Lin Yue nodded. “Of course. Savory zongzi come in many flavors—like fresh pork, ham, salted egg yolk, or mushrooms. They’re all delicious. I just wonder if you’ll like them.”

Shen Lingzhi’s eyes lit up. “Meat tastes good no matter how you cook it. I’m sure I’ll like it. Let’s get started!”

Song Xunchun didn’t want to dampen the mood. She chimed in, “Too bad we don’t have fresh pork at home. We do have ham and dried mushrooms from last year, though. We can make the meat-filled ones with those two flavors.”

Lin Yue smiled in agreement, then added, “For the sweet ones, we’ll make honey-date filling and red bean paste filling. We’ll also make plain glutinous rice dumplings. There’s no time to soak the yellow millet now, so we’ll just use glutinous rice this year. Next year, we’ll make a few with yellow millet too—that flavor is wonderful.”

Glutinous rice, reed leaves, and bamboo leaves had been soaked since morning. The rice was divided into portions. Ham and mushrooms were washed, diced, seasoned, and mixed into one portion. Red bean paste and candied dates were simmered—all fillings were ready.

Though there were many rice dumplings to wrap, it was still early. Instead of joining Lin Yue and his brother, Song Xunchun went to the courtyard to fetch a bamboo basket and headed up the mountain. While the household still had ample firewood, they’d be too busy to tend to it later. Now was the time to gather extra supplies for the future.

Lin Yue and Shen Lingzhi had grown much closer these past days, becoming confidants who shared everything. Now, wrapping zongzi together filled them with delight. They folded the vibrant green leaves, stuffing them full of glutinous rice and fillings. To prevent flavors from mixing, Lin Yue steamed them separately. As steam rose, the aroma of the zongzi began to waft through the air—a pot filled with sweet, fragrant steam, and another pot filled with savory, tempting aromas that made everyone’s mouths water.

Although the Dragon Boat Festival wasn’t until tomorrow, no one could resist the charm of freshly steamed zongzi. So for dinner, Lin Yue simply cooked a pot of multigrain congee, served a plate of pickled cucumbers and preserved vegetables, and that night, the Shen family enjoyed zongzi.

The richly savory ham-stuffed rice dumplings earned unanimous praise, with Shen Zhengchu particularly fond of them. Seeing how many they’d made, he even suggested sending some to Grandma Shen.

Song Xunchun slapped his forehead in frustration. “I almost forgot about Mother! We should send some over. Let’s go after dinner.”

Shen Zhengchu shook his head. “We haven’t visited during Dragon Boat Festival before either. I just remembered suddenly. Let’s go together later.”

The others had no objections, merely speeding up their eating.

Though the elderly couple lived with their eldest son, they didn’t usually share meals with him. Lin Yue had prepared only for them as instructed—glutinous rice was hard to digest and best eaten sparingly.

Filial piety bound father and son, but brotherly bonds held fewer formalities. Shen Zhengchu preferred minimal contact with his sibling.

Shen Ping was cooling off in the courtyard when he saw the second son’s family arrive. His tone was lukewarm. “What wind blew you here today? What brings you?”

“To see Mother. And Father,” Shen Zhengchu replied, his gaze fixed straight ahead as he entered the elderly couple’s room.

Liu-shi, washing dishes, looked up in surprise. “Why so late?”

Shen Zhengchu was reserved; he usually let Song Xunchun speak for him or the children. Today, he stepped back as usual.

Lin Yue hadn’t intended to speak, but noticing all eyes on him—likely an opportunity to contribute—he stepped forward to help Grandma Shen with the dishes. “Tomorrow is Dragon Boat Festival,” he said. “We made some zongzi and brought them for you to try.”

“I have everything I need,” Liu-shi scolded gently. “Keep them for yourselves.”

Lin Yue replied obediently, “We have more at home. It’s just a small gift for you to taste. We’d be happy if you enjoy it.”

He glanced at Shen Zhengchu and lowered his voice deliberately, “Father misses you. Please accept this as a token of his filial devotion.”

Liu-shi followed his gaze, and seeing the expression on her second son’s face, she couldn’t help but smile. “Very well, very well. You’re all such filial children. Grandma will keep it and try it tomorrow.”

Shen Ping, watching their harmonious scene from the side, shot them a glare before storming out. Unfortunately, no one in the room paid him any mind. Lin Yue even cracked a few jokes, delighting Liu-shi completely.

It wasn’t until nightfall, when the sky had grown dim, that the Shen family finally returned home. The private school didn’t close for the Dragon Boat Festival, so Shen Huaizhi still had to attend classes. After washing up, he went back to his room. Lin Yue packed the zongzi he planned to bring the next day and followed him inside.

Early the next morning, Lin Yue accompanied Shen Huaizhi back to Yushui Village. They set out early, arriving at the Lin residence before Shen Huaizhi’s school hours began.

The Dragon Boat Festival held little significance for the villagers. In previous years, when Lin Yue was home, the family would celebrate with some fanfare. But with Lin Yue absent this year, the Lin household had no plans for festivities. They rose early to prepare for work in the fields. When Lin Yang opened the door, he nearly collided head-on with Lin Yue.

“Brother, why are you back? Brother Shen is here too! Come inside quickly!”

Lin Yang was overjoyed and turned to shout, “Father, Mother, my brother, and his husband are back!”

Zhou Wenlan practically ran over. “Why so early? Has something happened?”

Lin Yue stepped forward and took her arm. “Mother, you’re overthinking it. I just missed you all. We made some zongzi for Dragon Boat Festival and brought them over with Huaizhi for you to try.”

Zhou Wenlan relaxed, her face lighting up as she invited them inside.

Before long, Shen Huaizhi rose to take his leave. “Father, Mother, it’s getting late. I must go now. I’ll come back for Xiao Yue tonight.”

Lin Yuan and Zhou Wenlan knew he was heading to his studies and didn’t try to stop him. They only asked, “Shall we send Yue-er with you?”

Old Xiucai Gao was their neighbor and Shen Huaizhi’s teacher; it was only proper for Lin Yue to accompany him as his disciple’s husband.

Shen Huaizhi paused thoughtfully, looking at Lin Yue. “Would you like to come? It’s fine if you don’t wish to.”

Lin Yue rose to his feet. “Since I’m here, it’s only proper to pay my respects. Let’s go—delaying any longer would make us late.”

The Lin family and Old Xiucai Gao’s household weren’t particularly close, but they were acquainted. Lin Yue had visited their home as a child and knew the way well.

Since the Gao family ran a private school, their courtyard gate remained open all morning. Shen Huaizhi and Lin Yue walked straight in.

Old Xiucai Gao’s husband had passed away long ago. The man who came out to greet them was his son-in-law, also surnamed Lin. By family hierarchy, Lin Yue should address him as Uncle. He had even attended his wedding banquet years ago.

“Young Master Yue, come in and sit down. It’s been ages since we last met.”

Lin Yue smiled warmly. “Hello, Uncle. We came today with Huaizhi to pay our respects to Grandfather Gao. Is he here?”

Lin Fulang had been puzzled why Shen Huaizhi hadn’t entered the academy, but now he understood. “He is. Please take a seat inside while I fetch your teacher.”

Moments later, Lin Fulang escorted a white-haired, white-bearded elder inside. Lin Yue and Shen Huaizhi hurried forward to assist Old Xiucai Gao into his seat.

Old Xiucai Gao was nearing seventy, and his health had deteriorated significantly over the past two years. His hearing had also grown poor, so Shen Huaizhi deliberately spoke louder when addressing him. “Master, today is the Dragon Boat Festival. My husband made some zongzi and specially brought them to pay our respects to you.”

“Ah, XiaoYue! It’s been two years since I last saw you, and you’ve grown so tall. You’re both good children. Since fate has brought you together, you must live well from now on.”

“And thank you both for still remembering this old man. Do come visit Grandpa Gao’s home often.”

Lin Yue respectfully replied, “We’ll come visit Grandfather when we have time. Please take good care of yourself.”

No wonder the old gentleman hadn’t been out and about these past two years—his health had deteriorated. Back when he was still the renowned Scholar Gao of Yushui Village, Old Xiucai Gao was famously spry and vigorous, striding with a spring in his step. Now he couldn’t manage without a cane. It was truly heartbreaking.

After a brief stay, seeing that it was past the time for Shen Huaizhi and the others to have class, Lin Yue took his leave. Passing by the schoolhouse, he happened to catch the eye of someone inside. Lin Yue offered a faint smile and a bow before stepping out.

Before coming, Shen Huaizhi had mentioned that one of his classmates hadn’t attended the private school for the past couple of days. Little did he expect that the boy still hadn’t shown up today. Who knew where he’d gone?

Leaving the Gao residence, Lin Yue practically ran home in leaps and bounds. He flung open the door with a bang. “Father! Mother! Yangyang! I’m back!”

Zhou Wenlan emerged from the kitchen, scolding playfully, “What’s with all the shouting at the door? Come inside quickly. Your brother dragged your father to the river to catch fish for you. He said the river fish are plump this time of year, and you love them.”

Lin Yue’s smile was impossible to suppress. “Hehe, I’ll go find them. I want to catch fish too.”

“Stop fussing. Are you going to catch fish or just get in their way? Without you, they can catch a pound. With you, they’ll barely get half an ounce.”

Lin Yue: “…”

“Mother, how can you say that? What’s wrong with me?”

Zhou Wenlan didn’t argue with him. She beckoned, “I just kneaded the dough. I’ll steam buns for you at noon. Now, you and I will go to the riverbank to dig some madder root to dye red eggs. We’ll celebrate the festival too.”

The Dragon Boat Festival customs varied slightly among nearby villages. Some wrapped zongzi rice dumplings, others steamed buns and boiled red eggs—the Lin family practiced the latter.

Red eggs were strung in woven nets and hung around children’s necks—a blessing for their safety and protection from harm. Older folks simply ate the eggs without the net-making ritual.

Eggs were as precious as meat to farming families. Only the wealthiest households could afford them a few times a year, making the Dragon Boat Festival, with its red eggs, one of children’s favorite celebrations.

Lin Yue recalled how, as a child, he loved wearing his egg around his neck that day, playing with friends to see whose egg was bigger or whose net pouch was prettier. He couldn’t bear to eat the red egg right away, waiting until nightfall to savor it.

“I should’ve picked some earlier. We saw a whole patch growing by the roadside on our way back.”

Zhou Wenlan untied her apron and stepped forward. “It’s not too late to go now. We’re eating at noon anyway. Go fetch Huaizhi for lunch.”

Lin Yue had been trailing behind Zhou Wenlan all morning until Lin Yuan and his son returned carrying a bucket.

Both had their trouser legs rolled high, water dripping from their straw sandals as they walked. Spotting Lin Yue, Lin Yang dashed over, bucket in hand. “Brother, look! Dad and I caught so many little fish and shrimp, even loaches!”

Lin Yue clapped his hands in praise. “Really? Our Lin Yang is quite the catcher, huh?”

Lin Yang shook his head wildly, trying to shake off his brother’s emotionless praise. “Look! This one Dad caught—it’s about three jin! Plus two smaller ones. Dad says we can stew them for soup.”

Lin Yue looked down and saw a fish as big as a palm, thrashing vigorously in the wooden bucket.

“Then let’s go buy tofu now. How can we make fish soup without tofu?”

Before Lin Yang could even go back inside to change clothes, Lin Yue had already dragged him out the door. They could faintly hear Zhou Wenlan calling after them.

“Slow down! Come back for the money first…”

Lin Yue only sped up.

He wasn’t so desperate that he needed his mother’s money for a block of tofu, but he hadn’t earned anything lately. Once the farm work was done, he’d start thinking of ways to make some cash.

At lunchtime, Zhou Wenlan wouldn’t let Lin Yue help at all. The moment he tried to move toward the stove, she stopped him. “Go play over there. If you’re bored, have your brother keep you company or chat with your father. Rest well when you get home. Your father has to work in the fields this afternoon, so it’ll just be us three women at home.”

Lin Yue: “Then I’ll go drink tea with my dad.”

Just as Lin Yue left, Zhou Wenlan called him back. “Around noon, go call Huaizhi back for lunch. Don’t forget.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll remember.”

At home, everything felt relaxed. Lin Yue sat with Lin Yuan for a while, then followed Lin Yang on a stroll outside. By the time they returned, it was mealtime. He hurriedly pulled Lin Yang out to fetch the others.

As the saying goes, enemies meet on narrow paths. Just as Lin Yue was feeling cheerful, he ran into two irritating people at Old Xiucai Gao’s house. What a downer.