Chapter 70 Lin Hongzhe’s Ruthlessness

Moonlight spilled over the shadowy figure’s face, revealing features entirely unfamiliar to Xia Yan... The figure stared intently into the courtyard for a long while, eyes trembling ever so slightly. Before long, the flickering beams of approaching flashlights forced him to withdraw his gaze and melt once more into the darkness.

At dawn, as the first pale light crept across the sky, Xia Yan rose from bed. The lard she had prepared yesterday, now marinated with sugar, was ready to be made into lard cake. She placed the gathered flour into the steamer, spread a generous layer of lard on top, then sprinkled it with dates, walnut pieces, and sunflower seeds. There were no pine nuts at home—those would have made it even more fragrant, but for family, it hardly mattered.

She set water to boil on the earthen stove, and once it was roiling, placed the steamer inside. A quick glance at her watch marked the time; fifteen minutes would suffice to steam the lard cake. As soon as the time was up, she lifted the lid and a delicate aroma of lard wafted through the air. It would have looked even lovelier with those red and green candied shreds, but since it was only for them, that was of little consequence.

After letting it cool for a minute, she overturned it onto the pot lid. After more than two hours of busy work, Xia Yan finally finished preparing all the ingredients.

By then, the three little ones in the house had woken up, drawn from their rooms by the delicious scent filling every corner. Lin Hongzhuo was first to dash into the kitchen. “Mom, is this the lard cake you told us about?”

Eyeing the diamond-shaped slices on the small kitchen table, he reached out to grab one. Xia Yan was quick, pinching his cheek before he could snatch it. “Hey, did you brush your teeth and wash your face? You can’t just grab food like that—go freshen up first.”

“Heh, can’t I just have one?” Lin Hongzhuo was practically drooling, sneaking his hand toward the plate again.

“No way. Your little sister is watching, and as her big brother, you need to set a good example.” Xia Yan stood with her arms akimbo, feigning anger until the boy reluctantly withdrew his hand.

After breakfast, Xia Yan packed a lunchbox and tucked a few pieces of lard cake inside for each child to take to school and share with their friends.

“Zhuo, for the next few days, wait for your brother after school and come home together, all right?” she called as they headed out, tidying Lin Hongzhuo’s clothes and speaking gently.

“Why?”

“She’s worried Liu Shengli will give you trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll look after my little brother. If that guy tries anything, I’ll knock him flat,” Lin Hongzhe replied, instantly reading the meaning behind Xia Yan’s words.

Xia Yan nodded. “My clever Zhe. But remember—if there are too many of them, don’t try to be a hero. Just come home, understand?”

“Got it, Mom,” Lin Hongzhuo agreed.

Lin Hongzhe raised his fist and gave a few playful punches. “Xia Yan, don’t worry so much—my fists aren’t afraid of those little punks.”

Xia Yan gave him a thumbs up. “I know you’re tough, but don’t use your hands unless you have to. Assess the situation first. Sometimes, a tactical retreat is the best strategy for a stronger comeback.”

Lin Hongzhe arched an eyebrow. “Where did you learn that theory, Xia Yan?”

“The Art of War, of course!” Xia Yan shot him a sly look.

She thought he’d praise her, but instead, the boy just snorted, turned around, and pulled his brother out the door.

As it turned out, Xia Yan’s instincts were spot-on. No sooner had the two boys left than Liu Shengli blocked their way, flanked by two older students.

Lin Hongzhe narrowed his eyes. So Liu Shengli really did come looking for them. He recognized the two behind Liu as students from the neighboring class—boys who never got along with him.

“Liu Shengli, why are you blocking our way? Didn’t I teach you a lesson yesterday?” Lin Hongzhuo retorted, unafraid.

“Lin Hongzhuo, if your foxy stepmom hadn’t been there yesterday, I’d have pounded you into the ground! You won’t be so lucky today.”

The minute Liu Shengli insulted Xia Yan, Lin Hongzhuo dropped his backpack, ready to charge, but Lin Hongzhe grabbed him. “Don’t be rash. There’s three of them—if you rush in, we’ll get the worst of it.”

“But, bro, he insulted Mom! I want to tear his mouth apart!”

“Didn’t you hear what Xia Yan said this morning?” Lin Hongzhe shot his brother a glare, quickly scanning the area until he spotted a stone nearby. He walked over and picked it up.

“Liu Shengli, Hu San, Li Si—are you sure you want to fight us two brothers?” Lin Hongzhe shielded his brother as a cold glint flickered in his eyes, and his imposing presence made the three hesitate.

“Lin Hongzhe, don’t think we’re scared just because you picked up a rock,” Liu Shengli blustered, while his eyes darted around for something to use as a weapon.

Lin Hongzhe didn’t care for any of that. He simply raised the stone and charged at them. Behind him, Lin Hongzhuo shouted, “Bro, didn’t you say we should listen to Mom? Why are you rushing in? Wait for me!”

“Liu Shengli, I’m coming for you!” he cried.

Seeing the brothers charging, the three boys instinctively backed away, especially the two older ones who knew Lin Hongzhe’s reputation for fierceness. “Liu Shengli, we’re not helping you with this. Let’s go, Hu San—before that little brat actually hits us.”

“Hey, don’t run!” Liu Shengli cried, but as his companions bolted, he lost his nerve and quickly followed suit.

***

After feeding Nuannuan breakfast, Xia Yan was interrupted by a knock at the door—Er Dan from next door, drawn by the scent of lard cake. Xia Yan was pleased; she’d woken so early she was still sleepy, so Er Dan’s arrival meant she had someone to help watch over Nuannuan.

She dozed off until nearly lunchtime before waking. “That nap was just what I needed. Nuannuan, Er Dan, what are you two up to?” She slipped on her shoes and stepped outside, finding the children squatting and teasing Huahua, the dog. Since it arrived, it had grown noticeably larger, and with its fine appearance, Xia Yan figured it could have fetched two thousand yuan back before she transmigrated.

Nuannuan spotted her and ran over for a hug. Xia Yan couldn’t resist kissing the rosy-cheeked little darling in her arms. “Er Dan, have lunch here today. Auntie will make pancakes for you.”

Er Dan grinned—he’d been hoping for that invitation.

After lunch, with nothing else pressing, Xia Yan taught the two children a few new characters. Then she took them outside, carrying two portions of lard cake from the kitchen—one to deliver to Aunt Wang next door, the other to the clinic for Zhu Yan.

Returning home, she remembered the matter of the heated brick bed. She’d seen it done in country dramas and still recalled how it looked. So, taking a hoe from the backyard and her daughter in tow, she started digging in the rear field.

She’d only been at it a short while, just about to haul some earth home, when she ran into Wang Guilan, who looked at her, bewildered. “Xiao Xia, what are you doing with all that dirt?”

“Building a kang bed!” Xia Yan replied.

Wang Guilan stared, then burst into hearty laughter...