Chapter 24: Sun Bo'an, the Disdained

There were only two rooms in total. In one, two scholarly men squeezed together, and Wu Ning charged a hundred coins. The other room was less fortunate, with only a single guest. Since he’d already set a precedent for halving the price, Wu Ning couldn’t very well ask for a hundred coins from this guest and settled for fifty.

It turned out well enough; this guest, like Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji, initially balked at the price, but upon entering the courtyard, felt the fifty coins were well spent. In his delight, and with Hu Zi’s enthusiastic persuasion, he ended up ordering a meal worth thirty coins, and even paid for breakfast the next morning.

They worked late into the night, and once both sets of guests were asleep, the brothers sat staring in a daze at the two liang of big coins in Wu Ning’s hands.

“It’s only been one night. Isn’t this money coming a bit too quickly?”

“Haha!” Wu Ning was in high spirits. Clearly, business had to be done on a larger scale. Otherwise, these two hundred and ten coins would have kept his soup stall busy for half a month.

He carefully put the money away and noticed Qiao’er had already succumbed to sleep on the kang.

“Hu Zi, head home by yourself. Let Qiao’er stay here for the night.”

“No.” Hu Zi shook his head stubbornly. “It’s dark. I’m scared.”

“Scared, my foot!” Wu Ning rolled his eyes. He knew exactly what this blockhead was thinking. Hu Zi was afraid he’d get home late, wouldn’t wake up in time the next morning, and miss out on breakfast.

“Go home, I’ll save you some food!”

“No!” Hu Zi still shook his head and flopped onto the kang. “If it’s just me at home, I’m scared.”

Well then.

The brothers exchanged glances. Looks like that small kang would have to fit five people tonight. Truth be told, they mainly begrudged Wu Sanhu for his size; Qiao’er was only five and hardly took up any space.

...

The next morning, Wu Ning was awakened by the weight on him. Opening his eyes, he found Hu Zi’s elephant-like leg sprawled across his chest. With a grimace, he summoned all his strength to move it off. Then, carefully extricated his arm from Qiao’er’s embrace, slipped on his shoes, and stepped onto the floor.

...

It was still dark. The guests in both rooms hadn’t risen yet. They were headed to Wenxian Temple to burn incense, so they’d surely be up early. Wu Ning needed to cook their breakfast.

One had to admit, the inn’s first day had brought a decent profit, but it was hard work, inevitably so. Such is life—where there’s effort, there’s reward. Besides the money, the sense of stability made Wu Ning willing to persevere.

As breakfast neared readiness, Wu Li and Wu Qi also got up. After washing their faces, everyone pitched in, carrying dishes in and out, busying themselves around the house.

When the sky began to lighten, the guest rooms gradually lit up as well. The first to emerge was the middle-aged man, dressed as a merchant, friendly and easy-going. Wu Ning thought he looked familiar—perhaps the manager of some store in town.

They’d already exchanged names the night before. “Manager Zhang, come have breakfast!”

“Certainly!” Zhang gladly accepted. He’d already sampled Wu Ning’s cooking the previous evening and had been pleasantly surprised.

Sitting at a table in the courtyard, he saw Wu Li and the others standing nearby. “Come eat with me. I’m not one for such formalities.”

“Very well!” Wu Ning emerged from the kitchen and agreed, unexpectedly.

“Though this place is an inn, Seeking Jade Residence isn’t run like a typical guesthouse.”

...

“Manager Zhang is our guest, but once through the door, he’s one of the family. Just don’t mind if the children from our farming household are a bit unruly.”

Manager Zhang regarded Wu Ning with a deep look. “That’s commendable.”

“What’s commendable?” Wu Ning smiled as he ladled rice for Zhang.

“The inn is good, and so are its people! Since last night, your Seeking Jade Residence has been full of surprises. Truly opened my eyes. I imagine it cost you no small effort—and expense?”

Wu Ning replied with a calm smile, saying nothing more. Before him was a businessman: a guest, but not someone for deep conversation. Otherwise, who knows? Someday, another Seeking Jade Residence might pop up in Fangzhou.

“Please eat, Manager Zhang.”

“Haha.” Wu Ning didn’t wish to chat, and Manager Zhang, understanding, joined everyone in eating quietly.

...

As they ate, Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji’s door opened as well. Wu Ning set down his chopsticks and went to greet them. “Gentlemen, did you rest well last night?”

“Splendidly!” Lei Ji beamed, unreserved in his praise. “Your refined little inn is truly exceptional!”

How could it be anything less? The room was scented, the bed soft, flowers decorated every corner, and the window opened to a beautiful view. Most importantly, there were poetic verses from renowned scholars to lull you to sleep.

Lei Ji was so delighted he didn’t want to leave. But Wu Ning, for his part, was eager for them to move on, opening the way for new guests. “Safe travels, gentlemen. You’re always welcome to return.”

Lei Ji glanced at the sky. Though reluctant, it was getting late—they ought to head for Wenxian Temple. He clasped his hands to Wu Ning. “Farewell then. We’ll return another day!”

He and Du Gu Ao walked shoulder to shoulder toward the courtyard gate, but stopped by the breakfast table. The array of steaming soups and meat stews was not only enticing to look at, but its aroma was irresistible.

Gurgle—Du Gu Ao’s stomach betrayed him.

“You’re... having breakfast, I see.”

Hu Zi nodded with an innocent smile. “That’s right.”

“Quite a spread, too.” Du Gu Ao rubbed his nose, embarrassed. “Smells... delicious.”

Manager Zhang laughed heartily. “Naturally! Why don’t you try some, gentlemen?”

He underestimated the shamelessness of these two scholars.

“Then we won’t stand on ceremony!” Du Gu Ao pulled Lei Ji down to sit, rubbing his hands eagerly. “Truth be told, I was already hungry last night, but didn’t want to trouble the host again.”

He even added, “Don’t worry, we’ll pay for our meal.”

Hu Zi was displeased—he’d asked them several times last night, they’d refused, and now here they were. He had no idea both men had regretted it all night. When Manager Zhang had dinner last night, they’d caught a whiff of the food from their room—it was tantalizing. But they were too embarrassed to go back on their word and ask Wu Ning for a meal, so they’d waited all night for Manager Zhang’s invitation.

Wu Ning was at a loss. If they wanted to eat, they could have just said so—instead, their pretense had cost him a meal’s worth of earnings.

...

He served them, and soon everyone gathered around the table, eating together like a real family, savoring each bite.

...

During breakfast, Wu Ning glanced several times at Ugly Uncle’s room, but the man never emerged. Wu Ning didn’t call him. Firstly, Ugly Uncle’s appearance was unusual—he didn’t want to frighten the guests. Secondly, Wu Ning knew well that Ugly Uncle disliked his business, with its mix of sincerity and pretense.

...

———

After breakfast, both groups of guests had been thoroughly attended to. Wu Ning escorted them to the gate. “My inn is newly opened and needs a bit of reputation to thrive.”

He clasped his hands in respectful farewell. “I hope you’ll help spread the word.”

Manager Zhang smiled calmly. “It’s no trouble. Once I’m back in town, I’ll surely help promote your inn.”

Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji agreed without hesitation, and took their leave.

Just after leaving Seeking Jade Residence, they found the gates of Wenxian Temple still closed. The incense seekers were scattered along the mountain path—some chatting, others dozing.

The two headed toward the largest group. Fangzhou wasn’t a big place; most people were either relatives or fellow poets.

But as they approached, they realized Sun Bo’an was among them—and in a miserable state. He’d been bitten by mosquitoes all night, his face swollen with welts. Seeing Du Gu Ao full of energy, his mouth shiny with oil, it was clear he’d had breakfast. Sun Bo’an couldn’t help feeling aggrieved, keeping silent on the outskirts.

Others, however, noticed Du Gu Ao seemed different and asked out of curiosity.

Du Gu Ao recalled Wu Ning’s request to “help spread the word,” and, along with Lei Ji, praised Seeking Jade Residence to their heart’s content.

Thus, Wu Ning’s little inn, tucked away in the mountain valley, gained a reputation among Fangzhou’s upper circles.

Sun Bo’an listened skeptically, thinking, “Are these two just making things up to spite me?”

He gradually slipped away from the crowd and headed toward Wu Ning’s house. Peeking through the fence, it did seem rather impressive.

He was about to enter when—“Stop!!”—a loud shout nearly made Sun Bo’an jump.

A young lad stood glaring at him from the gate. “Stay back!”

“Hey!” Sun Bo’an was already annoyed. “I want to stay at your inn, and you turn guests away!?”

“We don’t accept you!”

He was stubborn, but the boy inside was even more so, keeping a wide distance from Sun Bo’an.

“Those with water rash or contagious illnesses are not admitted!”

“...”

Sun Bo’an froze, instinctively touching his swollen face.

After a long pause, he exploded.

“Who are you calling water rash and contagious!? You’re the one with water rash, your whole family is!”

Damn it, Young Master Sun had been spurned by a mountain kid!

...