Before Lin Yang left home, the postpartum nanny (or "yuesao") arrived.
Hearing a knock at the door, Lin Yang guessed who it was and opened it immediately. Standing outside was a graceful woman in her late thirties to early forties.
"Are you Mr. Lin? I'm the nanny you hired. You can call me Aunt Lan," she introduced herself politely with a slight bow.
Aunt Lan had been curious about this job. The request explicitly mentioned that cooking wouldn't be necessary, yet the payment was the same as usual. This was the first time she'd encountered such a peculiar arrangement.
As she saw Lin Yang, a young and energetic man, she was a bit surprised but kept her thoughts to herself, maintaining her professionalism.
"Yes, just in time," Lin Yang said with a smile. "I'm heading out to buy groceries. You can take care of the babies and my wife while familiarizing yourself with the place. Thanks in advance."
"It's no trouble at all; this is what I'm here for. Take your time," Aunt Lan replied warmly, nodding. She found herself appreciating Lin Yang's polite and approachable demeanor.
Before leaving, Lin Yang ensured he wasn't leaving anything to chance. He had noticed earlier that the living room and the nursery were equipped with surveillance cameras. This setup allowed him to monitor the nanny's actions remotely, which eased his concerns.
Lin Yang opted to go to the nearby wet market instead of the downstairs supermarket for fresher produce, even though it was a bit farther away—a one-kilometer walk.
The wet market bustled with life, filled with various stalls showcasing an array of fresh vegetables. Vendors shouted their prices while customers bargained loudly. Lin Yang immersed himself in the lively atmosphere and headed straight to a butcher's stall.
"Boss, how much are the pig trotters?" he asked, pointing at the neatly arranged cuts.
"Front trotters are 22 yuan per pound, rear trotters are 20. How many do you want?" the butcher replied enthusiastically.
"Two front trotters, please. Any chance of a discount?" Lin Yang grinned. "My wife just gave birth, and I'll be a regular customer."
The butcher chuckled, appreciating Lin Yang's bargaining skills. "Young man, this is already a small-margin business. How about 42 yuan for the pair? And I'll make sure to give you the bigger ones."
"How about we make it an even 40 yuan? I'll keep coming back for more," Lin Yang countered with a playful smile.
After a moment's hesitation, the butcher sighed and agreed. "Fine, 40 it is. But don't tell anyone, alright? You owe me your loyalty!"
"Thank you, boss!" Lin Yang happily paid and carried his purchase.
Next, he visited a fishmonger.
"How much for the sea bass?" Lin Yang asked, pointing at a tank of lively fish.
"Sea bass is 25 yuan per pound. Freshwater bass is 21 per pound. Want me to get one for you?"
"How about 22 for the sea bass? Give me a big one," Lin Yang proposed.
The fishmonger shook his head. "Young man, I'm barely making a profit as it is—23 yuan is my cost price. Let's settle at 24."
Lin Yang understood the situation. The price of 23 yuan seemed fair. "Alright, let's do 23. I just moved into the area, so I'll be a regular here."
"Deal!" The fishmonger quickly caught a lively sea bass. "Want me to clean and prepare it for you?"
"No need. I'll handle it myself," Lin Yang replied, waving him off.
The fishmonger was slightly taken aback. "Cleaning a fish is tricky. Are you sure you can manage?"
Lin Yang nodded firmly, paying for the fish before heading to buy some red beans and peanuts. Satisfied with his haul, he made his way back home.
Upon returning, Aunt Lan had just finished changing the babies' diapers. Meanwhile, Shu Mengyao, sitting on the bed, looked visibly hungry but too shy to express it.
"Mengyao, I'm back!" Lin Yang placed the groceries in the kitchen and went to check on the babies before heading to the master bedroom.
"Not too hungry. I've been waiting for you," Shu Mengyao said softly, though her growling stomach betrayed her words. Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
Lin Yang chuckled, trying not to tease her further. "Just wait a bit longer. I'll have dinner ready soon."
Before heading to the kitchen, Lin Yang ruffled Shu Mengyao's hair gently. Her soft, silky hair reminded him of petting a kitten. The sensation was so pleasant he found himself wanting to do it more often.
In the kitchen, Aunt Lan approached Lin Yang.
"Mr. Lin, do you need help? The babies are asleep, so I have some free time," she offered.
"No need, Aunt Lan. I'll handle it. I need to start by cleaning this fish," Lin Yang replied, pulling out the lively sea bass.
Aunt Lan was taken aback. "You know the fishmonger can clean it for you, right? It'll save you the trouble."
Lin Yang shook his head, explaining, "Many vendors swap fresh fish with pre-cleaned ones that aren't as fresh. Since this is for postpartum recovery meals, I can't take that risk."
Aunt Lan was impressed by Lin Yang's meticulousness. Though young, he clearly knew how to manage a household well.