When Liu An learned that the family had decided to buy a mule, he was thrilled. He made up his mind to follow his grandfather to the market the next day to see it for himself.
Meanwhile, Liu Dazhuang returned to his room to give his daughter the silver bracelet he had bought in town.
Since the sisters were growing older, calling them “Big Girl,” “Second Girl,” and so on no longer sounded proper. When Liu An began school, he had asked Scholar Li to help give each of his sisters proper names.
Thus:
Dayao became Liu Yun
Second Sister became Liu Yu
Third Sister became Liu Wei
Fourth Sister became Liu Ling
Fifth Sister became Liu Shu
Sixth Sister became Liu Tian
Seventh Sister became Liu Xin
The girls had been overjoyed to receive their own names and were deeply grateful to their younger brother. The whole family began calling them by their new names, and the girls proudly showed off to their village friends, earning more than a little envy.
Liu Dazhuang solemnly handed the silver bracelet to Liu Yun. Looking at his soon-to-be-married daughter, he felt reluctant but spoke steadily:
“Yun’er, your grandparents asked me to buy this as part of your dowry. The two taels from the bride price—you may take those as well. The family is adding another tael. You’ll have three taels of silver in total. Keep it safe for emergencies. It’ll give you some confidence in your husband’s household.”
Liu Yun and her mother, Madam Liu Cuihua, were delighted. Liu Yun bowed gratefully. “Thank you, Father and Mother. Thank you to Grandfather and Grandmother for their generosity. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
Liu Dazhuang gently patted her shoulder. “You will always be a daughter of the Liu family. If you’re ever wronged at your husband’s home, come back and tell us.”
“I understand, Father,” Liu Yun replied. Then she hesitated. “But if I take so much silver with me… what about my brother’s schooling?”
Though Madam Liu Cuihua cared for her nephew, this was her own daughter. Fearing her husband might reconsider, she hurriedly interjected, “Silly girl! Your brother is capable. He doesn’t lack this three taels. You only marry once in your lifetime—don’t be foolish.”
Liu Dazhuang understood his wife’s worries. Ordinarily he might have stopped her sharp tongue, but she was right. A daughter’s marriage was a once-in-a-lifetime matter. Besides, the family was no longer short of money.
“Yun’er, your mother is right. We can afford your brother’s schooling. In fact, tomorrow we plan to buy a mule. The family business won’t decline.”
“A mule? That’s wonderful!” Madam Liu Cuihua exclaimed. “You’ve been carrying such heavy loads every day—it pains me to see it.”
Just then, Liu Tian knocked on the door. “Uncle, Auntie, Grandfather and Grandmother want everyone in their room.”
“We’re coming!” Madam Liu Cuihua responded before Liu Tian ran off to summon the others.
After she left, Madam Liu Cuihua whispered nervously, “It’s so late—what if Father has changed his mind?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Liu Dazhuang scolded. “You know what kind of people they are. Have they ever treated our children poorly? When we go in, don’t say anything reckless.”
“I won’t,” she quickly promised.
Soon, all three branches of the family gathered in the grandparents’ room. The old master cleared his throat.
“Our wild vegetable business is finished for the season. Only the spicy mixed dish remains. But the weather is getting colder. If it isn’t cooked hot on the spot, people won’t buy it. So tomorrow, the men will accompany me to buy a mule, a cart, a large iron pot, and a stove.”
The children were delighted at the thought of adding a mule and cart to the household.
“And there’s a second matter,” the old master continued. “An’er will explain.”
Liu An smiled and nodded.
“These past years, Uncles, Aunts, and Sisters have all sacrificed a great deal for me. I’ve always remembered that. So I discussed it with Grandfather. After my sisters marry, they may also make and sell the spicy mix in their husbands’ towns. However, the recipe must remain in their own hands and must not be passed on. They can sell it in neighboring towns, so it won’t affect our business here.”
The room fell silent in astonishment.
Madam Liu Cuihua had never imagined her nephew would think so thoroughly for her daughter’s future. Her heart filled with gratitude.
Second Aunt Sun was equally moved. Even without a son of her own, her daughter would now have a reliable skill after marriage and wouldn’t be bullied.
“An’er, are you sure this won’t hurt our family business?” Aunt Cuihua asked cautiously.
Liu An smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Aunt. Our family will only grow stronger. And this won’t be our only business. I’ve been reading a lot—I’m sure I’ll come up with more ideas.”
“Just do as An’er suggests,” the grandmother said firmly. “Your nephew’s kindness hasn’t been misplaced. He has a generous heart. In the future, you must treat him even better.”
“We will,” both aunts replied in unison. The two uncles looked at Liu An with deep satisfaction, thinking even a biological son might not be more filial.
After the discussion ended, everyone returned to their rooms happily.
Later that night, Liu An’s mother, Xiao Chen, whispered to Liu Sanzhuang, “An’er acted a bit impulsively. What if all the nieces start selling spicy mix and ours doesn’t sell anymore?”
Understanding her concern for their son’s education funds, Liu Sanzhuang reassured her. “Didn’t An’er say they’d sell in other towns? It won’t affect us. Besides, these years the whole family has given the best to An’er. Now that the nieces are marrying, having a skill will protect them. And don’t forget—the restaurant gives us ten percent of profits. We earned thirty taels in just three months. Supporting An’er’s studies won’t be a problem.”
Xiao Chen wasn’t narrow-minded. Hearing this, she nodded. “I was overthinking. Let’s do as planned.”
“Sleep now,” Liu Sanzhuang yawned. “Tomorrow we’re going to the market to look at mules.”
Exhausted, Xiao Chen soon fell asleep as well.
At dawn the next morning, all the Liu family men set out for the market. Liu An, the only boy of his generation, went along.
They headed straight to the livestock market, where mules and horses crowded together, braying noisily. After careful inspection, they settled on a strong, healthy mule.
“How much for this one?” the old master asked.
“Nine taels,” the seller replied. “He’s two and a half years old, in his prime. If my youngest son weren’t ill, I wouldn’t sell him.”
The old master frowned. “That’s steep. How about eight taels?”
After a moment’s hesitation, the seller gritted his teeth. “Fine—eight taels.”
After bargaining back and forth, the Liu family finally purchased the mule for eight taels of silver.
“Grandfather, buying just the mule isn’t enough—we also need a cart,” Liu An reminded him from the side.
“Mm, An’er is right. We do need a cart. Dazhuang, Erzhuang, Sanzhuang—come along. Let’s go buy one,” the old master said with a smile.
Liu Dahai gazed at the newly purchased mule, his heart brimming with pride. In Liu Family Village, owning a mule was a matter of prestige. In high spirits, he took his three sons to purchase a wooden cart, a large iron pot, and a stove. As the family admired their brand-new equipment, everyone felt elated.
On the way home, Liu Sanzhuang couldn’t help sighing happily. “Now that we have a mule, we won’t have to carry buckets of spicy mix back and forth on our shoulders.”
Liu Dazhuang and Liu Erzhuang grinned in agreement.
“You boys really worked hard these past months,” the old master said softly. “But from now on, our days will only get better.” It wasn’t that he didn’t feel for his sons—there had simply been no money before. He had no choice but to watch them toil.
“Father, that’s just what sons should do,” Liu Dazhuang replied. “Life is already far better than before.” He remembered how much harder it had been in the past, hauling heavy loads.
Liu Erzhuang nodded. “That’s all thanks to our An’er. Our family’s little lucky star.”
“Brother Erzhuang, don’t praise him too much—he might grow proud,” Liu Sanzhuang teased.
“I’m not praising him. I’m just telling the truth,” Liu Erzhuang insisted.
The old master and Liu Dazhuang both nodded in agreement. Watching Liu An trying to hide a smile, Liu Sanzhuang secretly thought that his son’s status in the family was higher than his own.
Of course, he was only joking. Deep down, he was immensely proud—when a son is capable, the father’s face shines too.
Knowing that with the mule, his father and uncles would no longer have to suffer hauling goods, Liu An couldn’t help smiling.
When they arrived home, the entire family gathered around the mule and the newly bought iron pot, excitedly discussing the future.
The old master stroked the mule’s neck, his eyes gleaming with hope. “Alright, enough crowding around. Dazhuang, lead the mule into the yard. It’s not dark yet—we’ll build a straw shelter for it.”
“Alright, Father,” Liu Dazhuang replied. He led the mule into the courtyard, tied it to a post, and joined his brothers in putting up a simple shed.
The girls were equally thrilled. After finishing their chores, they hurried into the yard to admire the family’s new mule.
Liu An had insisted on buying the mule partly out of selfish motives. First, it would ease his father’s and uncles’ burdens. Second, once his sisters were married, he planned to begin making tofu. With the mule and cart, they could haul firewood and transport tofu to sell without exhausting the family.
At the same time, Liu An resolved silently to study even harder and one day let his family live an even happier life.
The next day was Liu Yun’s wedding.
The bridal procession arrived. Dressed in bright red wedding robes, Liu Yun looked radiant. With tears in her eyes, she bid farewell to her parents and siblings and prepared to enter the bridal sedan.
“Big Sister,” Liu An whispered just before she stepped inside, “I’ll study hard. If anyone bullies you, come home. Your little brother will stand up for you.”
Hearing his words and thinking of all he had done for her, Liu Yun felt an overwhelming wave of reluctance. She nodded softly. “I’ll remember. You must take care of yourself too. Don’t harm your health studying.”
As he watched the sedan chair disappear into the distance, Liu An felt a trace of emptiness. From this moment on, his sister would no longer be by his side as she had been when they were children.
He needed to earn more money. He needed to ensure the family’s security and never again worry about tuition and books.
True to his decisive nature, Liu An returned to his room and retrieved the soybeans he had been buying little by little.
“An’er, what are you doing with those beans? We already have plenty to eat. That stuff can’t be eaten like that—you’ll get bloated,” Xiao Chen said, puzzled as she saw him holding a handful of yellow soybeans.
“Where’s our small millstone? I want to use it,” Liu An asked instead of answering.
“It’s in the storage shed. That thing’s heavy. If you need it, have your father move it—you’ll hurt your foot,” she warned.
“Got it, Mother,” Liu An replied, already running off to find Liu Sanzhuang.
“Father, help me get the millstone. And bring me the beans I bought the other day.”
“What are you up to now? Those beans cause bloating—don’t eat too many or you’ll have a stomachache tonight,” Liu Sanzhuang said, assuming his son simply wanted to snack.
“I read in a book that beans can be made into something delicious. I want to try,” Liu An explained quickly.
“Beans made into food? I’ve never heard of that,” Liu Sanzhuang frowned. “But even if it doesn’t taste good, beans are still grain. Just because our life has improved doesn’t mean you can waste food.”
“Father, don’t you trust me? I’m not someone who wastes grain. Just help me move the millstone,” Liu An pleaded.
Seeing his son’s persistence, Liu Sanzhuang sighed. “You’re always tinkering with something. Fine—wait here. I’ll call your Uncle Erzhuang to help me move it.”
He turned and called out, “Brother Erzhuang, are you free? Help me move the millstone.”
“The millstone? What for? Aren’t we done grinding flour?” Liu Erzhuang asked curiously.