The Fifth General Banner men had eaten their fill this time. Zhou Bao scanned the shop and asked, “Where are Lin Fulang and Tuan-ger?”

“It’s cold out, so they’re staying home,” Wei Qingshan replied.

Zhou Bao looked slightly displeased. He hadn’t seen Tuan-ger in ages. Back in summer, the little guy had worn just a bellyband, his chubby little body extra plump. But once the cold weather hit, Zhou Bao hadn’t seen him much. “Then I’ll bring my two little rascals over to your place for New Year’s greetings,” Zhou Bao insisted, still hoping to get a chance to hug Tuan-ger.

Wei Qingshan’s lips curved slightly as he sipped his tea. “Sorry, we’re heading back to the countryside for the New Year.”

“Hah! I don’t believe it! I’ll come over the moment you get back.”

The group feasted and drank heartily upstairs, finally dispersing as dusk fell.

Wei Qingshan had long planned to return. The county seat was far from their rural home—the journey would take a full day. They decided to stay overnight in the town and head out to the countryside the next day.

The weather was bitterly cold, and Wei Qingshan feared that Lin Yu and Tuan-ger would freeze. He had a carpenter prepare a carriage well in advance. Since mules couldn’t pull it, he’d specially bought a horse kept in the backyard. Riding it to his duties proved quite convenient.

When Wei Qingshan returned home, the family was warming themselves by the fire in the main hall. Tuan-ger, dressed in a red silk jacket, reached out excitedly upon seeing him. “Daddy, Daddy~”

Wei Qingshan warmed himself by the fire before taking the child. “Come, Daddy will hold our Tuan-ger.”

Wei Qingshan lifted Tuan-ger high, and Tuan-ger giggled happily.

Lin Yu watched Wei Qingshan coaxing Tuan-ger with tender eyes. “When are we planning to go back?”

“The twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. We’ll stay in town for one day, then head back to the countryside on the twenty-ninth.”

“Alright.”

Shi Xiaoliu was delighted to hear the return date set. He hadn’t seen his mother, Shi Xiaoshu, or Shi Xiaohua in over half a year.

Now earning five taels of silver a month as the shop manager overseeing six or seven workers, he had more disposable income. He planned to buy some seasonal fabrics in the county seat to bring home.

Lin Yu had few relatives to visit in the countryside, so he went to see He Dongdong. He Dongdong had sent word that he had given birth—another ger. Lin Yu was genuinely happy for him.

Though He Dongdong wasn’t wealthy in the countryside, Shi Tou’s craftsmanship ensured they lived comfortably without want. Lin Yu bought four silver bracelets in the county seat—one for each child, so none would feel neglected.

Over the next half-year, the shop earned five or six hundred taels of silver, and his family’s life grew increasingly prosperous.

On the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, after sending off the last customer, the shop closed for the holidays. Wei Qingshan also took leave and joined Lin Yu at the shop. Everyone except Shi Xiaoliu and Zhao Yueniang received one tael of silver and a piece of meat. Overjoyed, they kept thanking them repeatedly.

Everyone wrapped themselves in cloaks for the journey home. At the shop remained a middle-aged man named Dahu, whom they had hired earlier. Lin Yu told him to spend the New Year in the courtyard with Xu Nainai, where they would prepare some wine and dishes to celebrate together.

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, after eating, everyone packed their belongings, preparing to return to Changping Town.

Inside the carriage, a thin cotton curtain provided insulation. Lin Yu held Tuan-ger close, feeling no chill at all. Each person held a hot water bottle in their hands, and Tuan-ger bounced happily inside.

Wei Qingshan wore a rabbit-fur coat and a matching fur hat—handmade by Lin Yu during their winter in hiding on the mountain. He felt no chill while driving the carriage outside.

Wei Qingshan lifted the curtain to peek inside. “Everyone’s settled? We’re leaving.”

Tuan-ger reached out to him, “Daddy, Daddy~”

“Here, Tuan-ger, sit tight. We’re heading back home.”

Wei Qingshan lowered the curtain and drove the carriage onward. The horse-drawn carriage was faster than a mule cart, allowing them to reach the town sooner.

As noon approached, Wei Qingshan pulled over at a house to rest, giving the family a hundred wen to fetch some hot soup and rice.

The household consisted of an elderly mother, a couple, and two children. They were startled when a carriage suddenly stopped at their door, fearing trouble. Upon hearing that the travelers wished to eat, they eagerly invited them inside.

Seeing the children, Lin Yu had Shi Xiaoliu fetch a box of pastries from the carriage. Wei Qingshan lifted the curtain and helped Tuan-ger down, while Lin Yu stepped out wearing a blue cloak. After a long morning, the hot water bottle in his hands had barely warmed up. He planned to have the family replace it with fresh water before departing.

The couple hurriedly ushered everyone inside. The two seven- or eight-year-old children, seeing strangers, hid a little further back. Shi Xiaoliu unwrapped the pastries and called them over, “Come on, have some pastries.”

The couple hurried off to prepare a meal. Given the cold weather, Lin Yu simply asked them to make some rolled noodles—something hearty and warming.

The couple immediately noticed the gentleman stepping down from the carriage. He wore a blue silk-lined cotton robe, his hair held back by a silver hairpin, and was draped in a rabbit-fur cloak. His handsome features clearly marked him as a gentleman from a wealthy family.

The woman hurriedly brought hot water for tea. They were given a string of copper coins and a bag of dried fruit—far more than needed for a few bowls of noodles. To this poor family, it felt like manna from heaven.

The room was cold and damp, with no fire lit, far less warm than the carriage. Wei Qingshan, fearing Tuan-ger would freeze, wrapped him in the rabbit-fur coat. Tuan-ger obediently nestled into Wei Qingshan’s embrace, tugging at the rabbit fur on his clothes.

The family was so poor that they couldn’t afford to light charcoal in their home. The two children hadn’t even had snacks before, each grabbing a piece of date paste cake to stuff into their mouths. The elderly woman seemed a bit stiff, saying, “Drink water, drink water.”

Before long, the woman brought over the noodles, which even had some shredded meat added. This was actually the meat her family had prepared for the New Year. Since guests had arrived, she’d cut some off to cook the noodles.

The two children each got half a bowl and began eating heartily, slurping away.

Lin Yu and the others each had a bowl. He fed some to Tuan-ger, who no longer drank goat’s milk. Now Lin Yu fed him soft noodles, rice porridge, or egg dishes.

Tuan-ger sat in Lin Yu’s lap, pouting cutely as he ate heartily, taking each spoonful obediently.

The woman kept urging them, “There’s more in the pot. Please have some more.”

“Enough, enough. We’re full.”

This family was poor, and Lin Yu and the others felt awkward eating more. They still had snacks in the carriage; they could eat some there later. Once Tuan-ger was full, everyone got up. The hot water bottle had been filled with hot water and felt wonderfully warm to hold. Lin Yu thanked them and left.

After the meal, everyone felt considerably warmer. Wei Qingshan drove the carriage toward town. Rocked gently by the motion, Tuan-ger played for a while before drifting off to sleep.

When the carriage reached town, it was still early. Wei Qingshan found an inn and booked two upper rooms, planning for Shi Xiaoliu to stay the night if he had nowhere else to go.

As soon as Shi Xiaoliu arrived in town, he couldn’t wait to carry his purchases home. His face beaming, he said, “Lin Ama, I’ll go home first.”

“Alright, take care on the way.”

Shi Xiaoliu clutched three bolts of fine cloth in his arms, along with pastries, roasted chicken, and roast duck. He strode briskly toward home. With silver no longer a concern, he shopped generously—never imagining a little beggar like himself could enjoy such good fortune.

Shi Xiaoliu raced home with his purchases. Before reaching the door, he called out, “Mother!”

Shi Xiaoshu and Shi Xiaohua were playing at the alley entrance. Spotting a ger in new clothes approaching from afar, they hesitated to recognize him. Only when he drew near did they realize it was Shi Xiaoliu. They rushed over to take the items. “Big Brother!”

“Yes!”

Shi Xiaoliu ruffled both their heads before hurrying into the courtyard. “Mother!”

Madam Wu was cooking inside when she heard what sounded like Shi Xiaoliu’s voice. She hurried out to check, afraid she might have misheard.

She had expected Shi Xiaoliu to return any day now. This year, their family was doing well. The silver from the dumpling shop would be given to Lin Yu once he returned, and she would get another ten percent profit share—that was fifty or sixty taels of silver!

She’d even sewn a new quilt especially for Shi Xiaoliu’s return, bringing it out to air in the sunshine just a couple of days ago.

As soon as Madam Wu stepped outside, she spotted Shi Xiaoliu running toward her. The boy threw himself into her arms. “Mother!”

“Ah, you’re back.” Tears welled in Madam Wu’s eyes with joy. “Let me see you, let me see you.”

Madam Wu took a good look at Shi Xiaoliu. He was wearing a brand-new cotton coat, had grown taller, and his face was fair with a healthy flush. Wiping away her tears, she recalled the year she first brought him home—a dirty ger, skinny as a monkey.

How wonderful—in the blink of an eye, he’d grown so tall he could even support himself now.

Shi Xiaoshu had already unwrapped the oil-paper package. “Mother! Brother bought roast duck!”

“And braised chicken!”

The two children jumped up with joy.

Madam Wu hurried Shi Xiaoliu inside. “Why did you buy all this after coming home? Our family’s better off now—we don’t lack for anything.”

Shi Xiaoliu beamed at Madam Wu. “Mother, you wouldn’t believe it! Lin Ama put me in charge of the shop—a two-story place! She pays me five taels of silver a month, and gave me ten more for the New Year!”

“Goodness! That much?!” Madam Wuzi gasped in shock, then beamed with pride. “Our Xiaoliu has made something of himself.”

Flattered by Madam Wuzi’s praise, Shi Xiaoliu beamed. Madam Wuzi then asked, “Why did you come back alone? Where are Mr. Wei and Lin Fulang?”

“They’re staying at the inn tonight. They’ll head back to the countryside tomorrow. Lin Ama said he’d go check on the shop.”

“You silly child! Why didn’t you invite them over for dinner?”

Shi Xiaoliu gave a silly chuckle. “I forgot.”

Madam Wu assumed Lin Yu and the others had gone to the shop. Since He Dazhu from the butcher’s was friends with Mr. Wei, they must have eaten there.

“After dinner, we’ll go find your Lin Ama and the others.”

“Okay.”

Shi Xiaoliu returned, and Madam Wu was delighted. That evening, she reheated half a roast chicken and stir-fried some eggs. The four of them gathered around the table to eat.

Madam Wu was genuinely happy for Shi Xiaoliu. He’d brought back quite a few things from his trip. As a ger, he would be able to live well even without relying on a man.

Lin Yu and the others warmed themselves with hot tea at the inn, rested briefly, then took some pastries to the shop.

Wei Qingshan held Tuan-ger close, the ger peeking out from beneath his embrace. The steamed bun shop was likely closed by now, but the butcher’s should still be open—with the New Year approaching, it was peak season for meat sales.

They approached the shopfront. He Dazhu was busy cutting meat for a customer when he looked up and spotted Wei Qingshan’s group. “Qingshan’s back!” he exclaimed.

He called out toward the back, “Wife! Qingshan and the others are back!”

He Dazhu’s face lit up with a smile. “It’s cold outside. Come inside and rest.”

Wei Qingshan and the others headed toward the back door. Hearing He Dazhu’s voice from the courtyard, He Dazhu’s wife hurried to open it. Seeing Wei Qingshan and the others approaching, she eagerly welcomed them inside. “You’re back! I figured you’d return any day now.”

Once inside, Wei Qingshan took Tuan-ger out of his arms. The room was warm from the charcoal fire, and both children were already warming themselves by it in the main hall.

Seeing Lin Yu and the others arrive, they happily called out, ”Uncle Wei! Lin Ama!”

He Dasao busied herself pouring hot water and scooping peanuts and melon seeds onto plates.

Lin Yu smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, no need to fuss—we’re all family here.”

“These are just cheap snacks, eat up, eat up.”

He Dazhu finished his chores out front, closed up the shop, and came inside. He laughed heartily, “I figured you’d be back any day now—I’ve even got the wine ready.”

He Dasao sat beside them. “Where’s the mule cart? How did you get back?”

“We rode in a hired carriage. It’s tethered at the inn.”

“Why didn’t you stay here? We have a spare room. Why spend money on that?” He Dasao scolded playfully.

Not seeing Shunzi, Lin Yu asked, “Where’s Brother Shunzi?”

“Shunzi went back. Since Lin-ger is not doing so well, he returned early.”

He Dasao was overjoyed to have Lin Yu and the others back. Since taking over the butcher shop, they could earn a tael or two daily. After deducting rent and other costs, they could easily make over two hundred taels a year. Living in town didn’t cost much—they brought grain from home. Whenever she and He Dazhu returned, they’d bring fruits and candied fruits for the second son’s family. The household lived in harmony.

After sitting for a while, He Dasao got busy. “It’s getting late. I’ll go cook.”

He Dasao cheerfully prepared dinner. The meat was readily available at home; she just needed to cut it at the shop. Their family’s current good fortune was entirely thanks to Wei Qingshan and Lin Yu.

Lin Yu held Tuan-ger on his lap. When the Tuan-ger kicked his legs, wanting to stand, he helped him stand for a moment. He could now take a few steps while holding onto something. Come spring, when the weather warmed and he switched to lighter clothes, he’d be able to walk unaided.

He Dazhu’s two children were playing around Tuan-ger. Lin Yu had Zhao Yueniang unwrap the pastries he’d brought back for the two boys. These were fresh, trendy treats made by the county government, far more refined than anything sold in town.

Each child took one and began eating. “Dad, these pastries are so good! Even better than fruit cakes!”

“Hold them with your hands, don’t drop them on the floor.”

These pastries clearly weren’t cheap. Now that his family had better days, they’d occasionally buy the children small treats like malt sugar or candied fruits, but such expensive pastries were a luxury they could only afford once or twice a year.

Country folk were used to frugality—having enough to eat and wear was enough. His family’s life now was immeasurably better than before.

The room felt a bit warm, so Lin Yu unfastened Tuan-ger’s little cape. The lively atmosphere filled the space. Tuan-ger bounced up and down with delight, making Lin Yu chuckle. “Why so happy?”

He Dasao brought over some charcoal from the stove to add to the fire. “Let’s stoke it up a bit more.”