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As the New Year approached, the weather grew colder, yet it felt like the chill had reached its peak, signaling that warmth would soon follow.
Winter had arrived, but could spring be far behind?
Standing at the courtyard gate, Su Zhi suddenly pondered this thought. She reflected on the fact that winter was nearing its end, and with the arrival of spring, how would this place transform?
Gazing at the distant scenery where yellow grass intertwined with remnants of snow, alongside the verdant bamboo grove and the mountains in the far distance, Su Zhi felt a moment of reverie. She realized that half a year had already passed in this world—she had transitioned from initial discomfort to a state of serene acceptance. This adaptation was largely due to Shen Zi’an’s companionship; she now felt genuinely happy and content.
Little Black and Little White were running around the garden, their speed noticeably increasing. However, compared to their father, they still had a long way to go. The Great White Wolf followed behind them, almost strolling leisurely, effortlessly keeping pace with the pups. After receiving care at Su Zhi’s home for these days, its white fur shone even more brightly, retaining its agility. From afar, it resembled a flying cloud.
Big Black stood quietly beside Su Zhi. It had always been a gentle dog. Su Zhi thought that perhaps Big Black had been raised by someone before, as a dog raised alongside wolves would usually exhibit more wildness. Whenever she looked into its eyes, she couldn’t resist patting its head. Those eyes were just like Little Black’s, a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes that could easily captivate even a mythical beast.
“Wife, let’s go inside. It’s getting cold outside.”
Shen Zi’an walked up from behind and gently took Su Zhi’s hands, enclosing them in his own and bringing them close to his mouth to breathe warm air over them.
Seeing this increasingly handsome man tenderly caring for her, Su Zhi saw herself reflected in his eyes. A wave of warmth washed over her heart, realizing that as long as they continued living like this, even if she only ever remained a humble farmer’s wife in her lifetime, unable to experience a wealthy and comfortable life, having him by her side was enough. His warmth when she was cold, his smile when she felt lonely, and his unwavering presence were all she needed.
“Alright, I’ll call Little Black and the others to go back inside,” Su Zhi whispered. She called out to the white wolf and the pups, and they all turned their heads and ran over. In the winter sunlight, both black and white fur gleamed, adding a touch of beauty to the somewhat desolate surroundings.
Shen Zi’an watched Su Zhi smiling at the white wolf and the pups, realizing that this was the life he had always wanted. He had once thought it was an unattainable dream, but now it had become a reality, even better than he had imagined. Holding Su Zhi’s hand a bit tighter, he received a smile in return, which softened his initially aloof expression.
As the Great White Wolf and the pups arrived in front of Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi, they were preparing to enter the courtyard when the wolf’s ears twitched, turning to look towards the main gate.
Following its gaze, Shen Zi’an saw Li Shi approaching.
“Brother Shitou, your timing is perfect. I was just thinking of making some delicious dishes. I was about to send Zi’an to invite you, but you’ve come on your own. Clearly, you are in for a treat,” Su Zhi greeted Li Shi warmly.
Li Shi, living alone, could cook but preferred Su Zhi’s food. He often visited their home for meals, and Su Zhi considered him a righteous man, treating him like an elder brother to Shen Zi’an. Su Zhi not only cooked when Li Shi visited but also frequently had Shen Zi’an invite him over for meals or deliver food to him. With their houses being close by, it was convenient. Over time, Li Shi began to regard Su Zhi not just as a sister-in-law but also as a sister.
Arriving with a jar of wine, Li Shi was known for never showing up empty-handed. While he didn’t pay explicitly for meals, he consistently brought gifts like game from hunting trips or bottles of alcohol. Most often, it was milder liquor that even Su Zhi could enjoy a few sips of, so she didn’t object.
“Thank you, younger siblings,” Li Shi handed the wine to Shen Zi’an, then bent down to pat Little Black’s head. He had reached the point where he could interact with Little Black in the presence of the Great White Wolf and Big Black, though Little White still avoided him. Li Shi felt envious of the bond between Su Zhi, Shen Zi’an, and the two sacred beasts, seeing how close they all were. “Little Black, do you miss me? If you do, give me a bark.”
Little Black blinked and then bounded over to Su Zhi’s feet, showing his affection in his own way.
“This little one truly is spirited,” Li Shi praised with a smile before rising to join Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi as they walked inside.
Su Zhi noticed that Li Shi seemed a bit different today. Although he wore a smile on his face, it appeared somewhat forced, almost like a facade of forced cheerfulness.
On this chilly day, Su Zhi prepared a spicy water-cooked pork dish layered with bean sprouts underneath and sprinkled with vibrant red chili peppers on top. The lean meat was thinly sliced into uniform pieces, arranged neatly in a pottery bowl, seemingly ready for a food photoshoot.
The meal also included stewed pork ribs with radish, stir-fried cabbage slices, and garlic chives with meat.
The steamed white flour mantou was cooked to perfection, with a few sticking to the edge of the pot, giving them a slightly crispy, burnt crust—a favorite of Su Zhi for its crunchiness and fragrance.
After setting the kang table and arranging the four dishes, Su Zhi instructed the two men to start eating and drinking while she prepared soup and brought over the mantou.
“Zi’an, Brother Shitou seems a bit off today, not as cheerful as usual. Could you check on him? It’s not good for him to drown his sorrows in alcohol like this,” Su Zhi whispered to Shen Zi’an as they served the dishes. She held Li Shi in high regard, considering him both her husband’s good brother and a respected figure, and she didn’t want any troubles bothering him.
Shen Zi’an responded, “Wife, you’ve noticed it too? I’ll ask him shortly. If I can’t figure it out, please help me inquire as well.”
Su Zhi nodded, instructing Shen Zi’an to go and keep Li Shi company while she swiftly prepared the soup. She decided to make sour cabbage lamb soup. Sitting by the warm stove, Su Zhi pondered what could be bothering Li Shi. Perhaps he truly needed to find a wife, someone who would be there for him during such times. Though she and Shen Zi’an respected him, nothing could replace the comfort of a close companion.
Seeing Shen Zi’an return, Li Shi inquired, “Where’s sister-in-law? Ask her to join us for the meal.”
In Shen Zi’an’s home, there were no strict rules preventing women from dining at the table when guests were present. Shen Zi’an adored his wife, and Li Shi respected Su Zhi. As a modern woman born in an era of gender equality, Su Zhi naturally dined at the table along with everyone else. The concept of women eating by the stove or having a separate meal had never crossed their minds.
Shen Zi’an placed the dishes on the table and sat down on the kang, saying, “She mentioned she’s preparing another soup. Let’s start without her. My wife loves these ribs, so let’s save them for her. We can enjoy the other dishes in the meantime.”
Li Shi, feeling at home in Shen Zi’an’s house, didn’t hold back. Being too polite would have made him seem like an outsider.
As the two men opened the wine jar, a fragrant aroma filled the room, enveloping them in its scent.
Su Zhi served the lamb soup and brought the mantou in a covered bowl, then joined them on the kang. She glanced at Shen Zi’an, silently asking if he had found out anything.
Li Shi chuckled, “Brother, Sister-in-law, no need for secret glances. Is there something you can’t say in front of me? Besides, what can you hide from me? Let my brother tell you, I won’t keep secrets from you.”
Su Zhi smiled and said, “Zi’an, Brother Shitou has spoken. Go ahead and share. If it’s nothing significant, Li Shi wouldn’t have prompted you. I’m curious to know what it is.”
Li Shitou then revealed the matter, causing Su Zhi’s smile to fade, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. It turned out that the reason behind Li Shi’s unusual behavior was related to Liu Siniang.
Liu Siniang’s husband, Zhao Daliang, returned and immediately sought out Li Shi, engaging in a lengthy conversation that seemed to revolve around Li Shi and Liu Siniang, hinting at their past interactions. This left Li Shi feeling uneasy, as Zhao Daliang indirectly alluded to rumors about Liu Siniang getting close to him. Despite this, Zhao Daliang didn’t explicitly confront Li Shi, instead expressing gratitude for his care towards his wife, mother, and sister, leaving Li Shi conflicted and unable to express his frustration.
Su Zhi already harbored a negative impression of Zhao Daliang. Though she hadn’t met him, observing Liu Siniang’s frail appearance and hearing about her indifferent attitude towards her husband, coupled with others’ comments on Zhao Daliang’s lack of concern for his wife’s well-being, painted a picture of a callous man in Su Zhi’s mind. The image of someone who could abandon his wife, mother, and sister for an extended period without returning, allowing his wife to be mistreated without intervening, solidified this perception.
Upon hearing Li Shi’s account, Su Zhi’s image of this man grew even more complex, adding a layer of cunningness to his character, further complicating the already unfavorable impression she held of Zhao Daliang.
“Brother Shitou, don’t pay attention to this man. The more attention you give him, the more troublesome it becomes. It’s for Liu Siniang’s sake; if you get into a conflict with her husband, it won’t be good for her,” Su Zhi advised Li Shi, considering Liu Siniang’s situation and emphasizing the importance of a woman’s reputation in society.
Thinking from a woman’s perspective, Su Zhi was protective of Liu Siniang, aware of how damaging rumors and conflicts could be for a woman’s reputation. Even Liu Siniang’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law had been speaking about her relationship with other men without regard for her dignity. Su Zhi feared that if Zhao Daliang were to confront Li Shi openly, it would only bring further hardships to Liu Siniang.
Li Shi nodded in agreement, saying, “I thought about that too, which is why I’ve been enduring it. But I didn’t expect him to bring up another matter. He asked me about his sister, inquiring if I would be interested in marrying her.”
Su Zhi was taken aback, wondering about the situation. Zhao Xiaohua, the woman she once suspected of having improper intentions towards Shen Zi’an, now wanted to marry Li Shi? It seemed like a tangled mess of relationships.