Making his way home, Wang Qingchen scanned the courtyard, finding it deserted. He slipped into the storage shed, returned the carrying basket to its spot, then quietly carried the covering cloth to the kitchen shelf before finally letting out a breath of relief.

Wang Qingchen tiptoed into the house with the steamed buns, cautiously poking his head in. He saw that Mother Yang was still busy with her embroidery. She looked up, spotted his head peering around the doorframe, and smiled. “What are you up to? Hurry in! Haven’t seen you for half the day, where were you playing?”

“Heh heh… Mother, I bought a few baozi in town.” As he spoke, Wang Qingchen carefully edged over to Mother Yang, bashfully offering the buns in his hand before her.

Mother Yang accepted them with a look of suspicion. She peeled back the outer wrapping of paper, and five plump, white, meat-filled buns appeared before her eyes. Her face immediately tightened with alarm. “Qingchen, where did these buns come from? Surely you haven’t been getting into trouble outside?” As she spoke, Mother Yang’s eyes welled up. “Life is hard for us, but you shouldn’t…”

Wang Qingchen panicked when he saw her reaction. He hadn't expected her to react so strongly. “Mother, please don’t cry. Listen to me first. The money for these buns wasn’t acquired dishonestly.”

“It really wasn't acquired dishonestly? Then tell me where you got the money?” Mother Yang wiped away a tear.

“I heard people talking in town about a travelling opera performance, so I wanted to go see it. Who knew that halfway there, I picked up a purse. When I opened it, there were several ounces of silver inside! I figured the person who lost it must be frantic, so I waited right there. Sure enough, the owner showed up shortly after, and he was so grateful that he insisted on giving me all the loose copper coins from the purse…” Wang Qingchen recited the story he had cooked up on the road.

“Really? You’re not lying to Mother, are you?” Mother Yang still sounded unconvinced.

“Mother, it’s true. Besides, ask anyone in the village—has anyone reported anything missing?” Wang Qingchen countered.

Mother Yang paused to consider. Indeed, she hadn't heard of anyone missing anything, so she reluctantly accepted Wang Qingchen's explanation.

Seeing that his mother believed him, Wang Qingchen pulled out the red ribbon and sesame candy from his clothes. “Mother, look, I also bought Caiyun a red ribbon and some sesame candy.”

Looking at the red ribbon her son had bought, Mother Yang felt a pang of heartache. Her daughter had asked for that ribbon so many times, yet as a mother, she had never managed to buy her one. But remembering that her son, having good things, hadn't forgotten his family, she felt immense comfort. How could such a good child possibly do anything dishonest like stealing? she thought.

“I’ll put the buns away for now. We’ll eat them when your father and the others get back,” Mother Yang said, patting Wang Qingchen’s head before heading to the kitchen.

Soon after, Caiyun was the first to return. Wang Qingchen called her over and presented the red ribbon. Caiyun was so delighted she kept exclaiming, “Second Brother, you’re the best!” Of course, once the sesame candy was revealed, that praise quickly escalated to, “Second Brother, you are the very best!”

In the evening, Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua also returned from the fields. Mother Yang recounted the story of Wang Qingchen finding the money, only to be met with a roar from Wang Youfu: “You foolish child! You found money and then returned it—you’ve truly angered me to death!”

Although Mother Yang didn't feel her son had done anything wrong, she dared not contradict Wang Youfu. She quickly brought out the buns, hoping her husband’s anger would cool down for the sake of the food. Ironically, seeing the buns only made Wang Youfu angrier—how many buns could that much found money buy! He instantly resolved to pay closer attention to his second son from now on; a dim-witted child was unacceptable!

Naturally, the happiest person in the entire family was Caiyun. Not only did she receive the red ribbon and sesame candy, but she also got to eat delicious white-flour meat buns. As she ate, she couldn't help but think, It would be great if Second Brother could find another purse next time. Wang Qingchen, despite being scolded by his father, was still very happy, secretly thankful that his family hadn't doubted him.

In stark contrast to Wang Qingchen, his third uncle, Wang Youtian, was far from happy. In fact, he hadn't known happiness for several days now, as Zhang Shi, after taking their child to her parents' home a few days prior, had never returned. Wang Youtian went to his in-laws’ house, only to be chased out, and after that, he dared not return. With the engagement banquet for the eldest branch’s son, Wang Qingyun, fast approaching, followed by the rice seedling season and then the busy farming period, and with no sign of Zhang Shi returning, was she truly determined to seek a separation? Wang Youtian was so anxious his mouth felt like it was bubbling.

Unable to think of a solution himself, Wang Youtian decided to seek out his second elder brother, Wang Youfu. When Wang Youtian arrived, Wang Youfu’s family had just finished dinner. Wang Youtian mumbled out his reason for visiting and asked Wang Youfu for advice.

Hearing what Wang Youtian said, Wang Youfu suddenly felt that compared to his third brother, his own second son was relatively sensible. This old third likely still didn't know why Zhang Shi was angry!

“Third brother, let me ask you first: when you went to your in-laws’, did they mention wanting a separation?” Wang Youfu inquired.

“No, they didn’t. Wait, Second Brother, are you saying the child’s mother isn't seeking a separation from me?” Wang Youtian asked excitedly.

“Your wife went to her parents’ home, and you never took the time to properly consider why?” Wang Youfu pressed, not answering directly.

“Once the child’s mother left, I didn't have the mind to think about anything else! Second Brother, do you know why my wife went back to her mother’s?” Wang Youtian asked with eager hope.

Wang Youfu suddenly didn't know what to say. This old third was truly dense; no wonder Zhang Shi was angry enough to leave!

“Think carefully, why was your wife so angry that day?” Wang Youfu said helplessly.

“It was because I used money to help Big Brother’s family, and then the child’s mother got angry. But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Wang Youtian complained, feeling wronged.

“A good thing? Who told you that?” Wang Youfu asked.

“Father and Mother said it. If I help Big Brother’s family now, when Qingyi gets married later, Big Brother’s family…” Wang Youtian started to explain.

“Stop, stop, stop, stop! Don't say another word. I just want to ask you, have our two branches ever helped the eldest branch before?” Wang Youfu interrupted Wang Youtian’s explanation.

Wang Youtian thought for a moment. “Uh… yes. Before, when the eldest branch wanted to open a shop, but they lost money, and also when Qingshan got married.”

“Did they ever say they would help us out in return back then?”

“Mmm, yes, they did,” Wang Youtian replied.

“Then let me ask you this: have the eldest branch ever helped our two branches?”

“Uh… Father and Mother said that later, when Qingyi…”

“I’m asking if they have!” Wang Youfu felt his temper rising just talking to the third brother.

“Uh, no,” Wang Youtian mumbled quietly.

“Since the eldest branch said they would help us before but never did, on what grounds do you assume they will help you in the future?”

Wang Youtian was rendered speechless by the question.

“Now do you understand why your wife was angry?” Wang Youfu felt that Wang Youtian must surely grasp it now.

However, just as Wang Youtian was about to shake his head, he noticed Wang Youfu’s stern expression and quickly nodded, an expression so comical it made Wang Youfu both want to laugh and cry.

“Alright, alright, go back and think it over properly!” Wang Youfu waved him off.

Never mind how Wang Youtian pondered the matter after returning, on the other side, Wang Qingchen felt that time that night was passing too slowly. Finally, when the whole family was asleep, Wang Qingchen eagerly slipped out. After checking that there was no activity around, he quickly entered the spatial realm. He went to the potted orchid. Whether it was his imagination or not, Wang Qingchen thought the orchid looked slightly better than it had during the day. Yet, the soil in the pot was still from outside. Could the key to this space not be the soil itself, but the environment within? Still, Wang Qingchen considered that perhaps both factors played a role, which would be even better. He decided not to transplant the orchid yet, leaving it in the current pot to check on again tomorrow. With that thought, Wang Qingchen went back to sleep.

The next morning, Wang Qingchen was awakened by Caiyun’s incessant prattling by his ear. As he groggily opened his eyes, he saw her pointing excitedly at the red ribbon on her head, repeatedly asking, “Is it pretty? Brother, look, is it pretty? Is it really beautiful?”

“Mm, very beautiful,” Wang Qingchen replied, letting out a huge yawn before rolling over, intending to sleep a little longer.

“Really beautiful? Then I’ll go ask Big Brother if it’s pretty.” With that, Caiyun darted out.

However, the sudden commotion had completely erased Wang Qingchen’s sleepiness. He had no choice but to get up, and he spent the entire morning yawning.

At noon, just as Wang Youfu’s family finished eating, they heard news that Wang Youtian had gone to his in-laws’ house and brought Zhang Shi back. This was somewhat predictable; after all, Zhang Shi hadn't truly intended to separate. As Wang Qingyun’s aunt, Zhang Shi certainly needed to attend his engagement banquet, or she would be branded as uncivilized. Wang Youtian had likely panicked, thinking Zhang Shi meant to leave for good. Wang Qingchen was merely curious: had his third uncle figured things out last night? The answer, he supposed, could only be found by the uncle himself.

But before Wang Qingchen could dwell on his curiosity, something else happened that made him feel both amused and exasperated.

This new development started with Caiyun. After receiving the red ribbon and sesame candy, Caiyun happily went to play with Hong Ying. Amidst Caiyun’s proud pronouncements, Hong Ying learned the glorious tale of how a certain person had displayed “admirable honesty in returning found treasure.” Furthermore, Hong Ying’s older brother, Li Yuntai, whose tutor was ill so he didn't have to attend school and happened to be home, also overheard the story. Li Yuntai immediately felt that Wang Qingchen was a fine person, with noble character, truly worthy of deep friendship. Following Hong Ying’s suggestion, the group came to find Wang Qingchen to play.

When Wang Qingchen learned the purpose of their visit, he was stunned. He imagined his expression must have been utterly ridiculous. Li Yuntai, however, misinterpreted Wang Qingchen’s look as modesty—a reluctance to boast about good deeds—which only solidified his determination to secure Wang Qingchen as a close friend.

Li Yuntai was two years older than Wang Qingchen, currently twelve, and a good person besides. Wang Qingchen decided to go with the flow and befriended him. As they chatted, Wang Qingchen, operating on the principle of not wasting resources, tactfully brought up his strong desire to learn to read. Li Yuntai proved quick to grasp the situation, immediately offering to teach Wang Qingchen himself and suggesting that Wang Qingchen come to his house every day after his own lessons ended.

Although this outcome wasn't entirely what Wang Qingchen had planned, the opportunity to learn to read was certainly an unexpected delight.