Chapter 102: Liu Laoer comes home

Grandma Fan passed away, and throughout the entire New Year festival, the Fan household was draped in white cloths, immersed in the sorrow of a loved one’s passing, without a trace of festive cheer.

The monks chanting the sutras for her transcendence repeated their unintelligible prayers all day long, and the funeral was scheduled for the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

Before dawn, at the appointed hour, they carried the coffin up the mountain. A house full of elders braved the rain and snow to see off the old lady on her final journey.

The feng shui master had chosen a grave site not too far from the Fan family home—backed by verdant hills, overlooking the distant road, quite a peaceful resting place.

A handful of yellow earth was gently thrown onto the coffin, and on the hillside, a small mound of earth rose anew.

Chen Sanfang wiped her eyes, feeling a bittersweet mix in her heart.

She held tightly to Qiao’er’s hand and said, “Your grandmother never had anything against me; I blamed and resented her in my heart, feeling wronged and wondering when I’d finally see a way out.

In these last four or five years, she became much kinder and made our lives better, but sadly, she didn’t live long. Life’s full of uncertainties.”

Qiao’er comforted Chen Sanfang with a few words. Relatives, friends, and neighbors were all chatting quietly, making the scene surprisingly lively.

Rain mixed with snowflakes fell softly, and as more people walked on the muddy path, it turned into a slippery mess.

Kang He saw Fan Jing standing quietly on a high spot, watching the freshly packed grave. In his calm eyes was a trace of sorrow, and his face looked unusually pale. Kang He approached and gently took his hand, noticing how cold it was.

He furrowed his brow. “This side is done for now; let’s head back. The sky is just beginning to lighten, but it’s still freezing up here. If you don’t protect yourself from the cold, you’ll catch a chill—and both you and the child will suffer.”

Fan Jing didn’t resist and followed Kang He back.

The mourning hall was set up in the main house. After sending the elder lady off to the mountain for burial, the relatives and friends helping with the funeral gathered for a simple breakfast.

Since Kang He and Fan Jing were younger generations, they weren’t involved in the hosting duties. Seeking some peace, Kang He took Fan Jing to the main house to eat a bit and then returned to the residence.

“Look at you—so downhearted. You weren’t very close with Grandma before, but now you seem so full of family affection.”

Back at home, Fan Jing immediately went into his room. He kicked off his shoes and socks and lay down on the soft couch.

Kang He went to the kitchen and brought in a brazier filled with coals, placing it inside. He saw Fan Jing had already reclined on the couch.

Fan Jing sighed, “I just keep thinking about how my mother’s funeral was.”

Kang He’s brow twitched. He reached out and lightly patted Fan Jing’s back. “If you want to visit her, on the first day of the month, we’ll prepare plenty of fruit and cakes, and take a couple of firecracker strings up to see her.”

Fan Jing nodded slightly. He’d been busy this year and hadn’t visited his mother’s grave much—worried the grass had grown thick again.

Perhaps having a child made him overthink; he looked uncomfortable. Seeing this, Kang He went out and brought back a plate of rice cake and peeled an orange for him to eat.

He found the breakfast dishes greasy and hadn’t eaten much.

By the time Chen Sanfang and Fan Father returned, it was nearly noon.

“Why are you two back so early? I was searching over there for a long time.”

Chen Sanfang saw Kang He and Fan Jing inside and came to ask, “What happened?”

Kang He said, “It’s cold over there. Fan Jing can’t stand the chill, so I called him back first.”

“Is Fan Jing ill? He looks pale.”

Chen Sanfang’s concern deepened, noticing his unhealthy complexion.

Kang He said, “Not sick, actually. He’s with child. The baby is lively and keeps him on edge.”

“Ah!”

Chen Sanfang exclaimed, then asked quickly, “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Kang He said, “Only a few days ago. We had Doctor Zhu check, and it’s been over a month. We wanted to tell the family, but with Grandma’s passing happening then, it didn’t feel right.”

Chen Sanfang’s heart swelled with joy. Truly a double blessing. She scolded, “These aren’t conflicting matters. Such great news should have been told to us at home sooner.”

Originally, Kang He had asked Fan Jing whether to inform the family, but when Grandma passed, Fan Jing had stayed by her bedside without mentioning the pregnancy, so Kang He kept silent, respecting his wishes.

With Grandma’s affairs mostly settled, the New Year couldn’t be as lively as usual. To keep things peaceful, sharing a happy event helped lighten everyone’s mood.

Chen Sanfang happily discussed the news with Fan Jing, excited to have another child in the family. She quickly hurried to tell Fan Father, and the couple rejoiced.

The New Year passed quietly. During the first month, they didn’t visit relatives as much and had free time since the shop in the city was closed.

Kang He hired two or three men to clean up the pond over in Dajing Village. When the weather warmed, it would be time to stock it with fingerlings.

Mou Dalang took care of the livestock but wasn’t skilled with aquatic life.

Earlier, Kang He mentioned he had a friend who dealt with aquatic products and asked Dalang to contact him. If he agreed to help, payment could be negotiated.

They waited for a response, but after a few days, Dalang got a job elsewhere and suddenly wanted to quit soon after starting.

Kang He sighed.

He told Dalang that if things didn’t work out, when they went to Fang County to fetch fingerlings, they could find help there.

Looking at Liu Er’s connections, Kang He figured he could ask him for assistance without trouble.

With that thought, Kang He felt more at ease.

Now, regarding the Liu family in Fang County:

This New Year was quieter, with less lavish meals than in previous years.

Originally, Liu Er led Kang He and Fan Jing to buy fingerlings from another family in the village, which displeased the Yuan family who had rented him out.

They summoned Liu Er to question him, and he didn’t deny it, admitting the matter outright.

Though Liu Er was rented by the Yuan family and should have helped them, wanting to earn a little extra without neglecting his own business was understandable.

However, the Yuan family became furious, feeling Liu Er was taking advantage. Liu Er, already harboring some resentment, argued with them, but the Yuan family had a short temper and dismissed him the next day.

Not only that, they withheld most of his wages for over half a month.

Liu Er went to ask several times but got nothing. Wanting to work elsewhere, he found the Yuan family had colluded with several big households to prevent him from finding other jobs.

Angry, he lay in bed for days.

Liu Er’s father worried that his son might lose heart and knew the family couldn’t manage without his labor, so he sat beside him and said:

“Son, this won’t do.”

Liu Er lay crooked on the bed, “If they want to mess with me, I can fight back, but without power or influence, I can only endure their bullying.”

His father’s heart ached. After a moment, he said, “Why don’t you go to town and look for work? Try asking Kang San’s brothers if they have any tasks. Let’s see how generous they are. They’re not stingy with their provisions. Maybe they have something for you.”

Liu Er thought it over.

He recalled Kang He inviting him to dinner at the Changting Inn. Though the prices were high, Kang He could afford it, so he must have some money.

Perhaps Kang He’s modesty made him downplay it.

More importantly, Kang He had hinted at hiring him during that meal. Though said in jest, Liu Er had no other prospects, so it was a good opening.

Liu Er got up from the kang and told his father, “Go get paper and pen. I’ll prepare a gift and write a letter to Kang San’s brothers to send my New Year greetings.”

Liu Er’s father saw the spirit returning to his son and agreed.

After several days, on the seventh or eighth day of the first month, Kang He and Fan Jing opened the shop in town.

They met Zhang Shili and He Qiu, telling them about Fan Jing’s pregnancy so Zhang Shili could prepare.

This way, Zhang Shili gradually took over the butchering work for a while.

The day wasn’t too busy, and everyone felt happy.

Around noon, Kang He and Fan Jing returned home with Fourth Brother, who said they’d received New Year gifts, including a letter from Fang County.

Kang He guessed the gifts were from the Liu family, the only ones they knew over there.

He took the letter inside to Fan Jing and opened it.

Fan Jing, not very literate, didn’t look closely but sat on the soft couch sipping tea and asked, “What’s it say?”

“They’re sending their New Year greetings.”

Kang He smiled as he read the beginning aloud, “Liu Er brother remembers that you invited him to help with work and asked if that was still needed.”

Fan Jing’s brow twitched. “Does he want to come?”

Kang He said, “Seems so. Otherwise, why send gifts and greetings from so far away?”

Fan Jing said, “That saves us some trouble.”

He didn’t ask if they should hire him. Both had seen Liu Er’s skills—clever and honest. Why refuse him if he sought work?

Kang He was pleased. “Then let’s write back so they don’t wait anxiously.”

Kang He wrote carefully, telling Liu Er he could start with one month’s wages and, if the softshell turtle farming went well, could raise his pay as he wished.

He wasn’t foolish; no one just paid more for no reason. Though craftsmen fetched higher prices than laborers, payment always depended on skill.

If it were someone like Mou Dalang, he wouldn’t treat him badly. Instead, he’d try to keep him working with them.

After exchanging letters, Liu Er agreed, and the deal was settled. The family officially hired Liu Er.

At the start of the lunar year, Liu Er arrived in Luan County carrying his luggage and found the Fan residence.

He was surprised by the size of the estate; though he suspected Kang He and Fan Jing had assets, he hadn’t imagined such a large house.

He respectfully entered, greeted Kang He and Fan Jing, and was introduced to Fan Father, Mrs. Chen, and Qiao’er.

Later, Fourth Brother showed him around, introducing him to the workers Yihuan and Erxi and meeting Braziers and Mou Dalang.

“My goodness, how many animals do they raise here? This place is like a whole village!”

Liu Er marveled and said to Fourth Brother, “Brother, you’re so lucky to come to such a good place early.”

Fourth Brother smiled, “Our masters aren’t rich yet, but they’re hardworking and modest. As long as you work steadily and honestly, everyone here is kind and generous.”

“Not only did they give us New Year bonuses, but also a few pounds of pork and a duck each. Usually, if there’s an important matter at home, and you need to leave for two or three days, they won’t dock your wages easily.”

Fourth Brother spoke at length about the Fan family—not to flatter the newcomer, but because these were honest facts.

He saw Liu Er was polite and respectful and was willing to chat more, thinking well of him.

Though Liu Er was a hired laborer, he was different from others.

Liu Er was a skilled worker, like Mou Dalang, who cared for livestock, or the one who managed aquatics.

He mainly did general labor, so his pay was less than theirs. Though they didn’t know exactly how much, craftsmen earned more than laborers in town.

Only Braziers had higher wages than Liu Er.

She was talkative and, working with Qiao’er, sometimes earned a few extra copper coins.

Fourth Brother said to Liu Er, “Besides a few masters, the ones who really matter are Yihuan and Erxi.

Don’t be fooled by their youth and quietness. Those two brothers joined the Fan family early on, and this family doesn’t hire outsiders.

Fan Fulang taught them archery. They’re skilled fighters and were once soldiers against bandits, excellent guards. It’s best not to offend them.”

Liu Er nodded repeatedly. “Good thing you told me this, brother. Otherwise, I’d come into town clueless and risk offending someone.

This big house has so many masters and workers—it’s hard to keep track.

You explained everything clearly. When I have time, I’ll invite you for a drink to thank you.”

Fourth Brother laughed, “No need to be so polite. Kang Brother asked me to show you around—that’s only right. Though there aren’t many influential people here, I’m one who can speak up.”

After chatting, they returned inside.

At the Fan home, Braziers lived in a small room next to Qiao’er’s large room, served by only one maid and lived alone.

Yihuan and Erxi, the two brothers, lived in a small side room.

Fourth Brother lived with Mou Dalang, who, though married, still lived at the Fan residence. Since his home wasn’t far, he seldom stayed overnight here, only when the livestock needed care at night.

Now Liu Er joined them in the same room.

He found the room clean, spacious, and comfortable—much better than his own back in Luan County.

By noon, Liu Er happily wrote a letter home, describing what he saw at the Fan household.

At the end, he told his father that though he was far from home, he was well off here and would be able to earn enough to ease their worries.

In early February, Liu Er left early and returned late each day to manage the two ponds in Dajing Village.

When March’s weather warmed, he took a cart to Fang County to fetch softshell turtle fingerlings.

Kang He and Fan Jing inspected the ponds a few times. Liu Er’s work was excellent, saving them much trouble and effort.

That day, the tenant farmers brought two baskets of loquats, saying they were from their own trees.

Some were sour-sweet with plenty of juice. Fan Jing enjoyed eating several.

Da Fu returned from school, saw Fan Jing eating loquats, and eagerly followed, wanting some too.

“Learned any new characters today?”

Fan Jing peeled a loquat, feeding it to Da Fu’s lips—this loquat looked a bit rough but was very sweet.

Da Fu said, “Six characters. Learned Run, Yu, Cheng, Sui, Lü, and Lv.”

Fan Jing’s brow twitched. “So many? Didn’t your uncle say only four characters a day?”

This diligent child had memorized the Thousand Character Classic last year.

At first, they only let him practice drawing with a brush, not formally writing. This year, they started teaching him slowly.

“Uncle said four characters a day, but your birthday is in the second month. You just turned six, so you can learn two more.”

Da Fu took papers from his school bag and showed Fan Jing. The sheets were densely filled with small characters, leaving no blank space, writing carefully and diligently.

Fan Jing looked at the papers, gently took Da Fu’s small hand and saw the skin was rubbed raw and red from gripping the brush tightly—yet the redness hadn’t faded.

If he kept practicing, he’d surely get calluses.

Fan Jing felt a pang of sympathy. “You work so hard.”

Da Fu said, “Uncle said I’m hardworking, but I just find writing interesting. Not tiring at all. I’m happy once I remember a character!”

Fan Jing smiled faintly, pinching Da Fu’s cheek.

He shared happy news: “Uncle Xu said that when you turn five this year, he’ll send you to school. Then you two can study together.”

Da Fu jumped up with joy, but soon frowned, “Uncle Shi said his grandpa and great-grandpa were both teachers, and many older brothers study there. If Uncle Shi goes to school, will he have to go to the city?”

“First, he’ll study with your uncle. If he does well, then he might go to the city.”

Fan Jing patted Da Fu’s head. “Grandpa Xu said if you two are willing to study, he’ll also send you to the city.”

“Really?”

Da Fu’s eyes grew wide. “If I go to the city, then I won’t see Little Dad or Daddy anymore?”

Saying this, Da Fu hugged Fan Jing, cuddling close and pouted, “I don’t want to not see Little Dad.”

Fan Jing picked him up. “You’re still young. We won’t send you to the city just yet. If you want to go, the family won’t let you. If one day you do go to school in the city, your daddy will save up to buy a place there for you to live.”

Hearing this, Da Fu’s heart was at ease, and he happily began looking forward to going to school with Uncle Shi.