OFTLHFRO C32

Chapter 32: Can You Even Bear Children?

Once the crowd had finished condemning that ridiculous mother-and-daughter pair, Luo Mingchen finally spoke again: “Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Our tofu shop will soon open at the corner of the street ahead. From now on, we won’t be doing these half-day street stalls. At that time, you’re all welcome to come and give us your patronage.”

With those words, many people applauded.

Whether or not they would actually visit in the future didn’t matter. As long as this disrupted the women’s business and exposed their lies, the rest was irrelevant.

By now the sun was high. Holding his little daughter in one arm, Luo Mingchen rose. As he left, he deliberately tossed a final remark to Liu Xiang’er: “Doing business relies on honesty and quality products. I heard you even chased away other tofu sellers with tricks like these before, yet why haven’t you made any real money?”

Liu Xiang’er opened her mouth, but by then Luo Mingchen was already walking off, a child in one arm and a stool in the other.

Fury ate through Liu Xiang’er’s chest. Nails dug so deep into her palm they drew blood, but she had to maintain her “weak and pitiful” act, only biting her lip and pretending to look tearful.

But not every onlooker was a fool. No one was going to be swayed by such play-acting anymore.

After Luo Mingchen departed, the gawking crowd dispersed. Of the large pile of tofu, the women only managed to sell two pieces.

Liu Xiang’er had originally hoped to exploit her looks, seduce either Luo Mingchen or Huo Yan, and squeeze the secret of tofu-making out of them. But instead, they had supplied to a restaurant and were even planning to open a tofu shop of their own—never to return to stalls again.

Her plans collapsed completely. However furious she was, there was nothing she could do. After all, her “friendship” with the corrupt steward was worthless outside stall rentals—he had no control over shops.

On the way back, Luo Mingchen passed a small eatery. The proprietress smiled warmly, “Will you still be selling pastries here today?”

Luo Mingchen returned her smile. “Yes, just troubling you for another two or three days.”

The lady chuckled. “Not at all. With your stall here, our food sells better than ever. I almost wish you could stay every day.”

“You serve generous portions, and your cooking’s delicious. Once people discover that, of course business will boom. If the food were bad, even immortals standing here wouldn’t help.”

That made her laugh aloud. “Where would it ever be so exaggerated?”

“I’m only telling the truth.”

“Then I’ll take it as a good omen,” she said with a grin.

After a few more pleasantries, Luo Mingchen returned to the new house. He circled around but, not seeing Huo Yan, felt puzzled.

The roofers were still at work on the main hall, replacing tiles where leaks had caused mold inside. They were unlikely to know where Huo Yan had gone, so Luo Mingchen let it be.

“Daddy…”

Little Huo Xinyue hugged him around the neck, rubbing her cheek against him, clearly sleepy.

“My darling, just sleep.”

Sitting down, Luo Mingchen shifted her into his arms and patted her gently. After only a few pats, she was asleep.

Raising a child this well-behaved wasn’t hard. As long as they weren’t little monsters, human young could be truly adorable.

After a while, Huo Yan returned from outside. When Luo Mingchen caught his eye, he crooked a finger at him.

The gesture looked like someone beckoning to a puppy. It made Huo Yan feel complicated, but he went over anyway.

“You—”

Just as he opened his mouth, Luo Mingchen pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing silence. In a lowered voice, he asked, “Where had you gone?”

Sitting beside him, Huo Yan also lowered his voice. “Attending to some matters.”

Given Huo Yan’s nature, if he didn’t explain, it meant he didn’t want him to know.

Curious as Luo Mingchen was, he did not push it further. Instead, he said, “This afternoon, after selling the puddings, shall we go check the tofu shop?”

“Alright.”

Near noon, after the academy let out, they took their daughter to set up the stall.

Most of their trade came from students. Passersby might ask a few questions, but few ended up buying.

But there was one young scholar—older than the average student—who had bought a plain pudding before and now came daily for the same thing.

As usual, he appeared today.

Still smiling, Luo Mingchen asked, “Another plain pudding?”

“Mm.”

The young man placed two copper coins into the tray.

Quickly, Luo Mingchen wrapped one up for him.

After he left, Luo Mingchen murmured to Huo Yan, “He doesn’t seem very well-off.”

“Mm.”

Since Huo Yan didn’t comment further, Luo Mingchen thought a moment, then let it go. Other people’s lives weren’t theirs to gossip about.

When lessons ended, Luo Mingchen noticed that Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang had someone trailing with them—the same chubby, pale-faced boy who had once testified for them. Cheerful and open-handed when buying puddings, he seemed to have struck up a friendship, chatting away happily.

The new flavors quickly sold out. Luo Mingchen had saved two for the little girl from the other day.

She had thought they’d sold out again, pouted, and glared at him with wounded eyes.

Chuckling, Luo Mingchen handed her the two puddings. “Look, I saved them just for you. I didn’t know which flavor you liked, so I set aside brown sugar and coconut. Those were the most popular ones today.”

Seeing the puddings, her face lit up as she fished out money. “These are exactly the two I wanted! Tomorrow, save me a pineapple one too.”

“Of course.”

As he packed them, she muttered, “Our teacher held us back in class today. I was afraid you’d sold out again.”

“We did almost, but I feared you’d catch us, so I saved some.”

He was teasing her, but she smiled bashfully. “I was only joking with you before.” Then she grabbed the sweets and ran off.

Unable to hold back, Luo Mingchen laughed and glanced at Huo Yan. “She’s adorable.”

The corner of Huo Yan’s mouth lifted just faintly.

After a bit, he asked, “You do like children, don’t you?”

“More or less. I like the cute ones, not the bratty kind.”

Huo Yan mused, “Do you ever wish to have a child of your own?”

Without thinking, Luo Mingchen teased, “Can you even give birth?”

But after catching the look in Huo Yan’s eyes, he immediately realized what he’d just blurted out and stammered awkwardly, “I mean, legally we’re bound now. I obviously can’t go and ruin some other girl’s life.”

More so since he was born wholly inclined toward men—women could only ever be friends to him.

Seeing Huo Yan still gazing intently, Luo Mingchen felt he was only digging himself deeper. He closed his mouth and stopped talking.

Yet the thought nagged—is this what Huo Yan wanted? Was he testing the waters about having a child of his own?

When the brothers ran up with bright faces, dragging their friend along, Luo Mingchen shelved the thought to ask later—no need to cast a shadow over the children’s moods.

“Little Daddy! This is Ming Yuanjing. He’s eating with us!”

Huo Xiang tugged the round boy by the hand proudly, as though presenting treasure.

Ming Yuanjing said slowly, “Hello, little uncle, uncle, and little sister.”

Smiling, Luo Mingchen patted his shoulder. “Hello. Let’s all eat together. I’m starving.”

Being so easily welcomed by his friend’s family, with no one mocking his round figure, Ming Yuanjing pressed his lips into a quiet smile. “Mm.”

That afternoon, the older couple had loaded everything they were taking onto their cart. Feeling touched by the useful tools they had left behind, and knowing their daughter-in-law had just given birth, Luo Mingchen carried over a basket of bright red apples—just in time to see they had set aside seven or eight red-dyed eggs* for him as a gift, ready to depart.

Footnotes:

 

• Red-dyed eggs – Traditionally given to mark the birth of a child, symbolizing happiness and blessings.