He Dongdong was called out of the house by He Daniang. Gao Shuwen and He Dongdong pressed their handprints on the marriage contract, and the engagement was thus settled.

When He Dongdong came out, his face was so red that he didn’t dare to lift his head. After pressing his handprint, he hurriedly pulled Lin Yu back into the room.

“I was so nervous,” He Dongdong patted his chest as he entered the room.

The He family’s marriage became a hot topic in the village. Everyone was talking about how well He Dongdong was marrying — the other party worked as a bookkeeper in the town and earned one tael of silver a month. If they saved up, they might even move to town in the future.

After the engagement, He Dongdong didn’t come out often. He was pinned indoors by his mother to begin cutting the wedding clothes and embroidering. Lin Yu, meanwhile, stayed home embroidering handkerchiefs, planning to follow Wei Qingshan into town when he went to sell game in a few days.

Lin Yu was sitting in the courtyard embroidering a handkerchief when a small head peeked out from the fence at the gate. As soon as Lin Yu looked over, that little head ducked back again.

Lin Yu chuckled softly. Their yard was enclosed by a fence. Qing-ger thought he was hidden, but Lin Yu saw him clearly.

“Qing-ger, come here,” Lin Yu beckoned the little boy at the gate. Qing-ger was timid, sucking on his finger as he hesitated for a while before running over.

“Pretty Ama, what are you doing~”

“Ama is embroidering. Can you tell what I’m stitching?”

“Ah, Qing-ger knows — it’s peach blossoms~”

“Mm, Qing-ger is so smart.” Lin Yu liked little Qing-ger a lot. Though the two families were neighbors, today was the first time Qing-ger came over to play.

“Wait a moment, Ama will get you something tasty.”

Hearing there was something to eat, Qing-ger remembered the fragrant buns the pretty Ama had given him before. He couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. “Yummy.”

Lin Yu took out his preserved fruits. Children loved sweets, and Lin Yu liked them too. The fruits Wei Qingshan bought him — he allowed himself one piece a day.

Qing-ger had never seen or eaten them before. “Ama, what is this?”

“This is candied fruit — sweet and tasty.” Lin Yu took Qing-ger by the hand and led him to the washbasin. “Ama will wash your hands so you can eat it.”

Qing-ger obediently nodded.

Lin Yu fetched a small stool for Qing-ger to sit on. Qing-ger sat quietly, his short legs swinging slightly, big eyes staring at the preserved fruits on the table — wanting to eat but not reaching out.

Lin Yu handed him one. “Eat. After you finish, Ama will give you another.”

Qing-ger smiled at Lin Yu, revealing a row of tiny millet-like baby teeth. He took a small bite and his eyes went wide. “Ama, so tasty!”

“Mm, then eat a couple more.”

Qing-ger sat there quietly eating, not making a fuss, while Lin Yu held his embroidery hoop and continued his work.

“Qing-ger, Qing-ger!” Before long, Sang Niang’s anxious voice rang out from outside. Lin Yu quickly responded, “Sang Niang, Qing-ger is here.”

Sang Niang came running in a hurry. “Qing-ger, why did you run over here?”

Qing-ger held out the candied fruit in his hands for his mother to eat. “Mama, it’s sweet.” Sang Niang’s face bore an apologetic, bitter smile. “Yu-ger, sorry for the trouble.”

“No trouble. Qing-ger has been very well-behaved here.”

Sang Niang reached out her hand toward Qing-ger. “Qing-ger, come home with Mama.”

“Mama, I want to play with little Ama.”

“Be good, listen. Mama still has things to do.”

“Sang Niang, how about letting Qing-ger stay and play a bit longer? I’ll bring him back later.”

Lin Yu really liked Qing-ger. Seeing him reminded him of his own days in the Zhao household, but he had been luckier than Qing-ger. When he was young, his mother and father treated him well. His mother even used to bring him treats from the town.

“Let him rest here for a bit.” Lin Yu fetched a stool for Sang Niang and poured a bowl of hot tea.

Only then did Sang Niang sit down. She spent every day weaving indoors, watching over Qing-ger by herself. When there was no one else at home, she would lock the door to keep Qing-ger from wandering off and let him play alone in the courtyard.

She had just stepped out to find the courtyard empty and the shabby gate ajar, so she rushed out to look for him.

Sang Niang let out a long sigh. “Qing-ger is cooped up at home all day with me. It’s rare he gets to meet anyone.”

Lin Yu understood her hardship, but there wasn’t much he could do to help. “If Qing-ger wants to come over and play, just let him. It won’t interfere with my embroidery.”

Lin Yu picked up the oiled paper and handed it to Sang Niang. “Try some of these preserved fruits. Don’t mind them — they’ve been around a few days.”

How could Sang Niang possibly feel disdain? Her family’s Qing-ger had eaten the fruit given by someone else—she, as an adult, couldn’t take advantage of others. Lin Yu had already helped them too much, and that fruit was expensive. The fact that Lin Yu actually brought it out for Qing-ger to eat already made her feel deeply grateful.

She waved her hands and repeatedly declined, “I won’t eat, won’t eat, you’d better put it away.”

“Just eat one. If I leave them out any longer, I’m afraid they’ll spoil.”

Lin Yu picked one and handed it to Qing-ger. “Go give it to your mama to eat.”

Qing-ger obediently held up his little hand. “Mama, eat.”

Only then did Sang Niang take it. “Thank you.”

Sang Niang glanced at the flowers Lin Yu had embroidered. “Yu-ger’s embroidery is really good, even more delicate than what some of the cloth shops in town have.”

“Really? I’m afraid what I’ve made won’t sell, I don’t really know what people like.” Lin Yu was indeed a little worried. His embroidery had been taught to him by his Mother since he was a child.

“They’ll definitely sell.”

Sang Niang sat for a while longer before leaving with Qing-ger. It was rare for her to sneak in a moment of rest. Her mother-in-law had gone out to gossip with others. Even someone like her, who never went out, had heard that the He family had secured a fine marriage match—many in the village were envious.

Lin Yu got up to see Sang Niang and her son out. Just before leaving, he gave Qing-ger another piece of fruit to hold. Sang Niang walked a few steps, then turned back.

“That day… that day I didn’t steal the copper coins. I just happened to get a few extra when I was in town. I wanted to save them up to buy something tasty for Qing-ger.”

Lin Yu was stunned for a moment, not expecting Sang Niang to suddenly bring up that matter. “I know that.”

Only then did a relieved expression appear on Sang Niang’s face. Yu-ger was a good person. She didn’t want him to think she was someone with a bad character.

After sending off the mother and son, Lin Yu sat back down to continue embroidering. Sang Niang worked tirelessly every day at the loom, yet the silver she earned was all taken by that Qian Laotai. As a weaver, she wore patched-up rags.

While Lin Yu was embroidering, over at the He family, He Dongdong was also embroidering a wedding robe. His eldest sister-in-law, who knew how to embroider, came to help. When she saw the flower He Dongdong had embroidered, she kept sighing, “Oh, my Dong-ger, what are you embroidering here? If you wear this out, won’t people laugh at you?”

He Dongdong pouted. “Then what can I do? That’s the best I can do.”

He Daniang was also getting anxious. “What should we do? Da Xifu, why don’t you help with the embroidery?”

“Mother, you know my skills. It’s fine for my own use, but for a wedding robe and bedding… it’s just not good enough. And the Gao family… if it’s not done well, we’ll be laughed at.”

He Daniang heard the implication in her eldest daughter-in-law’s words. The Gao family had good standing, and their side was afraid that poor craftsmanship would make them look bad.

Besides, after the engagement, the Gao family had already sent matchmakers twice. Each time, it was to discuss the wedding date. The Gao family was in a hurry, hoping to settle things within a month. He Daniang hadn’t expected them to be in such a rush. They said it was Gao Shuwen’s idea—he had fallen in love with Dong-ger at first sight and was deeply smitten.

Although He Daniang was happy, a wedding within a month was too rushed. The wedding robe and bedding couldn’t possibly be finished in time. She had originally thought the engagement would last a year or so—she was reluctant to part with Dong-ger. When the matchmaker came again, she picked an auspicious day three months later.

He Dongdong twisted the handkerchief in his hands. “Then what can I do? Should I just not embroider anything and wear it like this?”

“Nonsense. You still have to embroider it.” He Daniang suddenly noticed the silk handkerchief in He Dongdong’s hand. Her eyes lit up and she grabbed it. “Where did you get this handkerchief?”

“Yu-ger gave it to me. Isn’t it nice? It has little snowflakes embroidered on it.”

“Mother, how about letting Yu-ger try?” The He family’s Da Xifu suggested.

He Dongdong nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! Yu-ger’s needlework is the best!”

Of course, He Dongdong had no objections. He had a good relationship with Lin Yu. If Lin Yu took the job, he could earn some silver, and Dongdong wouldn’t have to rack his brains over the embroidery anymore.

He Daniang was tempted but still a little unsure. “Yu-ger is still young. I don’t know if he can do a good job.”

He Dongdong patted his chest and guaranteed it. “Mother, don’t worry. Yu-ger told me before—he’s been learning embroidery since he was a child. His mother used to be an embroiderer.”

“All right then, take the materials and go find Yu-ger.”

He Dongdong was delighted. He quickly packed up the things and went with his mother to find Lin Yu.

When they arrived, Lin Yu had just sent off Sang Niang and her son not long ago. He Dongdong skipped over happily—after being cooped up at home for so long, he was about to go stir-crazy. “Yu-ger! Yu-ger!”

Seeing He Dongdong coming, Lin Yu’s eyes lit up. “Dong-ger, you’re here!”

“Yu-ger is embroidering, huh? What about Qingshan, did he go into the mountains?” He Daniang came over with a basket, cheerfully.

“Mhm, Qingshan isn’t home.”

He Daniang picked up the embroidery and looked at it. “Oh wow, it’s embroidered so well! This butterfly looks almost real!”

Lin Yu felt a little embarrassed from the praise. “Aunt He overpraises me.”

He Daniang brought out the red dates from the basket. “These are from the jujube tree in our courtyard—homegrown, try some.”

Lin Yu quickly thanked her and poured some hot water to make red date tea for the two of them.

He Daniang smiled happily, “No need to thank me, no need to thank me. I still have a favor to ask of you.”

He Dongdong was also shaking Lin Yu’s arm, “Yu-ger, you have to promise, please help us, save us!”

Lin Yu was a little confused by He Dongdong’s behavior. What could he possibly help with?

He Daniang took out the wedding clothes and two quilt covers. “Dong-ger is about to get married, and we’d like you to help embroider his wedding clothes and quilt covers. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you the market price, about one tael of silver for these.”

Lin Yu quickly waved his hands. “Auntie, I’ve never embroidered anything like this. I’m not sure if I can do it well.”

“Yu-ger, don’t worry. I think you’re the best at embroidery in the village,” He Dongdong advised from the side.

He Daniang also added, and in the end, Lin Yu was persuaded to take on the embroidery task.

When Lin Yu agreed to take on the job, he was still in disbelief. He hadn’t even started selling his embroidery handkerchiefs yet, and he had already received a big order!

When Wei Qingshan returned, he was carrying two wild chickens, a good haul. Hearing the noise, Lin Yu poked his head out from the kitchen, his eyes smiling brightly. “You’re back.”

“Mm.”

Lin Yu quickly fetched water for Wei Qingshan to wash his hands. Seeing how happy Lin Yu was, Wei Qingshan couldn’t help but smile too. “Come over, stretch out your hands.”

Lin Yu obediently stretched out his hands. Wei Qingshan poured the contents of his small cloth pouch into his hands. Lin Yu’s eyes lit up. “It’s wild fruit!”

“Mm, wash it and go eat it.”

Lin Yu took the small wild fruits to the kitchen, washed them, and put them into a bowl. He ate one, and it was delicious, sweet and sour.

Wei Qingshan washed his hands and helped set the table. There was stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, a plate of peanuts, and his favorite sour soup with water-boiled meatballs.

“Why are you so happy today?”

Lin Yu’s smile couldn’t be hidden. “Aunt He asked me to embroider wedding clothes and quilt covers for Dong-ger, and she said she’d pay me one tael of silver!”

“That’s impressive! Maybe I’ll have my little husband support me in the future.”

Lin Yu blushed a little at Wei Qingshan’s teasing. “That’s not it.”

That night, Lin Yu was so happy he couldn’t fall asleep. Wei Qingshan, feeling a little moved, pulled him into his arms and gently stroked his back. Ever since the previous two times, Lin Yu hadn’t taken off his own clothes, and Wei Qingshan knew it was because he was in pain from before.

Suddenly, Lin Yu was pulled into Wei Qingshan’s arms. He stiffened and didn’t dare to move, lying rigidly on Wei Qingshan’s body. The closeness made him feel Wei Qingshan’s warm breath brushing against his ear.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll be gentle.”

Wei Qingshan softly reassured the person in his arms, and in the darkness, he fished out the balm he had hidden in the pillow. The process was both torturous and long. Lin Yu couldn’t help but murmur in his sleep, gripping Wei Qingshan’s inner shirt tightly. “No, no more, hurry.”

Lin Yu felt embarrassed, and amidst his embarrassment, there was a strange sense of pleasure. He just wanted this tormenting process to end quickly.

Seeing that Lin Yu was no longer able to bear it, Wei Qingshan hugged him and rolled over, pinning him down.

The next morning, Wei Qingshan, who was usually an early riser, unusually slept in. The person beside him was also lying quietly in his arms, fast asleep. Thinking of last night, Wei Qingshan was reluctant to get out of bed, holding his little husband close. Since he had already slept in, he decided to take the day off.

Wei Qingshan held his sleeping little husband for a while longer before finally getting up. The first thing he did was boil some hot water for his little husband.

When Lin Yu woke up, he felt like his waist was about to break. Every movement was sore. Hearing the noise, Wei Qingshan brought over the hot water.

Breakfast was made by Wei Qingshan: eggs, pickled vegetables, and rice porridge. Lin Yu didn’t even dare to lift his head while eating.

After breakfast, Wei Qingshan put on his bamboo basket and prepared to head out. He noticed that his little husband really liked eating bamboo shoots, and they were almost out at home, so he planned to dig some more. “I’m going to the back mountain to dig some bamboo shoots. You stay here and rest.”

“I’ll go too, I’m fine.”

When Lin Yu heard that they were going to dig bamboo shoots, he wanted to follow. Worried that Wei Qingshan might not let him go, he added, “I want to go with you.”

He couldn’t do any embroidery today. His waist was sore and he couldn’t sit still. Rather than staying idle, he’d rather go with Wei Qingshan to dig bamboo shoots.

“Alright, you can just help me pick them up and put them in the basket.”

Seeing Wei Qingshan agree, Lin Yu quickly followed him. The two of them walked toward the back mountain. Along the way, Lin Yu kept his head down, and the air between them felt sticky.

Wei Qingshan coughed lightly. “Does it hurt?”

Lin Yu’s face turned bright red. “No, no, it doesn’t hurt.”

The two didn’t speak further. Wei Qingshan secretly reached out and grabbed his little husband’s hand.

When they arrived at the back mountain, Wei Qingshan reluctantly let go of Lin Yu’s hand. He watched as the bamboo shoots, which had been exposed, were dug out with a hoe. Lin Yu helped pick them up and put them in the basket.

It didn’t take long before they filled up a basket. Wei Qingshan told Lin Yu to wait there while he took it back home and then came back for more.

They needed to gather bamboo shoots while they were still fresh. If they waited too long, they would grow old and be inedible. They could also dry them out for the winter.

After Wei Qingshan left, Lin Yu didn’t stay idle. He picked up a hoe and began digging for bamboo shoots. Hearing some noise, he lifted his head and saw a ger carrying a basket walking out of the bamboo forest. The ger nodded toward him as he saw Lin Yu.

Lin Yu quickly greeted him. The ger seemed to be a ger from the village whom he hadn’t met before. He was carrying a heavy load, and the path down the mountain wasn’t easy, so he wobbled a bit as he walked. Lin Yu quickly moved aside to give him space.

Lian-ger also came to the bamboo forest to dig for bamboo shoots. As he passed by Lin Yu, his foot slipped, and he almost fell forward. Lin Yu, startled, quickly reached out to steady the basket full of bamboo shoots, preventing Lian-ger from falling.

Lian-ger, supporting himself against a bamboo, gasped for air. He was clearly startled. With such a heavy load of bamboo shoots on his back, if they had rolled down, he would have surely hurt himself. “Maybe you should put it down and rest for a bit.”

With Lin Yu’s help, Lian-ger set the basket down. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Thank you. My name is Lian-ger. My husband is Shunzi from the village.”

“I’m Lin Yu. You can call me Yu-ger. My husband is Wei Qingshan,” Lin Yu quickly introduced himself.

Lian-ger smiled at Lin Yu. He certainly recognized him. Lin Yu’s reputation in the village wasn’t very good. Some of the gossipy women said that his uncle’s side wasn’t well off. That time by the river, when he helped Lin Yu, he had been bullied by Xia Hehua.

The two smiled at each other. Both of them weren’t very talkative. Lin Yu took out some wild fruits and shared them with Lian-ger. Lian-ger took two.

After resting for a while, Lian-ger was about to leave with his basket. Lin Yu stood up. “Let me help you carry it down the mountain. The road isn’t easy.”

“No need, I can manage on my own.”

Lian-ger declined Lin Yu’s kindness, and Lin Yu helped him lift the basket onto his back. “Be careful.”

Lian-ger thanked him and left.

After Wei Qingshan returned, he dug a few more baskets and they both headed home around noon.

Lin Yu washed his hands and grabbed a bowl, preparing to head out. “I’m going to buy two blocks of tofu from Chun-ger’s house.”

“Mm.”

Lin Yu walked towards Chun-ger’s house. When he arrived, there were a few other village women and husbands gathered by the stone mill, buying tofu. As Lin Yu approached, someone smiled at him. “Yu-ger, I heard that the He family asked you to help embroider their wedding clothes and quilt.”

Lin Yu nodded.

“Must be quite a lot of silver for such a big job, right?” Someone asked, curious about the pay. Lin Yu explained that he was just helping out, and they were giving him a little wedding money.

Ahead of Lin Yu was Wang Fulang, Chun-ger’s sister-in-law. He handed his bowl over. “Chun-ger, two blocks of tofu, please.”

Chun-ger cut two blocks and placed them in his bowl. “Sister-in-law, tofu again today?”

“Sigh, your little nephew was nagging for it. I’ll bring the copper coins over tomorrow.”

Wang Fulang took his tofu and left. Lin Yu was the last in line, and Chun-ger greeted him warmly, placing two blocks of tofu in his bowl. “Yu-ger, you’re here.”

When Chun-ger had only recently married into the village, he opened a tofu stall, relying on the skills brought over from his maternal family. Though he lived better than others, he and his husband worked hard from morning till night.

He couldn’t help but complain. “Hmph, my sister-in-law is always like this. He takes the tofu but never pays with any copper coins. ‘Next time, next time,’ who knows when that will be.”

Lin Yu smiled but didn’t respond. “Chun-ger, I’m heading back now.”

Chun-ger responded with a couple of “mm” sounds. “It’s almost noon. I need to start cooking.”

Lu Village wasn’t very big, and the He family’s marriage was a hot topic in the village. The news of the He family asking Lin Yu to embroider the wedding clothes and quilt quickly spread throughout the village.

A few village women were gossiping by the roadside. When Xia Hehua heard this, she snorted. “Why would they ask that Lin Yu to embroider? His husband’s a man of bad fortune, and he himself is without parents. Doesn’t the He family worry about bad luck?”

“Come on, you’re just jealous because they’re doing better than you. Look at Wei Qingshan, their life’s not bad now, right?”

Wang Fulang, who was carrying tofu and passing by, casually added, “Exactly, I ran into them recently. Wei Qingshan’s basket was full of grain, and he was carrying chickens and meat too.”

“I wasn’t talking about them, I’m saying that the He family doesn’t mind the bad luck.”

Qian Laotai, who loved to watch the fun, chipped in, “Come on, isn’t it just that you’re upset because the He family doesn’t like your brother?”

Just then, He Ersao walked by. “Xia Hehua, what are you saying?”

Xia Hehua, seeing it was He Ersao, quickly changed her tone, grabbing her hand. “Why did your mother-in-law ask Lin Yu to embroider the wedding quilt? Those two have bad reputations.”

Though He Ersao wasn’t very bright, she knew that Xia Hehua was gossiping about her family. She was eager for Dong-ger’s good marriage to go through and pushed Xia Hehua angrily. “Dong-ger isn’t interested in your brother, so why are you cursing my family behind our backs!”

Xia Hehua stumbled, almost falling to the ground. She had always bossed around the clumsy He family’s second daughter-in-law, but now she had been pushed. She couldn’t let this go, and the two immediately started fighting.

Wang Fulang, who had been passing by, wasn’t in a hurry to get back to cooking. He stood to the side, watching the commotion.

He Ersao couldn’t win against Xia Hehua and cried as she went home. Xia Hehua, smug, felt that she had spoken the truth.

When He Ersao returned home, she couldn’t do any work at the He family and told her mother-in-law what had happened. He Daniang immediately took her whole family out. Her family had received a good marriage proposal, and now Xia Hehua was cursing them out of jealousy.

He Daniang rolled up her sleeves and stood in front of Wei Er’s door. “Xia Hehua, get out here! You’ve been talking nonsense behind my back!”

Seeing that the He family had come in full force, Xia Hehua was a little scared but still forced herself to step out. “What’s going on, He Daniang?”

In the courtyard, Wei Er and Wei Laotai also came out. When Xia Hehua saw her husband, she gathered her courage. “He Daniang, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t talk about your family, I was talking about how unlucky it is that your family found Lin Yu to do the embroidery.”

He Dongdong couldn’t take it anymore. How dare she talk bad about Lin Yu!

“Mom, she’s cursing our family!”

“Shut your mouth!” He Daniang shouted loudly. “It’s just that my family doesn’t want your damn big brother. You’ve been cursing my family behind our backs, and now you’ve even hit my second daughter-in-law!”

Xia Hehua was so scared she quickly waved her hands. “I didn’t, I didn’t.”