With a heavy heart, the doctor set to work, tending to Lu Chuan’s injuries with great care. Lu Qiqi and Gu Mufeng stood quietly watching. Lu Qiqi’s eyes brimmed with tenderness and anger, while Gu Mufeng wore an expression of solemn gravity.
Once the wounds were dressed, the doctor prescribed medicine and gave clear instructions on when to give it and change the bandages. Lu Qiqi committed every word to memory and thanked her sincerely.
The three then left the clinic and made their way to an inn near the railway station, where Gu Mufeng booked two rooms. The accommodation was simple, yet reasonably clean.
Gu Mufeng laid Lu Chuan gently on the bed. Lu Qiqi fetched a basin of hot water and began wiping the boy’s body carefully. Lu Chuan watched her working busily, tears glistening in his eyes. He had never known his parents; he had lived with his grandmother and sister. After their grandmother passed away and his sister went to their uncle’s house, he was sent to the Sun family—and never since had he known such warmth and care.
Gu Mufeng stood silently by the bedside, watching Lu Qiqi bathe his brother. A soft, unfamiliar emotion stirred within him. Seeing the bond between sister and brother, he felt no aversion or discomfort—instead, he felt a quiet resolve: I will be their support and protection.
Although their marriage was legally registered, the wedding ceremony had yet to be held. That was why Gu Mufeng had booked two separate rooms—he was not the sort to take advantage of the situation. Besides, his wife was still so frail; she could ill afford hardship just now.
Patience, he told himself. First I must build up her strength. Only then…
He spoke briefly to Lu Qiqi, then stepped out. He had not eaten all day, and guessed they had not either. In the 1970s, there were few street vendors selling food—even near the railway station. Still, it was not yet late; the state-run restaurant should still be open.
He asked for directions and walked quickly there. Inside, the staff were already cleaning up, preparing to close. The clerk looked up with a frown.
“Comrade, are you dining in? We are about to close.”
Gu Mufeng glanced toward the back.
“My wife and her brother have not eaten all day. Whatever you have left—may I buy it to take away?”
Reassured that he would not delay closing, the clerk went to check the kitchen.
“Comrade—all meals are finished. Only four white steamed buns and eight meat buns remain.”
“I will take all of them. Please wrap them up.”
“Right away, Comrade.”
Back at the inn, Lu Qiqi had finished washing Lu Chuan and applying his medicine. She had nothing but tattered clothes of her own to change into—and Lu Chuan had none at all.
“Little Chuan, make do with your old clothes tonight. Soon I will buy cloth and sew you new ones.”
Lu Chuan nodded earnestly. “Sister, I do not need new clothes. Old ones are fine.” He looked up at her anxiously. “Sister… may I stay with you from now on? I do not want to go back to the Sun family.”
Lu Qiqi looked at him—small for his age, appearing scarcely five or six despite being eight—and her heart ached.
“Yes. You will stay right here with me. Never again will you go anywhere else.”
“Truly, Sister?”
“Truly.”
Lu Chuan thought for a moment. “Sister… who is that tall man?”
“He is your brother-in-law,” Lu Qiqi replied gently, stroking his hair. “Gu Mufeng.”
Lu Chuan’s eyes went wide with surprise. Then a brilliant, sunny smile spread across his face. “Sister—you are married? That is wonderful! Now someone will always look after you!”
His innocent smile filled Lu Qiqi’s heart with warmth. He was all she had in this world—and from now on, they would face everything together.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Lu Qiqi opened it to find Gu Mufeng standing there, carrying a cloth bundle.
“Qiqi—I brought some food. Eat something to regain your strength.” He handed her the parcel.
Lu Qiqi opened it and saw the white buns and savory meat buns. Her heart swelled—he had gone out of his way for them.
“Thank you. You have not eaten either—come, sit with us.”
Gu Mufeng shook his head with a quiet smile. “We are husband and wife. There is no need to thank me. Looking after one another is what marriage means.”
Wife. The word felt strange to her ears. But meeting his steady, earnest gaze, the words of protest she had been about to say died on her lips. Very well, she thought. The papers are signed. I suppose I am his wife.
She took one bun and two meat buns for herself and Lu Chuan, then handed the rest back to him. “This is enough for us. You eat the rest—you are a large man and need more.”
Gu Mufeng frowned. “That is far too little for you.” He reached out to give her more.
Lu Qiqi shook her head. “We have gone hungry for so long… eating too much at once would upset our stomachs.” She handed one meat bun to Lu Chuan. “Here, Little Chuan. Eat this. Then it will be time for your medicine.”
Lu Chuan stared at the plump, white bun in disbelief. “Sister… may I truly eat this?”
Lu Qiqi ruffled his hair affectionately. “Of course you may. Brother Mufeng bought it for you—eat, and enjoy it.”
Only then did Lu Chuan take a small, careful bite. Savory juices burst across his tongue—richer and more delicious than anything he had ever tasted. He looked up at them both, eyes wide with pure delight. So this is what meat buns taste like…
“Thank you, Brother Mufeng!” he said sincerely.
Gu Mufeng watched the boy eating happily, and felt a warm, quiet joy in his chest. He smiled gently and said:
“Eat as much as you like, Little Chuan. From now on, your brother-in-law will buy them for you often.”