Su's mother made him a bowl of noodles and told him to eat it and wait for Shi Tou to come back before continuing the conversation.

He finished eating carefully, then took the bowl and chopsticks to wash them.

When Shi Tou returned, Su's mother called him into the room: "You, you didn't even tell us before sending someone to our house, saying you wanted to be a servant. Your father and I were terrified."

Su's mother poured out her grievances like beans, seemingly complaining, but actually trying to defuse the situation.

Shi Tou patiently explained, "Mother, that day I saw him preparing to jump into the river, and I thought he was still alive. We happened to be short of a worker, so I sent him over. That's when I found out he brought over a death contract."

Father Su moved his leg, leaving no room for refusal, "Tell him to go back. My foot is all better now. I can do these chores from now on. What kind of behavior is it for farmers to hire servants?"

Su's mother also meant the same thing: "Your father is right. We are a poor farming family, so let's not hold them back."

Stone knew their minds were hard to change overnight, so he could only say firmly:

"Father, Mother. I've already thought it through. We'll say he's a distant cousin who's come to stay with us."

"As for the monthly salary, it's five hundred coins a month. Aren't you afraid the recipe will be leaked? He signed a contract that will never be revealed."

He left after saying that, leaving Su's father trembling with anger. "What did he say? What does he mean? Does he think his words don't count?"

Su's mother patted his back and said, "Dad, calm down. Our son is thinking of the family, so we accept it."

“Shi Tou is a man of his own mind. He knows what to do. His teacher said the other day that he is the best student in the academy. Let’s just go along with him.”

Su's father was speechless: "You, a doting mother spoils her son!"

His mother tacitly approved from his tone, "Alright, child, you just want everyone to have an easier time. I'll go out and take a look."

She looked at the thin boy and asked, "Child, what's your name?"

The boy answered timidly, "My name is Changsheng, it was given to me by my mother."

Su's mother felt pity when she thought of his plight: "Good child, Shitou, take Changsheng to buy some clothes, I'll cook at home."

Stone didn't refuse: "Okay, let's go."

Changsheng followed behind Shitou, recalling the words spoken by the boy who was a few years younger than him that day.

"If you're not afraid of death, why be afraid of living?"

"If you trust me, I'll avenge you in the future."

Perhaps it was because his eyes were too sincere.

Or perhaps it's because his temperament is different from others.

Changsheng inexplicably believed him, fabricated the illusion that he had jumped into the river, followed him to the post station, and waited for the right opportunity to come to the Su family.

Changsheng believed that his choice was correct.

From then on, Changsheng settled down at home.

Liu Huan and Su's mother had it much easier; he volunteered to do chores every day, but ate very little.

Later, Liu Huan changed his bowl to the largest size and filled it to the brim, only then did he say that he would be fine with the small bowl.

Looking at his thin, bony body, Su's mother said, "You half-grown boy, you're going to eat your father out of house and home. This is hardly enough for you, and you still have to work. How can you work like this?"

Seeing that the Su family was sincere, he ate to his heart's content, enjoying his first full meal since his mother's death.

The bowl contained meat picked up by Su's mother and soup served by Liu Huan. It was the best meal he had ever eaten. Even after he had the choice of delicacies, he often said that none of them tasted as good as what he had eaten before.

With his help in making tofu, Liu Huan completely stopped worrying about the tofu and focused on preparing the cold dishes.

That day, I made braised large intestines and pig ears and gave them to Doctor Fang. Doctor Fang came looking for me the next day.

There was only one purpose: to urge Liu Huan to quickly get some to sell, "Look at you, hiding such delicious food away."

Looking at Changsheng beside him, he said, "Now that this person has confessed, hurry up and get all the cold dishes ready to sell. I'm worried for you. Is your family really going to turn down money?"

Liu Huan chimed in dismissively, "Yes, yes, you're right. Remember to come and support us tomorrow."

So Liu Huan started the braised offal business again.

It was sold for 18 coins per catty and many people bought it.

A well-known enthusiast of strong flavors from the town passed by and looked at the long queue with disdain.

"That unwanted offal is being sold at such a high price. How delicious can it be? Can it possibly be better than braised pork?"

The auntie who often buys tofu recognized him at a glance: "Aren't you the one who's famous for loving to eat? What, you haven't tried her braised dishes?"

The old man smiled smugly: "I went to the county town. This town hasn't had any food that satisfies me in a long time."

My aunt smiled meaningfully, "Don't speak so soon, you'll only know after you try."

"Hey girl, give me half a pound of pork intestines and a pig's ear."

After weighing the food for the aunt, Su's mother turned to the old man and asked, "Uncle, would you like some to try?"

The customers behind them protested, "Boss, we're in line, you can't give it to him ahead of time."

"No, no, I know the rules."

The man was naturally unconvinced and ran to the back of the line. He wanted to see how delicious it was, and if it wasn't, he would dump it on her stall.

There was only a little bit of the cold-dressed pig's ears and the dry-pot braised pork intestines kept warm over charcoal.

He waved his hand and took them all.

He took out the chopsticks from his pocket and started eating right next to the stall, determined to slap them in the face.

He took a bite and then froze. Just when the onlookers thought he was going to vomit, he ran away.

Following his gaze, I saw that he had bought two ounces of liquor from the grocery store and was squatting on the ground, taking a bite of pork intestines and a sip of liquor.

After finishing his meal, he quickly stepped forward again, saying, "I'll take whatever's left."

Mrs. Su looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, we only have two ounces of cold pork intestines left. If you want them cooked, you'll have to come tomorrow."

"Pack it up for me." Without saying anything more, he left.

There's nothing more to say now; it's free advertising.

Those who had been watching thought, "If even someone as picky as him thinks it's good, I'll buy some and try it tomorrow."

The next day when the old man came, the line was even longer, and by the time it was his turn, there was only a short queue left.

After taking it all, he said with dissatisfaction, "Couldn't you have made more? This isn't enough."

From then on, Su's braised meat became famous, and even students at the academy asked their families to buy it and send it to them.

"Did you manage to buy any today? I didn't get any."

"Don't even mention it. When we went there, all they had were pig ears. The fatty intestines I was really looking forward to were gone."

Chu Xuan said smugly, "Hahahaha, my family bought them, and they even released new varieties today, braised chicken feet and chicken wings. I didn't know these two things could be made like this."

A group of teenagers surrounded him, and only after much coaxing did they each get a small share.

"Hey Su Yi, do you want to try this? It's delicious."

Stone shook his head again; he could eat it when he got back.

"Forget it, I don't have enough to go around. Looks like I'll have to go earlier tomorrow."