Chapter Eight: The Preciousness of Family Bonds

“Sister-in-law, these fish were caught just this morning,” Zhang Lian said, placing the wooden bucket before Mrs. Luo. “They’re lively—if you put them in the water jar, they’ll keep for several days.”

“Why are you still fishing in the river on a snowy day like this?” Mrs. Luo frowned.

“It’s not cold, I didn’t go into the river,” Zhang Lian scratched his head with a sheepish grin. “I just used a net. There are plenty of fish in the pond. A few throws of the net brought in nearly a hundred pounds.” He smiled, “Sister-in-law, I’ll take the fish inside.”

Mrs. Luo followed him into the kitchen. “Little brother, have lunch with us before you go.”

“No, I can’t. There’s work at home.” Zhang Lian poured the fish into the water jar.

Mrs. Luo quickly turned and fetched two paper packages from the inner room. “Little brother, this packet of lotus root powder is for Mother, and this one of brown sugar is for your wife.”

“I can’t accept these,” Zhang Lian protested, waving his hand.

“They’re not for you—they’re for Mother and your wife.”

Zhang Lian grabbed his bucket and hurried out. “Sister-in-law, you should go back and look after Xi’er. I’m heading home.”

“Little brother—hey, little brother!” Mrs. Luo called after him at the door, but Zhang Lian was already far down the path.

Meanwhile, Luo Qiulin secured the door, made a new wooden latch, and found two boards and some wood to fashion a couple of stools. With everything in order, he prepared to leave and called out, “Qiumei, I’m going now. Come out and bolt the door.”

“All right,” Mrs. Luo answered, emerging from the kitchen with three fish tied together with straw rope. “Second brother, thank you for your help. Take these fish home with you.”

“There’s no need. We have cured fish at home,” Luo Qiulin declined.

“Cured fish isn’t as tasty as fresh,” Mrs. Luo insisted, passing the fish to him. “Take them, or I’ll have to chase you down to give them to you, and I don’t have the time. I have restorative soup simmering on the stove and still need to tend the fire and look after Xi’er.”

Having been siblings for decades, Luo Qiulin knew her temperament. Hearing her insist, he didn’t refuse again, taking the fish with a laugh. “Fine, I’ll take them, but if Mother scolds me later, that’ll be your fault.”

Mrs. Luo spat playfully at him and scolded with a smile, “Who are you trying to fool? You’ve been scolded by our aunt for decades and your skin’s grown thick. As if you’d be afraid of a few more words.”

Luo Qiulin burst into hearty laughter, took the fish, and went on his way.

Mrs. Luo bolted the door, returned to the kitchen, poured the finished restorative soup into a bowl, and set it aside. She placed the small pot of porridge on the stove and set a few pans of bean dregs cakes on top. She scooped some embers from the stove, added two sticks of dry wood, then carried the bowl in one hand and the bucket of embers in the other into the inner room. “Xi’er, come, drink your medicine.”

An Yi looked at the brown liquid, her brows knitting slightly. She took the bowl, sipped to test the temperature, and found the taste strange. “Mother, it’s still a bit hot.”

“Set it on the table then. Drink it when it’s cool.” Mrs. Luo emptied the embers into the brazier and covered them with charcoal. “I’m going to cook. Sit here and warm yourself by the fire. Don’t embroider anymore.”

An Yi nodded. As soon as Mrs. Luo left, she poured the restorative soup into the corner. She knew medicine was never free of harm, and after all she’d been through, she wasn’t frightened by something so trivial—there was no need for such a tonic.

A while later, Mrs. Luo brought porridge and bean dregs cakes, and mother and daughter ate lunch together. Mrs. Luo insisted that her “frightened” daughter rest in bed. Having been through so much, An Yi was indeed a bit tired, so she obediently lay down.

When An Yi awoke, An Kang and his brother had returned from town. They leaned over the bed, gazing at her anxiously. “Big Brother, Second Brother, you’re back.”

“Sister, does your neck still hurt?” An Jian asked.

Seeing their worried faces, An Yi smiled gently. “It doesn’t hurt. It just looks scary, but the muscles and bones aren’t hurt. In a few days, the marks will disappear.”

An Kang said guiltily, “Sister, I’m sorry. It was all because I didn’t think things through. If I hadn’t sold firewood to Steward Zhang, Zhou Dageng wouldn’t have come to make trouble, and none of this would have happened…”

“Big Brother, don’t say that. Who would turn away business? It’s Zhou Dageng who was unreasonable, not your fault.”

“I’d rather lose the business than see you get hurt,” An Kang said gravely.

An Yi’s heart warmed. She glanced up with a soft look. “But if you don’t do business, how will we afford white rice for Xi’er?”

An Jian teased, “Didn’t you say you’re grown up and don’t like white rice anymore, only bean dregs cakes?”

“I want both bean dregs cakes and white rice,” An Yi replied mischievously.

An Kang chuckled, patted her head, and brought over her padded jacket. “Come, let Big Brother help you dress.”

“Sister, Big Brother bought you a treat,” An Jian said with a grin.

“What treat?” An Yi was skeptical. Even if there was something tasty, the family couldn’t spare money for it.

“Get dressed and I’ll show you.” An Kang helped her into her clothes, sat by the brazier, and pulled a small oiled-paper packet from his coat. Inside were several pieces of malt sugar.

He picked the largest for An Yi. “Sister, this is for you.”

“Thank you, Big Brother.” An Yi accepted it but didn’t eat it right away. She gazed at the natural, additive-free malt sugar with a complicated look. It had been so many years since she’d eaten candy. Before she turned eleven, she’d loved sweets, often sneaking them behind her mother’s back. After she turned eleven, the woman who used to spoil her with candy brought her own two illegitimate children home with that man, and from then on, An Yi never wanted candy again.

An Kang chose a slightly larger piece for An Jian. “Second Brother, this is yours.”

An Jian popped it straight into his mouth, smacking his lips. “So sweet, so good.”

An Kang wrapped the remaining pieces and, seeing An Yi hadn’t eaten hers, asked, “Sister, why aren’t you eating your candy?”

“I’ll save it for Mother,” An Yi blurted out.

“No need, eat it yourself. I’ve saved some for Mother,” An Kang smiled, ruffling her hair. “You’re getting more sensible, not like your second brother who only thinks of eating.”

An Jian didn’t mind his brother’s teasing and made faces at An Yi. She smiled at his antics and slowly placed the candy in her mouth. The sweet taste spread across her tongue. Her previous life was over; in this one, she had her mother’s love and her brothers’ care. It was time to let go of the pain of the past.

By evening, Mrs. Luo’s fourth uncle, Luo Yaozu, and fourth aunt, Mrs. Fang, returned from her family’s home. Hearing what had happened during the day, they came to visit An Yi and brought a small sack of flour.

After a short visit, they prepared to leave. Mrs. Luo wouldn’t accept the flour and argued with Mrs. Fang. “Fourth Aunt, I’ve already bought flour.”

“What you bought is yours—this is for Xi’er to build up her strength.” Mrs. Fang shoved the flour into Mrs. Luo’s arms, grabbed Luo Yaozu, and hurried away. Mrs. Luo could only carry the flour back to the kitchen.