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

A few days later, the atmosphere of spring plowing became stronger and stronger.

In the Chen family courtyard, Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe were tidying up their farm tools. The plowshare needed sharpening, the hoe needed repairing, and the sickle needed being honed—everything had to be prepared. Their father came out of the house, glanced at the sky, and said to his two sons, "In two or three days, it'll be time to go to the fields. Spring is short this year, we need to hurry."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Dad, the farm tools are almost all packed up. I'll check them again later, so they don't break down."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. Chen's father looked up and saw Li Hu, followed by the thin, small boy Li An. Li Hu was using a cane and walking slowly, but he had a smile on his face.

"Brother Chen, you're home!" Li Hu stopped at the gate of the courtyard, waving the things in his hand. "I came over for a visit today and to thank you for taking care of me during this time."

Mr. Chen hurriedly went to greet him, "Brother Li! Come in, come in!" He took the things from Li Hu's hands—two packets of pastries and a piece of fresh pork belly, which looked expensive. "You've come all this way, don't bring anything! You're too kind!"

Li Hu waved his hand: "It's nothing. Thanks to your help during this time, the house was settled so quickly. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't mind."

Chen Dashan also came forward and helped Li Hu inside, saying, "Uncle Li, take it easy, let's talk inside."

Li An followed behind his father, looking timidly at the Chen family members. Su Xiaoyin came out of the kitchen, saw the child, and her heart softened. She squatted down and asked, "You must be Li An? How old are you?"

Ang Lee whispered, "Seven years old."

Su Xiaoyin smiled: "They're a bit older than our kids. Shitou, Qingqing, Aji, Afu! Come out and meet your big brother!"

Stone ran out of the house, saw Li An, and his eyes lit up: "Hello! My name is Stone! Let's play together!"

Li An glanced at his father, Li Hu nodded, and then he followed Shi Tou into the house. A moment later, the chattering of several children could be heard from inside.

---

Mr. Chen ushered Li Hu into the main room, and Mrs. Chen served him hot tea. Li Hu sat down, looked around, and exclaimed, "Brother Chen, your house is so well built and kept so clean. It's much better than our newly built one."

Mr. Chen smiled and said, "Take your time. You've just gotten back. You can take your time to pack up later."

Li Hu nodded and got down to business: "Brother Chen, I came today firstly to thank you, and secondly to invite you to my house for dinner tonight. We just moved into the house and wanted to add some life to it. We didn't invite anyone else, just a few close friends and family."

Mr. Chen quickly said, "I can't accept that. You've just settled in; you must have a lot to do..."

Li Hu interrupted him, "Brother Chen, don't be so polite. Our house is all deserted right now, we just want to have some fun. If you don't come, it'll be really lonely with just the two of us."

Hearing this, Mr. Chen stopped refusing: "Alright, then we'll go over tonight."

Li Hu smiled and asked about another matter: "Brother Chen, there's something else I'd like to ask you."

Chen's father said, "You speak."

Li Hu said, "I'm planning to buy some land. My shop in the county town is still open, and I've hired a helper to look after it. I only need to go there every few days. I have some spare money and want to invest in some property. But I asked the village head, and no one in the village is selling fertile land now. As for wasteland, there aren't many good locations left."

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Chen said, "Brother Li, have you considered the barren mountains?"

Li Hu was taken aback: "A barren mountain?"

Mr. Chen nodded: "The wasteland is no longer exempt from taxes, so it's not worthwhile. But there are still barren mountains. If you choose carefully, you can cultivate a suitable plot of land at the foot of the mountain to grow crops. In addition, the produce from the mountain—mushrooms, wood ear fungus, wild vegetables, and medicinal herbs—can bring in a considerable income over the years."

Li Hu's eyes lit up: "I really hadn't thought of that."

Mr. Chen continued, "Right now, only my family and the village head's family are buying barren hills. Everyone else is buying wasteland. I think you could take a look at the barren hill west of my house. I've seen it before; the location is good, and the soil is fine. If you're interested, you can go see it tomorrow."

Li Hu nodded repeatedly: "Okay, Brother Chen, I'll go take a look tomorrow. The sooner we decide, the sooner we can get ready."

Mr. Chen said, "Yes, the sooner we decide, the better, so we can still do some preparation before spring planting."

The two chatted for a while longer before Li Hu got up to take his leave. As he left, he added, "Brother Chen, come over early tonight!"

Chen's father saw him to the gate of the courtyard: "You must go!"

---

After Li Hu left, Chen's mother came out of the kitchen and asked Chen's father, "What are you taking with you for dinner tonight?"

Mr. Chen said, "It's not appropriate to go empty-handed. See if there's anything at home you can bring."

Su Xiaoyin said from the side, "Dad, Xiaoqing and I made two sets of clothes for Li An. We used the fine cotton cloth that we had left over at home. We originally planned to make them for Shi Tou and the others to wear, but they were too big, so we gave them to Li An."

Chen's mother took it and looked at it. The stitches were fine and the design was nice. She nodded in satisfaction: "This is good. Li An is such a thin and small child, it breaks my heart to see him like this."

Mr. Chen said, "Then take this with you. Old woman, make some more bamboo shoot and pork stew, I'll bring it over tonight. It'll be an extra dish."

Chen's mother responded and turned to go to the kitchen to get busy.

---

In the evening, Chen's father carried a pot of stewed bamboo shoots with pork and two sets of clothes made by Su Xiaoyin, and headed towards Li Hu's house.

Li Hu's house was newly built, and the yard wasn't quite finished yet, but the house was very clean. A newly woven mat was laid on the kang (heated brick bed), the stove was complete, and all the pots, pans, and utensils were new. Several neighbors who had come to help were already there: Chen Ermu, Brother De, and a few other familiar faces.

Li Hu welcomed Chen's father in, and seeing the dishes he was carrying, his eyes reddened again: "Brother Chen, you're too kind..."

Mr. Chen put down the dishes and handed over the two sets of clothes: "These are clothes my two daughters-in-law made for Li An. The child is growing, so please don't find them unpalatable."

Li Hu took the clothes, his hands trembling. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word. Li An stood beside him and whispered, "Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Father Chen patted his head: "Good boy, live a good life with your father. If you need anything, come to Uncle Chen."

Li Hu wiped his eyes and gestured for everyone to sit down. The dishes were simple, but the atmosphere was lively. They drank, reminiscing about the past and discussing the future. Li Hu gradually became more talkative, and his smile broadened.

On the way back, Chen's father thought about Li Hu's matter and felt a little emotional. Life is full of ups and downs; no one knows what tomorrow will bring. But as long as you're alive, life must go on.

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