Chapter 63: Opening

At the end of the twelfth month, the shop was almost fully renovated. On this day, Kang He and Fan Jing, together with Chen Shi and the two maids, all went to the City. Inside and out, they scrubbed and cleaned every corner of the shop.

In the nooks and crannies, years’ worth of dust had accumulated as thick as a fingernail. When the rags were wrung out in the basin, the water turned into murky sludge.

They even swept out a few grains of rice from the crevices in the bluestone floor. Given that this place used to be a rice shop, it really wasn’t an exaggeration. But perhaps because of the business, the dust felt even heavier.

With four or five pairs of hands from the whole family, it still took them most of the day to get the place truly clean.

Though they were tired, since it was work for their own household and their own shop, their hearts were filled with joy.

Kang He went to the street corner and bought five bowls of sweet rice wine balls for everyone to fill their bellies. The shop assistant brought out a long table and served sweet soup. Seeing the shop had been rented out, he asked what kind of business they were planning to run.

Chen Shi quickly pulled him aside and gave a full introduction. The shop had been decided on during the first month; she had been selling konjac tofu at the street corner, and whenever she met customers, she would tell them that from now on, she’d be selling goods at Dou Xin Fang at the south end of South Street.

The next day, Fan Jing and Kang He brought out the thirty-some jin of honey they’d stored at home, the kudzu and bracken starch they’d made during the autumn moon, and the fifty-some jin of cellophane noodles they’d slowly accumulated. As for salted duck, preserved eggs… all those dried goods and long-lasting items were moved into the shop.

Chen Shi also helped arrange and organize everything onto the shelves.

A small sleeping room had been partitioned off in the shop. With new shelves and a counter added, it didn’t look as spacious as when it was just an empty shop.

Still, there wasn’t that much stock after all; once everything was arranged on the shelves, the shop didn’t feel crowded at all.

As for pork, they did as planned—at the shop entrance, to the left, they built a rain shelter and set up a long vendor’s table.

Some sweet soup shops on the street did the same—opening a window facing the street, with a table by the window for customers who didn’t want to come inside. They could order a bowl of sweet soup at the window, eat at the table, and leave.

To be neighborly, Kang He took four salted ducks and four preserved eggs to the Oil Shop on the left and the Double Line Shop on the right, which sold shoes and boots. He gave them the same gifts.

Since the Oil Shop pressed its own oil, there was often a smell of oil. Pork, too, always had a bit of an odor, so they set up their stall on the left side.

Each shop had its own scent; no one could complain about the other.

“What should we name our shop so it stands out?”

That night, Kang He lay with his arm under his head and asked Fan Jing. They’d been so busy that when he went next door to deliver gifts that morning, someone asked about the shop’s name—and he realized he’d nearly forgotten about it.

Fan Jing said, “Up to you.”

Kang He turned to look at him. “You’re the butcher—don’t you have any ideas?”

“I barely know a couple of characters. What ideas would I have?”

Kang He laughed and said, “A few days ago, I heard Da Xin Brother mention a phrase—it sounded really good.”

Fan Jing glanced at him.

Kang He continued, “He was talking to the children, saying that spring was coming soon. When the spring wind is gentle and the scenery is bright, it’s called ‘Spring Harmony and Scenic Brightness’.”

“When I heard it, I thought—not only does it have both our names in it, the meaning is also excellent.”

Fan Jing listened and said, “It’s a good phrase, but for a butcher shop?”

Kang He laughed, “I thought so too—it doesn’t quite fit, so I didn’t settle on it. But I see a lot of shops use their family name for the signboard. Why don’t we do the same? Fortunately, the other two butcher shops in the area aren’t surnamed Fan.”

He smiled at Fan Jing, eyes crinkling. “How about calling it ‘Fan Family Husband Butcher and Provisions Shop’? A husband running a butcher shop—quite the gimmick.”

Fan Jing said, “There are women selling pork at butcher stalls too, and their shops are named after them. People will just think it’s a man doing the slaughtering outside. What’s so special about that?”

He turned to Kang He and said slowly, “If you called it ‘Live-in Son-in-law Butcher and Provisions Shop,’ now that’s a gimmick.”

Kang He heard this and his brows moved. He didn’t get angry; instead, he started to seriously ponder.

“Hiss, don’t laugh—this sign really would be a gimmick. Not only does Dou Xin Fang not have a shop with a name like that, I’ve never seen one in the whole County Town!”

“Most people who come out to buy meat and groceries are wives and husbands. When they hear it’s a live-in son-in-law, who could resist taking a look? We wouldn’t even have to shout ourselves hoarse to draw a crowd.”

“People would think our shop is interesting and mention it to relatives, friends, and neighbors as a joke. It might sound like they’re laughing at us, but as they spread the word, it sticks in people’s minds. Just in casual conversation, they’d be promoting our shop. Some might not plan to buy from us, but once they come to see the excitement, they might just make a purchase.”

Fan Jing saw how serious he was and frowned slightly. “I was just joking.”

Kang He clicked his tongue, understanding what Fan Jing meant. He knew that once the sign was up, everyone outside would know he was a live-in son-in-law, which might bruise a man’s pride.

But he wasn’t afraid of people knowing. Besides, what’s wrong with being a live-in son-in-law? His family loved and respected him, and his days were good.

Only those who felt powerless would think of themselves as living under someone else’s roof, clinging to their pride and fearing being called a live-in son-in-law.

Fan Jing listened to these words, and his heart was quietly moved. For a man to be so open-minded was truly rare.

“I don’t know much about business. If you think it’s good, do as you please.”

Kang He was delighted, feeling he’d come up with a rare and excellent name.

A few days later, he went to the woodworker and had a signboard carved.

The shop’s opening was set for the first day of the twelfth month, a date chosen by an old gentleman who consulted the almanac.

Kang He and Fan Jing hadn’t yet found a good household to buy pigs from, so after discussing it, they decided to slaughter one of their own pigs to sell.

The two piglets they’d bought last spring had grown fat and strong, but they’d never slaughtered them—saving them for the butcher shop’s opening.

Once the shop started selling fresh meat, families who raised pigs to sell would naturally come to ask about prices, so there was no need to worry about future supply.

So, late on the eve of the first, Fan Jing slaughtered the pig at home and broke down the meat in advance.

On the first, before dawn, the two of them loaded the pork onto a donkey cart and took it to the County Town.

With such a big event as the shop opening, everyone in the family wanted to go and help.

But with only a hundred-odd jin of pork, there wasn’t enough space for the whole family on the cart.

Fan Father, Chen Shi, and the two maids followed behind.

The little shop couldn’t afford a grand opening parade. Following the City’s customs, they set off a string of firecrackers, pulled off the red cloth to reveal the signboard, and that was that.

The moment the firecrackers went off, curious onlookers from the market gathered around. When the red cloth was pulled off the sign, everyone outside immediately pointed and laughed.

“What’s written up there? Why is everyone so excited?”

“Auntie, can’t you read? The shop’s called ‘Fan Family Live-in Son-in-law Butcher and Provisions Shop’!”

“Well, that’s rare. There are quite a few people standing here—which one is the live-in son-in-law?”

The crowd buzzed with gossip, and the more they talked, the livelier it got.

Fan Shoulin had never done business in the City before. Even when Chen Shi sold konjac tofu, he’d never once helped out, let alone been part of opening a shop.

Standing in the shop, seeing so many people gathering outside, all pointing at the sign and chattering, his face flushed red with embarrassment. He hid inside, too shy to go out.

Juner was reserved by nature. Seeing so many people made her nervous, so she helped her father tidy up inside.

Chen Sanfang had no problem shouting on the street. Seeing so many people bustling about, she only wished every one of them could be her customer.

Qiaor wasn’t shy at all, running in and out, finding the whole thing novel and fun.

Fan Jing stood at the stall by the door, wiping his knife and handling the meat. He wasn’t afraid of the loneliness of wild mountains, nor was he afraid of this noisy crowd—he simply focused on his work.

Kang He helped Fan Jing set up the meat stall. Seeing the crowd gather, he wiped his greasy hands on his apron and leaned over to Fan Jing, speaking softly, “Get ready for customers.”

With that, he stepped out in front of the stall, wearing a friendly smile.

“Fan Family Live-in Son-in-law Butcher and Provisions Shop opens today! We’ve got fresh meat, chicken, duck, dried cellophane noodles—plenty of goods! Wives and husbands, feel free to come in and take a look!”

“Young man, are you the live-in son-in-law of this shop?”

Seeing someone step out to greet them, the crowd pointed at the sign and asked Kang He.

At these words, everyone burst out laughing.

Kang He chuckled. “Good eyes, madam! I am indeed the live-in son-in-law. May I ask if the elders and neighbors approve?”

“So handsome!”

Kang He said, “Not only am I handsome, but the shop’s goods are excellent too! To celebrate our opening, anyone who spends at least thirty copper coins gets a piece of konjac tofu; spend fifty copper coins, and you get a piece of blood tofu as well! Limited quantity, first come, first served!”

“Even if you don’t buy meat or goods, it’s fine—come in and take a look at the live-in son-in-law, no charge for looking~”

The crowd outside was amused by Kang He and started pouring into the shop.

Chen Sanfang was so happy she nearly slapped her thigh, hurrying to greet everyone.

“Come inside, come inside! Our prices here are good, and the goods are even better!”

“Cao Madam! Oh, I spotted you from afar. Thank you for coming to support us today.”

Chen Sanfang was warm and lively in her greetings. But with so many people, the shop was almost too crowded to move. Even though it was still early in the twelfth month, she was working so hard her back was damp with sweat.

Qiaor didn’t need any prompting. With her quick tongue, she was calling out to madams and husbands, her words sweet as honey, offering salted duck for people to try.

Juner wasn’t as bold as Qiaor and wasn’t good at talking, but she was quick and attentive. She remembered where everything was on the shelves, and could fetch anything customers asked for. After learning arithmetic from Fan Xin, she was already able to do the shop’s accounts.

Only Fan Father, seeing so many people crowding into the shop, was so embarrassed that he didn’t know what to do. His forehead was already beaded with sweat, and he kept wiping his face over and over.

Chen Sanfang saw this and pinched him hard. “You’re not even as helpful as the two girls.”

Fan Father whispered, “It looks like we have enough hands, and your throat is getting hoarse from shouting. I’ll go boil some water.”

With that, he hid in the sleeping room at the back.

Kang He, meanwhile, was outside at the meat stall.

People came to pick out meat, Fan Jing cut it, Kang He weighed and took the money. The two of them worked together seamlessly, never keeping customers waiting.

“How much is this front leg meat? It looks so fresh and tender.”

Kang He replied, “Fifteen copper coins per piece. Our meat here is never more expensive than anywhere else.”

He glanced at the young woman’s basket and saw she had a bunch of celery. “Front leg meat is tender—great for stir-frying. Fry it with celery stalks, and the leaves can be used for soup.”

“I’ll take a piece, then.”

Fan Jing took a piece of front leg meat from the rack, sliced off a portion, weighed it—about a jin per piece, just a little under.

He didn’t say anything, just added a sizable chunk to make up the weight, so it was actually a bit over the scale, but still counted as a piece for the price.

The young woman, seeing she’d gotten a little extra, was pleased. “My home isn’t far from here. I’ll come back for meat next time.”

“Great. If you want any special cuts next time, just let me know.”

Kang He took the coins, thinking to himself that Fan Jing even knew how to be generous with the scale now, and felt gratified.

He nudged Fan Jing secretly, and when their eyes met, both of them smiled.

“I want to cook bamboo shoots with meat. What cut is best?”

The young man behind the woman who’d just bought front leg meat asked, having noticed the shopkeeper knew about cooking.

Kang He replied, “For braised dishes, pork belly with alternating fat and lean is best. It’s not greasy, and the fat will make the bamboo shoots fragrant.”

He noticed the young man was well-dressed and wore a jade hairpin, clearly from a well-off family. He suggested, “If you buy two pieces, I’ll throw in a piece of konjac tofu for you. Braise it with the bamboo shoots—it’s even tastier.”

It wasn’t hot yet this month, so the meat would keep for a while. No need to worry about buying too much and it spoiling.

The young man was convinced and wanted the free tofu. But people living in the City weren’t necessarily more generous than those in the countryside—they were just as good at managing their money.

“I heard you get a piece of konjac tofu for spending thirty copper coins. Just give me that much worth of meat, then.”

Kang He didn’t push further and agreed.

Fan Jing cut the pork belly as requested.

Customer after customer came. The cost price for meat was high, but the selling price wasn’t low either. Each sale brought in several copper coins, and after just an hour, Kang He found the money box under the stall was already half full, and he felt at ease.

Hu Dasan heard about the opening and came by to take a look. He saw the small shop packed with customers, rarely seeing anyone leave empty-handed. The business was really good!

Hu Dalang came too, and said to Hu Dasan, “Looks like business here is much better than Dad’s old meat stall. I always knew Kang Sanlang was good at business.”

Hu Dasan snorted, “You were just a kid when I was running my stall. What do you know? Where is there a shop that doesn’t have good business on its first day?”

“But still, if that Kang fellow wasn’t capable, would I have taken him as an apprentice?”

Hu Yuan grinned, “Dad, aren’t you contradicting yourself? But your eyes are the sharpest—never wrong.”

One after another, Liang Shi and Xiangxiu came by, bringing congratulatory couplets. Even Zou Fulang heard about the opening and brought over a Welcome Wealth Ornament.

Some villagers also came by to join the excitement.

The shop was bustling for most of the day, only quieting down around noon.

The whole family was parched and their legs ached. The moment they sat down, they didn’t want to move.

Kang He went to the restaurant across the street and bought six bowls of noodles. They ate right there in the shop.

After finishing a bowl of noodles and soup, they finally regained some strength.

Chen Sanfang said, “Doing business seems like just spinning around in a little shop, but it’s really not easier than working in the fields.”

She couldn’t help but worry, “We can’t have the whole family helping out in the shop every day. How will we manage?”

Kang He laughed, “It’s just because we gave out free stuff today, so business was especially good. Once things settle down, it won’t be like this. Look at the other shops on the street—not that many people come and go in a morning.”

Chen Sanfang thought it over and agreed, but she was still delighted with the good business that morning.

Sure enough, by the afternoon, business slowed down noticeably.

Most people did their shopping in the morning, so that’s when business was busiest. In the afternoon, only the rich and idle went out for fun—there weren’t many people in the City buying groceries.

That’s why even the villagers who came to the City to sell vegetables came early—not just so they could get home to work, but because there were more customers in the morning.

A shop could stay open all day, but the best business was only during certain hours.

In the afternoon, Chen Shi, Fan Father, and the two maids had time to relax.

Kang He and Fan Jing stayed at the stall out front. Occasionally, a customer would ask about meat, but there weren’t many buyers.

Seeing that business had slowed, Kang He told Chen Shi and Fan Father to take the girls home first. He gave them ten copper coins to hire a cart at the City gate. After working all morning, everyone was exhausted.

Later, when they all went home together, the donkey cart would be enough, saving a few copper coins.

Besides, if everyone went home together, there’d still be chores to do. If they left in shifts, those who went home first could start boiling water.

Kang He and Fan Jing, if they sold most of the meat, still had to slaughter the other pig at home.

The shop was just opening, so for the first few days, they needed to have fresh meat every day. It was a time to build a reputation and attract customers. If they only had meat some days and not others, they wouldn’t be able to keep steady business.

So Chen Shi went home first.

As dusk fell, the wind whistled through the alley. Kang He and Fan Jing packed up the leftover meat.

After counting, out of the 170-some jin pig they’d slaughtered, there was only half a pig’s head and a few pieces of meat left—about thirty-some jin in total.

For the first day, that was already quite an achievement—nearly selling out a whole pig.

Hu Dasan had told them that on a good day, a shop could sell two hundred jin of pork; on a bad day, it might take three days to sell a hundred jin.

They closed up and locked the doors.

Braving the cold wind, they went to the animal market to fetch their donkey, hitched it to the cart, and headed home.

When they got home, they didn’t eat right away. While the water was boiling, they drove the smaller pig out of the pen and slaughtered it.

After working for more than an hour, it was deep into the night before they finally got to eat and bathe.

Kang He returned to his room. Though his body was tired, when he brought out today’s money box, heavy and solid, he felt his spirits rise.

The two of them sat cross-legged on the bed, barefoot, and poured out all the copper coins, making a little mountain.

Kang He handed a few hemp cords to Fan Jing, smiling as he said, “Let’s count. Once we’re done, we can go to sleep.”