Chapter 184
For Shen Xuanqing, playing with the child at home was undoubtedly a joyful task. After shaving his beard, he kissed their little Ling ger, and sure enough, the child didn't cry. Unfortunately, he hadn’t realized this earlier and hadn’t dared to hold the child much over the past few days. Now that he finally understood, it was time for him to go up the mountain.
He left at dawn while the child was still asleep, reluctantly tearing himself away. Lu Gu stood at the courtyard gate, watching him and the dogs climb the mountain until their figures gradually disappeared behind the trees before turning back home.
In the kitchen, the water was already boiled, and the flatbread was warmed. They ate together before Shen Xuanqing departed.
Seeing Wei Lanxiang come out, Lu Gu said, "Mother, the water’s boiled. Let me scoop some for you."
"Good. Has Erqing left?" Wei Lanxiang asked.
He took the wooden basin from Wei Lanxiang’s hands and nodded. "Yes."
"Alright. You stay home and watch Ling ger, no need to go over there. Your eldest brother and I can handle things." Wei Lanxiang followed him into the kitchen, there was a bowl of pickled water celery - freshly cut by Lu Gu, sat on the counter. It was perfect to eat with the flatbread.
Since Shen Yaoqing slept at the new house to keep watch, Ji Qiuyue and Zhao’er had also been staying there these past few nights. In the mornings, they mostly boiled water with a clay stove and pot, as firing up the large wok wasted too much firewood. No matter how much firewood they had, someone still had to go up the mountain to gather more. Thus, breakfast was prepared at the old house and brought over for them.
Wei Lanxiang washed up in the courtyard while Lu Gu took two milk fruits from the bamboo basket, rinsed them with warm water, and dried them - Lingjun would drink them when he woke up. Shen Xuanqing had been home for the past two months, and now that he was gone, Lu Gu felt somewhat unaccustomed to the absence.
Fortunately, there was Lingjun now. At home, the most important task was taking care of the child. The little one was still small, content with milk fruits and the familiar embrace of his Amu. After eating, he smiled brightly, completely unaware of his father’s absence.
And with the busyness of caring for the child, Lu Gu had no time to dwell on missing Shen Xuanqing.
The autumn sun shone brightly. Today, with Lingjun finally asleep and Shen Yan doing needlework at the old house, Lu Gu seized the chance to stroll over to the new house to check on the livestock and play with Zhao’er.
Holding the chubby Zhao’er, he walked to the backyard where the lambs were and asked with a smile, "Where are the lambs?"
Zhao’er pointed a tiny finger toward the lamb pen. The little lamb, with its four black hooves and soft white wool, didn’t understand human words, but whenever someone stood outside and spoke, it would lift its head and look over. After the voices stopped, it would let out a "baa" or two - sometimes long, sometimes short, as if replying. The pen was spacious, and sometimes, when people approached, it would even trot over, far livelier than the older sheep.
The lamb’s bleating was undeniably cute, but Lu Gu’s smile widened as he waited for Zhao’er to imitate it.
"Baa."
Sure enough, the plump little toddler let out a soft, milky bleat after hearing the lamb.
"Ah, our Zhao’er is so clever!" Lu Gu was delighted, showering the child’s chubby cheeks with kisses.
Wei Lanxiang had gone out to graze the cows and ducks. The sun was pleasant today - not yet deep autumn or early winter, and some sparse grass still clung to life.
After visiting the lambs, Lu Gu carried Zhao’er to the pigpen. Though only a year old, Zhao’er was sharp-witted and had recently learned to mimic the pigs’ grunts.
Eyes crinkling with amusement, Lu Gu played with him for a while before carrying him back to the front.
In the open yard ahead, Ji Qiuyue was turning over drying hay with a wooden pitchfork. The hay had been cut and brought back by Dong ger and his in-laws that morning. Lu Gu had run into Dong ger earlier and exchanged a few words. He Zhi had recently been working at the docks, hauling lumber, leaving just the three of them at home.
The old cart was gone now, as Dong ger and the others had taken it out to cut more grass. Wild grass was withering in autumn, growing scarcer by the day. They wanted to earn a few more coins while they could. Once the grass was completely gone, they’d settle the final wages, and there’d be no need to hire them for the winter.
Ji Qiuyue flipped the hay and said, "The sun’s been good these days. Later, I’ll dig out Zhao’er’s winter clothes from last year and wash them. The two little ones were born close enough, those clothes were barely worn and are still new. They’ll fit Ling ger perfectly, giving him a couple more sets for changes."
To country folk, clothes worn only a year or two were practically new.
"Alright," Lu Gu replied, holding the child. Zhao'er was small but chunky, and after a while, Lu Gu's arms started to ache. He was used to carrying little Lingjun, who was just over two months old and much lighter. He adjusted his hold, shifting Zhao'er's weight.
Shen Yaoqing was chopping firewood up front. Once Ji Qiuyue finished with the hay, Lu Gu handed Zhao’er over with a smile. "Sister-in-law, your turn."
Knowing how heavy her son was, Ji Qiuyue grinned widely and took him gladly. "Heading back now? I’ll go with you."
Lu Gu was anxious about Lingjun. Though Shen Yan was watching him, if the baby woke up without him there, she might not be able to soothe him. It was best to return soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment