Lu Liu took the hand warmer from him and went to the brazier, replacing a few coals and putting on a new cover. Then he returned to the kang, placing it into Lu Yang’s hands to hold.
He sat for a moment and said, “I know, I feel the same way. There were many things I didn’t understand until after I married, and more after coming to the capital. Don’t dwell on these unhappy thoughts. Your brother-in-law is at home every day—you see him, we all see how he changes. Look at Aunt Zhao; she smiles all the time, and when she talks about the family, it’s always about you and him.
“Before, no one guided him. He went through hardships and only then realized how good you are. You care for him, and he cares for you. He knows you’ve suffered too. Now that he’s grown, speaking and acting properly, he can protect you. I don’t think he chases fame or wealth. Even as he works toward his future, it’s because he has you in his heart.
“If you carry one child, there are two hearts in your belly. If you carry two, there are three. Thinking this way, it’s normal for your emotions to fluctuate. When unhappy thoughts arise, also think of happy ones. Don’t let the unborn little ones control your feelings.”
Lu Yang listened, smiling warmly, her heart filling with comfort and gratitude.
Her brother Liu was remarkable, speaking with such care and thought.
“Your eloquence keeps improving,” Lu Yang said.
Lu Liu sat beside her, leaning close.
“When I was in the mountain stronghold, I often spoke with Brother An and Brother Jiu. They were both fearful yet comforting each other, and I learned from them.”
Lu Yang warmed her hands together with him, laughing: “It’s wonderful. My Liu-ge is experienced and can teach me.”
Lu Liu went on to explain about the New Year purchases. They didn’t mention parting, but both understood silently that if Xie Yan didn’t pass the exam next year, it would be fine. If he did, they would be separated.
Lu Liu hesitated, leaving quantities off the list, only noting what to buy.
He handed the list over, feeling reflective: “Brother, when we were in the county, you looked after us so much, always thinking of me and trying to guide me, yet I could do so little to help. This year, I feel content. We live together, talk, you teach me some things, and I can do some in return. That’s enough. I don’t want to always be the one cared for.”
Lu Yang laughed at his overthinking: “You’re upset when I care for you?”
Lu Liu shook his head. “I just want to be useful.”
Lu Yang looked over the list and returned it as it was—nothing more to add. “However much your family prepares, we’ll do the same here.”
He didn’t prepare according to a parting schedule—he wanted a normal New Year.
Lu Yang asked, “Have you been tired lately, thinking about being useful?”
Lu Liu said, “I’m telling you my heart. I want to be useful; that’s my pursuit. I know many people love me and won’t care how useful I am.”
Lu Yang felt reassured. The brothers sat in the warm room, the brazier heating the kang, their speech slow and gentle.
Lu Yang said, “You’re attentive and sweet. Between couples, I don’t need to teach you much. You and Li Feng are doing well. But there’s something I want to tell you, so you can plan ahead. Different people enjoy different lives. Your Li Feng is a devoted man; he sacrifices for the family, working this or that for a living. But a heart raised in the mountains isn’t suited to long-term life in a crowded city.
“This year, when I accompanied the exams, your brother-in-law wept bitterly as he left the hall. The exam hall was stuffy and crowded; even his quiet nature was driven mad. I’ve neglected this, thinking everyone has a good life—good food, a big house, children’s schooling, some silver saved, land bought. But people need more to nourish their hearts. If you plan to stay in the capital long-term and build property, take care. Earn silver, yes, but also rest. Don’t push too hard.”
Lu Liu listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
He had already considered suggesting Li Feng return briefly to the stronghold. Li Feng had said he spent a few days there on his last visit.
Lu Liu looked down, thinking, unable to come up with a solution for now.
That day, he returned with the New Year list, nearly dinnertime. He began preparing the evening meal.
Family members arrived gradually, Li Fei coming first, being the closest. The boy was diligent and obedient, always playing with the two little ones. Children learning to walk loved their big brother.
When Li Feng arrived, the two of them walked horses and dogs through the alley, letting the little horse run.
They coordinated: one holding a child, one leading the horse, letting the children ride. A few dogs ran alongside.
After finishing the dishes, Lu Liu called them to dinner, noticing the scene, a spark lighting in his heart.
Yes, they needed a bigger space.
Buying a house was impossible, good farmland too wasteful. Perhaps some dry fields or lower-grade land. Hard to cultivate, low yield, but suitable for riding horses without worry.
Later, with more silver saved, they could build a house, stables, and hire tenants to raise chickens and rabbits. This wouldn’t waste space.
They had all made the “best choices” for life before, yielding. Now, with growth’s rewards, they navigated toward nourishment for the soul.
Lu Liu raised his voice: “Da Feng! Xiao Fei! Dinner! Bring Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang back! I’ll get water and wash their hands and faces!”
After playing with children, a “closing ritual” naturally develops. The little ones climbed down from the horse when tired or ready. Or sometimes, “just one more ride.”
The boys were small, and Li Feng and Li Fei could lift them easily, swinging them around, hearing bright laughter. A few more spins, dizzy, and they were carried home.
Lu Liu laughed heartily.
Li Feng saw his joy and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Lu Liu said casually, “Just finalized the New Year list with my brother—it matches ours.”
Li Feng understood immediately.
No parting sorrow meant joy.
But Lu Liu kept a secret. He had always shown Li Feng plans before, giving all details. This time, he would handle one thing privately. Once the fields were bought and set up, he would take Li Feng to see.
By December, scholars had returned home one by one, affecting the study and snack shop businesses.
Lu Yang, having grown up in the county, was used to this and remained calm.
The sixth day of the twelfth lunar month was Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang’s first birthday. Lu Liu brought boiled eggs and buns, taking Lu Yang to see the “Zhua Zhou” (first birthday rite).
The home was prepared with brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, books, abacuses, slingshots, kitchen tools, and small wooden toys like swords, knives, bowls, and toy horses.
It was cold; they spread everything on the kang, letting the little ones crawl and grasp.
Lu Yang and Xie Yan added small gold and silver ingots, little enough for the babies to grab. This counted as their first birthday gifts.
The children were always being coaxed and entertained, surrounded by adults. During the Zhua Zhou, they played, picking up one item, dropping another, observing adults’ expressions.
When adults smiled, they held onto the item a little longer, then tossed it again.
Lu Liu and Li Feng often said they wanted the children to read, especially Zhuang Zhuang, aiming for him to become a scholar. But during Zhua Zhou, the children showed no strong preference.
Grabbing brushes and inkstones meant an interest in learning; picking up abacuses or ingots indicated wealth and prosperity. Pots and bowls meant they would never go hungry. Slingshots and swords showed they resembled Li Feng—the son inherits traits from the father.
In this atmosphere, whatever the little ones grabbed was good—nothing was bad.
The two children liked to compete. As they grew, even Xiao Mai’s personality shifted slightly, led by Zhuang Zhuang to proactively snatch items.
