The little shop was crowded, and Lu Liu’s big belly made it inconvenient for him to go over there.
He sat inside for a while, hearing the noise outside, feeling a bit disappointed.
Li Feng had bought back the woodblocks, which were still in the room. Seeing how many there were—piled in a basket and heavy—Lu Liu didn’t move them. He took a sheet of paper on the table and brought over a paper cutter to trim it.
Chen Guizhi brought him some steamed egg custard, sat with him, and chatted for a bit.
She said, “Once the drying yard is finished, Shun Ge’er and I will have our hands free. Then we can make some little clothes and shoes for the children together.”
Since Lu Liu became pregnant, most of the needlework had been done by him. They had made a lot of clothes and shoes, but so far only a small blanket, a few little outfits, and some shoes for the children—the rest hadn’t been done yet.
He was thinking that since the children hadn’t been born yet, it felt premature to worry too much about the adults.
A few days ago, Chen Guizhi had gone to her eldest uncle’s home to pick two well-shaped pieces of sheepskin, and had her aunt help prepare them to make sheepskin sleeping bags for the two children.
“Da Feng slept in one when he was little. It’s full of wool, very warm, soft, and snug. The children sleep comfortably in it. Er Tian never slept in one. The first child is pampered, the second isn’t as fussed over. When the youngest came along, they started caring again. We talked about making a sleeping bag for Shun Ge’er, but at home, Er Tian found out he didn’t have one and wouldn’t agree. There was some fussing, and Shun Ge’er never used one either.”
Not every family made little sleeping bags for their children. Even with a bit of money, one had to be willing to spend it on children.
In these times, everyone was thrilled to have a child, but raising them was often rough.
Lu Liu said, “Expecting two means making everything twice. That’s expensive.”
Chen Guizhi looked at his belly, touched it, and said, “What’s there to fear with two? I’ve raised three myself.”
Lu Liu laughed. He was open and straightforward in conversation. “When I went with Da Feng to San Miao’s house for a feast, seeing how lively it was, I said I wanted to have many children. Now that I’m expecting, everyone at home is busy. There’s always something going on, so having a child feels like such a hassle. Suddenly, I don’t want so many.”
Chen Guizhi teased him about being childish. “Just think a little, that’s all.”
Lu Liu lowered his head and touched his belly. “I’m going to be a father. I’m not a kid anymore.”
He still had several months to endure, and after the children were born, he’d have to keep them busy.
Chen Guizhi thought for a moment, then said, “Having children is troublesome. When I was young, I was bold and fiery. I could have done all sorts of things instead of getting pregnant. I’ll be honest: when I was expecting Da Feng, my relationship with his father wasn’t good. His father, like other men in the village, thought that as long as he could provide, the wife didn’t need to do much. Even if I earned some money, it was like he had no ability to provide. When I brought money home, he would still look at me disdainfully. I thought to myself, I’ll show him. I got pregnant, didn’t I? So I went ahead. Nothing about it was pleasant; everything was constrained. That year we argued a lot, but I didn’t back down. I did whatever I wanted and made him do some too; the money I earned was mine.”
Chen Guizhi paused, then continued, “After Da Feng was born, I took care of him while managing the household and doing some side work. It was tiring but manageable. Then came Er Tian, then Shun Ge’er. Each time I tried to do something, a child would interfere. After their father passed, no one was managing me, and I could do whatever I wanted. Looking back now, having children is troublesome, but not entirely wasted. Look at our family. If Er Tian had been well-behaved, the house would be even livelier. Just treat the child as a responsibility. This year, you’ll be busy with this child—that’s enough. This is our family’s important business; no one will say you aren’t working because you had a child.”
Lu Liu listened, feeling a bit heavy-hearted.
One woman raising three children—it was no easy task.
Lu Liu grew up in the village and knew that with few family members, one could easily be bullied.
The father-in-law was a hunter. The eldest uncle and youngest uncle had hunting territories; the father-in-law should have had one too. At that time, Da Feng was already fifteen. He heard from Da Feng that San Miao’s territory was chosen at fifteen by drawing lots—but Da Feng had none. He had to venture into the deep mountains to carve out a hunting area for himself.
From Lu Liu’s perspective, he still hoped the family would grow and prosper. As for earning money, he wasn’t indispensable.
Chen Guizhi told him not to worry about such matters. “Having children depends on the parents’ fortune. Some couples can’t conceive for three to five years.”
Lu Liu nodded and listened as Chen Guizhi added, “Once the household is less busy, next year let Shun Ge’er go out and learn some skills from your brother. Let him gain experience. I’ll save up some silver, and I want to find him a husband—so he won’t have to marry someone else.”
This idea was new this year.
With the family situation changing, living together, Chen Guizhi noticed that Shun Ge’er got along well with Lu Liu and that Lu Liu’s temperament could tolerate him, so she had the thought.
She spoke carefully, noting that even if family circumstances changed again, Shun Ge’er could establish his own household.
Lu Liu was delighted. “A husband? I’ve heard that means a man comes to our house. The children won’t take his surname. Will Shun Ge’er’s future children have the surname Li then?”
Chen Guizhi said, “Of course. I want someone reliable and clever, someone Da Feng can manage. If things go wrong later, we can send him away. As long as Shun Ge’er has children, that’s enough.”
Lu Liu didn’t quite understand. “A clever mind isn’t always honest.”
Chen Guizhi replied, “A slow mind isn’t necessarily honest either. I just want someone presentable and smart—so the children aren’t ugly or foolish.”
Lu Liu absorbed her words.
Mother and son chatted for a while longer. Then Li Feng arrived.
Chen Guizhi glanced at the time—it was nearly lunch—and let them rest a bit.
Lu Liu had been sitting a while and stretched, cooing at Li Feng, “Da Feng, help me up. Let’s walk a bit.”
Li Feng helped him up and suggested going to the main hall. Lu Liu didn’t want to, so he just walked around in the room. He asked, “I heard it’s still lively at the little shop. Why did you come to me?”
Li Feng, wanting to lift his spirits, had come specifically.
Shun Ge’er had gone to learn about processing medicinal herbs, and Chen Guizhi still had chores. With the rain, the wine brothers and Yao Fu’er wouldn’t come to play. He didn’t want Lu Liu to feel lonely.
Lu Liu felt warm inside and told him what he had chatted about with his mother in the morning.
Mentioning finding a husband for Shun Ge’er, Li Feng thought for a moment and said, “Your mother’s smart; I didn’t think of that.”
Lu Liu said, “Mother wants a clever, good-looking man. Da Feng, you think I’m good-looking, right?”
Li Feng laughed, “Who said you’re ugly?”
Lu Liu nodded repeatedly. “Right. Mother first looked at my brother. I look like him. If she thinks he’s not ugly, then I’m not ugly either.”
With looks settled, the next consideration was intelligence.
“Am I a fool?”
Li Feng laughed heartily at the question. “Little Liu, you’re clever, quick to learn, diligent—an excellent father who will set a good example for the children.”
Lu Liu felt somewhat reassured, then pointed to the pile of woodblocks in the corner. “Da Feng, quickly take these out. I forgot—we should be looking at proper books to teach Zhuang Zhuang and Xiao Mai. These illustrations aren’t suitable; the kids shouldn’t see them.”
Li Feng didn’t move. “What do they understand? These are your hard-earned treasures.”
Lu Liu, now thinking less about earning money, had greater matters in mind. He was a key figure in creating life; he wanted to do this work properly.
Li Feng’s laughter grew louder. “What did your mother tell you this morning? How did you come to think this way?”
Lu Liu had already told him; there was nothing remarkable.
“You see, according to mother, it shows that the father has an influence on the children. We used to trick Zhuang Zhuang into studying, but now with Xiao Mai, we hardly need to trick him. They’re growing up. Seeing these books isn’t good. Da Feng, listen to me—move them out.”
