Chapter 2 Watching the Sun Together
Master Zhao's eyes widened in disbelief.
The young woman before him still wore an expression of tender reluctance, yet she deftly slipped the jade pendant back into her sleeve and poured a few silver ingots from her purse.
“The gentleman is right—no price can buy what the heart loves most. Since you do not care for it, let us settle it at five taels of silver,” she said, her sweet voice lingering in his ears, almost dreamlike.
But the jade pendant was gone. In its place, he held five taels of silver—so light they were almost laughable.
A vein throbbed at Master Zhao’s temple.
Was she toying with him?
Lu Dashan saw that Master Zhao stood frozen and asked, “Is it not enough?”
Not enough?
At that moment, Master Zhao had but one urge: to fling the silver into the woman’s face, seize her by the throat, spit in her eye and shout, “Are you mocking me, you little—?” Then to give her a thorough lesson she would never forget.
But now—
Master Zhao forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, swept his gaze over the onlookers, gripped the silver tightly in his fist, and tossed his head back in laughter. “Ha! Hahaha! Good! It’s enough—quite enough!”
With a dramatic swirl of his sleeves, he strode off.
The crowd exchanged glances. “...”
Master Zhao seemed rather upset.
Just then, the sharp scent of spices, mingled with the aroma of burning wood, burst forth into the dusk of Ping’an Town. The familiar haze drifted through the air, and the young woman’s boisterous voice rang out once more.
“Thanks to Master Zhao’s generosity, the Lu Family Spicy Hotpot is offering another five days of discounts to all our dear neighbors—spend fifty, get fifteen extra! Delicious and affordable—don’t miss out!”
Her voice had barely faded before people from all around had surged forward.
“Count me in.”
“I want some too.”
“...”
Who cared about Master Zhao? The Lu family’s spicy hotpot was now more affordable than ever.
In the blink of an eye, the hotpot stall was surrounded by eager townsfolk.
“Dashan, what are you waiting for? Go help!” an elderly voice barked.
Lu Dashan glanced at the old man, who had hardly a tooth left, and hesitated. “Shall I bring you a portion?”
The old man nearly swung his cane at him.
“Nonsense! Your new wife is wise—she’s shared her good fortune with the neighbors. You, Lu Dashan, are a lucky man!”
“Oh,” Lu Dashan replied, hurrying away.
“Make mine a bit softer!” the old man called after him.
Lu Dashan could only sigh. “...”
*
Above, clouds drifted across a clear blue sky. On the not-too-busy, not-too-quiet streets of Ping’an Town, the Lu family’s spicy hotpot stall—open just three days—was thronged with customers.
Su Tang stood behind the steaming pot, adding ingredients with practiced hands, her mind focused on timing.
The hotpot broth had been prepared in advance, and the meats and vegetables were not haphazardly chosen but carefully arranged into three different combinations, each with its own price. Customers simply pointed out their choices, and she would drop them into the pot.
Once cooked, she sprinkled on the sauces and served. There were no extra garnishes.
It was a modest business, but as the only hotpot stall in town—indeed, the only one in the entire Da Qian realm—it was thriving.
And with her father-in-law helping beside her—
He stood like a mountain, his large hands spreading wide. With a booming cry, he demanded, “Money!”
A stream of copper coins clattered into Lu Dashan’s hands.
Those who had paid once often found themselves digging out a few more coins to make up the difference.
“Come on, Dashan, be generous—this isn’t enough,” someone pleaded.
“Right, your portions are too small!”
“...”
“Small? You lot just eat too much!”
“Then order another serving, simple as that!”
Hearing her father-in-law’s hearty voice, Su Tang’s smile grew wider.
The sound of coins pouring in—what joy.
****
Behind the hotpot stall, the courtyard gate was shut. Through the narrow crack came the sound of heavy panting.
A large black dog, a little scruffy, ears pricked, tongue lolling from its mouth, panted in the shade. It looked almost as simple and honest as Lu Dashan outside. After a while, the dog drew its tongue back and nuzzled up to the young man who sat daydreaming on a bench.
The young man, about the same age as Su Tang, had a delicate, gentle appearance, bearing no resemblance to Lu Dashan. He wrapped his arms around the big dog’s neck and, peering through the gate at Su Tang, who was busy chatting with customers and smiling brighter by the moment, kept busy with his hands all the while.
His wife truly was beautiful.
At that moment, the black dog suddenly turned to look at the back gate.
The young man looked as well.
Soon, the back door opened, and a wheelbarrow was pushed in.
It was piled high with vegetables, meat, and grain. The woman pushing the cart glanced at the young man, wiped her forehead, and smiled.
The young man noticed—her brow was perfectly dry, not a bead of sweat in sight.
She smiled warmly and asked, “Why are you out here? Would you like to go inside and rest?”
He shook his head.
She didn’t press further, and instead, after setting down the cart, began unloading the goods with exaggerated, huffing breaths. When everything was neatly arranged, she turned to find the young man still watching her and once again wiped her brow.
The young man lowered his gaze and continued to stroke the big dog’s fur.
He really couldn’t bear to watch.
Soon, the woman approached.
The black dog let out a low, warning growl.
She stopped a short distance away.
The young man looked up and met her eyes directly.
His dark, luminous gaze startled her for a moment.
She quickly glanced around, then asked curiously, “Where’s your father?”
He looked toward the courtyard gate.
She nodded in understanding. “He’s gone out to the stall?”
“No,” the young man replied.
She was surprised.
He looked at her and said, “My wife is tired.”
“Oh, how could I forget!” she exclaimed, giving herself a little scolding. Without another word, she hurried toward the gate. Opening it, she was greeted by the sight of a crowd thronging the hotpot stall and rushed to help.
As the gate swung open, the young man and the black dog vanished without a trace.
****
A quarter of an hour later, Su Tang returned to the courtyard to find the young man and the black dog lazily basking in the sun beneath the eaves.
From the very first moment she arrived, Su Tang had noticed this young man—her husband in name.
The original Su Tang had been gravely ill, near death. Her companion, Sister Li, had somehow believed a fortune-teller’s words that a marriage might ward off death. As fate would have it, the Lu family’s young master also needed a bride for the same purpose. Thus, the marriage was arranged, and on the very night they wed, Su Tang awoke in this new life.
In truth, the ritual had worked—her arrival had saved her.
She had spent five days here: two recuperating, three setting up the stall.
After two days, she realized that this young man was not the “simpleton” the townsfolk whispered about—he was just extremely reserved.
“Husband, enjoying the sunshine?” Su Tang called out.
He opened his eyes and looked at her.
He said nothing, but in Su Tang’s eyes, he had spoken.
Yes, I’m watching the sun. Will you join me?