Inside Yuzhou City.
A bamboo hut somewhere.
"Sanlang, I still think your sister's shop should be located in a busy, populated area; that way, business will be better!"
"But the lively places are too far from here, so I won't be able to see my sister every day!"
"If no one buys it, then it won't sell! Your sister will lose money!"
"What, what should we do?!"
Jiao Sanlang mumbled something in a slightly childish voice, and then fell silent.
Jiang Shan's letter and a truckload of ingredients arrived at the bamboo house three days ago, along with books and letters sent by Fu Qiyuan.
Jiao Sanlang had been in a state of extreme excitement all day since receiving the letter, as if he had been injected with chicken blood. Now he has finally calmed down!
Mr. Xunmei lay on the cool mat, took a sip of the sour and sweet plum drink, smacked his lips contentedly, and his eyes lingered on his young apprentice, glancing over him again and again.
Good lad! On the first day, he bragged to the world about gaining a sworn brother. On the second day, he bragged about the iced drinks made by his beloved older sister. On the third day, he bragged about the "Jiang Family Private Kitchen" shop that didn't even exist in Chongqing yet!
The fish in the pond got so annoyed by his nagging that they all hid away!
Fortunately, Xiao Shitou wasn't blinded by his brilliance and regained a sliver of rationality, asking a crucial question: Where is Jiang's Private Kitchen located?
The two little ones have been discussing this for ages without reaching a conclusion, which has disturbed Mr. Xunmei's peace and quiet.
After finally calming down, Mr. Xunmei perked up his ears again.
Stone couldn't bear to see Sanlang's hopes dashed, so he nudged him with his elbow and raised an eyebrow toward Mr. Xunmei, "Let's ask the master!"
Saburo thought about it and agreed. Such an important matter should be asked of the teacher, who is the most knowledgeable and would surely know how to solve it.
Mr. Xunmei carefully examined his young apprentice, who was extremely filial and pure-hearted, for a long time. His thoughts drifted for a moment, and he waved for Shi Tou to bring him a map of Yuzhou City.
"What is this?" Saburo asked curiously.
Shi Tou glanced at Mr. Xunmei and said softly, "This is a map, which you drew yourself."
Saburo didn't understand what a map was until Stone explained it to him.
“Our bamboo hut is right here. Go out from here and go east for about a mile. There’s a street there with lots of people, which is a good place to sell food.” After saying this, Stone looked at Mr. Xunmei with a questioning look.
Saburo was immediately delighted when he heard that the ideal location for opening a shop was so close to the bamboo house.
"Teacher, let's go take a look. Let's see if there are any good shops for rent outside for my sister!" Sanlang happily shook Mr. Xunmei's hand.
Shi Tou frowned and thought for a moment, then took San Lang's hand in his own and said with a worried look, "No, it's not convenient for the master to show himself. I'll go with you to take a look!"
Saburo looked at the stone, then at his teacher, and said nothing.
He's been here for so long, and the teacher has never taken him out. Only Brother Stone took him out twice. Moreover, the teacher has never had any friends visit him. It's no exaggeration to say that he lives in seclusion.
Saburo didn't know why, but he knew that his teacher must have a reason for doing this!
Mr. Xunmei stroked his beard, watching the light in his most beloved apprentice's eyes dim little by little, and couldn't help but smile. "First, memorize this picture. When you can draw it, I'll take you out!"
Saburo suddenly looked up, "Really?"
Saburo has an exceptionally high aptitude for drawing and a photographic memory. Since his teacher has said so, he naturally knows what to do.
Before Shi Tou could help him tidy his desk, he spread the map on his lap and began to memorize it.
Mr. Xunmei nodded silently, then sadly turned his gaze to a bare plum tree beside him.
He had been searching for so long and avoiding the situation for so long, and there wasn't much time left. If this child could inherit his true teachings, he would have the face to face his wife even after he died.
Besides, he had eaten so much good food from them, so he had to do something for the child!
At night, while Mr. Xunmei was reading by lamplight, Sanlang came in carrying a bowl of cool pear water.
He placed the pear juice on the table, leaned close to Mr. Xunmei's ear, and excitedly said, "Teacher, I made it!"
Mr. Xunmei's eyes lit up. He picked up the pear juice and saw that there was indeed a layer of shaved ice floating on top.
Jiang Shan delivered the method and raw materials for making shaved ice to Sanlang. After pondering for a few days, Sanlang finally made the shaved ice.
Mr. Xunmei nodded with a smile and added, "Remember, you must not reveal a single word to anyone!"
Saburo nodded vigorously, then affectionately took Mr. Xunmei's arm and watched him eagerly as he tasted the iced drink.
"Not bad! Not bad! It's just as good as your sister's!"
Upon receiving the teacher's affirmation, Saburo jumped up with joy.
After finishing his chilled pear juice, seeing that Sanlang was still standing there without moving, Mr. Xunmei chuckled, put down his book, and patted the chair beside him.
Saburo hesitated for a moment, then sat down.
"Teacher, I want to talk to you, to talk about my elder brother and my sworn brother." When Sanlang said this, a trace of sorrow that was not in line with his age flashed in his eyes.
Mr. Xunmei patted his head and said, "I have never met your elder brother, but I imagine he is also an extremely outstanding young man. He has raised you very well! He is no less capable than your sworn brother!"
As for Sanlang's sworn brother, Fu Qiyuan, Master Xunmei knew the facts but not the reasons behind them. Having lived in seclusion for many years, he had no idea what had happened in the capital. He only vaguely knew from his disciples that Fu Qiyuan was a wealthy young master from the capital. His only impression of Fu Qiyuan was that he took great care of Sanlang, to the extent that it aroused Master Xunmei's suspicion.
“Brother…Brother has been away from home for four years. He came to Yuzhou to take the imperial examination four years ago and has never returned. The villagers say he has disappeared, and some say he is dead. I don’t believe it. Brother must still be alive!” Sanlang leaned against Mr. Xunmei’s chest, tears welling up in his eyes.
Mr. Xunmei was extremely surprised. "You mean, your elder brother disappeared four years ago when he came to Yuzhou to take the imperial examination?"
Sanlang nodded silently, sniffed, and said, "In the years since my brother left, Mother has also been sick. She took a lot of medicine but didn't get better. My sister and I were bullied by the village children every day. My sister was almost drowned in the river by the villagers, but an older brother saved her. Later, my sister became smarter, Mother got better, and our lives became a little easier."
“Brother… When I first saw my sworn brother, I thought it was my brother who had returned, but my sworn brother said that he was not my brother. He was the son of a high-ranking official in the capital, and he had parents.”
Saburo slumped his shoulders in disappointment, wiping away his tears. "But I feel like he is my brother! He looks exactly like my brother, and his voice is exactly the same. How can he not be my brother?"
What seemed like illogical words, Mr. Xunmei sensed was something unusual.
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