He could talk a little with this man, mainly because the man could read and write, and he himself was learning as well. They could at least chat about studying and literacy.
Since they had their eye on him, they didn’t make a firm decision right away. No matter how glowing a matchmaker’s words were, it was better to investigate for themselves.
Chen Guizhi was experienced in these matters. She had arranged matches for her two sons before and had also played matchmaker for others. She knew perfectly well that during the formal meeting, people would put on an act. Only if the man didn’t change much in private after they left would she seriously consider him.
Lu Liu asked the Luo brothers to help keep an eye on the man—follow him around, see his daily routine, and observe what he actually did.
The man was patient. For the first three days, he stayed home, working diligently. Even when scolded, he never talked back. When he went out, it was only for household matters. He didn’t meet friends, didn’t linger to chat, always coming and going in a hurry.
But on the fourth day, he finally slipped out and went to the red-light district, seeking out his lover. There, he said many crude and unspeakable things.
He bragged that he could win over Shun-ge’er, saying that whether it was taking a husband into the family or marrying out, it all came down to getting them into bed first—once they had slept together, no one would disobey a man afterward.
When talking about how other men who married into families had hard lives, he sounded smug, saying he had good judgment and knew how to choose. He praised the Li family’s respectable background, even lamenting that they weren’t just a widow and orphan—otherwise he could have swallowed up the entire household.
That infuriated them. That very day, they rejected the proposal outright through the matchmaker.
During this period of matchmaking for Shun-ge’er, Hai Youtian had been coming to the house frequently, trying to ingratiate himself. He was perceptive, helping out with chores and arrangements. Seeing that things hadn’t worked out, he even sought out familiar matchmakers to make further introductions. The way people looked at him grew increasingly strange.
Hai Youtian knew he was still an outsider and couldn’t openly reveal his intentions, so he could only awkwardly explain, “I just get along well with Aunt Chen…”
But in truth, everyone knew he was here because of the matchmaking at the end of the year.
Chen Guizhi had agreed to help introduce him to a good family where he could marry in. Earlier, she had already given him a tentative answer—once Li Feng returned home, there would be news. After hearing that, Hai Youtian came to Sanshui Alley even more often, stopping by whenever he could, finding things to do in front of Chen Guizhi.
Shun-ge’er was looking to take in a husband, and Hai Youtian wanted to become one, yet at this point, he still hadn’t made the connection. Day after day, he smiled cheerfully, chatting with others and even offering suggestions.
Lu Liu muttered to Chen Guizhi, “Mother, do you think he’s pretending, or does he just not dare to think about it?”
Chen Guizhi: “…”
He’s a bit of a fool.
She said, “Both. Because he doesn’t dare to think about it, he finds things strange but doesn’t dare to think too deeply. Even when he notices something off, he pretends he hasn’t.”
What left both of them feeling helpless was that Shun-ge’er didn’t show much of a reaction either.
Not long ago, when he learned that his mother favored Hai Youtian, he had been evasive and uneasy around him. But now, after such a short time, he had already adjusted and could interact with him normally.
When he looked at Hai Youtian now, there was only speechlessness.
“I don’t think we have a chance,” he said. “I don’t feel anything, and he doesn’t have any thoughts either.”
After going through several matches and finding none suitable, he started to worry.
“What should we do?”
Chen Guizhi said, “We’ll wait until your elder brother comes back.”
Lu Liu nodded along, also feeling a bit troubled.
He thought it wouldn’t work either. When he had gone through matchmaking before, if he felt nothing, things never progressed. But when he met Li Feng at the market, he had felt something immediately. Li Feng seemed strong and reliable, spoke to him easily, and they could chat. He would even feel shy around him. Even with his eyes covered and only his flushed cheeks showing, it was obvious—he was bashful.
But between Shun-ge’er and Hai Youtian, there wasn’t even the slightest spark.
Now they could only wait for Li Feng to return.
After the Start of Winter, the weather changed. Following several intermittent light rains, light snow began to fall. On a clear day, Lu Liu and Shun-ge’er took the children out into the alley for some fresh air, helping them practice walking.
The two little ones had begun to learn. Xiaomai was steadier, taking things one step at a time. Even when adults let go, he didn’t panic, just swaying in place and remembering to hold onto the bamboo bed for support.
Zhuangzhuang, on the other hand, was impatient. Standing on the ground, he flailed his arms and kicked like he was still lying on the heated bed. His sense of balance was poor—once adults let go, his small body would wobble dangerously, and they had to catch him immediately or he would fall.
So Xiaomai progressed faster. By the time Xiaomai could stand on his own for a while and even wobble forward a couple of steps, Zhuangzhuang still only knew how to cry loudly in an adult’s arms.
That day, Zhuangzhuang started crying again, burying himself into Lu Liu’s neck and calling out “Daddy” over and over, melting Lu Liu’s heart.
Seeing this, Xiaomai also called out “Daddy.” The brothers were close—Zhuangzhuang clung to his older brother in a domineering way, while Xiaomai’s attachment was gentler, almost like a little act of willfulness. Often he would just stare longingly, and only after a while would a few tears fall. Most of the time, he simply gazed with big watery eyes, lips pressed together, looking both serious and stubbornly adorable.
Lu Liu carried Zhuangzhuang over to Xiaomai. Wrapped in thick cotton clothes, Xiaomai looked round and chubby, his arms stiff. He reached out several times before finally touching Zhuangzhuang. The two children, too young to remember anything, forgot their previous emotions as soon as they leaned against each other, breaking into smiles.
While standing in the alley, Lu Liu would habitually glance toward the entrance, hoping to see if Li Feng had returned.
Seeing him spacing out again, Shun-ge’er asked, “Sister-in-law, you’re still not used to it?”
Lu Liu withdrew his gaze and, after a moment, said, “I’m used to it. But I still miss him. And I’ve formed habits—I can’t just change them because he’s gone longer this time.”
He had learned to accept that Li Feng would be away from home for long periods. He no longer let himself be completely consumed by longing and worry. He had things to do—taking care of the household, managing the shop, studying. He had even written letters to Li Feng.
After speaking, he glanced toward the alley entrance again.
This time, he froze for a moment—then quickly broke into a bright smile and shouted, “Dafeng! You’re back!”
With that single call, the entire alley became lively.
To Lu Liu, everything suddenly felt more vibrant. Even the wind seemed cheerful. Maybe it was because people were talking, or maybe it was just his mood.
The household bustled into action, just like back at the mountain stronghold. Everyone gathered around Li Feng, tending to him first.
Lu Liu returned to the room with Li Feng and set the children on the heated bed.
By the time Li Feng took off his outer coat, Shun-ge’er had already brought in a basin of hot water for him to wash his face and hands.
The two little ones were slow to react. They stared at him for a long while before finally shouting “Daddy,” louder and more urgent each time, crawling toward the edge of the bed. Lu Liu hurried over to stop them.
They even tried to climb onto him, settling into comfortable positions so Lu Liu could carry them to their father.
Lu Liu turned back to him. “Dafeng, come quickly—they’ve missed you!”
Li Feng was covered in the wear of travel—dust, frost, and cold. Even after removing his coat, a chill still clung to him. He stepped closer, first speaking to them across Lu Liu, then finally reaching out to hold them.
He was tall, with long limbs. With one embrace, he gathered Lu Liu and both children into his arms—holding all three at once.
The bed was warm, his husband was smiling, and the children were calling “Daddy” in their soft voices. Li Feng felt his heart settle instantly.
Lu Liu said with a smile, “Dafeng, let me go—hold the two of them properly. Keep an eye on them while I go get things ready and help take care of you.”
After such a long journey, his legs must be swollen. Now that he was home, he could rest. Today he could finally soak in a bath. Lu Liu wanted to change his shoes first, let him soak his feet, then after dinner, he could bathe, change clothes, and sleep well.
But Li Feng didn’t let go. Instead, he used his grip to pull Lu Liu further onto the bed, sitting closer so the two of them pressed together.
Through the doors and windows, they could hear faint sounds outside—Erhuang had returned, barking loudly; people were dropping by; his mother was probably in the kitchen, her voice carrying loudly from afar.
Li Feng said, “It’s fine. Mother and Shun-ge’er are there. The kitchen’s small—it doesn’t need three people.”
Lu Liu said, “Then at least take off your boots? Change into something comfortable. I’ll bring you water to soak your feet, and later I’ll massage your shoulders and head.”
Li Feng refused for now. “Let’s not stink you all up.”
He hadn’t changed shoes during the journey. Winter wasn’t like summer—he couldn’t wear straw sandals, only boots. With rain and snow turning the ground to mud, his socks and shoes had been wet and dry over and over again. The smell wouldn’t be pleasant.
