He didn’t have any particular urge to go back into the mountains; he just wanted to earn money to support the family.
Lu Liu had long said he wanted to earn plenty so Li Feng wouldn’t have to risk himself in the mountains anymore.
Lowering his gaze, he glanced toward the mountains and recalled something.
Not long after the New Year, when he was just learning to be a steward, aside from his mother’s guidance, Da Feng had also taught him many things.
A leader had to ensure people were fed, earned money, and had enough to spend.
The brothers who regularly teamed up with Li Feng had risked their lives with him countless times—nearly giving their all in the mountains. Over the years, they had gained standing in the village and saved up some wealth.
Once married, it was time to work hard for real. But despite having goals and ambition, Li Feng hadn’t moved much lately.
Lu Liu thought about it. By that standard, doing other work was fine.
Other work could still earn money, feed everyone, and be safer, leaving room to enjoy life.
Da Feng had mentioned inviting the brothers to a Dragon Boat Festival feast—probably for this reason.
Lu Liu pondered for a long time, finally understanding, and felt at ease.
That afternoon, when Li Feng returned, Lu Liu asked about the county and learned that his older brother and brother-in-law hadn’t come back yet. Disappointed, he worried, “Why are they gone so long?”
They had originally planned to return in a little over half a month; now it had almost been a month.
Li Feng explained, “They’re probably meeting merchants to buy mushrooms, discussing business, and visiting households. Delays happen, and the journey is long. They won’t handle other matters until after exams. Once exams are over, Lu Yang still needs medical attention—so it all takes time.”
Li Feng washed his hands, wiped his face, and updated Lu Liu about the shop.
“I brought some bamboo leaves over. Lu Lin couldn’t decide whether to make zongzi to sell, so I helped decide. Making a few zongzi is easy; they don’t need to make many in a day. Just stuff some, steam them, and that’s enough. No extra work. During the festival, it’s just to add a bit of festivity.
“He was fine with making a small batch. The remaining leaves he decided to sell—twenty leaves for two wen. Customers could get a leaf as a gift with every wen they spent. During festival days, it brings some good luck. The leaves are cheap; I set a low price. He’ll keep the account, and when Lu Yang returns, we’ll settle the money.”
Between the two families, business was business, personal matters were personal. Li Feng always made clear which goods were for Lu Yang and Xie Yan, and which were for sale. There were no disputes.
Even cheap goods cost money—that’s business. Lu Yang’s shop was thriving, Xie Yan’s books sold well; if their own family lagged behind, there was no need to be overly generous.
After explaining all this, Lu Liu didn’t comment, only muttering, “Lin Gege is already good at business—what about me?”
By the mountains, bamboo leaves were easy to gather, so no need to send gifts.
But he still hesitated over what to give. In the village, with limited people and goods, monthly earnings were only a few hundred wen; even a small gift could quickly eat into that.
After thinking, he told Li Feng, “From tomorrow, I’ll compliment everyone I meet. I can give praise freely, without spending money.”
He would reflect and strive to become the person he wanted to be, remembering how his brother would first observe people before speaking or acting. He had been practicing this lately.
After speaking with Li Feng, he stepped out. Someone came to buy soy sauce, and he said offhand, “Auntie, is that a new dress? It looks bright and suits you perfectly!”
It was just a dress he hadn’t seen in a few days.
The auntie smiled broadly: “Not new—just last year’s! But now it’s warm, so I took it out to wear.”
Lu Liu continued, “I see it has no wrinkles, looks fresh, and the color is bright. I thought it was new!”
She laughed and taught him, “Take a kettle, pour hot water, and iron it on the table—any wrinkles will vanish!”
Lu Liu had never known that and immediately said he’d learned it.
Li Feng, watching him go complimenting people, leaned against the door, unable to hide his smile.
Lu Liu had more to say, and that night, they waited for hot water, peeling peanuts together in the little shop by lamplight.
He told Li Feng, “San Miao, Wang Meng, Er Jun, and Si Hou went into the mountains at noon. They said they were checking San Miao’s hunting grounds for good finds.”
Li Feng nodded: “Normal. Which hunter can idle? Look at the farmers in the new village—they’re never free; money doesn’t grow on trees.”
Lu Liu looked at him, wanting an honest answer: “Da Feng, do you want to go to the mountains?”
Truthfully, Li Feng did.
For the past seven or eight years, he’d lived off hunting and spent much time in the forests. Now, enjoying warm beds and good meals, he felt restless and wanted some activity.
But as a man responsible for his family, he wouldn’t be selfish.
The money earned from business or hunting was money—it was worth taking the safer path.
He told Lu Liu, “Soon I may go back to the mountains. After Dragon Boat Festival, when your brother returns, I’ll check how his mushroom business goes. Then I’ll take them to the deep hunting grounds I marked. They can choose to hunt or gather mushrooms and herbs. I also found some wild ginseng—worth counting by age. I didn’t dig them then, but we’ll collect them next time. One for your brother’s health, one to keep at home, the rest to sell.”
The mountains were vast; hunting grounds were never small. Everyone’s knowledge varied depending on courage.
As the leader, wherever Li Feng went, others had to follow. Previously, when he was single, he accompanied teams of three up the mountains without breaks.
When he wasn’t there, the brothers didn’t wander freely, prioritizing safety.
A leader needed to explore the hunting grounds, familiarize himself with the terrain, and ensure everyone’s safety. Sometimes he’d stay months in the mountains, slowly moving around.
Others lacked that courage; with him scouting, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
Since he couldn’t go often, he needed to give the brothers a plan.
Recently, San Miao and Da Qiang had spent time together, and he and Wang Meng had hunted wild pigs with Da Qiang. Da Qiang wasn’t much of a talker but was skilled at hunting. They’d form a group of five in the deep mountains for safety.
After getting used to the area, teams of three could rotate like before, with Wang Meng leading.
Lu Liu saw he had a plan and felt reassured. He hesitated slightly about Wang Meng leading: “Will Jiug’er mind?”
Li Feng didn’t know.
“A hunter having a good hunting ground is a blessing. Before Jiug’er married, my mother told him clearly. If he complains, there’s nothing I can do.”
Li Feng finished the peanuts, told Lu Liu to stop, and they tidied up the baskets, put out the lights, locked up, and washed up.
Before bed, the couple studied literacy, amusing Zhuang Zhuang to create a love-for-books atmosphere. By the time they lay down, both were exhausted, speaking with eyes closed, voices tired and lazy.
Li Feng said, “Don’t worry. Your brother’s business is doing well, so the village needs more hands. If they want a quiet life, they can help.”
At the start, profits wouldn’t be high—it was about enduring and persevering.
Lu Liu snuggled against him and added a few reassuring words.
Though fragmentary, Li Feng understood, kissed his forehead, and they fell asleep together.
On the third day of the fifth lunar month, Lu Yang and Xie Yan returned to Sanshui County.
Wu Pingzhi’s carriage dropped them at the shop. They agreed to meet again during Dragon Boat Festival. Wu Pingzhi also ordered ten baskets of steamed buns to pick up the next day.
