“Dad, why didn’t you make any dinner?” Tao Daqiang asked, placing the two fish in the kitchen as he called to his father.

His father, Tao Jianshe, was resting on the heated kang bed, smoking his pipe. Hearing his son’s voice, he tapped the pipe and replied, “I did, but you came back late. Your nephew, Maodan, came over saying he was hungry from playing, so I gave him your share. If you’re hungry, there are some potatoes in the kitchen. Just bake a couple on the stove.”

Tao Jianshe’s tone was calm, and Daqiang didn’t think much of it. His older brother, Tao Dayong, was married and had a son, Maodan, who was the family’s little treasure.

In the past, Daqiang would have been content roasting potatoes. Since he was little, he’d been called slow or foolish, and his father, brother, and even his sister-in-law often treated him as such. Over the years, he’d accepted it.

But today was different. He’d eaten guagua chicken, drunk fish soup at the Li household, and even caught fish himself. Feeling a renewed sense of worth, he raised his voice, saying, “Dad, I caught some fish! I want to cook fish tonight!”

“You caught fish? What kind?” His father sounded surprised as he climbed down from the kang.

Daqiang proudly brought the fish from the kitchen.

“Wow, these are big fish!” Tao Jianshe had expected his son to bring back small fish, like hand-sized carp, which were common. But these were big fish, each a kilogram or two, which was rare. “Where did you catch them?”

“With Brother Long at the small pond,” Daqiang replied proudly.

“Brother Long? Who’s that?” his father asked, confused.

“Li Long, Li Jianguo’s younger brother,” Daqiang clarified.

“Oh, him—the troublemaker?” Tao Jianshe scoffed. “He knows how to fish? Must’ve been Li Jianguo who showed you.”

Daqiang thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Fine, doesn’t matter who helped. Now, take these fish to your brother’s house,” his father said. “We’re low on oil, and cooking fish requires oil, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t need oil. I’ll just make fish soup!” Daqiang, thinking of the delicious fish soup he’d had earlier, suddenly knew what to do. “I’ll just use water.”

At this, his father’s temper flared, and he tapped Daqiang’s head with his pipe. “You fool! Just water? That’ll waste coal! Thinking only about yourself—what’ll you do later on? Your mom passed early, and after I’m gone, with you being this slow, you’ll have to rely on your brother. Now, if you don’t cozy up to him, you’ll end up with nothing to eat!”

“I’ll manage!” Today, Daqiang was feeling stubborn. “Even staying with my brother, I never get enough to eat! Maodan ate my dinner tonight! When I’m with Brother Long, I get to eat my fill, even chicken and fish!”

“Chicken, fish—I’ll show you!” Tao Jianshe was shocked that his usually obedient son was talking back and lost his temper, raining blows down on him with the pipe. Daqiang took a few hits before storming out, calling over his shoulder in anger, “I’m not eating the fish! Give it to whoever you want!”

Tao Jianshe, pipe still raised, stood there stunned. Soon, the warmth left the room, replaced by the sharp cold from the open door. Feeling the chill, he hurriedly shut it, grumbling, “This brat—getting defiant now! Really growing bold!”

Looking at the fish on the floor, he sighed and picked them up, deciding he’d save them for when Dayong came over. As long as he was around, his eldest son would still look out for his younger brother.

Meanwhile, as Li Long returned from the stables, he noticed a dark figure pacing near his house. Cautiously, he grabbed a dirt clod from the wall and called out, “Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Brother Long—Daqiang,” came the reply.

Li Long relaxed, chuckling at how imposing Daqiang looked in the dark. “What brings you here?” he asked. “We’re leaving early tomorrow, shouldn’t you be getting some rest?”

“I… I couldn’t sleep,” Daqiang stammered. “I was hoping to stay here tonight, so we can leave together in the morning.”

“Well, alright,” Li Long replied, a bit surprised but seeing no reason to turn him away. “Come on in. I’ve arranged for the cart, so just let my brother know, and we’ll get some sleep.”

Daqiang followed him inside, and Li Long went to the west room to tell Li Jianguo about the cart and that Daqiang would stay over.

“Good,” Jianguo said, pleased with the preparations. “Rest up—you’re tired today, set off early tomorrow and come back early. Oh, by the way, I skinned the water rat. When you get to the county, see what you can get for it and buy some snacks for the road.”

“I’ll make them some steamed cornbread to take along,” offered Liang Yuemei. “I’ll wrap it in cloth and pack it up.”

“Thanks, we’ll be off to bed,” Li Long said with a nod.

“Pack extra coal in the stove,” Jianguo reminded him. “It’ll be cold halfway through the night.”

There was only one blanket, and Li Long knew it would be tight. But with the heated kang and a heavy coat, they’d manage.

The next morning, Li Long woke just as dawn broke and roused Daqiang. They dressed quickly and went to the west room, where Liang Yuemei was already cooking. Li Juan was sweeping, and Li Qiang was washing his face.

Breakfast was the leftover fish soup, with fried pickles and cornbread porridge. Seeing the fish soup, Daqiang felt a pang of sadness and quickly went to wash his face to hide it.

After breakfast, Jianguo rolled up the water rat skin and packed it in a sack. Liang Yuemei handed the bag of cornbread to Li Long and urged him, “If you’re hungry on the road, don’t hold back—eat up.”

After saying their goodbyes, Li Long and Daqiang went to the stable. With Old Luo’s help, they harnessed the horse, packed two bundles of hay, and set off toward the county.

The mountain lay south, but they first had to head west for five kilometers to the commune, then south for three kilometers to reach the county, then southwest another ten kilometers to Qingshui River. It would be nearly a thirty-kilometer journey.

Shortly after they left, their neighbor, Aunt Lu, stopped by the Li house.

The family was busy cleaning fish in the east room, so Liang Yuemei welcomed her inside. Once seated, the fifty-something woman got straight to the point. “I heard your brother-in-law’s back? And that he got fired? Now he’s off to the mountains for firewood? Making a scene in the village again—what’s he up to now?”

In the village, Li Long’s reputation was almost a joke.

After all his efforts to land a factory job, he’d been dismissed.

After finally winning over the village beauty, he got dumped.

And now, he was off on another scheme, paying work points for a cart to go haul wood from the mountain. Did he think it would be easy? Could he even find his way in the mountains?