Making money, taking exams and supporting the family

chapter 26

Lin Ze did not want to meddle in other people’s business; he was now single-mindedly focused on living his own life well.

Contentedly, he slept soundly, embracing Zhang Xiu. In the morning, he woke up on time to the sound of roosters crowing.

First, he steamed a bowl of egg soup for his wife, heated up the water for washing his face, and then got to work on dealing with the wild boar meat he had not finished last afternoon. Yesterday, he had only cooked it briefly to prevent it from spoiling, but with the current weather, he had to handle it quickly.

Though the current days may seem mundane, mentally, it was much more relaxed than in modern times. The main reason was that when he had someone he loved, he felt a sense of purpose and direction.

Zhang Xiu was not lazy either. Not long after Lin Ze woke up, he also opened his eyes. Looking at the slightly cool bedding beside him and the aroma of firewood coming from the kitchen, he felt as if he were immersed in a jar of honey.

He never imagined, nor dared to think, that one day a man would treat him so well. There were not many men in the village who would cook and take care of their wives like this. If anyone found out, they would surely envy him.

In a shy and sweet manner, he blushed on the bed and quickly put on his clothes to help in the kitchen.

Although Lin Ze treats him well, the household matters should be taken care of by the little husband. How could he just enjoy the benefits without doing anything?

Moreover, Lin Ze was no longer the jerk who used to despise and scold him. He enjoyed looking at Lin Ze, and every moment spent together filled his heart with joy.

Since his wife cared for him and wanted to help, Lin Ze naturally had no objections.

Early in the morning, the two husbands were affectionately working together in the kitchen, exchanging loving glances. They even shared breakfast there, each taking a bite from the other’s plate. Of course, it was all Lin Ze’s idea, and Zhang Xiu was practically dying of embarrassment from all the affection. Fortunately, there was no one else in the house to witness it.

*****

In the morning, He Xiangfeng came over with his two brothers to deliver the honey they had left on the mountain during their previous visit.

They were afraid that the honey would be stolen by the black bears living on the mountain at night, so the He brothers took a risk and rushed back overnight. Luckily, their family had several strong and capable brothers; otherwise, no villagers would dare to venture into the mountains in the late evening.

He Xiangfeng not only brought the honey but also a lot of wild fruits and nuts like wild berries and walnuts. There were more of them than they had picked before. It was evident that He Xiangfeng’s brothers had picked some extra to share with them.

Lin Ze gladly accepted all these things he needed from He Xiangfeng without hesitation. Then, he brought up the matter of building a clay oven for baking.

“He Xiangfeng, I heard from Ah Xiu that your dad is skilled at building hearths and stoves. I want to build a clay oven for baking pastries. Could you ask your dad if he could help? We’ll pay him a fair wage, so don’t refuse. The design of the oven is a bit complex, and I don’t want to burden my uncle. Besides, I want it done as quickly as possible…”

Lin Ze was quite knowledgeable about traditional Chinese pastries, but many of them had complex processes, and most were already available in the village.

That was why he thought of selling Western-style pastries. It would be a fresh addition to the offerings, and some of the recipes were delicious and simple, which suited their current situation with limited manpower.