Another day passed, and today the sun finally made a rare appearance. Households took advantage of the warmth to wash and air out their belongings.
He Chao and Ye Youchun, following orders, made another trip to Zhongtang Village to find Xin Miao and tell him about their boss and the boss’s fulang’s goodwill toward him.
Xin Miao held the baby in his arms, flattered and bewildered. He didn’t know why these two kind-hearted people had come again, nor how they’d heard about his situation, let alone why they’d be so generous as to arrange work for him.
After they’d left the other day, he’d racked his brain trying to remember what had happened when he went to town. All he could recall was taking the baby to the pharmacy to see the doctor.
The villagers had said a very young but highly skilled physician had come to town. Before dawn, he’d carried the child all the way from the village to that pharmacy.
But everything after that—he couldn’t remember a thing.
His clearest recent memory was finding traces of boiled medicine in the ceramic pot at home, confirming that he had indeed been to the pharmacy.
Then there were the two racks of ribs that had inexplicably appeared in his kitchen. He’d originally assumed they were a gift from kind neighbors.
He’d wondered at the time—neighbors were struggling too—why would anyone suddenly give him such good things? Now, thinking back, it was clear something was off.
He’d cooked the ribs into a meat paste and used the bones to make broth, turning it all into a soft rice porridge for the child. After the medicine and the meat porridge, the baby finally had the energy to cry, to laugh, and to call him “father” again.
When the child had been sick before, he was too small to say what was wrong, his face red and tear-streaked. Xin Miao’s mind had nearly shattered—he’d just stood there staring blankly at the crying child, his eyes vacant, his hands frozen in fear, as if… as if he’d gone back to that day…
It wasn’t until a neighbor, hearing the cries, rushed over and shook him awake, urging him to take the child to town to see a doctor.
There were too many inconsistencies, but he’d had no energy to sort through them these past few days. His situation at home was dire, and dealing with those people had already drained him completely.
Yes—he must have had another episode during those days. The kind Xie boss and her fulang must have been people he’d encountered during his episode. Not only had they not held his mistakes against him, but they were also offering him work like Bodhisattvas.
Seeing Xin Miao’s panicked expression, He Chao and Ye Youchun reassured him, briefly explaining why their boss had reached out to him and that whatever he’d done in town was forgiven.
So it was true—he had done something wrong in town.
Little ones could sense people’s feelings. The baby could tell these strangers were good people and reached out his tiny hand toward them, wanting to play.
He Chao gently tapped the baby’s little cheek, making him giggle.
Seeing Xin Miao still hesitating, He Chao patiently urged him: “In a few days, we’ll be starting new shipments and won’t have time to come back. Take these days to think it over. When you’ve made up your mind, go to the Xie household in Qingshui Lane in town and speak to our boss.”
After they left, Xin Miao held his child in silence.
He sat on a small stool, hunched over as he washed the baby’s diapers in a basin. His clothes were thin, his hands red from the cold water—the redness reaching all the way to his wrists.
The baby sat nearby, basking in the sun with his father. He watched his father and babbled “ah-ah” with a smile, drool trickling down his chin. Xin Miao’s heart was full just looking at him—he didn’t feel the hardship, didn’t feel the cold. But…
This house was what his wife had left him. Those scoundrels wanted to take it away. They’d already stolen his land, and now they were after his house—leaving him and his child with nowhere to go!
At that thought, a wave of immense pain surged through him. He covered his face with both hands and wept, muffled sobs escaping his throat.
The baby didn’t understand what was wrong with his father. He reached out with his little arms and hugged him tightly, just like his father always did. Xin Miao cried even harder, pulling the baby close and murmuring “my baby, my precious” over and over.
·
All day long, Xie Yushu was at the ferry transporting goods—personally checking inventory, overseeing shipments, and even instructing the buyer’s workers on how to handle the cargo properly, terrified they might damage her precious goods.
Xie’s Seafood had made quite a name for itself at the ferry. Even Du Yinghua had come to buy some dried kelp from her. When Xie Yushu had a moment to spare, Du Yinghua had even treated her to a meal.
Du Yinghua was straightforward and never beat around the bush. Seeing how Xie Yushu, at the same age as her, had such a sharp mind and built such a thriving business on her own, she was filled with admiration. With her limited vocabulary, she heaped praise on Xie Yushu’s cleverness in every way possible, holding nothing back.
She said no wonder Xie Yushu had refused to come back as her ferry manager—she had a much better business now. She also complained that her mother was always scolding her at home, driving her crazy.
Xie Yushu just smiled, poured her tea, said flattering things to cheer her up, and coaxed her into buying even more. The two had become friends.
The warehouse at the Qingshi yard was emptied again today. The Tang family had placed another order—twice as large as last time, and urgent.
Just handling the Tang family’s orders alone had everyone at the base running off their feet, not to mention the crew assigned to process the laver.
He Chao had found two meticulous, hardworking fulang from the village and hired three strong women as well. Ye Youchun spent her days purchasing fresh kelp and hauling it back in loads.
Xie Yushu had previously considered having villagers deliver freshly harvested kelp directly to the yard gate to save time and effort.
But after thinking it over, she decided against it.
The base’s ethos was quiet and efficient. If villagers came delivering goods every day, it would distract everyone and create too much noise—and Xie Yushu didn’t like noise.
With so much on her plate, she’d have to add one more task: setting up a purchasing station not too far from the yard. That way, villagers could deliver everything there, saving Ye Youchun a lot of effort.
The Tang family steward had also come by today, pulling her aside to ask how the laver preparations were coming along.
Xie Yushu said it would still be a few more days—she’d have the first batch ready for her to see. The Tang family steward beamed with satisfaction and left with her people, saying she’d come back in a few days.
Her hands were full. Everything needed her attention, one matter after another, each requiring her decision.
Sigh—being a boss wasn’t easy either.
On both sides of the ferry, rows of torches blazed, lighting up half the sky in orange. Passing merchants had long lost track of time, focused only on loading crate after crate onto the ships. The stalls and shops remained open, firelight casting flickering shadows of people hurrying to and fro. Footsteps and the creaking of ship planks melded into a steady hum, livelier even than daytime.
But Xie Yushu had no mind for this bustling scene. She was eager to get home—couldn’t wait another moment.
Inside the Xie household.
Su Chi was fitting a quilt cover in the room. The sun-dried, fluffy cover lay obediently in his hands. Once the duvet was tucked in, all four corners fit snugly. In no time, it was neatly done. He gave it a gentle shake, folded it, and was about to turn and leave when he was suddenly wrapped in an embrace from behind.
A strong, slightly chilly pair of arms closed tightly around him.
The first thing Xie Yushu did when she got home was find Su Chi and hold him, burying her face in the crook of his neck, drawing in the clean, calming scent that was uniquely his.
Her tall, cool nose nestled against his warm, tender neck, tickling him. Su Chi knew it was Xie Yushu—she loved teasing him like this.
He didn’t struggle, just let her hold him, his hand covering hers where it rested on his waist, patting softly. He turned around and pressed his face against her chest, and the two stood quietly embraced for a while.
Knowing she was exhausted, Su Chi soothed her: “Eat first, then we can rest early. Alright?”
Xie Yushu had taken in enough of his scent before letting go and saying yes.
Su Chi had long since prepared dinner. Not knowing when Xie Yushu would return, he’d kept everything warm on the stove.
On the table were dried bamboo shoots braised with salted meat, steamed duck egg with minced pork, stir-fried vegetable shoots, and a simple bowl of pickled cabbage and taro soup, thickened with a bit of chili oil. There was also a small dish of spicy pickled radish cubes to go with the rice.
Though five dishes for two people seemed a bit much, Xie Yushu had a big appetite and ate a lot. Su Chi always made sure there was enough—he’d rather make extra than let her go hungry.
The dried bamboo shoots had come in the same bundle as his father’s things. His father had torn the bamboo into thin strips and sun-dried them until they were leathery and chewy. Braised with salted meat and bean sauce, they were wonderfully flavorful—savory and perfect with rice.
Su Chi first ladled out two bowls of the thick, spicy-sour pickled cabbage and taro soup to whet their appetites. After they’d both finished a bowl, Xie Yushu started telling him about Xin Miao.
“It’s alright. We won’t force him. If he’s willing, he can come. If not, we’ve done all we can.” Xie Yushu reassured Su Chi, worried he might feel upset.
“You’re right—it’s up to him. We can’t push.” Su Chi was calm about it, his voice even. He had no strong reaction to Xin Miao’s indecision.
They continued eating, serving each other dishes. Su Chi noticed that Xie Yushu enjoyed everything and ate heartily, so he ate plenty too.
The tender vegetable shoots were sweet—even better after a frost. With each bite, they burst with a refreshing juice, glossy with oil. They both loved them, and the plate emptied quickly.
Halfway through the meal, Su Chi suddenly thought of something and froze, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air.
Xie Yushu had just scooped a spoonful of steamed duck egg with minced pork into his bowl when she noticed his distraction. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Zhongtang Village?” Su Chi had just remembered something and turned to her. “Xin Miao is from Zhongtang Village too?”
Why hadn’t he reacted when she mentioned it before? Why was he so startled now?
“Yes, but what about Zhongtang Village?” Xie Yushu was genuinely puzzled.
Su Chi set down his small soup bowl and explained quietly: “My aunt’s husband is also from Zhongtang Village.”
At the mention of that ill-favored person, Xie Yushu’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly in disgust. “What about sharing a village with him?”
Su Chi couldn’t pinpoint where his unease came from. He just shook his head: “I don’t know. I just feel…”
“Feel what?”
“Anxious. Like something bad is going to happen.”
During those years when his aunt and uncle had come to leech off his family, his uncle had left a deeply unpleasant impression on him. But it wasn’t exactly hatred—his heart was too soft for that. He couldn’t get angry, let alone hate anyone. Those were too strong a word.
What he did know was that anything involving his aunt’s husband never led to anything good. The unease in his chest was a vague, troubling premonition.
Xie Yushu grasped his hand firmly, her palm warm. “I’m here.”
Su Chi looked down at the hand holding his, and the unease in his heart instantly dissolved.
Xie Yushu’s grip was tight, as if squeezing the worry right out through his fingers. Her warm skin enveloping his brought a wave of comfort.
“Mm, I know.” He curved his eyes into a smile at her.
“Eat!”
“I’m already on my second bowl, and you haven’t finished your first,” Xie Yushu said as she piled food into his bowl until it mounded above the rim.
Under Xie Yushu’s watchful eye, Su Chi ate his fill that night.
Before bed, Xie Yushu was still gently massaging his stomach.
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