When Bahu woke up, he noticed that the wind outside the house had subsided a lot. He got up, dressed, and first carried the chamber pot out of the house to empty it. The snow outside had finally stopped, and there was a faint golden light from the sun in the sky.
In areas that hadn’t been cleared, the snow was half the depth of a small leg. Outside the sheep pen, the cattle and sheep had trampled the snow every day, and beneath the layer of snow that fell last night, there were hardened lumps of ice. Bahu went to the sheep pen and let all the cattle and sheep out. For those hiding in the back and not coming out, he jumped in to chase them out. Horses and camels would dig for grass roots beneath the layer of snow, while the herds of cattle and sheep crowded and jostled, making two or three passes. The snow on the ground melted into water as they followed behind the horses and camels, ensuring they could get half-filled stomachs every day.
“Master, you’re up early”Chaolu came over with steps uneven, exhaling white mist as he said, “Your illness has improved. Do we still need to avoid going home for meals?”
“Um…” Bahu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, allowing them to stay for lunch. With Mi Niang around, he was quite happy to have meals alone with her; it made conversations easier, and cooking for a smaller group was less tiring.
“Alright then. The west wing is still vacant. Later, you can bring people to clean it up. Move the stove there by noon. From now on, the nine of you can cook and eat on your own. Mi Niang and I won’t eat with you anymore,” he declared.
Chaolu sighed, seeing Bahu’s serious expression, and reluctantly agreed. Bahu and Mi Niang were skilled in the kitchen, and the meals they prepared were even better than the ones he had during festivals at his own home. Chaolu was not happy about eating separately, especially since he had to cook for himself.
As Bahu spoke, the other eight people gradually arrived. Bahu put down the wooden shovel in his hand, ready to go in and start cooking.
“Did you all eat breakfast already?”
“I had some dry cakes. Master, make more butter tea; my mouth is getting dry,” Chaolu said. Watching Bahu go around the courtyard toward the front gate, he then informed the others about the news of eating separately.
“I expected this day would come sooner or later. I can handle cooking; I’m decent at it. From now on, I’ll take care of it,” Uncle Muren spoke before others could react. He was not confident leaving the kitchen to others. If someone took the master’s meat and grain back home, it could lead to trouble, and Bahu would be the one at a disadvantage.
Chaolu widened his eyes. He was considering passing on the responsibility, but hesitated for a moment, losing the initiative. He had to compromise, “Alright, we know about your cooking skills.”
The others nodded and agreed with each other.
The intermittent sound of pounding woke up the people on the kang (heated brick bed). Mi Niang rolled the quilt and turned around twice on the kang, asking through the wall, “What are we having for breakfast?”
“What do you want to eat? How about frying a plate of beef patties and stir-frying a bowl of bean sprouts?” Since the beginning of autumn, the only vegetarian dishes at home were bean sprouts soaked in water, dried vegetables from the summer, and mushrooms.
“Sure.” Mì Niang lay for a while before getting out of bed and dressing.
“The snow has finally stopped. It’s about time.” The snow, dazzling white, made it difficult for people to open their eyes. Mi Niangng hopped into the kitchen, and while scooping water to wash her face, she saw tooth marks on Bahu’s chin, making her smile.
“You should stay at home for another two days to avoid being laughed at.”
“No need for that. I’ve already seen people. Not afraid of being laughed at.” Bahu poked at the fire. He felt like he was growing hair in the house. He would rather go out, even if it meant being laughed at.
“By the way, from now on, we’ll have our meals alone. Chaolu and the others have moved the stove to the west wing to cook. Every day, divide the meat and grain they need for a day and put it in the west wing at night.” Bahu certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to give them everything. It didn’t matter before, but now that he had a family, he needed to save money.
“Okay, this way both of us will have an easier time.” There was a bowl of clear water steaming on the stove. Mi Niang picked it up and was about to test the temperature when she heard Bahu say, “Not too hot, go ahead and drink.” He had poured hot water while she was busy.
“The weather is nice today. After eating, let’s go fishing with a net. Are you coming?”
“Yes, I haven’t seen fishing on the ice before.” She had never even seen a frozen lake in Lingshan’s winter, where it was cold and damp, rarely snowing, and any snow that fell would melt soon. The beef patties were fried and taken off the heat, Bahu started the fire, and Mi Niang poured oil into the wok with bean sprouts. After a few flips, it was ready to be served. They added water to the pot, warming the butter tea prepared for Chaolu and the others. The two of them sat down to eat their meal.
After the meal, Bahu attached wooden thorns to the wheels of the sleds, one for Mi Niang and the other to carry fishing nets and fish. Bahu called a young man named Chaolu to drive the sled. When the golden light leaked through the clouds, the three of them set off.
On the way to Wa Lake, they were not the only ones traveling. There were already several wheel tracks on the snowy ground. Sitting in the sled, Mi Niang heard someone greeting Bahu. The voice sounded familiar, and she pushed open the door to take a look, recognizing the person.
“Big brother, have your two brothers returned?” Mi Niang greeted, and then introduced to Bahu, “You should thank this big brother. The sound of the bell you heard when you returned was arranged by him and his men.”
“Don’t say that, little sister-in-law. If I hadn’t seen the long pole you inserted, I wouldn’t have thought of coming here. If we talk about gratitude, we should thank you too.” The man laughed, “My brothers have all returned. They probably came back after the Bahu brothers. They said that on the way back, they saw the wheel tracks and followed them before hearing the bell.”
Being called a little sister-in-law by a younger man than Chaolu was a bit embarrassing for Mi Niang, but there was nothing she could do. In the northern wilderness, unmarried girls were called little sisters, married young women were addressed as little sisters-in-law, and those who were older were called sisters-in-law. After a certain age, they were addressed as old sisters-in-law.
“Anyway, I still want to thank you. If it weren’t for hearing the bell, I might not have found my way back.” Bahu, following Mi Niang’s words, expressed his gratitude sincerely.
The other person seemed a bit surprised, giving Bahu a closer look, and said, “My name is Dao Lun Jing. I live in the northwest. You can recognize my house by a small pine tree in front of it. Feel free to come over when you have time. We can chat by the fire.”
Both Bahu and Mi Niang nodded, but they didn’t take it too much to heart. The man spoke politely, but the person in the sled never showed their face, which wasn’t the kind of friendly attitude one would expect.
Outside, the wind was strong, and snowflakes were swirling. Bahu pushed Mìniáng inside, then reached back to close the sled door. He nodded to Dao Lun Jing, cracked a whip toward the cow’s hindquarters, and accelerated past.
Once Bahu’s sled had passed, Dao Lun Jing’s smile disappeared. He directly opened the door, scowling at the brothers inside, and reprimanded, “Are you deaf? Even a woman knows to come out and greet. Are you going to sit dead in there?” It was too embarrassing for him.
“I have something I didn’t tell you. Sure, the woman just now, personally stabbed him to death, and the sheep horn awl used to stab him was made by Bahu himself.” The man in the car frowned, looking distressed, and said, “Big brother, I see you having a good time with them, so I didn’t want to go out and spoil the mood.”
Dao Lun Jing’s expression turned disdainful and disgusted when he heard the name Suhe. He spat and said, “Even in death, he disgusts people.” Saying this, he slammed the car door shut, not giving the bearded man a chance to speak again.
After that, he changed his course, and took a detour to the other side of the lake, trying to avoid encountering Bahu and his wife as much as possible.
“We’re here, get off.” Bahu halted the ox cart, opened the door, and helped Mi Niang get off. “If you want to play on the ice, go ahead. The boots you’re wearing have wooden edges, so you won’t slip.”
Seeing people skating on the lake at a fast pace, Mi Niang was afraid of being hit if she walked there. She tugged at Bahu’s sleeve and said, “I’ll go with you, see how you cast the net to catch fish.” But she was also a bit curious and couldn’t help asking, “Can you glide on the ice like them?”
Bahu, seeing Chaolu bringing the fishing net, pulled Mi Niang onto the ice without mentioning whether she could skate or not. He didn’t talk about whether she would slip or not, only mentioning that when they returned, he would let Bala and Alse wolves drag her to skate on the ice in front of the door.
The three of them confidently walked to a place without people on the thick ice, standing there and not being able to see the situation in the water beneath the ice.
“Mi Niang, stand back, don’t let ice chips splash on you.” Bahu, with an iron awl in one hand and a stone hammer in the other, knelt on the ice, banging on the ice layer. Mi Niang blinked her eyes, fearing that the ice would crack and Bahu would be pulled underwater.
“Chaolu, it’s your turn.” Bahu’s arms were sore. He stood up, swung his arms, and saw Mi Niang rubbing her feet on the ice. He walked over, grasped her wrist, and said softly, “I’ll support you. Try sliding a couple of steps.”
“The soles of my boots aren’t flat.”
“Lift your toes.” Mi Niang, who was almost at Bahu’s shoulder height, couldn’t touch his chin even if she lifted her toes. The man directly pinched her armpit, turned in place, and Mi Niang gracefully slid on the ice, leaving two smooth arcs.
“Try it again; I haven’t reacted yet.”
Chaolu glanced up, then lowered his head awkwardly to continue smashing. The force was too strong, and with a splash, water seeped out. He didn’t have time to hold back, and the iron awl in his left hand almost fell into the water.
“It’s out of the water.” Bahu let go of Mi Niang, walked over, and lifted Chaolu. He continued to smash with the stone hammer. The ice hole became larger, and the fish underwater jumped up.
Yo yo yo, the fish jumped up. Mi Niang immediately ran over and kicked the fish on the ice to a distance to prevent them from splashing back into the water.
A total of seven fish. After the water calmed down, Bahu didn’t rush to lower the fishing net. Instead, he moved to another nearby spot, continuing to smash the ice with Chaolu. Mi Niang stuffed the frozen fish into a leather bag, dragged the bag, and followed Bahu, ready to continue collecting fish.
Feeling the pressure from being watched, Bahu pointed casually and said, “In the autumn, there are wild ducks and geese laying eggs in the reed marsh over there. Go and see if you can find duck eggs. I’ll roast them for you at noon.”
Mi Niang glanced at him, understood his suggestion, but didn’t go to look for duck eggs. In weather where the saliva froze into ice lumps before hitting the ground, even if there were duck eggs, the shells would freeze and crack. There was frost on the reed tips, and Mi Niang gathered a large handful and threw it onto the ice, enjoying the satisfying crackling sounds.
“Fish are coming up; come and pick them up quickly.” Bahu kicked the fish far away with one foot and then the other, signaling Chaolu not to interfere. He left them for Mi Niang to collect.
