“San-lang? Was that you crying just now, little one?”
Auntie Li entered the room carrying two bowls of water, a warm smile directed at the two brothers.
“Oh, Er-lang is awake too? Here, have some water. I was just out in the yard clearing away dead leaves. Did San-lang get scared?”
The moment San-lang saw someone enter, he dried his tears instantly. He took a bowl from Auntie Li, tilted his head back, and drained it in one gulp. Then, clutching the second bowl, he scrambled onto the bed.
Auntie Li helped Er-lang sit up, propping him against a rolled-up quilt. She watched with a tender gaze as little San-lang carefully helped his older brother drink. Noticing that Er-lang seemed a bit listless, she assumed his injuries were flaring up and offered a comforting word.
“A-Li went to town. She’ll be back soon. She mentioned stopping by the medical hall, so she’s surely gone to buy medicine for you. Don’t worry, Er-lang, the pain will fade soon.”
Before Er-lang could process this, San-lang perked up with excitement. “Auntie, Sister-in-law didn’t leave? She still wants San-lang?”
Auntie Li’s eyes twitched slightly. How had the relationship between these two shifted so fast? Just this morning, San-lang was calling her a “wicked woman,” and now, after a single afternoon, she was “Sister-in-law”?
Still, she patted his head and laughed. “Of course she wants you! San-lang is so well-behaved; your sister-in-law likes you very much!”
San-lang beamed. Sister-in-law likes me! How wonderful!
Er-lang, however, knit his brows in doubt. He didn’t believe for a second that Shen Li would go to a medical hall in town to buy medicine for him. Seeking the truth, he kept his gaze fixed on San-lang.
San-lang gently shook his brother’s limp, numb hand. “Brother! Auntie says Sister-in-law still wants me! She says Sister-in-law will be back any minute!”
Er-lang turned his gaze back to Auntie Li. Seeing the look in his eyes, a wave of bitterness washed over her. Did these poor boys really think A-Li had abandoned them?
“Er-lang, don’t overthink it,” she said softly. “A-Li is a good girl. Before… well, I don’t know what was going on then, but I truly feel she intends to settle down and live a proper life with you from now on.”
A proper life? Er-lang hesitated. Could that woman truly mean to stay?
Just then, the sound of movement came from the courtyard. Shen Li was back.
San-lang bolted out the door in a blur of joy, and Auntie Li rose to follow him. Inside the room, Er-lang listened to the commotion, his brow furrowing deeper.
She actually came back?
The moment Shen Li pushed open the courtyard gate, a tiny, bony figure came flying toward her and lunged into her arms.
“Sister-in-law! San-lang missed you so much!”
In her past life, Shen Li had kept a dog named Great White in her dorm. Every time she returned from a mission, the dog would leap at her the second the door opened. Looking at San-lang now, she felt that same frantic, pure devotion.
Shen Li’s expression softened. She scooped the boy up and gave his thin, gaunt cheek a firm kiss.
San-lang’s eyes went wide. He touched the spot she had kissed, frozen in place, seemingly forgetting how to breathe.
“Alright, down you go,” Shen Li said, setting him back on his feet.
She watched as he sprinted back into the house, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Brother! Sister-in-law kissed me! It’s true! Sister-in-law really does like San-lang!”
Auntie Li cleared her throat awkwardly. It was lucky San-lang was only two or three years old; under normal circumstances, it was unheard of for a woman to be so forward with her brother-in-law.
“Auntie Li, I’m back,” Shen Li greeted her warmly. “Thank you for looking after them.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all! They were both so good. A-Li, I’ve tidied up the small kitchen for you, so you can start cooking tonight.”
“No need to cook tonight. I bought food in town. I’d like to invite your whole family to eat with us.”
On her way back, Shen Li had passed a bun shop. The aroma of the meat buns had been so irresistible that she bought an entire steamer’s worth. The vendor had stared at her in shock, asking repeatedly how many people she had at home to eat so much.
Auntie Li frowned and looked toward Uncle Li, who had just entered the yard.
“Aya, I tried to talk her out of it, but the girl wouldn’t listen!” Uncle Li said, rubbing his hands together. “She insisted we’ve been a help to them—though I don’t see how it was any trouble!”
Shen Li only smiled and made her way toward the side wing.
In truth, she had been anxious the entire way home. She worried that Auntie Li couldn’t watch them every second, worried that Er-lang might fall out of bed, and worried that San-lang would wake up and cry if she wasn’t there. After all, in her previous life, even the most stoic children she rescued would wail heart-wrenchingly if she left them after only a day.
It was only when she stepped into the room and saw Er-lang lying safely on the bed that her heart finally settled. Seeing he was awake, she gave him a small smile.
“You’re awake? Hungry? We’ll have dinner in a moment.”
At that moment, the setting sun framed Shen Li from behind, bathing her in a warm, orange glow. For a fleeting second, Er-lang dazed, wondering if she was some celestial being descended to earth to save him.
“What’s wrong? Does the wound hurt?” Shen Li asked, waving a hand in front of his eyes.
Er-lang shook his head slightly. How ridiculous—to think she looked like a deity.
“Good,” Shen Li sighed with relief, smiling again. “I’m going to go bring the things in. Dinner soon.”
As soon as she turned to leave, Er-lang glanced at San-lang. The boy had been uncharacteristically quiet since Shen Li entered. He was currently sitting cross-legged, counting on his fingers with a look of deep frustration.
Finally, he looked up and blurted out: “Brother! I think Sister-in-law likes you more! She smiled at you so many times!”
Er-lang’s breath hitched. He turned his head and stared silently out the window.