Chapter 23: Famous Far and Wide

“Brother Zhang.”

Zhao Mengcheng found Zhang Dahu at the small tea house as usual.

Zhang Dahu was not surprised by his arrival and poured a cup of tea, inviting him to sit down.

Zhao Mengcheng sat down and first offered his thanks. “It is all thanks to your great influence, Brother Zhang. The people at the Yamen gave me a heads-up in advance, otherwise I might have been in trouble this time.”

“Today I will use tea instead of wine to toast you, Brother Zhang.”

Zhang Dahu laughed and drank the cup of tea. “You are being too polite. It wasn’t that they were doing me a favor. The County Magistrate liked your calligraphy. Those people in the Yamen are all shrewd characters, so how could they deliberately make things difficult for you?”

Zhao Mengcheng understood then. No wonder the Yamen Runners who came to arrest him had been so polite and had not made things difficult along the way. He had originally thought it was the silver that had worked, but he hadn’t expected it to be the County Magistrate.

With a turn of his mind, Zhao Mengcheng spoke up. “So that’s how it is. If I weren’t afraid that a visit would disturb such a noble person, I should go to their door to kowtow¹ in thanks.”

Zhang Dahu laughed and patted him on the shoulder, saying, “You are a shrewd one yourself. Go if you want to. Lord Huang has two main hobbies in his life: one is fine wine, and the other is poetry and painting. That piece of calligraphy of yours truly suited his tastes.”

Zhao Mengcheng looked at him and asked, “Hearing your words, Brother Zhang, could it be that you are well-acquainted with the County Magistrate?”

Shopkeeper Wang had only mentioned that Zhang Dahu used to be a guard for the Wan Family, but had not revealed that he had a connection with the County Magistrate.

Zhang Dahu said modestly, “It is a distant relationship. The County Magistrate is generous and looks after me occasionally, so the people in the Yamen are willing to show me some face.”

“Not many people know about this matter, so do not go around talking about it, lest it affect the County Magistrate’s reputation.”

Zhao Mengcheng truly had not expected that a minor Shiyuan could have a connection with the County Magistrate.

“Brother Zhang, do you know of the Wan Family in Shanghe Town?”

Upon hearing the name Wan Family, Zhang Dahu’s expression changed slightly. He glanced at him but did not speak.

Zhao Mengcheng then said, “On the day I returned from the Yamen, I happened to encounter someone. Taking advantage of my absence, they wanted to forcibly buy the Tofu Secret Recipe. Fortunately, I caught them and they fled. He claimed to be from the Wan Family.”

Zhang Dahu knitted his brows.

“Hearing the name of the Wan Family, I am afraid in my heart that they will not let the matter rest,” Zhao Mengcheng said, voicing his concern.

Zhang Dahu took a sip of tea and said calmly, “If it were before, I would advise you to deliver the secret recipe to their door as soon as possible. However, the Wan Family of today is no longer the Wan Family of years past.”

He lowered his voice and revealed a sentence. “We common folk do not know the great affairs of the capital, but I heard that things are not going well for those above them. The Wan Family is now living with their tails between their legs, not daring to be too arrogant.”

Zhao Mengcheng finally felt at ease. Calculating the time, the Wan Family had already reached the point where they could barely protect themselves.

Zhang Dahu clearly disliked the Wan Family very much. “In the past, they didn’t even respect the County Magistrate. Truly, fortunes rise and fall².”

Having received the answer he wanted, Zhao Mengcheng saw that Zhang Dahu was clearly unwilling to talk more, so he did not continue to press. Instead, he took out a separate box of Fermented Tofu.

“Brother Zhang, this is a new food made at home. It is quite good to go with wine, rice, or mixed with porridge. Taste it and see if you like it.”

Zhang Dahu opened it to see a palm-sized earthenware jar containing bright red Fermented Tofu, which looked extremely striking at a glance.

“Another new thing. I say, how is your head put together? You manage to tinker and come up with something new every few days.”

He didn’t even use chopsticks, directly using his fingers to pinch a piece and stuff it into his mouth. “Mmm, delicious. This flavor is incredible.”

“The Tofu and Dried Tofu are both good, but I have a strong palate and didn’t love them. This Fermented Tofu suits my taste the most.”

Zhao Mengcheng said with a smile, “If you like it, eat more. I will send some more over later.”

After he left, Zhang Dahu was thoughtful as he carried the earthenware jar and strolled back home.

As soon as he entered the door, Old Lady Zhang greeted him. “How are you back at this hour? Your cousin-uncle³ finally managed to arrange a lucrative post for you, so you must work hard.”

“Mother, look what I brought back.”

Zhang Dahu was actually Lord Huang’s cousin-nephew, but the two families were not close. It was only when Lord Huang came to Shanghe Town to serve as the County Magistrate that they got back in touch.

He had never told anyone else about this relationship, fearing it would cause trouble for his cousin-uncle. Seeing that he was sensible, Lord Huang had arranged this job for him.

The work was easy and had its perks, so Zhang Dahu was very satisfied.

Old Lady Zhang came over to look and said in surprise, “What is this bright red thing? The smell is quite strange.”

“Didn’t you say you had no appetite these past few days? I just had a taste and it really whetted the appetite. You can mix it with your rice later,” Zhang Dahu said. He was truly filial to his mother.

Old Lady Zhang was indeed happy to hear this. She also pinched a piece and put it in her mouth, immediately praising, “The taste is really good. My son is always thinking of me.”

She set it down and asked, “Was this sent by that Zhao Mengcheng again? This person is quite honest. When you have time, invite him to the house to visit.”

Zhang Dahu nodded with a smile.

While the mother and son were talking, a burst of crying suddenly came from next door.

Old Lady Zhang sighed and said in a low voice, “What a pity. That family had several sons and only that one daughter. They raised her like a treasure until she was seven or eight years old. Just as she was growing up, she was kidnapped by human traffickers.”

“Dahu, find a time to mention this to your cousin-uncle. At least help to find the person and bring them back. Those godforsaken traffickers are too wicked. Just thinking about how we have children in our house makes my heart jump with fear. I haven’t dared to let the children out of the house these past few days.”

Zhang Dahu responded casually but did not take the matter to heart.

There were many cases of children being kidnapped among the common people. Traffickers took the children and left; they wouldn’t stay locally to wait for people to catch them. Most children could never be found in their entire lives.

While the Zhang family mother and son were savoring the Fermented Tofu, the Fermented Tofu at Yingbin Lou was also being served on the dining tables.

The glowing red Fermented Tofu was placed on a snow-white plate, stacked in the shape of a pagoda, with a bit of minced green onion sprinkled around it.

At first glance, it had a bit of a poetic and artistic feel.

A scholar who came to eat saw it and pulled the waiter to ask, “What is this?”

“In reply to the Juren, this is a new food obtained by our establishment. It has been given the elegant name of Red Plum⁴. The Shopkeeper said that thanks to the patronage of you gentlemen lately, he specifically asked me to bring a plate over to express his gratitude.”

Hearing this, the Juren laughed and said, “The Shopkeeper is too polite. Since that is the case, I will have a taste.”

He took a bite with his chopsticks and pondered for a long while. “The flavor is indeed good. It has a bit more character than regular Tofu. Was red yeast⁵ added to this, which is why it appears red?”

“You are amazing, Juren. You could tell with just one bite,” the waiter flattered.

The Juren smiled and pushed the plate to the center. “Everyone, try it as well. Although it is a side dish, it truly has a unique flavor.”

Several scholars raised their chopsticks one after another. Unknowingly, Yingbin Lou, which could always produce fresh new dishes, had already become a common gathering place for the scholars and literati of Shanghe Town.

“The color is beautiful, the taste is delicious, and rarely, the name is also elegant.”

The name Red Plum had been given by Zhao Mengcheng. Although he felt that Fermented Tofu was more accurate, he thought the scholars would prefer the other.

As it turned out, the name Red Plum quickly surpassed Tofu and Dried Tofu in popularity.

Anyone who went to Yingbin Lou to eat would order a plate of Red Plum to whet their appetite, and some even wanted to pack a portion to take back and eat slowly.

Shopkeeper Wang was naturally beaming with joy. Business in the shop was booming, and he was already considering taking over the place next door to expand the restaurant. In his heart, he felt even more fortunate that he had kept Zhao Mengcheng.

If it weren’t for that lad Zhao Mengcheng’s many clever ideas, Yingbin Lou would not be where it was today.

The people in the city liked the taste of Fermented Tofu, and the people of Qingshan Village liked it too.

The three little ones of the Zhao Family now ate it every morning. Zhao Chun liked to mash it directly and mix it into his porridge, gulping it down. Zhao Mao preferred to alternate a bite of Fermented Tofu with a bite of white porridge. Zhao Xin followed her two brothers, mixing half with her porridge and eating the other half slowly.

They ate it for half a month straight without getting tired of it.

After half a month, the three little ones finally stopped eating Fermented Tofu. It wasn’t because they were tired of it, but because the Fermented Tofu was selling so well that the stock at home was completely sold out.

There were originally a few pieces left at home, but the Village Chief came in person, saying he had no appetite these past two days and wanted to buy a few pieces of Fermented Tofu, so he bought them all up.

After the sale, the three little ones were dumbfounded. “It’s all sold out?”

Zhao Xin puffed out her cheeks and said, “I won’t eat it anymore. We’ll save it to sell for money.”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “The batch at the Tofu Workshop will be ready soon. We’ll keep more at home then.”

“Dad, let’s go help you make the Fermented Tofu,” Zhao Chun said eagerly.

Zhao Mengcheng simply took all the children to the Tofu Workshop.

This was the place previously used to make Tofu. Later, the Tofu business was shared out by Zhao Mengcheng, but the temporary shed remained for use.

Now Liu Lei had also obtained the Tofu recipe and returned home to grind and sell Tofu. Only He Shuiqing remained to help.

When Zhao Mengcheng went in, He Shuiqing was drying the Tofu.

The production process for Fermented Tofu was more complicated than for Dried Tofu. After the fresh Tofu was bought, the water was first drained, and then it was cut into small pieces and placed evenly in bamboo trays. After waiting for seven days, a golden mold would grow on the Tofu.

Only then could the Tofu be put into earthenware jars, with white liquor, sesame oil, and salt added. Chili peppers had not yet appeared in Shanghe Town, so Zhao Mengcheng divided them into two batches. One batch had red yeast added, which was the Red Plum that was currently selling like crazy in the city.

The other batch did not have red yeast added; it came out white and also tasted good, and the price would be slightly cheaper than the red Fermented Tofu.

Because of the many ingredients added, the price Zhao Mengcheng set for external sales was also expensive. A small piece cost one wen, three times the price of regular tofu of the same size.

Even so, the fermented tofu was very popular, far outselling the dried tofu.

The three little ones followed their father’s example, carefully picking up the fermented tofu with chopsticks and placing it into the jars.

Zhao Xin was too small and couldn’t control her strength well, accidentally crushing a piece of tofu.

Zhao Chun grew impatient and scolded her: “Why are you so clumsy? Go to the side and stop causing trouble.”

Zhao Xin puffed out her cheeks aggrievedly: “I’ll be careful.”

“You’re just too stupid, you can’t do anything right,” Zhao Chun said unhappily.

Zhao Mengcheng heard this from the side and frowned, asking: “Chun, why are you talking to your sister like that?”

Zhao Chun muttered something under his breath but didn’t speak up.

Zhao Mengcheng added: “Your sister is still young. If she does it poorly, you can teach her slowly instead of constantly scolding her. If a child is scolded too much, they really will become dull-witted.”

“But if it’s crushed, it can’t be sold for money. I didn’t want to scold her, I just wanted her to stop making a mess,” Zhao Chun also felt wronged.

Zhao Mengcheng then pulled out a separate jar: “Xin’er, put yours in here. Take your time. Once this jar is finished, we’ll keep it for ourselves to eat. It doesn’t matter even if they’re all crushed.”

Zhao Xin, who had been drooping after being scolded, cheered up again upon hearing this. Before heading over, she gave her eldest brother a loud huff.

“I’ll definitely make it taste very good. I’ll save it for Dad and second brother to eat, but not for big brother.”

Zhao Chun mimicked her with his own huff: “I don’t care anyway.”

As a result, his own hand slipped, and he accidentally split a piece of tofu in half. Zhao Chun’s face turned dark as he fished out the piece and placed it toward his sister’s side.

Zhao Xin was a girl who didn’t hold grudges, only saying: “You’re not allowed to scold me anymore.”

“Fine, fine, fine. You’re getting more sensitive by the day,” Zhao Chun grumbled.

Zhao Mengcheng watched with amusement. He had thought the siblings were going to have a conflict, but they resolved it themselves in just a short while.

Looking at Zhao Mao on the other side, he was meticulous. He did the work very neatly, not breaking a single piece from start to finish.

The five of them worked together, staying busy until noon before all the fermented tofu was packed into jars and sealed.

The weather was hot now, so the fermented tofu could be taken out and sold after seven days.

He Shuiqing had been working with his head down just now, but now he walked up to Zhao Mengcheng: “Brother, it’s too, too-too-too little. Let’s buy m-m-m-more tofu to make.”

In his heart, he felt that since the fermented tofu was always sold out and many people came to buy it but couldn’t, they were being too lazy by only working for half a day.

Zhao Mengcheng shook his head: “This is enough.”

“Fermented tofu is expensive and can’t be eaten as a main meal. Everyone eats it for the novelty. It will sell even better if it’s frequently out of stock.”

He Shuiqing didn’t understand why someone wouldn’t make more when there were buyers, preferring to let it run out of stock from time to time: “The work is too l-l-l-little. I feel bad taking the m-m-m-money.”

Zhao Mengcheng raised an eyebrow: “There’s actually someone who complains about the work being too little and easy?”

He Shuiqing’s face turned red as he insisted: “If I take wages, I m-m-m-must work.”

Zhao Mengcheng saw the honest man’s face flushing red, fearing he was a burden. After thinking for a moment, he said: “Alright then, today we’ll make another kind of new food.”

Upon hearing this, the three little ones all cheered: “That’s great! Dad, what are you going to make?”

“It’s definitely something delicious.”

At this time, soaking the beans would be too much trouble, so Zhao Mengcheng simply went to the neighboring Wang family to buy pre-ground soy milk.

Auntie Wang insisted on not taking money, saying: “We’ve earned so much money by relying on you. How could we take money for just some soy milk?”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t argue and simply carried the small bucket of soy milk back.

Before putting it in the pot, he filtered it several times with gauze, and then Zhao Mengcheng began to boil it over a high heat.

The soy milk in the pot bubbled with a milky white color, but Zhao Mengcheng didn’t do anything else. The three little ones were so anxious they were scratching their heads.

“Dad, what’s next?”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed: “Next, watch your daddy perform a magic trick.”

He took out a chopstick, dipped it into the pot, and lifted it. A layer of tofu skin was pulled straight out. Zhao Mengcheng hung the tofu skin on a bamboo pole by the door to dry.

One sheet after another of tofu skin was hung out, and soon the courtyard was filled with them.

“You try,” Zhao Mengcheng handed the chopstick to He Shuiqing.

He Shuiqing carefully extended the chopstick, but he was too cautious, and the tofu skin he lifted broke.

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t mind: “It’ll be fine after a few more practices.”

Zhao Chun’s eyes widened in surprise: “It can even be done like this? Beans are really amazing. They can make soy milk, tofu, and even turn directly into tofu skin.”

Zhao Mao glanced at his brother: “It’s not that the beans are amazing, it’s that Dad is amazing. Otherwise, why couldn’t anyone else make it?”

He Shuiqing also joined in the rare moment of fun: “Brother, Brother is the most amazing. In o-o-o-our village, the n-n-n-number one most amazing.”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed at the children’s praise. It wasn’t that he was amazing, but that he was standing on the shoulders of giants⁶. Some things seemed difficult before they were discovered, but once invented, everyone realized they were quite simple.

Countless chemical formulas flashed through his mind. Zhao Mengcheng felt that if he wanted to, he could tinker with a hundred different things in minutes.

However, his experiences from his past life made him no longer keen on power and fame.

His gaze fell on the three little ones. Zhao Mengcheng rubbed his chin, thinking that he just wanted to enjoy life comfortably, but if these three were willing, he would let them push themselves a bit.

Zhao Mao felt uncomfortable under his father’s gaze: “Dad, why are you looking at me like that?”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed: “We’ll have tofu skin for dinner tonight.”

“Yay!” Zhao Xin was the first to cheer.

Seeing that they were about to eat, He Shuiqing hurried to leave. No matter how they tried to keep him, he wouldn’t stay. Zhao Mengcheng could only grab a handful of tofu skin for him to take back so his elderly mother could also have a taste.

Zhao Mengcheng was as good as his word and prepared a whole table of tofu skin dishes that evening.

Cold dressed tofu skin, stir-fried tofu skin with leeks, tofu skin meat rolls, and he even dug up two bamboo shoots to stew in a soup with shredded tofu skin.

The three little ones ate with their heads down. Now they were no longer afraid of eating the family into poverty and could eat their fill at every meal.

Zhao Chun showed his strength, eating three large bowls in one meal, only slightly less than the big-bellied Zhao Mengcheng. The boy was determined to eat as much as his father.

Zhao Mao was a bit behind, but he could now eat two bowls of rice.

When Zhao Mengcheng first arrived, the boy was as thin as a monkey, his skin always having an unhealthy, sickly pallor. Now that he was eating and drinking well, his face was ruddy, and he had gained a noticeable amount of weight.

The one with the smallest appetite was Zhao Xin. Her eyes were bigger than her stomach; she wanted to eat everything she saw but was full after just a few bites. Even when full, she wouldn’t leave the table, lingering there to sneak another bite whenever she could.

Every time she left the table, the little girl’s belly was always round. Looking at her chubby little face and round figure, Zhao Mengcheng felt a great sense of accomplishment. He had raised the three children very well.

“Are you all full?” Zhao Mengcheng asked.

The three little ones nodded in unison, looking at Zhao Mengcheng expectantly.

Zhao Mengcheng was made a bit self-conscious by their gazes, but he still picked up his chopsticks and cleared away the remaining food. Not even the scorched rice was wasted; it all went into his stomach.

Clap, clap, clap!

Zhao Chun clapped loudly and shouted: “Daddy is the best! Dad is so smart because he eats so much. I’m going to eat just as much as Dad from now on.”

For a moment, Zhao Mengcheng didn’t know whether this was a compliment or an insult.

After dinner, the three little ones, who had worked all day, couldn’t hold out any longer, their heads nodding with sleepiness.

Zhao Mengcheng sent them straight to their rooms to sleep, while he sat on his bed and began to regulate his breathing.

Since his supernatural ability had recovered, it was always very active whenever he regulated his breath, constantly exploring back and forth within the Zhao house. This had clearly become the territory of his Mental Power.

Playful tentacles would even go into the neighboring room, stroking this child’s cheek or touching that child’s forehead, having a grand time.

Zhao Mengcheng never stopped it, and even intentionally directed it.

In his past life, he didn’t know the use of Mental Power at first, only treating it as a means of attack, even once positioning himself as an assassin.

Many years later, he suddenly realized that the function of Mental Power was never slaughter, but life.

The reason he survived one dangerous situation after another wasn’t because of good luck or fate, but because his Mental Power was constantly sustaining his life.

It was just that this nourishment was subtle and cumulative, requiring time to evolve, which was why he had misunderstood it for many years.

The fact that Zhao Mengcheng’s body could recover quickly and Zhao Mao’s health could improve daily, and that the three little ones hadn’t been sick once since he traveled here, was all due to the Mental Power at work.

It wasn’t just the people living beside him; even the flowers and grass in the courtyard received this blessing. During this period, the three little ones had to pull weeds in the yard every day, otherwise, the weeds would overspread within a few days.

The night grew deep, and Qingshan Village fell silent. Zhao Mengcheng enjoyed this tranquility.

At the third mark of the hour of the Rat⁷, oil lamps were lit in Qingshan Village as the families who made tofu began to wake up for work.

When Zhao Mengcheng said that making tofu was hard work, it wasn’t just polite talk. Sailing a boat, forging iron, and grinding tofu⁸ were truly not hardships that ordinary people could endure.

The Wang family clearly didn’t find it bitter.

Uncle Wang and Auntie Wang had soaked the beans early. When they got up, they could go straight to the stone mill. The couple worked together, one scooping beans and the other grinding, all so that Wang Ming could sleep a little longer.

As it turned out, Wang Ming heard the noise and came out, wanting to take over Uncle Wang’s work: “Dad, I told you grinding tofu takes strength, let me do it. Why are you at it again?”

“Tired? Who’s tired? Your father is still young,” Uncle Wang refused to give in.

Wang Ming had no choice but to urge, “Then work for a bit and let me take over.”

Auntie Wang said cheerfully, “Ming, you can earn over three hundred wen today. Even after costs, that’s two hundred wen in profit. If you save for a year, you can build a house. Then I’ll find you a good wife, and we’ll be able to afford as many children as you can have.”

Wang Ming was much more capable now, but he still blushed at his mother’s words.

“Big Brother hasn’t married yet. We should find one for him first.”

Auntie Wang sighed at that. “Your brother’s standards are too high. No matter who I suggest, he’s never satisfied. Now that he’s staying in the city and won’t come back, I can’t control him anymore.”

Uncle Wang frowned. “He only earns a pittance every month. How much can he possibly save after food and expenses? Why don’t we call him back to sell tofu with us? It’s better than what he’s doing now.”

Auntie Wang had the same thought and looked toward Wang Ming.

Wang Ming smiled. “Dad, Mom, I’m willing to call him, but would he even want to come back?”

He truly didn’t mind his brother joining them. After all, so many people in the village were doing it; one more person wouldn’t make a difference.

But his brother was dead set on staying in the city, so he might not be willing.

The Wang family wasn’t even the earliest. Liu Lei had already prepared three trays of tofu and was heading to the village entrance.

Doctor Liu followed behind to help, but Liu Lei stopped him. “Dad, I can do it myself.”

“I’m already awake anyway. I might as well have something to do.”

Doctor Liu ended up helping his son deliver the tofu to the village entrance. Before they even arrived, someone came to meet them. “You’re finally here! I want a hundred pieces.”

“This tray has exactly a hundred pieces. Just take the whole thing, but remember to return the rack to me tomorrow,” Liu Lei agreed with a smile.

Doctor Liu asked the man, “Why are you so early today?”

“I have to be early. I’m planning to head into the mountains today. If I leave late, it’ll be dark by the time I get back.” The man shouldered the load and left.

Liu Lei’s tofu sold out shortly after arriving. The vendors who came late weren’t disappointed, though. Once Liu Lei’s stock was gone, others began arriving one after another, ensuring everyone could buy the freshest batches.

Every family’s stall was bustling, but the busiest of all was the Zhao family’s.

Zhao Mengcheng had no patience for retail stalls, but He Shuiqing insisted he could help, so the Tofu Workshop opened every morning.

As soon as the doors opened, small vendors swarmed in.

“I want Dried Tofu. Give me twenty catties.”

“Is there any Red Plum left? If not, White Plum is fine. I want a large jar.”

“I want both Dried Tofu and Fermented Tofu.”

The Tofu Workshop only produced a limited amount, so the vendors had to scramble for what they could get.

Someone grabbed He Shuiqing and asked, “Why is there never enough to sell? Can’t you just hire a few more people?”

He Shuiqing just smiled and kept quiet, afraid that others would mock his stutter.

“Look at him acting so capable. I wonder how much Zhao Mengcheng is paying him.” The village entrance wasn’t just for selling tofu; others brought their own fruits and vegetables to supplement their income, and Zhao Dasao was among them.

A few women nearby winked at each other and teased her on purpose. “Sister-in-law Zhao, do you really still need to come out and sell vegetables? Selling greens doesn’t make nearly as much as learning to make tofu from your brother-in-law.”

Another replied loudly, “Oh my, did you forget? Their two families severed ties long ago.”

“Tsk tsk. If you’d known your brother-in-law would strike it rich, you and your husband shouldn’t have cut ties even if you had to get on your knees and beg. Now you can’t even get a sip of the broth.”

“Zhao’s wife, do you regret it now?”

Zhao Dasao’s face turned dark. “Get lost! That heartless white-eyed wolf doesn’t care about his brother or sister-in-law. Why the hell would I regret anything?”

Her heart was bleeding with regret, but what could she do? She had gone to his house several times, but Zhao Mengcheng wouldn’t even open the door. It was clear he no longer intended to recognize them as his brother and sister-in-law.

“Oh? If you don’t regret it, why do you linger here every day? Aren’t you just looking for a chance to get close to him again?”

Zhao Dasao couldn’t take the mockery anymore. She stopped selling her vegetables, picked them up, and left.

But as soon as she got home, Zhao Xiaohua came to meet her. “Mother, just believe me this once. Sell me.”

Translator’s Notes