Chapter 22: Benefactor

Qin Huiyin clung to the vine, panting as she climbed up. Once she reached the top, there was no one around; only the vine was tied securely to the trunk of a nearby tree.

“Is anyone there?”

“Who saved me?”

“Benefactor, are you here?”

No one replied.

This person had rescued her, hiding their merit and fame, unwilling to show themselves. If not for the knotted trunk, she might have suspected the vine had become sentient.

“Thank you, you truly are a good soul. If ever you need my help, don’t hesitate to seek me out directly,” Qin Huiyin called out in her clear voice. “I’ll head down the mountain now, alright?”

After descending, she glanced back at the mysterious and perilous forest, quickening her pace towards home.

Few ever ventured into that deep mountain; only Song Ruizhe was a frequent visitor. Yet Song Ruizhe bore deep grudges against the original mistress and her daughter—unlikely he was her savior. If it had been Song Ruizhe, burying her in a pit would be more in line with his style.

Could there be others in the mountain?

A shiver ran through Qin Huiyin. She resolved never to enter the forest alone again; if she must, she’d bring someone along. In situations like earlier, at least there’d be someone to lend a hand. Luck had favored her this time, but next time, it might not.

Song Ruizhe descended the mountain carrying a rabbit and a pheasant. He watched Qin Huiyin fleeing, and his dark eyes brimmed with disdain.

Such a timid creature, yet she dared venture into the mountain—she truly didn’t know the meaning of death.

“I’m home!” Qin Huiyin burst into the fenced courtyard.

Li Taohua was tidying up pea flour. She looked up and saw Qin Huiyin covered in mud, set her things aside, and walked over. “Where did you fall? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.” Qin Huiyin set down her basket. “Look, I found so many wood ears again. There wasn’t time today, but next time I’ll add some to the cold jelly—then it’ll taste even better.”

Late at night, Li Taohua entered with an oil lamp to check on Qin Huiyin. Seeing her sleeping soundly, her eyes filled with tenderness. Tang Luwu lay beside her, sleeping with remarkable propriety, quite unlike Qin Huiyin’s careless posture.

Leaving Qin Huiyin’s room, Li Taohua returned to her own, placed the lamp on the cabinet, and blew it out in one breath.

Tang Dafu reached for Li Taohua’s waist.

“What are you doing?” Li Taohua asked impatiently.

“Taohua, it’s been so long since…”

“You’re still not behaving, even with your lame leg?” Li Taohua turned away. “I’m tired. Don’t bother me.”

Tang Dafu lay beside her, speaking with guilt, “It’s my fault for being useless. If I hadn’t gotten hurt, you and the girls wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

“If you know you’re useless, then don’t make trouble for us. Even if your leg never fully heals, at least you could get out of bed once it’s better. You don’t expect us to support you for life, do you?” Li Taohua retorted. “I have no interest in keeping a man. Don’t be fooled by my three marriages—if you turn out to be a good-for-nothing, I’ll find someone capable instead.”

“My wife is right. I’ll take care of my injury and won’t move around anymore,” Tang Dafu hastily promised.

Li Taohua lay sideways, gazing out the window, unable to sleep for a long time.

She had promised that person she would take good care of Huiyin, yet now Huiyin was working so hard. If that person knew, she would surely be blamed.

The next day, Tang Yixiao continued to seek out Third Uncle Tang to take them to town. Today wasn’t a market day, so Third Uncle Tang didn’t have passengers and hadn’t risen early. When Tang Yixiao came to rent the ox cart, he thought he was dreaming.

Still, business was always welcome.

This time, Qin Huiyin hired him for a round trip and had him wait for them there.

Third Uncle Tang knew their family was doing business and didn’t ask questions. After dropping them at the market entrance, Qin Huiyin handed him another bamboo bucket of cold jelly. He accepted it with a grin and walked away, eating as he went.

Many had never seen cold jelly before. Seeing him enjoy it so much, they asked what it was. Third Uncle Tang pointed to the market entrance, telling them to buy it there, and warned that supplies were limited—latecomers would miss out.

As soon as Qin Huiyin and her companions set up their stall, many of yesterday’s regulars were already waiting.

A wooden sign stood nearby: five coins per serving of cold jelly, five pieces of marinated meat included; for an extra coin, five more pieces.

“Today’s bamboo bucket is definitely bigger than yesterday’s.”

“Boss, one serving for me, and five extra pieces of meat.”

“I want one too. My little grandson had it yesterday and begged for more all night—it worried me sick. I’ve been waiting here since early morning, so please serve me first.”

“Everyone, please line up,” Li Taohua said, hands on hips. “If you keep crowding, it’ll only get more chaotic. If you spent this energy queuing, you’d already have bought and gone.”

Li Taohua took charge of calling out and managing order, Qin Huiyin collected money, Tang Luwu added meat, and Tang Yixiao handed food to customers. After a bit of initial chaos, things quickly became orderly.

Today’s portions were triple yesterday’s.

Yesterday, everything sold out within an hour. Today might not be as fast, but the queue was still long.

“Sis, do you think that’s big brother?” Tang Yixiao looked up, spotting a youth across the street, and asked Tang Luwu.

Tang Luwu followed his gaze and exclaimed in delight, “Yes, that’s big brother.”

Remembering something, she glanced at Li Taohua with a troubled expression.

Qin Huiyin noticed Tang Luwu’s slower movements and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Tang Luwu, much more at ease with Qin Huiyin, lowered her voice, “My big brother is here.”

Only then did Qin Huiyin pay attention to Tang Yichen. He stood far off, and with so many customers before her, she wouldn’t have noticed without the prompt.

“Then go ask him,” Qin Huiyin said as she took money. “I’ll handle things here.”

Tang Luwu hurried over.

Li Taohua saw Tang Luwu leave at the busiest moment, followed her figure, spotted Tang Yichen, and pursed her lips, returning to her work.

Of all the Tang children, it was Tang Yichen she disliked most. Though everyone praised his studies and future prospects, she found him the most secretive and inscrutable.

Tang Luwu soon returned and told Qin Huiyin, “Big brother says some classmates at the private school want to buy our cold jelly.”

“How many?” Qin Huiyin asked.

“Five, I think!”

“Alright, Third Uncle is over there. Go tell him and ask him to help deliver—five servings minimum, delivery fee one coin.”

“My brother can just bring it over; no need to hire someone,” Tang Luwu said.

“Do you expect your brother to pick up deliveries every day? They’re classmates, equals. If he runs errands for them daily, they’ll soon lose respect for him. Your brother already has a hard enough time; best not to trouble him further.”

At some point, Tang Yichen had walked over. As Qin Huiyin finished speaking, he was beside her, his gaze complex.

“You’re here,” Qin Huiyin greeted him as if nothing had happened. “You head back first; I’ll have Third Uncle deliver to your classmates. He’s been up early with us, so he should also get a chance to earn.”