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

Liu Yilong carried a basket on his back and jogged home.

His family lived in a small courtyard on the east side of the county town. It wasn't big, but it was kept clean. His mother, Liu, was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise and poked her head out.

"You're back? Why are you back so early today?"

Liu Yilong put the basket on his back in the yard and took a breath: "Mother, come out and take a look."

Liu's mother wiped her hands and came out. She looked into the basket on her back and froze: "Where...where did this come from?"

Liu Yilong recounted what had just happened. As his mother listened, her eyes also reddened.

"Did Chen Dashan give this to you?" she asked again.

Liu Yilong nodded: "It's that carpenter who runs a stall, I've told you about him before. His wife is good at embroidery, and I've even helped them find work a few times."

Mother Liu squatted down and took things out one by one. There were two winter bamboo shoots, each one plump and full; dried mushrooms, wrapped in oil paper, smelling delicious; dried wild vegetables, also neatly wrapped; Chinese cabbage, with the outer leaves peeled off, leaving only the tender white heart; radishes, washed clean; pumpkin, golden yellow, clearly homegrown; and a large bag of bean sprouts, covered with a damp cloth, each one fresh and juicy.

Holding the bag of bean sprouts, Liu's mother's hands trembled: "This... how many beans must have sprouted to produce so many sprouts? They've brought all the best stuff they have in the house."

Liu Yilong said from the side, "Mother, I also think it's too heavy. But they insisted on giving it to me, and I couldn't refuse."

After a long silence, Liu's mother said, "Yilong, we owe you a huge favor."

She carefully packed everything away, then pulled her son to sit down in the kitchen and said earnestly, "Yilong, listen to me. These days, after the snow disaster, everything is expensive in the county town. Even if you have money, you might not be able to buy vegetables. The fact that they sent us these things shows that they treat us like true relatives."

Liu Yilong nodded: "I know, Mother."

Liu's mother continued, "From now on, please take good care of them when they set up their stall. Don't let anyone bully them, and don't let those thugs cause trouble. Also, please help promote their carpentry and embroidery, and introduce them to some good customers."

Liu Yilong said, "Mother, don't worry, I remember everything."

After thinking for a moment, Liu's mother added, "Also, they have four children, right? I'll make some cotton-padded jackets and trousers for the kids and send them over. We can't just accept their gifts; we have to give them something in return."

Liu Yilong smiled: "Mother, that's a good idea."

Mother Liu waved her hand and got up to pack the things. As she packed, she muttered, "Keep the winter bamboo shoots; you can make soup with them after your wife gives birth to help with milk production. Dried mushrooms are good; they keep well, so eat them slowly. These bean sprouts… I'll stir-fry them tonight to nourish your wife…"

Liu Yilong felt a warmth in his heart as he watched his mother's busy figure.

---

In the county town, Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe continued to tend their stall.

There were even fewer people in the afternoon; the few who passed by just looked around and didn't buy anything. Chen Dashan glanced at the sky and said to his younger brother, "That's enough, let's pack up."

The two packed their things, loaded them onto the mule cart, and headed home.

On the way back, Chen Xiaohe said, "Brother, Manager Liu seemed quite moved today."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Yes. He's a very honest person. He remembers when we're good to him."

Chen Xiaohe thought for a moment and then said, "Brother, do you think we should try to get to know Manager Liu more often in the future? He knows a lot of people, and maybe he can introduce us to more jobs."

Chen Dashan laughed: "You're quite the clever one. Alright, visit more often during holidays."

The mule cart creaked along, the setting sun casting long shadows of them. Although they hadn't earned much money that day, both of them felt at peace—the necessary tasks had been completed, the necessary gifts had been given, and that's how social obligations are built up little by little.

---

By the time I got home, it was almost dark.

Chen's mother was cooking in the kitchen when she heard the gate open and hurried out to greet them. Seeing the expressions on their faces, she asked, "How was your day?"

Chen Dashan recounted what had happened that day and handed the remaining silver to his mother. After hearing about Steward Liu's actions, Chen's mother nodded, "It's only right. They've helped us so much; we should remember their kindness."

Su Xiaoyin also came out of the house and asked Chen Dashan, "Did you buy the plaster?"

Chen Dashan was taken aback, then remembered: "Oh dear, I forgot."

Su Xiaoyin sighed, but didn't say anything: "It's okay, we'll buy it next time."

Chen Dashan felt a little guilty, but Su Xiaoyin had already turned around and gone to the kitchen to help.

---

The family sat together for dinner that evening.

When Chen's father asked about the situation in the county town, Chen Dashan told him. After listening, Chen's father was silent for a while, then said, "This snow disaster has definitely affected business in the county town. We need to make some preparations; we can't just rely on setting up stalls."

Chen Dashan asked, "Dad, what are your thoughts?"

Mr. Chen said, "The New Year is coming soon, things should get better then. You should still go, but don't expect to earn too much. Don't stop the chores around the house either; keep making those furniture pieces and the bamboo weaving by the river. Business might pick up again in the spring."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Father is right."

Chen's mother said from the side, "Is Xiaoyin and Xiaoqing's Five Relationships diagram almost finished?"

Su Xiaoyin said, "It'll be finished soon, in about ten more days. When we deliver it to Manager Sun, we can make a profit."

Mr. Chen nodded: "That's good. Although we suffered from snow disaster this year, our family is financially well-off and can withstand it. As long as everyone is safe, everything is fine."

The family ate and chatted, having a lively time. The wind was howling outside the window, but the house was warm and cozy.

After dinner, Su Xiaoyin brought Chen Dashan some water to wash his feet and helped him apply the plaster. Chen Dashan looked at her profile as she lowered her head, and his heart softened.

"Xiaoyin," he suddenly said.

Su Xiaoyin looked up: "Hmm?"

Chen Dashan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. In the end, he just said, "It's nothing, just thank you."

Su Xiaoyin smiled and gently patted his leg: "What are you thanking me for? Go to sleep."

On the kang (a heated brick bed), the four children were already asleep, huddled together, breathing evenly. The little dog was curled up on the straw mat, making soft purring sounds.

Outside the window, moonlight shines on the snow, a vast expanse of white. Tomorrow, the sun will rise as usual, and life will go on. But as long as the family is together, even the hardest days can be overcome.