When Xu Mo came over in the evening, Xu Ning was still in the kitchen cooking. He placed his clean clothes and backpack on the kang and went to the kitchen.

The aroma of braised wolf meat and the flatbreads made Xu Mo start drooling as soon as he walked in.

Xu Ning laughed and said, “Look at you drooling! Your brother-in-law brought over the wolf meat just yesterday, and didn’t Mom cook it for you?”

Xu Mo replied, “I ate it! Last night we had wolf meat. Sister, the meat was so delicious! Even if I had three meals a day, I still wouldn’t have enough.”

“From now on, I’ll cook meat for you every evening, okay?” Xu Ning offered.

Xu Mo, with a serious expression, said, “Sister, you really don’t know how to manage life. It’s winter now, and we don’t have any farm work to do. Having a bit of oil in our meals is already good enough; how could we eat meat every day?

Mom told Aunt Lu that eating meat once every ten days or half a month is already a great life.”

Xu Ning watched the little guy earnestly lecture her while he drooled, staring at the pot.

Xu Ning found it very amusing and deliberately teased him, saying, “Oh, I understand now. Since you only want to eat meat once every half month, I won’t push you. You can just eat cabbage today, and I’ll save the meat for myself.”

Xu Mo looked at her in shock and said, “Sister, you made so much! How can one person finish it all? Let me make an exception today and eat a bit for you.”

“Well, I really appreciate that,” Xu Ning replied.

Xu Mo waved his hand dismissively and said, “Sister, why thank me? You’re my sister; no need to be polite.”

Xu Ning stared at the little guy, speechless.

He drooled again and asked, “Sister, is it done yet? Let’s hurry up and eat; I’m starving.”

Xu Ning was at a loss whether to laugh or cry at his antics. She dished out the wolf meat from the pot, and Xu Mo had already set the bowls and chopsticks on the table.

He picked up a piece of meat and tasted it, giving Xu Ning a thumbs-up as he praised, “Sister, this wolf meat is really delicious.

I’ve never had wolf meat my whole life, and I didn’t expect to try it here in Yushu Village. This place is great, with its clear mountains and waters, and plenty of game.”

Seeing him so moved by a piece of meat, Xu Ning served him a few more pieces and said, “Xiao Mo, hurry and eat. Let’s talk after the meal; otherwise, the meat will get cold.”

After they finished eating, they sat on the kang. Xu Ning continued to make shoes while Xu Mo listened to the radio.

“Sister, tomorrow is Saturday, and Second Brother is coming back. What are you planning to make for him?” he asked.

“Radishes and cabbage,” Xu Ning replied.

Xu Mo protested, “How can we only have radishes and cabbage? Aren’t you going to make some meat for Second Brother?”

Xu Ning shot him a glance and said, “Didn’t you just say I don’t know how to manage life? You want me to eat meat once every ten days or half a month, and I just had some today, so I won’t be having any tomorrow.”

Xu Mo hurriedly turned off the radio and grabbed her hand, saying, “Oh, my dear sister, that’s not what I meant!

I meant I can eat meat once every ten days or half a month! You’re a girl; you can’t compare to someone like me who eats like a pig!

Besides, Second Brother is working hard studying in the city! He can only come home once a week; shouldn’t we prepare some good dishes for him?”

Xu Ning laughed and said, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Tomorrow I’ll make something nice for him.”

Xu Mo grinned and said, “Sister, make a bit extra! I’ll come over to have dinner with Second Brother and catch up. It’s been a week since I’ve seen him, and I really miss him.”

“Do you want to suggest a couple of dishes you like? That way, I can prepare them tomorrow,” Xu Ning asked.

Xu Mo waved his hand and replied, “Sister, just make whatever you want. I’m not picky; as long as it fills me up, that’s all that matters.

But Second Brother likes potato cakes and tofu balls, so make those for him.”

Xu Ning laughed so hard her stomach hurt. “Xiao Mo, aren’t tofu balls and potato cakes your favorites?”

Xu Mo paused for a moment and said, “Sister, you can’t just think about me. Second Brother loves them too! You always forget, and he’ll be upset if he finds out.”

Xu Ning lay back on the kang, laughing heartily. The sadness she felt from Lu Xiaotang’s departure was momentarily lifted; Xiao Mo truly was a joy to be around.

The next afternoon, when Xu An returned, he found Xu Ning in the kitchen making tofu balls and potato cakes.

Xiao Mo was holding a bowl filled with tofu balls and potato cakes while tending to the fire.

Curiously, he asked, “Sister, where is Brother-in-law?”

Xu Ning smiled when she saw Xu An had returned. “Xiao An is back! Your brother-in-law had a mission in the army, so he went back yesterday afternoon.”

Xu An said, “But there are still a few days left in the holiday. Why did he return so quickly?”

Xu Ning chuckled and replied, “Yesterday, he received a telegram from the army telling him to return immediately. He quickly packed his bag and clothes. I made your favorite tofu balls and potato cakes.”

Xu An looked at her with confusion and asked, “Sister, aren’t potato cakes and tofu balls Xiao Mo’s favorites?”

Xu Ning suppressed her laughter and remained silent.

Xu Mo jumped in, saying, “Second Brother must be tired! Hurry and wash your face; dinner will be ready soon. I’ve missed you so much after a week. Let’s have a good chat tonight.”

Xu An glanced at him, then at Xu Ning, who was struggling to hold back her laughter. He quickly understood; the little guy just wanted to eat but was too shy to say so, so he used him as an excuse.

After they finished dinner, the three of them sat on the kang and chatted. Xu Mo bragged to Xu An, “Second Brother, do you know where that wolf meat you just ate came from?

Brother-in-law went up the mountain and shot eight wolves! He’s really amazing; even Grandpa Qi said this young man is incredible.

You should have seen those wolf pelts; they looked so beautiful. Mom and Aunt Lu said they’d make a wolf fur coat for Grandpa Qi, but he wouldn’t let them. He wants to save it for when we get married!”

Xu Ning sat nearby, thinking to herself, I caught the wolves, Lu Xiaotang gets the credit, and the pelts are being saved for the boys they get married. Haha.

Xu An laughed and said, “Xiao Mo, how old are you again? You’re only seven and you’re already daydreaming about getting married. You’re really a marriage enthusiast!”

Xu Mo, feeling embarrassed and annoyed, exclaimed, “Second Brother, who’s a marriage enthusiast? It was Grandpa Qi who said he’d save the pelts for us brothers when we get married, not me!

I’ll go tell Grandpa Qi tomorrow that you don’t want to get married, so he shouldn’t save anything for you and should give it all to me and Big Brother! Hmph.”

Seeing him get upset, Xu An quickly tried to placate him, saying, “Xiao Mo, don’t be angry! I was just joking with you. You’re not a marriage enthusiast; Big Brother is the real marriage enthusiast!”

Xu Mo glared at him and replied, “Second Brother, how can you talk bad about Big Brother behind his back? We’re brothers; we’re connected by blood and bone. We can’t do things that harm each other!”

Xu An was left speechless…

He only said one little thing about being a marriage enthusiast, and it somehow escalated to harming each other?

Xu Ning watched Xu An floundering, unable to contain her laughter.

They were all defeated by Xiao Mo!