No wonder he hadn’t had any spicy food since coming here for so many days. At first, Gu Linchen thought they hadn’t put chili because of his injury, but it turned out there was none at all. Gu Linchen didn’t want to dwell on it and decided to cook with the ingredients available. However, there was still a sense of disappointment, and his mood wasn’t as excited as it had been at the start.

Feng Ge’er looked at him and wondered if he couldn’t cook without chili or ginger, so he said, “How about I cook instead?”

“No need, I’ll do it,” Gu Linchen declined.

Gu Linchen picked up the garlic shoots, washed them, and cut them into pieces. He washed the meat and sliced it, preparing the ingredients. When the rice was nearly done, he started frying. Before long, the fragrance of cooking meat wafted from the kitchen.

His father chuckled, “Hey, didn’t expect Chen’er had this skill.”

His mother joined in teasing, “Of course, who do you think he takes after?”

His father remained silent.

Gu Linchen and Feng Ge’er laid out the food on the table and called their to the meal. When Gu Linchen was frying the meat, Xige’er had been attracted to the kitchen and had forgotten what meat tasted like. Feng Ge’er helped by tending the fire, while Xige’er stood next to him, watching.

Feng Ge’er said, “Xige’er, go wash your hands.”

Xige’er cheerfully ran off to wash his hands.

Dinner was more sumptuous than before. At least there was meat and white rice now. This made Gu Linchen feel satisfied. Everyone ate their fill. The Gu family only had meat on special occasions or during festivals, and even then, they didn’t always have white rice. Thinking of this made Gu Linchen feel uncomfortable. Both his father and mother were simple farmers without any special skills, relying on the few acres of land to make a living.

Gu Linchen decided that since he had taken over this body and became their son, husband, and father, he needed to figure out a way to help them live better lives.

After dinner, Gu Linchen found his father. “Dad, are you going to town tomorrow?”

“Yes, I need to go. It’s not too busy now, and it’s getting colder, so I need to earn more money to buy some winter clothes.”

His father was in the backyard turning the soil when he suddenly remembered. “By the way, your third uncle is back. Tomorrow, your second uncle, third uncle, and I are going to work together. Tianwa has reached the age to get married, sigh! Time really flies.”

His father was the eldest, with a second and third uncle. Gu Linchen’s father only had one son, Gu Linchen. His second uncle had one daughter and two sons. His eldest daughter had married into a neighboring village two years ago, while his second son, Gu Tian, was seventeen and ready for marriage. His youngest son, Gu Qing, was thirteen and studying at Mr. Li’s school in the neighboring village.

Gu Linchen’s third uncle had a larger family. His eldest and second daughters were fifteen and twelve years old, respectively. His third child was a son, eight years old, and his youngest, a little boy the same age as Xige’er.

Gu Linchen’s third uncle worked in the fields but also helped others with trade. Without this extra income, he couldn’t feed his whole family with just the few acres of land. He had just returned from a trade run and hadn’t even rested before heading out to the dock with Gu Linchen’s father to carry bags. He was a hardworking man.

“Oh!” Gu Linchen didn’t know how to respond, so he just said, “I’ll go with you tomorrow. I picked a ginseng in the mountains a few days ago and want to exchange it for some money.”

“Ginseng?” Gu Linchen’s father became agitated, immediately dropping the hoe and rushing forward to grab Gu Linchen’s hand. “Is it really ginseng? Let me see it!”

Gu Linchen took out a cloth bundle from his pocket and unfolded the cloth to show his father.

Gu Linchen’s father was about to grab it, but seeing his hands were full of dirt, he hesitated. After staring at it for a moment, he said, “It’s been years since anyone in the village found something like this in the mountains. This thing is quite valuable. Keep it safe. Tomorrow, you should go to the apothecary in town. You could exchange it for several dozen taels of silver.”

Gu Linchen neatly wrapped it back up and tucked it into his pocket, thinking, ‘In modern times, a ginseng like this would be worth tens of thousands of yuan! This has lost so much value!‘

That evening, Gu Linchen’s mother came to find Gu Linchen and said, “Don’t deal with those ruffians in town tomorrow. Finish your business and come back early.” Gu Linchen agreed.

Feng Ge’er was spreading the bedding, and when Gu Linchen entered, Xige’er immediately ran to him, exclaiming, “Dad!” Gu Linchen caught him and lifted him up, then walked over to Feng Ge’er. “I’m going to town tomorrow. Is there anything you want?”

Gu Linchen thought that since he had married into this family, he should treat them well. Although he couldn’t love Feng Ge’er the way a husband should, he could still show respect.

Feng Ge’er paused, then shook his head. He didn’t want anything. He had been living well these past few days, and his husband’s gaze had softened. He no longer looked at him with such disdain, and he treated Xige’er better. He was already content.

Gu Linchen thought that since Feng Ge’er had been with them all this time and had never left the village, he suddenly said, “Why don’t you come with me tomorrow?”

He was taken aback by his own words. Feng Ge’er was also stunned, and the air felt still for a moment.

“Dad, Xige’er wants to go too!” Xige’er clung to Gu Linchen’s neck, pouting. He had never left home and didn’t know what the town was like. He was curious to see it. If it were before, he would never have said anything, but these days, his father had treated him so kindly. Whenever he spoke, his father would smile and indulge him. His courage had grown, and he now dared to voice his thoughts.

“Alright! We’ll all go together!” Gu Linchen agreed cheerfully. Xige’er’s delighted laughter bubbled from his chest, and Gu Linchen couldn’t help but feel happy. This little one was truly endearing.

After they had decided to go to the town together the next day, Gu Linchen went to bed. Feng Ge’er, seeing Xige’er still excited and wide awake, said, “Hurry and sleep, or tomorrow when we wake up, you won’t be able to get up, and we won’t wait for you.”

Hearing this, Xige’er quickly shut his eyes, but his lashes trembled, clearly pretending to sleep.

“Xige’er, be good and go to sleep. When you wake up, we can all head to the town together,” Feng Ge’er soothed him, perhaps also comforting himself. He couldn’t sleep either, wondering if his husband had truly changed. Was it a trick? Why would Gu Linchen take them to the town?

After tossing and turning in bed, he looked at Xige’er, listening to his even breathing. Feng Ge’er held him close and closed his eyes.

“What? Feng Ge’er and Xige’er are coming with us?” Gu Linchen’s father looked at the three of them, unsure if he had heard right.

“Dad, Feng Ge’er and Xige’er have never been to the town. Since they’ll be with me, I won’t go astray,” Gu Linchen explained.

After a moment of silence, Gu Linchen’s father relented. “Alright, come have breakfast. After we eat, we’ll head to the village entrance and take the village chief’s ox cart. It’s already late, so we can’t work anymore. We’ll have to take the cart.”

By the time they reached the village entrance, it was already late in the day. Both Gu Linchen’s second and third uncles were there waiting, along with the village chief’s ox cart.

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle!” Gu Linchen called out.

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle!” Xige’er echoed.

Gu Linchen’s second uncle looked at His father and asked, “Da Ge^[1]Big Brother, what’s going on? Why did Chen’er bring his husband and child with him?”

His father quickly explained, “Chen’er found a ginseng in the mountains a few days ago and plans to sell it in town. I thought it would be safer with Feng Ge’er and Xige’er along.”

“Ginseng? You brat are lucky! It’s been many years since anyone found this!” Gu Linchen’s third uncle patted Gu Linchen on the shoulder.

Gu Linchen’s third uncle added, “Your luck is really good, just like the saying: ‘If you survive a great calamity, you’ll be blessed in the future!’ Haha!”

Gu Linchen felt a little embarrassed and said, “It’s just my luck.” As they chatted, they walked toward the village chief’s ox cart. The village chief’s second son, Gu Yuan, was driving the cart. They greeted each other and all climbed aboard.

Xige’er happily sat on Gu Linchen’s lap, his eyes darting around. The morning breeze was a bit chilly, so Gu Linchen hugged him tightly. Feeling his father’s care made Xige’er even happier.

Finally, they arrived in the town, and Gu Linchen felt as though his body would fall apart—it was such a bumpy ride. After getting off the cart, His father and the others headed to the docks. Gu Linchen, holding Xige’er, walked toward the town, guided by his memories of the original body.

Xige’er, seeing so many people, was a little scared. He tightly grasped Gu Linchen’s arm. Gu Linchen felt his unease and gently patted his back, reassuring him, “Don’t be afraid, Xige’er. Daddy is here.” After a while, Xige’er wasn’t as frightened and started looking around with curiosity.

“Mother!” Suddenly, Xige’er called out. Gu Linchen turned around and saw Feng Ge’er almost tripping over a passerby. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and continued walking. Feng Ge’er had visited the town with his mother when he was very young to sell vegetables, but his memories were very vague. Seeing so many people, he became a little timid, and his mind wandered. He didn’t notice the person carrying a load nearby and almost tripped. Thankfully, a strong hand grabbed him, holding his hand and leading him forward.

Feng Ge’er looked at his husband, who was half a head taller than him. Though he had been the one feeling uneasy, suddenly he felt a sense of comfort. What was going on? He couldn’t figure it out.

“Watch where you’re going,” Gu Linchen reminded.

Feng Ge’er tightly gripped Gu Linchen’s hand and followed him. Soon, the family of three was swallowed up by the crowd.

Huichuntang was the largest shop in the town. It was said that the owner had connections in the capital, and the doctors there were very skilled. People with serious illnesses from the village would go there to get treated, and it also had a full range of medicinal herbs at fair prices. When Gu Linchen was injured a few days ago, the medicine he had been taking was from there.

“Are you here for treatment or to buy medicine?” A young pharmacy attendant, noticing their worn clothes with many patches, didn’t look down on them and approached with a friendly inquiry.

“I’m looking for your shopkeeper. I have a medicinal herb I’d like him to take a look at,” Gu Linchen replied.

“Please come in!” The attendant led them to the counter and went inside to find the shopkeeper. After a while, the attendant returned with a sharp-looking middle-aged man.

The shopkeeper, Mr. Feng, looked at the young man holding a child. Despite his dark skin and simple clothes, his demeanor didn’t seem like that of an ordinary farmer. He approached and said, “I heard from Xiao Zhu that you have a medicinal herb for me to see?”

Gu Linchen didn’t waste time on pleasantries. He took out the wrapped ginseng and showed it to him. Mr. Feng glanced at the herb and then turned to walk inside, saying, “Please follow me.”

Gu Linchen set Xige’er down and followed Mr. Feng into the back room. This was the office where Mr. Feng usually worked. The room was spacious, with several guest chairs and a desk at the center, stacked with account books.

“Please have a seat,” Mr. Feng said as he poured tea for Gu Linchen. “How much do you want for it?”

Gu Linchen put on his professional smile and replied, “There’s no need to be polite, sir. I’ve heard that Huichuntang has a good reputation and wouldn’t deceive common folks like me. You’ll give me a fair price, right?”