After their intimacy, Qiao Suiman allowed Lu Dongqing to roam his hands freely over his body, only softly stopping him when he touched a certain unspeakable place. “No more,” he murmured.
Thinking he was tired, Lu Dongqing stopped his teasing and pulled his fulang close, wrapping an arm around his slender waist. Resting his chin atop Qiao Suiman’s head, he said contentedly, “I won’t disturb you anymore. Sleep.”
But Qiao Suiman had something on his mind. He nuzzled against Lu Dongqing’s chest and said, “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?” Lu Dongqing pressed a kiss to his hair and asked softly.
“I still have almost ten taels of silver left. I was thinking… should we buy a shop in town?” Qiao Suiman lifted his head, his eyes glistening as he looked at Lu Dongqing.
Qiao Suiman continued, “Selling at a stall like this isn’t sustainable in the long run. Not only is it tiring to travel back and forth, but we can’t set up the stall when it’s windy or rainy. Still, finding the right shop isn’t something we can rush. We’ll need to look carefully.”
Lu Dongqing wasn’t surprised that Qiao Suiman still had money. He had always known that his fulang’s stall was profitable, but that was Qiao Suiman’s own earnings. He didn’t marry him for his silver, so since Qiao Suiman had never brought it up before, Lu Dongqing never asked.
After a moment’s thought, Lu Dongqing nodded. “You’re right. A stall isn’t as convenient as a shop. There’s only so much we can bring to town each time, and if customers can’t buy what they want, they might not make the effort to come back.”
Over the past few months of selling bamboo crafts, he noticed the same issue. Some customers who arrived too late to buy a bamboo bed would promise to return next time, but many were just making empty talk. When the next market day came, they were nowhere to be seen.
If they had a shop, they could take deposits before making the items. Customers could visit at any time, and their village business wouldn’t be affected. They only needed to inform Miao Lianhua or Lu Xuesong, who visited home every few days anyway.
Qiao Suiman grew more excited as he spoke. “We could share the shop! I will only need a table to display the drinks, and the rest of the space could hold shelves for your bamboo crafts.”
He wriggled out of Lu Dongqing’s embrace, propping himself up on his chest, his eyes sparkling so brightly they were visible even in the dark.
Infected by his enthusiasm, Lu Dongqing also began to envision it. “We could set up a straw awning in front of the store and put some tables and chairs there for customers to rest and attract them to come in and take a look.”
“Exactly! We need a place with a backyard where we can cook. It doesn’t have to be big, even just one room would do. We could stay overnight in town and sell every day.”
But as he spoke, Qiao Suiman’s voice gradually softened. To meet all these conditions, the shop would need to be near the market and attract enough people. Such a place would be hard to come by. And with their current savings, they might not be able to afford it yet.
“Don’t worry. If we work hard a little longer, we’ll save up enough eventually.”
Lu Dongqing stroked the back of Qiao Suiman’s head and added, “I’ll also ask Huaqing-ge to keep an eye out for us. If he finds something suitable, he’ll let us know.”
Between them, they had less than thirty taels of silver. They still needed to build a proper kitchen and woodshed at home, which would cost several taels even if they used wood. It seemed they would have to endure a while longer before opening a shop in town.
But neither Qiao Suiman nor Lu Dongqing feared hardship. With this goal in mind, they were willing to work tirelessly together. One day, they would have a shop of their own!
As Qiao Suiman spoke, his body shifted slightly, brushing against Lu Dongqing and reigniting his desire. In one swift motion, Lu Dongqing flipped him onto his back, his eyes dark with strong desire.
Qiao Suiman blinked in surprise before whispering, “No more. It’s not good for your health.”
Since their wedding, they had been intimate far too often. Worried they might overindulge, Qiao Suiman pushed lightly against Lu Dongqing’s chest.
But Lu Dongqing, a vigorous young man still fresh into marriage, was brimming with energy. He caught Qiao Suiman’s hand and guided it downward. “I won’t do anything to you. Just help me.”
Blushing, Qiao Suiman obliged, relieving him once more before they finally settled into a peaceful sleep.
Days passed in this manner. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing still went to town on the first, fifth, and ninth of each month to set up their stall. On the nights before, they abstained from intimacy to ensure Qiao Suiman wouldn’t be too sore for the journey. On other days, they were intimate every few days, frequent enough to enjoy each other without harming their health. The two of them looked more and more content with each passing day.
Before they knew it, a month had gone by, and it was nearly the twelfth month. The weather had grown increasingly cold.
They had visited two shops during this time, but one was too expensive and the other was in an inconvenient location. Neither satisfied them, so they resolved to wait until the next year.
As soon as the twelfth month arrived, the festive atmosphere grew stronger. After discussing with Qin Yu, they decided to stop setting up their stall after the fifth day of the month and return home to prepare for the New Year. On the third day of the new year, the town would host a full day of opera performances, which would be another opportunity to make some money.
Amid the busyness, the day of their final stall before the year-end arrived. Qiao Suiman bundled up tightly, wrapping his neck in his padded coat to block the biting wind. In winter, they made only one barrel of each drink. Though wooden barrels helped retain heat, they couldn’t beat the freezing weather. So, they made less and sold quickly in the morning when the market was most crowded.
Lu Dongqing’s business, however, remained unaffected. Whether it was everyday bamboo utensils or small carved ornaments and hairpins, people still bought them eagerly.
As the New Year approached, the market was crowded with people. Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu had just finished selling their drinks and were packing up when a man with a long beard walked toward them.
Qiao Suiman frowned slightly. This man looked familiar.
Ah, right! He was the one who had asked them all sorts of questions over a month ago!
At the time, Xiaoxi and Erfu said it might be a good thing, but after a month with no sign of him, Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu had forgotten about it.
Still, Qiao Suiman smiled politely. “Customer, I’m afraid you’re a bit late. We’ve sold out for today.”
The man waved a hand dismissively. “I’m not here for drinks today. I’m here to discuss business with you.”
“Business?” Qiao Suiman asked in confusion. Even Lu Dongqing, who was talking to a customer, looked over in their direction.
“Indeed.” The man stroked his beard and sat down on a stool beside their stall. “I’ve noticed your stall does well, especially with the magistrate’s endorsement. So I’d like to propose a deal.”
“What kind of deal?” Qiao Suiman set down what he was holding and asked.
“I would like to place an order for your bamboo-tube drinks. But you have to tell customers that the drinks in my place are also made by you, and you can’t sell them to anyone else.”
Qiao Suiman immediately grew wary. “Why would you want to buy from us?”
The man chuckled. “I’m the steward of the Fang Family’s wine house. Our young miss often drinks your beverages, and even our wine house’s customers sometimes send servants to buy from you. I’ve observed you for a while. You’re discreet and honest, so I chose you to do this business.”
Of course, more than anything, it was because of the county magistrate’s endorsement.
Their master had mentioned it after returning during the Dragon Boat Festival. Although their wine house could also make drinks, they couldn’t match the flavor of those from Qiao Suiman’s stall. Moreover, the bamboo-tube drinks were unique, and many scholars and merchants insisted on only buying from them.
“Of course, we want the bamboo tubes as well. And they must be new designs that you haven’t used before, ones that match our wine house’s dishes,” the Fang family’s steward continued.
Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu were momentarily stunned. The Fang Family’s wine house, wasn’t that Fang Zhihe’s family business? No wonder the two servants were so tight-lipped when they saw the steward!
Lu Dongqing saw the customers off, walked over, and asked in a deep voice, “The bamboo tubes aren’t a problem. But how do we know you’re really the Fang Family’s steward?”
Steward Fang laughed heartily. “A fair question, young man. If you’re not in a hurry to go home, come with me to the wine house. That way, you’ll see I’m not deceiving you.”
Lu Dongqing and Qiao Suiman exchanged a glance, silently agreeing. Lu Dongqing nodded. “Okay, please wait a moment while we tidy up.”
“Of course.”
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