“What is it?”

Shu Yanrong quickly countered.

His tone remained normal, even carrying a hint of laughter.

When he turned around, one could see he indeed wore a faint smile.

He carefully concealed the vigilance in his eyes and heart, calmly staring into Xun Yi’s eyes.

“Don’t misunderstand.” Xun Yi removed his hand from the bamboo basket. “I just heard some news about refugees in the county town.”

“Oh?” Shu Yanrong feigned curiosity, speaking politely: “Young brother, if you’re not in a hurry to travel, you can tell me about it.”

“When passing by the county office on business, I heard the Yamen runners say: Heavy snow already fell this winter solstice, and they fear the snow will be deeper during the twelfth lunar month. The County magistrate sent a letter to the prefecture this morning requesting permission to distribute three months’ worth of relief grain starting the day after tomorrow.”

No refugee would remain unmoved upon hearing this news.

Shu Yanrong’s expression shifted slightly, while Shu Chenglin was more direct, stepping forward to urgently ask: “What did the officials say? Did they agree or not?”

Xun Yi didn’t keep them in suspense, truthfully reporting what he had heard.

“They said they agreed.”

Shu Yanrong had been closely watching Xun Yi’s eyes, and even when Xun Yi finished speaking, he didn’t detect any trace of guilt or evasion in them.

Analyzing that Xun Yi’s words were highly likely true, Shu Yanrong clasped his hands and bowed: “Young brother, thank you.”

Xun Yi supported his hand and shook his head, saying nothing more as he bent down to lift a bamboo basket and began climbing the slope.

Since even his own father had thanked the man, Shu Chenglin could no longer doubt the truth of Xun Yi’s words.

“This long slope is too steep, let me help you!” Shu Chenglin eyed the other bamboo basket on his cart and volunteered.

“It’s heavy.”

“No problem!”

After this brief exchange, Shu Yanrong watched his foolish son bend down, grab the edges of the bamboo basket, and lift upward.

Well, it didn’t move.

Then he saw him take a deep breath, exert about sixty to seventy percent of his strength, and lift again.

Well, it still didn’t move.

Finally, with his butt sticking out and back bent, holding his breath and using all his strength, he lifted upward.

Very good, he lifted it.

But it looked like he wouldn’t be able to carry it far.

Unwilling to let his son become a laughingstock in front of outsiders, Shu Yanrong silently grabbed half of the basket, taking on most of the weight.

Thus they saw Xun Yi up the long slope and on his way, without any of the three exchanging names.

After Xun Yi’s figure completely disappeared from view, Shu Chenglin rubbed his shoulders and said: “How could anything be so heavy? He’s probably transporting two baskets of rocks back home.”

Shu Yanrong scolded him, “He can transport whatever he wants. Don’t make wild guesses.”

“Understood.”

Muttering his response, Shu Chenglin finally straightened his expression.

“Father, should we go back and tell Wanxiu this news? To discuss our travel plans again?”

Shu Yanrong had already considered this.

“Not appropriate.”

“Telling her too early would only make her worry needlessly.”

Shu Chenglin said no more, silently following behind Shu Yanrong.

The two returned home through the wind and snow. After confirming no outsiders were present, Shu Yanrong closed the door and explained to his family according to what he had planned on the way back.

“Tomorrow morning, second son will come with me to the county town to verify whether this news is true.”

“Mother, you go borrow two grain bags from the neighbors.”

Xu Zhen said, “Wouldn’t it be better to borrow the grain sacks after you’ve confirmed the news? If we borrow them too early, they’ll just sit unused when brought back.” And they’d owe someone a favor for nothing.

Shu Yanrong waved his hand dismissively. “The grain sacks must be borrowed.”

“Whether today’s hearsay is true or false, that person’s words serve as a warning for us. Our family’s grain reserves are low. If they only distribute one month’s rations this time, what will we do later when heavy snow blocks the roads?”

“Bring the grain sacks. If they don’t distribute three months’ worth of grain tomorrow, we’ll go buy some ourselves from the grain shop to stockpile.”

Having been starved into fear, not a single member of the Shu family young or old objected to the stockpiling plan. Instead, they all hoped to bring back as much grain as possible.

…

By evening, slanting winds howled like ghosts and wolves as they drove the snow downward. Inside the Shu family’s wooden shed, Shu Wanxiu got up once more to fetch an armful of firewood from under the eaves.

“Once this firewood burns out, it’s time for bed no more delays,” she said.

Shouyi, cupping his cheeks in his hands, drew out his reply in a reluctant tone.

Those who had spent the entire day sitting by the fire simply couldn’t bear the shock of cold when slipping into bed.

The little imp used every trick to stall, and Shu Wanxiu found it amusing. She could only indulge him within reasonable limits.

Noticing the glowing red embers in the fire pit, she had a sudden idea. “How about Auntie roasts a Stinky Peel Citrus for you?”

Shouyi’s eyes widened instantly.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

He pushed himself up and darted out like a gust of wind, his voice trailing behind him: “Auntie! I’ll go get it!”

He must have already decided which one to eat first, given how eagerly he ran off.

Shu Wanxiu laughed until she swayed back and forth.

Soon, the child who had gone to the main room to fetch the Stinky Peel Citrus rushed back just as swiftly.

Using a stick, Shu Wanxiu dug a hollow in the red embers, buried the particularly golden Stinky Peel Citrus from the child’s palm, and covered it completely with hot coals.

As the citrus peel roasted over the embers, the unique fragrance of citrus gradually wafted from the charcoal pile.

Just as the two were salivating over the aroma, they suddenly heard a deep male voice from outside.

“Is anyone home?”