Chapter 39

“Dong dong dong…”

Li Hehua had just gotten up and was about to start grinding soy milk when she heard a knock at the door. She was a bit puzzled—who could it be so early? It wasn’t time for Cao Simei and the others to arrive yet.

“Who is it?” Li Hehua walked over and opened the door, only to be surprised by the visitor.

It was Zhang Tieshan. The sky was barely light—just how early had he gotten up?

“Zhang Tieshan, why are you here?” Could he really be here to help her?

Zhang Tieshan looked at her and replied, “Didn’t I say I’d be helping you from now on?”

Li Hehua was speechless. Fine, he had said that—and she couldn’t talk him out of it—but wasn’t this a bit too early?

He stepped inside and asked, “Is Shulin still asleep?”

Li Hehua nodded. “He’s resting today. Let him sleep a bit longer. We’ll wake him when we head out to set up the stall.”

“I’ll take care of him today,” Zhang Tieshan said. “You just focus on your work. Don’t worry about him.”

Li Hehua chuckled. With this father looking after the child, she truly had no reason to worry.

Seeing the stone mill in the courtyard and the soybeans beside it, Zhang Tieshan rolled up his sleeves without another word and began grinding the soy milk.

“Hey, hey, don’t do that! I can handle it myself!” Li Hehua rushed forward to stop him. How could she let him do such tiring work?

But Zhang Tieshan didn’t stop. The stone mill turned smoothly in his hands, as if it weighed nothing at all.

Li Hehua realized how stubborn he could be. Once he made up his mind, there was no convincing him otherwise—especially when it came to doing chores.

With no success in persuading him, she gave up and went to the kitchen to cook something tasty to reward her unpaid helper.

She decided on chive and egg hand pies.

She first mixed flour with hot water to form a dough and set it aside. Then she washed and chopped the chives, removed the roots, and diced them. Next, she chopped some dried shrimp meant for dumpling filling and sautéed them until fragrant.

She beat some eggs, poured them into a hot, oiled pan, and scrambled them into small pieces. Then she added the chives and shrimp, along with sesame oil, salt, and pepper, stirring everything together.

Once the filling was ready, she divided the dough into even portions, rolled them into thin circles, added filling, folded them in half, and pinched the edges tightly, creating neat crimped designs.

She then placed them in an oiled pan, frying them over low heat until both sides turned golden brown. The chive and egg hand pies were done.

Knowing Zhang Tieshan’s appetite, she made fourteen in total—two for herself, two for Shulin, and ten for him.

Hand pies were tasty but greasy, so they tended to make one thirsty. To balance that, Li Hehua made a bowl of spicy pepper soup for Zhang Tieshan and prepared soy milk for herself and Shulin.

After breakfast was ready, she also boiled some porridge and spicy soup for sale. Seeing the time, she headed into the room and gently lifted the still-sleeping little one from the covers. His rosy cheeks were irresistibly cute, so she couldn’t help but pinch his soft face.

Shulin had put on some weight. His once-slim cheeks were now full and chubby—he finally looked like a proper little child.

Li Hehua planted a kiss on his cheek. “Shulin, wake up now~ Time to eat breakfast~”

The child stirred, rubbing his eyes as he groggily opened them.

Li Hehua picked him up and bounced him slightly. “Wake up, sweetie. Mommy made breakfast. Today we’re having chive hand pies. Come on, let’s get dressed.”

Shulin snuggled against her neck. Once he was fully awake, she began dressing him while chatting, “Your dad is here too. He came especially because he knew you didn’t have school today. You’ll have breakfast together, alright? Give Daddy a hug later, okay?”

The little one obediently stretched his arms and legs. In no time, he was dressed and holding her hand, ready to wash up.

Li Hehua gave his little bottom a gentle pat. “Go say good morning to Daddy. He’s in the courtyard.”

The child blinked, turned around, and waddled toward the courtyard with his short little legs.

Curious, Li Hehua leaned over to peek and see how the boy would greet his father.

Shulin walked slowly over to Zhang Tieshan, who was still turning the mill. He didn’t say a word, just stood silently watching. When Zhang Tieshan paused to add more soybeans, the boy suddenly rushed forward and hugged his father’s leg, rubbing against it like a kitten.

Feeling the soft touch, Zhang Tieshan looked down, saw his son, and smiled slightly as he reached out to ruffle his hair.

Li Hehua couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“Zhang Tieshan, bring Shulin in for breakfast,” she called.

He hoisted Shulin onto his shoulder and carried him into the main room, setting him down on a chair.

Li Hehua handed him a pair of chopsticks. “Go ahead and eat. These ten hand pies are yours. Shulin and I will each have two.”

Zhang Tieshan looked at the heaping pile of hand pies before him, smiled faintly, and began eating.

Seeing him start, Li Hehua picked one up and brought it to Shulin’s mouth. The little boy took a big bite.

After finishing one pie, Zhang Tieshan pulled Shulin into his lap. “You don’t need to feed him—I’ll do it. Go eat.”

Li Hehua glanced at Shulin, who was sitting quietly and blinking in his father’s arms. Seeing he was behaving, she nodded and began eating. She still needed to finish grinding the soybeans afterward.

Once Shulin had eaten two pies, he shook his head, clearly full. Zhang Tieshan held him in his arms and began devouring the rest himself.

Li Hehua went to the courtyard to finish grinding soy milk but was surprised to find it all done. She used to spend half an hour grinding it, but Zhang Tieshan had finished it in no time. He really lived up to his tough and powerful image.

She brought the soy milk to the kitchen to process. By the time everything was ready, it was time to head to the stall.

Zhang Tieshan came in with the used bowls and chopsticks, and seeing that she was almost done, silently began loading the cart with the food they’d sell.

With his help, they set up the stall half an hour earlier than usual. As soon as the stall opened, customers began arriving, and Li Hehua quickly got busy.

Zhang Tieshan sat at the side with Shulin on his lap, watching the boy play with an abacus Li Hehua had brought along as a toy. She had even packed a nine-ring puzzle and a picture book for him.

Watching his son so absorbed, Zhang Tieshan couldn’t help but admit she was good with children—better even than his own mother. Shulin was clearly happy with her.

He wondered what Li Hehua’s past was like. How had a woman so cultured, knowledgeable, and skilled in cooking come to be? What kind of family raised someone like her?

Gradually, Zhang Tieshan’s gaze shifted from his son to Li Hehua, who was busy selling breakfast.

It was strange. Ever since he had fallen for her, his perspective had changed completely. She looked the same as before, yet he no longer felt the annoyance he once had. Instead, all he saw now was fondness. Even her appearance, which used to irritate him, now seemed pleasing in every way.

So it was true—beauty really was in the eye of the beholder.

Just then, someone interrupted his thoughts.

“Good morning, boss.” It was Gu Dafeng, standing in front of Li Hehua.

Li Hehua’s hand paused, but she quickly recovered and smiled. “What would you like today?”

Gu Dafeng smiled. “One bowl of spicy soup, a meat bun, and a slice of braised pancake.”

Li Hehua nodded and reached for some oiled paper to wrap the bun, but a rough hand took it from her.

“You’ve been working all morning. Go rest—I’ll take over,” Zhang Tieshan said.

Li Hehua reached to take it back. “No need. Go keep Shulin company—I’ll do it.”

Zhang Tieshan held the paper out of reach and said firmly, “Go play with Shulin for a bit.”

Li Hehua noticed Gu Dafeng watching her closely. After a moment’s thought, she decided not to argue and went to join her son.

Seeing her comply, Zhang Tieshan smiled faintly. But when he turned back to Gu Dafeng, his face darkened.

Gu Dafeng immediately felt uneasy. He didn’t like this man one bit. The way he spoke to her—what was their relationship?

Zhang Tieshan glanced at him coldly and handed over the food. “Here you go. Four wen.”

Gu Dafeng frowned but paid without a word and sat at the neighboring table, occasionally glancing over at Li Hehua.

Li Hehua felt his gaze and pretended not to notice, but she was uneasy. She was beginning to realize that Gu Dafeng was truly interested in her—not just here for breakfast.

But why? Even if she had slimmed down, she was still overweight compared to other women. How could someone like him be interested?

If they had emotional history, maybe she’d believe it wasn’t about looks. But they didn’t even know each other. Could he really be attracted to her soul?

She couldn’t figure it out, but one thing was clear—she didn’t want to remarry, and there was no possibility between her and Gu Dafeng.

Her eyes drifted toward Zhang Tieshan, who was diligently helping at the stall. Maybe his presence could discourage Gu Dafeng. Though it felt like she was using Zhang Tieshan…

If Zhang Tieshan knew what she was thinking, he would have gladly gone along—he’d happily scare off every man interested in her.

---

Not far from the stall, two women stood watching with sour expressions.

“Mom, that’s really Brother Tieshan. What’s going on? Why is he helping that woman sell food?” Wu Meizi asked angrily.

Madam Wu’s eyes were glued to Li Hehua playing with Shulin, her gaze poisonous.

When her mother didn’t respond, Wu Meizi stamped her foot. “Didn’t Brother Tieshan divorce that woman? Why is he still hanging around her? He even helps her sell food now—what does that mean?”

Madam Wu patted her daughter’s hand. “Calm down. Let’s see what’s going on first. Maybe it’s not what it looks like.”

But Wu Meizi was frantic. “How can I stay calm? You said you’d talk to his aunt about my marriage to Brother Tieshan! What if he goes back to that woman? I don’t care—I must marry him! If it weren’t for that woman, I’d already be his wife. She shamelessly stole him from me. I won’t let her do it again!”

Back then, Zhang Tieshan was handsome, strong, and skilled at hunting. Families from all over wanted him as a son-in-law.

Even though he had no father and only a widowed mother and a young brother, many families still sent matchmakers. The Wu family was one of them. Madam Wu and Meizi’s father liked him, and Meizi had adored him since she was little.

But before they could propose, he married Li Hehua. The Wu family had resented her ever since. Wu Meizi had cried for days.

Now that he was divorced, they were eager to revive the match. Sure, he was a divorced man with a child, but he was still young, strong, and capable. And Meizi was still unmarried—they seemed well matched.

They had gone to talk to Zhang Tieshan’s aunt, but she hadn’t agreed right away. She only said she’d think about it, which embarrassed the Wu family. But with Meizi pestering every day, Madam Wu promised she’d make it happen. Then today, they happened to see him helping Li Hehua at her stall.

Of course they were furious.

Madam Wu spat. “She’s nothing special. Doesn’t she own a mirror? A sow looks better than her. You think Tieshan would really like her? She’s probably using that kid of his to cling to him. He only has one child—of course he cares.”

Wu Meizi relaxed a bit, but she was still worried. “But what if she keeps using Shulin to reel him in? What if they really get back together?”

Madam Wu narrowed her eyes. “That won’t happen. I told you—you will marry Tieshan. Don’t forget, your face got scarred because you protected his mother and brother. If it weren’t for that, you’d be married already. The Zhang family owes us. If Tieshan refuses to marry you, he’s an ingrate!”

Wu Meizi touched the scar on her face, looking guilty. “Mom… you know that’s not true. I didn’t get hurt protecting them, I was just…”

Madam Wu grabbed her hand. “It’s true if you say it is. You got hurt standing up to that woman when she bullied Tieshan’s mother and brother. Got it? Don’t ever tell anyone otherwise.”

Wu Meizi’s gaze flickered, but she nodded firmly.

“But Mom, are we just going to stand by? What if someone else takes Tieshan again?”

Madam Wu gave a cold smile. “Of course not. Let me think of a plan.”

Wu Meizi looked at Zhang Tieshan with longing, biting her lip. I won’t let anyone take him away again!

She tugged her mother’s sleeve. “Mom, you can take your time with the plan, but can you talk to his aunt again about our marriage?”

Madam Wu scowled. “You think I didn’t? I already went, but she didn’t agree. Said she’d think about it. Hah! After what we did for her, she dares reject us? Ungrateful!”

“Then go again, Mom! Maybe she’ll agree this time.”

Madam Wu doted on her daughter. Seeing her beg, she relented. “Alright, alright. I’ll talk to her again. I’ll throw my pride aside if I have to.”

And while she was at it, she’d also report how Zhang Tieshan had been helping that vile woman. She didn’t believe Aunt Zhang would ignore that.