He Dasao noticed a box of exquisitely packaged pastries on the table and said, “Next time you come, don’t bring anything. Especially not something so expensive.”

Lin Yu smiled and replied, “People back in the county seat love these kinds of treats. I brought them back for you to try something new.”

He Dasao tucked the pastries away, worried the children might overindulge. “Alright, just have one each. Take the rest home for your cousin and the others to try.”

Both children obediently nodded. The pastries were truly delicious, filled with sweet stuffing inside.

He Dasao served up four or five dishes. Since Wei Qingshan and Lin Yu were visiting, she didn’t skimp on the meat, generously filling each savory dish with it.

He Dasao urged them warmly, “Eat more, eat more! I’m cooking porridge for Tuan-ger too. It’ll be ready soon, nice and thick.”

Tuan-ger reached out his little hand, wanting some too. Lin Yu grasped his chubby little hand. “You’re still too young to eat that.”

“Sssshhh~”

Seeing the flatbread on the table, Lin Yu broke off a piece for him to hold and nibble on. Only then did Tuan-ger sit still obediently.

“Tuan-ger is such a good ger! My two little ones turn the place upside down at mealtime—they insist on eating even when they shouldn’t. Kids are so quick; if you blink, their hands are already in the bowls.”

He Dasao chuckled as she spoke. Lin Yu found it amusing, too. His Tuan-ger was manageable; giving him a handful of snacks to hold kept him from grabbing at the food on the table.

Wei Qingshan was chatting with He Dazhu. He and the He brothers had been close since childhood. After the family split, He Dazhu’s mother had often looked after him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have transferred the butcher shop to the He family to run.

He Dazhu brought over some wine. “Care for a drink?”

“No, thanks. Xiao Tuan has a keen sense of smell. If he catches even a hint of alcohol on me, he won’t let me hold him.”

Tuan-ger seemed to understand he was being addressed, cooing, “Hold~”

Wei Qingshan smiled as he glanced at Tuan-ger. The little one grew more and more like his young husband every day. He was still just a ger, and Wei Qingshan couldn’t help but dote on him endlessly.

After eating, they lingered for a while. Madam Wu and Shi Xiaoliu joined them, filling the room with even more cheer. Everyone gathered around the brazier, sipping tea and nibbling on roasted snacks. Life was getting better day by day, and with the New Year approaching, smiles graced every face.

He Dasao suddenly remembered something and said to Lin Yu, “Oh, right. Not long after we started this business, a man came looking for you. He claimed to be your father.”

Madam Wu, who knew the whole story, also reassured Lin Yu, “Don’t worry, Lin Fulang. There were plenty of men coming to our shop. We just kicked him out, saying you’d already left and the shop had been transferred to us.”

Had the two women not mentioned it, Lin Yu would have nearly forgotten about Lin Shuyuan altogether. Since moving to the county seat, they’d been consumed by the shop’s daily business, leaving no time to dwell on such messy affairs.

“What did he want?”

“He was dressed in rags, saying he was looking for you,” Madam Wu explained. Previously, whenever Lin Shuyuan had come seeking Lin Yu, he’d always worn silk robes adorned with gold and jade ornaments. But after Lin Yu had been gone for some time, he’d returned again, covered in dust and grime, even his clothes now coarse linen garments.

Lin Yu knew exactly why he’d come without needing to guess. “Ignore him. Just tell him you don’t know where I am.”

Lin Yu hadn’t expected Lin Shuyuan to be driven out of the Qin household. He wondered whether they’d divorced amicably or if Lin Shuyuan had been formally repudiated. After all, Lin Shuyuan was merely a son-in-law in the Qin family. It was surprising that Lady Qin, who seemed so gentle and delicate, could act with such unexpected decisiveness.

Accustomed to the life of luxury, Lin Shuyuan was given nothing but the clothes on his back when expelled. He was stunned when the divorce papers were flung at him, his desperate pleas and kneeling at the Qin residence’s gate falling on deaf ears.

With nowhere else to turn, he remembered Lin Yu, hoping the child might take care of him in his old age. But after trudging all this way, Lin Yu had vanished without a trace.

What Lin Yu didn’t know was that while Qin Liangyu had a gentle nature, Qin Fang’er was fiercely stubborn. She had inherited the old master’s sharpness, and though young, she was clear-headed and intolerant of wrongdoing. Together with her brother Qin Zhao, she had persuaded Qin Liangyu to divorce Lin Shuyuan.

After a few words about Lin Shuyuan, the topic was dropped. After all, it wasn’t a pleasant subject, especially during the festive season. Better to avoid such mood-killing talk. With so many people in the room, the atmosphere quickly grew lively again. Seeing more playmates around, Tuan-ger no longer felt sleepy. Usually, he’d grow drowsy after playing a bit once night fell, but today he was full of energy, grinning widely to reveal his tiny, newly sprouted baby teeth.

With a child in tow, Lin Yu and the others didn’t linger long. Before leaving, Wei Qingshan tucked Tuan-ger beneath his rabbit-fur coat. The boy wore a crimson satin cape over it; once the hood was pulled up and his face nestled against Wei Qingshan’s chest, he was completely shielded from the wind.

He Dazhu escorted them back to the inn with his lantern before returning.

Wei Qingshan ordered charcoal braziers to warm the room. Lin Yu undid the rabbit-fur coat and lifted Tuan-ger out. He saw the little one had fallen asleep sometime ago. When he picked him up, he grumbled unhappily, his tiny hands grasping at air.

Lin Yu chuckled softly, undressed the child, and tucked him into the bedding. “You were having so much fun, little one, I thought you weren’t sleepy at all.”

After settling Tuan-ger, Lin Yu peeked into the next room. “Yueniang, if anything happens tonight, just call me.”

“Alright, brother. Nothing’s wrong. You should get some rest.”

Shi Xiaoliu had stayed home tonight, leaving only Zhao Yueniang in the next room. That’s why Lin Yu had come to check on her.

After returning, Lin Yu tidied up and lay down. Tomorrow, after waking and eating, they would head back to the countryside for the New Year.

With the cold weather setting in, Lin Yu had Tuan-ger sleep between them. During the warmer months, the ger slept alone in his cradle. Wei Qingshan had a fiery temper, and with both of them snuggled close to the ger, the nights were never cold.

Wei Qingshan stretched out his arm, pulling both his young husband and their ger closer. The inn had brought up charcoal braziers, making the room quite warm.

In the wee hours of the night, Tuan-ger murmured softly. Lin Yu stirred groggily, feeling that the child seemed overheated. She nudged Wei Qingshan. “Tuan-ger’s too warm. Give him some space.”

Wei Qingshan lifted Tuan-ger and placed him in the inner bedding, then snuggled back to sleep with his young husband. Lin Yu gave him a light kick in displeasure. “Why did you put Tuo ger aside?”

“I want to hold you while we sleep.”

Outside, the wind seemed to pick up. Lin Yu snuggled deeper into Wei Qingshan’s embrace. “It won’t snow, will it? If it does, tomorrow’s journey will be rough.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll seal the carriage well tomorrow; it won’t be cold.”

Now, wide awake in the late night, both men felt no trace of sleepiness. Wei Qingshan cradled his young ger against him. “Not sleepy anymore?”

Lin Yu nudged him. “Tuan-ger is here.”

“I’ll be gentle. The little one won’t wake.”

Wei Qingshan pulled the quilt over Tuan-ger, tucking the hot water bottle in beside him. He coaxed Lin Yu into playfully wrestling with him. Though snuggling against Wei Qingshan had been warm and comfortable, now the heat was intense. Lin Yu bit his lip, daring not to make a sound, afraid of waking Tuan-ger beside them.

Wei Qingshan leaned down to kiss his little husband. Such a good boy. Come spring, when it warms up, he’d have Xu Nainai take Tuan-ger to sleep.

Morning brought no urgent matters, so none of them rose early. Lin Yu slept soundly, his hair slightly tousled. Tuan-ger had already woken and sat up, crawling toward the two of them.

Wei Qingshan feared the little one might catch a cold, so he tucked him into their shared quilt. “Good boy, don’t disturb your little daddy’s sleep.”

Tuan-ger lay down in the quilt, sucking his thumb as he played. Wei Qingshan exhaled deeply. Holding both his young husband and their child on this bitter winter day, he didn’t want to let go.

Lin Yu woke up to find Tuan-ger’s round eyes staring right at him. Lin Yu felt a bit uneasy under the gaze. All those marks on his body were from Wei Qingshan’s kisses yesterday. All that talk about being gentle was just a lie.

Wei Qingshan had his fill yesterday and was feeling refreshed now. Seeing Lin Yu awake, he sat up and dressed Tuan-ger first. “I’ll take care of him. I’ve heated water—you wash up first.”

Lin Yu flushed. He still felt sticky all over. Once they returned home and the cold weather made bathing impossible, he wouldn’t be able to indulge Wei Qingshan’s wild antics anymore.

After both had bathed and changed, Tuan-ger was placed on the bed while they took turns watching him. They ate together before tidying up and departing.

Snow had indeed fallen yesterday, blanketing the roads. Fortunately, it wasn’t heavy, making the carriage journey back manageable.

Today, a breeze picked up outside. In the carriage, Lin Yu wrapped Tuan-ger tightly. Each person held a hot water bottle, and a small four-legged charcoal stove was placed by the carriage door. It had a perforated lid, preventing the embers from spilling out even when the carriage jolted.

Wei Qingshan was also bundled up in his rabbit-fur coat outside. “Sit tight, we’re leaving.”

The butcher shop and steamed bun shop closed early today after a busy day. He Dazhu was cutting meat for customers while glancing toward the street corner—Wei Qingshan and the others would pass by on that main road. He’d already set aside a prime cut of meat, planning to have Wei Qingshan bring it back for him when he passed by.

He Dazhu had been scanning the street for ages when he finally spotted Wei Qingshan. At first, he hesitated to recognize him—Wei was riding in a carriage with a boxed compartment. If not for Wei still wearing yesterday’s rabbit-fur coat, he wouldn’t have been sure.

Seeing Wei about to turn the corner, he hurriedly called out, “Qingshan! Qingshan!”

Madam Wu poked her head out from the steamed bun shop. “Is that Mr. Wei and Mr. Lin?”

“It’s them, just passing our street corner.”

He Dazhu carried the meat out of the shop first. “I almost didn’t recognize you with the new carriage.”

Wei Qingshan chuckled and nodded. “We have a child now. The mule cart gets too cold for the journey.”

He Dazhu placed the meat on the wagon. “Take it home to eat. It’s cold now, so the meat won’t spoil.”

Madam Wu hurried out carrying a basket. “Mr. Wei, Mr. Lin, these buns are freshly steamed. Just heat them up when you get home.”

Lin Yu lifted the cloth covering the front of the wagon to take them. “Thank you, Madam Wu.”

“Take care on the road.”

“Alright.”

Wei Qingshan drove the cart away. Just as He Dazhu stepped out, his wife was helping in the shop. She, too, had seen Wei Qingshan’s cart. After all, they were different now. Wei Qingshan was now a commander at the county government’s city defense office, a minor official of sorts. Their clothes were much better now, unlike those of the mud-legged peasants like them. The carriage moved slowly along the snow-covered road. Inside, Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang entertained Tuan-ger. Tuan-ger was holding onto things and was now able to stand. Lin Yu had him stand between her legs as she played with him. He giggled happily, his laughter clear enough for Wei Qingshan to hear from outside.

By the time the four returned to the village, it was only midday. Wei Qingshan asked Lin Yu and the others to stay in the carriage while he unlocked the door and lit a fire inside. The countryside was colder here; the carriage had been warm, and stepping out suddenly would surely chill them.

Wei Qingshan opened the door and stepped inside. Though he hadn’t returned for over half a year, the courtyard was spotless, and there was still some firewood left. He lit a fire in the main hall to warm the house.

They’d brought bedding and provisions with them. The thatched cottage here naturally couldn’t compare to the two-courtyard residence in the county seat, and it felt colder in winter too. Their main purpose for returning this year was to visit Lin Yu’s great-aunt’s home and find someone to put their name on the family shop.

Wei Qingshan let the brazier warm the room for a while before bringing Lin Yu and Tuan-ger down. “It’s a bit chilly inside. You might want to take off your cloak in a bit.”

“Okay, got it.”

The moment they stepped off the carriage, the cold wind, laced with snowflakes, lashed at their faces. Lin Yu jumped down. “Why does the countryside feel so much colder this year?”

Zhao Yueniang also stepped down, carrying her things. “Seems like it.”

Lin Yu took Tuan-ger inside to warm up by the fire. Wei Qingshan and Zhao Yueniang unloaded the items and began tidying the house. After not living here for over half a year, the place needed some cleaning up.

Sang Niang was weaving inside when Qing-ger ran in. “Mother, Lin Fulang and the others seem to be back!”

“Really? Let’s go see.”

Sang Niang led Qing-ger over. A horse-drawn carriage was tethered in the courtyard. Sang Niang called out, “Yu’er, is that you back?”

“Yes, I’m inside. Come in quickly.”

Sang Niang led Qing ger inside. Seeing that it was Lin Yu who had returned, she was overjoyed. “It’s been a while. Tuan-ger can even stand now. Let me help you tidy up the room. Hurry up.”

Lin Yu stopped her. “No need, no need. Qingshan and Yueniang will have it ready in a moment.”

Lin Yu handed Qingger some rock candy. “You’ve grown taller, haven’t you?”

“Yes, quite a bit. Hua’s embroidery has improved greatly. This year, he started attending the village school. I want him to learn to read and write so he can make a better life for himself later.”

“We have a school for ger now? Which teacher instructs them?”

“No, just an old scholar from the neighboring village who studied for a few years. He’s not formally qualified for official examinations. For one or two taels of silver a year, he teaches Qing-ger some literacy.”

Sang Niang thought that now that Qing-ger had learned embroidery, if he could study with the teacher for another couple of years, he’d learn some propriety and moral principles. She planned to weave more cloth so that when Qing-ger grew up, she could find him a husband.

Besides, both she and Qingger had skills—their lives were certainly better than those of ordinary families.

Lin Yu nodded, his eyes even holding a hint of envy. Though Sang Niang’s family consisted of just the two of them, she had thoughtfully planned everything for Qing-ger. In the countryside, who would send a ger to study and learn to read?

He wondered if his own mother had been around, perhaps his life could have been as good as Qing-ger’s.

Lin Yu watched Qing-ger. In the blink of an eye, the boy was already seven or eight years old. He seemed a bit shy, but his eyes sparkled brightly.

“He’s doing well. Qing-ger is so big now.”

Lin Yu recalled when he first married into the family. Qing-ger was only three then, a tiny, skinny figure crouched on the ground, often scared into tears by Qian Gui’er. Now, in the blink of an eye, he was this big.

Sang Niang sat for a while longer. She wanted to invite Lin Yu and the others to her house for lunch, as it was nearly noon.

“No need. We’ve already tidied up. We’ll just make something simple.”

Lin Yu didn’t want to trouble her. Though Sang Niang was skilled, raising Qing-ger alone wasn’t as easy as one might imagine.

After some persuasion, Sang Niang finally relented. “If you need anything at home, just come get it from me.”

“Okay.”

Sang Niang left with Qing-ger. She’d heard that Lin Yu and the others had opened a shop at the county seat, and that Wei Qingshan seemed to be on duty at the yamen or somewhere. After not seeing Lin Yu for a while, she noticed he’d changed—not just his clothes were better, but there was something different about him too.

After tidying up, Zhao Yueniang prepared shredded pork with hand-rolled noodles. Tuan-ger could eat a few bites too. After the meal, warming themselves by the fire, the cold finally eased.

Lin Yu couldn’t go out with Tuan-ger, so she planned to visit Dong Ge and the others tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve.