Following Mi Nang’s request, Bahu sealed the gaps in the Lele cart with mud, grass, and twigs. After finishing, he called someone to ask how it looked.
Mi Niang stayed inside, calling out, “Check it. As long as the bees can’t fly out, it’s fine.” She was busy roasting meat in the kitchen, using air-dried beef. The beef cut into chopstick-sized pieces, was first steamed to soften in the pot. While it was still warm, she brushed it with butter and honey, coated the outer layer with sesame seeds, and then roasted it in a copper stove. This was her first attempt at making it, and she didn’t know how it would taste. Still, butter was indeed a good thing, whether used in making steamed buns, rice cakes, or brushed-on meat; it always enhanced the flavor.
“What are you doing?”
Bahu lifted his eyelids to glance at the black kid who spoke. The boy had been sneaking around for a while, probably attracted by the scent wafting out the door.
After a brief thought, he decided to be straightforward. “Just as you see, plastering mud on the Lele cart.”
“I’m good at this. Do you want some help?”
“No need, I’ll finish it soon.”
“Oh, I’m called Ajima. I know you; your name is Bahu, right? They all say you’re very fierce.” Ajima ignored the refusal and dug up a lump of mud, plastering it on the wooden board under the Lele cart. “You missed the bottom; let me do it for you.”
Still, it was indeed missed. Bahu squatted on the ground, watching the black kid crawl under the cart. He shook off the mud on his hands and chatted casually, “Who said I’m fierce? Aren’t you afraid of me being fierce?”
“You don’t seem fierce.” He avoided mentioning who “they” were.
Bahu chuckled and didn’t press him further. He handed him a shovel with mud, making him an assistant.
“How does it look? Check out my plastering skills!” The black kid proudly emerged from under the cart. Seeing Bahu nod, he self-praised himself as the best mud plasterer in the Mobei. “When I grow up, I’ll go to Guchuan to learn how to build houses and become a mason.”
“Wash your hands and come with me.” Bahu patted his head and walked towards the house. The big yellow dog, guarding the kids, stood up vigilantly when it saw a stranger.
“Bahu, the color of your dog’s fur is so beautiful, like gold.” Ajima was a bit afraid of dogs, but with the sweet aroma getting stronger, he didn’t want to back down. He thought of praising the shaggy dog to please them.
Hearing voices, Mi Niang pushed the door open and glanced at Bahu. “Where did this kid come from?”
“Auntie, I’m Ajima.”
Bahu shrugged; he didn’t know whose kid this was. “Is the meat you roasted ready? Give Ajima some. He helped us plaster the Lele cart.”
“Oh, I haven’t uncovered the pot. I don’t know if it tastes good. Ajima, help Auntie taste it.”
“Definitely delicious, it smells good.” Ajima followed Mi Niang excitedly to the kitchen. In no time, he brought out a bowl of meat strips. Seeing the big yellow dog staring at him, he tossed a piece to it and casually sat on a chair, occasionally glancing at the kids in the small bed.
“Auntie, your kids are really cute.”
In the kitchen, Bahu couldn’t help but smile when he heard the voice. “Do you think Jiya will grow up with such a sweet mouth and thick skin?”
“Is it good or bad?” Mi Niang pinched a piece of meat strip and fed it to Bahu. “Help me taste it. Is it lacking something in flavor?”
Children with sweet tongues are always liked. Bahu wouldn’t have brought Ajima home if he wasn’t good. The steamed and grilled beef strips tasted good, just a bit sweet. “Use a bit less honey water when brushing it; don’t cover the taste of the beef.”
But Ajima said it was very delicious. Mi Niang asked if it was too sweet, and he said it was just right. “If the beef strips were a bit thicker, it would be even better. They get chewed up too quickly.”
Mi Niang looked at Bahu, and he nodded in agreement.
“Auntie, you’re still making some the day after tomorrow. Come and taste it again.” This time, she didn’t make much, and there was only about half a bowl left. Mi Niang could finish it quickly.
Ajima hoped to have such good things every day. He stayed, playing with the dog in the courtyard. When Qiqige and Jiya woke up, he made funny faces to amuse the two kids until dusk when his family came out to call him for dinner. Only then did he reluctantly leave, holding his legs.
“Auntie, I’ll come to play with my younger siblings tomorrow.” He ran across the river and looked back.
“Where did this wild kid come from?” Bahu sneered, feeling the boy was too presumptuous.
The next day, Mi Niang went to collect beehives with the Lele cart. Bahu was left alone at home to take care of the two kids. Having Ajima around did make things much easier. During feeding time, someone helped hold the two kids, and when Qiqige and Jiya were awake, there was someone chatty to keep them entertained. Bahu could just lie on the chair and stare without having to do much.
“Ajima, how old are you?”
“I’m already seven.” Ajima casually replied while pressing down on Jiya’s raised little foot and counting his toes.
“Haven’t you gone to school yet?” Children can enter private schools at the age of six.
Ajima looked at him strangely. “We are preparing for migration, and the private school is closed. Bahu, don’t you have anything to do? Don’t interrupt me; I don’t want to talk to you. Your questions are lousy. Do adults only know how to ask how old someone is and whether they are in school? Are you going to ask me which poems I’ve memorized and how many characters I recognize next?”
“… I just wanted to ask if anyone finds you talkative and noisy?” Bahu choked for a moment, but he really intended to ask that.
“Do you think so too? It’s not just you; my parents also think I talk too much. That’s why they don’t let me go home until mealtime.”
Bahu could see a hint of pride in Ajima’s expression. What was there to be proud of? But this boy talked too much, and Bahu didn’t dare to ask again. He just poured him a few bowls of water in succession. By the time it was lunchtime, he asked, “Do you want to stay for lunch? Help me watch Qiqige and Jiya, I’ll go cook.” After all, it wasn’t appropriate to serve an unappetizing meal.
Ajima readily agreed and asked if Bahu’s cooking was good. “What about Auntie? Isn’t she coming back to cook?”
Bahu ignored him. When the meal was ready, he told Ajima to go back and inform his parents to avoid them looking for him.
“No one will come looking for me. If I don’t go back for meals, it’s either because I’m not hungry or I’ve already eaten.” Ajima picked up a piece of lamb with his chopsticks. “It tastes better than my big sister’s stir-fry.”
“Eat as much as you want.” Bahu served him a bowl. Qiqige and Jiya, who had been energetic, fell asleep as soon as Ajima started eating. Perfect, they would wake up hungry shortly, drink some milk, play with Ajima, and hopefully go to bed early when it got dark.
Ajima wasn’t suitable for becoming a bricklayer; he was more suited for being a shop assistant. His mouth was too sharp. Bahu thought.
“Bahu, does your family need help? Do you have any suitable tasks for me?” Ajima suddenly spoke while picking up the bowls after the meal. “I can pick up cow dung, wash diapers, clean the cart, wash dishes, herd sheep, and even babysit.”
Hmm? Bahu turned around in surprise; he thought Ajima was just a kid looking for free food, but it turned out he was finding ways to get work.
“Study well; don’t think about other things. You’re still young.” Bahu now suspected that the private school hadn’t closed at all.
“You didn’t study when you were thirteen or fourteen. Studying is useless; I’m not becoming an official. Whether I can read or recite poems won’t affect anything. My dad studied, but now he can barely write a few characters.” Ajima spoke like a little adult. “My dad got sick and can’t breathe doing heavy work. My mom is busy at home and outside, so I want to find something to do. I don’t care about the pay; you just need to provide me with food and shelter.” He had a proper meal for the first time during lunch today.
“I don’t lack people for work.” Bahu declined; Ajima was too young.
Ajima responded with an “Oh” and continued to stay in Bahu’s house as if nothing had happened. He helped soothe the children, reminded Bahu to change the diapers, and observed so keenly that he always managed to warn before Qiqige and Jiya wet their pants.
At dusk, Mi Niang hadn’t returned yet. Bahu was concerned and walked out to look into the distance. Ajima sat beside the small bed, guarding the two children. Once Mi Niang returned, he clapped his hands and ran away.
“He really came today?” Mi Niang thought he was just playing around yesterday, and even if he came, he would leave when she wasn’t home.
Bahu made a non-committal sound, avoiding the topic of Ajima. He was afraid Mi Niang would agree out of pity.
“Are they all found? Are there bees in the beehives?” Speaking of bees, Mi Niang forgot about Ajima.
“They’re all found, and they’re all occupied. We need to split the hives next spring. I cut three blocks of honeycomb, and when the honey drains, you can give a jar to Huxian Cheng. On your way back, give another jar to Mother.”
The Lele cart used for beehives had all its openings sealed, leaving only two rows of small vents. But just to be safe, they parked it in an empty space, so it wouldn’t hurt the kids if they accidentally touched it at home.
After bottling the honey, there was still a layer of honey left at the bottom. Mi Niang cut twenty pieces of beef to barely use up the honey. She had been steaming and roasting, busy for half a day.
“Bahu, pack a bag of beef jerky and take it to Huxian Cheng.” Mi Niang stopped the two who were about to leave. “Why did you send Ajima away?”
“He has something to do.”
“What is it?” Mi Niang pursued.
Bahu glanced at the boy, then turned and asked, “Do you have something with him?”
“Nothing. I just feel you’re acting strangely.” Bahu was someone who didn’t have the patience for outsiders. Even when Uncle Muren was at home, they wouldn’t exchange many words in a day. But today, he practically glued Ajima to him and walked away. If it weren’t for the age difference, she would have suspected Ajima was Bahu’s illegitimate child.
Bahu was unsure how to respond when Mi Niang asked. Just then, someone outside asked if they could come in.
“Come in, come in, there are people inside.” The abrupt warmth made the neighbor, who rarely spoke, unable to help but glance sideways. However, she didn’t speak to Bahu and said to Mi Niang, “What delicious food are you making at home? Can you sell me a bit? My little girl hasn’t eaten a proper meal in two days.”
A plump little girl of five or six years old gripped her mother’s hand, staring at Mi Niang with eager eyes, afraid she wouldn’t sell it.
“It’s just beef, not worth selling. Sister-in-law, take it back for the kids.” Mi Niang went into the kitchen and brought out a large bowl.
The herders in the north were either very poor or very rich. Those who lived along the river were relatively well-off. With Bahu’s fierce reputation, they would insist on paying. They would rather pay than let their children go hungry.
Sugar was valuable in the Mobei, and this flavor was good. The neighbor directly took out a silver coin and slapped it on the table. “We have many mouths at home. Could you trouble you to pack me another bowl?”
“After drying, two pieces of fresh beef became one catty. There are still sesame seeds on the beef strips. Mi Niang estimated and brought out the scale from the house. ‘I sell it for 150 cents per catty. Sister-in-law, you gave me more. Bahu, go in and get the copper coins to give to the sister-in-law.'”
“No need to find change. If there’s extra beef, sell me some more.” The neighbor’s sister-in-law, seeing her daughter enjoying it, also picked up a piece to taste. It was crispy on the outside, and tender inside, with crunchy sesame seeds on the surface. The taste was slightly sweet, and after the outer layer of sauce melted, the savory aroma of beef emerged.
It was just a piece of dried beef, but the flavor was quite rich. “Mi Niang, open a shop. This thing is great with alcohol. If you sell these beef strips, I’ll cook one less dish in the future.”
Mi Niang was momentarily stunned. She did think about it. With more honey next year, she planned to sell some. “The children are still young. Let’s talk about it in a couple of years. We can’t be apart from the family now.”
“That’s true. With two kids, if you decide to do it later, make a few more pounds, and I’ll buy them.” The woman took the seven pounds of beef, pulled her child, and walked outside. Just before leaving, she said, “A few days ago, the day before Bahu went to find the herd, did you make something? Are you selling it?”
Mi Niang glanced at Bahu. If she didn’t know about the money at home, she would have seized the opportunity to start a small business.
“If I do it again later, I’ll tell my sister-in-law.”
Bahu saw Mi Niang’s eyes and thoughtfully looked outside. Without figuring out a reason, he heard Ajima loudly say, “Auntie, I can help you with the children. When you’re busy, I can help entertain my younger brother and sister. I can change diapers and wash them. You just need to feed them.”
“No need for you. Come over if you want to eat something delicious. No need for you to entertain or change diapers.” Mi Niang didn’t take it seriously. Although she was taking care of her younger sister when she was seven, the children in Mobei were mostly focused on studying and rarely stayed at home to take care of younger siblings.
“I’m serious…” Ajima, afraid that Bahu might object, repeated what he said yesterday with his small mouth. “I don’t want a salary, just take care of my food, clothing, and shelter. No, I can go back home.”
“You go back first, we’ll discuss it,” Bahu spoke. After Ajima left with reluctance, he asked Mi Niang, “Do you want to sell food?”
Mi Niang hesitated, saying only, “Next year, I’ll definitely sell honey. I don’t want to sell it to stores or trade caravans. If the people near the mountains don’t buy, I’ll sell it when I’m selling honey during the migration, driving the Lele cart.”
Bahu looked at the child sucking on their toes. “When I deliver the honey, please ask Mrs. Hu to inquire if there are any women willing to work. We can hire someone to take care of the children.”
Hiring a nanny to take care of the children? Mi Niang had never thought of that. She was familiar with taking care of the children herself. Besides, children get attached to whoever takes care of them. She was reluctant, saying, “Qiqige and Jiya are easy to take care of. Bringing in a nanny would just be having someone sit there. I still want the children to sleep with me.”
That was for sure. Even Bahu was used to waking up in the middle of the night to touch the children. Qiqige and Jiya would definitely sleep between him and Mi Niang.
“I’ll go ask Mrs. Hu first. We might not even find one.” Women in the Mobei could graze outside, but when they came home, they still had to take care of the children and manage household chores. If a family wasn’t so poor that they couldn’t afford a pot, they wouldn’t let a woman go out to work. Even if they had to sell themselves to pay off debts, it was often men doing it. Otherwise, it was people with official positions like Huxian Cheng. Even if they went to work at his house, it was for the sake of reputation and connections.
“But the Hu family also lacks servants for housework. I’ve been thinking about hiring some, but I haven’t found suitable ones. You can go across the river and inquire. If you raise the wages a bit, there should be someone interested.” In the Lingshan, buying and selling slaves was not allowed, and there was no slave-born system. Finding suitable servants was difficult. Many people they brought in left.
“You’re looking for someone to take care of the children. Inquire more and be careful not to hire someone with a malicious heart,” Mrs. Hu suggested.
After hearing Mrs. Hu’s advice, Bahu became even more hesitant. When he returned, he said to Mi Niang, “How about letting Ajima come over? He only helps when we’re busy, and the rest of the time, we can take care of the children ourselves.”
Mi Niang nodded repeatedly. If they really brought in an older woman to take care of the children, she was worried that the woman might not be easy to manage. Moreover, she had never imagined that she would have a servant one day.
“Has your family ever hired a maid or someone to take care of the children?” she asked.
Bahu shook his head. “During my mother’s time, she took care of the children herself. No need for her to worry about washing, cooking, or herding.” Mi Niang was always busy, and whenever she had free time, she would find something to do. She didn’t mind being tired. If it weren’t for Ajima suddenly appearing, Bahu wouldn’t have thought about hiring someone to take care of the children. With various tasks both inside and outside the house, he managed just fine. He didn’t feel tired, but he realized that he spent less time alone with Mi Niang.
“Maybe for these two years, when Qiqige and Jiya grow up and learn to eat and walk, we won’t need someone to take care of them,” Bahu said, looking at Mi Niang’s belly. “I still need to take you to the Xushui to check your pulse.”
