"Those damn dogs," Wei Lanxiang rushed over, cursing at the sight. It had rained recently, and this bag of peanuts had been left outside for snacking or adding to red bean porridge. Forgotten during the rain, they’d gotten damp, so she’d spread them on a large bamboo tray to dry that morning.
Stealing food was wrong, especially since Guaizi and the others were well-fed - unlike some families where dogs had to scavenge. Lu Gu didn’t defend them. Guaizi had been particularly mischievous lately, even digging a huge hole in the backyard yesterday. Shen Xuanqing had to fill it back with a shovel.
"I’ll have Erqing discipline them later," Wei Lanxiang grumbled, heart aching for the wasted peanuts. As Xiao Huang darted past, she smacked his flank. The dogs all fled to the backyard, and though she couldn’t catch them, she cursed a few more times before returning to cook.
Of all the dogs at home, Lu Gu cherished Guaizi the most, but he’d also eaten the most peanuts. With Wei Lanxiang furious and food being precious, he didn’t dare plead for leniency.
Later, when Shen Xuanqing finished boiling water and was slaughtering the chicken, Guaizi who had been hiding in a corner finally succumbed to the lure of offal. Seeing Shen Xuanqing busy and not paying attention, he crept closer to sniff.
Da Bai and the two little yellow dogs had already been punished by Shen Xuanqing, so Guaizi had been hiding in the backyard.
"Yelp!" A sharp cry made Lu Gu, drinking water in the main room, peek outside. Guaizi was pinned down by Shen Xuanqing, receiving several smacks on the mouth and rear.
He’d been too mischievous lately, digging a hole yesterday had gone unpunished, but today’s theft was the last straw.
After a few hits, Shen Xuanqing let go. Guaizi scrambled up, tail tucked, and bolted to the main room. Shen Xuanqing chuckled and resumed preparing the chicken, paying no further mind.
"Whimper…" Guaizi rubbed against Lu Gu’s leg, whimpering pitifully.
"Serves you right for stealing," Lu Gu scolded softly, but still patted the dog’s head in comfort.
Shen Yan came out with a sewing basket, having seen the scene from the back window. She teased, "Got what you deserved, huh?"
As long as Shen Xuanqing wasn’t hunting, the house was lively with dogs - sometimes annoying, but mostly joyful. Life flowed smoothly, without much turbulence. The sun grew fiercer, hotter, and before they knew it, summer arrived.
The cicadas’ shrill chirping was maddening, only quieting by evening. Even the occasional breeze carried summer’s stifling heat.
The midday sun was too harsh, giving Lu Gu a headache, so he only dared to go out now. Though he’d wiped the sweat from his forehead, a few strands of hair remained damp. He’d taken a nap earlier and woke up slightly sweaty.
Shen Xuanqing was weaving rabbit cages in the main room. Seeing Lu Gu drenched in sweat, he suggested, "Let’s take a walk by the river. It’s cooler there."
"Alright." Lu Gu poured himself half a bowl of water, drank it, and then left with Shen Xuanqing.
Since summer’s heat had intensified, they’d moved back to the old house. The large estate had too many livestock, and despite the spacious yard, the mingled stench of manure made Lu Gu nauseous, so they returned.
By now, the twenty pairs of breeding rabbits had produced two litters, totaling over a hundred kits. Fortunately, last year’s offspring had been sold, freeing up hutches and cages. Still, they wove extra cages when possible, better safe than sorry.
The riverbank was a short distance from the house. Lu Gu’s belly had grown even bigger, so they walked slowly. Elderly people fanned themselves by the river, chatting, while younger women cut grass and exchanged words. The lively chatter carried from afar.
Flocks of ducks swam in the water, their ripples fracturing the sunset’s reflection.
As they headed toward the new house, they met Wei Lanxiang and Zhou Xiangjun herding ducks and geese.
"Oh, careful, careful!" Wei Lanxiang fretted as soon as she saw Lu Gu, afraid he’d trip on the grass.
Shen Xuanqing was right beside him, and Lu Gu wasn’t a child, he could walk just fine. Her overprotectiveness made Zhou Xiangjun stifle a laugh.
"Mother, it’s fine. After sleeping so long, I needed a walk," Lu Gu reassured her.
Nearby, Shen Yan was gathering river snails. She called out, "Brother Guzi, come look! I found a small river clam. We’ll smash it later to feed the chickens."
The two of them went over to look. Shen Xuanqing crouched to help collect snails while Lu Gu rested by the riverbank. The breeze fluttered his pale green robe. Apart from two sets of pale green silk clothes, Shen Xuanqing had bought mist-blue silk last month to make him another outfit, saying an extra set would be handy for laundry days.
Shen Xuanqing tossed two snails into the basket. Seeing it nearly full, he said, "That’s enough. Sister-in-law’s already cooking. Let’s go back and feed the chickens."
He carried the basket himself, not letting Shen Yan take it. Since Lu Gu couldn’t walk too long with his belly, they headed back to the new house. Guaizi was nowhere in sight, probably napping or causing trouble elsewhere.
After they left, Wei Lanxiang, still chatting with her sister-in-law by the river, when she heard two loud splashes. Two village boys, Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuanzi, were heaving rocks into the water, competing to see who could make the bigger splash.
"Oh, it’s you little rascals! The sun’s almost set, why aren’t you home yet? Watch out for the wolves!" Wei Lanxiang teased. Seeing how scrawny they were, she worried they might topple into the river under the rocks’ weight and added sternly, "Your fathers will beat you if they find out."
Xiao Shuanzi wiped his nose dismissively, ignoring her. But Xiao Shunzi, remembering the beating from two days ago that still made his butt ache, hesitated after tossing one last rock before tugging his pants up and trudging off with Xiao Shuanzi.
Seeing dusk approach and smoke rise from chimneys, Wei Lanxiang herded the ducks and four geese ashore, chatting with Zhou Xiangjun as she shooed them along.
Suddenly, she saw Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuanzi poking the lead gander with sticks.
These reckless brats!
"Drop those sticks! Don’t provoke the geese!" she shouted, rushing forward.
The lead gander was fierce, barking at strangers and even fighting dogs, which naturally made it a target for the mischievous boys. With a loud honk, the gander lunged forward to bite, sending the boys running for cover, and the other geese joined in the chase.
The boys screamed in terror. Wei Lanxiang, torn between anger and amusement, handed her bamboo pole to Zhou Xiangjun to mind the ducks and ran to intervene.
Zhou Xiangjun, though concerned, couldn’t help laughing. Boys at that age seemed to have a knack for causing trouble, and even dogs weren't immune to their antics.
By the time Wei Lanxiang reached them, Xiao Shunzi’s butt had been nipped and twisted by the gander, making him howl. Xiao Shuanzi, quicker on his feet, escaped unharmed but paled at his friend’s shrieks, sprinting home in a panic.
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