Xu Mo was eating a potato cake and said, “Sister, this potato cake is really delicious.”

Xu Ning laughed at him. “Is it better than meat?”

Xu Mo thought for a moment about the taste of meat, then chewed on the potato cake and replied, “Both are delicious. The potato cake is good, and the meat is good too.”

Seeing how amusing he was, everyone burst into laughter. Xu An said, “There’s nothing you don’t love to eat, you little glutton.”

Xu Mo looked at Xu An and huffed, “You’re calling me out? You eat even more than I do!”

Lu Xiaotang and Xu Ning watched the two banter back and forth while they ate.

After the meal, Xu Ning rode her bicycle to Aunt Dashuan’s house and asked her how she would get there and if she was with someone. Aunt Dashuan told her to ride ahead; she and the others would walk.

On her way back, Xu Ning ran into Aunt Dashuan and seven or eight other aunts from the village. Since she was carrying things, she found it difficult to get off the bike, so she called out to them from her seat. Aunt Dashuan quickly waved her hand, signaling her to keep going and not to get off.

Every year, Xu Ning made two trips, but her bicycle, loaded with a hundred jin, was never enough.

One of the aunts looked at Xu Ning with a mix of envy and bitterness and said, “Xu Zhiqing really doesn’t know how to manage her life. I heard her brothers send her 30 yuan every month, and sometimes that’s not even enough. By the end of the month, she’s still struggling. What kind of man will be able to support her in the future?”

Aunt Da Shan shot her a glance and replied, “You don’t need to worry about her. Both her brothers are serving as officials in the army, and she has another brother in the county police department. Once she’s of age, anyone can introduce her to a man. They’re all on government rations; who can’t afford to support Xu Zhiqing?”

The aunt chuckled awkwardly, “I’m just saying.”

Aunt Da Shan ignored her, clearly feeling envious of how much money Xu Ning had to spend each month.

Xu Ning brought two baskets of pears back home, while Er Wa from Aunt Si’s family also delivered some cabbage and radishes. Lu Xiaotang and Xu An were putting things into the cellar. Seeing her return, Lu Xiaotang untied the basket from the back of her bicycle.

Xu Ning wanted to help put the vegetables in the cellar, but Lu Xiaotang and Xu An wouldn’t let her. So she took a few pears from the basket to wash in the kitchen while they finished storing the vegetables.

Xu An called from the cellar, “Sister, there’s a letter from Big Brother on the table. Open it and see what it says!”

Xu Ning opened the letter and, looking pleased, said, “Big Brother has been granted family visit leave. He said he’ll come next month.”

Xu An excitedly rushed out of the cellar, saying, “Sister, Sister, give me the letter! I want to see!”

Hearing this, Xu Mo ran off toward the cow shed. Xu Ning knew he was going to tell their parents.

Lu Xiaotang watched Xu Mo run outside and stood at the door, waiting for him to go into the cow shed before coming back in.

Lu Xiaotang asked, “Did he say when he’ll be here?”

Xu Ning replied, “He only mentioned coming next month but didn’t specify the exact date. When are you planning to go to Beijing?”

“This time, we might miss each other. I have to set off at the end of this month, and my sister might come next month too,” Lu Xiaotang said.

“I know. Sister Xiaoran wrote to me last month. She might bring her boyfriend to meet Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu, so you’ll miss each other,” Xu An replied.

“Yeah! I can’t delay my reporting date at the military academy. I guess we’ll have to catch up another time,” they both said, feeling a bit regretful.

After reading the letter, Xu An jumped up and down excitedly, looking up at the sky. “It’s snowing, Big Brother Lu! Let’s go hunting in the mountains tomorrow!”

Both Lu Xiaotang and Xu Ning looked up to see snowflakes gently falling from the sky. Xu Ning caught one in her hand, and it melted instantly. She thought to herself, “Every time I bring pears back, it snows. Is it a coincidence, or do pears summon the snow?”

Seeing the snowfall, Xu An hurried inside to prepare for their mountain trip the next day. Lu Xiaotang took hold of Xu Ning’s hand, which was catching the snowflakes, and asked, “Aren’t you cold?”

Xu Ning felt her face heat up instantly. She tried to pull her hand away, but his long, strong hand held hers firmly. She looked up at him, and the gaze he directed at her felt as if it could draw her in. Her cheeks grew even warmer.

Suddenly, Xu An shouted from inside, “Sister, where did you put the machete?” After shouting, he ran out.

Just as Xu Ning pulled her hand away, Xu An came running out, asking urgently, “Sister, quickly tell me where the machete is!”

He then turned to Lu Xiaotang, saying, “Big Brother Lu, come inside and check if I have everything ready.” With that, he pulled Lu Xiaotang into the house.

Seeing Xu Ning still standing nearby with her cheeks flushed, he said, “Sister, hurry up and come inside! What are you doing out here? Your face is turning red from the cold.” After that, he grabbed one of her hands and Lu Xiaotang’s, pulling them both inside.

They exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but smile.

Xu An showed Lu Xiaotang what he had prepared.

Lu Xiaotang examined the items in the backpack and said, “Not bad; you’re well-prepared. We’ll have to wait for the snow to stop before going out. Animals usually don’t come out when it’s snowing.”

Though a bit disappointed, Xu An nodded obediently.

Xu Mo returned from the cow shed and looked at the things Xu An was packing. “Second Brother, what are you doing with all this?”

Xu An happily shared, “It’s snowing! Big Brother Lu and I are going hunting. I’ll cook some rabbit and wild chicken for you to eat afterward.”

Xu Mo exclaimed excitedly, “Big Brother Lu, I want to go too!”

Lu Xiaotang patted his head and said, “Little Mo, you’re still too young. It’s very cold in the mountains. When you’re older, I’ll take you with me.”

Crossing his arms, Xu Mo complained to Lu Xiaotang, “Big Brother Lu, you’re lying! Last time you came, you said you’d take me hunting next time, and now you’re saying I have to wait until I grow up. You adults really know how to fool kids! I won’t be friends with you anymore, humph!” He turned his face away, refusing to look at him.

Lu Xiaotang cleared his throat awkwardly and glanced at Xu Ning.

Xu Ning shrugged, signaling that she couldn’t help him. After all, he shouldn’t make promises he couldn’t keep. This little brat was hard to coax, and she didn’t want to get involved.

She exchanged a knowing look with Xu An, and the siblings quietly slipped into the kitchen.

While Xu Ning was chopping vegetables, she could hear Lu Xiaotang still trying to appease Xu Mo, talking about making slingshots and carving wooden swords. The siblings were stifling their laughter, their stomachs hurting from holding it in.

It wasn’t until they finished preparing the meal that Lu Xiaotang brought in the bright-eyed Xu Mo.

Xu Ning thought to herself that Lu Xiaotang must have promised him quite a bit to make him so happy! She decided to tease him, asking, “Little Mo, are you going hunting with us tomorrow?”

Xu Mo looked up, puffed out his chest, and said seriously, “Sister, what kind of hunting? I’m still small. Big Brother Lu said the mountains are too dangerous. He’ll take me when I’m older.”

Xu Ning was impressed by how quickly the little guy could change his tune. It was truly impressive how he mirrored the words of the adults. She glanced at Lu Xiaotang, who was looking at her with a helpless smile.

Seeing his expression, Xu Ning couldn’t help but laugh.

Xu An pulled Xu Mo closer and whispered in his ear, “Little Mo, what did Brother Lu promise you?”

Xu Mo took a sneaky glance at Lu Xiaotang and proudly replied, “I’m not telling you! This is my secret with Big Brother Lu.”

Xu An coaxed him, saying, “Come on, Little Mo, just tell me. I won’t tell anyone else.”

Xu Mo shot him a side-eye and said, “Second Brother, if you say a secret out loud, it’s not a secret anymore!”

After saying that, Xu Mo happily walked over to Lu Xiaotang, declaring, “Big Brother Lu, I didn’t tell Second Brother!”

Xu An intentionally tried to tease him, saying, “Fine, if you won’t say, tomorrow it’ll just be me and Big Brother Lu going hunting in the mountains. Too bad some people won’t be able to go!”

Before Xu Mo could pout, Lu Xiaotang asked, “Little An, today is Sunday, right?”

Xu An froze for a moment. Today was Sunday, which meant tomorrow was Monday—he had school!

Lu Xiaotang suppressed a grin, his lips pressing together as Xu Ning felt her cheeks flush from holding back laughter.

Xu Mo fell silent for a moment before bursting into boisterous laughter in the kitchen.

Seeing the playful banter between the brothers, Xu Ning quietly asked Lu Xiaotang, “Why didn’t you say anything when Xu An was packing?”

Lu Xiaotang paused for a moment and replied, “I just remembered.”

Xu Ning rolled her eyes at him in exasperation. Then she looked over at Xu Mo, still laughing, and Xu An, who was sitting there looking dejected. She thought to herself, “It’s always so lively around here.”