Chu Xia watched for a while as Cen Zhengnian and Jiang Zhida worked.

Both were novices at this task. Cen Zhengnian had even drawn a design plan, which Chu Xia thought was overkill.

After all, he was designing a doghouse, which seemed like an extravagant use of his skills!

However, the design was very well done, with precise measurements down to the decimal point.

Chu Xia thought that if they ever needed to design anything in the future, Cen Zhengnian would be the person for the job.

But that was just a thought, considering how busy Cen Zhengnian was and how little time he had.

With the design in hand, they began the construction.

Cen Zhengnian’s practical skills were already evident from his previous work on the wall model.

He worked methodically on the doghouse.

Jiang Zhida, on the other hand, seemed more of a hindrance than a help: “Second Cousin, is the mud supposed to be like this?”

“It’s too watery.”

Jiang Zhida added more soil.

“It’s too dry.”

He added more water.

After several rounds of this, Chu Xia pushed Jiang Zhida aside. “If you keep mixing, the whole yard will be covered in mud.”

Since neither Chu Xia nor Jiang Zhida was skilled in this task, Cen Zhengnian instructed them to stand aside and watch.

Unable to help, Chu Xia went to the study to study, while Jiang Zhida stayed behind, looking for occasional ways to assist.

After the first class at school, Cen Huai’an began to feel cold and had a headache.

Despite wearing thick clothing, Chu Xia noticed his neck was wet from the rain earlier, worried that he might be getting sick.

She gave him ginger tea and dressed him in even warmer clothes.

Cen Huai’an thought it was due to playing chess and collecting his pieces, and took out a comic book.

However, his headache persisted, and he felt dizzy and sleepy during the second class.

He didn’t mention feeling unwell to his teacher, not considering himself sick.

It was during the third class that Teacher Fang noticed Cen Huai’an slumped over his desk, pale and lacking energy.

She felt his forehead and said, “You’re burning up!”

Realizing that Cen Huai’an must have a fever, Teacher Fang asked, “Can you stand up?”

Cen Huai’an nodded and shakily stood up.

Seeing that he couldn’t return home by himself, Teacher Fang arranged for another teacher to watch the class and took Cen Huai’an home.

By this time, the doghouse was nearly completed.

When Teacher Fang and Cen Huai’an knocked on the door, they found Jiang Zhida covered in mud.

Since it wasn’t the usual school dismissal time, Jiang Zhida noticed Cen Huai’an’s pale face and asked, “What happened to An’an?”

Teacher Fang explained, “He has a fever.”

Jiang Zhida tried to help, but his hands were covered in mud, so he quickly called for Cen Zhengnian and Chu Xia.

Chu Xia, having heard the commotion, hurried out.

As soon as she saw Cen Huai’an, she crouched down and supported his arm.

He leaned against her shoulder, murmuring, “Mommy, I feel unwell.”

“What’s wrong?” Chu Xia felt his forehead, which was indeed very hot, and checked his wrist to find that he had caught a cold, likely from being out in the rain earlier.

Cen Zhengnian came out after washing his hands, lifted Cen Huai’an, and said to Chu Xia, “Move the car out. We’ll take An’an to see a doctor.”

Chu Xia went to move the bicycle, while Jiang Zhida washed his hands.

Cen Zhengnian stood at the door to thank Teacher Fang for bringing Cen Huai’an home.

She waved it off, saying it was her duty, and hurried back to school for her next class.

Chu Xia held Cen Huai’an, with Cen Zhengnian accompanying them, and Jiang Zhida followed as they headed to the hospital.

The doctor took Cen Huai’an’s temperature and said, “He has a fever, 38°C.”

Seeing the worried expressions on Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian’s faces, the doctor reassured them, “Don’t worry, it’s not serious. Has he had any fever medicine?”

Chu Xia asked Cen Huai’an, “Did the teacher give you any medicine at school?”

Cen Huai’an shook his head.

“The doctor said he hasn’t had any.”

The doctor nodded and said, “We’ll give him a small injection and some medicine.”

Although Cen Huai’an was feeling dizzy, he understood what the doctor said and tightened his grip on Chu Xia’s hand.

He had never had an injection before.

At the hospital, it was common for children to get an injection in the buttocks, and many had experienced it.

Since they were at the hospital, they had to follow the doctor’s instructions.

Cen Huai’an had to undergo a skin test for allergies first, which was very painful.

Chu Xia had undergone it before.

As the doctor administered the test, Chu Xia held Cen Huai’an’s arm and said, “If it hurts, just let it out.”

Despite the pain of the needle pushing the medicine under the skin, Cen Huai’an only tensed up, gripping Cen Zhengnian’s clothes tightly without making a sound.

Cen Zhengnian was surprised by Cen Huai’an’s ability to endure but felt heartache.

Jiang Zhida felt the same.

“An’an, does it hurt?” Cen Zhengnian asked.

Cen Huai’an hesitated but eventually nodded. “Yes, it hurts a bit.”

“Why didn’t you say it hurt?” Cen Zhengnian asked, and Jiang Zhida looked on with curiosity.

“Whether I say it or not, it still hurts,” Cen Huai’an said, feeling it wouldn’t make a difference if he cried out.

Chu Xia said, “Crying out might help distract you from the pain.”

Cen Huai’an didn’t respond as he didn’t like to cry out.

Chu Xia understood and didn’t push him further.

She rubbed his tousled hair and said, “If you don’t like to, then don’t.”

Without an allergy reaction, Cen Huai’an was turned over and had his pants pulled down just enough to expose a small part of his buttocks for the injection.

The doctor praised him for being brave, not crying, or moving during the procedure.

After returning home, Cen Huai’an took his medicine and Chu Xia wrapped him in blankets, letting him rest.

She stayed in his room, keeping a close watch over him.

Cen Huai’an felt dizzy and heavy, lying in bed as if he was neither fully asleep nor fully awake.

He felt very hot and wanted to kick off the covers.

Chuxia noticed and held the covers down, preventing him from kicking them off.

Throughout the evening, Cen Zhengnian and Jiang Zhida checked on him several times.

By night, after sweating, Cen Huai’an’s temperature had dropped.

Chuxia and the others had a moment of relaxation.

At bedtime, Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian decided not to let Cen Huai’an sleep alone, fearing he might have another fever during the night.

They worried throughout the night and checked on him several times.

Cen Huai’an did not have another fever, and Chuxia breathed a sigh of relief.

The next morning, Chuxia knew Cen Zhengnian was leaving because she hadn’t slept soundly.

Chuxia got up and quietly said, “Leaving now? It’s not fully bright yet.”

Cen Zhengnian, dressing, replied, “I can see the road.”

He was worried about Cen Huai’an and kept glancing back. “An’an’s illness…”

Chuxia reassured him, “Go to work. I’m here, and the hospital is not far.”

Cen Zhengnian turned back and hugged her.

He knew she didn’t like him saying sorry, so he sighed deeply, feeling like a heavy weight was pressing on his heart, making him uneasy.

“Call me if there’s anything. If you can’t reach me, contact Dazi or Grandpa.”

“Okay.” Chuxia remembered to see him off, but Cen Zhengnian stopped her. “You didn’t sleep well last night either. Get some more rest.”

“But I still need to close the door after you leave.”

Chuxia continued dressing.

She got up and went to the living room cupboard to retrieve the snacks and bread she had recently bought, packing them for Cen Zhengnian to take to work.

“There’s a cafeteria at the unit…”

Before Cen Zhengnian could finish, Chuxia insisted on handing him the items. “Take them!”

She saw him to the door.

He pushed his bicycle and, seeing the morning breeze tousle Chuxia’s hair, gently fixed her hair and gazed at her with lingering affection.

“I’m leaving.”

“Mm.”

Chuxia watched Cen Zhengnian’s back as he rode away on his bicycle, then turned to close the door and went back to bed.

When Cen Huai’an woke up, it was already bright.

He startled, “Mom! I’m going to be late for school!”

Chuxia, awakened by his voice, yawned and said, “You’re still sick. Stay home and rest today. You can go to school tomorrow.”

Fever often recurs, and Chuxia wanted to be sure he was fully recovered before sending him back to school.

Not going to school, Cen Huai’an was wrapped warmly and allowed to sunbathe in the yard.

After a while, he got up to check on the doghouse.

Cen Zhengnian had stayed up late the previous night to finish it.

The new, large doghouse was placed in the doorway area, spacious enough for the dogs to grow into.

However, the exterior of the new doghouse was coated with mud and needed to dry.

Thus, Chuxia and Cen Huai’an moved it outside to dry.

The two puppies, curious, kept trying to paw at it.

Cen Huai’an stopped them each time, explaining that it was their new house.

After hearing this several times, the puppies seemed to understand and wanted to go inside.

Cen Huai’an quickly pulled them out, saying, “It’s not dry yet. You can’t stay in it.”

Cen Huai’an spent the day playing with the puppies in the yard, avoiding chess, Sudoku, and comic books.

Seeing that the recurring fever Chuxia had worried about did not appear, she was relieved and sent him off to school.

Days passed, and one day, as Chuxia returned from grocery shopping, she walked through the alley and could already smell the fragrance of the locust flowers from the trees on both sides.

She looked up at the clusters of small buds on the trees, her eyes full of delight.

Chuxia loved eating locust flowers, whether steamed, made into cakes, or stuffed in dumplings; she enjoyed them all.

Thinking about these delicious treats made her even more eager to taste the unique sweet flavor of locust flowers.

As she passed by Teacher Fang’s house, Fang’s mother was sitting outside, chatting with neighbors while picking vegetables.

Chuxia stopped to greet her, “Aunt Fang.”

“Aunt Chuxia, back from shopping?”

“Yes.”

Chuxia was familiar with the other neighbors now, exchanging nods.

“Aunt Fang, do you know whose locust trees are planted in our alley?”

Fang’s mother, understanding her intention, smiled and said, “You must have seen the locust flowers?”

Chuxia smiled, a bit embarrassed. “Seems I can’t hide anything from you.”

Others also laughed. “Indeed, it’s the season for locust flowers.”

“It’s only once a year, and I’m definitely craving them.”

Fang’s mother told Chuxia, “I don’t know who planted the trees. They were here when we moved in. They’re unclaimed, so you can pick the locust flowers if you want.”

Chuxia received the information she wanted and went home with a smile.

The locust flowers needed a couple more days to fully bloom.

They grew quickly and wouldn’t last long unless dried.

Even if kept in the fridge, they wouldn’t taste as good as freshly picked ones.

Before picking the locust flowers, the weekend arrived.

Chuxia took Cen Huai’an to Grandpa Jiang’s house.

There were also plenty of locust trees in their alley, and some flowers had already bloomed and were ready to eat.

At lunchtime, Chuxia was pleasantly surprised to eat locust flower cakes at Grandpa Jiang’s house.

“Grandpa, where did you pick these locust flowers?”

Today, only Chuxia stayed after dropping off Cen Huai’an.

Jiang Zhiguan and Jiang Zhishu had left after dropping off the children.

Thus, the table was only filled with the three children, Chuxia, Grandpa Jiang, and Aunt Li, the housekeeper.