Miao Chu

Chapter 45 is settled.
Carrying a still-full food box and an article marked with red ink, Cheng Zijian walked out of the upper dormitory, at a loss.

He tried to persuade them several times, but still couldn't get the food box to go. He was truly perplexed.

When I first met Han Li, he mentioned that he was not fond of food.

But after my repeated persuasion, Brother Han accepted the shumai, glutinous rice, and yellow steamed buns.

After that, I was never refused breakfast again whenever he came to deliver it. Even yesterday at noon, when I had eaten that braised pork trotter rice, Brother Han specifically reminded me to pay.

Furthermore, the string of cash I had previously kept here was not even used up!
How could you just say you don't want it anymore overnight?
In that case, should I get a refund?
He couldn't figure out what the problem was, and he was very anxious.

Brother Han said there was no need to send food over every day, but now that he has no excuse, how can he come empty-handed to ask the other party to help him revise his articles and ask him many questions?
Cheng Zijian could never do something so shameless.

Moreover, does "not need to be every day" mean not needing to be every day, or not needing to be every single day?
In front of Han Li, Cheng Zijian dared not ask any further questions, fearing that if Han Li said "not every day," there would be no room for maneuver.

He returned to the study room in the outer dormitory, completely baffled.

The civil service exam was imminent, and although it was still early, the room was already filled with people.

Cheng Zijian had already eaten, and besides, he had eaten steamed buns last night and this morning, so he really didn't want to save them for lunch. He put the food box on the table and asked a few classmates he was close to, "Have you eaten? I bought some extra steamed buns and some soy milk."

Before long, people who hadn't bought breakfast gathered around, divided the steamed buns and soy milk among themselves, and then asked for money.

Cheng Zijian quickly said no, adding, "It's just a few steamed buns and two cans of soy milk, what's there to give me!"

The group then said, "Then let's all order a few dishes for lunch and eat together—Zijian doesn't need to pay; consider it repayment for this morning's meal."

It was common for students to gather at one table and order food together, so they could eat several different dishes without spending much money.

Cheng Zijian did not refuse the offer of reciprocity.

However, a classmate next to him asked, "Are you all going to eat at the kitchen for lunch today? When is Miss Song going to make braised pork trotters again? Zijian, remember to order one for me!"

Cheng Zijian was helpless.

The others ate their steamed buns listlessly.

"It's cold."

"The mutton got cold and the fat solidified, so it had a bit of a gamey smell—Song, the stall owner, also uses mutton in his shumai, so it doesn't solidify and doesn't have a gamey smell!"

One person, unable to bear it any longer, said, "When have you ever bought Song Ji's shumai and waited until it was cold and oily? You're lucky if you don't eat it all halfway through! Oily, please!"

"These red bean buns aren't good either. The beans weren't cooked through, and they're too sweet and cloying. They're not as good as the yellow steamed buns that Miss Song made last time!"

"You lot, you've eaten Zijian's food, and you're still picking and choosing!"

"Alas, it's not that I'm speaking ill of Zijian!"

That's not what I meant at all!

When Cheng Zijian ate the steamed buns in the morning, they were still warm. Although he felt they couldn't compare to Song Ji's food, they weren't inedible. However, seeing everyone's reactions, he suddenly realized something.

—Whether it's the glutinous rice, shumai, or even the soup from Song Ji's restaurant, it's always piping hot. It's practically placed into the food box as soon as it's steamed, and I deliver it to Brother Han while it's still hot.

The steamed buns I bought today were already lukewarm when I received them, and by the time I delivered them to Brother Han, they were probably about 70-80% cold.

I've eaten at Song Ji's many times before, and Brother Han never said anything. He always ate silently and finished every last bite.

Today, by simply switching to a different supplier, they immediately "don't need to deliver every day," leaving almost everything intact for him.

Could it be a problem with the food?
But Brother Han clearly said that he "has never been fond of the way of eating"!

Cheng Zijian could not confirm.

He couldn't wait to get two servings of shumai to try, but he didn't know how long it would take for Song Xiaoniangzi to report to the authorities. He just hoped she would come back tomorrow so that he could have something to look forward to, whether it was eating, studying, or trying to please Brother Han.

Class time naturally flies by, and before long, the morning classes were over.

As soon as the bell rang, all the students in the room rushed towards the dining hall.

Wang Chang and another long-legged runner ran the fastest. They turned around and said, "We two are going to find some good vegetables to buy. You guys line up behind us to buy rice, steamed buns, and pancakes—remember to leave someone to reserve a spot."

They ran and then disappeared from sight.

The others naturally followed suit in a hurry.

However, even though Wang Chang and his companion ran so fast, they still couldn't buy any good vegetables.

Several food platters were placed in the middle, containing seven or eight dishes.

The food was cooked in a large pot, and it was for the students, so naturally it just needed to be cooked through.

One dish was a watery braised winter melon, another was a white radish and pork slice dish with only a few pieces of meat, and a dish of pickled vegetables and stewed meat—this one looked the most appetizing, but you couldn't tell what kind of meat it was or what cut it was; it just felt dry and unappetizing.

There were also five servings of steamed eggs, but those eggs were overcooked and full of holes at the bottom.

The largest meat dish was braised pork ribs, which consisted of four portions arranged on one plate. More than half of it was made from the spine and tail of the ribs, with very few pieces of meat...

When the person who went to buy food and pastries came back and saw a table full of dishes, their face fell.

"The public exam is the day after tomorrow, and this is all the food the kitchen is giving us?"

Are you deliberately trying to starve people to death?

"Fine, I'll just eat a few mouthfuls of rice and bread with those pickled vegetables. I still have class this afternoon."

"There's no oil or fat in it, so no matter how much you eat, you'll get hungry quickly!"

"Is the person in charge of the kitchen a relative of Chancellor Deng?"

"Shut up. If it's not true, then forget it. But if it is, you'll be in for a world of trouble!"

The group made a few laughs amidst their misery, divided the dishes, and then slowly began to eat. They found the meal truly unpleasant, and everyone complained, using their complaints to accompany their meal.

As they were talking and eating, a group of acquaintances passed by and asked with a smile, "Why aren't you having braised pork trotters rice today? Why are you eating at the kitchen too?"

The kitchen was crowded and quite noisy, with a constant buzzing sound. In order to make sure everyone could hear them, these people had to raise their voices, and soon everyone around heard them and looked over.

Yesterday, Cheng Zijian and his group really stole the show. They had braised pork trotters rice, which no one else had. Wang Chang and the others were so smug, praising the taste of the pork trotters rice again and again. In the evening, they even told a story of their wit and courage in fighting off a rogue, which naturally made people want to make fun of them.

So the others in the dining hall who heard this saw that almost everyone sitting at the middle table was a student who had eaten braised pork trotters yesterday. Even those who didn't know this joined in the laughter when the people around them mentioned it.

Cheng Zijian was fine, but Wang Chang, who cared a lot about his reputation, cursed inwardly: "I've said it once, twice, and now I have to say it three times! Why does everyone have to say it? This is never going to end!"
Helpless, he turned his head and said, "What are you laughing at! We're all eating in the kitchen together, and it's all awful. Don't laugh at your second brother, eldest brother!"

Then the laughter grew even louder.

Just as they were laughing, a man came running in, looking around the kitchen. He quickly spotted Wang Chang standing there and called out from afar, "Wang Chang! Have you seen Zijian?!"

"Isn't this Zijian?" Wang Chang pointed to the side and called out, "Zijian, someone is looking for you."

Cheng Zijian, who had his back to the door, turned around and saw the person. He stood up and was about to ask a question when he heard the other person panting heavily. After catching his breath, the person leaned on his knees and said, "Outside... outside, that stall owner Song... Miss Song is looking for you. She wants you to send someone out with you..."

As he finished speaking, he chuckled and said, "Shall I go with you? How about it?" Hearing the titles "Young Lady Song" and "Stall Owner Song," not only the people at the table, but also many of the students present, they all thought it meant "there's good food."

Everyone immediately perked up their ears.

Cheng Zijian paused for a moment, then stepped off the bench and asked, "Did Stall Owner Song say anything?"

"He didn't say, he just told you to keep seven or eight of your bowls and plates with rims in case they're useful."

Upon hearing the name of Song Xiaoniangzi and the words "bowls and plates," everyone at the table and in the room knew that there was food to be had again.

So everyone gathered around, especially the few who had asked "Why don't you have pork trotter rice today?" They were the closest and the fastest to join in, each one starting to offer their services.

"Zijian! Look at my arm. I'll go with you, and you won't have to carry anything. I'll take everything!"

"Good Zijian, how good is our past relationship? I'll go with you, don't look after the others!"

Cheng Zijian hurriedly said, "No need, no need, Brother Wang, just come with me."

He then went to look at Wang Chang.

Wang Chang hadn't even needed to be called; he had already hopped off the bench. Wiping his mouth, he said smugly, "You don't need me! I'm enough to go! My arm is good for fighting hooligans and carrying good food. I don't need anyone else! You all go eat in the kitchen! I'm going to get the good stuff!"

The people in the neighborhood all wanted to beat him up.

But some people, for the sake of their stutter, were willing to endure humiliation and said to him with a smile, "Brother Wang, let me go with you to carry things—the public examination is the day after tomorrow, and we don't know what stall owner Song will bring today. If it's too heavy, and your arm gets even a little tired or sore, it will make your writing crooked. Wouldn't that be a loss?"

"Exactly, Brother Chang, I'll go for you. I promise you won't have to lift a finger or give me anything—Miss Song will definitely send a lot, so just share a few bites with me to taste!"

Everyone half-jokingly and half-seriously agreed, and Wang Chang laughed and scolded, "Go away! We don't even have enough to eat for our own families!"

As they talked, they ran alongside Cheng Zijian after the messenger.

Outside the main gate, Song Miao was carrying two large food boxes, one of which had a covered basin on top. She felt quite heavy when she came out, and her arms were aching after walking all this way, so she had to stop and go.

Starting from the Sun family's residence, the back gate of the Imperial Academy was quite far away; she came to the main gate today.

Finally arriving at their destination, and having found someone to help them deliver the message into the Imperial Academy, Song Miao breathed a sigh of relief.

She was originally standing by the main entrance, but as students came in and out, eight out of ten of them would come up to greet her.

"Young Lady Song! It's you! You didn't set up your stall this morning, so we all had to eat in the kitchen—it was awful!"

"What are you doing here, Mr. Song? Are you setting up your stall at the main entrance? It smells delicious! What kind of food do you have for lunch?"

"Hello, Mr. Song! What brings you here? What smells so good? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Is Miss Song going to set up her stall tomorrow? We need to make a lot of glutinous rice for the next two days, the public exam is the day after tomorrow!"

"Have you reported it to the authorities? If not, let us know tomorrow morning, and we'll go with you!"

As everyone talked, they all looked at the food box placed in front of her.

Song Miao answered them one by one, but felt like she was being stared at and questioned by people like the golden lions and elephants in the Yujin Garden that opens in March and April. She felt quite uncomfortable, so she picked up her things again and tried to find a corner where she wouldn't be noticed.

She was looking for a place here when someone came out of the door.

This person was waiting at the door when he heard people talking, mentioning "Stadium Owner Song," "sticky rice," and "shumai." He turned around and saw Song Miao carrying a food box. He immediately guessed what was going on and was about to go up and ask when he saw two people coming towards him from not far away.

Having important business to attend to, he dared not cause any trouble and hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, bowing and saying, "Mr. Cao, Mr. Wei! How was your journey?"

"It's Xiao You? What brings you here today?"

“That’s exactly right. We’re used to coming here. We’re all graduates of the Imperial Academy, so there’s no need for you to go to the trouble of picking us up.”

"How has your health been, sir?"

After exchanging pleasantries, they inevitably went inside.

Xiao You really wanted to ask "Miss Song" a question, but he felt that such behavior was too rude to the two gentlemen, so he had to hold back. However, he had only taken a few steps when he saw three people running towards him.

The three of them kept moving, almost flying, until they reached the doorway, at which point they gradually slowed down.

The last one was someone who looked quite familiar; it was Cheng Zijian, whom I had met just yesterday.

Cheng Zijian also saw Xiao You across from him and quickly stopped to greet her.

Xiao You smiled and cupped her hands in greeting to him. After they passed each other, she took a few slow steps and then looked back.

At the entrance, Cheng Zijian and his two companions looked around and finally spotted Song Miao in the corner, along with the two large food boxes. They hurried over to greet her.

"It's so heavy! Why didn't you say so sooner, Miss Song!"

"One person is carrying this far!"

"Hey, weren't we supposed to report this to the authorities today? Why are we doing all this stuff?"

"Don't be so polite, it makes us feel a little embarrassed!"

Song Miao smiled and said, "I'll go report to the authorities later. Since it's early, I'll make some food and send it over. It's nothing much, just a couple of extra dishes, just to help everyone calm their nerves from yesterday."

She pointed to the food box and bowl on the ground, described what was inside, and said, "The perilla, peach and ginger are for everyone to share as you like, they are just side dishes to cut through the greasiness. But there are eight bowls of taro and braised pork, two of which are for Young Master Cheng, one for Young Master Wang, and the rest are for everyone to share."

When Wang Chang heard that he also had a private conversation, he knew perfectly well that it was a benefit he had gained from the black shoulder last night. He grinned from ear to ear and quickly thanked him.

Song Miaofu added, "Keep this food box for now. You don't need to send it back tonight. If there's nothing important at the yamen, I'll still set up my stall tomorrow. Just bring it to me tomorrow morning. The public exam is the day after tomorrow, so don't let it interfere with your studies. Otherwise, I'll feel uneasy."

He then bowed to the student who brought the news and thanked him. He continued, "I'm sorry to have troubled you to make these two trips. If you don't mind, would you like to try my taro and braised pork? But it's a Guangnan style dish, so I don't know if you'll be used to it."

The man had already offered to help carry the bowl of perilla, peaches, and ginger. Even through the bowl and the food box, he could smell the aroma. Not wanting to return the favor, he quickly put the bowl back on the ground, bowed, and grinned, saying, "I can eat it! I can eat it! There's nothing I can't eat! My legs are naturally good for running. I should thank stall owner Song for letting me benefit from this!"

The three of them carried their own things and happily bid farewell to Song Miao. Although the food boxes and bowls were not light, they ran just as fast as they had come.

Hearing the commotion and seeing the three of them running around with food boxes in their arms, Xiao You couldn't help but smile.

That's it!

He had taken on a task assigned by his teacher, and today, carrying a piece of paper with "Song Ji Glutinous Rice" written on it, he asked around in the food alley early in the morning, thinking that he could easily buy all kinds of food so that his teacher could eat to his heart's content.

To everyone's surprise, the only response was, "Miss Song is not setting up her stall today."

When he returned home, although his teacher did not blame him, his sighing and lamenting made him feel truly ashamed.

—It's one thing if my scholarship can't even satisfy my teacher, but how come I can't even buy some food? I'm utterly useless.

But there was no breakfast. Now, lunch is here, isn't it?

With Cheng Zijian's help, how could Han Li's be left out?

With Han Li's help, as long as I go back and tell him, I'm not afraid that he won't go and exchange his face for food.

Many thanks to book lover 20211005072629096 for sending me the sachet! ^_^
Thank you to the bookstore and my cat, Egg, for the two little gifts! =3=
Tomorrow, I'll definitely eat it tomorrow!
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(End of this chapter)