Xiao Huang followed them back to the old house. Both he and Huang’er were a year old now, no longer the puppies they once were. Their frames had grown into those of full-grown dogs, and thanks to a diet rich in meat and bones since puppyhood, they were larger than the average village mutt, fiercely loyal in guarding the home.
Before even reaching home, Lu Gu relaxed when he didn’t hear crying. Entering the courtyard, he saw Shen Yan sitting in the sun.
Xiao Huang wagged his tail and circled her twice. Hearing footsteps, she bit off her embroidery thread and looked up, smiling. "I checked earlier, he's still asleep, sound and sweet."
Still, Lu Gu peeked into the room to confirm before joining Ji Qiuyue in searching the chest for Zhao’er’s old winter clothes.
With nothing else pressing, and winter just half a month away, they decided to take out all the family’s thick winter clothes for washing. With three of them working, the task would go faster. Getting them cleaned and dried now meant they’d be fresh and ready when needed.
Lu Gu boiled water in the kitchen. The weather had turned cold, and washing clothes by the river would chill their hands. Besides, Shen Yan was an unmarried girl, too much cold water wasn’t good for her.
Just as the pot of water boiled, little Lingjun woke up crying in the room. Lu Gu had to tend to him, leaving Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yan to scoop water for the laundry. He brought Zhao’er in to sit on the bed and play.
Life at home was mostly uneventful. There were moments when both children cried inconsolably, giving the whole family headaches, but joyful times far outnumbered the struggles. The only nuisance was Zhou Yunzhi, whose disdainful looks even Wei Lanxiang couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge.
Last time, when Zhou Yunzhi tried to stir trouble in front of Ji Qiuyue, Wei Lanxiang didn’t give her mush attention. But while chatting with other village women and fulangs, she casually mentioned it. If Zhou Yunzhi could shamelessly sow discord, she could certainly let others know Zhou Yunzhi meant no good.
Zhou Yunzhi and Shen Shunde’s snobbishness was no secret in the village. Back when the Shen family’s second branch was down on their luck, if they crossed paths with the main branch on the road, Wei Lanxiang would greet them warmly, only to be ignored. Now that she exposed Zhou Yunzhi’s gossip-mongering and ill intentions, others were quick to believe her.
Qingxi Village was small, and gossip spread fast. At the very least, Zhou Yunzhi kept quiet for a while afterward. Perhaps the last clash with Ji Qiuyue had soured things, as she stopped visiting the second branch altogether.
The second branch was relieved to be free of her interference. It meant fewer problems for them.
Life was generally smooth. For ordinary country folk, there were no grand upheavals, just the mundane trivialities of small family life.
Raindrops pattered down. The mountain forest’s plants withered, strewing broken leaves across the ground. The rain cast a yellowish haze over the sky.
Shen Xuanqing had been away on the mountain for over ten days. Lu Gu knew hunting foxes took time, but he couldn't shake off his worry. In his free moments, he'd glance out the courtyard gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of him returning.
The rain started at midnight and hadn't stopped since. The cold droplets, driven by wind, were biting. Lu Gu wrapped Lingjun in an extra layer and kept him indoors all day - he was too young to catch a cold.
Zhao'er stayed indoors as well. Ji Qiuyue brought him to Lu Gu's room, and the two adults played with the kids to keep them entertained.
Little Lingjun had finished his milk and was now awake. Lu Gu leaned against the bed, cradling him in his arms. Babies grow fast, and Lingjun had already gained some weight. The empty milk fruit lay beside them, and Zhao'er, sitting on Ji Qiuyue's lap, reached out a chubby hand towards it, even though he wasn't hungry.
Seeing Zhao'er's eager whimpers, despite his full belly from the recent feeding, Ji Qiuyue handed him the empty fruit. "Here, take it."
Zhao’er, familiar with milk fruits, nibbled the tip before flopping onto his back on the bed, drawing laughter from Ji Qiuyue and Lu Gu.
"Look at him finding a comfy spot to lounge around. Hope he doesn't turn out lazy," Ji Qiuyue teased, knowing Zhao'er was just playing and not hungry. As long as he didn't start fussing to go outside, all was well.
Hearing the adults’ laughter, little Lingjun blinked his big dark eyes and giggled, babbling unintelligibly.
"Ohh, are you calling for Auntie?" Ji Qiuyue’s voice softened, there was something different about boys compared to shuang'ers.
The rain lasted for three days, leaving mud everywhere. Shoes would get caked with wet dirt.
Lu Gu counted the days. The longer Shen Xuanqing stayed away, the more he strained to hear distant barks from the mountains.
Then, one afternoon, as the ground dried a bit, Lu Gu was changing Lingjun's diaper when faint barks echoed from the mountains, not the village. The loud barking sounded again, unmistakably Guaizi and the other dogs. Joy surged through him.
Little Lingjun kicked his legs on the bed, cooing softly. Lu Gu quickly fastened the diaper, bundled him up, and carried him outside.
With the baby in his arms, he stood at the gate, scanning the distance but not going further. The slopes were still slippery - he didn't want to risk slipping and hurting the child.
The barks came again. Soon, figures darted down the forested slopes. Guaizi led the charge, filthy and wet-furred, wagging his tail wildly as he bounded to Lu Gu’s side, whining excitedly.
Da Hui and Da Hei followed, just as thrilled, circling him with wagging tails.
The rest of the family was at the new house tending to livestock, leaving only Lu Gu and little Lingjun at the old house. After a while, a figure emerged from the trees. Unable to resist, Lu Gu called out, "Erqing!"
"Don’t come over, it’s slippery!" Shen Xuanqing shouted back.
Lu Gu's eager steps stopped. His heart pounding, he waited where he stood.
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