Cui Hongyu's heart warmed, but then she thought, even if this early trip to the county town went smoothly, she would return close to noon. How could she not eat? Thinking of this, she said softly, "Husband, then I'll get up early to cook porridge for you."
After saying this, she snuggled back down next to Qiao'er, "It's getting late, husband, you should rest early."
Chen Xiaobei knew that Cui Hongyu was so eager to lie down not because she was tired, but because she didn't want him to argue with her further on this matter.
The next morning, as dawn was just breaking, while Chen Xiaobei was still contemplating whether to get up, Cui Hongyu had already quietly risen. The bed creaked as she moved.
Chen Xiaobei coughed lightly, signaling that he was also awake.
Cui Hongyu went to his bedside, leaned forward, and whispered by his ear, "Husband, you sleep a little longer, I'll go and make porridge for you."
Chen Xiaobei initially wanted to stop her, but then he thought better of it and gave up.
This was Cui Hongyu's way of expressing her feelings. If he didn't let her do anything, perhaps she would feel even more unsettled.
Listening to the faint sounds from outside, Chen Xiaobei had no more sleepiness. He got up as well.
He squatted by the kitchen door and watched Cui Hongyu cooking porridge.
Cui Hongyu noticed Chen Xiaobei watching her and seemed a little flustered. She lowered her head and focused on adding firewood to the stove, not daring to look up at him.
"Hongyu, you are truly beautiful," Chen Xiaobei praised sincerely.
This sentence made Cui Hongyu's face even redder.
"Husband, don't tease me."
"Alright, I'll go cast the net first. I'll be back home for porridge later." Chen Xiaobei picked up his umbrella net and walked out.
After arriving at the riverbank and setting the net, he waited for a while, estimating that the porridge was almost ready, and then returned home.
Indeed, when he got back, Cui Hongyu had already served the porridge and placed it on the small stone table.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei return, Cui Hongyu seemed a little flustered. "Husband, the wild eggs are not cooked yet, perhaps you should wait a bit longer."
Looking at the half-filled iron pot, where the water had not yet boiled, Chen Xiaobei smiled, "I won't eat the wild eggs. Take good care of yourself and Qiao'er at home. If anything happens, call Aunt Er from next door."
After quickly drinking a bowl of rice porridge, Chen Xiaobei went to the riverbank again.
His luck wasn't too bad today. After waiting for a short while, the first fish was caught.
Just like yesterday, Chen Xiaobei flung the fish onto the shore and waited for it to exhaust itself before taking it out.
Chen Xiaobei dug a small pit by the river and filled it with shallow water. He placed the fish in it. The water was so shallow that it only covered half of the fish's body when it lay flat. This way, the fish could stay alive without regaining too much strength.
The second net brought him an unexpected surprise. This time, there were two fish, each about half a foot long.
There were also several smaller ones.
Chen Xiaobei threaded the three large fish onto branches, and carried the smaller fish in the net, hurrying home.
When he returned home, Chen Qiao'er was still asleep. Cui Hongyu was already sitting under the big tree, embroidering.
Chen Xiaobei placed the few small fish on the table, "These fish will be stewed for lunch, you and Qiao'er can eat them."
After saying that, he hurriedly grabbed the fish and set off.
Selling fish didn't require going to the market; he had to go door-to-door to restaurants and taverns.
Chen Xiaobei's luck was quite good. As he turned a corner, he saw a grand tavern ahead.
The plaque above the tavern was written in a flamboyant script: Zui Xian Lou.
A high-class tavern like this must belong to someone with money. Chen Xiaobei stood at the entrance with the three fish, looking inside.
A busy waiter immediately noticed him and approached with a smile, "Are you here to eat? It's a bit early."
From the waiter's friendly attitude, Chen Xiaobei knew that the tavern's owner must be a cultured person, someone who understood the saying that kindness brings wealth.
Such a person deserved to prosper.
Chen Xiaobei held up the three fish, "I caught these from the river this morning. Do you buy them?"
The waiter paused for a moment, then turned and called towards the back, "Shopkeeper, someone is looking for you."
Before long, a middle-aged man emerged from the back.
The man looked prosperous, dressed in a brocade robe, and holding a white towel in his hand, wiping his hands as he walked. It was evident he was busy in the kitchen.
The shopkeeper came before Chen Xiaobei and cupped his fists politely, "My name is Xu Zhi, you can call me Old Xu."
"Shopkeeper Xu, I just caught three fish from the river. Do you buy them here?" Chen Xiaobei was even more polite.
Xu Zhi reached out, took the branches, held the three fish up to his eyes, and sniffed them one by one.
After sniffing, he nodded slightly, "Not bad, quite fresh. Make your offer!"
Chen Xiaobei held up one finger, "Each fish should be at least this much."
Xu Zhi smiled slightly, "Alright, since you understand, then it's simple."
With that, he beckoned a waiter to take the fish away, and then walked behind the counter.
He laid out three large coins on the counter and said to Chen Xiaobei with a smile, "Young sir, if you can bring me live fish, this price will at least double."
"I will, I will bring you live fish in the future."
Chen Xiaobei thanked him and left with the three copper coins. He didn't rush home, but instead went to find Old Wu, the vegetable seller.
Although the vegetables in his own field wouldn't be ready for harvest for some time, it was always good to strike up a conversation with Old Wu early.
Wu Zhong seemed very happy to see him. While attending to customers, he found time to say, "What have you been doing these past few days, boy? Why haven't you come to sell wild chickens?"
Chen Xiaobei gave a wry smile, "Brother, you can't catch wild chickens every day. Those critters are too cunning."
"Alas, Steward Cao came yesterday and asked about you."
"Really? Steward Cao, such an important person, is actually thinking of me," Chen Xiaobei said, feigning surprise.
Old Wu nodded, "I told you long ago that he is the biggest patron in our town. He told me to tell you that whatever game you get from the mountains, feel free to send it to the Cao residence."
Chen Xiaobei was overjoyed at this. He had found a stable buyer!
"Alright, I'll go into the mountains again and see if I can get something for him."
"By the way, Old Wu, I've also planted some vegetables in my field. If they grow well, can you help me sell them?"
Old Wu chuckled, "Do you still need me to help you sell them? Just set up next to me, and we'll sell side by side. I guarantee we'll both sell out."
Chen Xiaobei was deeply touched by Old Wu's generosity. Meeting such a warm friend in the county town was truly his good fortune.
Chen Xiaobei went to the rice shop and bought two pounds of rice for one copper coin. He was reluctant to spend the remaining two coins.
When he returned home from the county town, Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er were not there.