Chapter 20.2

Unsure if it was the medication or just a general concern, she was still a bit worried. After putting the bedding away, he went to the kitchen, where Luo Lan had cooked millet porridge and reheated leftover buns in the steamer. The sound of her chopping potatoes was rhythmic and steady.

“What’s the matter?” The man stood at the door, seeming unsure.

“I have to go to work today. Junhui is working, and Junfang is at school. I’m a bit worried about Mom being alone at home. Could you possibly take a few days off to stay with her?”

“But you said there was nothing to worry about in the evening.”

“The medication she took last night was an emergency sedative with a strong calming effect. The doctor said it’s best not to use it unless absolutely necessary. I’m concerned…”

“But I’ve already told the team that I’ll be working today. I can’t miss the morning shift and I need to go in the afternoon as well. It’s harvest season right now, which is a busy time. If it were the off-season, it’d be easier to manage.”

“I understand.” The man looked troubled. “Alright, then you go to work. I’ll discuss it with Junhui and see if she can take time off to stay at home.”

“Don’t worry about me. Just go about your business.”

As the couple discussed, the mother-in-law appeared behind Zhou Qingshan, her presence unexpected. Her voice was apologetic, and her face was pale, causing concern.

“Mom, why don’t you come with me to work in the fields? There are so many wild vegetables at this time of year…”

“No, Luo Lan.” The man interrupted firmly, his eyes showing concern and disapproval.

At this moment, Zhou Junhui arrived at the kitchen. After hearing the conversation, she supported her brother’s decision. “Sister-in-law, don’t worry about it. I’ll take a leave and stay with Mom at home.”

The mother-in-law was affected by her son’s death, which had caused mental distress. Medication was one part of the solution, but she also needed to engage with the world and rediscover its beauty.

“Old saying goes, the earth is full of vitality and power. I’m not asking Mom to work, just to experience the vibrant, energetic scene of the harvest.”

Zhou Junhui was about to voice her disagreement, but her mother intervened, speaking up herself. “What you said is right. I’ve been feeling cooped up at home. It’s a great time for the harvest. Seeing the fields full of golden crops might lift my spirits.”

“Mom,” Zhou Junhui protested. “I know you’re trying not to trouble us. But you’re not a bother to us. It’s our duty to take care of you. I’m sorry about yesterday. It’s all my fault. Please don’t be upset with me.”

“Mom’s not upset with you.” The mother-in-law said kindly, brushing a stray hair from her daughter’s forehead. “No mother gets truly angry with her child. I’ve been feeling stifled at home. I’ve wanted to get out and see the harvest for a long time. The fields are golden with the joy of the harvest, something I haven’t seen in a while.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

“No need, with your sister-in-law here. Just focus on your work. I’ll be fine.”

Luo Lan looked at Zhou Qingshan, who still had worry in his eyes. As he served the meal, he whispered to her, “What if Mom suddenly falls ill? You’ll be working alone.”

“I think Mom is doing well now. I have her medication with me, and if something happens, my brother and nephew will help. Don’t worry, she’ll be safe in the village.”

Despite her mother-in-law’s insistence on joining her in the fields, the Zhou siblings couldn’t dissuade her. Luo Lan prepared a thermos, medications, and a coat for her mother-in-law. With the siblings’ anxious gazes, she took her mother-in-law out of the city on her bike.

In this period of high agricultural activity, large fields came into view just outside the city. Golden corn, golden millet, plump golden bean pods, and golden wild chrysanthemums swayed in the fields, creating a sense of contentment and happiness.

“Luo Lan, what’s your team harvesting today?”

“Millet. Mom, there are lots of small garlic heads in the field over there. Harvest some for us to pickle at home. Add some chili peppers, it will taste great in winter.”

“Sure, I’ll pick extra. I love small garlic. A Korean lady once taught me how to make Korean kimchi. It tastes different from our pickles. I’ll make some for you to try. If you like it, we can also make spicy cabbage, and spicy radish, and save them for winter.”

“Great. Autumn is when we have the most cabbage and radishes, and we always get tired of them. I’m looking forward to more variety.”

The mother-in-law seemed to be in good spirits, though her eyes still held a trace of apology. She didn’t want to burden her children and wished to recover quickly, hoping to stabilize her emotions.

“Let’s make some kimchi and pickle some vegetables.”

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law worked together in the fields. After the team gathered, the leader assigned tasks. The mother-in-law took a basket and a small hoe to dig wild vegetables, while Lolan worked with her sister to harvest millet.

Luo Mei glanced back at her sister’s mother-in-law and whispered, “Why did your mother-in-law come to the fields with you?”

“Digging wild vegetables to pickle. We’ll bring them home.”

“She’s quite a good homemaker. What about lunch? How will you two manage?”

“I brought a pot and steamed buns. We’ll make a vegetable soup for lunch and eat it with the buns.”

“Alright. Someone in the team mentioned running out of vegetables at home, so the leader set aside some radishes for you. I’ll leave them at my sister-in-law’s place, and you can pick them up after work.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Luo Lan didn’t want to worry her sister with family matters. She continued working while keeping an eye on her mother-in-law, who stayed close by. At noon, the two of them went to the shed where Luo Lan used to live. There was a ready stove there, so they could cook easily.

“Mom, you’ve dug so much this morning.” A basket was packed full. “Besides the small garlic, we have a lot of wild vegetables. Let’s make this for lunch.”

“There are so many wild vegetables in the fields this year. It’s a bumper harvest.”

“True. My sister said the team set aside radishes yesterday. I was planning to have radishes for lunch, but now it’s unnecessary. I’ll pick them up from my brother’s place tonight. Mom, find some firewood and start the fire. I’ll fetch some water.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law worked together, quickly preparing a pot of wild vegetable soup. They had brought some pork fat, which added a delightful aroma to the soup, making the wild vegetables taste less bitter.

Luo Lan and her mother-in-law enjoyed the wild vegetable stew and steamed buns for lunch, then rested in the shed for a while. In the afternoon, Lolan reminded her mother-in-law not to overexert herself. As she worked in the field, she noticed her mother-in-law sitting on the edge of the field, staring into the distance.

“Look at the sunset, it’s so beautiful. Coming out here, I realize how vast the world is. I haven’t seen such a wide view in a long time.”

“Mom,” Luo Lan gently called as she sat beside her, unsure of what to say at first.

“One has to look forward. That’s what the doctor says, and friends and family say the same. I’m sorry for causing you all worry. I feel like I’ve been too weak in this life. Is it so bad to be weak?”

“Mom, you are the warmth of the family. My own mother was very kind when she was alive.”

“In my dreams, I wish to be like a hedgehog, with a warm belly and a sharp outer shell. But it seems I don’t have a shell…”

“Mom, you’re not a deity. You’re just a human. Humans don’t have protection from everything, so don’t be too hard on yourself.”

The mother-in-law turned to Luo Lan, her eyes glistening. She tried not to let her tears form, opening her heart to Luo Lan’s words. Her sadness was still present, but it felt more like a wound being cleansed—a pain with a touch of solace.

As evening approached and work ended, Luo Lan rode her bike with her mother-in-law sitting behind, holding a flashlight. Halfway home, her husband appeared on his bike to pick them up. Her mother-in-law switched to his bike, and Luo Lan increased her speed.

“How are you feeling today, Mom? Not too tired?”

“Not tired at all. It feels good to be out and see the world. Your wife takes good care of me. Even while harvesting, she kept an eye on me.”

The man smiled. Once they arrived home, he parked the bike and quietly thanked his wife. “Thanks for your help.”

“We’re family.”

Zhou Junhui had prepared dinner, and the three of them washed their hands and sat down to eat. Seeing her mother in good spirits made her and her sister feel relieved.

“Mom, why did you bring back so many radishes?”

“Your sister-in-law shared them with me. I’ll make two types of pickles tomorrow. I was planning to buy chili peppers, but your sister-in-law’s sister gave me plenty of dried chili peppers, including some hot peppers. No need to buy more.”

“I’ll get some apples and pears for the Korean pickles tomorrow from a classmate.”

“Great, and we’ll send some of the pickles to people.”

In close-knit communities, exchanging goods and sharing meals was common. The mother-in-law’s spirits seemed to be improving, and Zhou Junhui eagerly offered to wash the dishes.

“Sister-in-law, you’ve been working hard. Don’t worry about the housework, I’ll take care of it.”

Luo Lan was ushered out of the kitchen. She soaked her feet in hot water, preparing to head out. Used to farm work, she wasn’t overly tired. She took a flashlight to avoid her husband’s concerns.

As she walked, she reflected on her in-laws. Her mother-in-law, clearly a kind person, had proven to be a gentle presence. Her husband was responsible and caring, the most important qualities in a partner. The younger sister-in-law was shy and spoke little. The most challenging was Zhou Junhui—impulsive with a fiery temper, but her anger was fleeting, and she could appreciate reciprocity.

She considered these aspects as she reached her meeting place with her classmate. She hoped to uncover more about the death of her brother-in-law and believed that approaching it from a student’s perspective might yield unexpected results. Zhou Qingshan seemed to be investigating discreetly, and she felt this approach might be fruitful.