Chapter Nineteen (Part 2): Mediation
Later, Lu Yin had Lu Qiang get some marrow bones. For the past few days, she had been simmering soup for Qian Yuanqing to nourish her body.
Qian Yuanqing remained cold on the surface, but inside she was no longer so calm. Setting aside Lu Qiang, the two of them were strangers with no ties. Yet Lu Yin took such careful and attentive care of her. Inevitably, she felt a bit uneasy about it. She had tried to drive her away several times, but Lu Yin would only smile gently and say she would leave after the fifteenth.
The festive atmosphere of the New Year gradually faded, and the villagers returned to their routines. Early in the morning, people could be seen leading cows to the milking station. Lu Yin wore a pair of black cotton shoes, wide and bulky, without any style. Against her straight, slender calves, they looked almost comical.
She gathered firewood and hurried back toward the house.
The cotton shoes had been finished by Qian Yuanqing the very next day. The uppers were stuffed full with thick cotton, and the soles were a full inch thick, exceptionally resistant to the cold when stepping on snow.
That day, she had thrown the shoes onto the ground with a stiff face. “Make do with them. If you freeze your legs useless, don’t expect me to take responsibility.”
Lu Yin had paused, ignoring her attitude, but felt happy inside. She slipped off her short boots and stepped straight into them, taking a few tentative steps, as if walking on cotton.
Her face brightened. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Qian Yuanqing tugged at the corner of her lips, giving a disdainful snort.
She had worn those shoes for several days. They didn’t quite fit, like a child secretly wearing an adult’s shoes, but they were very warm.
Lu Qiang came in from outside and couldn’t help glancing at her feet a few more times before handing over the fish he had just caught.
Qian Yuanqing was no longer as resistant as before. She only gave him a glance at first, neither greeting him nor driving him away, treating him like air. Lu Qiang stood there alone for a while, raised his hand and touched his forehead, glancing toward the kang. Staying would only annoy people, and there was no point, so he turned to leave.
As he passed Lu Yin, he bent down and said, “When the soup’s ready, have a bowl too.”
Lu Yin pressed her lips together and nodded.
The room fell quiet. Lu Yin dragged over a small stool and sat on the floor, handling the fish from earlier. The soup pot on the stove bubbled steadily, white steam spreading outward, carrying a rich, savory fragrance.
Lu Yin wiped her hands, then went over and crouched by the stove, scooping up a small spoonful to taste.
Qian Yuanqing was doing some handiwork. She glanced at her. “He treats you pretty well, huh?”
Lu Yin’s hand paused. She let out a soft “mm,” then tasted again. “I don’t know what he was like before, but now he’s learned to be quite attentive. He can cook a bit too. Barely edible.” She ladled out a bowl for Qian Yuanqing. “Do you want to drink it now?”
“Leave it there.” She shifted, tired from sitting. “Don’t mind me. Drink yours.”
Lu Yin stayed crouched by the stove, hands folded over her knees. “When your leg gets better, can you make mantou for me to eat?”
Qian Yuanqing glanced at her. “What’s so special about that? They sell them at the village entrance.”
Lu Yin said, “Lu Qiang keeps talking about them, says he misses them so much. At first I thought the same as you. I kept thinking, aren’t all mantou the same? What’s there to like or dislike? But he said you used to make them all the time, that he could eat three or four in one sitting. So I want to try them.”
Qian Yuanqing’s gaze flickered. “With this leg, I can’t make them.”
“How can you not! The splints are already off.” Lu Yin pouted, giving a soft huff. “At least I’ve been dutifully simmering all that marrow bone soup for you. Even if it’s just reciprocity, you should give a little too.”
She didn’t buy it. “We’ll see when the time comes.”
Hearing that, Lu Yin sensed there was a chance and smiled along. She served herself some soup, didn’t move from her spot, and drank a mouthful while crouching, then asked as if casually, “What was Lu Qiang like as a child?”
Qian Yuanqing’s movements paused. After a moment, she said coldly, “He was never easy to deal with.”
Lu Yin propped her chin, waiting. She heard her continue, “He’d crack someone’s head open in the front, and his dad would rush to apologize right after. Always running around in gangs. Other kids would avoid him when they saw him. One year, I think he was nine, he secretly stuffed firecrackers into Liu Quan’er’s boiler. The next day when they lit the fire, all the firecrackers exploded. Liu Quan’er almost got disfigured.”
Lu Yin let out a soft laugh. “Then why does he like mantou so much?”
Qian Yuanqing’s hands didn’t stop. She lowered her eyes, the daylight softening her face. “Because he was greedy. We were poor back then. We only slaughtered a pig during holidays. After that, most of it would be sold, leaving just some fatty scraps and pig skin. I’d stew it in an iron pot and steam mantou on top. The broth from the meat would seep up, so the mantou all carried a meaty flavor.”
Lu Yin had only taken a few sips of her soup. After sitting there for a while, it had gone lukewarm in her hands. Her eyes fixed on the ground, lost in thought.
The silence felt a bit unnatural. Only then did Qian Yuanqing realize she had said too much. She frowned. “If you’re eating, sit at the table and eat properly. What kind of posture is that, squatting here.”
Lu Yin was used to her sharp tone. She carried her bowl and chopsticks to the table, but couldn’t help glancing at her again. She hadn’t been mistaken about that fleeting softness in her eyes. No matter how hard someone’s heart was, it couldn’t withstand the bond of blood.
Lu Yin knew that the night she learned the truth, she hadn’t slept, not because she refused to forgive, but because she was still trapped in resentment, unable to switch out of it all at once.
Maybe what she needed now was time.
A few days later, Qian Yuanqing was already able to get out of bed, standing on tiptoe, holding onto chairs and cabinets, relying on Lu Yin’s support to move to the table to eat.
Lu Yin had made black chicken soup and two vegetable dishes. Someone lifted the curtain outside and came in. Lu Yin had her back turned, craning her neck to look. A few seconds later, Lu Qiang pushed open the inner door, holding a crutch in his hand.
Lu Yin stood up and took it. “You bought this?”
“Went to town this morning.”
Lu Yin weighed it in her hands, set it by the table, and smiled. “Auntie, you can use this when you get out of bed.”
Qian Yuanqing picked up food with her chopsticks, not even lifting her eyelids.
The two of them stood there awkwardly. Lu Yin rubbed her hands together. “Have you eaten?”
Lu Qiang said, “No.”
She bit her lip, testing the waters. “Sit down and eat with us?” After asking, she looked at Qian Yuanqing. Lu Qiang also couldn’t help glancing at her.
The other party remained unmoved, eating her own food as if she hadn’t heard.
Seeing there was hope, Lu Yin tugged at his sleeve. “Sit. I’ll get you a bowl and chopsticks.”
Lu Qiang licked the corner of his lips, lifted his pant leg slightly, and sat down across from her.
Throughout the meal, Lu Yin felt as if she were treading on thin ice, not daring to make a sound, secretly watching Qian Yuanqing’s expression. She glanced at Lu Qiang as well. He ate in big mouthfuls, head lowered, eyes downcast, no different from usual.
Lu Yin grumbled inwardly. Who knew whether that calm was just an act.
Her thoughts were too busy. Distracted, she choked on a grain of rice, coughing until her face flushed red.
“Choking?”
She nodded, unable to answer.
Lu Qiang set down his bowl, moved his stool closer, and gently patted her back with his large hand.
Lu Yin covered her mouth and nose, her eyes reddening from the coughing.
Qian Yuanqing frowned and glanced up. “Drink some water.” There was no warmth in her tone. It was unclear who she was speaking to.
Lu Qiang scanned the table, then stood up to get her water.
After a few sips, Lu Yin finally caught her breath. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears forced out.
Lu Qiang helped remove a grain of rice from the corner of her mouth. “Impressive. Can’t even manage to eat properly.”
Lu Yin glared at him. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Want more water? I’ll pour you some.”
“No.” Lu Yin picked up her chopsticks. “I’m better. Let’s eat.”
She picked up some food for him. “Try this.”
Lu Qiang said, “The tofu’s good. The broccoli’s a bit bland.”
“Is it?” Lu Yin picked up a piece and tasted it. “It is a bit. Then eat something else.”
Lu Qiang didn’t respond, just shoveled rice into his mouth.
Lu Yin served him some soup. “This simmered for three hours. It should taste good.”
Lu Qiang lifted the bowl and took a sip.
“How is it?”
“Good.”
Lu Yin smiled. “Want more rice? I’ll get you some.”
“Mm.”
This had always been how the two of them interacted. For a moment, they forgot Qian Yuanqing was still there, acting as if no one else was around.
Lu Yin picked up the rice bowl and stood, but before she could move, there was a sharp pa as Qian Yuanqing set down her chopsticks. “Can’t even eat a meal in peace.” She braced herself against the table and stood up.
Lu Yin hurried to support her, reaching for the crutch nearby. “Auntie, try this.”
“No need.” She turned away. “Spoiled.” It was obvious who she meant.
Lu Yin set the crutch down, turned back and stuck out her tongue at Lu Qiang, then carefully helped her onto the kang.
This continued for two days. Lu Qiang came back more often. Qian Yuanqing remained indifferent, not even sparing him half a glance. But no matter what, the atmosphere had eased somewhat, and Lu Yin finally let out a breath of relief.
On the night of the tenth day of the first lunar month, a heavy snowfall came. Snowflakes drifted down like flying catkins, and before long, all the marks on the ground were covered. Children laughed and ran about outside, throwing snowballs.
Lu Yin lay by the window, pressed against the glass, watching for a long time. In the courtyard, even the glow of the lantern seemed softer. Zhangzhou had never seen such heavy snow. Even if it had, it wouldn’t be this pure and crystalline.
She took out her phone and sent Lu Qiang a message. Not long after, there was a reply.
Lu Yin smiled faintly, then turned to look at Qian Yuanqing. She walked over. “Auntie, I’m going out for a bit.”
She looked at her. “It’s snowing outside. What are you going out for?”
Lu Yin answered vaguely, “Just going out for a walk.”
“With that little bastard?”
“…..” She nodded.
Qian Yuanqing gave a snort. “Go on then. It’s not like I’ve tied your legs.”
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.” Lu Yin responded, picking up her coat and heading out.
Before she could push the door open, Qian Yuanqing called out to stop her. “Wait a moment.” She slowly shuffled to the end of the kang, rummaged through the cabinet for a while, and pulled out a pair of cotton pants. “Change into this before you go out. I made it for myself, haven’t had the chance to wear it yet.”
The cotton pants were entirely padded with cotton, extremely thick. They were common locally, almost everyone wore them. They were just too bulky, not showing any shape at all.
Qian Yuanqing paused, then rummaged again in the cabinet. “Change the cotton jacket too.”
Lu Yin was a little surprised. The jacket was bright red, with faint pink patterns. It was an older-style front-opening design, with small, delicate frog buttons, and a circle of gold thread embroidered around the collar. Lu Yin studied fashion. At a glance, she could tell the craftsmanship was excellent.
She asked, “Did you make this?”
“Just made it for fun.”
Lu Yin looked it over again and again. The jacket was festive, vividly red, full of celebratory spirit. With Qian Yuanqing’s age, it wasn’t her style. And with such a bright color, it looked more like…
Lu Yin pressed her lips together. More like a wedding jacket.
Had she prepared it early for Lu Qiang? The thought left her dazed for quite a while.
Qian Yuanqing grew impatient, thinking she found it ugly. “It’s pitch dark outside. Who’s looking at you? What are you dressing up for? That little body of yours would get blown away by a gust of wind.”
Lu Yin smiled and said she would change right away.
The cotton pants weren’t made to her size, too wide and too long. She tied a belt around them and they were manageable. The jacket fit better, the sleeves reaching her thenar, the hem to mid-hip. The waist was a bit loose, but that made it look more natural.
Qian Yuanqing couldn’t help but look her up and down. Seeing her still standing there foolishly, she stuffed a scarf into her hands before letting her go.
Lu Qiang had been waiting at the door for quite a while. About the time it took to smoke half a cigarette, a figure finally appeared, swaying as she walked, moving with considerable difficulty.
When she came close, ash from his cigarette fell onto his hand. He flinched from the burn, lowered his gaze and looked at her for a long moment before raising his hand to brush it away.
“Let’s go,” he said lightly.
Lu Yin took the initiative to place her hand into his palm and tilted her head up to ask, “What kind of expression is that?”
“What about it?”
“You look kind of disgusted.”
“No.” Lu Qiang looked at the road ahead, leading her toward the east end, toward Moon River. “Your scarf doesn’t match.”
Lu Yin didn’t understand. “What’s wrong with it?”
“A red jacket should go with a green scarf.”
Lu Yin snorted. “Then should I get you a green hat too… ah! That hurts…”
Before she finished speaking, her fingers were squeezed together in his grip. He let out a low snort. “Go ahead and try it. If you want to get beaten, just say the word.”
Her fingertips flushed with blood, a little cold. Realizing she had misspoken, Lu Yin quickly coaxed him, “I was wrong.”
Lu Qiang wasn’t really angry. He bit down hard on her fingertips before letting go.
By now the snow had lessened, falling softly and quietly. There was no wind. The whole village was submerged in a cold stillness.
They hadn’t planned to go anywhere in particular. Lu Yin simply wanted to see the place where he had grown up.
Heading east, the village grew more distant. The red glow of lanterns formed a line far away, peaceful and serene. Tonight there were stars and a moon. Snow blanketed the ground, and the darkness was no longer pure.
When they reached Moon River, Lu Qiang pointed it out to her. It was impossible to tell where the road ended and the river began. The vast white snow stretched endlessly, flattening the boundary between land and water.
Lu Yin felt a little disappointed.
Lu Qiang led her along the riverbank. The moonlight stretched their shadows long. As they walked, they left behind two long trails of footprints, crossing and disordered.
After a while, a small arched bridge appeared ahead. Weathered by wind and frost, the stone piers had eroded, their original appearance no longer visible.
The two of them stood on it. Lu Qiang wrapped his arms around her from behind. Standing higher up, the open expanse before them finally carried a sense of awe.
Lu Yin asked, “Is this where you fished?”
Lu Qiang leaned close to her ear and gave a low “mm.”
She leaned away. “You can catch fish in winter?”
“With special tools. You drill holes.”
“Can you always catch them?”
“Depends on skill,” Lu Qiang said. “Not many can.”
Lu Yin clicked her tongue. “So only you can.”
He gave another low “mm,” pressing his lips to her earlobe. His hand climbed up as well, covering her chest, grabbing a handful of clothing. “Doesn’t feel good.”
Lu Yin laughed softly.
He asked, “How long has it been since we made love?”
Lu Yin: “…”
Lu Qiang turned her face toward him. “Did you miss me?”
“No.” She looked away. “I see you every day.”
“Then what about my brother?” He nudged against her.
Lu Yin’s breath caught. Her face felt frozen through, yet burning hot. “Can’t your thoughts be a bit healthier...? Shameless.”
“It misses you so much it hurts.” Lu Qiang smiled, leaning close to her ear, his voice a whisper. “It hurts because it’s healthy.”
In the icy cold, nothing substantial could be done. After teasing her a few more times, they began to kiss.
At some point, the snow had stopped. The sky was dark yet clear, the stars especially bright tonight. Standing at the head of the bridge, their entwined figures shrank into a small point. Heaven and earth stretched vast and open, as if they had fallen into a place with no one else, only the two of them leaning into each other in the endless white.
Lu Yin secretly opened her eyes. His features were sharp and distinct, his eyes closed, the force of his kiss gentler than ever before.
Under the moonlight, his kiss held less aggression and more reverence.
A thin streak of light slipped past the corner of her eye. Lu Yin tilted her head slightly. It was a shooting star. Shooting stars were not rare. What was rare was the person beside you when you witnessed one.
She slowly closed her eyes and carefully shaped a wish in her heart. Her wish was not extravagant. A home, a stable life, and the continuation of each other’s lives. But they were like the sun and the moon, destined to go through hardships and rough paths.
For the moment when they could meet, no matter how difficult it was, she still hoped the ending would be a good one.
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