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

When Su Xiaoqing sent Afu to deliver the gifts to the Zhao family, she subtly inquired about their thoughts so she could prepare accordingly. Afu went to the Zhao family and returned with a smile, relaying Zhao's manager's words verbatim.

Shopkeeper Zhao said that the Chen family was already very kind to give them a shop to run themselves. A dowry is a dowry, and life is life; they couldn't rely on their in-laws for everything. The Chen family couldn't afford to spend more money buying them a house; that wouldn't put the Zhao family at ease. His suggestion was to build a new house for the children in the village. The land wouldn't cost anything, and they could build a few spacious brick houses with front and back yards—more comfortable than their house in the county town. As for the shop given to Afu, it already had a small side room in the back, which could be furnished and lived in. The newlyweds could live in the back of the shop for now, and move back to the village house once it was built; they'd have a place to stay on both sides.

After listening to Zhao's words, Su Xiaoqing felt that what he said made sense, and she felt more at ease about the marriage.

Zhao Qinghuan came along that day as well. She stood behind Manager Zhao and waited until her father finished speaking before speaking herself. Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"Father is right, we'll listen to him. Afu and I have discussed it privately—after he leaves the clinic, he'll definitely have to come home to help. There are so many medicinal herbs planted on the barren mountain at home; it's a waste to just process them and sell them. He wants to take good care of that barren mountain, process the herbs properly, and then sell them. He could earn several times more money in a year than he does now. We can also make some medicinal wine and ointments for bruises, sprains, and to warm the body and sell them at the shop. I haven't decided what to do with the shop the family gave us yet, but we won't let it sit empty. Afu has skills, and I have hands and feet; we'll make a good living no matter what."

Su Xiaoqing looked at Zhao Qinghuan, becoming more and more satisfied. This girl was capable, opinionated, and not spoiled; she complemented Afu perfectly. Chen's mother, listening nearby, nodded and said, "This girl is good." Afu, standing at the door, heard Zhao Qinghuan say "we," and his mouth stretched to his ears in a wide grin. Su Xiaoqing glared at him, and he quickly suppressed the grin, but the smile in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Father Chen lit his pipe, took a puff, and slowly said, "Since the Zhao family has no objections, let's set it for the Winter Solstice. It's an auspicious day for marriage, and the weather isn't too cold. Ah Fu, tell the Zhao family's daughter that she can run the shop as she pleases, and she can sell whatever she wants. The family will cover the capital. As for building houses in the village, we'll start construction soon and try to get you moving in as soon as possible."

Afu agreed and turned to run out. Su Xiaoqing called after him, asking where he was going. Afu didn't turn around and said he was going to tell Qinghuan at the Zhao family's house. Su Xiaoqing laughed and scolded, "This child, he really has forgotten his mother now that he has a wife."

In the kitchen, Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing gave Qingqing's dowry a final check, then examined the deed to Afu's shop again and again. The moon rose outside the window, its gentle light spilling into the courtyard, casting the shadow of the old locust tree on the ground. The Chen family was celebrating one joyous occasion after another. Qingqing's wedding was after the autumn harvest, and Afu's was on the winter solstice, a two- or three-month gap in between, giving them a much-needed respite. Shitou and Aji were still undecided, but the family couldn't afford to rush them anymore. Life went on at its own pace; what was meant to come would come.

----

On this rare day, Shi Tou returned from the county school, A Ji also took a day off from the yamen, and A Fu took half a day off from the clinic, so the three brothers were all together. Chen's parents called them all into the main room, where Chen Da Shan and Chen Xiao He also sat to the side. Su Xiao Yin and Su Xiao Qing were busy in the kitchen and did not come in, but they occasionally peeked into the main room.

The door to the main room was open, and the afternoon sun slanted in through the doorway, shining brightly on the blue brick floor. Father Chen sat in a grand chair, a pipe in his hand, but no pipe lit. Mother Chen sat beside him, her hands folded on her knees, not holding a shoe sole. Stone, Aji, and Afu sat side-by-side on the bench opposite them; all three had grown into adults—Stone was refined and gentle; Aji was broad-shouldered and sat upright like a pine tree; Afu was half a head shorter than his two older brothers, but full of energy, with bright eyes.

Chen's mother spoke first, her voice not loud, but everyone in the main room could hear her clearly.

"I called you back today because there's something important I need to tell you. You're all grown up now. Qingqing is getting married soon, and Afu is getting married too. The family will be getting bigger and bigger. Before things get chaotic, your grandfather, your parents, and I have discussed it and decided to divide the family property in advance. We're not dividing it now, but we're settling things down so you all have a clear understanding of the situation. This will prevent future conflicts over land or shops when the new brides come in, which could disrupt the peace of the household."

Shi Tou glanced at his grandparents, father, and uncle, but didn't say anything. Aji sat up straighter. Afu subconsciously glanced at Su Xiaoqing, who nodded at him from the kitchen doorway.

Chen's mother continued, her voice steady, as if she were talking about something she had been planning for a long time.

"When Afu gets married, the family will give him a shop in the county town and rebuild a house for him in the village. Shitou and Aji, it will be the same for your weddings. The dowry will be the same, with one portion coming from the family coffers, so there will be no favoritism. If you feel it's not enough, you'll have to make up the difference yourselves; the family coffers won't contribute anything else. The three of you brothers must be treated fairly."

At this point, Chen's mother glanced at Chen Dashan. Chen Dashan then took over and explained the situation of the shop in the county town.

"Of the shops in the county town, besides the one allocated to Afu, there are two more prepared for you and Shitou. They are currently rented out, and the monthly rent goes to the public treasury. Once you get married, the shops will be transferred to your names, serving as a foundation for your new family. As for the two houses in the county town, they will not be allocated to you for now; they will be distributed after your mother, your uncle, and your aunt pass away. If you have children in the future who need to attend school, they can live there, but they have no right to buy or sell them. The houses are for you to live in, not for you to exchange for money."

Chen's mother then took the document and began talking about the land.

"When Qingqing got married, her family gave her five acres of high-quality land as dowry. The remaining land, including the barren hills, fruit trees, and medicinal herb fields, will be divided equally among you three brothers. However, you can only divide it after your parents pass away. Right now, it's all public property. Remember this, now is not the time to divide it."