Xie Yan said, “When you’re not here, it just feels noisy.”
So the bustling scenes on the page were merely a series of wavy lines, like heat waves threatening to swallow a person.
Looking at the painting again, Lu Yang understood why Xie Yan had included an embroidered ball.
The waves could knock someone to the ground, but the ball would rise with them, carrying him toward Xie Yan.
After a long while, Lu Yang reverted to his old style of flattery.
“A Yan, if you ever stop studying and take up painting, you could earn a fortune.”
Xie Yan preferred something practical. He leaned in, tilting his face, waiting for Lu Yang to kiss him.
Lu Yang pushed his face playfully, then smiled and pulled him close for a kiss.
Lately, Xie Yan spent his time at home either with Lu Yang or working with calligraphy and paintings.
The two pieces he promised when taking the provincial exam had already been mounted, and another, a family portrait, was still in progress.
The mounted paintings were handed to his mother.
Zhao Peilan took the two scrolls and went to the next room to find Chen Guizhi.
In the main hall, they unrolled the paintings. One was a portrait of Chen Guizhi alone, slightly less lively, more composed, seated in a chair.
It was a standard portrait: proper posture, eyes forward, lips slightly smiling. Such paintings could easily look stiff, but Guizhi’s spirited personality had been subtly restrained here, conveying an unspoken authority.
Zhao Peilan said, “Elders in big households are called ‘Madam.’ Their children and grandchildren follow their guidance. You should be like this someday.”
Chen Guizhi took a small bronze mirror from Lu Liu, compared her reflection to the painting, and smiled broadly.
“Your son is talented. How did he do this? It looks like me, yet not exactly me.”
Her features and expressions were hers, yet more dignified than she appeared.
Zhao Peilan spoke truthfully, “He painted exactly as you are. If you didn’t look like this, he couldn’t have captured you!”
Chen Guizhi blushed at the praise.
They unrolled the second painting, which depicted the two of them together. Both women stood in the picture, the background a blurred street, capturing their laughter.
For a moment, they were silent, tears in their eyes as they looked at each other.
Zhao Peilan held her hand, saying, “Ah, elder sister, it’s hard to part. When your Dafeng comes to the capital, you must come with him. I’ll host you properly!”
Chen Guizhi agreed, “It’s not far; the capital isn’t far. We’re fortunate, the children are successful, and we can see more of the world!”
They chose places to hang both paintings together.
Lu Erbao and Wang Fengnian returned from the street, laden with packages for Lu Yang.
Since arriving in the provincial city, their lives had become more comfortable. They no longer needed to scrimp and save, though they hesitated, fearing Lu Yang would struggle with the luggage or that gifts would feel insufficient. After deliberation, they purchased what they could.
For now, they could enjoy some comforts. Letters would come each year, along with clothing, shoes, and socks.
Just a year had passed, and they had grown.
Middle-aged as they were, talking about growth felt awkward, yet leaving the village and seeing a wider world had broadened their hearts.
Last year, they wanted to stay in the village, relying on each other, avoiding burdening their children.
This year, they made the same choice—to stay in the provincial city—not out of obligation, but because it suited them.
They could speak freely. Being introverted, they rarely talked; staying in the provincial city meant their children would visit to chat. Going to the capital would require readjustment.
Lu Yang considered opening a small eatery for them, so they wouldn’t be idle, but they refused. They liked Sanshui Alley.
They trusted that this year, Lu Yang would not see their choice as favoritism or abandonment.
They said, “Whenever you have time, come back and visit. We’ll be here. When Liu Ge’er succeeds, we’ll go see you too.”
Lu Yang smiled openly at them.
“It’s not a big deal. Don’t be so tense—you’re sweating. People always rise higher: from county to city, now city to capital. We’re just scouting the path so you can settle in easily later. Just like when you came to the city; don’t be sad. We’ll meet again.”
Even with openness, farewells had to be faced. Families from Sanshui Alley came one by one.
His godfather and others would stay. The Luo brothers would accompany him to the capital for part of the journey.
Lu Yang called Shun Ge’er to ask if he wanted to go to the capital.
Just married, Shun Ge’er made the same choice he had in the mountain stronghold: he would stay home.
With his second brother absent, only the two remained; children were there, their business expanding, the household acquiring more property. He wanted to stay and support it.
Months later, Shun Ge’er had grown accustomed to having more people in the house, completing the transition from little brother to young husband. When asked if he liked Hai Youtian, he couldn’t say—he only felt that marriage was good, and Hai Youtian was diligent, knowledgeable, and helpful; it felt right.
Lu Yang said, “Being able to accept him as family is more important than liking him.”
Shun Ge’er did not understand, and Lu Yang said no more.
Affection is fleeting, changing with circumstances. Family is more enduring, sharing joys and hardships.
Shun Ge’er was still puzzled: “But you often say you like each other, say you love each other.”
Lu Yang laughed, “Husbands don’t talk about liking or loving each other? If you’re family, if you’re my husband, isn’t that enough?”
Shun Ge’er smiled, asking no more.
Lu Yang also spoke with He Qingzao, asking if he wanted to go with him.
Being together was safer. Liu Youli had not taken the exams this year and was missing; there was concern he might cause trouble. The place was easy to find. Once his family retrieved him for marriage, what would they do?
He Qingzao felt some fear at the thought.
He asked, “Do I have to go to the capital?”
It was too far; he was used to Sanshui Alley life.
Lu Yang shook his head—he could stay.
There were many ways to manage family obligations. If he remarried, with a household backing him, family couldn’t control him. Once married, family had limited authority.
Or, he could sell himself into service. No longer free, his family would need to redeem him to exert control.
Lu Yang did not want him to rush into marriage; he wanted him safe and careful.
Selling himself wasn’t ideal, but they knew someone in the guild who could facilitate it.
“Let Steward Cai write a contract: in and out, with the silver difference accounted for. I’ll handle it for you. Keep the contract yourself—it’s as if you bought yourself. You’ll be your own master. If someone comes causing trouble, say your contract is with my brother. Otherwise, live your life as usual. If one day you meet the right person and want to marry, burn the contract and marry as a free citizen.
“After separation, without family backing, life is harder, so plan ahead. This is a bit complicated, but it guarantees your safety. Nowadays, parents can sell their children—you can’t leave them a loophole.”
He Qingzao remembered. He wept at Lu Yang’s side, at first helped and watched over, given tasks to earn money. Later, Lu Yang got busy, and he worked with Lu Liu, seeing Lu Yang less. But he never forgot Lu Yang’s kindness.
“I’ve never been treated like this at home.”
Lu Yang encouraged him, “You’ve grown strong. You can be good to others. When you meet someone in need, give them a hand.”
He Qingzao nodded repeatedly, hoping for that day.
