Chapter 48 Saving a life from drowning is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda.
"What?! You want to take over a shop in town?" Lin Cheng put down the bowl in his hand, the bottom of the bowl making a crisp sound as it hit the table. He knew his sister had always wanted to open a restaurant in town, but he never expected her to take over a whole shop. At first glance, it sounded like a dream.
Lin Yao pushed the abacus forward a little. "Brother, look. Although we can earn some money by setting up a food stall, we're exposed to the wind and sun, and we have to close down when it rains. Last month, we lost nearly ten taels of silver just because we had to close the stall due to the rain. If we had a shop, we could make more hot and sour noodles, bean curd sheets, and other similar foods, and we could also add some hot dishes and soups. We would earn much more than we do now."
Lin Cheng nodded, rubbing the calluses on his fingertips. "Ayao, this money was earned by you. I'll do whatever you say."
"I inquired with the broker today. The pastry shop in town is closing down. It's not far from where they usually set up their stall. The prices are reasonable. I heard the owner is sixty-two this year. He's been drafted twice. His son and grandson were both drafted. His son died a few years ago, and now I hear his grandson is gone too. The old man plans to sell the shop and live out his remaining years in peace." Lin Yao spoke cautiously, her voice unconsciously lowering. Lin's father is still missing. Although Lin Cheng always tells Lin Song that their father is still alive, they both know that their father is probably dead.
The atmosphere in the room sombered at the mention of conscription. Lin Cheng patted his sister's shoulder and said, "Since the old man is in a hurry to get rid of the goods and the price is fair, let's go take a look tomorrow."
The next day, the brother and sister got up early and followed Yang Yaren to the pastry shop. The shop was small, but it was very clean. The three large characters "Yuelai Zhai" on the wooden signboard were a little faded. Pushing open the mottled wooden door, a faint aroma of pastries wafted out. A few pastries wrapped in oil paper were still scattered on the shelves inside.
Lin Yao and her two companions entered the shop. Wu Zhong, who had been sitting in a daze, mustered his energy and came forward to greet them. He forced a smile, "Young man, this shop may not be big, but it's in a good location, and we have quite a few customers every day." He then pointed to the weathered counter and said, "This counter is made of fine elm wood; it's very sturdy and will last for decades more." As he spoke, he reached out and tapped the counter, producing a dull thud.
Yang Yaren chimed in, "That's right. When Boss Wu first opened the shop, he put a lot of effort into this. There's even a courtyard behind the shop."
Wu Zhongqiang led everyone to the back, through a narrow passage, and into a small courtyard. An old osmanthus tree stood in the courtyard. Wu Zhongqiang patted the trunk, saying, “In summer, you can sit under its shade, set up a few tables, and feel comfortable. In winter, you can even set up a stove to roast meat; it’s perfect for a food business.”
He pushed open the door on the left, revealing a room filled with clutter and cobwebs in the corner. "If we tidy this up, it can be used as a storeroom to store rice, flour, and cooking oil, just right." He then opened the door on the right, revealing a wooden bed and simple table and chairs. "This room can be used as a resting place; I can lie down for a while when I'm tired."
Finally, Wu Zhongqiang pushed open the kitchen door. Several large pots were placed on the stove, and many cooking utensils were hanging on the shelf against the wall. "This kitchen is the real treasure. There are two large stoves, and they can be used at the same time without any problem. They can handle steaming, boiling, frying, and grilling." He sighed, a hint of melancholy on his face. "It was my son who suggested building another stove so that he could make some other food to sell when he comes home in the future."
Lin Yao and Lin Cheng exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions. She softly comforted him, "Grandpa, please accept my condolences."
Wu Zhongqiang looked at Lin Yao for a long while before saying, "It's alright. I imagine your lives haven't been easy either. Two half-grown children have to come out and make a living." His eyes were vacant, seemingly looking at Lin Cheng, yet also at the distance. He shook his head, hunched over, and walked away. "These days, the court is at war year after year. So many fine young men have perished on the battlefield. Who knows what the future holds? If they die, they die. They won't have to suffer anymore."
When Yang Yaren saw Wu Zhongqiang leave the man and talk to himself, he wanted to stop him, but he knew that Old Man Wu had lost both his son and grandson, so he looked troubled. "You all know about Old Man Wu's family situation. If you have any questions, just ask me."
Lin Yao withdrew her gaze from Wu Zhongqiang and nodded. "Uncle Yang, how much is Old Master Wu asking for this shop?"
Yang Yaren flipped through the booklet in his hand: "To be honest, Old Man Wu originally wanted to sell it for a good price to buy a cenotaph for his grandson, and use the rest of the money for his retirement. Now Old Man Wu is in a hurry to get rid of it." He lowered his voice, "If you two really want it, fifty taels, along with the household items in the backyard."
"Fifty taels!" Lin Yao blurted out, startling the sparrows in the corner of the courtyard. Lin Yao hadn't expected housing prices in ancient times to be so high; she'd just received seventy taels, and now she only had twenty left. If it were the Lin Yao of the past, she would have haggled with the broker for ages, trying to save every tael she could. But while she was stingy, she wasn't about to argue with an old woman over a few taels of her retirement money. "It's a bit expensive, but we'll buy it!"
Yang Yaren found the brother and sister very strange; the older brother didn't say a word, and it seemed like the little girl was in charge. Lin Cheng felt Yang Yaren's gaze and, without thinking, said, "I'll listen to my sister."
“Hey, young lady, you’re not old, but you’re quite resourceful. That’s what those scholars mean by ‘women are just as capable as men,’” he said, pulling a contract covered in writing from his sleeve. “This is the property deed. I’ll take you to the yamen to transfer the ownership, and the shop will be permanently in the Lin family’s name.” He glanced in the direction Wu Zhongqiang had left and lowered his voice, “Old Wu was a kind man, but unfortunately, he had bad luck. The shop had a good reputation over the years, and he probably had half the street’s regular customers.”
~
When they came out of the yamen, Lin Cheng saw that Lin Yao looked preoccupied and couldn't help but ask, "Little sister, is something wrong?"
Lin Yao stared at the property deed in her hand, her thoughts in turmoil. The shop, which Yang Ya had described as having a good location and excellent reputation, was being sold off by Wu Zhongqiang at a low price. What troubled her even more was Wu Zhongqiang's words, "If he's dead, he's dead. He won't have to suffer anymore." At the time, she had only taken them as a lament of grief over the loss of her son, but now, thinking about them, they revealed a sense of resolute determination.
"No!" Lin Yao suddenly exclaimed, "If Old Master Wu only wanted to raise money for his retirement, why would he sell this shop so cheaply? He would definitely want the highest possible price. I'm afraid he's contemplating suicide!"
Lin Cheng's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. Yang Yaren, who had overheard the conversation, was also shocked: "You can't say things like that! Old Master Wu might be..." As soon as he said this, Yang Yaren also realized something was wrong. "Let's go and take a look!"
The three of them ran towards Yuelaizhai, only to find the shop door tightly shut and the lock rusty. Lin Yao's heart sank. "Quickly, let's go to Master Wu's house!"
Lin Yao's heart sank. She followed Yang Yaren through the streets and alleys, finally stopping at the end of a bluestone alley. Yang Yaren raised his hand and knocked on the mottled wooden door. The sound of the knocking startled the sparrows under the eaves.
After a long while, dragging footsteps came from inside the door. "Who is it?" A hoarse voice came from behind the door. Yang Yaren raised his voice: "Grandma Mai, it's me, Yang Dami! I've brought the Lin siblings who came to buy the shop!"
With a creak, the wooden door slowly opened, and Wu Zhongqiang's wife, Madam Mai, appeared, leaning against the doorframe. Her face was ashen, and she coughed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "Yang Yaren, in the middle of the day..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Yao interrupted her with an urgent voice: "Grandma, has Grandpa Wu returned?"
Mrs. Mai was taken aback, her cloudy eyes scrutinizing the unfamiliar Lin Yao. She shook her head and said, "I haven't seen her since early this morning. They said she went to sell the shop..."
"Grandma, I'm afraid Old Master Wu is having second thoughts!" Lin Yao blurted out her doubts without bothering to explain. The handkerchief in Mai's hand suddenly slipped from her grasp, and her withered hand gripped the door frame tightly: "Damn it! He must have gone to the riverbank..." Before she could finish speaking, she staggered and tried to rush out.
The four stumbled and staggered towards the riverbank on the outskirts of the city. In the twilight, the river water shimmered coldly. In the distance, a hunched figure could be seen slowly moving forward in the middle of the river, the hem of his clothes soaked by the waves, fluttering in the wind. Mai cried out in anguish, "Old man! Stop—" Lin Yao felt a chill run through her body, her legs felt weak, but she still followed her brother to the riverbank.
Lin Cheng kicked off his cloth shoes, pulled off his outer robe, revealing his thin undergarment. Children raised in coastal areas are generally excellent swimmers, but with the day growing late and visibility limited, he couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety as he gazed at the churning river. But he had no time to think; he took a deep breath and plunged into the river, swimming vigorously towards Wu Zhongqiang.
The current was stronger than expected, and Lin Cheng's arms cleaved through the icy water, each step forward requiring tremendous effort. Wu Zhongqiang had reached chest-deep in the water, the murky waves constantly pounding against his body, but the old man seemed oblivious, mechanically continuing to move forward.
Lin Cheng quickened his pace and finally swam behind Wu Zhongqiang, grabbing the old man's arm. Wu Zhongqiang turned around abruptly, his eyes empty and blank, as if he hadn't yet realized what had happened.
Lin Cheng tried to pull Wu Zhongqiang towards the shore. But the old man, with unexpected strength, struggled violently, shouting, "Let me go! Let me see my son!" The two tugged at each other in the water, and Lin Cheng choked on several mouthfuls of water, his nose and throat aching from the river water.
On the shore, Madam Mai gripped Lin Yao's hand tightly, her nails digging almost into his flesh. Yang Yaren, frantic, stamped his feet and shouted, "Young Master Lin, give it your all!" Madam Mai, already sobbing uncontrollably, collapsed to the ground, muttering, "Old man, you're so foolish..."
Lin Cheng gritted his teeth, mustered all his strength, and dove to Wu Zhongqiang's side, holding him firmly under his armpits. Using the force of the current, he swam desperately towards the shore.
Lin Cheng dragged Wu Zhongqiang to the shallow water. Lin Yao and Yang Yaren rushed forward, and the three of them together pulled the soaking wet and limp Wu Zhongqiang ashore. Mai rushed to her husband's side, tears mingling with the river water, dripping onto Wu Zhongqiang's pale face.
"Cough cough..." Wu Zhongqiang spat out a few mouthfuls of water, slowly opened his eyes, looked at Lin Cheng who was lying on the ground, and remained silent for a long time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
