Naturally it's possible, but won't it trouble your parents' family?"
"How could it be? Mother and Father were extremely happy to hear that Master had thought of ways to manage the family shops and are very willing to help. Yesterday, I sent over the watermelon seeds Master developed, and they praised them profusely."
The smile never left Fang Yu's eyes. His parents-in-law were truly too accommodating towards them.
"These matters concerning the Book and Tea House have occupied much of your thoughts and energy these past days. You should rest early." Fang Yu gave Qiao Hezhi's hand a gentle pat. "Do not overexert yourself."
"You have also been occupied with social engagements, Master. These things aren't too hard, there are just a lot of details. Having grown up at my parents' side, I was constantly exposed to and learned about many business affairs. Doing this kind of work isn't difficult for me. I'm really not tired."
Besides, this was now the Fang family's business, a venture he and Fang Yu were building together. He was more than willing to put in the effort.
Fang Yu had long been aware of Qiao Hezhi's virtuous nature and capable mind. With his pent-up affection having no outlet, he simply grabbed a cloth to dry his feet, slipped them into his house shoes, bent down, and scooped the man into his arms: "No more bustling about and fretting tonight. Get a proper rest; you'll stay here with me."
This way, he wouldn't return to Xiaotong Courtyard and stay up late with the lamp on, studying more diligently than even him.
Qiao Hezhi let out a small cry of surprise, instinctively wrapping his arms around Fang Yu's neck.
"Did I scare you? I definitely won't drop you."
"I... I was just afraid you might strain your back."
"It's long healed." Fang Yu held the person who weighed barely a hundred jin: "You're so light."
He placed him on the bed, then went to blow out the lamp and let down the curtains. When he returned, he saw Qiao Hezhi clutching the collar of his inner garment, curled up in the corner of the bed like a defenseless little lamb that had gotten cold. Fang Yu couldn't hold back a chuckle: "What are you huddled over there for? I'm not going to devour you. You haven't even changed out of your day clothes; do you intend to sleep fully dressed?"
The two of them seldom shared a bed; Qiao Hezhi could count the number of times on one hand. In the past, during those times, he had simply wanted to cling to Fang Yu. Of course, he still desired that closeness now, but this was their first night together since fully revealing their hearts. It was only natural for his thoughts to turn toward certain anticipated matters, leaving him feeling rather bashful and flustered.
"Stop fooling around, come to sleep quickly."
Fang Yu reached out to pull him over, helped him remove his outer robe, and tucked him beneath the quilt, feeling somewhat as if he were coaxing a child.
After that, Qiao Hezhi wanted to shrink into Fang Yu's embrace, but before he could shift, Fang Yu had already reached out and hooked an arm around him, drawing him close. Qiao Hezhi's heart hammered against his ribs like a drum: "A-are we... going to consummate tonight? B-but... we didn't prepare any hot water~"
Fang Yu couldn't suppress a laugh: "Do I really seem like such a beast in your eyes?"
"Ah?"
Fang Yu continued gently: "Do you know what someone like you is called where I'm from?"
Qiao Hezhi felt he was being laughed at and blushed, worried that perhaps the customs in Fang Yu's place were more conservative, and his words were too indecent.
"C-called... what?"
"Where I'm from, someone like you is called 'underage'."
Qiao Hezhi looked bewildered: "What's 'underage'?"
"It means a youth under eighteen years old. Where I'm from, you can't..." Fang Yu looked down at Qiao Hezhi, smiling somewhat mischievously.
Qiao Hezhi also glanced at Fang Yu in the faint candlelight and exclaimed in surprise: "But here, if one reaches eighteen without marrying, it would invite ridicule from others."
Fang Yu laughed: "Local customs differ."
Qiao Hezhi leaned against Fang Yu's chest, thinking to himself that indeed customs differed, and the gap was a bit too large.
He then remembered something he had often worried about these days and asked softly: "That day I wanted to ask you, but didn't manage to bring it up."
Fang Yu held the person: "Ask whatever you want. I certainly won't hide anything from you."
"Did you... get married before?" Qiao Hezhi pinched the hem of Fang Yu's clothes. He very much wanted to know the answer but was also afraid to know. If he really had been married, had a family... He didn't even dare think about it, unsure how to decide.
"My Xiao Qiao, you've finally asked the key question." Fang Yu ruffled the hair of the person in his arms: "Where I'm from, someone like you is far too easy to deceive."
Qiao Hezhi looked up at Fang Yu, appearing innocent: "Hmm?"
Fang Yu wrapped his arms around Qiao Hezhi's waist: "I naturally was not married, otherwise how could I have the face to be with you? I am probably just as you see me now. The only thing somewhat different is likely my age."
"Then... what was your original age?"
Qiao Hezhi felt his heart settle back into place, yet a corner of it remained lightly suspended, still uneasy.
"Well... around twenty-six."
"You were that old and still not married?" Qiao Hezhi asked subconsciously: "W-was it because of your family background?"
Fang Yu looked at Qiao Hezhi with a complicated expression: "...Where I'm from, people generally marry late."
Qiao Hezhi nodded, thinking to himself: that's why. After all, someone like Fang Yu would surely have been highly sought-after; there would have been no reason for him to remain unmarried at that age.
But since they were husband and wife now, then... He looked at Fang Yu with a solemn expression: "Ziruo... would you... like to follow local customs?"
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