Butcher Fulang’s Noodle Shop - Chapter 46
Xu Zhongyue shook his head and said, “That’s all I have to say; think about it for yourself.”
He knew the hardships the young girl had faced, and reluctantly accepted Zhuang Yan’s unconventional method to assist her back then.
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After Liu Yu returned home, she wrestled with her thoughts for a long time.
That night, sleep eluded her. Liu Lu, sharing the same room, was peacefully asleep, murmuring “delicious” in her dreams. She might dream about savoring something tasty, she gently removed Liu Lu’s finger from her mouth, stepped out for some fresh air, only to find the light still on in her mother’s room.
Spotting Liu Yu sneaking in, Aunt Liu scolded, “Why don’t you go to bed?”
Liu Yu shook her head, “Mom, you haven’t slept either. You need to wake up early for work tomorrow. Why are you lighting a lamp to embroider a handkerchief?”
Aunt Liu responded, “It’s nothing. Your brother may have stolen the house deed and the money we saved. At my age, I must save something for you two.” She pointed to the taels, “Here, some money.”
Liu Yu’s eyes flickered, and tears nearly welled up.
The next day, she feigned nonchalance, picked up a house deed with damaged corners, and crumpled it into a ball.
Seeing it, Aunt Liu’s relief was palpable, tears of joy streaming down.
“Mom, don’t worry. Maybe my brother didn’t notice when he took it. The house deed fell out, and he didn’t realize it. Someone picked it up, didn’t recognize it, just rubbed it and threw it away! Well, it’s a pity about the money, we can’t find it…”
“If the money is gone, we’ll save again. As long as the house deed is here!”
Relieved, Aunt Liu now had the time to inquire about Song Shi’an.
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Song Shi’an, not yet showing signs of pregnancy, was still bustling around. Xu Zhongyue, concerned, insisted he rest. When Aunt Liu entered, he hurriedly asked, “Auntie, please persuade your nephew to stay in bed and not move around.”
Song Shi’an retorted, “Why lie in bed? My belly isn’t big yet, when I won’t be able to move, I’ll lie down!”
He then complained to Aunt Liu, “This man is too overbearing. Recently, he wouldn’t let me go to our restaurant. I just managed to gather supportive diners, planned to open tables on the second and third floors, but he refused to let me go, so I went secretly, but he carried me back!”
Aunt Liu beamed, placing down the cakes she made, “He cares about you. Pay attention in these two months. When the belly shows, you couldn’t do much!”
Xu Zhongyue came up with the tea, adding, “Exactly, our eel noodles, loach rice bowl, and hot and sour potato noodles are excellent. Just go there every now and then.”
Song Shi’an teased, “You’re afraid I won’t pay attention and harm your son! He’s too cautious. Even the Lao Liu is tied up in the yard, forbidden from coming in, fearing the dog might run and trip me.”
Xu Zhongyue, a tall man, appeared a bit aggrieved upon hearing Song Shi’an’s teasing.
Aunt Liu quickly comforted him, patting the back of his hand, “Nonsense, your husband is naturally concerned about your health. You’re truly blessed and may not find another man who cares so much for you in Qingjiang Town!”
Song Shi’an jokingly added, “Well, since my aunt has such kind words, I’ll reluctantly admit that Xu ge-ge is the best man in Qingjiang Town!”
As they exchanged laughs, a commotion at the door caught their attention. A loud voice rang out, “Brother Xu, is sister-in-law at home? I’m here to see him!”
Aunt Liu noticed a man of similar age to Xu Zhongyue entering, elegantly dressed in silk and satin, carrying several packages of fine fabric and two jars of fine wine.
Song Shi’an recognized him as Zhuang Yan, the one who brought friends to support their restaurant’s opening.
“Brother Zhuang, come in quickly.”
Xu Zhongyue greeted him, raising an eyebrow, “Why bring these things?”
Zhuang Yan handed the silk and satin to Xu Zhongyue, keeping the wine in his hands. He smiled, “Firstly, I heard the good news and came to congratulate my sister-in-law. Secondly, I’m also a bit greedy. When I think of the dishes my sister-in-law made last time, my mouth starts watering. Considering our brotherly closeness, I came right over!”
Song Shi’an introduced him to Aunt Liu, and then, with a black lacquered plum blossom box filled with candied fruits, melon seeds, and peanuts, let them chat while enjoying the snacks, while he went to work in the kitchen.
Remembering the eggs Aunt Liu had brought last time, he prepared a tender egg custard, fried leek and eggs, nine-turn fat sausages, stir-fried loach with spicy pepper, spicy chicken wings, and a large plate of crispy pork. Alongside, there was a plate of cold edamame, a delightful and cost-effective accompaniment.
In the midst of the preparation, Xu Zhongyue visited the kitchen multiple times—hugging his waist once, asking if he was tired, offering help and suggesting Zhuang Yan take charge of the cooking on another occasion.
Zhuang Yan playfully shouted from the back room, “Brother Xu, you’re not being fair in your words!”
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Once the dishes were ready, Song Shi’an and Aunt Liu enjoyed their meal. Zhuang Yan set aside the wine, opting to drink with Xu Zhongyue.
After a few rounds, Zhuang Yan suddenly remembered something, “I’m afraid you don’t know. I’ve been pondering it for a while, so I might as well share it for some amusement!”
He began discussing the tangled fate between the Song family and Master Jiang, stirring up tales of chaos.
Wang Jiaojiao contemplated marrying off her daughter Song Shiqing as a concubine to set things right. Unexpectedly, Song Shiqing was unwilling.
One night, when Master Jiang was entertaining congratulatory guests, having drunk heavily, the bride he had been waiting for, disappeared unnoticed. She even took the jewelry obtained through the marriage.
Upon waking, Master Jiang discovered his new bride missing. Enraged, he suspected Wang Jiaojiao of trying to swindle the bride gift and trap him again. He vowed that as long as he, Jiang Youdong, lived, the Song Family Restaurant would not be allowed to open again.
Zhuang Yan, recounting the tale, casually enjoyed a spicy chicken wing, clinked glasses with Xu Zhongyue, and continued, “I heard that Song Yuchun and Wang Jiaojiao had countless quarrels about this. They fought and scolded each other, and then she would cry again.”
“Wang Jiaojiao sought the help of the lady from the teaching workshop who had instructed her daughter, hoping to appease Master Jiang’s anger. The lady, acknowledging Master Jiang’s anger after repeated deceptions, advised the matter might not be resolved even if she pay back the bride gift.”
Zhuang Yan depicted the scene vividly, “The lady scrutinized Wang Jiaojiao, praising her beauty and allure. Despite being in her thirties, she surpassed younger girls in charm. She suggested that Master Jiang, being sixty, saw both women that are youthful and attractive. If Wang Jiaojiao dares, she might as well marry into the Jiang family. With her skills, she could assist Madam Jiang!”
Song Shi’an, astonished, queried, “Is that even possible?”
Zhuang Yan chuckled, “Neither you nor I may think it’s okay, but Wang Jiaojiao thinks it’s okay! Master Jiang also thinks it’s okay! Upon hearing the suggestion, he warned that if he was deceived again, heaven and earth would punish the perpetrator!”
Surprisingly, this time everything settled down peacefully, with Song Yuchun having no money to compensate Master Jiang. He was forced to write a divorce letter to Wang Jiaojiao.
In the evening, a small sedan carried the newly divorced woman to the Jiang Mansion. Strangely, they fell in love and both reportedly satisfied with each other.
Song Shi’an remained speechless for a while. Aunt Liu, having never heard of such an unusual occurrence in her entire life, pondered that perhaps Song Yuchun, who had betrayed her sister, was finally met his retribution.
Wang Jiaojiao spent her life pursuing wealth and finally entered a prosperous family. However, besides the bedridden wife, Master Jiang had numerous concubines and dozens of children, making Wang Jiaojiao’s claim on the family wealth challenging.
“I feel sorry for Song Shijin. He studied well, but suddenly his mother became a concubine. His father only had a few dozen taels left and set up a stall again to do business. I don’t think he can do the examination this time.”
Zhuang Yan’s guess was accurate, but that was a story for another day.
The four of them chatted happily, and even Aunt Liu took a sip of wine from a small tea cup, enjoying the moment.
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Two months passed swiftly, and autumn arrived with yellow leaves falling and a chilly breeze in Qingjiang Town. The river town, known for its humidity, experienced bone-chilling coldness as autumn transitioned into winter.
Days ago, when Song Shi’an’s pregnancy stabilized and he developed a noticeable belly, Xu Zhongyue prepared fragrant offerings, paper money, and meat and vegetables. Taking advantage of the anniversary of Song Shi’an’s late mother’s death, he paid homage at the cemetery.
Xu Zhongyue, playing the role of a dutiful son-in-law, arranged for a mason to erect a new, shiny, and white stele in advance. The stele didn’t bear Song Yuchun’s name as the husband; instead, it commemorated his son Song Shi’an and son-in-law Xu Zhongyue.
As Xu Zhongyue helped him kowtow, Song Shi’an silently addressed the original body’s deceased mother, expressing gratitude for giving birth to Song Shi’an. He promised to take care of the future generations and extend the Liu family’s bloodline.
When they left the cemetery, they encountered Song Yuchun. In Song Shi’an’s recollection, the original body had never seen Song Yuchun burning incense for his deceased wife. The vegetation in the cemetery had evidently been neglected.
Maybe, when Song Yuchun’s life was miserable, he finally remembered the happiness of his youth.
Seeing Song Shi’an, Song Yuchun hastily caught up and offered some money: “An Ge’er, how are you doing now? Do you have any money? I didn’t provide you with a dowry, so these ten taels are for you. Please accept the dowry money I’m giving you!”
Song Shi’an firmly declined: “No need.”
“Each time I think about it… I feel really uncomfortable… An Ge’er, I know you couldn’t forgive me. You don’t need to provide for me in the future. If you accept it… Dad will feel at ease…”
Xu Zhongyue shielded Song Shi’an, and Song Shi’an responded coldly: “No need. If you have an uneasy conscience, there will be plenty of opportunities to repent in a hundred years.”
He refused to accept Song Yuchun’s apology; the person who should have accepted it was already gone.
With gray hair fluttering in the cold wind, Song Yuchun remained as Song Shi’an entered the carriage with Xu Zhongyue to return home.