Chapter 75: Something Has Happened

Thinking of Big Head, Wenying turned around and began searching for her younger brother. The task of collecting eggs from the chicken coop had always fallen to her and Big Head. By now, Big Head had already made his way around to the fence outside the coop, pointing eagerly at the eggs hidden in the corner by the hens, shouting to Jin Xiuyi where they were.

Jin Xiuyi picked up the first egg, feeling its warmth in his hand, and his whole being lit up with excitement. “It’s warm, it’s still warm!” he proclaimed from within the coop, raising the egg high for Wenying to see, as if displaying a precious treasure.

Wenying couldn’t help but laugh at his innocence. She stepped forward, plucked a stray feather from his hair, and said, “The hen just laid it, of course it’s still warm. Keep looking, there are more. Our hens are champions at laying eggs.”

Spurred on by her words, Jin Xiuyi forgot his shyness. The two of them searched inside the coop, while Big Head directed them from the outside. In no time at all, the three of them had gathered every egg.

Madam Luo took a basket and packed them away, praising their efforts and, out of habit, ruffling Big Head’s hair. Wenying cheekily pushed her own head forward for a pat as well. Watching their playful interaction, Jin Xiuyi hesitated, but with a blush, he shuffled a little closer to Madam Luo.

She looked at the three children with a fond smile and reached out to pat Jin Xiuyi’s head too. “All right, since you collected today’s eggs, I’ll boil them for you to eat.”

“Wow, thank you, Grandma!” Wenying cheered, and even Big Head nodded happily. Jin Xiuyi watched them, then politely said, “Thank you, Grandma Wen.”

Madam Luo’s heart softened at his well-mannered demeanor. Carrying the basket, she went straight to the kitchen and handed it over to Mrs. Li, instructing her to boil eggs for the children.

Mrs. Li could not recall ever seeing her mother-in-law so generous—not that Madam Luo had ever been stingy when it came to feeding the children, but after the family had helped Wen Xiuyi pay off his debts, times had become tight and every egg laid was sold for money. Even after Wen Xiuyi turned over a new leaf and began running a proper business, Madam Luo continued to set aside the eggs.

Perhaps fearing her mother-in-law would change her mind, Mrs. Li hurried to light the stove and set the eggs to boil.

She knew full well that today’s treat was thanks to the young master from the Jin family, but it didn’t matter—so long as her own children could have some. Besides, the Jin family had sent so many things before, and with the two bolts of fabric for Wen Yao, each of the three sisters had made two sets of clothes, including her own daughter. That made Mrs. Li all the more willing.

The eggs were barely done boiling when a chorus of chattering voices arose outside the Wen house.

“Wenying, Big Head, want to come out and play?” Several village children called from outside the gate.

Wenying was about to go, but hesitated when she glanced at Jin Xiuyi. She waved at her friends. “We’ve got a guest at home today, so I can’t. What are you up to?”

The village children eyed Jin Xiuyi curiously—his clothes were fine, and he was handsome too.

Seeing them all staring at Jin Xiuyi, Wenying stood with her hands on her hips between him and the others. “I asked you what you’re doing.”

“We’re going down to the riverbank to collect stones,” one replied.

Wenying seemed tempted. It was one of their usual pastimes. In winter, the river didn’t rise, so all the pebbles lay exposed on the banks. They would often compete to see who could find the prettiest.

Ordinarily, she would have taken Big Head and joined them. But today, with a guest from the city—her grandmother and second sister had told her this was the young master, grandson of her eldest brother’s teacher—they needed to look after him.

“Never mind, Big Head and I can’t go today. You go ahead. If you find any pretty stones, bring them to show us,” said Wenying.

The other children were disappointed. Whenever Big Head came along, he always found the best stones. He didn’t talk, but everyone knew he was clever.

Just as Wenying thought they were about to leave, one of the boys clambered up to sit astride the wall. “Why not bring him along then?” he suggested, nodding at Jin Xiuyi. “He looks about our age—he can come too.”

Inside, Madam Luo heard the commotion, came out with arms akimbo, and pointed at the boy on the wall. “Iron Ox, if you don’t get down, I’ll have your grandmother break your legs!”

“Grandma Wen’s coming! Run!” The children scattered, shrieking and laughing, though none went far—they hid just outside, peeking in.

Iron Ox, startled by Madam Luo’s threat and abandoned by the friend who’d boosted him up, was left stranded on the wall, nearly in tears.

Grumbling, Madam Luo ordered Wen Xiuzhu to help him down, rapping his forehead as she did. “Climbing so high—what if you fall? Your grandmother will have my head!”

Iron Ox grinned. “No worries, my grandma can’t beat you.”

Madam Luo couldn’t help but laugh, poking him one more time before turning to the three children. Having overheard their conversation, she saw the hopeful looks on their faces and couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“All right, you can go play—but don’t stay out late, and don’t take Young Master Jin down to the river, you hear?” she reminded them, and went to the kitchen to fetch two cooled eggs for each child before letting them go.

Iron Ox eyed the eggs in their hands with envy, swallowing hard, but he didn’t ask for any.

Wenying tucked away her eggs, took a hand of each companion, and went off with Iron Ox, eager to introduce their guest from the city to their friends.

Still uneasy, Madam Luo went to Wenfa and Wenjin’s room. Wenyao, playing the little teacher, was keeping a stern eye on Wenfa, Wenjin, and Wendy as they studied.

Wenjin read and wrote diligently. Wendy was a bit slower, but clearly put in the effort. Only Wenfa fidgeted, unable to sit still.

Madam Luo rolled her eyes. Rather than have him distract the others, it was better to send him out.

“Wenfa, your sister and the others are taking Young Master Jin out to play. Go watch over your siblings, and don’t let anyone bully them—especially not the little master from the Jin family,” she called.

“Got it, Grandma! I’m going right now!” Wenfa leapt up, tossed his book aside, and dashed out the door.

The three in the room, plus Madam Luo, were left speechless.

After a moment, Madam Luo muttered, “Not a single one of them gives me any peace,” and walked off.

But before long, someone came running up in a panic, shouting, “Aunt Wen! Aunt Wen! Something’s happened—Big Head’s fallen into the water!”