After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

Both of his sons were looking at him.

Chen's father's voice wasn't loud, but it was very serious: "There aren't many simple people who can survive on the road of fleeing famine. I remember we were lucky back then, supporting each other along the way, and having you and your daughter to take care of us. But these people..." He shook his head, "especially orphans and widows, who knows what they've been through to get here alive. We need to be more careful when we interact with them in the future, and not let our sympathy get the better of us."

Chen Xiaohe was a little puzzled: "Dad, why are you suddenly bringing this up? We were just going to help out, we didn't mean anything by it."

Mr. Chen glanced at his youngest son, his tone becoming more stern: "I told you to stay away from them, especially those three young women. It'll prevent gossip and ruin your reputations. I'm very satisfied with my two daughters-in-law," he gestured towards the kitchen, where Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were busy working, "If you two cause any trouble, don't think your wives will object; I'll be the first to object!"

Chen Xiaohe was taken aback by what he was said, then his face flushed red: "Dad! What are you thinking! My older brother and I just went to help with the work, we didn't even exchange more than a few words! Don't talk nonsense in front of my sister-in-law and Xiaoqing! They'll start to overthink it!"

Chen Dashan frowned as well: "Dad, what happened today? Why did your attitude change so drastically overnight? It wasn't like this yesterday. Yesterday you said we're all unfortunate people, and we should help each other if we can."

Mr. Chen sighed and recounted what he had seen on the mountain that day.

"When you went to help, I came down from the mountain to check the traps. When I got halfway up the mountain, I saw a figure at the door of the third house yesterday—the one where those three girls stayed. I didn't pay any attention at first, but when I looked closely, I realized it was the wild boy from our village."

Chen Xiaohe was taken aback: "Brother Ye? Isn't he about to become a father? His wife is about to give birth, what is he doing there?"

Mr. Chen snorted coldly: "What? Guess. I saw him hand the girl a few eggs, and she accepted them with a smile. The two of them stood there talking for a while. The brat even looked around, as if afraid of being discovered."

Upon hearing this, Chen's mother's expression changed: "Is that so? That wild boy's wife is someone we've watched grow up; she's an honest and simple person, and she's pregnant! What is he trying to do?"

Mr. Chen waved his hand: "That's why I told you to stay away from those three families in the future. Especially those three girls, they don't seem to come from respectable families. We know nothing about what they did before or what they went through. But just based on what happened today, I felt something was wrong."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his two sons' faces: "It's better for us to keep to ourselves and live our own lives. Helping out in the future is fine, lending a hand with chores like fixing the house or moving things is fine too. But don't get too close to them, and don't talk to them alone. Got it?"

Chen Dashan nodded, his expression serious: "Dad, I've remembered. From now on, even if someone falls into the river, I'll make sure it's a man or a woman first. If it's a woman, I'll call for help and ask someone to come and rescue her."

Chen Xiaohe quickly added, "Yes, yes, I've got it. Don't worry, Dad, we know what we're doing."

Mr. Chen's expression softened slightly, and he nodded, "Alright, let's eat. This is just a family matter, don't spread it around. As for that brat, let's pretend we didn't see anything. His wife is about to give birth, don't let her be upset."

Chen's mother sighed and got up to go to the kitchen to help serve the dishes.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing hadn't come out, but they had overheard most of what was happening inside the main room through the door. The two sisters exchanged a glance, but neither spoke; they simply and silently placed the dishes on the table.

The food was laid out, and the family sat down around it. The atmosphere was a bit more subdued than before, but no one brought up the matter again.

Chen Dashan picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and suddenly said, "Dad, tomorrow Xiaohe and I will finish digging the cellar and then expand the storeroom. What do you think?"

Mr. Chen nodded: "Okay, take advantage of the cooler weather these next few days to finish the work. You two go about your business, I'll prepare the materials."

Chen Xiaohe also spoke up: "Mother, when you go to the county town to set up your stall tomorrow, see if you can find any cheap scraps of fabric. My sister-in-law and the others will need them for embroidery."

Chen's mother replied, "Okay, I'll take a look."

After the meal, the conversation gradually returned to family matters. But that little incident, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, though the ripples quickly subsided, left a mark on everyone's heart.

The outside world is becoming increasingly complex. Protecting your own family and loved ones is more important than anything else.

---

At night, Chen Dashan lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Su Xiaoyin turned to the side and asked softly, "Are you still thinking about what Father said?"

Chen Dashan hummed in agreement: "I was thinking, when our family first fled here during the famine, how did the villagers view us? Were there people like you are today, telling our family to stay away from us?"

Su Xiaoyin was silent for a while before saying, "Perhaps. But we earn our living through our skills and live with a clear conscience, so we're not afraid of what others think."

Chen Dashan held her hand tightly.

Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, spilled onto the quiet Chen family courtyard. From the distant village, the occasional bark of a dog drifted in before fading into silence. The newcomers were probably also pondering their future under this moonlight. (PS: Nanshan Village has no original inhabitants; it was formed gradually by people fleeing famine, so the Chen family is one of them.)