Chapter 41: The Explosive Popularity of Barbecue Seasoning

After dinner.

Bai Tian spoke up. “I’m heading into town in a few days to see if there are any private schools where you kids can learn to read and write.”

Bai Yun’an, who had secretly stashed away some Barbecue Seasoning, immediately said, “Dad, I want to go!”

Bai Tian: …

【Honestly, I only wanted to take Juanjuan! Last time we went to town, only Juanjuan behaved quietly.】

Bai Yunqi, who’d had a stroke of dumb luck: “Dad, I want to go too! I can keep picking up silver coins in town!”

【Mainly because the meat-filled steamed buns in town are delicious, and there are more rich people there—more chances for opportunity!】

Bai Yun’an quickly raised his hand. “Dad! I can pick up silver too!”

Bai Yunqi: “I pick up more than you!”

Bai Yun’an: “At least I don’t pick mine out of dog poop!”

Bai Yunqi’s temper flared instantly. “What, I can pick gold out of dog poop! Gold!”

Bai Yun’an sneered. “Still stinks.”

“Quiet!”

Jiang Dai slammed her palm down on the small wooden table.

Startled, Juanjuan quickly steadied her bowl, afraid the wild vegetable porridge might spill onto the floor.

Jiang Dai looked at her two sons, the eldest and the third, who were arguing to go to town.

Then she looked at her quiet little daughter and the youngest son, who were calmly eating their meal, and made a snap decision.

“You’ll take Juanjuan and the youngest with you!”

So noisy—why should they get to go? Once they’re in town, those two will just run wild again!

Do they really think the town is like the village?

In the village, everyone knows each other’s kids, and these ones all know where home is.

But if they get lost in town, they wouldn’t even know how to find their way back—what’s the point of going?

Juanjuan and Bai Yunxing, who hadn’t fought or argued: ?

The eldest and third sons, who had: ???

“Mom! I really do want to go! Dad even calls my name first in his dreams! I really have good luck—I can find gold in town!”

Bai Yunqi genuinely wanted to head into town to search for rare treasures infused with spiritual energy. If he got lucky and picked up something valuable, he’d hit the jackpot.

After all, the opportunities in the village couldn’t compare to those in town.

But Jiang Dai just let out a cold snort, completely unmoved by his spiel.

“If you really had some old grandpa giving you good fortune, then why can’t you find anything here? How come I’ve never seen you pick up anything in the village?”

Bai Tian: “Well said!”

Bai Yunqi: …

Bai Yun’an was just about to speak when he caught his mother’s glance.

Still, he tried. “Then… can Juanjuan stay home?”

He still wanted to farm Favorability Points!

If his target left, how was he supposed to increase her affection?

“Why can’t I go…”

A small, slightly aggrieved voice piped up.

Juanjuan looked a bit upset, but she mustered her courage and hugged her little bowl tightly, glancing at her Third Brother.

Bai Yun’an: !!!

Wait, no!

“No no no, you go, you go!”

Seeing the child’s face crumple like she was about to cry, Bai Yun’an instantly backed down.

【Alright, I give up. You go, little ancestor. I won’t even farm Favorability Points anymore. I’ll give you candy, you eat it, and if I still don’t get any Favorability Points—there’s no justice in this world!!!!】

Juanjuan heard her Third Brother’s outburst, her thin shoulders shrinking slightly as she lowered her head and continued eating quietly.

Bai Tian looked at his punished eldest and third sons, then turned to Jiang Dai. “Then I’ll leave those two little rebels to you.”

Jiang Dai waved him off. “No problem. Just remember to bring me back some meat-filled steamed buns—I want two!”

Ever since she found out Bai Tian was from her hometown, Jiang Dai had become noticeably more relaxed and natural around him.

Bai Tian wasn’t sure why, but lately, his wife seemed more at ease when talking to him.

And he had to admit—it felt pretty nice.

The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, Juanjuan and Bai Yunxing were already up and had breakfast ready.

As the only two kids in the family who could cook, they even thoughtfully prepared lunch for their mom.

Jiang Dai was leisurely eating her breakfast when the third son suddenly burst out of the house.

“Mom! Has Bai Yunqi already left?!”

Jiang Dai replied calmly, “Mm-hmm, he’s gone.”

Bai Yun’an’s heart dropped with a thud.

It’s over!

It’s all over!

He’d forgotten he was a twin now.

An identical twin!

Bai Yun’an had completely forgotten about that little detail.

If it hadn’t been for his usual bickering partner, Eldest Brother, tossing him a line earlier—“I thought you went in Second Brother’s place! Guess you’re not that clever after all!”—he might still not have remembered.

That’s when it hit him—why he’d felt something was off yesterday.

If the Barbecue Seasoning blew up in popularity in town…

And someone who looked exactly like him—Bai Yunqi—was there…

The shopkeeper wouldn’t run into him, right?

Right?

No way.

Definitely not!

…

In Taoyuan Town, Shiwei Restaurant suddenly became the talk of the town.

Because Shiwei Restaurant had just launched a brand-new grilled meat dish.

No one knew exactly what secret seasoning had been sprinkled on that barbecue, but the aroma was absolutely mouthwatering—far better than just plain salt.

A simple, unremarkable skewer of grilled meat had been utterly transformed by that mysterious blend.

Shopkeeper Liang stared at the dwindling supply of the barbecue seasoning, worry creasing his brow.

“Still no sign of that kid?”

“The cooks tried to analyze the seasoning, but all they could taste was salt?”

“They couldn’t identify anything else?”

Shopkeeper Liang was now truly regretting not asking the boy where he lived or what his parents were called.

The assistant shook his head. “Shopkeeper Liang, we really don’t know. The kid said it was a secret recipe—how could we crack it so easily?”

Shopkeeper Liang let out a long sigh. “But the Liu family from the Capital City is coming soon, and this is all we have left!”

“I’ll have to go apologize to Second Young Master Wang. There’s just no more of the seasoning.”

This Second Young Master Wang was the county magistrate’s second son and had recently taken a liking to the barbecue at Shiwei Restaurant.

The assistant was quick on the uptake. “I’ll tell the others to keep an eye out for that kid!”

Shopkeeper Liang nodded. That was all they could do for now.

Carrying a fine jar of wine, Shopkeeper Liang set off toward the county magistrate’s residence.

“Shopkeeper Liang!”

People who recognized him along the way greeted him warmly.

Shopkeeper Liang returned their greetings with a cheerful smile.

It was clear that he was well-liked in Taoyuan Town.

“Shopkeeper Liang’s been enjoying quite the spotlight lately!”

“Wonder how much longer that secret seasoning will last?”

A sarcastic voice called out from ahead. The speaker was a man just over thirty, dressed flamboyantly in red and green silks. His eyes were filled with scorn as he looked at Shopkeeper Liang.

Shopkeeper Liang sneered. “Maybe Zhenxiu Restaurant should focus on coming up with something new for a change.”

Even with his secret seasoning running out, Shopkeeper Liang didn’t back down an inch.

“Tch! We’ll see about that!”

The peacock-like man turned and strutted off.

Shopkeeper Liang sighed and was about to continue on his way when he suddenly froze.

Then, clutching the wine jar, he bolted forward at full speed.

“Wait up!”

He thought he just saw the kid who’d sold them the secret seasoning that day!