Third Brother Bao was quick to act, and the very next day he came back with Kang He’s reply.
The neighboring shop, a butcher’s, was also eager to make a deal. They asked for two guan and five qian upfront, but if introduced by a familiar person, they would accept two guan and three qian.
Kang He had been inside that shop before. It was a bit larger than theirs but not by much—mainly because it had an extra eave at the back of the house where they could place a stove and some miscellaneous utensils.
The price that shop asked was not low, but shops sold through the butchers’ broker were usually more expensive than renting directly from the landlord.
The shop with a courtyard they currently held was rented out to a merchant dealing in sauces at two guan and five qian. The merchant had to pay three guan a month to the broker.
Shops on this street rented quickly. Kang He had been operating there for nearly a year, so he was well aware of the market.
Having received news from Third Brother Bao, Kang He had the intention, so he didn’t delay and immediately passed the information to He Xiaoqiu.
“It would be great if we could rent the shop, but I’m afraid the price will be quite a bit higher.”
“If we rent a shop, an extra rental cost is inevitable. But if the business is to improve, having a storefront is indispensable.”
Kang He spoke to He Xiaoqiu, “It’s impossible to keep running just these few items from now on. If we want to add new varieties, it will be even harder to expand properly.”
He Xiaoqiu nodded in agreement. He had been helping with the business lately and knew how troublesome it was when the business was doing well but the shop space was cramped.
There had been an incident before when a customer nearly fell into the pot due to a shove. Thankfully, such things were rare.
But during the winter months, bad weather was frequent, and customers waiting to buy meat really suffered.
When the weather was good, having a line of customers outside on the street wasn’t a problem. But on rainy or snowy days, customers waiting outside in the rain or snow for meat were truly freezing.
If it wasn’t a true love for this taste, who would endure such hardship?
Some customers gave up buying meat at their place simply because of the long queues during bad weather. This too meant losing business.
Moreover, there had been previous conflicts with the double-line shop. If things continued like this, there might be disputes over business again with the neighboring oil shop—or if they didn’t rent the shop next door, some other fierce competitor might come in to cause trouble.
Seeing He Xiaoqiu deep in thought, Kang He quickly added, “I just happened to notice the neighboring shop was about to be rented out. I don’t necessarily have to rent it. It’s not like I resent the braised meat stall taking over the pig meat shop’s spot.”
“I know you don’t mean that. We’re all just doing business here. There’s nothing to get upset about, especially since this is for long-term operation.”
He Xiaoqiu was not the petty type and replied, “I’ll first go back and talk with Father. It wouldn’t be right to decide hastily.”
“Of course,” Kang He agreed.
When He Xiaoqiu got home, he spoke with Old He. Surprisingly, Old He was quite pleased to hear that the pig meat shop next door was available for rent.
Before things went wrong at home, when he was out selling braised geese door-to-door, he had thought about renting a shop to run the business properly.
But just as he was about to find a suitable place, He Xiaoqiu married, and later Lei Xiao’an’s gambling debts swallowed up the money the family had saved to rent a shop.
Now that things at home had improved and He Xiaoqiu was back on his feet, renting a shop to operate was a good thing—it would mean less exhausting work.
Every day, seeing the older brother rise before dawn to prepare the braised ingredients and rush to the city, then come back in the afternoon to help his mother kill geese, the family felt a pang of sympathy.
Old He also had plans. His health was poor, his wife was mute, and their only son was the sole male heir. Without a strong man to support the family, they were vulnerable to being bullied.
Although the Fan family had only been in business for a little over half a year, they appeared sincere and treated He Xiaoqiu well. Renting the shop next door would mean the two families could watch out for each other, which was much safer than renting a shop elsewhere and facing challenges alone.
Old He agreed to the plan and instructed He Xiaoqiu that even if the braised meat stall opened a separate shop, they should not go back on the agreements previously made.
He Xiaoqiu took this to heart and passed it on to Kang He and Fan Jing.
Seeing the He family’s intention, Kang He went to call Third Brother Bao over to discuss the rental price again.
Kang He felt two guan and three qian was still too high. For those completely unfamiliar with rental prices, it might be acceptable, but having rented shops himself, he knew the market.
Third Brother Bao went to the broker to look for his agent brothers twice. In the end, even lowering the price, two guan was the minimum. That was the highest his relatives could pay. If this side still thought it expensive, they would have to look for a better shop elsewhere.
Seeing that they had conceded three qian, Kang He agreed to the price.
He also negotiated with the broker that if the original landlord caused trouble over the shop, the broker would mediate, and the landlord guaranteed no such problems would arise.
Before the New Year, Kang He went and settled the matter, receiving the shop keys on Little New Year’s Day.
At some unknown night, the neighbors quietly moved everything out, leaving the shop empty. The Fan and He families worked together to clean and prepare the new shop.
They usually hired a carpenter to repair and make the signboard.
Since the carpenter needed to rest during the first few days of the New Year and had to visit relatives during the first month, they couldn’t move in too quickly.
Still, after closing in the afternoon, they placed their goods there.
During business hours, the items were still outside, but it was no longer as cramped as before.
When customers inquired, they could inform them that the braised meat was now next door. Regular customers had no trouble finding them despite the stall’s move.
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Fan family’s shop closed for seven days for the New Year holiday, planning to reopen on the fifth day of the first lunar month.
Many outsiders in the city and village merchants like the Fans closed their shops in the days following Little New Year.
Although the city was lively during the New Year and people were willing to spend, some merchants wanted to make extra money during this time, but many valued family reunions over profit and thus shut down before the New Year.
That afternoon, the Fan family invited butcher Hu to slaughter a pig, celebrating the year-end with a feast.
The pig weighed over two hundred jin, plump and healthy. Three large tables of slaughtering dishes were prepared.
The fresh pork was divided and sent to the main branch, the He family, the Hu family, the Xu family, and several friendly households.
In the city, their acquaintance Zou Fulang sent over two large pig legs tied with red cloth, plus four jin each of sweet-smoked sausages and salty-smoked sausages, and five jin of smoked pork bone sausages.
Liang Hui also received fresh pork, honey, several jin of grain from their autumn harvest, and a basket of melons and vegetables.
Though the pig seemed large, most of the meat was eaten at the slaughter feast, the New Year reunion dinner, or sent as New Year’s gifts. There was little left afterward.
But gifts weren’t sent without reciprocation. The family also received two fresh fish weighing five or six jin each, two packs each of maltose and brown sugar, three jin of dried fruits and preserved sweets, and a collection of pickled and dried goods.
Liang Hui sent four bundles of cloth, eight jin of cotton, two boxes of tea leaves, and a jar of lamb wine.
Zou Fulang’s family sent five jin of mutton, two baskets of sweet tangerines, a box of candles, and four jin of high-quality lamp oil.
Besides these usual gift exchanges, this year was unusually lively with a few households who hadn’t been close before also coming by.
People brought New Year gifts, and due to kinship and friendship, gifts were reciprocated.
Notably, Chen Sanfang’s natal family sent a visit. Chen’s second brother and his wife came to pay respects this year. Unlike before when they were stingy and only sought to take advantage, they brought a basket of fruit and two jiao of rice wine.
Chen Sanfang also gave the couple a piece each of fresh pork and smoked cured meat.
After all, they were close relatives, so visits were normal.
What was surprising was that one of Chen Sanfang’s cousins also came for New Year’s greetings—a rare occurrence.
This cousin, surnamed Yun, had been close with Chen Sanfang when they were girls. But Yun was fair and delicate, and her family was better off than the Chens. She had married into a good family.
Her husband was a scholar who recently passed the xiucai exams, and they had considerable land. Their life was comfortable.
For such a good family, Chen Sanfang, married into the poor Fan family, didn’t dare maintain contact and had lost touch over the years.
Unexpectedly, in the second half of the year, when Chen Sanfang was helping manage the shop in the city, she unexpectedly met Cousin Yun, who came to pay New Year’s respects.
Chen Sanfang wasn’t sure if Yun was acting kindly because of her improved status or genuinely remembered their friendship before marriage.
Regardless, since the guest was polite, Chen Sanfang warmly welcomed her.
In the eighth lunar month, the family renovated their house, laid new floor tiles, and built and widened three poultry and livestock sheds.
The old man also had a new table and stools made by the carpenter Wang, whom he was close with. The house looked much grander now.
Chen Sanfang was happy to have guests over. Now the house had fruit, cakes, and good tea to offer visitors, unlike before when they were poor and humble. It made entertaining guests easier.
Cousin Yun and Chen Sanfang sat inside by the warm charcoal fire and chatted for a long time. Chen Sanfang even invited her to lunch at home.
When Yun left, she gave red envelopes to Zhen’er and Qiao’er, one each. Chen Sanfang packed several jin of sweet-smoked sausages to give her in return. Yun had enjoyed the sweet flavor of the smoked sausages at lunch.
Zhen’er and Qiao’er, back inside, opened their red envelopes and found each contained a qian of silver. They thought this scholar family was indeed generous.
During the first lunar month, the main branch and second branch families gathered for a meal. Xiang Xiu also came; her marriage was set for early March, and everyone was delighted.
“Look how well the year has gone. Last year’s reunion dinner, Xiang Xiu hadn’t gotten married yet, but now it’s settled. Da Jing and San Lang even have a child, and by February we’ll see a great-grandchild.”
Grandpa Fan and Grandma Fan were pleased hearing this, but when they looked at Fan Xin, they immediately grew worried.
“Da Xin, you have to work harder. Don’t just focus on your studies and neglect the most important matters.”
Kang He heard Grandpa and Grandma Fan’s earnest advice and felt sorry for him but also somewhat amused.
At the end of the year, families pressured marriage matters especially strongly. Just after Grandpa and Grandma finished this conversation with Fan Xin, Xiang Xiu’s family came by and, seeing his older brother, couldn’t help but speak up.
Fan Xin retreated inside and confided to Kang He that only he and Fan Jing treated him well, and he didn’t get along with the others.
Kang He thought marriage was a matter of fate, not something forced by pressure.
“I know,” Fan Xin replied.
“But just knowing isn’t enough. Look at Xu Yang, your age. He married in March. You two used to hang out together, both single, but in a blink, he’s ahead of you.”
Xiang Xiu laughed while holding her bowl, teasing her brother’s old heartache. The family’s precious son was now being scolded at home.
Last year, the family had arranged much for Fan Xin’s marriage. Zhang Jinkui had liked Zhu Dafu’s apprentice and asked for help. Zhu Dafu agreed.
With the elders’ approval, the two children met. But Fan Xin was honest and dull, unable to impress, and the apprentice wasn’t pleased either. So nothing came of it.
Seeing Fan Xin so upset he couldn’t eat, Kang He spoke up for him, “I’m sure Da Xin knows what he’s doing. Besides, he’s a teacher now and takes care of village children well. I don’t think he’ll have trouble finding a good match.”
Hearing this, Grandpa and Grandma Fan finally stopped nagging.
Changing the subject, Grandma Fan opened her eyes and looked at Fan Jing, who was quietly eating, and asked, “Is Da Jing close to giving birth?”
Kang He nodded, “February is the due month. Zhu Dafu will be keeping a close eye these two months.”
Fan Jing was heavily pregnant but still moved swiftly. Though not as agile as before, he was far from clumsy, so many overlooked the fact that he was about to give birth.
“Did you ask Zhu Dafu whether it’s a boy or girl?”
Kang He said, “The doctor hasn’t said anything.”
“That’s true. From how Da Jing’s belly looks, it doesn’t seem big—probably a girl, not a boy. But until the child is born, it’s impossible to know.”
Grandma Fan, mumbling mysteriously, said, “I got a talisman from a master. Da Jing burned the talisman and mixed the ashes in water to drink. It’s supposed to ensure a boy.”
Kang He frowned hearing this.
He respected his elders and wouldn’t contradict them openly, but the joy in his expression was gone.
“A boy or a girl, I’m happy either way. If it’s a little boy like Da Jing, all the better.”
Kang He said softly, “Grandma, your kindness is appreciated, but we don’t need the talisman. It’s hard to get, so it’s better saved for those seeking children.”
The others noticed Kang He was unhappy, but the two elders were blind to it and kept persuading, “Who doesn’t want children? How could we give such a good thing away? We care for you both and hope you have a son.”
“We were going to keep it for Da Xin, but that child is uncooperative and still hasn’t had a family. I don’t know if I’ll live to see him have children.”
Fan Jing, who had remained expressionless, suddenly put down his chopsticks. His voice was neither loud nor soft.
The table fell silent for a moment.
Fan Shoushan hurriedly said, “May Father and Mother live a long life. Why say such things?”
He worried if they continued, the young couple might lose their temper. He thought that the elders were old enough not to meddle in these matters.
Seeing this, the parents changed the topic, “The beans are soft in the stew today. Let me serve you some more. Let’s see if you like it.”
The others followed suit and shifted the conversation.
Grandpa and Grandma Fan had no chance to bring up the matter again.
Kang He and Fan Jing didn’t argue and finished their meal.
After dinner, as they left, snow began to fall.
At the door, Kang He brushed snowflakes off Fan Jing’s sleeve and took him inside.
Fan Jing looked at the man who had just taken off his cold outer garment and couldn’t help but pinch Kang He’s ear.
Kang He looked up, “What’s wrong? Cold hands?”
Fan Jing pulled out the talisman from Kang He’s coat pocket. It was torn, only a piece of the paper remained.
When they were about to leave, Grandma Fan called Kang He aside into the house.
When he came out, Kang He didn’t say why Grandma had called him, but Fan Jing noticed the sharpness in his eyes and knew what it was about.
“If I weren’t afraid of this old lady getting sick in bed from anger, I would’ve torn up the talisman immediately and thrown it away.”
Seeing the talisman found, Kang He no longer hid it and grabbed it from his pocket, tossing it into the chamber pot.
Fan Jing said, “Don’t take their words to heart.”
“I’m not bothered by them. I just don’t like hearing such things. It’s as if everyone’s like them, always obsessed with having sons.”
“They’ve always been like that. I’ve known since I was little.”
Fan Jing said, “Fortunately, apart from these two elders, everyone else respects your feelings.”
Kang He relaxed his mood, gently embraced Fan Jing, and kissed him on the cheek.
“I can’t control others, but I only want what’s best for you.”
“I’ve already arranged for two milk goats outside, hired two midwives, and we visit Zhu Dafu every month for check-ups. He’ll be especially attentive these two months.”
“Don’t worry about anything else. Just focus on the birth.”
Fan Jing didn’t feel anxious. His pregnancy had been smooth, with little morning sickness, and he wasn’t afraid of childbirth.
He just hoped the child would be born soon so they wouldn’t have to worry so much.
While they were wondering what name to give the child, Chen Sanfang knocked at the door.
Kang He opened it and asked, “Mother, what is it?”
Chen Sanfang brought in a charcoal brazier and asked if they were cold.
Kang He smiled, just about to get a charcoal pan to warm Fan Jing and dispel the chill from his clothes.
Chen Sanfang spotted scraps of paper on the floor, picked them up, glanced, and her face immediately darkened as she cursed loudly.
“You always love to resort to these crooked methods. Fine, making me eat them, but now even your grandchildren are involved. Big brother tried blocking her mouth at the table with food, and she still has a good memory, sneaking things to hide.”
“You’re so obsessed with having sons, why don’t you have more children instead!”
Chen Sanfang was unable to make herself heard in the main branch, but at home, she gave vent to her anger thoroughly, then turned around and comforted Kang He.