Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 85

Chapter 85

 

Ge Changbao glanced into the shop and exclaimed in surprise, “Whoa, Da Chuan, is this restaurant yours?”

 

Zhao Beichuan didn’t expect to encounter Captain Ge again. He quickly set down the knife, stepped out, and bowed respectfully to the two men. “Lord Ge, Lord Liang.”

 

Huang Yazi, seeing that the two soldiers actually knew the people from the restaurant, turned pale with fear, cold sweat pouring down his face. He glanced cautiously at the shopkeeper of Elegant Abode next to him.

 

Zheng Yuan squinted and shook his head at him, signaling not to implicate him. Huang Yazi swallowed hard. He understood the unspoken rules of the trade: betraying his boss would mean no one would hire him again in the future.

 

Captain Ge looked at the people outside, then at the man and child inside the house. He quickly pieced together the situation but feigned ignorance, asking, “What exactly happened here?”

 

Huang Yazi dared not speak. Lu Yao stepped forward, saluted, and said, “It’s not a big deal, really. Our restaurant has been very busy lately, with many customers coming in. To manage the crowd, we introduced a reservation system. This way, we don’t delay the customers, and we can handle the workload.”

 

He turned and glanced at the cringing Huang Yazi beside him. “Today, all our tables were fully booked, and these gentlemen came but couldn’t get a seat. They might have been upset and argued a bit—it’s nothing serious.”

 

Huang Yazi was stunned that Lu Yao actually spoke in his defense and raised his head in surprise.

 

Zhao Beichuan couldn’t understand why Lu Yao would defend these ruffians, but knowing his partner’s resourcefulness, he chose not to refute.

 

“Is that so?” Captain Ge glanced at the group of troublemakers.

 

Huang Yazi quickly nodded and bowed, saying, “Yes, yes, that’s it. It’s my bad temper that made me flip the table. This young man chased after me with a knife out of anger.”

 

The onlooking crowd, upon hearing the explanation, immediately sided with the restaurant. Running a legitimate business, and someone flips your table? Not retaliating would already be considered merciful!

 

“Since it’s all sorted out, you should compensate the restaurant for the damages and let it go. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!” Captain Ge, a hardened veteran from the battlefield, could intimidate even soldiers, let alone these petty ruffians.

 

Huang Yazi, terrified, collapsed to his knees with a thud. “I understand, I’ll pay for the damages right away!”

 

Lu Yao didn’t overcharge. He asked for two taels of silver for the broken table and two lost tables of guests.

 

Without hesitation, Huang Yazi pulled out silver from his pocket and handed it over with both hands, a trace of gratitude arising in his heart.

 

Despite his earlier harsh words, this young shopkeeper not only refrained from complaining to the soldiers but also spoke in his favor to spare him punishment. Though a ruffian, Huang Yazi valued gratitude. From now on, anyone daring to trouble this restaurant would first have to answer to him!

 

The matter settled, the front of the shop cleared out, leaving the house quiet.

 

Lu Yao quickly prepared a table for the officers. “Gentlemen, please sit. What would you like to eat? I’ll have Da Chuan cook for you.”

 

Liang Zhong, who could read, looked at the menu board on the wall and said, “One large braised fish, a serving of braised pork, sweet and sour pork, stewed chicken, and tofu. Bring those first, and we’ll order more if needed.”

 

“Sure, please wait a moment. The dishes will be ready soon,” Lu Yao replied, taking the order to the kitchen.

 

“I’ll cook today. You go sit with the officers and chat for a while,” Zhao Beichuan said, putting down the knife.

 

Unable to resist asking, he added, “Why didn’t you tell Captain Ge and the others the truth earlier? Those people were clearly here to cause trouble!”

 

“You’ve never heard the saying, ‘It’s easier to deal with the king than his henchmen,’ have you? Those guys are scoundrels. If we offend them too much this time, who knows what other ways they’ll come up with to mess with our restaurant? Can we count on running into Captain Ge every time?”

 

Zhao Beichuan thought for a moment and realized he had a point.

 

“Besides, we’re not related to the officers. Helping us once is a favor, but if it happens too often, they’ll grow tired of it.”

 

“I understand now,” Zhao Beichuan admitted, impressed. His partner was truly a man of wisdom, able to see several moves ahead, unlike himself, who relied solely on brute strength.

 

“Go on, brew some tea for them from the cabinet.”

 

“Got it,” Zhao Beichuan replied, taking off his apron, washing his hands, and carrying a pot of hot water to the front hall.

 

Seeing him, Captain Ge burst out laughing. “Hahaha, I didn’t know you had this talent. Why didn’t you tell us earlier so we could have tasted your cooking?”

 

Zhao Beichuan blushed and poured them tea. “I learned it from my partner. My cooking skills aren’t as good as his.”

 

“Come, sit down. What was going on with those people earlier?”

 

Zhao Beichuan placed the kettle on the floor, pulled up a stool, and said, “To be honest, I suspect they were hired by a rival restaurant jealous of our business.”

 

Liang Zhong asked, “Then why didn’t you say so earlier? I’d have given them a good beating to make sure they wouldn’t dare return!”

 

Captain Ge chuckled and shook his head. “Business relies on harmony. Do you think beating them up is the same as fighting a war? Problems don’t just go away afterward.”

 

Zhao Beichuan nodded. His initial thoughts had been similar to Vice-Captain Liang’s, but after hearing Lu Yao’s reasoning, he changed his mind. These people wouldn’t openly cause trouble again but might not stop scheming behind the scenes.

 

By now, Xiao Nian brought out two cold dishes, which hadn’t been ordered, likely prepared by Lu Yao as a gesture.

 

“Do you drink? We don’t have liquor here, but I can buy a couple of jars for you.”

 

Captain Ge waved his hand. “No need. We’ve got training this afternoon, and drinking would interfere. Just the food is fine.”

 

Zhao Beichuan picked up the kettle and refilled their tea. “I’ll go check on the food in the kitchen.”

 

“Go ahead. No need to fuss over us.”

 

As Zhao Beichuan left, a few company commanders curiously asked, “Captain, who is this guy?”

 

Liang Zhong pretended to be mysterious. “He’s no ordinary man—this guy can pull a warhorse down with his bare hands.”

 

“Really?!”

 

“If you don’t believe me, ask Captain Ge.”

 

Captain Ge, while tasting the cold stir-fried bitter greens, said, “Hmm, this tastes good. You should try it!”

 

The group, intrigued by the food, focused on eating rather than chatting.

 

Soon, Zhao Beichuan brought out the braised fish, served in a large ceramic bowl. The fish was a ten-pound carp, the largest in the tank.

 

Soldiers, accustomed to strong flavors after years of training, found the braised fish perfectly suited to their taste. They dug in as if waging war.

 

At this moment, rank became irrelevant—everyone competed for food with their chopsticks.

 

Captain Ge, frustrated by someone intercepting his share of the fish, kicked the offender’s stool. “You brat! Eat all you want now, but you’ll run ten laps when we’re back!”

 

These seasoned soldiers, shameless as they were, laughed off the reprimand. “Fine, I’ll run after I’m full!”

 

Before long, the braised pork was ready—a large plate of glistening, red-brown meat, tender and mouthwatering. Naturally, another scramble ensued.

 

Liang Zhong, struggling with his chopsticks, grew desperate. He deliberately sneezed onto the plate, spraying it with spit and snot. “Still want some?”

 

The others, disgusted, shook their heads. “Then I’ll have it all to myself,” Liang Zhong declared, happily devouring the dish.

 

Sweet and sour pork and tofu followed. Lu Yao, noticing some leftover pork intestines, stir-fried them since there were no other customers.

 

Finally, he prepared a large pot of noodles, served with the stewed chicken broth, which the group polished off clean.

 

Captain Ge loosened his belt and let out a satisfied burp. “That was a feast.”

 

The others, equally stuffed, couldn’t stop praising the cook’s skills.

 

They had never eaten so well before, and now understood why rival restaurants were jealous. With cooking skills like this, if the restaurant expanded, it might dominate the entire city of Pingzhou.

 

“Da Chuan,” Liang Zhong called out.

 

Zhao Beichuan hurried over. “Yes? Would you like more dishes?”

 

“No, any more and we’d burst. How much for this meal?”

 

“It’s on the house. I’m thrilled you chose to dine here—I couldn’t possibly charge you.”

 

“That won’t do,” Liang Zhong said, pulling out a silver ingot and tossing it to him. “Is this enough?”

 

“It’s too much. It doesn’t cost this much,” Zhao Beichuan replied, trying to return the excess.

 

Liang Zhong waved him off. “Keep the rest for our next visit. No need to return it. We’ve got to get going.”

 

Captain Ge stood up and patted Zhao Beichuan’s shoulder. “Don’t be polite with us. Your Brother Liang has plenty of money. We had a great meal today, and we’ll come back to try other dishes next time.”

 

“Got it!” Zhao Beichuan, clutching the silver, felt a surge of gratitude as he watched them leave.

 

This incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Outsiders, unaware of the full story, assumed the restaurant had military backing. Even if others harbored jealousy, they wouldn’t dare act on it.

 

Huang Yazi played no small part in this. After leaving the restaurant, he spread the word everywhere about the powerful connections behind the Zhao family’s restaurant.

 

Most notably, the Liang family was involved. While Liang Zhong’s military rank was modest, his two brothers were anything but ordinary. The eldest was a top general under the Northern King, and the second brother handled imperial trade, amassing great wealth.

 

Had Liang Zhong been younger and more ambitious, he wouldn’t have settled for a mere deputy captaincy.

 

Anyone considering trouble for the Zhao family’s restaurant now had to think twice about whether they could afford to provoke the Liang family.

 

Meanwhile, after leaving the Zhao family restaurant, Huang Yazi led his gang to Elegant Abode to demand payment from Zheng Yuan.

 

As soon as they met, Zheng Yuan said irritably, “We initially agreed to give you ten taels of silver now and another twenty taels after the job was done. But since it didn’t work out, I can’t give you the money.”

 

Huang Yazi flared up instantly, “You didn’t tell us this eatery had ties with the military! If I’d known they had the army backing them, I wouldn’t have taken this job for any amount of money!”

 

“I only just found out. Who knew they had connections with Deputy Officer Liang?”

 

Zheng Yuan was almost at his wit’s end. This small eatery had squeezed his “Elegant Residence” into dismal business. Worse, his foundation was weak, and he had to support over ten helpers and chefs. If this continued, bankruptcy wasn’t far off!

 

“I don’t care. You have to pay me, at least to calm down my brothers.”

 

“There’s no money for you. If you push me, I’ll report this to the authorities!”

 

Huang Yazi sneered, “Fine, you’ve got guts. Let’s see what happens next!” With that, he led his men out of Elegant Residence.

 

Only after they left did Zheng Yuan realize the trouble he might have caused himself. These were rogues and scoundrels. If they held a grudge, he might not have a moment’s peace in the future. He quickly sent a servant to catch up with them.

 

Unexpectedly, Huang Yazi didn’t buy his conciliatory act at all, and their enmity was set in stone.

 

—

 

It was just after the fourth watch when a faint rustling of clothing sounded.

 

“What time is it?”

 

“The fourth watch. You can sleep a little longer.”

 

“No, I’d better get up and grind the soybeans.” Hu Chunrong got dressed, carried the still-sleeping Little Stone to the west room, and handed him to her mother-in-law.

 

Old Lady Lu, hearing the noise, quickly got up and took the child. “Up so early again?”

 

“Yes, the sooner we prepare, the sooner we can open.”

 

Lu Lin carried out the night soil bucket to empty and wash, then brought the soaked soybeans into the courtyard. He woke up the mule and hitched it to the millstone. With a creak, the day’s work began again.

 

They had been living in the town for a month. Initially unaccustomed to the new environment, they had gradually adapted. Their breakfast business was now running smoothly, earning them five to six hundred coins a day—over a thousand on market days. Though not as lucrative as when Lu Yao was around, it was far better than selling tofu.

 

With their lives improving, the couple worked harder, planning to save money for a house in town within two years, so they wouldn’t have to return to the village.

 

Their fields in the village were now farmed by their second uncle’s family, who gave them 30% of the harvest annually—enough to cover the head tax and their own food.

 

Once the soybeans were ground, Lu Miao also got up to help Hu Chunrong light the fire. Together, they started cooking soy milk. The first batch was made into tofu pudding, and the second into soy milk.

 

While they worked, Lu Lin mixed and rested the dough, ready to use when they reached the shop.

 

After loading the prepared items onto the cart, the three worked together to lift the wooden barrels onto the mule cart. “Miao and I will go open the shop. You can call on Liu Er’s wife next door to come along.”

 

“Got it.” Hu Chunrong checked on Little Stone again, tucked him in, and left.

 

Next door, Liu Er’s wife was already awake. Hearing footsteps outside, she came out quickly. The two women locked arms and headed for the shop together.

 

Initially, when the Lu family moved in, Liu Er’s wife worried the new owners might be difficult to get along with and considered resigning. To her surprise, the Lu family turned out as easygoing as Lu Yao. Not only did they not cut her wages, but they also let her take home any leftovers. Chunrong’s straightforward and generous personality quickly made them friends.

 

At the shop, Lu Lin lit the fire and drove the mule cart back home.

 

Liu Er’s wife fetched water to wipe down the tables, while Chunrong divided the dough into small portions for easier frying later.

 

The first customer of the day was still the old man who collected night soil. In the past, when Lu Yao was around, he often gave the man an extra fried dough stick. Although the new owners no longer did that, they always refilled his soy milk.

 

As daylight brightened, more people filled the streets, and a line formed at the shop, waiting for fresh dough sticks.

 

Chunrong, multitasking between greeting customers and calculating payments, worked efficiently. Her quick tongue and sharp mind allowed her to tally totals immediately after customers reported their orders.

 

Lu Miao and Liu Er’s wife busily delivered food and cleaned tables, keeping everything running smoothly.

 

By mid-morning, business finally slowed down. Chunrong took the chance to gulp down a bowl of soy milk. “I’ve been shouting all morning, and my throat feels like it’s on fire.”

 

Lu Lin handed her a fried dough stick from the pan. “Eat something to tide you over.”

 

“I’ll eat later when we get home.”

 

As they spoke, a man dressed as a courier arrived. “Is this the Lu family?”

 

“Yes, it is,” Chunrong answered quickly.

 

“There’s a letter for you.” He pulled a crumpled envelope from his bag and placed it on the table.

 

The couple exchanged glances. “It’s a letter from Lu Yao!”

 

However, neither of them could read, and they anxiously paced with the letter in hand.

 

Suddenly, Chunrong remembered that their landlord’s nephew could read. She rushed to ask him for help, offering a reward of twenty coins.

 

Mrs. Xu immediately called for her scholar nephew, Xu Dengke, to come over.

 

Xu, who didn’t know Chunrong, thought it was a good opportunity to earn some money. Upon reaching the shop, he realized something was off—wasn’t this Lu Yao’s old shop? Why did it have new owners?

 

“Scholar, please wait here for a moment. I’ll fetch my mother-in-law to hear the letter together.”

 

Xu nodded and sat down, glancing around. Spotting the lame man in front, he suddenly remembered Lu Yao mentioning a crippled elder brother. On closer inspection, this man did bear some resemblance to Lu Yao.

 

No doubt about it—this must be Lu Yao’s second brother! Why had they given up such a profitable business?

 

Before long, Chunrong returned with Little Stone and Old Lady Lu. After Lu Miao handed him the letter, everyone eagerly waited for him to read it.

 

Clearing his throat, Xu began:

 

“Dear Mother, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, and Lu Miao,

 

Greetings!

 

We arrived in Pingzhou over ten days ago. During this time, we’ve been busy renting a house and settling in, which is why I haven’t written until now.

 

Upon arriving in the city, we were completely unfamiliar with the place. Fortunately, we met a family heading to the same prefectural exams who introduced us to the area, sparing us from being entirely clueless.

 

After entering the city, everything costs money. Da Chuan spent 500 coins registering our household, and I inquired about rental properties through a peddler, eventually securing a small courtyard for over 30 taels of silver. At least we now have a roof over our heads.”

 

Hearing they had rented a house, Old Lady Lu clasped her hands in relief. “Thank heaven they’ve settled down.”

 

“Life in the prefectural city isn’t easy. I’m thinking of reopening the shop to support the family. After searching for seven or eight days, I finally found a suitable location, though the rent is steep—350 taels for two years. The shop isn’t large, but it’s in a prime spot. Business should be good once we open.”

 

Chunrong’s legs went weak upon hearing they’d spent 350 taels on the shop. She marveled at her brother-in-law’s boldness, thinking few others could manage such daring ventures!

 

The letter ended with inquiries about Old Lady Lu’s health and how the town’s shop was doing. Lu Yao assured them he would return for Lu Miao’s wedding next year. Xiao Nian also sent greetings to Miss Liu, saying he hoped to visit her someday.

 

Liu Er’s wife chuckled. “Those two were close. When Xiao Nian left, Liu Yue cried a few times. I’ll pass the message to her.”

 

After finishing the letter, Xu let out a long sigh, feeling conflicted.

 

If he had persuaded his mother to let him marry Lu Yao earlier, would he be the one living in the prefectural city now?

 

Of course, this was just idle thinking. He was already engaged, and causing trouble would only spark disputes with his fiancée’s family. It was better to let things lie.

 

Chunrong then asked him to write a reply, stating that everything at home was well, Mother’s health was good, and the shop was operating as usual. They all eagerly awaited his return.

 

Old Lady Lu added, “Tell him to take care of himself and not overwork. If he doesn’t like life in the prefectural city, he can come back anytime—no need to feel embarrassed. The shop is always ready for him.”

 

Xu polished the wording before writing it all down.

 

That afternoon, Lu Lin took the letter to the post station and found a merchant heading to Pingzhou. For a few dozen coins, he entrusted them to deliver it.

 

This thin letter, laden with heavy longing, took over ten days to finally reach Lu Yao’s hands.