Chapter Twenty-Six: The Solution

That evening, Chu Yun didn’t let Yang Liu’er prepare dinner. Instead, he took her to Chen Ping’s house.

Naturally, he had no intention of freeloading, but knowing well that Chen Ping would never accept his money, he stopped by the grain shop and bought a bushel of fine flour, a bushel of beans, and a small jar of wine.

“Uncle, Aunt, Liu’er and I have come to visit you,” Chu Yun called from outside the courtyard.

Chen Ping’s wife, Li Sanniang, came out at once. Tall and fair-skinned, she bore the marks of time upon her face, but even in middle age, her graceful beauty was unmistakable.

Seeing the things Chu Yun and Yang Liu’er carried, Li Sanniang’s expression changed at once. “You shouldn’t have brought all this! If you’re here, you’re here—there’s no need for gifts. When you leave, you’d best take them with you. We won’t be accepting any of it.”

Chu Yun smiled and replied, “Aunt, you and Uncle have cared for me all these years, as though you were my own parents. Now that I’m grown, married, and earning a living, it’s my turn to show you respect. You must accept these things, or you’ll make me feel like a stranger.”

Li Sanniang shook her head. “I won’t take it, no matter what you say. If you want to give it to someone, try your uncle.”

Chu Yun agreed with a laugh and carried the parcels toward the house.

Before he could enter, Chen Ping came out. “What’s all this for, Yun? Take it back—I don’t want it.”

Chu Yun feigned wounded pride. “Uncle, are you driving us away without even letting us stay for dinner?”

Chen Ping grumbled, “If you came empty-handed, you’d be welcome. But you bring things, and we won’t have it. Still, you’ll stay for dinner. But remember, you’re taking everything back with you when you leave.”

He then turned to Li Sanniang. “Sanniang, go to the backyard and catch a chicken. Today is Liu’er’s first visit to our house—we must treat her well.”

“Alright, old man,” Li Sanniang replied with a smile and headed off. Soon, the sound of a chicken’s distress echoed from the rear of the house.

Chu Yun turned to Chen Ping. “Uncle, please accept these things. You know, after that dream with the immortal, I inherited medical knowledge and became a doctor. I can make a living now. You’ve cared for me all these years; it’s time for me to repay you.”

Chen Ping shook his head. “I can still earn my keep, Yun. It’s not your place to repay me just yet. Besides, you’ll have plenty of expenses ahead.”

Chu Yun opened his mouth, about to argue further.

But Chen Ping cut him off sharply. “Enough. Say another word, and you can take your gifts and leave this instant.”

Startled, Chu Yun fell silent. Truthfully, those three items weren’t offered only out of gratitude; he had other motives as well.

An awkward silence fell between them, until at last Chen Ping spoke up. “Yun, what are your plans now? Are you opening a clinic?”

Chu Yun nodded. “Yes, Uncle.”

“Have you chosen a location? How much money do you have? If you need more, I have some savings I can lend you.”

Chu Yun smiled. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll waste your money?”

Chen Ping snorted. “You wouldn’t dare, boy.”

Chu Yun waved his hand, grinning. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I won’t do that, and I won’t ask you for money either. After treating Lord Jiang Lin and another official, they said my skills mustn’t go to waste. They’ve already found me a house and will set up the clinic for me.”

“Truly?” Chen Ping asked.

“Why would I lie to you?” Chu Yun replied.

Chen Ping laughed. “That’s wonderful. But you must remember, you can’t take advantage of their kindness. Once you start earning, repay them properly.”

“I know, Uncle.”

They fell into casual conversation after that. As for Yang Liu’er, when she saw Li Sanniang catch the chicken, she went to the kitchen to help, industrious and capable as ever.

They had just finished steaming the rice and hadn’t even started preparing the chicken when Chen Jun returned home.

After all, the business at Joyful Reunion Restaurant wasn’t great. There were no rooms for guests, and most patrons were locals who preferred to dine at home, especially with plenty of time before supper.

Arriving home and spotting Chu Yun, Chen Jun rushed over, eyes shining with excitement. “Brother Chu Yun, you really came! Does that mean you’ve thought of a way to turn the restaurant’s fortunes around?”

Chu Yun smiled. “No, not really. Or am I not allowed to visit unless I come with solutions?”

Chen Jun waved his hands hurriedly. “Of course you are, of course!”

Chu Yun laughed. “Alright, I won’t tease you. I actually thought of a plan at noon while at the restaurant.”

Instantly, Chen Jun’s eyes filled with anticipation. “What’s the plan?”

Instead of answering directly, Chu Yun glanced at the bag of flour, the beans, and the wine that Chen Ping had set by the hall door.

Seeing this, Chen Jun asked, “Brother Chu Yun, you came to help me, so why bring all this?”

Chen Ping grunted, “Exactly. We’re family—no need for such formality.”

Chu Yun said, “Chen Jun, these three things are the keys to the three solutions I have for you.”

Chen Jun was taken aback. Chen Ping, too, was baffled; how could such ordinary items possibly revive the restaurant’s business?

He knew well enough about Chen Jun’s feelings for Wang Shuangxi and thought, if Chen Jun could truly help turn the restaurant around, perhaps the two of them might have a future together.

He looked at Chu Yun, hope in his eyes.

Regaining his composure, Chen Jun said, “Brother Chu Yun, I don’t know what your other two solutions are, but as for the beans, didn’t you say it would take months to ferment them into something like soy sauce, before you could use them to make the signature braised lamb?”