Granny Zhang held Song Ning’s hand tightly, but Song Ning was still holding Wei Hu’s hand. Three adults walking hand-in-hand down the street looked rather odd, so Song Ning finally let go of Wei Hu’s hand. The smile never left his face—he hadn’t felt this happy in ages.

Wei Hu’s hand was so big! The palm was rough, and he could feel several calluses.

Only after Song Ning let go did Wei Hu breathe a sigh of relief. The little ger had startled him by grabbing his hand so suddenly. Wei Hu’s expression grew even sterner, though Song Ning didn’t notice. Otherwise, he might have thought Wei Hu disliked holding his hand.

The three walked toward Granny Zhang’s house, which was still quite a distance from the Song residence. It took nearly half an hour to reach it.

Along the way, Granny Zhang kept telling Song Ning, “After you eat here, you should go back. When you leave, take all these things with you. My house doesn’t need them.”

Song Ning snuggled closer to her and whined, “No way! These are all from my mom and Brother Wei Hu. I’m leaving them behind.”

“Take them! Take them! You’re visiting your in-laws. What kind of impression would it make if you left them here?”

Song Ning protested, but stopped arguing. He’d just slip away after eating—he wouldn’t take these things. He knew Granny Zhang was worried about him marrying into the countryside, afraid he’d struggle with the simple life, which was why she didn’t want his belongings.

The three arrived at Granny Zhang’s home. It was a small, square courtyard with earthen walls. Inside stood three newly built blue-brick houses, though their roofs were currently covered in straw. Constructed within the last couple of years, it seemed funds were tight, and tiles hadn’t been purchased yet.

It certainly couldn’t compare to the Song family’s courtyard, where even the ground was paved with blue bricks. Inside, the chairs were made of fine materials, and the tea cups and such were all delicate porcelain.

Though the Song family wasn’t among the wealthiest in town, running a rice shop made them comfortably well-off. Wei Hu thought he couldn’t find a family in the entire village of Daliushu as wealthy as Ning-ger’s.

As soon as Granny Zhang entered the courtyard, she called out, “Banzi! Look who’s here!”

Two young children playing in the yard saw the unfamiliar visitors and hurried inside. Zhang Banzi was tending to the small vegetable patch in the courtyard, while his wife washed clothes nearby.

Zhang Banzi recognized Song Ning immediately and hurried over. “The Second Young Master has arrived!”

His wife quickly wiped her hands, fetched stools for them to sit on, and urged, “Sit down, sit down.”

Song Ning recognized the Zhang family. Zhang Banzi had once done odd jobs at his shop, and after his father passed away, he’d even secretly brought him food. Song Ning remembered it all.

Song Ning smiled. “Banzi, you don’t need to call me ‘young master’ anymore. I’m no longer the young master of the Song family. Just call me Ning-ger.”

Zhang Banzi’s wife, the third daughter in her birth family, was now known as Zhang Sanniang after marrying into the Zhang household. Hearing Song Ning’s words, she quickly protested, “That won’t do! You are the master of this house!”

“I haven’t been for a long time. Sister-in-law, if you keep calling me that, you’ll embarrass me.”

Granny Zhang chimed in, “Listen to Ning-ger. From now on, just call him Ning-ger.”

Wei Hu also unloaded the items he’d brought back. Seeing the generous gifts, the Zhangs felt quite embarrassed. “Brother Ning, you should take these things with you when you leave. Our family isn’t lacking in food or clothing now.”

Granny Zhang announced, “Ning-ger’s visiting today. Zhang Banzi, go buy some meat and vegetables. Sanniang, prepare two dishes.”

Both responded and hurried out to prepare.

Now only three adults and two four- or five-year-old children remained in the courtyard. Granny Zhang called out, “What are you two hiding for? You don’t even greet your auntie properly. How improper!”

After scolding them briefly, Granny Zhang heard the older boy call out, “Hello, Auntie Ning.”

The younger one, a ger, clung to his brother’s clothes and hid behind him. Since none of the items Song Ning brought were suitable for children, he beckoned the two over. “Do you remember me?”

Granny Zhang chuckled, “How could we forget you? These two little ones often talk about the treats you gave them.”

Song Ning had visited the Zhang household several times before. When Grandma Zhang’s grandson was born, he was given a few coins as a congratulatory gift each time. When Grandma Zhang went home to rest, he’d often have her bring some treats back for them.

Seeing the water barrel in the courtyard empty, Wei Hu asked where to fetch water and went out to draw some.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, Granny Zhang whispered to Song Ning, “How is that hunter’s family? Do they treat you well…”

Granny Zhang asked a string of questions, and Song Ning murmured his answers softly. Hearing that his mother-in-law treated him well, that the hunter knew how to care for people, and that though their home was a thatched cottage, it was kept spotlessly clean,

She sighed softly. “My dear Ning-ger, you’ve suffered so much. No matter how nice the countryside is, it can’t compare to a town household. With your looks, you could have found a match even among the merchants in town, never mind the Zhao family. That heartless Wu Cai’e—may wolves devour her black heart!”

“Granny Zhang, don’t worry. Brother Wei Hu treats me very well.” Song Ning was delighted to see Granny Zhang today. “Grandma, I brought you lots of sweet potatoes. I’ll have my sister-in-law cook them for you later.”

“Oh, my dear ger, your grandmother’s family has no worries about food or clothing. There’s no need for you to bring so many things. Don’t bring anything next time you visit.”

“I know.”

Song Ning understood that Granny Zhang was worried about him spending money, feeling sorry for him having to endure a difficult life after marrying into the countryside.

As she spoke, tears welled in Granny Zhang’s eyes again. “That hunter has a fate that brings misfortune to his wives. I’m so afraid, my dear.”

Song Ning comforted her, “Grandma, those were accidents. Look at me now—I’m perfectly fine. In fact, life is better than it was at the Song household.”

Fearing Wei Hu’s fate might harm Song Ning, Granny Zhang slipped him a protective amulet. “I prayed for this at Fahua Temple. Keep it on you to ease my mind.”

Song Ning’s nose stung. Fahua Temple sat atop South Mountain in town, the path treacherous. He couldn’t imagine how long Granny Zhang had trekked to obtain this amulet.

“Yes, I’ll wear it always.”

The two sat close, sharing many heartfelt words. Though Song Ning kept insisting his life was good, Granny Zhang couldn’t help but worry. No matter how decent this rural household was, it couldn’t compare to Song Ning’s former life. And that thatched cottage—where had Ning-ger ever lived like that before?

The thought made Granny Zhang curse Wu Cai’e all over again in her heart.

Wei Hu filled the water jar in the kitchen, and just then, Zhang Banzi and his wife returned carrying their own supplies. Spotting Wei Hu at work, Zhang Banzi quickly took the jug from him. “Let me handle this.”

Seeing the water jar full, Wei Hu sat down. Song Ning scooped a handful of dried longan and red dates from the table and offered them to Wei Hu. “Here, have some.”

Granny Zhang also urged him, “Just rest. Let your brother and sister-in-law handle the work.”

Granny Zhang went on about how Wu Cai’e had treated Song Ning poorly, how she’d endured hardship this past year, and told Wei Hu to treat Song Ning well. If anything came up, he should just head into town.

Zhang Banzi chimed in, “Mother’s right, Brother Wei Hu. If you ever need anything, just say the word. Though my family’s not well-off, we’ve got a little silver set aside.”

Wei Hu thanked them, and Song Ning added cheerfully, “We’ve been so grateful for Grandma Zhang and Brother Banzi looking out for us this past year. We wouldn’t have made it through otherwise.”

Zhang Banzi quickly interjected, “Ning-ger, you’ve helped us out so much over the years.”

San Niang chimed in, “That’s right! You’ve always brought food and clothes for our little one.”

As the Zhangs chatted while working, Wei Hu learned more about their family. Their young son was kind-hearted and had clearly looked out for them often.

Zhang Banzi now eked out a living doing odd jobs for various households, and life seemed to be treating him well.

Sanniang prepared the midday meal: steamed pork with fermented black beans, stir-fried dried radish with pork, daylily buds with eggs, sautéed Chinese cabbage, and she didn’t skimp on the oil, frying plenty of sweet potato dumplings.

The aroma of meat wafted through the Zhang family’s small courtyard, drawing the two little ones to the kitchen door where they refused to budge. The Zhangs shooed them away several times to no avail, anxious not to appear rude in front of Song Ning.

The Zhangs were just an ordinary family in town, and meat was a rare treat. Today’s spread was even more lavish than their New Year’s feast, making the children’s mouths water.

Only after Zhang Sanniang gave each child a sweet potato meatball did they finally leave.

During the meal, the Zhangs insisted that Song Ning and his companion sit at the head of the table. Song Ning protested, but Granny Zhang pressed him down. “You’re our guest. What’s wrong with sitting at the head?”

Only then did Song Ning sit down. Wei Hu opened the jar of liquor he’d brought, and Zhang Banzi joined him in drinking. Granny Zhang, concerned for Song Ning, picked out pieces of meat for him. “Eat more to build up your strength.”

“Granny, give it to the children instead.”

“You just eat yours. Don’t worry about them.”

Granny Zhang and Zhang Sanniang kept insisting, and before he knew it, Song Ning had eaten until he was stuffed.

Though the two little ones were greedy, they didn’t pick or rummage around on the table. They ate properly. When they couldn’t reach something, Zhang Sanniang would pick it up and feed it to them. The two little ones ate until their mouths were greasy.

The meal concluded with both hosts and guests thoroughly satisfied. Grandma Zhang was quite pleased with Wei Hu—he’d pitched in with chores right away and looked out for Song Ning during the meal. It was precisely this fate that left a knot in Grandma Zhang’s heart. If only he weren’t cursed to bring misfortune to his wives, the Wei family would be quite respectable.

That heartless Wu Cai’e was clearly intent on making Ning-ger’s life miserable—her schemes were truly vicious!

While Song Ning was enjoying a lively meal at the Zhangs’, Song Baozhu was also dining at her maternal home. Wu Cai’e had planned to stew that old hen for lunch, but it had been taken away again.

She had no choice but to give the household maid some copper coins, instructing her to buy a roasted chicken from outside and bring back some pork as well.

Wu Cai’e’s coins were meager, yet she demanded both chicken and meat. The Song family maid muttered under her breath as she left: “This pittance—what’s it even good for?”

Wu Cai’e was entertaining her new son-in-law, so she served a scrawny roast chicken, a bit of pork neck meat, and a dish of peanuts brought by Zhao Qingshu.

When the maid returned with the groceries, Wu Cai’e scolded her, accusing her of being blind and useless at shopping. Her voice was so loud that Zhao Qingshu heard every word clearly.