Gu Yundong approached with some anticipation, “Did you sell them all?”

The two of them stood at the kitchen door, shrouded in shadows cast by the eaves. If one didn’t look closely, it was hard to see the two figures standing there.

Shao Qingyuan took out some silver ingots. “Both wild boars sold for a total of eighty taels of silver. The county’s pigs sell for eighteen wen per catty, but wild boars fetch a much higher price, eighty wen. The smaller one weighed three hundred and thirty catties. I sold it to a tavern where the owner knows me. With the addition of the wild chicken, I asked for thirty taels. The larger one caught the eye of a wealthy young master who generously paid fifty taels. That makes eighty taels in total. Here’s your share of forty taels. Take it.”

Gu Yundong knew that wild boars fetched a high price, but she didn’t expect to get forty taels in one go.

Wait, isn’t it a bit too much to take forty taels from him?

She stared at the ingots resembling gold coins, trying hard to restrain herself, and said with great integrity, “You hunted both wild boars, and I just lent a hand. Besides, you paid the laborers from the village to help transport the wild boars to the county. I’ll take a modest reward for my efforts.”

She had heard in the afternoon that Shao Qingyuan had hired several strong villagers to help transport the wild boars. Of course, he had to pay them. His reputation in the village wasn’t good, and these people wouldn’t have interacted with him if it wasn’t for the money.

However, the transportation of two such large wild boars caused quite a stir in the village. Many people wanted to approach and say a few words but were afraid of him. They could only follow behind the cart carrying the wild boars for quite a long way.

When they returned, they still enthusiastically discussed in the village, guessing how much the wild boars would sell for.

Shao Qingyuan, however, looked at her radiant eyes and chuckled inwardly. Her eyes clearly showed a desire for the silver. “We agreed to split it evenly from the start. The labor cost was only one or two taels of silver. You gave me a wild chicken, which evens things out. You should take this silver. I don’t want to be seen as untrustworthy.”

Gu Yundong nodded solemnly. “To prevent you from becoming a person who goes back on their word, I’ll accept this silver.”

Shao Qingyuan: “… So, do I thank you for this?”

Gu Yundong hugged the silver and couldn’t be happier. Shao Qingyuan, being such an upright gentleman, would be even better to cooperate with in the future. How could he be a wolf cub? Clearly, he’s a good person, wishing him a peaceful life.

With the money for building the house now available, Gu Yundong was delighted. She casually asked, “Did you just return from the county? Have you had dinner?”

“No.”

“Oh,” Gu Yundong responded as if she hadn’t heard him at all. It wasn’t until he turned to enter the kitchen that she suddenly snapped out of it, staring at his back in surprise. “Um… What are you doing?”

“Aren’t you asking me to stay for dinner?” Shao Qingyuan had an expression of ‘if not, why would you ask me if I’ve eaten?’

Gu Yundong looked at him, then at the silver in her arms, and affirmed, “Of course, after all your hard work, you should have a meal.”

Gu Yundong followed him into the kitchen. “The dishes are a bit cold. Let me quickly make you some fried rice with eggs. It’ll be fast.”

“Okay.” Shao Qingyuan sat on a stool, watching her skillfully beat the eggs and cook the rice. With a ‘sizzle,’ the aroma suddenly filled the kitchen, permeating the entire room.

For some reason, the smell gave Shao Qingyuan a sense of peace.