The next morning, as it had every year, the academy held its opening ceremony.
Near noon, Huo Yuhao quietly slipped out of the auditorium and headed for the academy gates.
He hadn't gone far when a clear voice rang out.
"Yuhao, where are you going?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at the little girl who had been secretly following him for some time and sighed helplessly.
"I'm going to sell grilled fish to earn some spending money."
"Great! I'm coming too!"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she looked at Huo Yuhao expectantly.
He just didn't know whether she was coming to help sell the fish or eat it.
In a hurry, Huo Yuhao didn't refuse. He kept walking without slowing down.
"Then you'll have to help. I'll pay you."
When Xiao Wu heard she could get grilled fish and earn money, she cheered.
"What are we waiting for? Come on, I can't wait!"
As she spoke, she grabbed Huo Yuhao's arm and tugged him quickly toward the exit.
Once they were outside the academy, the two split up their tasks. Huo Yuhao gave Xiao Wu some money to buy a grill and iron stand at a blacksmith shop in town, while he went to find a fishmonger.
"Boss, how much for the grass carp?"
"Buying fish, little fellow? Two copper coins apiece. They were all caught this morning. Take a look—they're very fresh."
Huo Yuhao nodded. The price wasn't high. "Then I'll take thirty. Could you clean them for me too?"
Seeing he had a big customer, the boss beamed and even gave Huo Yuhao a discount.
"Five silver coins will do."
After swiftly killing the fish and cleaning out their innards, the boss threaded them onto thatch grass and looked at Huo Yuhao in puzzlement.
"Young man, how are you going to carry all these fish?"
Huo Yuhao slapped his forehead. "Looks like I need to make a Storage Soul Tool as soon as possible. Otherwise, it'll be a real hassle whenever I have a lot of things."
Just as he stood in front of the stall, at a loss for what to do, he turned and saw Xiao Wu approaching, looking around as if searching for him. She was pushing a grill that came up to half a man's height.
Huo Yuyao quickly waved to get Xiao Wu's attention.
When she spotted Huo Yuhao, a smile blossomed across her face, and she quickened her pace, pushing the grill toward him.
"Yuhao, you have no idea. The uncle at the blacksmith shop said I was pretty, gave me a discount, and even threw in a lot of charcoal."
Before she'd even reached them, Xiao Wu was already proudly recounting what had happened.
She looked at Huo Yuhao expectantly, her lips pursed in a little pout. Her meaning was obvious: Hurry up and praise me!
Huo Yuhao found her coquettish look amusing.
"Good thing you came along. I couldn't have carried all these fish by myself. I'll give you the first grilled fish."
"Hmph. Then I want two!"
With Xiao Wu's help, the two carried the fish and pushed the grill along the street.
Huo Yuhao looked around for a good spot to set up shop, while Xiao Wu found everything fascinating, gazing this way and that.
"This spot will do."
Huo Yuhao found a place he liked and stopped with Xiao Wu.
He set up the grill, mixed the seasonings he'd brought with the perilla, stuffed the mixture into the fish bellies, and skewered them with bamboo sticks.
The grill wasn't very big, so it could cook four fish at a time. He lit the fire with practiced ease, set the fish on the grill, and got to work.
He expertly watched the heat, turning the fish again and again. Before long, a rich aroma wafted through the air, drawing curious glances from passersby and vendors.
Seeing everyone turn to look, Xiao Wu called out loudly.
"Grilled fish for sale! Delicious grilled fish! So good you'll swallow your tongue!"
Before long, a man in rather splendid clothes came to the stall.
"Little fellow, how much for the grilled fish?"
"Ten copper coins each, sir. Would you like to try one?"
"It smells pretty good. I'll have two to try." The man nodded with a smile and handed over two silver coins.
After gesturing for Xiao Wu to take the money, Huo Yuhao looked up at the man with a smile. "They'll be ready soon."
Before long, the four fish were done. Huo Yuhao handed one each to Xiao Wu and the man, while the passersby nearby turned their attention to the man.
The golden-brown grilled fish were dotted with red seasoning, and their fragrance was irresistible.
The man hesitated for a moment, then took a bite. The crispy skin crackled, followed by tender fish flesh. The distinctive aroma of perilla lingered in his mouth.
The man's eyes widened. Too busy to speak, he began wolfing the fish down. With his other hand, he held up two fingers to Huo Yuhao, asking for two more!
The onlookers crowded around too. "Young man, I want two!" "I'll take one!" "Give me four!"
"Everyone, don't rush. I've only got twenty-six left, so please line up in order."
Huo Yuhao answered with a smile and gave Xiao Wu, who was devouring her fish, a meaningful glance.
Xiao Wu understood. Though her mouth never stopped eating, she was very quick to collect the money.
The grilled fish were selling like hotcakes. In the blink of an eye, Huo Yuhao was grilling the last two, and the customers began bidding against each other.
"I'll pay four silver coins apiece!"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened. Was there really someone foolish enough to offer that much? She looked at Huo Yuhao for help.
Huo Yuhao shook his head. He wasn't going to drive up the price out of malice. The customer who was next in line was so touched that he insisted on paying double for the last two grilled fish.
"Young man, you're so young, yet you know to keep your word. You've earned this. Take it. I'll be back tomorrow!"
Huo Yuhao tried to refuse, but in the end, he thanked the man and accepted.
"Time to pack up!"
Xiao Wu waved her arms happily, celebrating their big sales that day. Huo Yuhao was smiling too.
They'd sold so well on the first day. It looked like he could bring more fish next time.
"Yuhao, this is what we earned today. Look! A whole three Gold Soul Coins!"
Xiao Wu was thrilled to see so much money for the first time. She spread her hands to show him their earnings, then pushed the money toward him, gesturing for him to take it.
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. He took all the loose change and some of the silver coins, leaving ten Silver Soul Coins resting quietly in Xiao Wu's hand.
"Here, this is for you. You worked hard today."
"Huh? This much? I only called out a couple of times. I didn't really do much."
Thanks to Wang Sheng's guidance, Xiao Wu now understood the value of money. She knew that what she held in her hand amounted to two or three months' income for an ordinary family.
Huo Yuhao pushed her hand back toward her and looked up at Xiao Wu, his gaze clear and open.
"I couldn't have sold so many fish without you today. Besides, the blacksmith shop gave us a discount because of you. You've earned this."
"I'll need your help again next time I sell grilled fish. And of course, you can have all the grilled fish you want. Haha."
After he finished speaking, Huo Yuhao lowered his head and continued packing up the grill.
Xiao Wu stared at Huo Yuhao, momentarily dazed.
She tightened her grip on the silver coins.
"Okay."
It was still afternoon. After leaving the grill at the blacksmith shop, Huo Yuhao took Xiao Wu for a stroll.
As he watched Xiao Wu walk ahead, holding his hand and looking around curiously, a faint smile appeared on Huo Yuhao's face.
Whether in his previous life or this one, Xiao Wu had always treated him with kindness. Her innocent, playful nature had brought Huo Yuhao plenty of smiles in the Divine Realm in his previous life.
"Huh?"
"Boss, how much for this stone?"
Huo Yuhao picked up a blue stone about the size of his little finger. There was another one of the same size beside it.
"I just thought those two stones looked nice, so I put them out to see if anyone liked them. You can have them for one silver coin."
Huo Yuhao nodded, paid two silver coins, and tucked the two little stones away.
"Yuhao, why'd you buy these useless rocks? They're pretty, I guess, but..."
Huo Yuhao blinked and said nothing to explain. "Let's go buy some more materials. I'll make you a present."