He was truly moved.

Today, Zhang Renbai wore a fresh teal garment, made of ordinary cloth, its collar and cuffs neatly pressed as if specially ironed. Besides the jade ring at his waist, he added a small, delicate scented pouch emitting a faint fragrance of orchid grass.

He stood at the steps speaking with Wei Jinyun. The sunlight caught the top of his head, revealing the smooth sheen of his tied-up hair, slicked with some oil.

“It’s just a small package of pastries; since we’ll be neighbors from now on, it’s fine as long as the taste suits everyone,” he said.

Wei Jinyun nodded in greeting, took a few steps away, then turned back again.

She had intended to find time to discuss the boundary wall with the Zhang family, and now that Zhang Renbai had taken the initiative to speak with her, it was quite timely.

From what she overheard in chatter with Aunt Zhao next door, the Zhang family’s stationery shop had originally been run by Zhang Renbai’s parents. At present, Zhang’s father was visiting his maternal home for six months, so the shop was entrusted to Zhang Renbai’s care.

The government’s restrictions on merchants taking the imperial exams had gradually eased, allowing those with exceptional talent to participate. Zhang Renbai had studied for a few years; though still only a student and not yet a scholar, he was preparing for the exams while managing the shop.

“I’ve already finished eating,” Zhang Renbai said as Wei Jinyun returned near him, a small smile tugging at his lips. He praised again, “The pastries are crisp and fragrant, especially with a pot of orchid tea—it’s truly delightful.”

“No need to be so polite. If you like them, I’ll have my two younger sisters send you more in the future,” Wei Jinyun replied, then shifted her tone, “Young Master Zhang, you must have noticed that recently we’ve been tidying up our shop. There’s something I’ve been thinking over, unsure whether to mention...”

A trace of sincere concern appeared in her brows.

Seeing her serious expression, Zhang Renbai grew a bit uneasy. “Of course you may speak, Lady Wei.”

Lowering her voice, she spoke with just the right mix of care and worry, “We hired two bricklayers to repair the backyard and prepare for a pastry shop. While fixing the shared wall between our shops, the two masters discovered... alas, this section of the wall is quite old. Several cracks have formed between the bricks—some wide enough to fit a finger!”

She watched Zhang Renbai’s face closely and continued, “If it were just cracks, patching them would be fine. But the masters, with their experience, say the wall’s foundation looks tilted and loose. This isn’t a small matter. If a strong wind or heavy rain hits, the wall could collapse. If it falls into your courtyard or injures someone, what then?”

“Is that so?” Zhang Renbai was shocked. He rarely visited his parents’ shop, spending most of his time studying at the academy. Even when he did come by, he wouldn’t be inspecting cracks in the wall, especially since the adjoining shop had been vacant for decades.

His parents were elderly, and seeing the well-behaved girl who had brought him lotus flower pastries yesterday, he worried: if the wall really collapsed with them nearby—one cannot live life relying solely on luck.

A scholar unversed in masonry, Zhang Renbai echoed her concern, “What... what should we do then?”

Wei Jinyun noticed his earnest worry and concern for the wall, and that he showed no embarrassment or unease when she mentioned their wall encroaching on her property. That made her task easier.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Zhang!” she said, tucking a stray lock behind her ear and raising her voice slightly, full of concern. “Since this wall belongs to both our families, the risk concerns us both. The two masons—Xiao Zhang and Er Niu—are skilled and dependable. They’re working at my place now; the tools and bricks are ready. If you trust them, might they inspect the wall on your side while they’re at it? If the cracks are minor, they could reinforce and repair it immediately, saving time and effort. What do you think?”

“It’s... quite embarrassing,” Zhang Renbai said, somewhat overwhelmed.

“We’re neighbors; there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Wei Jinyun replied with a respectful smile. “Once my shop opens, I’ll need to rely on neighbors for help anyway.”

Hearing this, Zhang Renbai admired the cleverness of the young lady before him. Not only was she managing her shop’s renovation alone, but she had also considered this shared wall issue long ago. Now, by asking him, she was clearly seeking his consent.

Indeed, she was a fine young lady.

“Then, Lady Wei, thank you and the two masters for your trouble,” Zhang Renbai said eagerly, gratitude shining in his voice. “I will bring the masters over at once.”

Before long, Wei Jinyun and Zhang Renbai stood beneath the wall in his backyard.

While Zhang Renbai bent down to inspect the wall, Wei Jinyun blinked and exchanged glances with Xiao Zhang and Er Niu.

Zhang Renbai studied the mottled wall carefully. As Lady Wei described, several wide, jagged cracks ran across it. Near the base, the bricks’ colors varied—some darkened as if soaked by rain, others crooked and irregular.

It was indeed a dangerously unstable wall.

“Young Master Zhang, please come here,” Xiao Zhang said seriously, his experience evident. He led Zhang Renbai to his section of the wall.

Tapping different bricks with the handle of his trowel, the sounds varied—from dull thuds to hollow echoes.

“Listen carefully—some parts sound hollow.”

Squatting, he pointed to a prominent crack near the wall’s base that bulged outward. “See this crack? Narrow at the top, wide below—that means the foundation is unstable and bulging out. This is a grave danger!”

He carefully dug down along the base, revealing deeper soil beneath.

“How perilous! The sound truly differs,” Zhang Renbai said, astonished. Squinting, he observed some bending in the wall. “This wall is indeed crooked!”

Wei Jinyun stood nearby, savoring the orchid tea Zhang Renbai had politely brewed for her.

Reclaiming her property, old bricks mixed with new—how could the sounds be the same? Trying to encroach more land, the wall naturally twisted and warped.

The orchid tea at June’s end was indeed fragrant.

Wei Jinyun took a long sip.

“Ah!” Xiao Zhang suddenly exclaimed, as if uncovering something alarming, causing Zhang Renbai’s heart to leap.

“What’s wrong, Brother Xiao Zhang?”

Following the trowel’s tip, Zhang Renbai saw blackened, rotted wood chips and brick fragments in the exposed area.

“Look, Young Master Zhang! The earth beneath the wall’s base is completely rotten. It’s holding up only by loose soil—no wonder it’s tilting. This can’t be fixed by just patching cracks.”

He sighed heavily, shaking his head gravely.

“Oh dear!” Er Niu stepped forward, pressing the soil near the base with his foot, frowning deeply. “Brother Zhang is right. The soil beneath is soft rotten mud soaked by water. The foundation is unstable, the roots damaged. Repairing only the surface is useless. If a storm strikes, it will definitely collapse!”

Zhang Renbai, unfamiliar with such craft, found the masters’ words entirely reasonable and convincing. Watching the wall, he saw it lean more and more, as if on the verge of instant collapse.

He glanced at Wei Jinyun, who was sipping tea, then turned to the two masons, asking, “What do you think should be done?”

Xiao Zhang stood up, dusted the soil from his hands, and gestured meaningfully. “Young Master Zhang, to ensure lasting safety, this crooked, unstable section must be completely dismantled, including the rotten foundation. Then, a new foundation must be laid solidly before rebuilding the wall.”

Er Niu pointed to the stone at the junction of the two walls. “See this old foundation? Solid and stable. If you rebuild along it—laying a proper base and bricks—it’ll last for decades without trouble.”

That stone should have marked the boundary between Wei Jinyun’s and Zhang’s shops. Originally, it belonged entirely to her property, but now Zhang’s family had taken over most of it, leaving only a small edge visible on her side.

Since the land was encroached, it was no surprise that the wall was uneven, poorly built, and filled with rotten wood and brick debris.

Zhang Renbai stared at the perilous, crumbling wall before him, a scholar clueless about construction but convinced by the masters’ sound advice.

If the wall was to be repaired, it must be done firmly and safely, following the most reliable standards.

“The masters speak wisely!” Zhang Renbai nodded repeatedly after a moment’s thought. “Let it be as you say. If the masters could rebuild the wall sturdily, I will cover the cost of materials and labor if needed.”

“Please don’t trouble yourself, Young Master Zhang,” Wei Jinyun smiled lightly, setting down her cup. “This is my family’s project.”

“Rest assured, Young Master Zhang.” Xiao Zhang pounded his chest, his voice loud and hearty. “Your wall’s safety is also our Lady Wei’s concern. She told us early on that neighbors should help each other. We’re quick with our hands, and the bricks are ready. We’ll fix your wall properly and firmly. Just watch!”

Hearing this, Zhang Renbai was nearly moved to tears, grateful beyond words.

The cleverness of Lady Wei, standing before him now, grew even taller in his heart.

“In that case, Renbai offers my family’s thanks to Lady Wei and the two masters for their hard work. If you ever need help, Lady Wei, I will do my utmost,” he said hurriedly, lifting the pot of orchid tea to pour for them. “Please, have some tea.”

Wei Jinyun drank two bowls, feeling refreshed. “I have other matters, so I won’t stay long at your shop today, Young Master Zhang.”

“Are you going shopping again, Lady Wei?”

“Hmm, just feeling cheerful.”

Without turning, she laughed brightly, “I’ll also have the two masters cut two pounds of pork belly and get half a pound of Fenjiu!”

Zhang Renbai watched her retreating figure, unable to hide his smile.

“Brother Renbai, is it still this hot today?” Brother Meng passed by, holding a bowl.

“Ahem.”

Zhang Renbai choked on his tea, his face reddening even more.