TSWPF – Chapter 38 The Fang Residence

Li Qingling saw him and initially thought he had come to buy egg pancakes again. She smiled, “Uncle, today’s egg pancakes are all sold out. Please come back tomorrow!”

The man was the steward of the Fang family in town. He didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “Young lady, my master really likes these egg pancakes. Would you be willing to sell your recipe?” He was trying his luck, offering the pancakes to his master, and didn’t expect that once the master tried them, he got hooked, eating three pancakes in a row before stopping.

Since he only knew the pancakes came from a small street stall, he decided to buy the recipe and have the house cooks make them.

Hearing this, Li Qingling felt a pang in her heart, but her expression remained unchanged. She apologized to the steward, “Uncle, I’m sorry. This is my family’s heirloom recipe; I cannot sell it.” Seeing the steward’s face darken, she hurriedly added, “However, I can come to your residence and teach your cook how to make it.” This was a reluctant compromise; if she refused, this man probably wouldn’t let her go easily.

Li Qingling had little social influence and couldn’t compete with such people, so compromise was her only choice.

The steward pondered for a moment before nodding.

Li Qingling smiled faintly, exchanged a glance with Liu Zhimou, quickly packed up, slung the basket over his shoulder, and followed the steward.

“Uncle, may I ask which residence you’re from?” Li Qingling asked curiously, a hint of caution creeping in.

The steward glanced at her and, seeing no reason to hide anything, said plainly, “The Fang family.”

The Fang family?

Li Qingling relaxed slightly. From what she heard from Mrs. Zhang, the Fang family had a good reputation in town, giving porridge and clothes to the poor every year.

So after teaching the cook, as long as she reminded them not to spread the recipe, it should be fine.

Liu Zhimou quietly squeezed her hand, letting her know not to be afraid, that he was there.

Li Qingling turned to him, blinked, and smiled, signaling that she wasn’t scared.

Seeing her genuinely relaxed, he felt less worried.

The two silently followed the steward through the back gate of the Fang residence, keeping their eyes straight ahead, not wandering around.

The steward nodded to himself. These two children did not act like rural kids at all; they were calm and composed. Based on this alone, he already felt some fondness for them.

Arriving in the kitchen, the steward summoned the Fang household’s dedicated dessert cook and had her learn how to make egg pancakes from Li Qingling.

The cook nodded and did not look down on Li Qingling. Humbly, she asked, “How should we make these egg pancakes?”

Recently, the master had a poor appetite. The kitchen had prepared many delicacies, but he couldn’t eat them, which troubled everyone greatly.

Hearing that the master had eaten several pancakes today, they were both delighted and anxious, fearing that the master might replace them. Now that they had the chance to learn this skill, of course, they had to focus.

Li Qingling smiled at the cook, brought out the molds, and taught her while demonstrating.

Egg pancakes weren’t difficult. After watching once and practicing once, the cook quickly learned.

When served to the master, he was very pleased.

Li Qingling finally felt completely relieved. She wiped the sweat from her brow and was about to pack up and leave.

The steward returned, asking her to leave the molds behind so that a new batch could be made.

What could Li Qingling do? She could only nod reluctantly.

The steward smiled and handed her a money pouch.

“No…no need for that, Uncle. I really shouldn’t…” Li Qingling waved her hands repeatedly. Before he could speak, she continued, “Uncle, I still want to make money with these egg pancakes, so…”

The steward, clever as he was, understood her intent. He nodded and promised her that the technique wouldn’t be spread outside the residence.

Then he stuffed the pouch into her hands. “This is the master’s reward. Take it.”

This time, Li Qingling didn’t refuse. She smiled and took the pouch. “Thank you, Master Fang.” She needed to pay for the molds too, and refusing would have been foolish.

The steward escorted them out of the residence. Only after the back gate was closed did Li Qingling dramatically exhale in relief.

She patted her chest and grinned at Liu Zhimou, “I don’t ever want to come here again.” She dared not imagine what would happen if she accidentally offended someone in the residence.

Liu Zhimou held her hand, feeling how cold it was. He rubbed it gently until it warmed, then let go.

He felt uneasy, but there was nothing he could do. In just his plain robe, he couldn’t help her.

After this experience, he resolved even more firmly to achieve success, so she would never have to go through something like this again.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing him silent, Li Qingling furrowed her brows in concern. “Were you scared too?”

This fool…

Liu Zhimou rubbed her head, shook it gently, and looked into her eyes. “After spring begins, send Qingfeng and Zhiyan to school!” The two younger ones were talented and couldn’t be delayed.

Once even one of them achieved merit, no one would dare bully their family.

He was serious.

Li Qingling raised an eyebrow and looked at him intently. Thinking carefully, she understood why he said this.

“Do you want to go?” With their current income, the family could afford to send three children to school, though it would make her work harder.

Before she could finish, Liu Zhimou shook his head. “No, let the two younger ones go.” If she ran the stall alone, it would be exhausting. He needed to help her, not let her bear the family burden alone.

Besides, sending three to school would be difficult financially. Even if he wanted to go, he couldn’t agree.

Li Qingling pursed her lips. She knew he wanted to go but didn’t want to add to the family’s burden, so he had to refuse.

She held his hand tightly in sympathy and promised, “I’ll make sure you can continue your studies too.” He was so intelligent; it would be a shame if he didn’t continue learning.

A gentle smile curved his lips. Even hearing this one sentence made him satisfied.

“What’s your wish?” She wanted him to continue studying, and he wanted her life to be happier.

Li Qingling tilted her head, thinking. “My wish? To work hard, earn money, and raise our siblings to adulthood, seeing them marry and have children.”

He frowned, looking a little gloomy. “I asked about your wish.” Couldn’t she think about herself for once, instead of always focusing on the family?

She looked at him curiously, not understanding his irritation, and muttered, “This is my wish!” This was exactly what she wanted—nothing else.

Sighing helplessly, Liu Zhimou tapped her forehead. “After they grow up and have families, what kind of life do you want?” Sometimes she was clever; sometimes she wasn’t.

Li Qingling rubbed her forehead, rolled her eyes at him, and thought carefully. After a moment, she replied, “To be a landlady, travel when I have free time… that would be heavenly.” She didn’t have lofty ambitions. Unlike other transmigrated women who sought great achievements, she simply wanted her family to be fed, clothed, and safe.

Liu Zhimou nodded, committing her words to heart. No matter how far life took them, he would fulfill this wish.

Li Qingling sighed silently, wondering if she would ever live such a life. But thinking too far ahead was pointless—living well in the present was most important.

“Let’s first make a mold. Without it, the stall can’t open tomorrow.” Li Qingling shook her head and smiled optimistically. “The pouch Uncle Fang gave me is pretty heavy—I bet there’s a lot of silver in it.” She wanted to check it but held back; money couldn’t be flaunted. She’d wait until they were home.

Seeing her smiling side profile, Liu Zhimou relaxed. He liked her resilience, the way she could endure anything and remain strong.

“Oh? How much do you think?” he teased.

Li Qingling held up her hand, then bent two fingers. “This much…” She estimated around thirty taels. Just by teaching someone else to make pancakes, she’d earn thirty taels—a profitable deal.

Liu Zhimou deliberately guessed three taels, earning him a glare.

“Three taels? How dare you!” she huffed, leaning closer and whispering, “I think it’s thirty.” The more she thought about it, the more eager she became to see.

He pinched her cheek. “Little money-grubber.” Yet he liked it. “Let’s check at home. I know you’re impatient—hurry and make the mold!”

Li Qingling pouted silently, picking up her pace.

They went to the blacksmith and had another mold made. Recognizing Li Qingling, the smith promised to do a good job. She’d pick it up tomorrow.

Li Qingling nodded, paid, and they also bought some daily necessities before returning home with their baskets.

Just as they returned, before sitting down, Aunt Huang arrived.

“Xiaoling, you’re back! How was business?” Aunt Huang asked cheerfully as she entered. She had made some profit from collecting eggs and was grateful to Li Qingling.

Li Qingling immediately stood, greeting her, and asked only, “Did you receive the eggs?”

She knew Aunt Huang came for this reason.

Aunt Huang, hearing the question, forgot her earlier words and nodded vigorously. “Yes, I did. When will you come to collect them?”