Chapter 90

After settling his parents and sister, Wang Xian returned to Fuyang with Wang Gui.

Hou Shi had already moved into the Hou family’s residence. As his mother had predicted, the Hou family did not object at all and even hired a maid and an old woman to serve her. Therefore, this evening, Wang Gui was going to move into the new house. He held Wang Xian’s hand with reluctance and said, "Erlang, why don’t you come and live with us..."

"There are rules in the government office; I have to live in the clerk’s quarters," Wang Xian shook his head, of course.

"Alas..." Wang Gui’s eyes turned red. "We were all together yesterday, but today we have to split up into three parts, it’s really heartbreaking..."

"Where there is a parting, there will be a reunion. Big Brother, don’t worry," Wang Xian comforted his brother. "I will visit you often." The two brothers bid farewell at the dock and then went their separate ways.

Wang Xian did not return to the old house. During his time in Hangzhou, he had already arranged for Shuai Hui and Liu Erhei to help Lin Qing’er move her belongings to the clerk’s quarters.

When he returned to the quarters, it was already dusk. Wang Xian saw that a row of courtyards were lit up, and the thought that one of those lights was for him made his heart warm and soft...

But when he saw his own courtyard, he was terrified... A thick smoke was rising into the sky!

Someone was setting fire! Terrified, he rushed into the house and saw that the smoke was coming from the kitchen. Upon closer inspection, it was Lin Qing’er who was starting a fire...

Wang Xian was at a loss, quickly pulling Lin Qing’er, who was coughing continuously, out of the kitchen. He then stood in front of the smoky stove, dazed for a moment, and was eventually forced to flee due to the smoke. He had never started a fire before; how was he supposed to handle this?

Lin Qing’er’s face was covered in soot, her eyes red and swollen from the smoke. Seeing that Wang Xian was also at a loss, she was on the verge of tears...

Fortunately, at this moment, a fat auntie from the neighborhood, thinking that their house was on fire, came over to see what was happening. Seeing the situation, she took out most of the firewood from the stove and then pulled the bellows a few times. The thick smoke gradually diminished...

The fat auntie turned around and looked at the two of them as if they were idiots. "Why did you put so much firewood in?"

Lin Qing’er, embarrassed, hid behind Wang Xian. Wang Xian awkwardly chuckled, "I’ve never cooked before, it’s my first time starting a fire..."

The fat auntie didn’t believe it. "She’s so old and doesn’t know how to start a fire?"

"Before, she always ate ready-made food at home," Wang Xian scratched his head, thinking to himself, who would have such a silly wife? He quickly humbly asked for the correct method of starting a fire.

The fat auntie taught him the essentials of starting a fire, and then, remembering that she had a pot on the stove at home, she warned them not to set the house on fire before leaving reluctantly.

After sending off the well-meaning, talkative auntie, Wang Xian turned around and saw Lin Qing’er sitting on the kitchen threshold, hugging her knees and sobbing softly.

"Sister, why are you crying?" Wang Xian walked over and sat down next to her.

"I’m useless, sniff sniff..." Lin Qing’er’s face, which resembled Zhang Fei’s, had two white tear marks. She sobbed, "I saw that everything was ready at home, and there were ready-made ingredients, so I wanted to cook you a dinner," she covered her face with her hands, feeling too ashamed. "But I realized that I had forgotten to learn how to start a fire..."

"But you’ve learned now, haven’t you?" Wang Xian smiled helplessly, only able to comfort her. "No one is born knowing how to do everything..."

"Um." Lin Qing’er perked up, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and her face became a mess. "Wait here, I’ll go cook!"

"Let’s not." Wang Xian quickly pulled her back. "Tonight is a housewarming celebration, let’s go out to a restaurant to celebrate."

"Oh..." Lin Qing’er immediately felt relieved. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but she was very afraid of cooking. But thinking of her mother’s instructions, she shook her head. "But Mother said not to spend money recklessly."

"Man eats when he’s hungry, that’s a natural law," Wang Xian smiled. "Besides, when I eat at someone’s place, it’s a favor to them. Who would charge me?" He then pulled Lin Qing’er up. "Go wash your face quickly, let’s go for a big meal."

"It’s still better not to eat for free. People work hard to earn money," Lin Qing’er said. "Besides, owing favors can be troublesome in the future."

"Sister is right," Wang Xian chuckled.

Lin Qing’er didn’t say anything more. She went inside to wash her face and came out wearing men’s clothes. Although it was obvious that they were fake, it was for convenience, not to hide from others.

Wang Xian looked at this handsome young man and smiled, "Truly unique."

Lin Qing’er rolled her eyes and said in a rough voice, "Little brother Lin Qing, may I ask your name?"

"I am surnamed Ni, and my courtesy name is Lao Gong," Wang Xian replied with a smile.

"You’re just taking advantage of me..." Lin Qing’er pouted. Since the Song Dynasty, husbands and wives had been called Lao Gong and Lao Po, and this term had spread to Hangzhou after the Southern Song Dynasty.

"It’s bound to happen sooner or later," Wang Xian laughed, held her hand, and they went out, locking the courtyard gate. In a few steps, they reached Yamen Street.

Yamen Street was brightly lit, and the night market was bustling, though it couldn’t compare to Hangzhou. Lin Qing’er quickly withdrew her hand and asked, "Brother, where are we going to eat?"

"Let’s go to this one." Wang Xian led her into a restaurant and smiled. "This place’s three-ingredient hot pot is the best."

"Of course, Mr. Wang is an expert in food." The fat owner of the restaurant quickly came out from behind the counter when he saw Wang Xian, his face beaming. "When I was a chef in Hangzhou, even the Censorate Commissioner ate my three-ingredient hot pot!" He was the brother of Zhu Dachang, who bought meat, named Zhu Dayou. He had been a chef in a restaurant in Hangzhou and later saved some money to open this restaurant in his hometown. His experience in the provincial capital was often used to boast.

By the way, Sima Qiu’s concubine Ruhua was his and Zhu Dachang’s sister...

"You’re just boasting." Wang Xian, however, exposed him. "I met the Censorate Commissioner during the Lantern Festival, and he said he always eats vegetarian."

"I meant the previous Censorate Commissioner..." Zhu Dayou replied with a smile, and the two of them burst into laughter.

After laughing, Zhu Dayou led Wang Xian to a private room on the second floor. People in this business are sharp-eyed and quick-witted. He naturally saw that Lin Qing’er was a woman but didn’t ask more, only talking to Wang Xian.

"Besides the hot pot, bring a few small dishes," Wang Xian instructed. "And go to the next door to buy a jug of plum wine."

"The next door is already closed..." the waiter said blankly.

"Can’t you knock on the door? Tell them Mr. Wang wants to drink, and let them decide!" Zhu Dayou kicked the waiter down the stairs and smiled apologetically at Wang Xian. "He’s new, still needs training." Then he didn’t use the waiter and personally brought the hot pot.

The hot pot is a type of fondue, but it uses a purple copper pot with a large belly and a thin leg. The shiny pot lid has two movable copper handles. The fire under the pot is made of Fuyang’s specialty bamboo charcoal, which produces no smoke, avoiding the awkwardness of smoke and fire.

Zhu Dayou lifted the pot lid, revealing a layer of chicken, a layer of duck, and a layer of meat, all cut into neat strips and arranged skillfully, not scattered even in the boiling broth. Winter bamboo shoots and mushrooms were also added, balancing the richness with a light touch, embodying the essence of Chinese cuisine.

Zhu Dayou then brought over a dozen exquisite snacks. By this time, the plum wine had arrived, and the two of them began to enjoy the hot pot and wine, no longer worrying about being scolded by their mother for coming home late or drinking too much, truly a delightful experience.

After the meal, Wang Xian asked Zhu Dayou downstairs, "How much?"

Zhu Dayou refused, "What money? Mr. Wang coming to my small shop is an honor."

"But I still have to pay," Wang Xian took out a stack of treasure notes from his boot and smiled. "One thing is one thing. If you don’t take the money, I won’t come back."

"Look what you’re saying..." Zhu Dayou reluctantly took the money, escorting Wang Xian far from the shop. In his heart, he cursed, "You can pretend to be clean, but I’ll bring it back tomorrow and even give you a door gift..."

Walking a distance, Lin Qing’er suddenly smiled, "I thought you were going to eat for free, but you still paid in the end."

"Isn’t that because of Sister’s good guidance?" Wang Xian smiled and grabbed her small hand. "How should I reward you?"

"Tomorrow, I’ll make you a hearty breakfast..." Lin Qing’er smiled.

"Uh... that’s great..." Thinking of Lin Qing’er’s dark cooking, Wang Xian’s stomach ached. But to avoid discouraging her, he felt he should endure it silently.

Both of them had been busy all day, but when they wanted to take a bath at home, they were stumped. How could they take a bath without hot water? Wang Xian usually went to the bathhouse, so he didn’t feel it was inconvenient. But now, the bathhouse was closed, and there was no women’s section, so they had to bathe at home...

After a moment of staring at each other, Wang Xian slapped his thigh. "Boil water!" There was a water tank in the courtyard, filled to the brim by Erhei. There was still some embers in the stove, and following the fat auntie’s method, they added more firewood. Lin Qing’er gently pulled the bellows, and the fire grew stronger, the red flames reflecting on their faces.

The two of them cheered like children.

Leaving Lin Qing’er to watch the fire, Wang Xian went to the west room to find a bathtub. Although his place was small, all the household items were the best that Fuyang County could offer, and they were all brand new. For example, this bathtub was made from newly cut and dried pine wood, almost without knots. Wang Xian cleaned it with cold water and placed it in the main room. By this time, the water was boiling, and Wang Xian poured a bucket into the bathtub, and a pine scent filled the air.

He then poured another bucket of hot water and a bucket of cold water, testing the temperature, and said in a drawn-out voice, "My lady can take a bath now..."

Lin Qing’er had already found her change of clothes, blushing as she pushed Wang Xian out and locked the door. "No peeking."

Wang Xian was locked outside, seeing the silhouette of the beauty on the window. Her every move of undressing was so clear, yet he could see nothing. He was so anxious that he scratched his head and looked for gaps in the window, but the people below had spent a lot of money to have the carpenter remake the windows and doors, leaving no gaps.

Wang Xian then remembered a scene from TV and quickly wet his finger with saliva, trying to poke a hole in the window paper. But the window was made of thick layers of gauze, which couldn’t be broken...

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