The late summer sun shone warmly over the little courtyard, lighting up the neat rows of vegetables Xu Ming had planted weeks ago. Their leaves were lush, and the soil smelled faintly of moisture from the morning watering. Standing by the edge of the plot, Xu Ming wiped the sweat from his brow, satisfaction filling his chest. These weren't just vegetables; they were the first small steps of a life he could call his own.
But today, while washing his hands with the coarse soap made from ashes, he frowned. The stuff left his skin dry, and the smell was far from pleasant. A memory sparked in his mind—of smooth, fragrant bars of soap he had used in the modern world, scented with lavender or mint. In this village, people made do with harsh lye-based soap, nothing more.
What if I could make something better? The thought settled in him like a seed taking root.
At dinner that evening, Xu Ming brought it up. Shen Li had just returned from the mountain, a few rabbits slung over his shoulder, his skin glistening faintly with sweat. The hunter looked tired but strong, his presence filling the small home with quiet stability.
"Shen Li," Xu Ming began, his voice hesitant but tinged with excitement, "I've been thinking. The soap here… it's too rough. But I know a way to make a different kind—better smelling, gentler on the skin. If we use herbs and oil, I think it would work. We could use it ourselves… and maybe even sell it later."
Shen Li blinked, then gave a small chuckle. "Soap? You mean the same thing we use for washing?"
Xu Ming's cheeks reddened slightly. "Yes, but not like this." He held up his hands, showing the faint dryness left by the rough ash soap. "It can be better. People will want it."
The hunter tilted his head, studying him with an amused but curious look. He didn't understand half the things Xu Ming said sometimes, but he liked the fire in his eyes when he spoke of ideas. "If you believe it's worth trying," Shen Li said simply, "then do it. I'll help however I can."
That easy acceptance made Xu Ming's chest warm. He nodded. "Then… I'll sell some of the vegetables tomorrow, and use the money to buy what I need."
The next day, Xu Ming rose early, carrying baskets of fresh greens to the market. The villagers were surprised at the quality—his vegetables were cleaner, greener, and seemed to stay fresher than the rest. A few women clucked their tongues in admiration.
"Didn't think the Shen family's new ger had such skills," one whispered as she weighed a bundle of leafy greens.
Xu Ming only smiled faintly, neither proud nor humble. The coins jingled in his pouch by the time he was done, enough to make him hopeful. With careful thought, he bought oils, herbs, and simple tools. Before heading home, he told Shen Li, "Use a little of this money to buy two hens. If we care for them, we'll have eggs to eat every day."
Shen Li raised a brow, faintly amused. "Planning for long days already?"
Xu Ming met his gaze, lips curving. "A home should have stability. Eggs are small, but they give strength. Don't you want a warm meal after coming down the mountain?"
The hunter's chest tightened at those words. No one had ever spoken to him like that before—like building a home together was natural. He only grunted softly, but his ears flushed as he led the way to buy hens.
Back in their courtyard, the two of them worked side by side. Xu Ming boiled herbs, poured oil into a large pot, and carefully stirred. Shen Li chopped wood, occasionally glancing over, curious at the strange process. At one point, Xu Ming's hand slipped, nearly tipping the pot, but Shen Li was there instantly, steadying it with his calloused hand over Xu Ming's. Their fingers brushed, heat shooting up Xu Ming's arm.
"Careful," Shen Li murmured, his voice low.
Xu Ming's ears went red. "Th-thank you."
The air grew thick for a heartbeat before Shen Li pulled back, his face unreadable. Xu Ming returned to stirring, his heart thumping far louder than the crackle of the firewood.
Days passed, and with Shen Li's help, the first bars of soap were finally cut and laid to dry. They weren't perfect—some uneven, some too soft—but Xu Ming looked at them with pride. He pressed one into Shen Li's hand. "Try it."
Shen Li sniffed, his brows lifting slightly. "It smells… nice." He rubbed it between his palms, surprised at the foam that rose so quickly. When he washed his hands, he noticed the difference immediately—the skin felt smoother, cleaner. His lips curved in rare approval. "It's good."
Xu Ming's heart leapt at the quiet praise. He lowered his gaze, smiling. "It's only the beginning."
That night, while Xu Ming lay on his mat, Shen Li glanced at him from across the room. The candlelight softened Xu Ming's features, his hair loose around his shoulders, his smile faint even in sleep. Something stirred in Shen Li's chest—strange, unsettling, but warm. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to sleep, but the image lingered.
Meanwhile, at the old Liu household, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.
Madam Wang slammed her hands against the table, her sharp voice piercing through the house. "How can you say there's no money? Do you expect us to starve?"
Old Liu rubbed his temples wearily. "Business in the market has been poor. Meat doesn't sell easily these days. What do you want me to do—pull coins out of thin air?"
But Madam Wang only grew louder, her face twisted with scorn. "You call yourself the head of this house, yet you can't even provide for your family? Do you want your children to die of hunger? Should I go begging on the street instead?"
The neighbors passing by exchanged glances, whispers spreading quickly. Everyone already knew the Liu family's reputation had been souring—first the humiliating marriage of the stepdaughter, then the failure of the eldest son in the examinations. Now, to hear the madam screeching for money in broad daylight only added fuel to the gossip.
Old Liu's face flushed with both anger and shame, but his words faltered. Madam Wang, however, seemed to care more for appearances than reality, her voice carrying until even the children cowered in corners.
Back in the small courtyard, Xu Ming carefully stacked the finished soap bars on a shelf. Shen Li stood beside him, silent but steady, as if his presence alone anchored the space. Xu Ming glanced up at him, catching the faint, rare softness in the hunter's eyes.
A smile tugged at Xu Ming's lips. "Shen Li, this… this is only the start. I think, together, we can make something better than just surviving."
Shen Li's gaze lingered on him, his throat working as if to swallow words he couldn't voice. Finally, he gave a single nod. "En. Together."
In the quiet glow of the evening, their small home felt warmer than any grand mansion Xu Ming had ever seen.