As dusk approached, Yan Huanglou returned.

Since the Righteous Army entered the city, he rarely set up his stall at night. He feared being robbed in the dark; in troubled times like these, if robbed, one simply had to accept it.

After returning, Yan Huanglou wandered to the kitchen and asked, “Where did this mugwort come from?”

“Aunt Wang Sanniang next door sent it,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Yan Huanglou sighed, “That girl is too polite.”

He cooked the mugwort greens and ate them with leftover buns as dinner.

Such a meal was already considered quite luxurious.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

While they were eating, rapid knocks sounded at the door.

“Open up! Open up!”

Seeing this, Yan Huanglou quickly hid the buns on the table.

Chen Changsheng asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain later.”

After hiding the buns, Yan Huanglou went to open the door.

A man in black stood outside, looking rather scruffy and careless. Yet his voice held no malice when he spoke. “Lao Huang, it’s time to pay this month’s protection fee. But it’s twenty percent more this month.”

“Why the extra twenty percent?” Yan Huanglou asked.

The man sighed. “There’s a fight over territory now. Money is needed.”

Yan Huanglou sighed too. “Life gets harder every day. Wait here; I’ll get it.”

He went back inside but found he was short. Originally it was enough, but adding twenty percent made him fall short.

Returning to the door, Yan Huanglou said, “I’m half a qian short. Can you let it slide?”

“Can’t say for sure,” the black-clad man replied. “Better not to be short. Someone else might collect next time.”

Chen Changsheng stood and walked over. “Protection fee?”

The man in black asked, “Who are you?”

Yan Huanglou said, “This is Brother Chen. You share the same surname.”

“A namesake!”

The black-clad man clasped his fist. “Chen Qian. Collector for the Azure Jade Hall.”

“Short by half a qian?” Chen Changsheng inquired.

Chen Qian nodded.

Chen Changsheng took a tiny silver piece from his coin pouch and handed it over. “That should cover it.”

Chen Qian nodded. “Enough. I won’t disturb further.”

“Find me if you need help later.”

After Chen Qian left, Yan Huanglou quickly shut the door.

Chen Changsheng commented, “That man didn’t seem like the typical protection fee collector.”

Yan Huanglou explained, “They all seem decent. But you’ll see their true nature if you really can’t pay. That’s how things go.”

Chen Changsheng breathed out. “Then sooner or later, you won’t be able to afford it.”

Yan Huanglou sighed deeply. “Taking it one day at a time. Worst case, I run away. In two days, government officers will also collect a fee. We pay both sides – gangs and officials. If trouble happens, the officials just take the money without helping. The gangs at least do things.”

“Nowadays, people trust these gangs more than the government.”

Chen Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. That made sense; otherwise, the gangs wouldn’t survive.

Yan Huanglou said, “Let’s eat.”

They sat down and resumed eating.

After eating, they chatted idly.

After nightfall, Wang Sanniang from next door came over.

“Uncle Lou,” she called.

Yan Huanglou asked, “What is it, girl?”

Wang Sanniang fidgeted, struggling to speak.

“Borrowing grain?” Yan Huanglou guessed.

Wang Sanniang nodded. “The protection collectors came. I didn’t have enough money… so I gave them some grain instead. Can I borrow your wheat bran, Uncle Lou? I’ll pay you back soon.”

Yan Huanglou sighed. “Wait here.”

He went inside and came back with a small bag of grain for her.

“I’ll return it soon,” Wang Sanniang promised.

Yan Huanglou waved a hand. “No need for thanks. Neighbors help neighbors. Enough talk.”

Wang Sanniang thanked him and carried the bag of wheat bran home.

When Yan Huanglou returned, Chen Changsheng asked, “What’s wrong with her face?”

“She made herself look ugly,” Yan Huanglou explained. “These days, if a pretty woman catches someone’s eye… thieves might break in at night. She has no choice.”

Chen Changsheng said nothing more and went inside to rest.

The next morning, Yan Huanglou went to his Tea Stall.

Chen Changsheng passed time by reading and writing in the yard.

Soon, Wang Sanniang knocked, followed by two children. Chen Changsheng recognized Ruyi but hadn’t seen the small boy before.

“Brother Chen,” she said.

Chen Changsheng asked, “What brings you here, Wang Sanniang?”

“Could I trouble you to watch Ruyi and Peace for a while?” Wang Sanniang pleaded. She had also made herself look plain, clearly intending to go out.

Chen Changsheng stood. “Where are you planning to go?”

Wang Sanniang sighed. “We could barely afford food. I want to sell baked pancakes on the street to earn some coins. Peace is too young, and Ruyi loves to play. I worry taking them might not be safe… and I can’t leave them home alone…”

Chen Changsheng looked at the children. “No trouble. I happened to be free today.”

“Thank you, Brother Chen!”

Wang Sanniang turned to the children. “Ruyi, Peace, greet Uncle Chen.”

“Uncle Chen.””Uncle Chen.”

Chen Changsheng smiled at them.

Wang Sanniang said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Chen.” 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“It’s a small matter,” Chen Changsheng replied, adding, “Be careful on the street. Why not set up near Lao Huang’s Tea Stall? It’s safer together.”

“Alright.”

After reminding Ruyi and Peace to behave, Wang Sanniang left. Chen Changsheng closed the gate.

Ruyi sat stiffly, appearing scared. She held Peace’s hand tightly. Peace remained silent, head bowed.

Chen Changsheng said gently, “No need to be afraid of me.”

Ruyi shook her head. “I’m not scared. Mom says Grandpa’s friends are good people.”

“Is that so?” Chen Changsheng smiled, then asked, “Is your brother called Peace?”

Ruyi answered, “Peace is two years younger than me.”

“Peace. Ruyi.” Chen Changsheng nodded. “Both lovely names.”

Seeing the children idle, he inquired, “Do you know your words?”

Ruyi shook her head.

Chen Changsheng sat down near them. “How about I teach you to write your names?”

Ruyi was curious. “Uncle Chen, are you a teacher?”

“No,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Ruyi seemed puzzled, thinking only teachers taught characters.

Peace, usually silent, now asked softly, “What… what is a teacher?”

Ruyi explained to him. “Someone who teaches us to write.”

“Oh,” Peace murmured, resuming his silence.

Chen Changsheng smiled at the siblings’ interaction. “Do you want to learn?”

Ruyi nodded eagerly. “Yes!”

Peace added softly, “If Elder Sister learns, I learn too.”

Chen Changsheng picked up two sticks and began teaching them to write their names in the soil.