Lin Yue immediately dashed to the vegetable patch, snapping half a bunch of scallions, plucking two small greens, and gathering several leaves from the white-stemmed taro by the roadside. The taro leaves, shaped like lotus leaves, were perfect for wrapping food.

Returning to the courtyard, Lin Yue washed the greens before heading to the kitchen. “Mother, I’ll make the pancakes. You rest a bit.”

Zhou Wenlan replied, “Alright. I’ll prepare some pickled vegetables to go with them. Otherwise, they’ll be too dry.”

Lin Yue gave a quick nod, dried his hands, and got to work. He scooped the dough from the bowl, kneaded out the air, rolled it flat with a rolling pin, brushed it with oil, sprinkled salt and dry flour over half, then scattered chopped scallions over that half. He rolled it up, first cutting it in half lengthwise, then slicing it into smaller sections. Finally, he pinched the cut edges together with his thumb and forefinger to form a ball, re-rolling it into a round flatbread. He brushed oil into the hot pan, pressed the dough against the pan’s wall, covered it, and cooked it over low heat.

When the pancakes were nearly done, Lin Yue lifted the lid. The aroma of scallions wafted out, mingling with the scent of hot oil, instantly whetting the appetite. The surface was golden brown, and when pressed with a spatula, it bounced back, soft and fluffy.

Zhou Wenlan had kneaded extra dough today, so this batch only used a third of it. Lin Yue placed the finished pancakes in a basket and began cooking the second batch.

While the pancakes cooked, Zhou Wenlan had already set out bowls and chopsticks with porridge. Lin Yuan and his son had packed their farming tools and backpacks, waiting only for Lin Yue.

Lin Yue carried the pancakes over. Lin Yang reached out, grabbed one, and stuffed it into his mouth. With his mouth full, he mumbled, “Delicious! Dad, Mom, eat quickly!” As he spoke, he handed one to Lin Yue.

Lin Yue took it, took a bite, and didn’t sit down. He turned back to tend the stove, worried the pancakes might burn as the fire was burning too fiercely.

Lin Yuan, usually a man of few words, couldn’t help but speak up, seeing Lin Yang like this: “No one’s fighting you for it. Eat slower. Swallow before you talk.”

“I know, I know! Dad, you eat quickly.” Lin Yang reached for another and handed it to Lin Yuan, successfully silencing his father. Catching his mother’s gaze out of the corner of his eye, he grabbed one for her too.

Zhou Wenlan snorted lightly. “I thought you didn’t see your mother here. Did you wash your hands?”

“I did, I did! Mother, don’t talk nonsense. I love being clean.”

Lin Yue burst out laughing. “You?”

Lin Yang didn’t mind. He was used to it by now. A few words weren’t going to stop him from grabbing another one.

Suddenly remembering today’s chores, Lin Yang turned to Lin Yue. “Brother, should we bring the cakes?”

“No need. We’ll harvest for a bit, then you’ll start carrying. The wind’s strong this afternoon—it’ll be tough to carry. Just bring some water.”

Lin Yang nodded and turned to Zhou Wenlan. “Mom, why don’t you skip bringing them? They won’t taste good cold. I’ll warm some up for you at noon and bring them over.”

Zhou Wenlan declined. “Your father and I have to visit several places today. Don’t bother. We won’t even know where we’ll be at lunchtime.”

“Alright.”

With plenty of work ahead, the family wasted no time. They finished their meal quickly, packed the water-filled gourds and the leaves wrapped around flatbreads and pickled vegetables into a bamboo basket, grabbed their farming tools, and headed out to the fields.

The Lin family hadn’t planted many beans this year. The peas and broad beans together covered less than an acre. Since they weren’t densely planted, two people working quickly could finish harvesting in a day.

The morning air was cool, and Lin Yue wanted to finish early. As soon as they reached the field, he signaled Lin Yang to start cutting the peas. There was no need to bundle them; they could be piled directly into the ditch. Harvested early this year, the peas weren’t quite dry yet, so they’d need to be sun-dried for a couple more days once brought home.

They worked for over an hour, piling up several stacks of cut beans. Lin Yue straightened up and said, “Lin Yang, stop cutting. Let’s carry these back first.”

“Coming, brother. Just let me finish this last bit.”

Lin Yue called back loudly, setting down his sickle to start loading the basket. The pods were light but bulky; he had to pack the bottom tightly, lest the weight shift and make him stumble.

When Lin Yang approached, Lin Yue handed him the straw raincoat and helped hoist the basket onto his back. He murmured a warning, “It’s windy today. Take it slow. Did you bring the keys?”

Lin Yang waved dismissively. “Got ’em, got ’em. No big deal. They’re not heavy.”

Lin Yue patted the bamboo basket. “Hurry up, don’t dawdle on the way.” With that, he bent back over his work.

Both men worked swiftly. By mid-morning, nearly half the task was done. Before heading home, Lin Yue picked several handfuls of tender peas and broad beans to tuck into the basket’s base, planning to boil them for dinner.

With farm work on their minds, lunch was a simple affair. Lin Yue warmed up the morning’s flatbread and millet porridge, and the two ate it without fuss.

After eating, Lin Yang went to the yard to turn the bean stalks for drying, while Lin Yue tidied the kitchen and filled the water jug before calling Lin Yang back to the field.

They worked until the sun was nearly setting, finally finishing the bean harvest. That afternoon, they took turns carrying some back. With little left now, Lin Yue and Lin Yang each tidied one side of the field, clearing weeds and dead branches from the ridges as they worked.

As they approached the village entrance, Lin Yue spotted Zhou Wenlan and the others coming from another path from a distance. He stopped immediately and called out, “Father, Mother, you’re back!”

Lin Yang’s voice was even louder, “Father, Mother, why did you take so long to return?”

Hearing their voices, Zhou Wenlan and Lin Yuan quickened their pace. “Let’s head home first. Why are you standing there? Isn’t that big basket heavy to carry?”

Lin Yuan was already reaching out to take the bamboo basket from Lin Yue’s back, but Lin Yue quickly shook his head. “Dad, it’s not heavy. We’re almost home.”

The family of four exchanged a few words before hurrying home. They were returning late today; if they didn’t pick up the pace, they’d be eating in the dark.

Of the four, only Lin Yuan was a quiet sort. The other three—mother and sons—were anything but taciturn. Their chatter as they walked added a lively touch to the scene.

Just as they reached their doorstep, Zhou Wenlan spotted someone approaching and greeted them familiarly, “Just heading home now?”

Shen Huizhi nodded, smiling in reply, “Yes, you’re just returning, Auntie?”

Zhou Wenlan chuckled, “Too much work in the fields. There’s no choice.”

Lin Yue watched the two conversing before him with surprise. When did his mother meet this person? He’d never heard her mention him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Shen Huizhi looking at him, his gaze brightening. Lin Yue suddenly lowered his head, unsure why. Seeing his mother push open the door, he stepped inside before she could enter.

Zhou Wenlan murmured a soft scolding, “This child, what’s the rush?” She gave Shen Huizhi a nod before following inside.

Lin Yue set down the bamboo basket on his back. Only after the man had passed the doorway did he ask his mother, “Mother, you know that man?”

Zhou Wenlan nodded, then shook her head. “Isn’t that Xiucai Gao’s student? I’ve met him twice. I think his surname is Shen, but I don’t know his given name.”

She paused, a hint of puzzlement in her voice. “We never usually meet him at this hour.” Ah, well, it wasn’t her concern. Why dwell on it?

“You two sit and rest. I’ll go cook.”

Lin Yue was a bit surprised. Seeing how his mother greeted the man, he’d assumed they were close. But then he remembered his mother could chat with strangers, let alone someone she’d met before.

Watching his mother head toward the kitchen, Lin Yue hurried after her. “Mother, I’ll help you. I picked quite a few peas and broad beans this morning. We can cook them later.”

“Fresh ones? That’s perfect! We’ll make broad bean rice tonight. Peas taste sweeter when boiled.”

Lin Yue had no objections. He actually liked broad beans quite a bit and didn’t mind how they were prepared—they tasted good no matter what.

“Then I’ll slice some cured sausage to stew with them, and peel a couple of potatoes to add in.”

Zhou Wenlan hummed in agreement, then called out, “Go pick a couple of greens first. We’ll make soup later—a meal without soup just isn’t satisfying.”

Lin Yue nodded and stepped outside. Seeing Lin Yuan and another person sorting beans in the yard, he initially planned to ask Lin Yang to fetch firewood. Noticing Lin Yang was busy, he went to get it himself.

After dinner, the sky was still bright. The family of four sat in the courtyard, chatting while eating boiled peas. The night breeze was gentler than the daytime wind, carrying a refreshing coolness that felt incredibly soothing.

But with the Shang family’s betrothal delegation arriving tomorrow, the family didn’t rest long. Zhou Wenlan rose to look around, then instructed Lin Yue-ger: “Yue-ger, sweep the courtyard first and tidy it up. It won’t look presentable if guests arrive tomorrow. Hurry up.”

Lin Yue sensed his mother’s heightened irritability today. He nodded in agreement as she spoke, grabbing the broom and heading outside the moment she finished her sentence, determined not to give her a chance to scold him.

Seeing Lin Yue move, Zhou Wenlan turned to instruct Lin Yang, “You scrub the rooms clean, then take a bath. You’re filthy as a mud monkey.”

Lin Yuan was more self-motivated and headed straight to tidy up the backyard. Zhou Wenlan still didn’t let him off the hook, calling after him, “Once you’re done with the yard, remember to tidy yourself up. Trim your beard. After Lin Yang finishes bathing, you go next.”

Lin Yuan nodded repeatedly, making multiple assurances before Zhou Wenlan finally left him be and turned to her own tasks.

By the time the family finished their chores, night had fallen. An oil lamp flickered in the kitchen, its dim, yellow light casting a melancholy glow that stirred a touch of sorrow.

Reflecting on the day’s bustle, Lin Yue finally felt the tangible reality of his impending marriage. The sensation was bittersweet, though he wasn’t one to dwell on such melancholy. Seeing his father and brother dressed neatly, he changed into clean clothes himself. After supper, he retired early, awaiting the Shang family’s visit the next day.