Chapter 25: Brothers Reunite

Zheng Qiao’s family was not as wealthy as the Lu family. They had only one courtyard, with just two servants—an old gatekeeper and an elderly woman—both of whom had come voluntarily after experiencing hardship in their early years.

The Zheng family’s paper effigy business was started by Zheng Qiao’s parents. Back then, they had a bit of money, but now that Zheng Qiao had taken over, the business was merely enough to keep him from starving.

He was a bachelor with no one at home to help manage affairs. Not knowing how to save, any money he earned as a matchmaker was quickly spent on food and drink.

Lu Bainian followed him into the house, and Zheng Qiao handed the roast chicken and wine he had brought to the old woman, instructing her to set the table and warm the rice wine for them to enjoy.

Although Lu Bainian was hungry, he was still mindful of etiquette.

Seeing Zheng Qiao about to start eating, he asked, “Didn’t you say you were hosting a guest today? Shouldn’t we wait until they arrive before eating?”

Zheng Qiao chuckled and said, “It’s fine. The guest I’m inviting today is someone you also know.”

Hearing this, Lu Bainian became curious. “Who is it?”

Zheng Qiao smiled mysteriously. “A good brother of mine. You’ll see when he arrives.”

Since Zheng Qiao was keeping it a secret, Lu Bainian was intrigued.

But since he had already said they could start eating, Lu Bainian didn’t hesitate any longer and reached for some braised donkey meat in wine sauce.

Every year during the New Year, the Lu family would make this dish. It wasn’t the most delicious, but the meat was always fresh and tender.

Lu Bainian had thought he wouldn’t get to eat donkey meat this year, yet here he was at Zheng Qiao’s place, enjoying it after the New Year had passed.

After a few bites of meat and a sip of warm rice wine, his whole body felt warm.

Even though he was down on his luck, Lu Bainian still cared about his dignity in front of others.

After eating a couple of bites to settle his stomach, he slowed down, mostly drinking wine and occasionally nibbling on some vegetables.

The guest had yet to arrive, so it wouldn’t be proper to eat too much before they got there. A few bites were enough to keep hunger at bay.

Zheng Qiao was observant. Seeing Lu Bainian’s face flush after drinking just a little, he guessed that his friend hadn’t been eating well lately.

Holding his wine cup, Zheng Qiao took a sip and asked, “So, has your mother really been so heartless as to let you suffer?”

“Don’t even bring it up. That’s actually why I’m here.” Lu Bainian shook his head helplessly.

“And what about Miss Liu? Is she suffering in the village with you?”

“She doesn’t have to work in the fields, so she’s a bit better off than me. But she’s weak, and if she doesn’t take care of herself, she won’t last long. To be honest, I came here hoping to borrow some money from my old friends. I can’t let Suqing suffer with me, can I?”

“You’re really completely out of money?” Zheng Qiao was a bit skeptical.

Lu Bainian sighed, rubbed his hands on his thighs, and said helplessly, “On a normal day, pulling out a hundred taels wouldn’t be a problem. But I just spent everything I had to buy Suqing’s freedom. I still owe some people money.

“They trust me, which is why they lent me money without even asking for an IOU. It wasn’t much—ten taels here, twenty taels there—but still, I’d feel embarrassed borrowing more before paying them back.”

As they were talking, a clear, cool voice suddenly sounded from behind Lu Bainian.

“Isn’t that the truth?”

Hearing the voice, Lu Bainian turned around.

As a guest, he should have been seated in the place of honor. However, since Zheng Qiao wasn’t hosting the gathering just for him, he had chosen to sit next to the main seat instead.

Caught up in conversation, neither of them had noticed someone entering. Now, turning to look, Lu Bainian saw that the newcomer was none other than his fourth brother—the fourth young master of the Lu family, Lu Jinnian.

Zheng Qiao had only just noticed Lu Jinnian as well. Seeing his guest arrive, he quickly stood up and said, “An esteemed guest has arrived! Please, have a seat.”

Only then did Lu Bainian realize why Zheng Qiao had said it was fine to eat first—the guest was his own younger brother, so there was no need to be overly formal.

Lu Jinnian arrived and, according to seniority, should have yielded the seat to Lu Bainian. However, he did not and instead took the main seat directly.

Zheng Qiao merely smiled at this and said nothing, seating himself at the far end.

Lu Songnian was more scholarly, but in reality, Lu Jinnian was not as serious as he was.

With their eldest brother already twenty-one and Lu Jinnian only fifteen, he actually got along better with Lu Bainian in terms of personality.

As for Lu Ke, being the son of a concubine, their relationship was another matter entirely.

Lu Jinnian and Lu Bainian often joked around, shared mutual friends, and played together frequently.

However, today’s meeting felt different. Lu Jinnian was still full of energy, while Lu Bainian, thinking about the two acres of land he had yet to plow in the village, found little joy even in eating meat.

“Second Brother, what are you doing here?” Lu Jinnian asked as he sat down, scanning Lu Bainian from head to toe.

He immediately noticed the change in his brother.

Ordinarily, whenever Lu Bainian went out, he dressed well, was impeccably clean, and even in winter, he would scent his clothes.

Now, although he was still neatly dressed, the fragrance was gone. His once well-manicured hands looked rough and dry, and he kept scratching his palms as if they were itchy.

“Just happened to be in town and stopped by for a chat,” Lu Bainian replied nonchalantly, picking up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks.

Since his younger brother was here, he felt more at ease.

“Are you doing well in the countryside?” Lu Jinnian asked, unconcerned about who was eating how much—after all, he ate meat daily and was tired of it.

“It’s alright,” Lu Bainian replied vaguely, unwilling to show weakness in front of his brother.

He noticed Lu Jinnian studying him but didn’t bother reacting, secretly hoping that his brother would see his hardship and report back to their mother, so she might send more money his way.

Two taels to last three years—he really couldn’t take it anymore.

But with his brother present, he couldn’t bring up borrowing money from Zheng Qiao.

So he changed the topic and asked, “You two seem close. When did that happen?”

Lu Jinnian picked up some vegetables and replied, “During the New Year, we were bored, so Qiao invited me out. We gradually became friends.”

“Second Brother, eat more meat,” Lu Jinnian said, placing a piece of chicken into Lu Bainian’s bowl. “It must be rare in the countryside. You’ve lost weight.”

Though his words seemed caring, there was a teasing glint in his eyes.

Lu Bainian knew his brother well and realized he was being mocked.

Looking over at Zheng Qiao, he saw him trying to suppress a laugh.

Feeling both amused and annoyed, Lu Bainian scolded, “You little rascal, you know I’m struggling, yet you still tease me?”

Laughter erupted at the table.