Chapter 246: Bringing Some Fish for Old Yan

“No need for you to help, Yan Lao’er. Just take it easy. The three of us can handle the work just fine,” Qi Wu said as he picked out a suitable piece of lumber.

He’d noticed that Xiao Er (Yan Yu) from the Yan family was doing a decent job crafting paper, but lacked proper tools. He’d kept that in mind, and the moment he got home, he started rummaging through his stash of wood to find something useful.

He set aside a few pieces, placing them where he’d see them often so he wouldn’t forget.

All three Qi brothers—Qi Da, Qi Si, and Qi Wu—were at home. After splitting that hefty bag of silver yesterday, none of them had slept well.

They’d held a little family meeting, mostly with Old Mother Qi talking while the others listened.

The main topic of the meeting was building a new house.

Old Mother Qi was a woman with foresight.

It was clear the village was getting too small to contain the Yan brothers.

Scholar Yan was obviously destined for the imperial exams and a future as an official. As for Yan Lao’er, the younger brother, with his knack for making money, there was no way he’d stay cooped up in the village.

Besides, he’d never been one to settle down. Back when they lived in Qishan Prefecture, he was rarely home.

Her three simple-minded sons needed to keep up with Yan Lao’er’s pace. They couldn’t afford to be held back by household chores.

So the house had to be built, and fast.

Qi Da was stacking bricks into neat piles. Qi Si was busy sifting soil. Qi Wu had been working on the windows and was about to continue.

Yan Lao’er looked around, inside and out, but couldn’t find a single thing he could help with.

The three Qi brothers might be a bit slow, but when it came to manual labor, they were top-notch.

He brought up the idea of building a cellar and a woodworking shed for Qi Wu with Qi Da. He’d planned to explain his reasoning, but Qi Da agreed without hesitation, not even asking why.

Yan Lao’er: …

So much for preparing that whole speech in my head.

Qi Da said, “Yan Lao’er, if there’s anything else that needs changing, just say the word.”

Well, since you put it that way, don’t mind if I do.

“Qi Da, look, my house has eight rooms, just enough for us. Your house has six. Don’t you think that’s a bit tight?”

He started counting on his fingers. “One for your mother, one for you, one for Qi Si, one for Qi Wu, one for your two daughters to share, and one kitchen. Aren’t you missing a main hall?”

Qi Da thought about it seriously, his eyes widening. “You’re right. What should we do?”

“Just add one room on each side. That’ll make it eight rooms too. And the woodworking room I mentioned for Qi Wu fits right in.”

Yan Lao’er led him to the site and pointed at the already-laid foundation wall. “Build out two more rooms here. The courtyard will be a bit smaller, but that’s fine. The house needs to be livable.”

Qi Da nodded repeatedly.

“That means you’ll need to build two more firewalls, and you’ll need more bricks and tiles. Bricks are no problem—I brought plenty this time, enough for your house. As for tiles, you’ll need to speak with Master Lu. Actually, forget it, I’ll talk to him for you.”

No need to trouble Qi Da. Yan Lao’er could mention it on his way home.

“And stop focusing only on my doors and windows. Your house needs them too. Make them all together. As for the other furniture, we’ll deal with that later.”

Yan Lao’er paused, then added, “Put the charcoal work on hold too. Let’s finish the house first, then handle the rest.”

“I’ll be heading out again in a few days. This time I’m mainly checking whether the river route is navigable. You three keep an eye on things at home for me, alright?”

Qi Si dropped what he was doing and ran over.

“Yan Lao’er, you’re going by yourself? That won’t do. Let me go with you.”

Qi Wu stayed quiet, silently shaving wood with slow, distracted strokes.

He wanted to go with Yan Lao’er too, but he knew there was still a lot of work left to do. If he went, he’d fall behind on everything.

Both families needed the houses finished as soon as possible.

“What, you think I can’t handle it? I’ll be fine. I’m not going far, don’t worry.”

Yan Lao’er thought to himself, Sorry, brothers. Between Sanbao and you guys, I’ve got to choose my Sanbao. Safe, fast, and reliable.

Then he remembered something. “Qi Wu, can we widen the raft a bit more? I want to bring my ox along. If the raft breaks halfway, I can’t just walk all the way back. That’d waste too much time. If Sanbao carries me home, it’ll be much faster.”

Qi Wu had already finished reinforcing the raised planks last night and was planning to install them later. Hearing this, he replied, “Just tie a few more logs to the sides. It’s no big deal.”

Yan Lao’er was relieved. After leaving the Qi family, he headed over to the Cui family.

“Brother-in-law! Busy?” Yan Lao’er called out cheerfully as he stepped inside.

Physician Cui looked up and smiled. “Your sister’s been talking about you nonstop. Come in. Have you eaten?”

“I have,” Yan Lao’er replied, surprised by the warm welcome.

And that rare smile.

Madam Cui had sharp ears. Hearing the commotion, she quickly came out of the kitchen.

“Second Brother! Haha, don’t just stand there. Come on, let’s chat in the kitchen. I’ve got something cooking.”

Yan Lao’er responded and walked straight into the kitchen like it was his own home.

“You must’ve been shocked, huh?” Madam Cui said as she stirred the food in the wok. “Your brother-in-law’s been acting strange ever since he exchanged those thirty work points for copper coins. Don’t mind him. He’s been poor too long. Making a bit of money’s gone to his head.”

Yan Lao’er: …

Sis, do you have to say everything out loud?

“I actually came to ask if my brother-in-law can send a batch of medicine to Crouching Tiger tomorrow. If anything good’s ready, I can take it along.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Madam Cui answered in rapid succession.

“I’ve been chasing him about it every day. Don’t worry, leave it to me. The moment the medicine’s ready, I’ll let your family know.”

Yan Lao’er tossed out compliments like they didn’t cost a thing. “My sister’s a capable woman, I couldn’t be more at ease! And my brother-in-law’s so meticulous. You two really are a match made in heaven.”

Madam Cui beamed with pride. “Aren’t we just? Back when we got engaged, even that fake Taoist who matched our birth charts said we were the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden under Guanyin’s seat—absolutely perfect for each other!”

Yan Lao’er: …

There was really no good way to respond to that.

Golden Boy and Jade Maiden… under Guanyin? Can they even get married?

And you just said he was a fake Taoist—why are you still quoting him?

The more time he spent with Madam Cui, the more he felt she was truly… something else.

He had just stepped out of the Cui family’s gate when he heard Madam Cui behind him, already urging Physician Cui impatiently. “Hurry up, don’t delay my second brother’s business!

Ugh, you’re so slow! Forget it, I’ll just tell you about those medicine racks. You listen and tell me if I got it right!”

Madam Cui launched into a full-on verbal barrage…

It was a while before Physician Cui finally responded, his voice soft and unhurried. “I need to take a look before I can be sure…”

Then his sister said something else, and just from her tone, you could feel the irritation boiling over.

…

Qi Wu had everything ready and came to the Yan household to call for Yan Lao’er. The two of them headed to the river together.

Yan Lao’er hitched up the cart, and they loaded the wood onto the ox cart to transport it over.

They went quickly and came back just as fast.

Not only had they widened the raft and added raised guard boards at both ends, Yan Lao’er had also brought back the day’s catch.

Once home, Yan Lao’er went straight to find his wife and daughter.

He said, “We caught quite a few fish today. Should we send some over to Old Yan tomorrow?”

(End of Chapter)

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The Golden Boy and Jade Maiden are Guanyin’s young attendants in Buddhist lore—symbols of purity and devotion, not romance. Calling a couple “the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden under Guanyin” is meant to sound like divine compatibility, but it’s funny because, as Guanyin’s celibate helpers, they can’t actually fall in love or get married. So Yan Lao’er’s reaction points out that contradiction.