“Yes, young master.” Edward Stone and the others responded and led the Night-Shining Jade Lion away, heading back to the residence first.

Ryan Thompson entered a shop and had just sat down when Waiter greeted him respectfully and enthusiastically.

“Isn’t this the young master? How come you have time to eat here today?” Waiter immediately recognized Ryan Thompson and hurried over to welcome him.

“Just passing by, feeling a bit hungry.” Ryan Thompson smiled. “What good food do you have today?”

“You flatter us, young master. Our humble shop doesn’t have anything special, just some fresh soy milk and some hot steamed buns straight from the basket.” Waiter replied with a smile.

Ryan Thompson said, “Then bring me three bowls of soy milk and ten buns to start.”

“Alright, young master, please wait a moment.” Waiter quickly went off to get things ready.

“Oh, isn’t this the young master? Any work available at the residence? Spare a job for me, will you?” A passing loafer saw Ryan Thompson and grinned as he spoke.

Ryan Thompson said, “How about being an escort? I guarantee you’ll earn enough for a house in a year, and marry a maiden in two.”

The loafer replied, “I wouldn’t dare take on such a risky job, young master. I can’t earn that kind of money. Isn’t there any other work?”

“No other work. And even if there was, I wouldn’t hire a coward like you. Get lost, get lost. Next time you see me, don’t say you know me—embarrassing.” Ryan Thompson scolded with a laugh.

The loafer chuckled and wandered off.

“Good day, young master.” A young woman buying buns passed by and greeted Ryan Thompson.

“These days haven’t been so good. Sister, just give me a smile and that’ll make it better.” Ryan Thompson said.

The young woman wasn’t offended by the teasing and giggled, “Alright, if you give me a jade lock, I’ll smile as much as you want. If you don’t have a jade one, a gold one will do.”

“Sister, your hair is already up, and you’re still thinking about my jade lock, gold lock? If you wait a few more years for me, maybe I could give you a silver one.” Ryan Thompson spread his hands and smiled helplessly.

The young woman blushed slightly and said, “Can’t wait, can’t wait. If I wait any longer, I won’t be able to get married. Young master, keep your silver and gold locks for other girls. I won’t think about them anymore.”

With that, she paid, took her buns, and left.

Ryan Thompson sighed a little, “Time really flies. Those little girls in the county who used to pester me to buy them candied hawthorn are all married now.”

“That’s because you never agreed, young master. If you had, wouldn’t all those girls have followed you loyally?” Waiter grinned as he brought over the soy milk and buns, then lowered his voice, “These buns are beef-filled, a special treat from the boss for you, young master.”

“Where did the beef come from? Did a cow from a nearby village fall and die?” Ryan Thompson asked.

The imperial rules forbid slaughtering cattle, since they’re needed for farming. So, beef could only be eaten if the cow died from an accident, illness, or old age. Killing a cow privately was illegal, and even if it wasn’t, eating beef was considered wasteful—no family would willingly slaughter their cow.

Waiter said, “Heard from the butcher that a calf slipped in the pen and was accidentally trampled to death by its mother. The boss bought a few jin and made some beef buns to try something new. Since you’re here today, young master, the boss wanted to treat you.”

“In that case, I’ll try your beef buns.” Ryan Thompson smiled.

Just as he was about to eat, he heard begging behind him.

“Please, shopkeeper, have mercy. My family and children haven’t eaten for three days. We’re starving. Please spare a few buns.”

A tall but extremely thin man stood by the bun shop with a dark, skinny woman, both eyeing the steaming buns hungrily. Beside the woman was a little girl with yellowing hair and a sallow, thin face. The girl stared with big, bright eyes, biting her finger, longing for the food.

“Oh no, you’re here again. We’re just a small business, can’t afford to give handouts. Please go elsewhere.” Waiter said hurriedly.

“Sorry to bother you.” The thin man looked dejected and was about to leave with the woman and child.

“Wait.” At this moment, Ryan Thompson turned around and called out, “If you don’t mind, come eat here.”

“Thank you, young master, thank you so much.” The thin man said joyfully.

“No need to thank me, it’s just a meal.” Ryan Thompson smiled, then stood up and gave them his seat.

“Thank you, benefactor.” The woman was also deeply grateful.

This family was truly starving. After expressing their thanks, they immediately began to wolf down the food.

Ryan Thompson said, “You’ve been hungry for a long time. Eat fewer buns and drink more soy milk, so you don’t hurt your bodies. Waiter, bring more bowls of soy milk, put it on my tab.”

Soon, Waiter brought several more bowls of soy milk.

Chapter 9: Fox Spirit.

“You know, Waiter, it’s really something—these people haven’t eaten in days, and you couldn’t even spare a single bun.” Ryan Thompson said.

Waiter looked aggrieved, “Young master, you’re blaming me wrongly. The boss has already given handouts to many people these past few days, but there have just been too many coming lately. Our little shop really can’t afford it.”