Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

 

This year, since they didn’t need to return to their hometown for the New Year, the closing date for the restaurant was pushed back to the 20th of the twelfth lunar month. Any later, and they wouldn’t be able to buy supplies, as people in this era placed great importance on the New Year, taking these few days to rest after a year of hard work.

 

On the 10th of the twelfth lunar month, the prefectural school began its New Year break.

 

Zhao Beichuan drove a cart to buy groceries and picked up Douzi on the way. The prefectural school’s break was similar to a winter vacation, lasting until after the Lantern Festival. This time, Douzi had to bring home not only his change of clothes but also his bedding for washing.

 

After waiting at the gate for half an hour, little Douzi emerged, carrying two large bundles. Despite his skinny arms, his strength was startling for his age.

 

Zhao Beichuan quickly stepped forward to take the bags and tossed them onto the cart. “All packed?”

 

“Yep.”

 

“Did you grow taller?” Zhao Beichuan measured his younger brother. Before, little Douzi only reached the lowest part of his ribs, but now he was up to the fourth rib.

 

“Hehe, Sister-in-law said I grew taller the last time I was home.”

 

Zhao Beichuan rubbed his little brother’s head. “Get on the cart. Your sister-in-law knows you’re on break and has lined up plenty of work for you.”

 

“Huh? What kind of work?”

 

“You’ll find out when you get home.”

 

Little Douzi returned home full of excitement, only to be met with the task of teaching six adults to read. The six students were Zhao Beichuan, Xiaonian, Xiaochun, Lu Miao, Lu Sixteen, and Hu Chunrong, with Stone and Xiao Jinzi joining in for good measure.

 

“Sister-in-law… can I do this?”

 

Lu Yao patted him on the shoulder. “You can do it. Sister-in-law believes in you.”

 

“But, Sister-in-law…” Douzi was on the verge of tears. He had planned to rest during his vacation and read two travelogues.

 

Oh well. Since it was a task assigned by Sister-in-law, he would give it his best!

 

Recently, the eatery wasn’t too busy, so Lu Yun could handle it alone. Hu Chunrong brought her two children over every day to learn to read.

 

Lu Yao set up a table near the warm wall, shielded it with a screen, and had the group sit together to study.

 

Teaching them to read was for their benefit. Illiteracy would be a major disadvantage, especially in business. If they couldn’t even read account books, they’d easily fall prey to deceit.

 

Among them, Xiaochun and Lu Sixteen were the most diligent. Lu Yao once privately asked Xiaochun if he wanted to attend a learning hall.

 

Xiaochun shook his head. “Sister-in-law, I’m not cut out for studying. Seeing those classical phrases gives me a headache. I just want to recognize a few more words, memorize the dishes, and become a cook like Big Brother.”

 

Lu Yao patted his shoulder. It was good for a child to have a goal.

 

Lu Sixteen, on the other hand, was like a sponge, eager to absorb every skill that could help him climb higher.

 

To be honest, such people were formidable but also highly favored by leaders. Ambitious and capable, once cultivated, he could easily manage the distillery.

 

Lu Yao had gradually come to accept the mindset of the people in this era. The indenture Lu Sixteen held was like a shackle. As long as he didn’t receive the key, he would remain bound to serve Lu Yao.

 

Lu Miao’s desire to learn was sparked by a whim—he wanted to write a letter to Captain Ge.

 

Not long ago, Captain Ge had sent many items through a military courier, including foods from Yingzhou, beautiful fabrics, animal pelts, and a letter.

 

Captain Ge was literate. In his youth, his family had been well-off, and he had attended a few years of school. Later, after the death of his parents and the loss of the family estate to relatives, he had no choice but to enlist in the army.

 

Lu Miao couldn’t understand a word of the letter, pacing in frustration. He had no choice but to ask his third brother for help, enduring a round of teasing.

 

“Your Captain Ge is asking about your well-being, reminding you to dress warmly in the cold weather. Such concern, ah, older men truly know how to care.”

 

Lu Miao blushed furiously, prompting him to resolve to learn to read.

 

Today, there weren’t many reservations. In the morning, Lu Yao took the two newly hired apprentices out shopping, leaving the others at home to study.

 

The two apprentices, both fifteen years old, were named Lu Qing and Lu Ming, names given by Lu Yao. Unlike Lu Sixteen, they were directly purchased by Lu Yao from an official slave market.

 

These markets specialized in selling slaves, often household servants of officials caught in corruption scandals. When these officials were stripped of their titles, their servants were sold to recoup funds for the government.

 

Lu Ming and Lu Qing had previously served as errand boys in the home of the magistrate of Guyang County. After the magistrate was dismissed for embezzlement, they ended up in the market and were eventually bought by Lu Yao.

 

Both boys had good temperaments. Over the past few days, they had been learning cooking skills from Zhao Beichuan and could now prepare simple dishes on their own.

 

Lu Yao first took them to Bazhendu, a pastry shop on Changxing Street, to buy snacks for the children.

 

In the past, Lu Yao had made many desserts in Qiushui Town that were even tastier than the ones sold in stores. But since moving to the prefecture, he had become lazier and rarely cooked these treats himself.

 

The shop offered a variety of pastries, including mille-feuille, red bean cakes, date paste cakes, and white fruit confections. They weren’t expensive—a large box cost just over 300 wen.

 

He also bought some candies: golden silk rolls, peanut candies, milk candies, and large sugar figurines. He didn’t buy too much, recalling how Douzi and Xiaonian had eaten so much candy last year that their teeth ached.

 

After leaving the pastry shop, they stopped by a nearby dry goods store. As the New Year approached, many dried fruits arrived from the south, such as dried mangoes, dried longans, and pickled plums in delicate bamboo containers, sold for 80 wen per tube.

 

Lu Yao bought plenty of everything, also preparing some for his mother’s household. Children loved these treats during the New Year. Altogether, he spent nearly two taels of silver.

 

On their way to the western market to buy meat, they passed by a clinic and noticed a thin figure kneeling at the door.

 

It was the young man Ma Kuan, whom Lu Yao had met recently.

 

Lu Yao had a deep impression of him—a bright and determined boy with a keen sense of judgment and courage, though burdened by a father who had gone astray and ultimately met his end.

 

Curious about what had brought Ma Kuan to his knees, Lu Yao hesitated. It was freezing, and the boy didn’t look well. Kneeling in the snow for long could be fatal. After a moment of thought, Lu Yao decided to approach him.

 

Ma Kuan had been kneeling for nearly an hour. His thin clothes offered no protection against the cold, leaving his face pale and his legs numb. Still, he remained motionless, hoping to save his mother, who was in labor at home.

 

Without medical help, she might not survive. If both his parents died, what reason would he have to go on living? He might as well follow them.

 

“What are you kneeling here for?”

 

A voice broke through his despair. Ma Kuan slowly raised his head, a faint smile appearing on his stiff face. “Greetings, Shopkeeper Lu.”

 

“You remember me?”

 

“I dare not forget. Without Shopkeeper Lu’s help, I couldn’t have avenged my father.”

 

Lu Yao asked, “Why are you kneeling here in such cold weather? Are you in trouble?”

 

Ma Kuan nodded. “My mother is in labor, but she’s older now, and this pregnancy has been difficult. I came to beg the doctor to help.”

 

“Get up. I’ll ask for you.”

 

Ma Kuan placed his hands on the ground and kowtowed three times. Lu Yao helped him to his feet, noticing that the boy’s legs were too frozen to walk.

 

“Lu Ming, help him.”

 

“Got it!”

 

Lu Yao went inside to request the doctor. Shortly after, two doctors from the clinic accompanied them to Ma Kuan’s home in Ma Alley.

 

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard agonized screams coming from inside. An elderly midwife was assisting.

 

After examining the situation, the doctor frowned. “The baby is in breech position.”

 

With the mother already exhausted and in poor condition, a breech birth could lead to tragedy.

 

Ma Kuan stood by, trying to stay calm, but his young body trembled uncontrollably.

 

Time passed slowly, and Tian Xiufen’s cries grew weaker. The two doctors worked tirelessly, finally managing to reposition the baby.

 

“Just a little more effort, madam. The baby is almost out!”

 

“I… I have no strength left…”

 

If this continues, the baby will soon suffocate. One of the doctors, seeing the situation, had no choice but to use a needle to stimulate her Shenque acupoint. Tian Xiufen suddenly felt warmth spreading through her body, grabbed the bedding, and pushed once more with all her might!

 

“It’s out! The baby is born!” The two midwives excitedly cut the umbilical cord and wrapped the baby in the prepared blanket.

 

The baby was thin and small, letting out weak cries. Ma Kuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, stumbling forward to see the child.

 

One of the midwives handed the baby to him. “It’s a girl, her skin is red now, but she’ll definitely grow up fair and beautiful.”

 

Ma Kuan lowered his head and kissed his little sister’s forehead, his heart filled with indescribable joy.

 

Suddenly, one of the midwives screamed, “This is bad, she’s hemorrhaging!”

 

In this era of underdeveloped medicine, heavy bleeding meant death. Soon, the bedding beneath Tian Xiufen was soaked with blood, and the room was filled with a strong smell of blood. Even Lu Yao and the others outside could sense the scent of death.

 

Before long, a painful cry came from inside. “Mother, mother, wake up!”

 

The two physicians came out carrying their medicine boxes and shook their heads at Lu Yao. “The woman had a breech birth and was already very weak. Giving birth to the child was a miracle in itself. We’ve done our best.”

 

“Thank you both,” Lu Yao said, taking out silver from his pocket and handing it to them.

 

“Lu Qing, take these things back to the shop first and ask the head to bring some silver over.”

 

“Yes.” Lu Qing hurriedly left with the items. Standing nearby, Lu Ming also looked sorrowful and said hoarsely, “My mother died of a difficult labor too, and the baby in her womb couldn’t be saved either.”

 

It was the first time Lu Yao had heard him talk about his past, and he didn’t know how to console him, so he gently patted his shoulder.

 

Less than half an hour later, Zhao Beichuan rushed over. On the way, Lu Qing had already explained the situation to him.

 

“How is it?”

 

“I haven’t gone in yet, but the adult should be gone.”

 

Zhao Beichuan adjusted Lu Qing’s collar, held his hand, and said, “You head back first. I’ll stay here to help with the arrangements.”

 

“Alright.” Just as Lu Yao was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and said, “These two children are pitiful. If possible, take them in and help them.”

 

“Okay.”

 

The sky was overcast as Lu Yao and Lu Ming hurried back. He didn’t yet realize that this unintentional decision would bring him great wealth in the future.

 

—

 

When Lu Yao returned to the eatery, only two tables of guests remained in the private rooms upstairs. The attendants, having nothing to do, were sitting by the fire chatting. Upon seeing Lu Yao enter, they quickly stood up.

 

Lu Yao waved his hand. “Sit down. Once the guests leave, clean up the upstairs thoroughly.”

 

“Yes.”

 

In the backyard, Xiao Chun and Xiao Dou were in the kitchen peeling garlic while learning to read.

 

When they looked up and saw Lu Yao, they greeted him, “Sister-in-law, you’re back!”

 

“Have the others left?”

 

Xiao Dou replied, “Second sister-in-law took Jin Jin and Shi Tou back. My sister and fifth brother are in the room cutting fabric.”

 

Lu Yao nodded and went straight to Lu Miao’s room.

 

Xiao Nian was helping pull the fabric while Lu Miao hesitated to cut with the scissors. Seeing Lu Yao walk in, she waved excitedly, “Third brother, you’re just in time. Help me cut a pattern for a piece of clothing.”

 

“What kind of pattern?”

 

“The kind my brother-in-law wears. I want to make one for Captain Ge too.”

 

Lu Yao didn’t tease her as usual. Ge Changbao was shorter than Zhao Beichuan but sturdier, so the dimensions were slightly different. After a quick estimate, Lu Yao cut out the pattern directly.

 

“It’s cold in Yingzhou. If you’re making winter clothes, add more cotton. I also have some tanned sheepskin; sew it into the knees and chest to block the wind.”

 

“Thank you, third brother.”

 

Xiao Nian noticed that Lu Yao seemed in a bad mood and followed him out. “Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look good.”

 

“Maybe I caught a chill earlier and have a slight headache.”

 

“I’ll massage it for you. It works.”

 

“Alright.” Lu Yao leaned on the chair while Xiao Nian massaged his head. Before long, he fell asleep.

 

Xiao Nian didn’t wake him and instead fetched a thick blanket to drape over him.

 

This nap was full of strange and chaotic dreams. First, Lu Yao dreamt of Lu Miao getting married. There was a lively procession carrying the bridal sedan chair to the Ge family. But midway, a cow suddenly charged out, nearly overturning the sedan.

 

Fortunately, the crowd managed to drive the cow away, and the sedan was safely carried to the Ge family’s entrance.

 

In the courtyard, Captain Ge came to greet the bride in a bright red robe. But in a blink, the person in front of him turned into Zhao Beichuan, who was holding hands with someone that looked exactly like Lu Yao!

 

Lu Yao stared at the two in horror, feeling as if he were nailed to the spot. He couldn’t move or speak. He screamed desperately, but no one could hear him. Just as he was about to give up in despair, someone called his name.

 

“Lu Yao, wake up!”

 

Lu Yao jolted awake from the nightmare, staring blankly at the person in front of him.

 

Zhao Beichuan reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of his eyes. “Had a bad dream?”

 

Lu Yao suddenly threw his arms around Zhao Beichuan’s waist, burying his face in his chest and sobbing, “It scared me to death.”

 

“What did you dream about?”

 

Lu Yao shook his head, unwilling to say.

 

Zhao Beichuan ruffled his hair. “Don’t worry, dreams are the opposite of reality. It won’t happen.”

 

But Lu Yao still felt a lingering fear. That sense of helplessness made his scalp tingle and his limbs cold. Over the years he had been here, he had never considered the possibility of returning to his original world.

 

He probably couldn’t go back. His old self was already dead, and even if he went back, it would be as a wandering ghost.

 

But what about the “Lu Yao” here? Would he come back?

 

The thought sent a chill down his spine. He didn’t dare think further, fearing it might lead to depression.

 

“Has everything been handled at the Ma family’s place?”

 

Zhao Beichuan sat down and said, “It’s all sorted. We bought a coffin for his mother and got some neighbors to help carry it to the outskirts for burial.”

 

“What about Ma Kuan and the baby?”

 

“I brought them back. I had the storeroom near the kitchen cleared for them to stay temporarily. The baby is too small and only managed a little gruel. Tomorrow, I’ll check the western market for a ewe that’s just given birth.”

 

“Alright.” Lu Yao held his husband’s hand, feeling a sense of comfort.

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Seeing Ma Kuan reminded me of when I raised Xiao Dou. Back then, my mother also died of hemorrhage. Xiao Dou was just as frail, barely even crying. But now he’s grown up.”

 

Lu Yao sighed. “It was fate that we encountered them. It would have weighed on my conscience if we hadn’t helped.”

 

Zhao Beichuan nodded. “That boy Ma Kuan is extraordinary. Despite such a tragedy, he remained thoughtful and composed. Even adults might not handle things as well as he did.”

 

“Indeed. Keeping him around might prove useful in the future.” After all, it was just a few strings of cash, and Lu Yao was not short of silver.

 

The two talked for a while until the sky turned dark. Zhao Beichuan went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

 

They had hot pot that night, setting the pot in the front hall and enjoying the meal together as a family.

 

Afterward, Lu Yao went to check on the two children.

 

Ma Kuan was sitting on the kang with his sister. Seeing Lu Yao, he quickly put the baby down and knelt.

 

“Thank you for saving us! I, Kuan, have nothing to repay you with. I am willing to serve you as a horse or an ox!”

 

“No need for such formalities.” Lu Yao helped him up and glanced at the baby on the kang. “Tomorrow, I’ll have someone bring some soft fabric. Cut it to make diapers for her.”

 

“Thank you, sir!”

 

“Don’t call me benefactor. It feels strange. Just call me Shopkeeper Lu. Rest easy and stay here. There will be tasks for you later.”

 

Ma Kuan thanked him again. After Lu Yao left, he picked up his sister, tears streaming down his face. “Little sister, we’re going to survive…”

 

—

 

The days passed quickly, and soon it was the end of the year.

 

When the shop closed, Lu Yao finally had some free time. The winery also gave their workers a holiday, and this year, Lu Yao gave each of them three strings of cash as a bonus.

 

“Buy yourselves new clothes and enjoy good food for the new year.”

 

The workers received the money and bowed in gratitude. Lu Yao repeated his usual reminder, “You can spend this money however you like, but no gambling or visiting brothels. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

 

The winery staff knew the rules and naturally agreed.

 

In the morning, Zhao Beichuan bought a few feet of red silk fabric, and Lu Yao planned to make a pair of red lanterns to hang at the entrance.

 

First, they made the frame with thin bamboo, then nailed a thick candle in the middle so that it could burn all night.

 

The children were happy to do this kind of work: they peeled bamboo, cut fabric, and Lu Yao didn’t need to lift a finger, just directing them from the side.

 

Once the lanterns were made, they added a circle of tassels at the bottom, making them look very delicate.

 

As soon as it got dark, they hung up the lanterns and kept them lit until the fifteenth day of the first month, when they would take them down.

 

After finishing the lanterns, Lu Yao accompanied his younger brother to the military camp. Over the past few days, Lu Miao had been modifying and adjusting, and he had finally finished the set of cotton clothes. He planned to ask a messenger at the military camp to take them to the border.

 

The two of them went to the camp and found a familiar hundred-man officer to ask about sending the clothes.

 

The officer said, “It’s perfect timing, we’re going to the border tomorrow to provide reinforcements. We can deliver it directly to Captain Ge along the way.”

 

“Reinforcements? Is there a battle at the border?”

 

“The Khitan launched a surprise attack on Changyuan Road on the fifteenth of last month, and they’ve taken three counties in the northwest of Yingzhou. The front lines have suffered heavy casualties.”

 

These few words immediately changed the expressions of the two. Lu Miao wanted to ask more questions, but the officer didn’t know much, so they had to leave and return home.

 

The Shenque acupoint (神阙穴), also known as CV-8, is a key acupuncture point located at the navel (belly button). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is believed to be a vital point for regulating the body’s energy and functions. It is often used to treat issues such as digestive problems, cold extremities, and severe exhaustion.

 

In this chapter  stimulating the Shenque acupoint is used as an emergency measure to boost the mother’s energy and help her push during childbirth.