As the Yue Festival approached, the family decided to set aside matters of the shop for now and focus on preparing for the festival first.
Today, Fan Ye and Fan Nai were clamoring for the two branches of the family to gather together for a reunion meal, wanting to make things lively.
Fan Shoulin thought the same way. Ever since the family split, it had been several years since both branches had shared a Yue Festival dinner together. At most, they’d eat together when entertaining guests during the first lunar month, but on the night of the fifteenth, everyone ate with their own families.
This year was different. The second branch had bought a donkey, repaired the road, and dug a well—accomplishments that hadn’t been matched in over a decade. Even in the village, they were now among the most prominent.
With such pride, Fan Shoulin was eager for an even livelier gathering.
However, Chen Shi wasn’t quite so pleased.
The main branch said the old house was spacious, so the reunion meal would be held there. But everyone knew Kang He’s cooking skills were superb, so naturally he’d be asked to handle the stove and cook the dishes, meaning he’d end up working more than half the day.
They didn’t say it aloud, but each family wanted to eat well for the festival. If both families made dishes together, then both had to contribute meat and vegetables. Once everything was prepared at the main branch’s place, the leftovers would stay there too. Thinking about how her family would do all the work but not get the best of it, Chen Shi felt a bit resentful.
Fan Shoulin called her stingy, and Chen Shi started quarreling with him.
Fan Shoulin couldn’t out-argue her, so he slumped off to ask Kang He for help.
Kang He went to persuade Chen Shi, telling her that although the leftover food would stay at the main branch, the oil, salt, and seasonings for cooking would all come from their side. As long as they made the dishes fragrant and tasty, the main branch wouldn’t be getting the better deal.
Soothed by Kang He’s gentle coaxing, Chen Shi’s mood finally improved.
“This year, your grandfather and grandmother are calling us together for a reunion. If you only give a Red Packet to Da Xin in secret, I won’t agree to eat the Yue Festival dinner together again.”
On the morning of the fifteenth, everyone in the family dressed up in their finest, choosing good clothes they rarely wore.
They brought a plump, sturdy rabbit and a piece of Shanyue Pork that had been smoked in the summer.
In addition, there were two pigeons and a clumsy bird—Fan Jingxian had gotten restless at home and went up the Mountain with Kang He to hunt them. The two didn’t venture deep into the Mountain.
In high spirits, they headed to the main branch to help prepare the meal.
The main branch was lively as well. Fan Xin had written a couplet and pasted it on the gatepost with rice glue, bringing a fresh new look.
Xiangxiu hadn’t returned home yet—her Mistress’s household was busy with their own festival preparations, so she could only come back for the reunion dinner once she finished there.
Kang He told Fan Jing to drive the donkey cart to the City at the appointed time to pick her up, since there might not be any carts running late in the day.
The two families ate fruit and played for a while before slowly starting to cook. Kang He tied on an apron and dove into The Stove, while Chen Fang and Zhang Jingui helped wash meat and prepare vegetables.
Fan Jing was in charge of slaughtering the chicken and duck—these were provided by the main branch, as was the fish.
Once things were underway, Fan Jing peeked into The Stove twice. Seeing how crowded it was, he decided not to join the bustle. Instead, he produced some firecrackers from who knows where and took the two young girls outside to set them off.
Fan Shoushan and Fan Shoulin, the two brothers, took incense, candles, and paper money, along with offerings, to pay respects to the Temple God and worship the Bodhisattva.
Fan Xin, with no one calling on him for anything, couldn’t just lounge around, so he wandered into The Stove, sometimes fetching water, sometimes carrying a pot, always looking busy though no one knew what he was actually doing.
Kang He, worried about stepping on him by accident, simply assigned him to tend the fire and peel garlic under the stove.
“Da Xin-ge, do you notice anything different about me today?”
Fan Xin slowly looked up, a bit lost, and studied Kang He for a while.
Seeing him silent for so long, Kang He raised an eyebrow: “Don’t you think I look especially radiant and handsome today?”
Fan Xin suddenly smiled: “You do seem a bit scholarly today.”
Kang He put down the spatula: “That’s all secondary.”
Hearing this, Fan Xin scrutinized Kang He again, trying to spot what was different today compared to usual.
Afraid he wouldn’t figure it out, Kang He circled around the stove, came right up to him, and turned around proudly.
“That outfit doesn’t look like something you wear often. I haven’t seen you with that apron before either. It really does make you look quite dashing.”
Kang He shook his head in disappointment: “Da Xin-ge, you almost got it.”
Then he lifted his foot: “Today, I’m wearing New Insole!”
Fan Xin: “……….”
“These insoles are made of two thick layers of fur, sewn over five times for sturdiness and comfort. With them in my shoes, my feet feel warm all the way to my heart—how could I not look radiant?”
Fan Xin stiffened. If it weren’t for the fact that he trusted Kang He, he might have been worried the next thing would be a sales pitch to buy a pair for five strings of cash.
He paused, considered for a moment, and said politely, “Well… those really are some fine insoles.”
Kang He said, “But even that’s not the most important thing.”
Fan Xin asked, “Still not enough?”
Kang He’s brows relaxed and he grinned: “What’s important is that Da Jing personally sewed them for me.”
“If it weren’t for the festival today, I wouldn’t have been willing to use them. To enjoy the comfort of these insoles, I didn’t even wear socks.”
Fan Xin: “……”
He walked in, heard Kang He’s words, and quietly slipped back out.
With laughter and chatter, the family prepared enough dishes for two tables.
Fan Jing managed to bring Xiangxiu back just in time for dinner.
After lighting a string of firecrackers, everyone sat down for a lively festival meal.
This year, the second branch was doing well, and so was the main branch. Everything was going smoothly.
Fan Xin mentioned that two more children had joined the private school, and after the festival, three more from neighboring villages would come as well—he had already been informed in advance.
Seeing both families getting along for once, Xiangxiu blushed and quietly pulled her mother aside to say, “There’s a family named Meng in the City…”
“Mama is asking about it.”
Before Xiangxiu could finish, everyone in the room understood what she meant.
Hearing that someone was interested in Xiangxiu, Zhang Jingui was the most anxious.
She quickly put down the bowl of fragrant Shanyue Pork bones and hurriedly asked Xiangxiu about the family.
Xiangxiu was already over twenty, not young anymore. In past years, there had been a few suitors, but they were either poor farmers or wandering peddlers with average looks and poor family backgrounds.
As for families like the Cheng Family, that was even less worth mentioning. They had even secretly asked how much dowry the bride’s family would provide, hoping to get rich by marrying. This had angered Zhang Jingui so much that she couldn’t arrange anything.
With each passing year, the family grew more anxious.
Now, hearing Xiangxiu mention the Meng family herself, they guessed it must be a good match.
Xiangxiu also wanted to settle down soon, so she told her family the details.
There were three brothers in the Meng Family, each with their own work. The eldest was a bookkeeper at a security escort agency, the second ran business on a cargo boat, and it was the third, Meng Third, who was interested in her.
Xiangxiu’s Mistress liked to eat sweets from Meng Third’s Sweetwater Shop, so Xiangxiu often went there to buy them. Over time, they became familiar.
Xiangxiu wasn’t foolish—before telling her family, she’d already had someone look into the Meng family’s background.
Meng Third had a small house in the suburbs, some savings, and was considered decent. There were no rumors of him keeping anyone outside, nor was he entangled with anyone.
The only drawback was that he was a bit short.
Actually, the two had met a couple of years ago. When Xiangxiu went to buy sweets, Meng Third would often treat her to a bowl, so the interest was there early on.
But until now, things had remained neither close nor distant. In the second half of last year, Xiangxiu mentioned her brother had quit school and started a private school. Before the festival even arrived, the Mistress sent someone to ask about her intentions.
Xiangxiu guessed that Meng Third had looked into her family’s current situation and was satisfied, so things could move forward.
She had worked for several years in a wealthy household and knew that no one would treat you well for no reason—there had to be something about you or your family that they liked.
Marriage was a big matter. Even if she was considering the Meng family, the Mengs would also look at whether her brothers were promising and whether her parents were harmonious.
Talking about this, she felt especially grateful to Kang He. If it weren’t for his idea to help her brother start a private school and for all his efforts, the Meng family might not have taken notice.
Fan Shoushan and Zhang Jingui were overjoyed with the Meng family’s situation and had no reason to refuse.
Fan Xin also assured Xiangxiu not to worry about the dowry—he would find a way.
Xiangxiu had always looked down on her brother a bit, but hearing him say this, her heart felt warm.
After the meal, Fan Ye and Fan Nai, in a rare move, gave each child a Red Packet for New Year’s money.
Kang He and Fan Jing returned home, opened their pouches, and found twenty copper coins—ten each.
Juner and Qiaor received the same amount. Chen Fang said it was rare for the elders to be so generous; in the past, there was never anything like this.
She was moved, feeling that life was getting better, the brothers more harmonious, and the elders more loving.
After the Yue Festival, in the ten-odd days before the Lantern Festival, the sound of firecrackers in the countryside could still be heard now and then.
The Fan family visited several relatives and hosted a banquet for friends and neighbors at home. Two big tables full of people—it was a lively celebration, and the festival truly felt complete.
One day, Kang He and Fan Jing were tidying up at home, preparing to go to the City to check on the shop again. Just as they hitched the donkey cart and reached the main road, Hu Dalang called out to them.
“Dalang sent word that Luo Yuanwai has a shop that might suit you. If you have time, go to the City and take a look.”
“I meant to tell you yesterday, but after drinking too much at the festival outside, I collapsed into bed and forgot.”
Kang He said, “What a coincidence—we were just heading to the City. No need to go elsewhere, we’ll look at Luo Yuanwai’s shop first.”
They went into the City and found Hu Dalang, who led them to see the shop.
The shop was on a street branching off from Main Street and South Street.
It was a large open space, much like the wooden houses they had in the Mountain, with few partitions and a spacious feel.
Just as Kang He had hoped, the location was prime—just a few steps to Main Street, and behind the market was a stretch of Min Alley. Few shops along the alley were closed; most were bustling with business.
As for the City’s two main meat markets, one was in the West Market and one in the North Market. From South Street, it was quite a walk—at least a quarter of an hour.
Opening a meat shop here couldn’t be more suitable. Because of the good location, there were already two meat shops on the street.
But with a business like fresh meat and small dishes, it was impossible to monopolize the market, so it didn’t matter.
Hu Dalang said, “Luo Yuanwai said you can hire a carpenter to build shelves or add a partition for resting—do whatever you like.”
“If you’re satisfied, I’ll let him know.”
Kang He said, “This shop is better than any we’ve seen before—how could we not be satisfied!”
Hu Dalang figured they’d like it: “You’re family, so I kept an eye out for the best.”
“It’s good luck, too. I was visiting Luo Yuanwai for the festival and happened to mention it. He said a rice and flour merchant was moving to the provincial capital, so this shop just became available.”
“If I hadn’t asked, a shop in this location would have been snapped up before the Lantern Festival even ended.”
“I told him in advance, so Luo Yuanwai didn’t advertise it and kept it for you. If you like it, it’s yours; if not, it’ll rent out soon enough.”
Kang He and Fan Jing had asked around plenty and knew Hu Dalang wasn’t exaggerating.
But no matter how good the shop was, the price had to be right—if it was too high, it would be useless.
Hu Dalang smiled: “I run a small business too, so of course I understand.”
He lowered his voice to Kang He: “Just one string and two hundred coins. I’m old friends with Luo Yuanwai, and since I told him it was for my own brother, he was willing to give a good deal.”
Kang He was delighted at the price: “If this shop were in the provincial capital, they’d be asking at least two and a half strings! It’s all thanks to you, Hu Yuan-ge, for having good connections!”
Hu Dalang said, “The provincial capital is for making money, but things aren’t as expensive here. People want a bit more profit, but not by cheating others.”
“You’d better decide quickly. Shops reserved for people shouldn’t be held up for too long. Also, if someone else asks Luo Yuanwai and a relative likes it, the shop might go to them if you haven’t settled it yet.”
Kang He agreed, feeling only a little regret, but was mostly satisfied.
He pulled Fan Jing aside to ask his opinion.
Fan Jing found the shop much like others they’d seen, though a bit old. But location was key, and this one was far better than any other.
He knew Kang He’s concern—businessmen are shrewd, and if the shop was this good, there might be a catch.
Even though they’d had dealings with the Hu family before, it had only been for a year or so.
Fan Jing said, “Hu Dad and Uncle Qiao both live in the village and are old local families. They care about their reputation. Hu Yuan wouldn’t trick us for a small profit—if there was trouble, it would be embarrassing for him in the village.”
Kang He agreed, and so they finalized the deal with Hu Dalang.
They had to pay half a year’s rent up front. Kang He paid a deposit and would settle the rest when the paperwork was done.
Next, they hired people to build shelves and partitions.
The family was all delighted that the shop was settled—even Fan Shoulin came to the City twice to see it.
Kang He, meanwhile, made a few Medicine Candles, packed them nicely, and sent them to Hu Dalang—one set as thanks to him, the other to thank Luo Yuanwai.
Since they were renting someone else’s shop, they’d inevitably have to deal with the landlord in the future. It was always best to maintain good relations.
Renting this shop had made Kang He realize just how important connections were.
One morning, Kang He brought a gift to Hu Yuan’s shop.
“If it weren’t for Hu Yuan-ge’s help, I don’t know how long it would have taken for Da Jing and me to find a suitable shop.”
He presented two gifts: “Luo Yuanwai agreed to rent to us only because of your recommendation. I’m the one benefiting, so I can’t just accept the favor without thanks. I don’t have anything valuable, just a little token of my gratitude.”
Hu Yuan was touched that Kang He had brought gifts, and said, “We’re like brothers, there’s no need to be so polite. We’ll both be doing business in the county from now on—let’s look out for each other and make our businesses prosper.”
Kang He exchanged a few more warm words before leaving, not wanting to take up too much of Hu Yuan’s time.
After Kang He left, Hu Yuan’s wife, Madam Xu, went to tidy up the gifts.
She said to her husband, “He really put thought into it, making two sets so you could send one to Luo Yuanwai and earn some goodwill. No wonder your father and uncle always praise him. You can tell he’s cut out for business.”
As she spoke, she opened the box to see what was inside.
She’d only praised his thoughtfulness, but hadn’t said whether the gift was suitable for Luo Yuanwai.
After all, Luo Yuanwai’s family was wealthy and used to seeing expensive things. While good intentions mattered, a gift that was too cheap could be seen as disrespectful.
But the box looked decent enough.
“Candles?”
Madam Xu opened the box and was surprised to find a pair of yellow candles nestled in silk.
If the candles were for a family like theirs, they’d be fine, but giving them to Luo Yuanwai seemed a bit too modest.
“Why did he choose to give something like this?”
Hu Dalang overheard and came over: “Fan Second Uncle’s family isn’t well-off, so it’s not surprising they didn’t have anything better. They just paid the rent too, so they couldn’t afford a fancy gift…”
Before he could finish, Hu Yuan’s expression changed as he saw the candles, and he gasped: “Could these be those Medicine Candles people talk about?”
He leaned in and sniffed—a faint scent of mugwort came from the candle, making him even more certain.
“What are Medicine Candles?”
Madam Xu, seeing her husband’s curiosity, leaned in to sniff as well.
“I heard there’s a kind of candle that doesn’t smoke when lit, and fills the room with the scent of mugwort. In the summer, it keeps bugs away and provides light.”
Hu Yuan had only heard of these special candles from customers and thought they were interesting, but had never used them himself.
“I heard a pair costs several strings of cash. I don’t think these look expensive enough to be sold for that much. If they really are those rare Medicine Candles, why would he give them away so easily?”
Madam Xu said, “We’ll light one tonight and see.”
That night, Madam Xu really did light one of the Medicine Candles. The couple watched it like children.
After burning for a while, there wasn’t a trace of smoke, and as time went on, the scent of mugwort in the room grew stronger.
The couple exchanged glances.
Remembering her husband’s mention of the high price, Madam Xu quickly blew out the candle, feeling it was a waste to burn it so long.
Holding the candle, the couple was deeply impressed. What they’d thought was a meager gift was actually something they’d never encountered before.