The two argued, with Sun Dazhuang mediating between them. “Mother, how can you speak to Qiu-ger like that? Look at his hands—they’re chapped raw!”

“That’s not from working! It’s all because he’s lazy and goes out playing!”

Qiu-ger felt deeply wronged. His family was poor, and he worked so hard embroidering flowers precisely to make life a little easier for them. Though Qiu-ger refused to admit any fault, being scolded like this by his mother-in-law made him burst into tears.

Chin up, refusing to back down, he pointed at Granny Sun and argued back, tears spilling from his eyes. Only then did he notice Song Ning standing frozen in the doorway. Panic seized him—his mother could say whatever she wanted about him, but she couldn’t speak to Ning-ger like that!

Qiu-ger quickly wiped his tears and ran over. “Ning-ger, when did you arrive?”

“You… you said the flower patterns could sell for money. I drew some and brought them over for you. I… I’m leaving.” Song Ning panicked and tried to leave, forgetting to give the flower patterns in his hand to Qiu-ger.

Qiu-ger quickly grabbed his arm. “Ning-ger, don’t go! I’ll curse it back! I’ll curse it back!”

Song Ning shoved the designs into Qiu-ger’s hands and dashed away. His eyes reddened as he sniffed back tears. It was all his fault for ‘corrupting’ Qiu-ger. Qiu-ger had once mentioned Granny Sun always picking fights with him, but he never imagined it would involve him, too.

Qiu-ger wanted to chase after Song Ning, but he felt too ashamed. Stomping his foot in frustration, he stormed back inside. Sun Dazhuang tried to offer comfort, only to get punched by Qiu-ger. “If Ning-ger won’t play with me anymore, then I won’t play with you either!”

Qiu-ger slammed the door shut, locking Sun Dazhuang out. Sun Dazhuang was utterly distraught. “Hey, Mother! What are you doing? Do you want to make me a bachelor just to make yourself happy?”

Granny Sun, who had just been jumping up and down, arguing with Qiu-ger, now dared not utter a word. How could she have known Song Ning would suddenly show up? She was only a bully at home—she feared Chen Cuihua would find out and come tear her mouth off!

After returning home, Song Ning retreated to the kitchen and sat there, hugging his knees and wiping away tears. He really was a useless little good-for-nothing. Everyone knew now. He was just too stupid.

He dared not go into the main room. His mother was making a rabbit-fur scarf for him there, and he feared she would see him.

Song Ning sat alone in the kitchen shed, silently weeping. Wei Hu hadn’t gone out today; he was digging a three-foot-wide cellar in the backyard, preparing to grow some garlic sprouts inside.

After finishing the pit, Wei Hu came out and entered the kitchen to fetch water to wash his hands. There he saw Song Ning curled up in a ball behind the stove. “Why aren’t you in the main hall, Ning-ger? It’s cold here. Go sit by the fire with your mother in the main hall.”

Hearing the movement, Song Ning hurriedly wiped his tears. Only then did Wei Hu notice he was crying. He rushed over. “What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”

Song Ning hid, refusing to let Wei Hu see him. Wei Hu wiped his hands and crouched down beside him. “Who bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll teach them a lesson!”

“No one… no one bullied me.”

Wei Hu couldn’t possibly believe that. Who wouldn’t bully someone to make them cry like this?

“I’ll ask Qiu-ger!” Wei Hu knew Qiu-ger and Song Ning were close playmates. They shared everything together. Qiu-ger must know who bullied his ger!

Song Ning grabbed Wei Hu’s arm. “No, don’t go.”

Wei Hu’s heart was breaking at the sight of Song Ning’s tears. The ger had been with their family for so long—he’d only cried those first couple of days after arriving, never since. To see him crying like this now meant he must have been badly bullied.

Song Ning buried his face in Wei Hu’s chest. Wei Hu crouched down, wrapping his arms around the ger. “Don’t cry anymore. Don’t cry. It’s my fault. I’m useless. I let you suffer.”

The more Wei Hu said this, the sadder Song Ning became. Buried in Wei Hu’s embrace, he sobbed aloud, “Brother Wei Hu, I’m so useless. I can’t do anything at all, waaah~.”

“Who says that? Our Ning-ger is the most amazing. Not only can he read, but he can draw too. The flowers he paints are absolutely beautiful.”

“But… but none of that matters. No matter how well I study, I can’t pass the imperial exams. I’m just a useless little ger.” Song Ning was utterly heartbroken, sobbing uncontrollably against Wei Hu’s chest.

“No, no! Studying well is amazing! I, Wei Hu, can’t read a single character. You’re so much better than me!”

“It’s different. It’s different.”

Chen Cuihua heard the commotion and came out. Seeing her little Ning-ger sobbing in the kitchen, her first thought was that Wei Hu had bullied him. “Wei Hu! What have you done to Ning-ger?”

Chen Cuihua approached, and Song Ning quickly wiped his tears. But his eyes were already red from crying, and tears kept streaming down no matter how he tried to wipe them away.

“Mother, I don’t know what happened. I just came out from the back yard and found Ning-ger hiding here, crying.”

Chen Cuihua pulled him up and wiped his tears. “Didn’t you say you went out to find Qiu-ger? Who bullied you? I’ll skin her alive!”

Song Ning shook his head. “No one.”

“But did you have a fight with Qiu-ger?”

Song Ning shook his head. “No, no.”

Chen Cuihua didn’t believe it either. Her Ning-ger and Qiu-ger were always so close—why would they fight? Just moments ago, he’d been happily talking about bringing flowers to Qiu-ger, and now he was crying.

“I’ll go find out!”

Chen Cuihua stormed off without another word. If anyone dared bully her ger, she’d tear them apart once she found out who it was!

“Mother! Mother!”

Song Ning called out twice, but Chen Cuihua ignored him, striding out the door.

Chen Cuihua intended to find Qiu-ger to ask what had happened. When she arrived at the Sun family’s house, Granny Sun, upon seeing her, scurried into the house like a mouse spotting a cat.

Chen Cuihua wasn’t looking for her anyway. She entered the house and called out, “Qiu-ger! Qiu-ger! Are you home?”

Sun Dazhuang emerged from the room. “He’s here. Qiu-ger is inside.”

Only then did Chen Cuihua enter. The moment she stepped inside, she saw Qiu-ger sitting on the bed, sobbing. Chen Cuihua slapped her thigh. “What’s gotten into you? Qiu-ger, what’s wrong with you and my Ning-ger? You two are usually as close as two peas in a pod. Why are you arguing now?”

Qiu-ger sobbed uncontrollably, hiccuping, “N-no, I didn’t fight with Ning-ger.”

“Then what’s wrong with you two? You’re both crying as if the floodgates have burst!” Chen Cuihua pulled a handkerchief from her waistband and wiped Qiu-ger’s tears. “Stop crying! Dazhuang, hurry over and comfort him!”

As soon as Sun Dazhuang approached, Qiu-ger didn’t give him a single friendly glance, turning his head away in silence.

Chen Cuihua grew anxious. Getting nothing out of either of them, she sat down again. “My Ning-ger is crying at home. What’s going on? This is driving me crazy.”

Hearing that Song Ning had also been provoked to tears, Qiu-ger felt even more guilty. Ning-ger had been so kind to him, even drawing pretty pictures for him. Aunt Cuihua had been good to him too, never minding him coming over to share their fire. Now look what has happened.

“It was my mother who said something about Ning-ger, and Ning-ger overheard it.”

Chen Cuihua knew her family was no stranger to gossip. Granny Sun was a real busybody—probably spreading rumors again about Wei Hu being a wife-killer. Without a second thought, Chen Cuihua turned to find Granny Sun. The moment she stepped outside, she spotted Granny Sun scurrying away with her neck tucked in.

“You, Granny Sun! Spreading rumors about my family again? Stop right there!”

Without a word, Chen Cuihua grabbed Granny Sun by the collar and yanked her back. Granny Sun yelped and fell to the ground. “Dazhuang! Dazhuang! Oh my! Someone’s hitting your mother!”

Sun Dazhuang had been watching the whole time. Seeing that Chen Cuihua had only pulled her down without hitting her, he didn’t intervene. As her son, he couldn’t say anything. It was fine for an outsider to give his mother a little scolding. She was always picking on Qiu-ger, and even Ning-ger, who hadn’t done anything to provoke her, was the subject of her gossip.

Seeing Chen Cuihua hadn’t actually hit anyone, he didn’t intervene. A scare was good enough.

Chen Cuihua spat. “You old hag! What kind of skill is bullying my Ning-ger? You only dare pick on children! Try messing with me!”

Granny Sun, having been berated point-blank by Chen Cuihua, sat frozen on the ground, too scared to rise.

Her mouth was just as sharp. Even with Chen Cuihua confronting her, she wouldn’t back down. “What did I say wrong? It’s your Ning-ger who’s corrupted my Qiu-ger! When Qiu-ger first came to our house, he was so diligent! Ever since he started hanging out with your Ning-ger, he won’t even cook meals anymore. It’s all because your Ning-ger led him astray!”

“Bullshit! How could it be my Ning-ger who corrupted him? You’re just lazy! If you want someone to wait on you hand and foot, just say so! Don’t blame it on my Ning-ger!”

Granny Sun, neck clenched, still wouldn’t back down. “It’s your Ning-ger who corrupted him! Everyone in this village knows Ning-ger can’t even cook a meal! You’re the one who wants to be waited on, aren’t you? Even your own Wei Hu, a grown man, has to wait on a ger! People would laugh if they heard about it!“

Chen Cuihua froze for a moment before snapping back, ”What business is it of yours, you old hag! I’m happy to wait on him! My Ning-ger is just fine! If I hear you mention Ning-ger again, next time I won’t be so polite—I’ll skin you alive!”

Chen Cuihua didn’t resort to violence. She merely stood in the Sun family’s courtyard, hurling insults. Qiu-ger and Ning-ger were close friends, and Dazhuang had grown up alongside her own son, Huzi. She had to save face for both boys. Otherwise, Qiu-ger might feel too embarrassed to set foot in her house again.

Chen Cuihua ranted in the yard for a long while, leaving Granny Sun sitting frozen on the ground. Let that old shrew freeze her silly!

Only when she was satisfied did Chen Cuihua finally turn and head home. “Next time, I won’t be so polite!”

Granny Sun sat shivering on the cold ground. Chen Cuihua had been surprisingly restrained today—in the past, she would’ve been yanking her hair by now.

Only after Chen Cuihua vanished from sight did Granny Sun dare to scramble up. Her legs were numb from the cold. She stood briefly but couldn’t maintain her balance, crashing back down with an “Ouch!” She groaned again, “Dazhuang! Dazhuang! You, unfilial son!”

Sun Dazhuang finally came over to help her up. “Mother, you brought this on yourself. There’s not a soul in this village you haven’t spoken ill of. And don’t you dare mention Qiu-ger again. If I get angry, I won’t lift a finger to help you. I’ll let Aunt Cuihua beat you myself.”

“Unfilial son! Unfilial son!”

Qiu-ger snorted and went inside. “Serves you right.”

Chen Cuihua scolded Granny Sun thoroughly before heading back. On the way, she frowned in thought. She wasn’t one to mingle much with the villagers. Even when Ning-ger came to her house, she rarely went out. She never imagined people would talk about her Ning-ger like that outside. It truly infuriated her!

When she returned, Song Ning was still sitting in the main hall, his eyes red. He’d wanted to follow her out earlier, but Wei Hu had pulled him back. Country folk could be quite crude when they argued, and Wei Hu feared Song Ning would only expose his ears to filth.

He knew his mother was a woman who wouldn’t take any nonsense—otherwise, she wouldn’t have raised him alone. That’s why Wei Hu didn’t go with her, instead stopping Song Ning and keeping him at home to wait.

By now, Wei Hu had already grilled her about the reason. His face turned cold as he listened. His Ning-ger was minding his own business at home, bothering no one, yet those gossipmongers outside were already spinning tales.

Song Ning’s eyes reddened as he tugged at Wei Hu’s sleeve. “Brother Wei Hu, I’m a clumsy Fulang. I can’t do anything right.”

“Nonsense! I’m happy to serve you. So you can’t cook—it’s no big deal. Am I, Wei Hu, a grown man, incapable of supporting my own Fulang?”

Chen Cuihua lifted the curtain and joined them. “Exactly! It’s just cooking. You two are ridiculous—is hiding such a small thing from your mother really necessary?”

Before Song Ning could speak, Wei Hu interjected, “I was afraid you’d look down on Ning-ger. It was my idea.”

Chen Cuihua shot Wei Hu a disapproving glance. “I know perfectly well that country lads and lasses are all capable. But our Ning-ger is different—he’s educated, a man of letters. If he doesn’t want to cook, Wei Hu and I will handle it. If he wants to learn, he can. If not, we won’t force him.”

Song Ning hadn’t expected his lingering worry to be resolved so easily. Those first few days, he’d feared being rejected, sleeping fitfully at night.

Song Ning nodded repeatedly. “I’ll learn. I’ll learn.”

“Mother, perhaps it’s best not to have Ning-ger learn. His hands will just get cut up again.”

Chen Cuihua chuckled. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Now, Ning-ger, stop crying. Granny Sun got scolded by this old woman of mine until she sat down on the ground. Let that old witch freeze her butt off.”

Song Ning’s tears turned to a smile. “Thank you, Mother.”

Chen Cuihua took his hand. “You were raised in luxury at home. If your father hadn’t met with misfortune, you wouldn’t have married into our family. You never suffered hardship in the Song household—there’s no reason you should endure it here. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Chen Cuihua had lived her whole life in the countryside. Country folk were all like this. Even as a young girl before marriage, she’d learned to cook for her family. After marrying into the Wei household, while her husband hunted in the mountains, she managed the home—washing clothes, cooking meals, tending to chores. During busy farming seasons, they worked the fields together.

That’s how things were done in the village. She’d never heard of a wife who didn’t cook for her Fulang. If a girl didn’t know these things while still at her parents’ home, people would call her lazy. No one would want to marry her. And if she wasn’t diligent in her husband’s home, she’d be scolded by her mother-in-law.

Though Chen Cuihua was a simple farm woman, she understood the ways of the world. This ger had been raised in luxury; it made no sense for him to suffer hardship now that he was in her home. She was merely preparing an extra meal.

Song Ning’s nose stung as he hugged Chen Cuihua. “Mother, you’re so kind.”

Chen Cuihua let out an “Aye!” and patted the little ger’s back. “Your mother here always wanted a son or ger. Your brother Huzi wasn’t affectionate as a child, but a ger is so much better. Look at him now—how he draws affection!”

Having just cried, Song Ning felt a bit embarrassed. He wasn’t a child anymore; he couldn’t cry so easily from now on, or people would think he only knew how to cry.

Chen Cuihua couldn’t be bothered with the village gossip. Had her family ever escaped their idle chatter? First, they said Huzi was unlucky for wives, then they claimed she had bad fortune. Now even Ning-ger was the subject of their gossip. In the end, Ning-ger was the one suffering for no fault of his own.

Soothing Song Ning like a child, Chen Cuihua said, “Go with your brother Wei Hu to the backyard. I had your brother Huzi dig a little pit for you. He planted some garlic shoots there. We’ll fry them with eggs for you guys later.”

Song Ning hummed in response, following Wei Hu with a touch of embarrassment.

Wei Hu led him to the backyard, gently cradling him in his arms and kissing her forehead. “I failed to protect you.”

Wei Hu felt deeply that Song Ning had suffered from marrying a rough man like him. Raised in luxury as a pampered ger, he’d never done such manual labor before.

Song Ning blushed at the kiss. He was a married man now—why was he still acting so childish? “Wei… Brother Weihu, didn’t Mother say we’d be growing garlic chives? Let me help you.”

“Alright.”

Wei Hu fetched some garlic from the kitchen, then hopped into the hole. “Just hand me the garlic.”

Song Ning obediently handed Wei Hu garlic from above. “Brother Wei Hu, will this actually grow garlic? Won’t it freeze to death?”

“No, this spot gets plenty of sun. It’ll sprout garlic greens in time.”

Song Ning blinked. “So that’s how garlic greens are grown.”

His attention was captured, easing his earlier distress.

Together, they planted garlic in the backyard, then covered it with a thick layer of straw. In time, it would sprout.

Winter offered little in the way of food or fresh vegetables. Most days, they ate mustard greens and radishes, or dried vegetables. Having some garlic greens sprout up would be a welcome change.

After learning Song Ning couldn’t cook, Chen Cuihua stopped calling him to prepare meals. She only asked him to help stoke the fire—warming the house on cold winter nights.

At night, Song Ning snuggled obediently against Wei Hu’s chest. “Brother Wei Hu, do you think Qiu-ger won’t come play with me anymore? I only have one friend here—Qiu-ger.”

“He won’t.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Wei Hu thought about how his ger only had this one playmate. If Qiu-ger stopped coming because of this, he’d go find Sun Dazhuang and talk it out.

Wei Hu hugged him and kissed him. Song Ning actually chased after him. Originally, he’d meant to comfort his sad little brother, but things took a different turn.

“Wei Hu, my mouth hurts. You bit too hard.”

Wei Hu felt two headaches at once. “Song Ning!”

After being kissed, Song Ning calmed down, his mind still a bit fuzzy. “Wei Hu, why didn’t you… Why didn’t you…”

“Your body’s weak. Rest up. Sleep.”

Wei Hu patted the ger on his chest until he drifted off. Holding him close, Wei Hu closed his own eyes, his eyes red from holding back. He feared he might truly harm Song Ning.

When Song Ning woke up the next morning, his mouth ached terribly. Brother Wei Hu had been too forceful yesterday. He felt like Brother Wei Hu had nearly devoured him. Next time, he’d tell Brother Wei Hu not to do that—to kiss him gently.

The weather had been pleasant these past two days, and with little to do at home, Song Ning sat in his small study drawing various patterns. Qiu-ger hadn’t sought him out for two days now. Was he upset? If so, Song Ning would simply draw more beautiful designs to give to Qiu-ger. He was sure Qiu-ger would be delighted.

Wei Hu spent these days wandering the woods by the back mountain, hunting wild pheasants and rabbits. If he didn’t catch anything, he’d chop firewood to take home.

Song Ning was drawing patterns inside when Wei Hu walked in. “Are your hands cold?”

“No, I’m drawing patterns for Qiu-ger. Look, I’ve drawn some more. I’ll go give them to him!”

Wei Hu came over and saw quite a few. Each one was meticulously drawn and neatly arranged.

Song Ning showed them to Wei Hu like they were treasures. “Brother Wei Hu, come with me when the time comes. I’m afraid Granny Sun will scold me.”

“She wouldn’t dare.”

Standing so close, Wei Hu leaned down and kissed the ger’s forehead. Smiling, he unbuttoned his cotton robe. Song Ning’s face flushed. “Brother Wei Hu, it’s broad daylight. What are you doing?”

Wei Hu’s smile widened. What was this ger thinking about in broad daylight?

He took Song Ning’s hand and placed it inside his coat. Song Ning gasped in surprise. Something furry and warm pressed against his palm, making him quickly pull his hand back.

“Startled?” Wei Hu chuckled.

“Brother Wei Hu, what’s in your coat?”

Wei Hu tugged at his cotton robe, and a fluffy little head poked out from his chest, giving Song Ning a soft meow. Song Ning gasped, “It’s a kitten!”

“Yeah. I heard some noise coming from your study these past few days, so I hired a colorful weasel to help you catch mice.”

Song Ning held the small, colorful kitten with delight, cuddling it and rubbing his cheek against its fur. The little creature was warm and fluffy all over, not struggling in his embrace, but mewing softly.

The young ger had seemed rather down these past two days. Wei Hu had searched high and low before finally learning that someone’s cat had given birth to a litter of kittens.

It wasn’t summer or autumn, the usual season for cats to have kittens in the dead of winter. Wei Hu had gone to great lengths to find one, offering a wild rabbit as payment to bring this little tabby home.

Among the litter, he’d instantly fallen for this little tabby. Its big eyes were round and bright. When he reached to pick it up, it had cowered in its straw nest and hissed at him. Wei Hu thought this kitten resembled Song Ning—though unlike his little ger, it wasn’t nearly as fierce.

Wei Hu tucked the kitten into his chest and carried it home, taking half an hour to return. He hoped it would cheer Song Ning up and help guard the study. Sure enough, his little ger adored it.

Song Ning clutched the little tabby, unable to put it down. “Brother Wei Hu, it’s so tiny. Will it survive?”

“Of course. Keep it in the main hall by day and on the stove at night—it’ll be warm there.”

Song Ning’s eyes crinkled. “Let’s ask Mother! She’ll know for sure!”

She carried the kitten happily to the east room. “Mother, look! Brother Wei Hu got me a little kitten!”

Chen Cuihua was sewing shoe soles on her bed. Spotting the kitten, she gasped, “Where did Huzi find this for you? Kittens in the dead of winter?!”

Song Ning nodded while cradling the kitten. “Mother, it’s so tiny. I’m afraid I can’t keep it alive. Look, its eyes are so big.”

“It’s harder to care for when it’s cold, but don’t worry—Mother will help you raise it.” Chen Cuihua gently hooked her finger under the little tabby’s chin. “And it’s a tabby! These cats grow up to be fierce. I once saw a tabby fight a dog—it scratched the poor thing’s face to pieces. Fierce, that one.”

Song Ning hadn’t known tabby cats were so fierce. He only saw its fluffy softness. “So you’re quite the tough little thing, huh?”