6. If you don't like it, don't embroider (or mend).

When the rooster crowed for the third time, Ye Miao woke up.

Since it was summer, dawn came early. Upon opening his eyes, all he saw was the earthen brick wall, and his consciousness slowly returned.

He lay on his side, an arm draped over his waist, and behind him came the steady breathing of Qin Jin.

Qin Jin was still asleep.

Ye Miao’s lips pressed together in slight confusion. Last night, Qin Jin had held him so tightly when they fell asleep; how had he woken up to find himself no longer in his embrace?

But that was fine—he could quietly get up without waking the person behind him.

He reached out to grasp Qin Jin’s arm and slowly shifted deeper into the bed.

He needed to hurry and make breakfast; he couldn't let Qin Jin think he was a lazy husband.

However, as he sat up and turned his head, his eyes met Qin Jin’s slightly dazed gaze.

Qin Jin was awake.

Qin Jin’s alertness returned quickly, and when their eyes met, Ye Miao immediately lowered his gaze. His own eyes flickered with unease.

Though they had already shared their most intimate moments last night, this moment was hard to label—neither awkward nor embarrassed, but he simply didn’t dare meet Qin Jin’s eyes.

Perhaps it was because they had left the atmosphere of last night’s flickering red candles and the little husband wiping away tears?

Unable to figure it out, Ye Miao put the thought aside, cleared his throat, propped himself up on the bed, and without looking at Qin Jin, he said as he got out of bed, “You rest, I’ll make breakfast.”

“No need! I’ll do it.”

Ye Miao was startled by Qin Jin’s words and, forgetting his shyness from moments before, quickly spoke up.

He had already gotten up late; there was no way he could let Qin Jin make breakfast.

As he spoke, he hurried toward the foot of the bed, where two trunks stood—one large, containing Qin Jin’s clothes, and a smaller one for his own.

His strong reaction made it difficult for Qin Jin to refuse. “Alright, just in time—the water barrel is nearly empty. I’ll go to my elder brother’s house to fetch water.”

The old courtyard had a well, making water relatively convenient.

Upon hearing this, Ye Miao relaxed and nodded, but he did not stop moving. Soon, he reached the foot of the bed and opened his small trunk.

He took out a brown short jacket from the top, then flipped through the clothes to find pants; however, in doing so, he heard the clinking of coins.

His eyes widened as he lifted the clothes inside, revealing five strings of copper coins at the bottom of the trunk.

Each string contained one hundred coins.

A total of five hundred coins.

His face scrunched up. Just yesterday, he had clearly hidden these five strings under his father’s bed...

At that moment, Qin Jin came to the foot of the bed. Seeing Ye Miao motionless, he glanced into the trunk and, upon seeing the five strings of coins, raised his eyebrows: “You’re richer than me, Brother Miao. Quite impressive.”

It seemed that Ye Miao’s embroidery skills did indeed earn a good income.

But this money was likely all they had left as a family.

Qin Jin’s words brought Ye Miao back to reality. He tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a smile.

He had been wondering how Qin Jin would react upon finding out he had no money at all. Now, there was no need to worry—he did have money.

But his father had only a few coins left...

“What’s wrong?” Qin Jin noticed his expression and grew concerned.

“Nothing, just thinking.” Ye Miao shook his head, put the clothes back, and casually pulled out a pair of gray linen trousers.

“What were you thinking about?” Qin Jin asked again when Ye Miao remained silent.

“About what to have for breakfast.”

“You decide. I’m not picky.”

“All right.” Ye Miao nodded.

By then, he had dressed neatly. Instead of leaving, he looked at Qin Jin with an obedient expression.

He had adjusted his mood. It was their first day of marriage, and he didn’t want his little worries to spoil Qin Jin’s mood.

Qin Jin glanced at him once more, quickly put on his clothes, opened the door, and stepped outside.

The sun had not yet risen, and the temperature was just right. Using the remaining water at the bottom of the barrel, the two washed up, then Qin Jin carried the bucket to the old courtyard to fetch water.

The Qin family had already eaten breakfast and gone to the fields; in summer, farmers worked from before dawn until the heat forced them back.

Wang Xiuqin couldn’t stop smiling when she saw Qin Jin arrive to fetch water at this hour.

Qin Jin felt embarrassed and awkward under her gaze, eager to fill the barrel quickly.

She chatted with him for a while before letting him return.

When the water was brought back, Ye Miao began preparing breakfast.

Breakfast was simple: water in an iron pot, rinsed millet added, then a bamboo sieve placed on top, with leftover dishes and steamed buns from yesterday laid on the sieve, and finally, a strong fire to cook everything.

Millet porridge took a while to cook. Qin Jin filled the water barrel and, seeing that breakfast wasn’t ready yet, carried a small stool into the kitchen.

“It’s hot in here; why don’t you wait outside?” Ye Miao said.

“My mother just stopped me to talk about the expenses for our wedding. I want to be honest with you,” Qin Jin said seriously.

Ye Miao looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“When we got engaged, I told you I had no money. That wasn’t a lie—I really had nothing. I even had to borrow the capital for making pea cakes from my elder brother.”

“After the engagement was settled, my elder brothers each gave our mother three taels of silver. Last night, she calculated the expenses: the wedding cost seven taels in total, and we received less than two taels in gifts. So, I still owe over five taels.”

“I haven’t even repaid the fifty coins I borrowed from my elder brother. The eighty-some coins I made from selling pea cakes were all spent on buying peas and cane sugar for the wedding feast.”

“I wanted to promote the pea cakes to our village people.”

“But that left me with only twenty-six coins now.”

He felt embarrassed and dared not look at Ye Miao. “But don’t worry, we’ll pay off the debt this year. With the farming work and making fewer pea cakes daily, in winter we’ll make more and earn more copper coins.”

That wasn’t an empty promise.

Pea cakes had good prospects. Before starting, he had specifically surveyed the county town—there was no one selling pea cakes in Dongyang County.

He was unique.

“I understand,” Ye Miao nodded softly.

He knew the Qin family was poor; Ye Miao was prepared and unafraid of hardship.

“I’ll embroider more handkerchiefs and can earn a dozen or so coins a day.”

“No need. You won’t embroider anymore,” Qin Jin shook his head.

Ye Miao’s eyes widened instantly. Seeing Qin Jin was serious, he quickly asked, “Why not?”

“It strains your eyes, neck, and shoulders. Making pea cakes is easier. Just soak the beans and cook them—no grinding or frying, very simple.”

“Didn’t you want to help me make pea cakes before?”

Qin Jin explained: even if it was hard work, it wasn’t something the little husband should do. Besides, making pea cakes wasn’t heavy labor.

Ye Miao was stunned. The swelling in his chest from last night returned.

It wasn’t a prohibition—it was concern.

Years ago, his father had begged on his knees for the chance to learn embroidery to give him a skill, yet on his wedding day, Qin Jin told him he wouldn’t have to rely on it anymore.

His eyes reddened uncontrollably.

Seeing his expression, Qin Jin quickly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him: “Why are you crying? If you like embroidery, keep doing it, but do less, or you’ll only hurt yourself over time.”

“No.” Ye Miao sniffled and smiled, “I don’t like embroidery.”

He was grateful it had saved him, but gratitude was not the same as fondness.

Staring at the tiny embroidery frame strained his eyes, shoulders, and waist.

Even if he liked it at first, that feeling faded quickly.

“If you don’t like it, then don’t do it.” Seeing his tear-filled eyes and pitiful look, Qin Jin hesitated, then pulled him into a gentle embrace.

Why was he so prone to tears?

Like soothing a child, Qin Jin patted Ye Miao’s back: “Whether it’s embroidery, making pea cakes, or anything else, do whatever you like in the future. Don’t force yourself.”

Although his abilities were limited and he couldn’t become wealthy, as a man from another time, he had at least thirty or so ways to earn money.

With diligence, they could build a solid livelihood and give the little husband freedom of choice.

Ye Miao hadn’t expected Qin Jin to hold him like that. He froze, body stiffening, but before he could feel shy, Qin Jin said softly:

“Do whatever you like?”

The moisture in his eyes quickly turned into tears, but he lifted his head to hold back the tears.

Meeting a good man was a blessing; this was good fortune, not a time for tears.

It was time to smile.

In his life, he could still hear these words—he was truly favored by heaven.

He softened, nestling into Qin Jin’s broad embrace. Feeling the arms around him relax slightly, he hesitated, then raised his hands to hold Qin Jin’s waist.

He wanted to be even closer.

Qin Jin didn’t understand his intention but instinctively hugged him tighter, holding him firmly: “After breakfast, let’s ask my mother to lend us some coins to buy peas, alright?”

“Actually, my elder brother wanted to lend me coins earlier, but since we weren’t married yet, I couldn’t borrow money behind your back. Even if I needed to borrow, I had to discuss it with you first.”

He looked sheepish as he continued, “That’s what I thought, but I spent all those eighty-plus coins on peas and cane sugar to promote at the wedding feast. I didn’t discuss it with you.”

That wasn’t handled well.

“Don’t worry, I promise to discuss everything with you from now on.”

“Mhm.”

Joy deepened in Ye Miao’s heart.

Qin Jin cared so much for him. After a moment’s thought, Ye Miao said, “I have five hundred coins. No need to borrow from your mother.”

His father could sell firewood—a source of income.

Besides, when he cooked, he could always bring a bowl to his father, who probably wouldn’t mind.

Thinking this, he glanced secretly at Qin Jin.

Although from this angle he could only see the back of Qin Jin’s head, his heart was happy. Not only was his husband handsome, but the back of his head was also attractive.

Kind and soft-hearted—he probably truly wouldn’t mind...

“That’s your dowry; you keep it yourself,” Qin Jin refused without hesitation.

Every coin was earned stitch by stitch—a pure sweat-earned sum.

“No, you take it to use,” Ye Miao insisted firmly.

“No,” Qin Jin refused just as firmly. “You can’t use your dowry. That’s settled.”

He patted the person in his arms on the bottom.

Soft, springy—just like last night...

...

He had been soothing him like a child, patting his back, but now he accidentally patted his bottom.

It wasn’t on purpose.

Awkward.

Qin Jin said nothing. Ye Miao found the gesture both intimate and embarrassing, burying his head in Qin Jin’s chest, motionless like a shy quail.

Finally, Qin Jin cleared his throat and released him: “Breakfast is almost ready. Let’s eat, then head to the county town.”

To make money.

First, to make money and pay off debts!