Lu Xuesong approached and whispered, “Guo’er, you look beautiful.”
Tang Guo’er raised the corners of his mouth. “Hmph, I’m always beautiful.”
Lu Xuesong laughed out loud and immediately nodded in agreement.
“Why are you here?”
Tang Guo’er asked, still holding a grudge over the last time Lu Xuesong came but did not look for him. He continued, “And that time, you were already here, so why didn’t you look for me?”
Lu Xuesong did not expect Tang Guo’er to have seen him that time when he impulsively ran over. Standing in place, he rubbed his hands together and said, “I wanted to see you, so I came today. Last time, I heard from Mother that your family was looking for a marriage prospect for you. I was anxious, so I, so I ran over.”
Lu Xuesong usually talks endlessly, but now he stumbles over his words. “I only realized after coming here that I have no right to speak, so I just went back. I didn’t expect you to see me.”
Remembering the anxiety and panic he felt back then, Lu Xuesong’s voice carried a hint of dejection.
Tang Guo’er didn’t expect this to be the reason. He thought for a moment before saying, “I thought you didn’t want to wait for me.”
“How could that be!”
Lu Xuesong responded immediately. “The day before yesterday, Mother came home and said your parents had agreed. I wanted to come over immediately, but it was too late. Yesterday, I had to deliver eggs to town, so I only managed to come today.”
Tang Guo’er’s eyes curved into smiles. “Then why did you come to find me today?”
“I don’t know either. I just wanted to see you and talk to you.” Lu Xuesong laughed, as if he also found himself foolish.
“Silly.”
Tang Guo’er chuckled softly. “Let me bring the mulberries home first. Wait for me here.”
“Alright.”
Tang Guo’er quickly returned home and placed the mulberries in a cool spot in the storage room. Huang Shuang and Tang Xiao were not home, and only his sister-in-law and three nephews were there. So he called out to his sister-in-law, who was cleaning in the backyard, “Sister-in-law, I’m going to find Ting-jie’r to play.”
“Don’t play too late,” his sister-in-law’s voice came from the back.
“Got it.”
Tang Guo’er turned and ran outside. When his eldest nephew saw him running, he also wanted to follow and play outside. Tang Guo’er had to stop, pull his eldest nephew back to the main hall, and tell him they were going to play cat’s cradle.[mfn]翻花繩 fān huā shéng – a children’s game in which people weave various patterns with string between their fingers. The game requires a knotted rope loop. One person uses his fingers to make a pattern, and then the other person takes the rope and turns it into another pattern, and so on, alternating until one person can no longer make a pattern.; Cat’s cradle, Jack in the Pulpit, Catch Cradle[/mfn] Only then did the eldest nephew not insist on following.
Under the large banyan tree, Lu Xuesong stood with his hands behind his back. Seeing Tang Guo’er from afar, he raised his hand to wave. Tang Guo’er jogged to him, panting slightly, “Let’s go to the small bamboo grove. There are fewer people there.”
“Alright.” Lu Xuesong had no objections.
Tang Guo’er led Lu Xuesong through the small bamboo grove while keeping out of sight. The small bamboo grove was at the back of the village. The bamboo there are not sturdy enough, so the villagers don’t go there to cut bamboo whenever they need it. Instead, it is a place liked by those who were soon to be betrothed or already betrothed.
Tang Guo’er secretly glanced at Lu Xuesong, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. He didn’t tell him the secret about the small bamboo grove.
Tang Guo’er led Lu Xuesong along a small path and didn’t see anyone else there. Lu Xuesong smiled as he walked and took out a small bundle from his robe.
“Guo’er, I went to town yesterday and bought a pack of zaotang[mfn]灶糖 zào táng (lit. “hearth candy”, or “candy for the Kitchen God”) – it is a candy made with maltose, usually made and sold around the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, just before Chinese New Year.[/mfn] on the way. It’s for you to eat.”
“Why did you buy me food again?”
Tang Guo’er asked and smiled widely. Since the two were now betrothed, he did not refuse. In the past, his older brothers often gave things to their wives and fulang as well.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t like anything else I buy. After thinking about it, I thought food was the most practical.” Lu Xuesong replied.
“That’s true.”
Tang Guo’er remembered that before his third brother got married, he bought a hair ribbon for his third sister-in-law, but he never saw her wear it. Later, his sister-in-law secretly told him the ribbon was both red and green, and she was too embarrassed to wear it outside.
“Mother and Da-ge will go calculate the date in a few days.” Lu Xuesong’s mouth curved up high.
“It will be next year, so there’s no need to be in such a hurry.” Tang Guo’er belatedly felt shy and lowered his head.
Lu Xuesong turned sideways and rubbed his hands together unconsciously. “I’m the impatient one, Guo’er. I’ll only feel at ease once the date is set and the betrothal gifts are delivered.”
Tang Guo’er’s heart thumped wildly, and he pouted, “It’s not like I’m going to run away.”
Lu Xuesong laughed, revealing a neat set of teeth. “Knowing there’s a date to look forward to… Guo’er, don’t worry, I will definitely earn a lot of money and not let you suffer.”
“I know.”
As they talked, they reached the small bamboo grove. Next to the bamboo grove was a patch of grassland. Tang Guo’er and Lu Xuesong sat down on the grass and continued talking for quite a while.
It was not until the sun set in the west that Lu Xuesong stood up and patted his clothes. “The sun is almost setting. Let’s go back.”
“Mn, Father and Mother should be back soon.”
The two spent almost an hour together. Tang Guo’er was very happy in his heart, and so was Lu Xuesong. The man was so happy that one might think he just found money on the ground.
Under the large banyan tree, Tang Guo’er looked up and met Lu Xuesong’s eyes. “Then I’ll go back now.”
Lu Xuesong nodded. Tang Guo’er walked a few paces, turned back, and saw him still standing under the tree watching. Tang Guo’er grinned widely and waved at him before finally heading home.
Only after Tang Guo’er entered the fork in the road and disappeared from sight did Lu Xuesong reluctantly leave for Xiahe Village.
Before, he did not understand and found it strange how his Da-ge and Xiao Man-ge could stay together every day without getting tired of each other. Now that he has fallen in love himself, he realized that when you meet someone you like, you wish you could stick together all the time.
He walked home in high spirits. When he arrived home, Miao Lianhua had already prepared the meal. She smiled and said, “You saw him this time?”
Lu Xuesong nodded and said embarrassedly, “I saw him, and we talked.”
“Guo’er is a good child. It’s a blessing that we can form this marriage. Don’t go too often. It wouldn’t be good if Tang Guo’er’s parents became displeased.” Miao Lianhua advised.
Putting herself in their shoes, if she has a daughter or a ge’r who was betrothed and the future son-in-law came visiting too often, she too would be unhappy.
“I understand, Mother.” Lu Xuesong agreed.
His Da-ge had left him silver. He had to manage the matters of digging a well and building a new house for the family, so he wouldn’t have much chance to go frequently anyway.
On one side, Lu Xuesong was busy raising chickens and ducks, selling chicken and duck eggs, while also taking care of household chores. On the other side, Tang Guo’er had to harvest sweet orange fruits and pick mulberries on the mountain, leaving him with no extra time. Just like that, half a month passed. It was now the end of the fourth month when Lu Xuesong found time to make another trip to Hedong Village.
This time, he happened to run into Tang Guo’er and Huang Shuang who were returning after picking mulberries. Lu Xuesong did not stay with Tang Guo’er for too long. After giving him the tanghulu, he went home.
Tang Guo’er was very happy while holding the stick of tanghulu. Huang Shuang smiled slightly. “He is quite thoughtful, knowing how to give gifts to please you.”
Tang Guo’er couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. “He’s just very good.”
Huang Shuang shook her head helplessly. “You, ah.”
Tang Guo’er giggled. He tore off the paper wrapping of the tanghulu and first offered it to Huang Shuang’s mouth, saying, “Mother, have one.”
Huang Shuang stepped aside and said lightly, “Since it was given to you, eat it yourself. Don’t let Huzi and the others see it later, or it won’t be enough for them to devour.”
“I know, Mother.”
Tang Guo’er took a small bite. The sweet and sour taste immediately bloomed in his mouth. Seeing him eat happily, Huang Shuang felt pleased. As long as Lu Xuesong is willing to spend effort on Tang Guo’er, it is a good thing.
Villagers greeted them on the road and asked Tang Guo’er where he got the tanghulu from. Before Tang Guo’er could speak, Huang Shuang smiled and said loudly, “Aiya, that child from the Lu family brought it. He saw it in town and knew our Guo’er loves to eat it, so he brought it over immediately.”
Many people in Hedong Village knew about the betrothal between the Tang family and the Lu family from Xiahe Village. The person who asked the question was surprised by her straightforward response. After a pause, he said, “Is that so? Then he is really thoughtful.”
“Of course. He is extremely sincere and has studied for several years too. The difference between one educated person and another, tsk tsk tsk.”
Huang Shuang wore an expression that suggested some things were better left unsaid.
The passersby laughed. There were no secrets in the village, and everyone knew she was talking about the Fei family.
Coincidentally, the family Tang Guo’er was betrothed to has two brothers who were both educated and knew a teacher from the academy in town and a scholar shopkeeper. They were much better than that Fei family fellow who haven’t achieved anything yet despite his studies.
Huang Shuang wanted to say more, but Tang Guo’er tugged her sleeve and said with a low laugh, “Mother, let’s go back.”
“Alright.”
After mocking the Fei family a few more words with others, Huang Shuang returned home feeling satisfied.
Huang Shuang rolled her eyes as she passed the Fei family’s house and said loudly, “Some people really only deserve cheap goods.”
Tang Guo’er secretly laughed a couple of times. When the news of his betrothal to Lu Xuesong first spread, the Fei family’s mother often gossiped in front of villagers, mocking him for lowering his status by marrying a refugee and saying that he would suffer for the rest of his life.
The villagers knew the Lu family’s eldest son and his fulang had opened a shop in town, and their business was particularly good. Lu Xuesong also raised many chickens and ducks at home, and Tang Guo’er’s future mother-in-law is an embroiderer who could sell a handkerchief for ten wen. Therefore, no one agreed with Fei family’s mother. Instead, she was the one who was furious.
Now that the Lu family was building a new house and even digging a well, even more villagers were envious and all are saying that Tang Guo’er was blessed.
These news were all “unintentionally” spread by Huang Shuang and Tang Guo’er’s sisters-in-law when chatting with others. Tang Guo’er found it amusing, but he was also quite happy that it could anger those narrow-minded people from the Fei family.
Before the Dragon Boat Festival, Lu Xuesong sent him a message, urging him to watch the dragon boat races. Tang Guo’er agreed. This year’s dragon boat race was in Hedong Village, so even if Lu Xuesong didn’t say anything, he would still go to watch.
Lu Xuesong was the lead rower for Xiahe Village this year. Tang Guo’er told this to his family. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiao Suiman was selling drinks under the shade of the trees in Hedong Village. He greeted them and then eagerly ran to the front to watch the race.
Tang Ting had never met Lu Xuesong before and was very curious. When Xiahe Village’s dragon boat appeared, Tang Guo’er pointed at Lu Xuesong and said, “That’s him.”
“He’s strong,” Tang Ting said.
“He’s from the north, so he’s definitely bigger and taller than people here.” Tang Guo’er’s lips curved proudly.
Lu Xuesong happened to look over and saw Tang Guo’er immediately and instantly broke into a bright smile. Tang Guo’er cheerfully waved at him for a good while before putting his hand down.
“I heard people say he often brings you food.” Tang Ting teased.
“He only brought some once.” Tang Guo’er muttered. The villagers’ ability to spread rumors was really too powerful. Fortunately, that previous time was not seen by anyone.
Tang Guo’er soon had no mind to chat with Tang Ting because the race began.
Xiahe Village was in the first group to race this year again, racing in the outermost lane. Since they won the first prize last year, the morale of the Xiahe Village rowers had grown even stronger. This year, they overtook the teams in front and rushed to first place in one go.
Tang Guo’er’s mouth hung open. It was only after Xiahe Village’s dragon boat crossed the finish line that he finally let out a “Wow.”
“Too amazing.” He exclaimed in admiration.
After crossing the finish line, Lu Xuesong rowed the boat back to the shore, then ran to Tang Guo’er in a few quick steps. Old Tang and Tang Xiao were also nearby. Tang Ting, seeing that the two wanted to talk in private, slipped away to her father’s side.
Lu Xuesong drew attention, and many people around were pointing at him and talking. Seeing him chatting and laughing nonstop with Tang Guo’er, they all gave up their thoughts.
Well, another one who’s already taken.
Xiahe Village advanced all the way to the finals, where they won the race again. Tang Guo’er jumped up immediately and shouted nonstop.
The people of Hedong Village had all come to watch the race. Tang Xiao laughed heartily, pointing at Lu Xuesong and saying that was his future son-in-law, feeling very proud.
This year’s Dragon Boat Festival was celebrated happily. Tang Guo’er’s good mood continued. Not long after, he went with Tang Xiao to town to watch the fragrant drink competition.
As expected, Qiao Suiman won first place. Tang Guo’er’s admiration for him reached new heights, and he was very curious about the milk tea. But Qiao-gege said that he run out of ingredients, so he did not ask further.
Unexpectedly, two days later, Lu Xuesong brought milk tea to him.
“Guo’er, Xiao Man-ge made this at home today. It’s still a bit hot since it was just made.” Lu Xuesong said while panting.
“You ran all the way here?” Tang Guo’er asked in surprise.
“Mn. Xiao Man-ge said it tastes best when warm. I was afraid it’ll get cold if I come too late.”
Tang Guo’er took the bamboo tube that Lu Xuesong handed him. It was still warm on the outside. He said softly, “How are you so good to me?”
Lu Xuesong chuckled lowly. “Guo’er, we, we will be spending our lives together in the future. Of course I have to treat you well.”
Tang Guo’er opened the lid and took a sip. His eyes instantly widened. “It’s so delicious!”
Then he gulped it down loudly.
Seeing that Tang Guo’er liked it, Lu Xuesong felt his trip was not in vain. He smiled and drank from the other tube, sweetness filling both his mouth and his heart.
If you enjoy my translations, consider buying me a milk tea 🥛🍵
