"I hear that in town, doing business requires some sort of contract. So let’s draw up a contract too," Lian Manman added.

Although Lian Shouxin was honest, and rural households like his placed great emphasis on integrity and reputation, they tended to rely on verbal agreements, which meant keeping one’s word was crucial. To have a formal written agreement could make some people feel distrusted. Even though he had agreed to the idea of a contract in front of Old Master Lian, he found it somewhat difficult to bring it up with Shopkeeper Wu.

In his bones, Lian Shouxin was still a farmer, not a businessman.

When Lian Manman put it that way, drawing up the contract seemed entirely for Shopkeeper Wu’s benefit, so Lian Shouxin quickly echoed the sentiment.

"In business, having a contract is indeed more proper," Shopkeeper Wu said with a smile. He agreed readily because doing so also offered him protection.

"We owe this big deal to Shopkeeper Wu. This afternoon, at my house, we will prepare a simple meal and we would be honored if Shopkeeper Wu could attend," Lian Shouxin said.

Shopkeeper Wu knew that the Lian family meant to thank him and to formalize their agreement, so he accepted the invitation.

"Consider that string of coins as a deposit to help you with cash flow. The money for today’s pickled vegetables will be settled separately." Saying this, Shopkeeper Wu indeed took out another string of coins and settled the payment for the 1,500 jin of pickled vegetables in full.

With the money in hand, father and sons left Yue Lai Tavern and began purchasing items needed for the afternoon’s feast. Lian Manman first went to the butcher’s and bought pig liver, a pig’s knuckle, and three jin of pork, then headed to the small market. Today wasn’t a market day, but there were still some vendors gathered, and Lian Manman bought a chicken, a carp, and then procured a jar of fine wine from the wine shop.

"This should be about right," Lian Manman counted the items she had purchased. She had discussed the menu for the feast with Lady Zhang earlier, and she seemed to have forgotten nothing.

Lian Shouxin helped to check and nodded.

"Everything’s here; let’s head home," Lian Shouxin said.

"Dad, I want to buy some other things," Lian Manman said.

"What else is there to buy? Isn’t everything for the meal all set?" Lian Shouxin was puzzled.

"If Old Master is to write the contract, we need to buy paper and pens," Lian Manman said.

Lian Shouxin suddenly understood.

"We should have paper and pens at home..." However, those belonged to Lian Shouren, and since he and his family hadn’t returned from the county town yet, it shouldn’t be a problem to use them.

"Those belong to my eldest uncle and my older cousin; it’s not convenient for us to use them," Lian Manman said.

"Alright, we’ll buy them. Go ahead," Lian Shouxin thought for a moment and said, "You go on; I’ll take these items back first and have your mother and your sister start setting things up."

Lian Shouxin carried several baskets back home, while Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi entered the shop selling writing supplies.

Seeing customers arrive, the shop assistant’s demeanor was very welcoming.

"...We’ll need all the essentials: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone," Lian Manman told the shop assistant, "One set for writing the contract, and also, two brushes for writing large characters, and one ream of paper..."

The assistant, realizing they had a major customer, was even more attentive.

"Manman, we just need the stuff for the contract, why buy so much? And why the large brushes?" Wu Lang hesitated and quietly held back Lian Manman in a low voice.

"Brother, don’t you want to learn to write?" Lian Manman asked.

Wu Lang was at a loss for words. Of course, he wanted to learn to write; he even wanted to study. But their family had only recently started doing slightly better. If he wanted to learn to write and study, it would cost a significant sum. He didn’t believe his family had the means to support it. Even if the family were willing to, it would mean his parents, sister, and younger siblings would have to scrimp and save, which he did not wish to see.

"I want to learn, but our family can’t afford it right now. I can’t do what my eldest uncle did," Wu Lang pondered and then seriously added, "Manman, let’s work hard. Maybe when Xiao Qi is a bit older, we might be able to support him."

Wu Lang glanced at his younger brother. He yearned for books, but at twelve years old, even if their family’s circumstances improved later on, it would be too late for him to start schooling. His thoughts were to work harder and earn more money, to create opportunities for his younger siblings.

Xiao Qi listened to Lian Manman and Wu Lang talk, with big eyes that began to moisten. He grabbed Wu Lang’s clothes with one hand and Lian Manman’s with the other.

"I, I will also work hard. I won’t learn to write, won’t go to school," Xiao Qi said in his milky voice.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi’s attitude made Lian Manman’s already soft heart turn softer, like a bowl of tofu brain.