At home, they had opened a small eatery. Soups and broths were filling, and with home-cooked meals of meat and eggs, Lu Liu wasn’t exactly craving anything. He pondered how to lift Li Feng’s spirits, thinking to coax and cheer him so he would feel relaxed.
After some thought, Lu Liu decided to brew a pot of wine and prepare a few snacks to eat while talking with Li Feng.
In their daily life together, Li Feng did most of the doing and spoke little. Occasionally, he would talk at length, but only when Lu Liu felt uneasy or fixated on something, and Li Feng came to soothe him.
This time, Lu Liu would let Li Feng speak; he would listen. Confiding, even passively, helped lighten the heart—he thought it would work.
So, Lu Liu tidied up the room thoroughly.
Morning chores were many, so he didn’t go to the shop. Once the rooms were in order, he went next door to find Aunt Zhao to hang out the bedding and wash the covers and sheets.
The temperature had dropped; his elder brother and brother-in-law were returning home. By airing the bedding and putting on clean linens, they could arrive and sleep comfortably.
As he worked, Chen Guizhi brought the children out to play in the alley. The two little ones lay on the doorstep, chirping and calling at Lu Liu.
Now able to speak, they were even more talkative. Everyone loved surrounding them, and they imitated all kinds of things.
The testing of Zhuang Zhuang’s personality was complete. After multiple trials—through toys and close interactions—the family confirmed that Zhuang Zhuang was extremely attached to Xiao Mai.
He wouldn’t let Xiao Mai play with toys, insisting they play together.
Whatever Xiao Mai held, he tried to take. Once grabbed, he would play with it briefly, seeming as if he were stealing, but soon he would drop it and go after Xiao Mai again. He seemed more curious about what his brother liked than the objects themselves.
If an adult tried to pick him up, he would push Xiao Mai aside. Previously, they were often lifted together or Zhuang Zhuang was scolded lightly. Now, he rarely pushed Xiao Mai. If he did, they would follow Zhuang Zhuang’s wishes and hold him, leaving Xiao Mai aside.
Xiao Mai felt aggrieved but didn’t fuss, pouting stubbornly.
Zhuang Zhuang, however, didn’t seem much happier and soon fussed to be with Xiao Mai.
This discovery made Li Feng chuckle whenever he saw Zhuang Zhuang; a heavy worry lifted.
Lu Liu was still a bit puzzled, as the children sometimes played separately. For instance, if each held one, Zhuang Zhuang didn’t seek Xiao Mai out.
Li Feng said that when they grew older and could speak better, they could ask them properly.
Li Feng also teased Zhuang Zhuang, using his size to momentarily hide Xiao Mai in his arms or behind him, letting Zhuang Zhuang only hear sounds without seeing him, making Zhuang Zhuang call out “Dad” or “Brother.”
A grown man bullying a little child, yet it made him laugh uncontrollably.
Lu Liu shared the same sentiment as his brother: children are truly easy to fool.
He missed his brother. Once the bedding was aired and folded, he helped tidy the house.
He didn’t dare move the items on the bookshelf or desk, instead using a feather duster for dust and a cloth to wipe, leaving books in place.
The house was large and tiring to clean.
Zhao Peilan cleaned one room a day, meaning each room was cleaned about once every six days.
With few people moving through the house, dust accumulated, but otherwise things were manageable.
After finishing, Lu Liu went out to fetch water.
Zhao Peilan was beating the bedding with a wooden mallet, with Wei Meng circling her, occasionally blocking her path.
She said to Lu Liu, “They’re always busy, rarely at home, and Wei Meng has basically become my little dog.”
Lu Liu smiled, “Grandparent love skips a generation!”
Zhao Peilan paused but accepted the idea of a dog-son or dog-grandchild.
The washing and airing took time, and by afternoon, tidying resumed. In the meantime, Lu Liu could rest a little.
After lunch, he went to the shop to walk off the meal and returned to rest with the two little ones.
Once they woke, he began their lessons.
He kept the habit of reading to them. Reading other books, he sometimes stumbled or skipped unfamiliar words, and the children tolerated it, taking his voice as background sound while playing and occasionally climbing on him for hugs.
If he read the Three Character Classic, the effect was different. The children would sway on the kang, topple onto pillows, and fall asleep quickly.
It was an effective way to soothe them. Though they weren’t eager learners, they were easy to manage.
After reading a few pages, Lu Liu moved to the desk to practice writing.
Recently, he also noted ways of interacting with customers in the shop. Sometimes things went wrong; sometimes he noticed immediately and corrected them. Other times, he realized only days later that he had offended someone, and he would ask his mother.
He also reflected on his shop’s operations, but he didn’t dare make big changes—he would wait for his brother’s return to discuss them.
He wanted to find a teacher, or an accountant, to teach him further.
Learning literacy and arithmetic together, then filling gaps through practical experience, was his plan.
On the kang, the two little ones hummed awake. Lu Liu put down his brush and looked out the window, calling for their mother.
The children were now too big to hold both at once. Holding them separately risked one falling off the kang, so help was needed.
Chen Guizhi had made them hats from rabbit fur, provided by Yao Fulang via Da Qiang.
By afternoon, the hats had taken shape, and they tried them on—fluffy and utterly adorable. Praise made them smile, their eyes curving with delight.
With mild sun and no wind, he took them outside to play.
Wang Fengnian and Lu Erbao were also present, watching the children. Lu Liu busied himself next door, folding bedding, leaving one set for the bamboo bed outside.
He had reserved a pair of matching quilts on the kang for his elder brother and brother-in-law, a gift from Wu Pingzhi. New and unused in the hot season, now it was perfect—warm and festive.
Zhao Peilan sat with him, sewing the quilt together.
By the time they finished, it was dinner.
Lu Liu told them that he and Da Feng would eat in their room that evening.
Chen Guizhi didn’t even blink and agreed.
Lu Liu asked, “Mother, why don’t you ask why?”
Chen Guizhi held a rabbit fur hat to Xiao Mai’s head and said, “Why ask? It’s a newlywed matter; if you two are shy to say, I’m shy to listen.”
Blushing, Lu Liu went to cook.
For dinner, Chen Guizhi helped him tidy up; they worked quickly.
Outside, Zhao Peilan and Wang Fengnian were still picking and washing vegetables, watching the children. At mealtime, Lu Erbao went to the shop to serve soup and change pots, letting He Qingzao and Shun Ge’er assist in welcoming guests.
Everyone was busy, and once the food simmered, Lu Liu ladled the babies’ rice into bowls, stirred and portioned it, letting it cool. He cooked pig offal with noodles in a small pot, making three bowls, prepared dog food for three dogs, and set the dishes on the table.
While the stove was hot, he wiped it down once with a damp cloth, washed his hands, and looked outside.
Li Feng had returned. The city streets were crowded, making horse riding impractical; carts were slow, and Li Feng preferred walking directly, wearing out three pairs of shoes.
Lu Liu walked toward him, calling ahead.
“Da Feng! Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat in the room!”
Li Feng put his arm around him, a large hand resting on Lu Liu—not heavy, only intimate.
“How do we eat in the room?”
Lu Liu touched his face. Though thick-skinned, his mother’s teasing lingered in his ears. When Li Feng asked, he blushed again, feeling hot.
He said, “I’ve brewed wine for you!”
