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

The two sisters were startled and hurriedly stood up. Su Xiaoyin reacted quickly, changing the subject and forcing a smile: "Mom, you've gone up the mountain so early? I was wondering why I hadn't seen you. Are there mushrooms in your basket? The mushrooms are coming down early this autumn."

Mother Chen put down her basket and, sure enough, found some fresh hazel and pine mushrooms inside. While not a large quantity, each one was plump and clean. She took the cloth Su Xiaoqing handed her, wiped her hands and face, and smiled, "That's right. The autumn harvest hasn't started yet, and there are a lot of people on the mountain. Any mountain produce you're even slightly familiar with is highly sought after. I just went to the shady slopes we usually go to and picked these. When the harvest is over, I'll have Da Shan and his two sons go up the mountain to cut timber, and then they can go deeper in. I think they can get more good ones."

As she spoke, her gaze gently swept over her two daughters-in-law. Seeing that they hadn't finished their sponge cakes, she urged them, "Sit down and eat quickly, they'll get cold and smell fishy. Your father and I were checking the crops in the fields. He said the beans in the wasteland are ready to harvest, and we'll start in a couple of days." She paused, then casually asked, "What were you saying earlier about one for each of you? You were being so secretive."

Su Xiaoyin's heart skipped a beat, realizing that her mother-in-law had probably overheard a few words of what she had just said. Her face flushed, and she quickly said, "No...nothing, it's just that Xiaoqing and I were chatting and talking about how delicious the chicken cake was, and how one bowl wasn't enough for everyone." This excuse was really not very clever.

Mother Chen was an incredibly perceptive woman. Looking at her eldest daughter-in-law's slightly flushed cheeks and evasive eyes, and then at her younger daughter-in-law's lingering worry, she understood most of the situation. She didn't rush to point it out, but instead sat down at the table, gently fanning the two sisters with a palm-leaf fan. Her tone was calm yet reassuring: "This steamed egg custard must be eaten while it's hot. Now, you're eating for three or four people, so how can you not eat well? Don't think about anything else. Take good care of yourselves and have a smooth delivery; that's more important than anything else. Our family doesn't follow those old-fashioned, sexist customs. A healthy and safe child is the greatest blessing for parents."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if she were recalling something, and she said slowly, "When I was pregnant with Dashan and Xiaohe, there were people in the village who gossiped, worried that the babies wouldn't survive, or that they'd all be girls. But look at us now, aren't they all doing well? Dashan is reliable, Xiaohe is lively, they're both excellent children. In this world, sometimes what you hope for doesn't necessarily come, but what's meant to be your blessing will come. You should all relax, eat well, sleep well, and if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Our family's life is much better now than before, what's there to be afraid of?"

These words, spoken in a gentle tone, were like a warm spring rain, silently sprinkling upon the anxious hearts of the two sisters. Su Xiaoyin stared blankly at her mother-in-law's kind yet firm face, while Su Xiaoqing quietly wiped away the corner of her eye.

As the sun slowly slid westward, it dyed the clouds on the horizon a brilliant golden-red. "Mother," Su Xiaoqing finally couldn't help but whisper to Chen's mother, who was tidying up and drying mushrooms at the kitchen door, "What time is it? Why aren't my older brother and Xiaohe back yet? Usually, even if they go to the market late, they should be home by now... I hope nothing has happened." Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, her hand unconsciously touching her protruding belly.

Although Su Xiaoyin didn't speak, her tightly pursed lips and eager gaze toward the intersection betrayed the same unease.

Chen's mother straightened up, brushed the mushroom crumbs off her hands, and looked towards the path gradually being shrouded in twilight. She was worried too, but a calm smile appeared on her face as she reassured him, "Don't overthink it. I guess business at the market is good today, so it's closing later than usual. Wait a little longer; maybe they're on their way. If they're not back in half an hour, I'll have your father go to the village head's house to borrow an oxcart and head towards the county town to meet them."

As soon as she finished speaking, as if to confirm her judgment, a familiar, slightly tired but excited voice came from outside the courtyard gate, along with the creaking sound of wooden wheels rolling over the ground.

"It's Big Brother and Xiaohe!" Su Xiaoqing's eyes lit up, and she was about to stand up when Su Xiaoyin gently pulled her back.

The courtyard gate creaked open, and Chen Xiaohe poked half his body in first. His face was covered in a mixture of dust and sweat, and his hair was disheveled. He slumped against the doorframe as soon as he entered, weakly calling out, "Dad, Mom... when can we eat? I'm starving, my stomach is practically sticking to my back, and I'm seeing stars!"

Following closely behind him, Chen Dashan pushed the heavy cart into the yard. The cart was much emptier now, with only a few scattered bamboo items and bundles of hemp rope remaining, a stark contrast to its full load when he set out that morning. Chen Dashan was also covered in dust, his clothes soaked with sweat and then dried in the sun, leaving dark sweat stains, but his eyes shone brightly in the twilight, revealing a sense of grounded and contented weariness.

"It's good you're back! It's good you're back!" Chen's mother felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders and rushed to greet them. "Quickly, put your things down first, then go to the well to fetch water to wash up! The meal is already prepared and keeping warm in the pot, just waiting for the two of you!"

Father Chen also came out of the house and helped Chen Dashan push the cart under the eaves and put it down steadily. The two brothers didn't have time to say much. They quickly walked to the well, drew some cool well water, and washed their faces, hands, and necks with the splashing water. The icy water stimulated their skin and dispelled a lot of fatigue and heat.

After they tidied themselves up a bit and returned to the main room, Chen's mother had already quickly set the table. In the center was a large pot of steaming, golden-yellow pheasant soup, with tender, stewed chicken and mushrooms soaked in the broth. Beside it was a large plate of glistening stir-fried vegetables, a dish of savory pickled radish shreds, and a basket of freshly cooked, steaming hot mixed grain flatbreads.

"Eat first! Whatever it is, we can talk after we've eaten!" Without waiting for a reply, Mrs. Chen picked up a soup ladle and ladled a full bowl of chicken soup for Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing. She then specially scooped out two plump, boneless chicken legs and placed them in their bowls. "You two should drink more soup and eat the chicken legs. Pregnant women need to keep up with their nutrition." She then ladled soup for Mr. Chen, Chen Dashan, and Chen Xiaohe as well. "Drink some, it'll help you relax."