MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 133

“A-mu, A-mu.”

 

Tired from playing, Xiao Ou’er sidled up to Qiao Suiman’s side, curiously watching him weave auspicious tassels.

 

Qiao Suiman smiled gently, “Does Ou’er like them?”

 

His hands never stopped moving. The thick red cord in his hands twisted and turned, soon forming into a beautifully shaped tassel.

 

Xiao Ou’er nodded vigorously, “It’s so red and pretty.”

 

Little children love bright colors. Qiao Suiman handed him the one he was working on, “Take it to play with.”

 

“A-mu is the best!” Xiao Ou’er praised loudly.

 

Lu Dongqing, who was sitting by the main hall door carving lanterns, teased, “Weren’t you saying yesterday that Father was the best?”

 

Hetao came over at this moment. His eyes looked at Qiao Suiman, then at Lu Dongqing, and said, “Ou’er means both Father and A-mu are the best.”

 

Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing burst out laughing at once. This child, Little Hetao, really knew how to keep things perfectly balanced.

 

“Father, A-mu, that’s exactly what I meant!” Xiao Ou’er said mischievously.

 

Miao Lianhua saw this and also laughed, “Good, good, our Ou’er and Hetao are both good children.”

 

It was already the seventh day of the new year. Tang Guo’er and Lu Xuesong took Yuanbao back to Hedong Village to stay for a couple of days. Tangyuan had gone early in the morning to do homework with Tuanzi, so only a few of them were left at home.

 

Early in the morning, Qiao Suiman fed the chickens, ducks, and pigs in the backyard. Lu Dongqing went to the bamboo grove to check on the flock of goats, poured the food cooked by Miao Lianhua into the feeding bowl, and then returned to carve lanterns. He planned to tidy up after the goats finished eating.

 

Hua Yun and the long-term workers wouldn’t come until the tenth. Tomorrow, after Lu Xuesong and the others return home, they will have to take the little ones back to town.

 

Life in the village is always slow and unhurried. It is unlike in town, where they rise early, eat breakfast, send Tangyuan to the private academy, then busy themselves all day making fragrant drinks and milk tea, collecting money, and keeping accounts until evening.

 

Some people had advised Qiao Suiman that all those tasks could be hired out. Spending a few mace of silver each month to delegate the work, and staying home to look after the children and cook would be easy and comfortable.

 

But Qiao Suiman never thought that way.

 

He opened the shop precisely because he enjoyed experimenting with various new types of fragrant drinks and milk tea. Asking him to give these up would be harder than climbing to the sky.

 

He is busy, but every time he introduces a new drink or milk tea, it receives praise and support from customers, which makes Qiao Suiman reluctant to give up.

 

Now, the shop has over twenty different kinds of drinks and milk teas. Gradually, they shifted to making them fresh after the customers arrived. The taste was better, and the customers were all willing to wait.

 

Now his shop had become a specialty of Shuiqing Town, even making the business of the other shops in that alley better than before.

 

Little Hetao and Xiao Ou’er were tired from playing in the morning and fell asleep as soon as they touched the bed after the meal. Miao Lianhua was old and needed to rest at noon. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing still lit a brazier in the main room to weave tassels and make lanterns.

 

“Should we change out the bamboo tubes?” Lu Dongqing said.

 

“We should. There are still quite a few new ones in the backyard of the bamboo ware shop. There’ll be enough.”

 

“Mn, just thought of it suddenly, so I mentioned it. The day after tomorrow, I’ll move them all to the drink shop.” Lu Dongqing said with a smile.

 

The bamboo tubes and bamboo bowls used for customers to drink in the fragrant drink shop were changed out monthly. Although the batch from before the New Year hadn’t been used for a full month, they had been sitting idle for so long during the New Year period that it was time to change them.

 

They don’t waste the old ones either. After drying them in the sun, they could be used as firewood, saving a bit on firewood costs. Zhang Ning and Fulang He had both worked in the shop for several years now. Their wages increased a little each year. Now Zhang Ning earned one tael of silver per month, while Fulang He earned seven mace. Since starting work at the shop, their lives had improved greatly.

 

Zhang Ning and her husband were very hardworking. The year before last, they bought a small house in the north of town. It wasn’t big, but it was enough for the whole family to live in.

 

Zhang Ning’s husband’s brothers were extremely jealous and had other ideas. They felt that since she could earn so much every month, and the shop was so busy, and they were all family, she should surely put in a good word with Qiao Suiman to hire one or two more workers.

 

Zhang Ning refused, but those family members dared to go directly to the shop to make trouble. Qiao Suiman immediately drove them out and pointed at the plaque on the door of the shop written by the former county magistrate. He declared that if they dared show up again, he would report them to the county magistrate’s office.

 

Lu Dongqing came over from the bamboo ware shop and, without a word, gave each of them a whack with a stick. Those people fled in a panic.

 

Qiao Suiman suddenly remembered this and chuckled softly, “After we used Magistrate Liu’s name to teach those relatives of Zhang-dajie‘s a lesson last time, Zhang-dajie said they never dared show their faces around her again.”

 

“Serves them right. They were so ruthless back then, only giving Zhang-dajie and her husband half of the silver left by the elders. How dare they still talk about being family.” Qiao Suiman continued angrily.

 

Lu Dongqing placed the finished lantern into the large bamboo basket and chuckled, “Still, you handled it better than anyone.”

 

“Of course.” Qiao Suiman raised his brows proudly.

 

Lu Dongqing laughed out loud, leaned over, and stole a kiss on his cheek.

 

Qiao Suiman’s eyes curved, he didn’t stop him, and smiled as he continued weaving tassels.

 

Heijin lay beside the brazier, lifted his head to look at the two of them, then drooped his head and burrowed into the cotton mat, as if accustomed to it.

 

Usually, he would definitely also go over and pester Qiao Suiman to pet him, but now the weather was cold and he really couldn’t bear to leave the brazier.

 

The day passed quickly. Tang Guo’er was very happy after spending two days at her parental home. He returned beaming, bringing a large piece of venison. It was from Tang Xiao’s hunt before the New Year. He saved half for Tang Guo’er to take when he returned.

 

At noon, Lu Xuesong followed Tang Xiao’s method, rubbing some salt on the venison and slowly roasting it over a low fire. He only used half, enough for everyone to have a taste.

 

Tangyuan was even happier. Venison is rare and hard to come by. This was only the second time he had eaten it, the last time was also when Tang Guo’er brought some back from his parents’ home. His big eyes sparkled, “Xiao-mo, Grandfather Tang is so amazing.”

 

Tang Guo’er was delighted and laughed, “Next time, xiao-mo will make it for you again.”

 

“Xiao-mo is the best!”

 

Qiao Suiman shook his head, his face also full of smiles.

 

Inside the room.

 

Qiao Suiman folded the bed quilts and placed them into the large wooden chest. A thick piece of cotton cloth was spread out on the bed. Miao Lianhua and he worked together, folding the children’s clothes and placing them on it.

 

Miao Lianhua sighed, “After so many days of liveliness, it’s time to go back to town again.”

 

Qiao Suiman comforted her, “Mother, we’ll be back again soon. If you miss us, just have Songzi harness the cart and you can come over.”

 

Miao Lianhua knew this is true. Besides, it was very convenient for her to go to town now. Whether it was Lu Xuesong or Qiao Ruifeng, when they go to sell eggs, they could just call out and take her to the shop. It was just that parting always felt a little difficult.

 

Tangyuan was clever. He hugged Miao Lianhua’s leg and looked up with his small face, “Grandmother, after my next small exam, I’ll bring back first place to show you!”

 

Miao Lianhua immediately smiled. Tangyuan had grown so sturdy now that Miao Lianhua could no longer carry him. So she bent down and touched Tangyuan’s round head, “Good, Grandmother will wait for Tangyuan to return.”

 

Qiao Suiman lowered his head and smiled, his hands not stopping their work.

 

The children has a lot of clothes, filling up a whole large bundle. He and Lu Dongqing only had a few sets. After packing two bundles, Qiao Suiman placed them in the carriage first.

 

The lanterns Lu Dongqing made are valuable, costing several mace of silver each, and took up nearly half the space. The radishes, cabbages, and various dried vegetables that Qin Yu had asked them to take to town to eat could only be placed outside the carriage, squeezed together with the bamboo.

 

Eggs were more expensive. Qiao Suiman used a basket padded with straw and placed it inside the carriage along with the other things. After the children and Yuanbao reluctantly said their goodbyes, they climbed into the cart. Qiao Suiman then followed up.

 

“Qiao-gege, I’ve spoken with my Da-ge. The persimmons and crabapples from home will be delivered tomorrow.” Tang Guo’er said.

 

“Alright.”

 

“Wuwuwu, Gege, Gege, don’t go.” Yuanbao started crying softly.

 

Playing together for almost a month, Ou’er’s eyes turned red when he saw him crying like this. However, his Father and A-mu were going back to their home in town. If he stayed here, he wouldn’t be able to see his A-mu and Father anymore. So, he said in a tearful voice, “Yuanbao, we will come back to play with you.”

 

Lu Xuesong found this amusing and pinched his own son’s pouting little mouth. Yuanbao immediately cried even louder.

 

“Tsk.” Tang Guo’er glared at Lu Xuesong unhappily, then patted Yuanbao on the back and said soothingly, “Alright, alright, in a few days, when Father goes to town to deliver eggs, he’ll take you to play with your Gege, okay?”

 

Yuanbao gradually calmed down, let out a sob, and waved his little hand, “Then, Gege, goodbye.”

 

“Yuanbao, goodbye.”

 

“Uncles, A-mo, goodbye.”

 

“Grandmother, I’ll bring back first place!”

 

“Alright, alright, off you go.” Miao Lianhua waved her hand, her face full of both relief and reluctance.

 

Only then did Lu Dongqing drive the donkey cart slowly.

 

There were too many things on the cart. Qiao Suiman couldn’t move easily while sitting. Fortunately, the children were already used to the feeling of riding in the cart and didn’t complain of discomfort.

 

The New Year was practically over. Many of the men in the village had started looking for work everywhere. The number of people gathered in the alleys to chat had decreased greatly. Everyone was starting to bustle about for the new year again.

 

Slowly leaving Xiahe Village, Qiao Suiman lifted the curtain and glanced outside. The familiar scenery grew further away. He lowered the curtain, smiled faintly, and thought that every time they leave, it was for the sake of a better return. There was no need for sadness.

 

There weren’t too many people on the official road, just a few in twos and threes. It wasn’t until they entered Shuiqing Town and reached the East Market that it became lively again.

 

Hearing the vendors’ shouts, Tangyuan scrambled up and looked expectantly at Qiao Suiman.

 

Qiao Suiman snorted lightly. He knew exactly what his son was thinking. They just ate lunch before leaving, and he already wanted snacks again.

 

“You’ve eaten so much during the New Year, I won’t be buying any more for a while,” Qiao Suiman said.

 

According to the physician from Huichun Hall, children shouldn’t eat too many snacks or sugary cakes. Firstly, for fear they would eat too much and not eat their meals, and secondly, it is bad for their teeth. With his children, he didn’t need to worry about the first point, but Qiao Suiman was worried about their teeth getting damaged. Especially since Tangyuan had recently started losing his baby teeth, he limits the amount of snacks he eats each day.

 

Tangyuan pursed his lips, extended the index finger of his right hand, held his right palm with his left hand, and said in a soft, coaxing voice, “A-mu, just a little, just a little bit, please.”

 

Qiao Suiman suppressed the corners of his mouth, trying hard to look stern, and said, “No, you’re not hungry. There will be food for you tonight.”

 

Lu Dongqing’s voice also came from outside, “Tangyuan, you can’t do that.”

 

After failing to get a snack, Tangyuan pouted and said, “Okay. Then can we have fried chicken tonight?”

 

Tang Guo’er and the others had kept quite a few free-range chickens to eat during the New Year, and gave them a butchered one to take to town. Tangyuan happened to see it when it was being put into the bamboo basket.

 

Qiao Suiman couldn’t help but pat Tangyuan’s fleshy arm and said with a smile, “Alright, alright, alright. When did you have a meal without a meat.”

 

The donkey cart suddenly stopped and Qiao Suiman asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

Lu Dongqing coughed and said loudly, “There are many carts ahead, the road is blocked. It’ll be fine in a moment.”

 

“Okay.”

 

It is common for many carts to block the road. Even Xiao Ou’er and Little Hetao knew this. Little Hetao was playing with a tangram and only slightly raised his head to look outside. When he couldn’t see clearly, he lowered his head and continued playing.

 

As for Xiao Ou’er, he had already fallen asleep against the wall of the carriage.

 

Qiao Suiman was bored, so he took out Tangyuan’s homework and slowly looked through it. Apart from anything else, Tangyuan was very worry-free in his studies. Even after such a long break, he would write for a while every day, and the assignments given by the teacher were all completed on time without any delay.

 

Tangyuan had only recently begun his studies, learning from the Three Character Classic. Qiao Suiman also knew it. As he read, he secretly smiled to himself. When he had first learned to write, his characters weren’t as neat as Tangyuan’s were now.

 

Thinking of this, Qiao Suiman stared at Tangyuan and nodded with satisfaction.

 

After a while, the donkey cart gradually started moving again. Da Guai had been with them for so long and was very familiar with this road. After leaving the East Market, the road was smooth and it didn’t take long to reach Baiyang Alley.

 

After nearly a month away, dust had inevitably settled around the house. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing first cleaned the bedroom and the kitchen. Then Qiao Suiman started cooking, while Lu Dongqing unloaded the things from the cart.

 

Ou’er woke up and was playing tangrams with Hetao. With Tangyuan watching them, Qiao Suiman was very at ease, only going to the main hall to check on them from time to time.

 

There was one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup, all made from ingredients brought from home. They were fresh and delicious. After the meal, he and Lu Dongqing bathed the children, let them play for a while, and then went to the washroom next door to clean themselves.

 

By the time both of them had finished cleaning up, the children were already asleep and sprawled out in all directions. Xiao Ou’er’s leg was even resting on Tangyuan’s stomach.

 

Qiao Suiman smiled, arranged them properly, and tucked in the corners of the quilt before starting to tidy up the clothes.

 

He was putting their clothes away in the closet when Lu Dongqing mysteriously pulled him aside, a bag of pastries suddenly appearing in his hand.

 

“Bought this in the East Market this afternoon. Thousand-layer Water Chestnut Cake. This was all that was left, so I bought it.” Lu Dongqing said in a low voice.

 

Qiao Suiman’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help laughing, “You were tricking us this afternoon?”

 

“They haven’t stopped eating snacks at home recently. Since you said not to buy them any, of course they can’t know.”

 

Qiao Suiman giggled quietly. They’d been parents for years, but they didn’t expect that they had to be sneaky to eat something. It was really funny.

 

Lu Dongqing continued, “After we wash up today, put it away and eat it tomorrow.”

 

Qiao Suiman smiled so broadly his eyes crinkled and nodded repeatedly, “Okay, I’ll lock it in the cabinet.”

 

After hiding this package of Thousand-layer Water Chestnut Cake, they tiptoed to bed, still grinning to themselves while thinking about it.

 

Perhaps it was because they ate venison, or because they were excited from secretly hiding the cake from the children, Qiao Suiman couldn’t help but move around all over Lu Dongqing’s chest, his leg also rubbing against him.

 

Lu Dongqing’s breathing grew heavier. He turned around and pressed the person under him. He lowered his head and bit the sweeter lips.

 

Under the quilt, Qiao Suiman bit his lips tightly, not daring to let out any sound. The pleasure lasted for a long time before gradually subsiding.

 

He and Lu Dongqing ended up eating the package of cakes for several days without any of the children finding out.

 

 

 

A long string of firecrackers crackled in front of the third shop in Guluo Alley next to the East Market.

 

Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing were happily greeting customers in front of the shop. Tangyuan and his little schoolmates ran around inside the shop, while Xiao Ou’er and Little Hetao were giggling while covering their ears.

 

As soon as the auspicious hour arrived, a large crowd of customers poured into the shop. The newly hired worker and Li Heng skillfully noted down the drinks the customers wanted, serving them one after another without stopping.

 

This shop is not big, but it has a good location. Just like before, the drinks and milk tea are prepared on Beide Road and brought over here. When a customer ordered, it was immediately served. This is all to cater to the fast-paced business on the East Market without conflicting with the original shop’s operations.

 

Lu Dongqing had also displayed some of his bamboo ware here. The couple’s third shop opened smoothly. Many regular customers came to show their support. Aunt Xu was especially happy. With a shop opened here in the East Market, she wouldn’t have to go all the way to Beide Road if she wanted to drink milk tea.

 

After the most lively period, Tangyuan’s schoolmates returned home one after another. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing also left with the children.

 

The two people at the East Market drink shop had both worked at Beide Road for a long time before. Qiao Suiman had no worries. He has a good idea of the daily income and only needs to check occasionally.

 

There has been a lot of farm work at home lately, so Lu Xuesong and Qiao Ruifeng couldn’t come over. But that’s fine, they could come see it when they have time later.

 

Driving the cart to the meat market, Qiao Suiman got out of the cart and told Lu Dongqing and the others to wait outside. He walked to a small stall with a familiar route and said with a smile, “Xuesheng, Wang Qi-ge, give me three jin of pork belly, please.”

 

“Xiao Man!”

 

Chen Xuesheng’s eyes lit up as he counted the money. “Is the shop done for the day?”

 

Qiao Suiman nodded, “There aren’t as many people now as in the late morning, so we’re going back to Beide Road for lunch.”

 

Wang Qi swiftly cut off a large chunk of meat. When he weighed it, the scale bar was high, and it looked like it was more than three jin. He smiled and said, “Congratulations! Consider the extra as our opening gift to you.”

 

Knowing their kind intentions, Qiao Suiman accepted it with a smile. Chen Xuesheng accepted the copper coins for three jin of meat and said with a smile, “Xiasheng recently received several orders for bamboo tables and bamboo beds, so he’s been very busy lately.”

 

“The weather is hot and everyone wants to stay cool. This is the best time for business.” Qiao Suiman said.

 

“That’s right.”

 

After chatting with Chen Xuesheng for a while, Qiao Suiman carried the meat back to the cart, and they continued towards Beide Road.

 

After lunch, Lu Dongqing didn’t idle either. He went again to check the land on the outskirts of town. This concerns the food for the whole year. Only by keeping a constant eye on it could he feel at ease.

 

Hetao and Ou’er went to play at Qin Xiaoyao’s place. Qiao Suiman didn’t restrict them. Children were happiest playing together in a group. There were many children on the street, and they were all familiar with each other.

 

Guessing that Lu Dongqing would be back soon, Qiao Suiman prepared a portion of perilla drink and chilled it in the well.

 

It’s hot outside, and Lu Dongqing inevitably has to get his hands dirty working in the fields. He often comes back drenched in sweat and needs something refreshing to relieve the heat.

 

Sure enough, Lu Dongqing returned under the scorching sun. As soon as he entered the shop, he gulped down a full bowl of perilla drink.

 

Qiao Suiman took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face, then fanned him with a bamboo fan. After he had recovered from the heat, he asked, “How are the fields?”

 

Lu Dongqing took the fan, fanned himself vigorously a few times so Qiao Suiman could also feel the breeze, and replied, “Not bad. Not as much as last year, about the same as the year before last.”

 

“That’s pretty good. The snow wasn’t heavy this year, so having a harvest like the year before last is quite good.”

 

Lu Dongqing nodded. The long-term laborers working the land were honest and diligent. Knowing that the more the harvest, the more grain they could share, they had been hardworking all along. Lu Dongqing had raised their wages two years ago.

 

Evening was one of the rare cooler times. The home in Baiyang Alley has several rocking chairs and bamboo beds. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing each lay on a rocking chair. Tangyuan, Hetao, and Ou’er played on the bamboo bed.

 

A plate of sweet melons was placed on the table next to them. The sweet melons had been chilled in the well, so they were cold and sweet when they put them in their mouth. They were juicy enough that they could eat a piece from time to time, which was very satisfying.

 

Qiao Suiman’s hand rested naturally on the side of the rocking chair and let it hang down. Lu Dongqing took the opportunity to take them up and play with them.

 

Qiao Suiman let him, using his other hand to poke a piece of sweet melon with a thin skewer and bring it to Lu Dongqing’s mouth.

 

Tangyuan, who was playing and eating for a while, saw this and shouted, “A-mu, I want to be fed too.”

 

“Go away.”

 

Lu Dongqing said, while acting annoyed, “How old are you, still wanting A-mu to feed you? Aren’t you ashamed?”

 

“Father is older than me. Father should be more ashamed!”

 

“You little rascal,” Lu Dongqing laughed, “Father and A-mu are married, it’s different.”

 

“Then I want to get married too!”

 

Seeing the conversation getting more and more off track, Qiao Suiman smacked Lu Dongqing, his eyes reproachful. What nonsense was he spouting to the child? Then he immediately poked a melon for Tangyuan to eat. Once the older one was happy, the two younger ones also clamored to be fed, so she had no choice but to feed each of them a piece.

 

The children continued to play contentedly. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing looked at each other with smiles in their eyes.

 

The rocking chairs swayed gently. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing held hands, swaying along with them. The gentle breeze brushed past. It was a day that couldn’t be better.

 

 

 

—End of Story—

 

 

 

Message from the Author [陳皮皮梅]:

 

The story stops here. Although the story is finished, Xiao Man and Dongqing’s peaceful and beautiful days continue~

 

I wanted to write this story half a year ago, thought about it for a long time, started serializing on September 5th, and today, it’s been three and a half months. I successfully completed my first novel!

 

I am already very satisfied with the completion of the story. Thinking about it being finished, I can’t help but feel a bit teary. When I typed the names “Qiao Suiman” and “Lu Dongqing,” I knew my connection with them had begun.

 

Xiao Man and Dongqing, I really love them.

 

Watching the characters I wrote about work hard and gradually improve their lives bit by bit, I felt as if I had experienced it all with them. Setting up a stall, working as a laborer for a restaurant, saving money to buy a shop, opening a shop, having babies, each milestone filled me with joy for them as I wrote.

 

They were my original aspirations. I think I will always remember this period of time. I was very happy every day when writing. In the early stages, there were fewer readers, and I was troubled by it, but I never thought about stopping writing. I created them, so I must give them a satisfying ending.

 

I am very happy because I did it.

 

I poured my love into all these characters and many others. So, in the previous few chapters, I wrote an extra chapter about celebrating the New Year together. Family, friends, and friendly neighbors all had good endings.

 

The story ends here. Thank you all very much for your support along the way~

 

 

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Translator [Lune]: Thank you for staying until the end. The past five months translating this have been challenging for me, but it feels rewarding after completing the translation of a chapter. I appreciate everyone who joined me in reading this. A special thanks to those who read each update daily and to those who supported me by buying me milk tea via Ko-fi. And to all future readers, thank you so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy my translations, consider buying me a milk tea 🥛🍵