Xu Ning returned home, bringing the pear inside. She thought about how Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu’s son had come today. Since there weren’t many vegetables on that side, she planned to make something to send over.

Xu Ning took a free-range chicken from her storage space, deciding to make chicken soup. It was too cold outside; a warm soup would be just right. She chopped the chicken into pieces, placed them in a clay pot, added dried mushrooms and chestnuts, then set it to simmer on the stove. She also pulled out two pounds of meat and took some pickled vegetables from the jar to make pork with pickled cabbage and vermicelli, while preparing a pot of flatbreads on the side.

The aroma of the chicken soup wafted through the air as Xu An and Xu Mo sat in front of the fire, tending to it. The big pot of pork and cabbage simmered away, while Xu Ning stood by the stove, cooking the flatbreads. The kitchen was filled with swirling smoke, a cozy scene alive with the warmth of home.

In the cow shed, Mr. and Mrs. Lu brought their son inside and sat him down on the heated bed.

Lu Xiaotang took a moment to assess the room. It was small, with a heated bed that could fit two people. At one end was an old cabinet piled with patched hats, cotton gloves, and a few pieces of clothing. Next to it were two neatly folded thick quilts, though they too were patched. Beside the bed stood a table, which held a tea jar and a thermos.

His gaze shifted to his parents, who were dressed warmly. His father wore a long coat made of patches of various fabrics, and his mother had similar patched trousers. Even their cotton shoes were full of patches.

Lu Xiaotang felt tears welling up in his eyes.

Aunt Lu held his hand and asked, “Xiaotang, how did you find your way here?”

Lu Xiaotang looked at his parents and replied, “I overheard when Uncle Da and Uncle Xiao were talking.”

“How are things in the army? Have you been in touch with your sister? Is she still working as a sent-down youth in Xinshi?” Aunt Lu inquired.

“Mom, my sister and I are both doing well. I visited her last year in Xinshi. The conditions where she’s stationed are pretty good, and now she’s teaching at the elementary school in her brigade,” he explained.

“That’s good to hear. Now your dad and I can relax a bit,” Aunt Lu said, her voice choked with emotion as she squeezed her son’s hand. Uncle Lu turned slightly to wipe his eyes with his sleeve, and they continued to chat for a while.

Then Uncle Lu spoke up, “Xiaotang, your mom and I are doing fine here. You should go back early tomorrow and don’t come here again in the future.”

Aunt Lu nodded in agreement. “Xiaotang, just go back! Listen to your dad, and don’t tell your sister we’re here.”

Lu Xiaotang remained silent, not responding. His parents knew their son well; he had always been mischievous but very opinionated when it came to his decisions. Though he seemed much steadier now, they realized it wouldn’t be easy to persuade him to go back.

Aunt Lu continued to persuade her son, “Xiaotang, your dad and I are really doing well here. In this courtyard, only your Grandpa Qi and the couple you saw earlier, your Uncle Xu, live here. They’re all good people. Your Grandpa Qi is a lonely old man; ever since your dad and I arrived, he’s taken good care of us. Your Uncle Xu came this fall; his daughter and son are here as sent-down youth, and it was that girl who brought you over today. Once, she and her brother went up the mountain to pick wild vegetables and encountered a wild boar. Your dad helped kill it, and since then, she often comes by with food and clothes. Did you see what we’re wearing? The cotton clothes, pants, and shoes are all new, and the patches on them were sewn on by her using scraps. This coat your dad and I are wearing was also made by her from old clothes she tore apart and pieced together. And this hat? It looks worn from the outside, but it’s new and keeps us warm. She, her parents, your Grandpa Qi, and your dad and I each have one. Even the thermos and tea jar on the table were brought by her. She has connections at the supply and marketing cooperative, so she can get these blemished goods that only insiders can access. She also knows people at the slaughterhouse and often brings back meat. Just yesterday, she brought back a leg of lamb, which we made into soup.”

As Aunt Lu spoke, she picked up the thick quilt from the bed to show him. “Xiaotang, look at this big quilt; it’s wide and thick, filled with new cotton. It weighs ten pounds, and it was also brought by Xiao Ning. She even patched it herself.”

Lu Xiaotang looked at the things, and it was indeed as his mother said—the items were good quality, unpretentious, and made with care. The girl was quite clever.

Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu continued to insist that he leave tomorrow, but no matter how they urged him, he remained silent.

Just then, Father Xu came in, carrying a large bowl of ginger syrup. He handed it to Lu Xiaotang with a smile. “Drink this ginger syrup. It’s freezing outside, and you’ve been on the road for a while; it will help warm you up.”

Lu Xiaotang quickly stood up and accepted the bowl with both hands, saying, “Thank you, Uncle Xu. Please, sit down.”

Father Xu waved his hand and said, “You all talk as a family; I’ll go check on the cows.”

Uncle Lu quickly pulled him back, saying, “Brother Xu, you should help me persuade this kid. I want him to go back tomorrow, but he won’t agree. Tell him staying here isn’t good for him.”

Lu Xiaotang looked at his parents and said, “Dad, Mom, I’m grown up now and know what I’m doing. If my future means severing ties with you, then even if the road ahead is smooth, I won’t want to walk it.”

Seeing that this approach wasn’t working, Father Xu spoke up, “Xiaotang, you’re a dutiful son, but as parents, we also need to consider what’s best for our children. Look at me; I’m in the same situation as your dad. My daughter and son are here as sent-down youth, and I haven’t identified myself to them. Cutting ties is something we say to others; what matters is that we know the truth in our hearts. You’re doing well, and your parents won’t need to worry about you. If you stay here, what good will it do? Your parents won’t find peace either!”

Father Xu thought for a moment and added, “Xiaotang, you came on leave, right? How about this: we can tell others you’re my daughter’s cousin visiting her. You can stay for a few days, spend the days with her and the nights here with your parents. Whenever you want to come back in the future, you can come as her cousin.”

Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu’s eyes brightened at this suggestion, and they both turned to look at their son. Lu Xiaotang considered it and realized it made sense. Staying here would only make his parents unhappy; it would be better to visit them occasionally. With this in mind, he nodded.

He said to Father Xu, “Then I’ll trouble the younger siblings at your house.”

“Trouble? We’re all family here! Hurry and drink your ginger syrup before it gets cold,” Father Xu replied as he stepped outside.