“That doesn’t mean you should come to the river,” Shen Xihe said. “The water is deep—someone has fallen in before.”
Gu Xiao: “Alright, alright, Third Brother. Shall we cast the net again?”
The fish thrashed inside the net. Shen Xihe worried she might come alone next time, so he said, “One more cast, then we go back.”
Shen Xihe had never fished before. This time, he pulled up nothing but weeds. He gathered the net. “Let’s go.”
The fish were strung together with grass rope. Shen Xihe carried four, Gu Xiao carried two and the net.
The fish flicked their tails, splashing water all over Shen Xihe.
Gu Xiao pursed her lips—good, let him change clothes more often. The smile in her eyes was impossible to hide. Shen Xihe asked, “You’re really this happy?”
Gu Xiao lifted her head, her eyes bright. “Mm‑hmm.”
Shen Xihe’s lips curved slightly, then quickly fell again. “Still, you mustn’t come to the river alone.”
So many rules—change clothes and she had to leave, couldn’t come to the river, and all six fish heads had to go to him.
Gu Xiao nodded. “Alright, alright.”
Old Master Shen and the others hadn’t gone to the fields yet. The midday sun was too harsh; everyone disliked the heat.
Madam Zhou glanced outside. “Where have Third Brother and Xiao Xiao gone?”
Madam Chen didn’t know. “Third Brother went out to find Xiao Xiao. They should be back soon.”
Madam Zhou muttered, “Running off in the middle of the day.” She waited at the doorway, but not for long. From afar she saw Shen Xihe and Gu Xiao walking side by side. Shen Xihe was lean, a full head taller than Gu Xiao. Together, they looked well‑matched.
Once again Madam Zhou marveled at how well this marriage had been arranged. Her heart swelled—then she noticed both of them carrying things.
Gu Xiao’s hands were full, so she couldn’t wave. She simply called out, “Mother!”
Madam Zhou looked closely—good heavens, where had those fish come from? Six of them!
She hurried out to meet them. “Where have you two been? This… where did these come from?”
Gu Xiao ran a few steps, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Mother, we caught them from the river! Husband is home for three days this time—he can be nourished!”
Madam Zhou scolded, “The river isn’t a place to wander. The water is deep—someone drowned there just last year!”
Gu Xiao whispered, “Mother, shh! We caught fish—don’t let anyone hear. I promise I’ll never go again, so please don’t scold me.”
Madam Zhou was both angry and frightened. For Shen Xihe, Gu Xiao truly dared to do anything. “Third Brother!”
Shen Xihe, walking behind, said, “Mother.”
Madam Zhou told him, “Xiao Xiao caught these especially for you. You mustn’t waste her effort.”
Shen Xihe glanced at Gu Xiao and nodded. “Mm.”
Gu Xiao froze. Her effort? Whether or not it was for him, how could Shen Xihe ever remember her kindness? She didn’t dwell on what he thought. Smiling, she leaned toward Madam Zhou. “Mother, how should we cook the fish?”
At last Madam Zhou’s face softened into a smile. Free fish—six of them! They could last for days. This time the whole family could enjoy a proper meal.
Even at New Year, the Shen family had only one fish, for the auspicious saying “may there be surplus every year.”
Madam Zhou usually cooked fish by stewing them in a big pot. The broth could be used to stew vegetables for days. One fish could last half a month.
But now Madam Zhou knew Gu Xiao’s cooking was delicious—ribs, pig’s feet, scallion pancakes. So she entrusted it to her without worry. “You decide how to cook them.”
The fish would have to be prepared in the evening. All six were placed in the vat. Madam Chen and Madam Li looked at them, their eyes bright—six fish, together weighing over ten jin. Surely they would each get a bite.
Madam Li touched her belly. Even if the heads had little meat, at least they could eat fish heads.
Everyone coveted the six fish. Madam Chen asked Madam Zhou, “Mother, shall we eat fish tonight?”
Madam Zhou hesitated. Six was a good number, but the family’s best meals were always at noon. Why eat so well at night?
Gu Xiao pleaded with her: “Mother, let’s eat one first. We can make fish‑slice porridge!”
If anyone else said it, Madam Zhou might not listen. But Gu Xiao was different. Madam Zhou relented. “Then eat. Enough—your eyes are glued to the fish. Off to the fields, no one is allowed to slack!”
The thought of fish porridge at night made Gu Xiao very happy. As long as there was meat, even fieldwork didn’t feel tiring.
Shen Xihe turned his head, watching her smile. “Go wash your hands. They smell of fish.”
Gu Xiao thought: he even avoided her when changing clothes, so she wouldn’t follow him to wash her hands. “Husband, you go first. I’ll wash later.”
Shen Xihe lowered his lashes. “…Mm.”
After he finished washing, Gu Xiao went. She had to learn—don’t get in his way. So when they went to the fields, she followed behind Madam Chen and Madam Li.
But Gu Xiao wasn’t as quick at work as they were. When Madam Chen had already sown one furrow, Gu Xiao had only managed half.
The sun tilted westward. Gu Xiao straightened her back and rubbed her shoulders.
Madam Chen said, “Xiao Xiao, let’s switch places.” She sowed quickly, so after switching places, the two of them were about even.
Gu Xiao didn’t insist on struggling. “Thank you, Sister‑in‑law.”
Madam Chen gave a soft “Mm.” Doing a bit more work was nothing—after all, Gu Xiao brought her food every day and even sold tassels for her. The tassels were something Gu Xiao had taught her to weave.
Just as they were about to switch, Shen Xihe spoke from the other side: “Sister‑in‑law, I’ll switch with her.” He was only a few furrows away. His work was fast and efficient, sowing seeds swiftly.
Madam Chen frowned slightly. Shen Xihe repeated, “I’ll switch with Xiao Xiao.” He came over carrying the seed bag, his voice lowered. “You go ahead. We’ll switch back later.” Sweat beaded his forehead. Standing in front of Gu Xiao, he blocked a wide patch of sunlight.
Gu Xiao hesitated, then picked up the seed bag and moved over. It was best to have help. She couldn’t finish on her own, and this way it would be faster—she could get back sooner to make fish‑slice porridge.
Shen Xihe said nothing more. He bent his head and continued sowing along the furrow Gu Xiao had started. Once he had passed her by, he switched back again.
All afternoon, they exchanged places six times. Shen Xihe ended up sowing five more furrows than Gu Xiao.
By the time dusk fell, the handsome young man carried his hoe, walking silently ahead of Gu Xiao, though his ears caught the words spoken behind him.
“Third Brother really worked hard this afternoon.” Madam Chen had seen it all. She thought Shen Xihe finally knew how to care for others. Last year, even when Gu Xiao sowed slowly, he hadn’t bothered to help.
Gu Xiao forced herself to agree. “Mm. Husband has always been the most diligent. He works harder than anyone.”
But she remembered that Shen Xihe disliked her talking too much, so she spoke very softly, careful not to let him hear.
Madam Li smiled. “That’s right. The grandson of the Zhang family at the head of the village also studies at the academy, but he’s spoiled like a young master—can’t carry a load, can’t lift a hand.”
“He could never compare to Husband,” Gu Xiao said matter‑of‑factly. “Sisters‑in‑law, I still need to make fish‑slice porridge, so I’ll head back first. You two keep chatting.” She hurried away. Madam Chen and Madam Li loved teasing her about Shen Xihe. She herself didn’t mind—her skin was thick—but Shen Xihe was different.
Gu Xiao hoped the Shen family’s fields would be finished quickly. Shen Xihe had to prepare for next year’s autumn examinations. Once the farm work was done, surely he would return to the academy early.
But Madam Zhou thought otherwise. “Third Brother is home for three days. The fish must be eaten slowly. Xiao Xiao, since you caught them to nourish him, keep two aside. At night, make them for Third Brother.”
Gu Xiao drew in a sharp breath, then forced herself to agree. “Mother, you think exactly like me! Husband won’t spend three days without reading. If he works the fields by day, he’ll only be able to study at night. How exhausting! The fish should be for him!”
Fish as a midnight snack—trust Madam Zhou to think of that.
Madam Zhou said, “Then I’m reassured. I’ll give you the cupboard key. Take what you need yourself.”
Of all people, Madam Zhou trusted Gu Xiao most. With fish porridge at night, everyone could eat fish meat. Wasn’t that enough?
Everyone else only thought of eating, not of working or earning. If they were all like Gu Xiao, Madam Zhou wouldn’t have to worry.
This was the thinnest Gu Xiao had ever sliced fish. She soaked the slices in ginger juice to remove the smell.
Rice porridge simmered in the big pot. When the fish went in, the pale flesh turned snowy white. River fish were fresh and sweet. A sprinkle of tender scallions made it not only fragrant but beautiful.
Madam Zhou divided the porridge: a big bowl for the men, a small one for the women. The steaming porridge, carefully cooled, was soothing to drink.
The taste wasn’t quite as Gu Xiao had imagined—a small bowl, with only three or five slices of fish—hardly satisfying.
After the meal, Madam Chen took the initiative to wash the dishes.
Shen Xihe returned to his room and pulled a book from his satchel. The autumn examinations were near. Not a single day could be wasted. Even by lamplight, he had to review his studies.
Shen Xihe glanced toward the doorway, then calmed himself and focused on reading.
Outside, Gu Xiao was cutting the fish into eight pieces.
For Shen Xihe’s midnight snack, it had to be tasty and convenient. She chose two fish to make fish balls. She removed the bones, minced the flesh finely, seasoned it with salt and ginger juice, then scooped spoonfuls into hot water to set. Two fish, together weighing over four jin, yielded a small basin of fish balls.
Fish‑ball noodles were simple yet filling. Madam Zhou was generous toward Shen Xihe, so Gu Xiao didn’t skimp. She scooped flour, cut noodles, simmered fish heads into broth, dropped the noodles in, added seven or eight fish balls, and finally placed the nourishing fish head on top. A full bowl, sprinkled with fresh scallions—eat this, and even a fool’s mind would clear.
Gu Xiao carried the bowl and chopsticks and knocked on the door. “Husband.”
Shen Xihe’s hand paused on the book. “You could just come in…” After all, this was Gu Xiao’s room too. Why knock?
She pushed the door open, the old hinges creaking. “Husband, Mother asked me to make you a midnight snack.”
The aroma drifted over. Shen Xihe lifted his head, the lamplight flickering, then steadied himself.
Gu Xiao set the noodles on the table. “Eat.” She put it down and turned to leave. Truthfully, she didn’t know where to go. It was Shen Xihe’s room—if she stayed, would she just stand there watching him eat?
The noodles smelled wonderful, yet Shen Xihe didn’t move his chopsticks. “Where are you going?”
Honestly, Gu Xiao wanted to wander by the river. “I’ll go wash the pot.”
“Bring another bowl and chopsticks. We’ll eat together.” Shen Xihe pushed his book aside. Seeing her hesitate, he called again, “Xiao Xiao?”
Gu Xiao swallowed hard. “What did you say… eat together?”
Shen Xihe: “Mm. Anyway, I can’t finish it alone.”