After Mu Xiang left, Bahu took a deep breath and stared at Mi Niang. As she swiftly entered the house to check on the children, he stood outside for a moment and then followed her inside.
“Were Qiqige and Jiya behaving well today? Did they cause trouble for you?” Mi Niang leaned against the bedside. The moment she spoke, Qiqige was startled and immediately woke up. Seeing the person by the bed, she started crying and reached out to be held, looking pitiful.
“Oh, missing Mom, huh?” Mi Niang didn’t rush to pick them up. After taking off her shoes and washing her hands, she sat on the bed. When Qiqige cried, her brother also woke up immediately. Sitting on the bed with her legs crossed, she could easily pick up both of them at once.
“When did they drink milk?”
Bahu leaned on the table, half groaned, “Not long ago.”
“So they’re not hungry yet.” Mi Niang’s hands, which were unbuttoning her clothes, hesitated and withdrew. She lowered her head to kiss one here and another there. When the two children stopped crying, she turned to look at the silent man. “What’s wrong? Are you still upset about your Second Uncle’s family?”
“Why would I be upset? It’s not like they’re my sons. None of my business.”
“Such a bad temper?” Mi Niang looked at him in surprise until he uncomfortably averted his gaze. She then asked, “Feeling bad? Did the two children give you a hard time?” It couldn’t be something she did to annoy him. After all, it was Bahu who suggested she go and pick dried lotus roots. She hadn’t done anything to upset him.
“It’s you. You’re the one giving me a hard time.” The man walked to the side of the bed and sat cross-legged on the rolled-up felt. He spoke frankly, “Why did you let Mu Xiang and the others go with us to the Xia Ranch? I don’t want it. I don’t want outsiders squeezing in with us. I just want the four of us to live together, going to graze the cattle and sheep during the day, and sitting in the felt tent at night with the lights on to talk.”
“Kids can be exhausting, and I understand if you want to go out and have some fun to relax, but it doesn’t mean you should bring people to our home.” Bahu didn’t know how to express himself. He wanted Mi Niang to have the same mindset as him, where their family was everything, rather than thinking about coming back only when tired of playing outside.
“I like living our own lives. Is there anything wrong with that? Other people’s affairs have nothing to do with us. We can offer friendly reminders, but we shouldn’t interfere, let alone bring outsiders into our home.” Bahu appreciated Mu Xiang for taking care of Mi Niang during her postpartum period, but he felt uncomfortable that there was someone else coming in and out of their felt tent during that month. “If they encounter difficulties in food, clothing, or shelter, I can provide meat and milk, and even lend the felt tent, but I just don’t want to bring them along when we go out, affecting us.” With outsiders around, Mi Niang’s attention would inevitably be divided.
“I didn’t plan to have them live with us.” Mi Niang’s face lost its smile, but her hands continued to pat the child gently. “The Xia Ranch is so vast, and within a dozen miles, it’s just our family. Their presence won’t bother us. They will be like neighbors.”
Mi Niang still remembered the days at the Xia Ranch last year, where only three people could be heard within a dozen miles. During rainy days, sitting in the felt tent and listening to the sound of the wind and rain outside left a hollow feeling in her heart. Having a few more people, even if they argued and quarreled, would bring the comforting sound of human voices in the wind.
Neighbors and neighbors are not the same. The family closest to their home has hardly spoken with them. Unlike Mu Xiang and her group, when they went to the Xia Ranch, Mi Niang went there almost every day.
“Isn’t it enough for you to have me and the children with you?” Bahu asked in a low voice.
Mi Niang took a deep breath, understanding that Bahu was used to a solitary life. His requirements for interpersonal relationships were very low, and he could quietly live alone for decades. But she was different. She liked raising bees and wandering around selling honey in nearby villages. She enjoyed the hustle and bustle, the lively marketplaces, and the joy of being with family and friends.
“It’s enough, definitely enough. You and the two children are the most important to me. But I also need other people to talk to, chat casually, and make jokes, just like when we went to pick a wild lotus, with Mu Xiang and the others accompanying me, I was very happy.”
“Do you want to go pick wild lotus? I didn’t stop you. I won’t be unhappy if you chat and joke with them.” Bahu held Mi Niang’s hand, sensing that she wanted to pull away. He held on tighter. “Now it’s just right. Don’t get closer again. I can accompany you in whatever you want to do. I want to spend the days with you like we did last year.” Their eyes only had each other.
The hands held together began to sweat. Mi Niang knew it wasn’t her fault but Bahu’s. He was truly unwilling and nervous.
“You misunderstood. I didn’t intend to have a close relationship with Mu Xiang and the others. Even if we go to the Xia Ranch, we won’t be huddled together every day.” More people mean more complicated thoughts. They lived together last year, and it wasn’t very pleasant. Mi Niang wasn’t crazy or foolish enough to want to get along with them like real sisters. It was just that she had experienced the days when her reputation was ruined by a man, and she was mocked and insulted by others behind her back. That’s why she had the idea of taking Mu Xiang away from Lingshan when she felt threatened.
Saying that she wanted to bring Lan Niang and the others together, one was to prevent anyone from being misled by BaGen, and secondly, with them around, Mu Xiang didn’t have to live with her and Bahu all day.
“I will definitely prioritize our family. If there’s anything, I’ll tell you first. If there’s something delicious, I’ll think of you first. We can cook together, and herd sheep together. When you make boots, I’ll sit behind you and stitch the soles…”
With these words from Mi Niang, Bahu felt reassured. His emotions calmed down, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty. It seemed like he had forced Mi Niang. He explained softly, “I’m not trying to confine you at home either. If you want to tend to the bees, pick flowers, or dig mushrooms, you can go. I can stay at home with the children.”
Mi Niang pulled her hand out of his grip and ran it through his hair. Bahu just didn’t want to share her with others, just like how she would feel disappointed, bitter, and jealous when her mother looked happily at her younger siblings.
“You need me too much, I know,” Bahu didn’t have much, but his heart and eyes were full of her.
Taking advantage of the fact that the two little ones couldn’t understand, Mi Niang leaned down, her face close to the man’s, two streams of hot breath interweaving. Lips touched and parted as they spoke, “Kiss me, I need you too.”
Very eager, as if wanting to engulf each other, Bahu’s hand was on Mi Niang’s jaw, and the other pressed against the back of her neck. Teeth collided, and it was unclear whose lips or tongues got injured, the fishy-sweet smell filled the mouths and nostrils of the two.
“Wow—” Overwhelmed and unable to bear it, Qiqige cried, using the strength of nursing to push her dad away.
A silver thread broke in the air, and the breaths of the two burst open in the felt bag. Bahu didn’t pay attention to the little hand on his belly and gently caressed the corner of Mi Niang’s mouth. She was right; he needed her a lot. He needed a home with her.
There were red bloodshot eyes at the corners of the man’s eyes, and Mi Niang thought he was holding back. She looked down at his robe, which was in good shape without any abnormalities. When she looked up at him again, he had returned to normal.
Seeing that the two separated, the little girl stopped crying. Pushing her dad’s hand away, she grabbed her mom’s clothes. Mi Niang, seeing her puckering her lips, knew she wanted to nurse.
“Go cook; I’m hungry,” Mi Niang unbuttoned her shirt and picked up Qiqige.
Bahu replied with an “Hmm” and went to the storage room to fetch a piece of beef rib, soaked it in water, cleaned it, and chopped it into pieces, putting them in the pot. “I have beef ribs stewing on the stove. Please keep an eye on the fire for me; I’ll be right back.” Uncle Muren was also preparing a big pot of food, and Bahu greeted him with a nod as he went out.
The old man sneaked a glance at Bahu. Although he didn’t hear what was said clearly, he could tell from the tone that the newlyweds seemed to have had a quarrel just now. This was the first argument in over a year, and Bahu’s expression seemed normal, but Uncle Muren remained cautious.
“Alright, I’ll keep an eye on it for you.”
It was still early in the evening. Bahu first went to the yamen and heard that Huxian Cheng had returned. He then went to his home and greeted Grandma Zhao.
“Are you looking for County Magistrate Hu?” Grandma Zhao asked.
“Yes, there’s something. You’re busy; I’ll go in first.”
Huxian Cheng was in conversation with his son. Seeing Bahu arrive, he didn’t avoid the topic and directly asked what was going on.
“We’re moving to a new pasture, and I wanted to ask if the one thousand people on the west side of the river would stay in Lingshan or also go to the Xia Ranch.”
“That’s quite a coincidence. I was just discussing this with Wen Yin. There are about fifteen to sixteen hundred people and two to three thousand sheep. I intend to have them all transferred to the Xia Ranch, but I haven’t found a suitable person to oversee the matter.”
Bahu didn’t care about overseeing or not; he was relieved to hear that the authorities were planning to move. Since Mi Niang had already spoken, it wouldn’t be good to change her mind the next day. Since the government had arrangements, Mi Niang’s commitment was not considered untrustworthy.
“I still have some stewing meat at home; I can’t leave without people. I’ll leave first.”
“Wait a moment, there’s no rush. Let me tell you something.” Huxian Cheng frowned. “Wen Yin will represent me in overseeing the Xia Ranch. He’s still young, so if anything happens, lend him a hand.”
“Me? What can I do? You’ve got the wrong person. Wen Yin may be younger, but he knows much more than me. I don’t even know how many people are in the neighbor’s house, let alone what help I can provide. Besides, my own home is short of hands,” he said, waving off the suggestion.
“Senior Brother is wrong. I’m far inferior to you when it comes to raising cattle and sheep,” Hu Wen Yin knew Bahu’s character, so he spoke frankly, “If there are problems with the herders’ cattle and sheep, and I don’t understand something, I’ll ask Senior Brother for help.”
“No problem, just send someone to find me if you need anything.”
After leaving Huxian Cheng’s house, Bahu hurried back home to prepare dinner. At the dinner table, he informed Mi Niang about the matter. “You don’t need to worry about Mu Xiang being harassed by BaGen anymore. He doesn’t know the direction of our Xia Ranch.”
Mi Niang glanced at Bahu and took a piece of beef rib into her mouth. The beef, after being air-dried and stewed, easily separated from the bone with a gentle pull. The bone fell to the ground with a ‘clink,’ and before Bahu could pick it up, it was already in the dog’s mouth, making a crunching sound as it was chewed.
“This year, who do you plan to take to the Xia Ranch?” Mi Niang asked.
“ChaoBao and Xi Jil. There are more cattle and sheep this year than last year, and we need more people on night watch. Although Xi Jil only came this year, I see that he is quite responsible.” Bahu thought that Mi Niang had already agreed.
“In that case, with two people there, if it rains at night, you won’t need to go, right? How about bringing two more people? If it rains during the day, I can’t take the children with me to herd cattle and sheep. If you go alone, I don’t know if I can manage with two children,” Mi Niang spat out another bone, “If you go alone, and it rains, I’ll have to take care of two children by myself.”
This year’s relocation is later than last year, and there is more hay to prepare for the cattle and sheep than last year. Bahu frowned, pondering where he could find two more people. Before he could figure it out, Mi Niang spoke again, “No, it won’t work. There are too many men. I’m afraid to sleep alone in the felt tent with the two children.”
Hmm, that’s something to consider. Just like last year with Meng’en, who had developed feelings for Mi Niang, Bahu continued to contemplate.
“See if you can ask Huxian Cheng to arrange Mu Xiang and others near us. Besides them, arrange a few more households. I feel more at ease when there are people around to talk to. Otherwise, if something happens, I might shout myself hoarse without anyone hearing.”
So, she was waiting here for him! Bahu pursed his lips, gazing at Mi Niang. He nodded respectfully, “Thank you for your consideration.”
Why such a formal thank you? Mi Niang got up and sat next to him, observing his slightly displeased expression. She spoke gently, “I’m not saying it has to be them. I’m just telling the truth. I just want to have a few neighbors. When you’re away, I can take the children to visit neighbors, so I won’t wander around aimlessly with the kids. Think about it, our grazing area is vast. At night, if you’re not home, it’s just me and the children hiding in the felt tent. I’m afraid—afraid of bad people, afraid of wild wolves, afraid that no matter how loud I shout, no one will respond.”
Bahu thought of the promise he made to Wen Yin. If something did happen, he couldn’t take his wife and children with him.
“Even if Mu Xiang and the others go, you must prioritize me. Don’t leave me behind for their sake.”
Heaven, when did she ever leave him behind? Why did he have this delusion that Mu Xiang was more important than him? Feeling wronged, Mi Niang explained, “You misunderstood our relationship. I’m not that close to them.”
But Bahu still felt invaded, uncomfortable with the idea of having neighbors. He had grown accustomed to a life without relatives or friends. Before getting married, the only thing that troubled him was his mother. Now that he no longer worried about his mother, various miscellaneous matters disturbed him, though not urgent, they made him feel disturbed.
Bahu fell silent and resumed eating with his chopsticks. Mi Niang didn’t leave; instead, she leaned against him, asking him to pick dishes for her. The more she asked, the happier he became. After dinner, the two of them returned to their intimacy, even closer than before the argument.
Bahu was used to solitude, but Mi Niang didn’t want him to immerse himself in loneliness. With children in the house, Qiqige and Jiya would surely have playmates as they grew up. Once they started attending a private school, they would have classmates, and as they matured, they would get married. The social interactions within the family would only increase over time. However, it was a bit early to talk about all these things. The most important thing for Mi Niang was not to revolve around the man and children. She simply liked liveliness. Bahu tended to the cattle and sheep, while she took care of the bees. Bahu dealt with the household servants, and she wanted to engage in small talk with neighbors when she went out. If Bahu could turn to Huxian Cheng when he had issues, she also needed reliable people when she needed help.
