Chapter 26

When she brought the tea in, Li Qinghe found Mrs. Hu much friendlier than before; she praised Zhao Wanwan several times, seeming delighted with every little thing.
No one knew what had happened in the meantime to make Mrs. Hu change her tune. As Li Qinghe poured tea, Mrs. Hu thanked her and, smiling, looked at Madam Qian. "If it's convenient for you, tomorrow I'll bring the matchmaker to formalize the engagement; then things can move quickly. It's best if the wedding takes place before the New Year, this way at the New Year the Hu family will have one more person, and a mother and son won't be left sitting there with nothing to say."
Zhao Wanwan's face flushed deeply. Madam Qian was pleased too. "We're free tomorrow. I'll mention it to Wanwan's father and tell him to stay home."
When Mrs. Hu heard her mention Li Fu, her smile faltered for a moment, then returned as she spoke of having the betrothal rites.
At that point Zhao Wanwan shouldn't stay any longer. Li Qinghe finished the tea, stepped outside with the kettle and went to the fields.
Outside, she realized Zhao Wanwan was following her. Li Qinghe was surprised, "You're coming out too?"
Zhao Wanwan smiled sweetly. "I'll keep you company. I feel awkward staying in there right now."
"Very pleased?" Li Qinghe asked with a smile.
Zhao Wanwan nodded. "I thought the match was off. I didn't expect they'd change their minds."
Li Qinghe was quiet for a moment, then couldn't help saying, "Aren't you curious why they changed their minds? Maybe there's, " She stopped herself; to say more would make it sound like she couldn't bear to see Wanwan happy.
"Nothing's wrong," Zhao Wanwan said confidently. "Aunt and, Master Hu both came, and they seemed pleased. It should be fine. Don't read too much into it, sister."
It really was just a misunderstanding.
For heaven's sake, Li Qinghe had only meant well in warning her; she wasn't remotely envious of the Hu family's match.
Li Qinghe fell silent. Zhao Wanwan, excited, went on, "If the marriage goes smoothly and I move into town, I'll visit Aunt more often. If there's work for help next time, I'll take on more of it."
Li Qinghe: "..." You do have a lot on your mind.
Luckily it wasn't far; when Li Qinghe arrived with the tea, Li Fu and Zhou Chengkang were working vigorously.
"There's still some tea here, why've you come at this hour?" Perhaps because Zhou Chengkang had come to help, his tone toward Li Qinghe was gentler; he meant she should have come later, after the sun went down.
Noticing Zhao Wanwan at his side, he frowned. "You're just bringing water, what are you both doing here?"
Wanwan's face went red. "It's not appropriate for me to be at home at this hour."
Hearing this, Li Fu grew puzzled.
"The Hu family came again. As we were leaving we heard Mrs. Hu say she'll have the matchmaker come tomorrow to propose," Li Qinghe said evenly, her face calm.
Li Fu frowned. "Did they say anything about the dowry?"
Wanwan, who had been shy, hurriedly replied, "No, Aunt didn't mention that at all today."
"Coming tomorrow?" Li Fu glanced across the wide swathes of wheat in the field.
Wanwan lowered her head. "Father, it's only a proposal visit, at most half a day. Surely you don't object?"
Seeing her downcast, Li Fu hurried to reassure her. "Not at all. It's just been busy these past days and I'm worried it might rain. You're my daughter, I want to see you settled. It's a good thing. I'll definitely be home tomorrow."
Wanwan brightened. "Thank you, Father!"
"What for?" Li Fu chuckled. "You're my daughter, it's only natural."
Li Qinghe looked down to pour tea, then carried it over to the slightly distant Zhou Chengkang. She realized the mother and daughter were skilled at retreating in order to advance. Li Fu had been a little displeased at the Hu family's visits and could have rescheduled, but seeing Wanwan's disappointment he promptly agreed.
A steady male voice came from her side, though with a hint of concern. "Don't be upset."
Li Qinghe's lips curved. "I'm not upset. You can rest tomorrow, in fact."
It made no sense that the master wouldn't be home yet he'd be out working alone, he was only helping. Even if Zhou Chengkang truly became a son-in-law to the Li family, he'd still need Li Fu's invitation to come work the fields.
"No rest for me these days; my family's wheat is still being threshed," Zhou Chengkang laughed. "We're busy too, my eldest and second brothers have been helping my father-in-law, and my third brother only came back yesterday. If we don't get the wheat down soon, it might overripen."
Li Qinghe said nothing, looked at the sky, and said, "I'm going to feed the fish."
As she left, Zhao Wanwan went with her and followed her all the way to the pond. Ever since Li Qinghe had bought this fallow land, this was Wanwan's first visit. Seeing the palm-sized fish in the pond, she was surprised. "They've grown quickly, haven't they?"
Li Qinghe explained, "Those that grow fast will snatch the food; the big ones only get bigger and the small ones only get smaller. They're difficult to feed properly, whether we'll even break even is another question."
Zhao Wanwan pondered for a moment, then said optimistically, "At least we won't be short of meat to eat."
That was true.
Come to think of meat, ever since Li Qinghe came home, the household had hardly eaten any. They'd never had to spend money on meat before; only after buying it did they realize it felt like cutting into your own flesh, it really hurt!
Li Qinghe smiled and asked, "Want some meat? Isn't there a piece at home?"
Zhao Wanwan smiled but said nothing. That piece had been bought by Li Fu specifically when Zhou Chengkang came to help; even if it were her turn to eat, there wouldn't be many mouthfuls left.
When the two of them returned, Mother Hu was still there; she greeted them before leaving, and on her way out she said again, "We'll come by first thing tomorrow morning."
Madam Qian happily saw them off, chatting with them all the way to the village gate.
At dinner there really was a plate of meat. Li Fu urged Zhou Chengkang to eat more. After the meal, as Zhou Chengkang was leaving, Li Fu added, "There's something tomorrow morning, you..."
Zhou Chengkang smiled, "Uncle, I understand. I'll come again the day after tomorrow."
Hearing that, Li Fu was even more pleased. He watched him walk off before turning back into the house. Madam Qian and Zhao Wanwan were now eating heartily, earlier, with Zhou Chengkang present, they had been too shy to help themselves to the meat, but now there was no need for manners.
Seeing him enter, Madam Qian hurried, "The Hu family said they'll come in the morning."
"Morning?" Li Fu frowned. Morning work goes faster, and the sun is much gentler than in the afternoon, people don't feel as uncomfortable.
Madam Qian said matter-of-factly, "Yes. They're coming from town, they'll take advantage of the cool morning before the sun's out. Otherwise they'd be dripping with sweat, and it's not a good look when visiting." She paused, then added, "It's only for half a day, but Wanwan calls you 'father'; she'd be upset by how you're acting."
"I didn't say anything!" Li Fu looked at Zhao Wanwan. "Besides, I can sleep a little longer tomorrow, that's fine."
Li Qinghe cleared the bowls and chopsticks, pretending not to notice the silent exchange among the three.
The next morning it was still dim outside. At this hour Li Qinghe would normally be up feeding the fish at the pond, but today she didn't move. She turned over and went back to sleep, planning to go feed the fish only after the Hu family arrived so she could avoid them.
She didn't need to rise early today; the yard was quiet, with only an occasional rooster crow from behind the house. Suddenly she opened her eyes, feeling that something was off.
She thought she heard the front room's door creak. The wooden door, worn by time, always made a sound when opened and closed, the front room where Li Fu lived was just such a place; she heard it every morning, but today the sound was much quieter.
When did Li Fu and Madam Qian ever open the door so cautiously?
Could there be a thief?
She rose lightly and threw on her clothes. When she opened the door a crack, she saw Madam Qian tiptoeing into the yard, glancing back warily.
Li Qinghe was genuinely surprised this time, it all looked so furtive... Watching Madam Qian leave the yard and head toward the village gate, curiosity got the better of her. She opened the door too, hesitated, then went back to fetch a shoe pattern she'd borrowed from Qingyu at the village entrance; she had finished drawing it and planned to return it.
Holding the shoe pattern, and not yet at Qingyu's house, she spotted Madam Qian at the fork on the way to the little river. A man stood beside her; the two were talking.
In the dim light Li Qinghe couldn't make out who the man was, so she walked straight on to Qingyu's house. At that hour everyone was getting up and washing, perhaps a bit early. Qingyu was washing in her yard; when she saw her and the shoe pattern, she smiled and said, "No rush, I don't have time to make shoes right now." She took it, glanced at her with a teasing smile, "So, making shoes for your sweetheart? Did you stitch all your feelings into them?"
Shoe-making was usually a winter task; few had the leisure for it now. Li Qinghe was planning to make a pair for Zhou Chengkang, stitching a few stitches when she had time. That last remark was simply to tease her.
They exchanged a few laughs. As Li Qinghe turned to go home, she caught sight in the corner of her eye of a man in his thirties strolling over, the same man who had been speaking with Madam Qian. He cast a quick glance at the two of them as he passed and kept walking.