Lu Liu saw them and waved excitedly. “Brother!”
Then he called out “Da Feng,” acknowledging Xie Yan, and added, “Brother-in-law!”
When the carriage stopped outside the yard, Lu Liu immediately linked arms with Lu Yang and introduced him to Yao Fulang. “This is my brother!”
He turned to Lu Yang and said, “This is Brother An. He often comes to play with me and takes good care of me. And now he’s expecting too!”
Yao Fulang looked at their faces, muttering under his breath, “Oh my goodness…”
They really did look alike.
When he glanced at Xie Yan, his expression froze for a brief moment. He thought he recognized him from the county, and remembered Xie Yan had even come to the village before. He had assumed Xie Yan was just a past romance of Lu Liu’s.
Lu Yang noticed the flicker of surprise in his eyes and smiled. “Do we really look that similar? Back then, even our own father couldn’t tell us apart. We had to speak up before he knew which was which.”
After the family swap, Lu Yang had indeed spent a few days living right under their father’s nose. He hadn’t tried to hide himself, and the two fathers had been slightly puzzled, assuming he had just figured things out before the marriage—no real suspicion arose.
Yao Fulang’s expression brightened with realization. Ah, so he had misidentified Lu Liu’s husband before. He had just come for a bit of social pleasantry and planned to leave soon.
But as his eyes fell on the full carriage of goods, he couldn’t help but be surprised again.
Lu Yang had prepared plenty for the long mountain journey. Knowing the area was rich in mountain delicacies, he had taken extra sweets for Lu Liu—five packages, totaling five pounds. Over ten months of pregnancy, that was about a pound every two months.
Then there were the scraps of cloth. They could be made into little patchwork clothes and quilts for the baby. But his own younger brother had few clothes to wear. He knew exactly what dowries the Chen family brought. Once winter passed, a new year would start. He hadn’t brought silk or fine fabric, only ordinary cotton cloth—three colors, one bolt each. Enough to make clothes for all seasons. He also brought a whole bag of cotton.
Since the baby would be born in winter, with the mountain cold at the foot of the hill, he prepared small cotton jackets and thick quilts.
There were also long-lasting treats: three pounds of twisted fried dough from the teahouse, and two pounds of fried tofu and three pounds of fried meatballs, remembering that Lu Liu loved them but usually refrained due to oil.
He even packed some sour and spicy foods, knowing pregnancy cravings could change. No need to run back and forth to the county.
All in all, it was food and clothing.
Plus, he had Xie Yan prepare the standard stationery, an abacus, and account books. On the way, he saw someone selling rattles and bought one. Even though the baby wasn’t born yet, Lu Liu could play with it.
The weight of all the gifts made Li Feng’s arms ache.
Xie Yan helped him carry them, being considerate. “When Yang-ge’er and I have a baby, you’ll need to prepare something just as grand. That deer-sinew slingshot—I think it’s perfect.”
Li Feng agreed.
Lu Liu looked at the gifts, tears welling in his eyes, feeling both touched and guilty. “Brother, how did you buy so much stuff? How long did it take to earn this?”
Lu Yang shook his head. “Don’t worry. If you have money, splurge a little. If not, be careful. Just eat well and take care of yourself. Don’t cry. I’ve told the Li family: if you’re not treated well, I’ll bring you to the county.”
Wanting to go to the county meant more tears; not wanting to go meant holding them back.
Lu Liu wiped his eyes. Lu Yang teased, “Wow, you really don’t want to leave me?”
The tears streamed anyway.
Lu Yang wiped his eyes and handed him a soft handkerchief—fine cloth, gentle for wiping away tears.
He added, “I’ve checked—baby diapers can be made from old clothes. Wash them well, they’ll be softer than new cloth. You can turn the old dowry clothes into diapers, and make a few new outfits for the baby when you have time.”
Lu Liu suggested, “Why not return two bolts of cloth? Da Feng also bought me some for clothes.”
Lu Yang shook his head. “That’s his part, this is mine. Today you wear the cloth he bought, tomorrow you wear mine.”
At home, they first greeted the elders.
While unloading, the two chatted briefly, then Lu Yang went to see Chen Guizhi. Not being the child’s parent, he didn’t have to live under her scrutiny, so they could get along nicely.
He spoke sweetly: “Auntie, I’ve been wanting to visit. The fur vest you sent last year—I’ve been wearing it all the time. Warm and snug. I wore it through early spring, and now that the weather’s better, I’ve taken it off. I’ll keep it for next year!”
Li Feng’s generosity made Chen Guizhi’s eyes flicker in surprise. One vest was nothing—he even had more hides soaking at home. She offered, “If you like, I can make two more for you.”
With such a grand gesture, there was no need to refuse.
Lu Yang, out of fondness, added with a grin, “Make them for my top scholar. He’s a reader; he’ll sit for hours. Warmth helps him hold his pen better.”
Chen Guizhi smiled at the nickname.
The table had already been prepared. With ingredients prepped ahead, both pots were on the fire. Shun-ge’er was called to help stir. Eight dishes in total. The table was set in the main hall, the wine poured, dishes served, with dumplings going in last.
Lu Yang behaved as a guest, not overstepping. He was here to see his brother; Lu Liu could sit with him.
They first ate, then planned to tour the house and the village.
The spread impressed Lu Yang. Thoughtful, balanced, not showy. Mountain delicacies paired with home cooking—a perfect mix. Only one hearty dish was enough for such close relations.
Cold tofu for a starter? Genius. Usually fried or stewed, rarely as a cold dish—he loved it.
Li Feng was recovering from illness; Lu Liu was pregnant. No one could drink. Shun-ge’er was young, and Chen Guizhi couldn’t join either.
First round, each had a small cup of wine for the ritual. Afterward, they just had soup or tea.
For proper drinking, only Li Feng and Xie Yan drank.
Their family used bamboo cups; Li Feng normally drank from bowls, but for guests, he used the bamboo cups. One big pour.
Lu Yang reminded Xie Yan, “Don’t overdo it. We have to head back to the county tonight.”
This gave Xie Yan an excuse not to compete with Li Feng over alcohol. He grinned. “My husband cares about me, hehe.”
Li Feng: “…Here we go again?”
Meanwhile, Lu Liu served Lu Yang a bowl of snake soup. They’d removed the skin, so it looked harmless.
He’d never eaten it before; he loved it instantly. He figured his brother hadn’t tried it either, so he served a bowl.
Lu Yang enjoyed it, exchanging a knowing glance.
Lu Liu scurried to refill dishes, busying himself with the table.
Lu Yang almost laughed—his little brother was too earnest.
While chatting, Lu Yang asked how long Lu Liu had been pregnant and when they discovered it. Lu Liu hesitated—this wasn’t a dining-table topic.
Li Feng, meanwhile, asked quickly: “Do you still have dogs? Sanmiao should have pups in May. By July or August, when they’re bigger, I can send some over.”
Lu Yang still wanted dogs, and now that he felt more relaxed, he was even more eager.
