At the end of June, the Fan Family’s Well was finally completed.
The whole family gathered around the stone-lined, circular well mouth. Peering inside, they saw that water was slowly accumulating, though as with any newly dug well, the water was still a bit murky.
Fan Shoulin placed two turtles into the well—partly to test the water quality, and partly in keeping with the local custom of praying for good fortune.
It would take at least a month for the well water to become truly clear. In the meantime, adding some alum and quicklime would help the sediment settle faster.
While they waited, Fan Shoulin invited Wang Carpenter over to help make a winch, which they then installed at the well’s edge.
When the winch was ready, Chen Shi tied a water bucket to a hemp rope and tossed it into the well. She turned the winch, the rope winding around and tightening, and soon she hauled up half a bucket of water—far easier than drawing water by hand.
Juner and Qiaor, the two girls, also tried it out. Both found it easy. The two who used to dislike fetching water now delighted in doing so.
They watched and waited eagerly each day, and after about twenty days, the water in the well had accumulated even more. When they drew up a bucket to examine, it was crystal clear and refreshingly cool to the touch.
The family saw that the two turtles placed inside earlier were still swimming leisurely about, stretching out their four legs. With that, everyone felt much more at ease.
Drinking water was not something to be taken lightly. Before using it, they invited a teacher to inspect the water and confirm that there were no issues. Only then did they begin to use it.
That very day, they drew water from the well and poured it into the water vat to let it settle. At night, they boiled a large pot of water so that the whole family could enjoy a thorough bath—everyone was delighted and relaxed.
“Our well went so smoothly—nothing went wrong at all, and the water source is excellent. Father said, before the autumn harvest, he wants to invite everyone who helped us to a meal.”
That night, Kang He and Fan Jing sat on a cool mat, eating Hanyuan Melon that had been chilled in the well for most of the day. It was sweet and crisp, no worse than something iced.
Having a well really was a blessing in summer.
Kang He removed the seeds from the Hanyuan Melon and held it to Fan Jing’s lips. “I think it’s a good idea, too. Let’s invite everyone for a meal and make it lively. We’re not hosting a grand banquet, just two tables will do—it’s not that much trouble.”
Living in the village, inviting others for a meal helped strengthen relationships. The closer the ties, the easier it was to get things done.
Fan Jing said, “He likes to look good, and now that he’s accomplished something, he’s bound to want to show it off a little. He told you, but not me—clearly he’s got money now and doesn’t want to ask me for it, but he’s hoping you’ll take care of the dishes.”
Kang He laughed. “You know Father’s temperament too well. Today, he quietly gave me a string of coins to buy the ingredients. He must’ve made good money selling fertilizer.”
“He’s always enjoyed a lively meal and a drink. Back when times were tight, he couldn’t host anything. Now things are better—letting him have his fun is no harm.”
Fan Jing said, “If you don’t mind the trouble, just do as he wishes. Either way, it’ll end up being my headache.”
Kang He replied, “So you’re agreeing then.”
The next day, Kang He told Fan Father about it and asked how many people he wanted to invite so he could prepare the ingredients.
Fan Father was delighted, saying at most three tables’ worth of people. The main branch’s family would surely come, and if both families came together, they’d nearly fill one table. Add a few more guests, and two more tables would be just right.
Kang He followed his instructions for three tables and reminded him to be sure to invite Hu Butcher. Fan Father said he understood.
With Fan Father off to invite the guests, Kang He and Fan Jing headed into town to buy meat.
At home, their rabbits were big enough, so he planned to slaughter one and a Big Rooster too. With these two meats from their own home, they wouldn’t need to buy much else in town.
He bought three jin of fresh pork, five jin of grass carp, and picked up two round, plump Hanyuan Melons.
On the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month, people came to the house for both lunch and dinner.
After midday, the whole family got busy.
Fan Jing slaughtered the rabbit, the chicken, and the fish. Chen Shi helped pluck the chicken and clean the innards, while the two girls peeled green onion shoots and washed vegetables.
Kang He cut meat and prepped vegetables at the stove. Fan Father set up the table and bench, borrowing extra from the main branch since their own weren’t enough.
Head of Family Fan Shoushan and Zhang Jingui brought over bowls, dishes, tables, and benches early to help out. Fan Father and Fan Nai arrived a bit later.
A bit after that, Shen Fulang brought over a big pottery bowl of sauerkraut—this year’s newly pickled beans and radishes, just right in flavor.
Soon after, Xu Yang arrived with a basket of grapes and peaches. More and more people showed up—Hu Butcher, Wang Carpenter… everyone brought something; no one came empty-handed.
The courtyard quickly filled with lively chatter. After finishing their farm work and taking a bath, everyone gathered to eat pears and Hanyuan Melons chilled in well water, chatting as they waited for the evening feast—they all felt especially relaxed.
Everyone praised Fan Shoulin and Chen Shi, who could barely keep the smiles off their faces.
Fan Jing wasn’t fond of idle chatter, so he stayed in the hot kitchen, tending the fire.
Xu Yang admired Kang He’s skill in the kitchen, drawn in by the delicious smells wafting out.
Seeing Fan Jing sweating by the stove, Xu Yang teased him, “Big Jing, aren’t you hot in there? If you don’t keep watch, who knows—someone might just steal your Kang Sanlang away!”
Fan Jing, not fond of heat, had no idea why he was joining the kitchen bustle.
Xu Yang saw Kang He stir-frying green onion shoots and Twice-Cooked Pork, the aroma drifting far outside.
He said, “I ought to learn a thing or two about cooking, so I’ll be prepared when I find a husband. Look at the uncles and aunts outside—everyone praises Kang He. With a reputation like that, who wouldn’t want to marry their son or daughter to him?”
Kang He laughed, “If someone really did marry you off, would you even be happy?”
Xu Yang burst out laughing.
He was thinking about how Yuan Guo was still too thin. If he had Kang He’s skills, he’d cook for him every day and fatten him up nicely.
As the sun set, the three tables were filled with good dishes, and everyone dug in with excitement.
Kang He was called over to Fan Father’s table, where he received plenty of praise and toasts.
He played finger-guessing games and tossed dice with the table, winning and losing without care.
By the end of the night, there was more wine than food in everyone’s bellies.
After the feast, the men’s faces were flushed with drink, and their bodies reeked of wine.
Most of those who came were family, so there was always someone to keep an eye on the house—no need to worry.
Fan Father, Kang He, and Fan Jing each saw the guests out.
As people left, everyone complimented Kang He, inviting him to visit their homes when he had time, or asking him to help cook for their families.
Hu Dasan had a great time drinking, winning and losing at finger games with the other men, but always enjoying himself.
When he left, his steps were a bit unsteady.
“Brother Fan, you’re something else!” Hu Dasan stopped at the door, giving Fan Shoulin a drunken thumbs-up.
The two had become much closer lately, even serving each other meat and pouring drinks at the table.
Fan Shoulin’s face was flushed from drink as well. He leaned in and said quietly to Hu Dasan, “I really have to thank you for coming to support us today. With you here, I feel honored.”
The two laughed drunkenly.
Hu Dasan pointed at Kang He and Fan Jing standing behind Fan Father. “Good, good! Your son-in-law and eldest son are both excellent!”
Then he asked Fan Jing, “I heard your father wants you to learn a new trade? Have you found anything suitable?”
“What’s there to find? A young man ought to learn a craft. There’s always a way out.” Fan Father hiccupped, answering for Fan Jing.
Hu Dasan slapped his chest. “Why not just follow me and learn butchering pigs!”
He staggered a step. “At least you wouldn’t have to beg for work elsewhere. Us brothers—solid and dependable.”
Fan Father sobered up a bit at these words. “Don’t you try to fool me with drunken talk, brother!”
Hu Dasan said, “Who’s joking? I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
“I’ll bring gifts and have Jing come to your house to formally become your apprentice tomorrow—don’t you go back on your word once you’re sober!”
“Just come, and if you don’t, I’ll come ask you myself!”
“Alright, it’s settled! This is a proper arrangement!” Fan Father pulled Fan Jing over. “Quick, call him ‘Shi Fu’ and thank Uncle Hu.”
Fan Jing’s brows moved slightly. He glanced at Kang He, who nodded.
Only then did Fan Jing respectfully call out, and Hu Dasan happily accepted.
The two families chatted at the door for a long while, sending the guests off all the way to their house.
Kang He, exhausted from the day’s work, didn’t help tidy up after returning. Instead, he collapsed onto the bamboo bed and slept for a while—no one minded.
He slept for about an hour, then woke up again.
When he went out, he saw that the cleaning was nearly done. Fan Jing had just finished his bath, the scent of soap still lingering.
Kang He also fetched water for a bath. After washing up, he returned to the room to find Fan Jing already lying on the bed.
Kang He saw him resting his head on his own arm, staring blankly at the bed curtain.
He lay down beside him. “What’s wrong, regretting agreeing to become an apprentice butcher?”
Fan Jing glanced at Kang He. “Why would I regret it?”
“Even if it works out, you don’t seem happy?”
Fan Jing said, “It was drunken talk—not sure how reliable it is.”
Kang He chuckled. “Not necessarily. Sometimes people speak their true thoughts when drunk.”
“Otherwise, who was it that once confessed they liked me while drunk? Was that a lie, too?”
Fan Jing, recalling the past, felt a bit embarrassed. “That’s different.”
Kang He saw this and said, “In these two months, our families have been visiting each other more, and people see that we’re doing well. When they came for the feast today, everyone praised us, but we especially praised Hu Butcher, which made him look good.”
“We didn’t beg him to agree. If he goes back on his word tomorrow, we’ll know his character.”
“If things aren’t settled after all, we’ll find out when we visit the Hu Family tomorrow. If Hu Dasan changes his mind, at least we didn’t waste our efforts. If he refuses to acknowledge it, saying it was drunken talk, we’ll know what kind of person he is.”
“We’re not the kind of family that clings to others. If he tries to take advantage of us, we won’t go out of our way to keep up the relationship.”
Fan Jing relaxed a bit after hearing this, feeling more at ease.
Seeing this, Kang He leaned in. “If you really think it’s not reliable, let’s do something reliable instead.”
Fan Jing asked, “What?”
Before he could finish, Kang He pressed him down.
Fan Jing thought he had some idea, but apart from being full of dirty thoughts, there was nothing else in his mind.
“We’ve been busy all day. Father and Mother must be sound asleep by now. I saw there’s still water left in the pot.”
Fan Jing wondered at how full of schemes Kang He was. “Aren’t you tired?”
Kang He’s hand slipped into Fan Jing’s thin clothes. Today, he was still wearing the Red Undergarment made for their wedding.
The color of the garment suited him, making his skin look even brighter. Every time Kang He saw it, he could hardly restrain himself.
Perhaps it always brought back memories of their wedding night. Even if things didn’t go as smoothly back then as they do now, that first time was unforgettable—the nervousness and anticipation were hard to match.
“In this heat, after cooking all afternoon, if I was tired, I already slept off the exhaustion after coming back. I’m not tired anymore.”
Fan Jing closed his eyes. “I’m tired.”
Kang He ignored him. “Tired from what? You only killed a chicken and a rabbit, and tended the fire for half the day. I’d believe you were hot, but not tired.”
“Today, you didn’t even work in the fields. Who else comes home from the fields and still has to chop wood for the stove?”
Fan Jing, unable to argue, could only reply with, “Why do you talk so much?”
Kang He pretended not to hear and just got on with things.
Fan Jing felt a sudden coolness below—some people just moved faster than anyone else.
Knowing he couldn’t escape, he lay flat and let Kang He finish quickly so they could both sleep.
Kang He hummed, “If I really was quick, you wouldn’t be happy. Even if you begged for it to last longer, you wouldn’t get it!”
Fan Jing didn’t know where he got so much nonsense, and he always liked to talk most at times like this, making Fan Jing’s ears turn red.
He simply refused to talk back.
The next morning, they reheated the leftovers from the night before.
After breakfast, Fan Father gathered the items needed for the apprenticeship ceremony: celery, lotus seed, red bean, red date, longan, and dried lean meat.
These were things Chen Shi had bought in advance when Fan Jing first thought about changing trades, picking them up at a good price in town.
Fan Father had once said she bought them too early—how could you prepare an apprenticeship gift before the master was even settled? Unexpectedly, they were put to use today.
Kang He also dug out a new set of Summer Clothes from Liang’s Shop for Fan Jing and dressed him up neatly.
“You’re almost as handsome as you were on our wedding day.”
Fan Jing said, “What was so handsome about that day?”
He hadn’t worn new clothes, and his family wouldn’t let him carry a knife or a bow, afraid he’d scare off the match.
“That’s because you didn’t look in the mirror before going out. I bumped into you in the crowd, and just one glance—straight into my heart.”
Fan Jing replied, “You were clearly scared I’d hit you when you saw my knife.”
Kang He looked at him, silent for a while. “How can you say such heartless things?”
Fan Jing lowered his gaze, the corners of his lips turning up.
“You’ve always been handsome—on our wedding day and now.”
Kang He grinned again, his heart filling with joy.
Later, Fan Father, Kang He, and Fan Jing went to the Hu Family.
Hu Dasan, though drunk the night before, had gotten up early that morning.
He washed up and asked his husband several times if the guests had arrived yet.
Qiao Fulang had gone to the Fan Family feast the day before and naturally knew about the apprenticeship.
Every time he went to town, his son would ask about taking on an apprentice. For over a month, the old man hadn’t agreed, but after a few drinks last night, he finally did.
Originally, Qiao Fulang worried that Hu Dasan would regret it after sobering up. If the Fan Family really came, it would be awkward.
Unexpectedly, Hu Dasan remembered and was eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Qiao Fulang teased him, saying it was all the wine’s doing.
Hu Dasan replied, “I’ve long wanted to take on an apprentice. Do you think I’d agree to something like that just because of a drink? I’m not that muddleheaded.”
“That Kang Sanlang is capable—look how well he’s managed the Fan Family. I’m sure he’ll achieve something great. Taking Fan Jing as an apprentice is a connection no other family can match.”
Qiao Fulang replied, “You really think far ahead, always calculating when making friends.”
“You don’t understand. Taking on an apprentice isn’t just about anything. Plenty of people would pay good money to have their sons learn from me, but I won’t accept just anyone. I took a liking to Kang He and the Fan Family is honest—so I agreed.”
“If you think I’m calculating, so be it. When dealing with good families, it’s not always about what you get in return.”
Qiao Fulang understood his feelings and was touched. “You really care for the child.”
They didn’t have to wait long before the Fan Family arrived.
Hu Dasan went out to welcome them.
“I said you’d come, and here you are!”
“We were afraid you wouldn’t! Talked about it all night.”
Kang He and Fan Jing, seeing this, knew things were almost settled.
They exchanged greetings, presented the gifts, and went inside to talk.
“My son doesn’t talk much, but he’s a good kid. In the future, please look after him, big brother.”
“I’ve watched Jing grow up. He’s a good boy—quiet but hardworking and careful. Don’t worry, Brother Fan.”
After a bit of conversation, it was time for the apprenticeship ceremony.
Fan Jing offered tea and addressed his master respectfully. Hu Dasan accepted the tea, gave a few words of advice, and the ceremony was complete.
Kang He, seeing things were settled, presented a red envelope.
Hu Dasan felt its weight and quickly tried to decline. “That’s too much.”
Kang He said, “We make our living on the Mountain, and our parents always worry. Only by learning a proper trade can we find a way out. If Uncle Hu is willing to take Jing as an apprentice, our family has hope. Otherwise, we’d be stuck in the mountains forever.”
“This little token isn’t enough to express our gratitude—please accept it.”
Hu Dasan, hearing this, felt like a living Bodhisattva, saving others from hardship, and was quite pleased.
He tried to refuse again. “It’s not easy to earn money nowadays. I understand your gratitude, but there’s no need for heavy gifts. Let Jing just focus on learning the craft—he’ll do well.”
“Even if it’s easy, it still takes effort. He’s quiet and not talkative, so please be patient with him. If you don’t accept our gift, I’ll feel bad.”
Kang He was determined to give the red envelope. It wasn’t a bribe, just a way to show sincerity.
No one minds a generous gift.
Seeing this, Hu Dasan accepted.
Kang He then expressed his sincerity. “Father says you’re skilled, busy with business in town, and rarely home. In the future, if your family needs anything and your brother isn’t around, just call on me and Jing.”
He then turned to Qiao Fulang. “If you’re ever too busy in the kitchen, feel free to call on me. I may not be much, but I can lend a hand.”
“With your skills, if you’re just helping me, who’ll praise you? I’ll remember your words—next time we have guests, I’ll call on you to help with a couple of dishes.”
Qiao Fulang and Hu Dasan were both amused.
After a long chat, the matter was settled and the families parted.
Both families were satisfied with the apprenticeship, and the news spread quickly through the village—everyone soon knew that Hu Dasan had taken Fan Jing as his apprentice.
Hu Dalao, overjoyed, brought his wife and child home, and both families shared another meal.
When Qiao Fulang’s family came over, Kang He cooked a big table of dishes.
When the Fan Family’s house lost its roof in a storm, Hu Dasan came in a raincoat to help with repairs.
The two families grew closer, often sharing dishes whenever they cooked something good.
But that’s a story for another time.