Chapter 112: The Newly Appointed Eldest Brother and Ice Fishing

Aside from acupuncture treatments, Zhou Sinian’s daily routine was quite regular.

In the mornings, he consulted with Liu Dazheng about bamboo basket weaving techniques. Afternoons were spent playing the traditional spinning top game with the children who came to visit, and evenings were dedicated to knitting sweaters.

Among all these activities, Zhou Sinian enjoyed playing spinning tops the most. Though he never said it outright, when the children came to play, a subtle, pleased expression would flicker across his face.

The village children were captivated by Zhou Sinian’s exceptional skill with the spinning tops. Though they still hesitated to speak to the “madman,” they would gather around to watch him play.

When Zhou Sinian brought out his colorful tops, he instantly won the hearts of the children in Liujiawan. Especially when he took out the largest top, one that most children couldn’t even spin properly. He spun it skillfully with a variety of tricks, earning himself a devoted following.

While Zhou Sinian enjoyed himself, he quietly instructed Ming Dai not to lend the colorful chalk to other children; he wanted to be the coolest kid in the village. Ming Dai readily agreed, as long as he behaved, she would grant any request.

When Zhou Sinian went out to play, Ming Dai didn’t follow him everywhere. During the times he stayed home, she prepared herbal medicines or rolled pills in their small space.

Before long, Zhou Sinian had firmly secured his position as the leader of the children in Liujiawan. A group of kids competed to be his little followers, with Tie Dan and Gou Dan from Aunt Huang’s family eventually winning his favor. They would come by every day to call their “big brother” out to play.

Hearing the children call Zhou Sinian “big brother” was disorienting for Ming Dai—the generational hierarchy was completely tangled. She decided to let everyone call him whatever they liked.

The villagers noticed that the “madman” had started playing with the children. Concerned parents would immediately call their kids back inside, locking the doors to keep them from going out. Some more carefree parents allowed their children to watch but forbade them from touching Zhou Sinian, telling them to run if he ever acted aggressively.

Aunt Huang’s family had no objections to their grandchildren playing with Zhou Sinian, especially since Xiao Ming, the educated youth, was nearby watching over them. They even insisted that Tie Dan and Gou Dan address Zhou Sinian as “Uncle” instead of “madman.”

Tie Dan and Gou Dan firmly refused, insisting, “He’s our big brother! Calling him uncle would be wrong!”

Their serious little demeanor amused Aunt Huang’s family greatly, who came to the youth center with the two kids, bringing some homemade pickled vegetables as thanks for Zhou Sinian playing with them.

Zhou Sinian found the two kids a bit tiresome—especially Gou Dan, who often had a runny nose. Yet, among the group of village children, these two were the sharpest and most capable, so he reluctantly accepted them as his little brothers and even gave each a piece of hard candy.

Though the candy wasn’t his favorite, the two kids were overjoyed—it was a symbol of their big brother’s approval.

Soon, because they frequently ran errands behind Zhou Sinian, the two children rose to the top ranks among the village kids.

Zhou Sinian’s condition improved steadily during this time. He became more cheerful and lucid, rarely uttering incoherent words.

Ming Dai adjusted his herbal bath formula and expanded his acupuncture treatments, turning him into a prickly porcupine of needles.

After another snowfall, Elder Liu delivered a letter and package from the capital.

Aunt Niu was very pleased with the local specialties Ming Dai had sent and subtly expressed a desire for long-term cooperation. Ming Dai had no objections; securing a good relationship with Aunt Niu’s family would ensure a steady supply of medicines for her village clinic.

Her offerings were modest and unremarkable—many of the educated youth in the front yard did similar things. For example, Fang Rou, one of the new youth, had also sent out quite a few gifts lately, clearly more than mere presents.

All this information came from Elder Liu, the sole “driver” for trips out of Liujiawan. His news was more reliable than the village gossip at the entrance.

One day, Ming Dai watched Zhou Sinian and the children playing “grabbing stones” at Aunt Huang’s house. Five stones were no longer enough for them; they had moved on to playing with eighteen stones.

Seeing their joyful play, Ming Dai pulled on Aunt Huang, who was repairing shoe soles, and discreetly revealed the open newspaper inside her basket.

Aunt Huang nearly pricked herself with a needle when she saw two thick stacks of banknotes.

With excitement in her eyes, she asked Ming Dai silently. Ming Dai nodded.

“They sent the money directly, but asked me to deliver the goods to Song City after the New Year. Could you help me get an authorization note from your uncle so Zhou Sinian and I can take the items there?”

Aunt Huang’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the basket. “Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen so much money! I’m going to get your uncle right now!”

Ming Dai nodded and covered the basket again.

Soon, Liu Dazhu, who was cleaning the stable, was pulled in by Aunt Huang with a secretive expression.

“What’s going on? I’m not done yet!”

Aunt Huang twisted his ear. “Don’t pretend to be hardworking. What you’re doing isn’t work—it’s sneaking off to smoke your pipe! My son does all the work!”

Caught red-handed, Liu Dazhu rubbed his nose and obediently followed Aunt Huang.

She carefully shielded the playing children, lifted a corner of Ming Dai’s basket, then quickly covered it again.

Liu Dazhu had seen money before and was slightly surprised but immediately guessed it was for buying tiger bone.

Ming Dai repeated the request.

Liu Dazhu considered it. “That’s doable, but he’s a little troublesome. The commune had told us to minimize his trips out. Last time he went to the county, I hid it from them. You should be careful—deliver the goods quickly and return.”

Ming Dai’s eyes flickered and then nodded. “Don’t worry, we won’t dawdle; we’ll be back after just one night.”

Liu Dazhu agreed, “Alright, when the black tiger comes down, your aunt will follow and pick up the goods. When the spring snow melts, you can go.”

Ming Dai nodded.

Liu Dazhu also asked if Ming Dai wanted to go fishing.

She was surprised. “Can we go now?”

Liu Dazhu smiled. “Yes, we checked a couple of days ago. The Jade Belt River has already frozen solid, so it’s good for fishing.”

Ming Dai eagerly agreed. “We want to go! What should we bring?”

Liu Dazhu waved his hand. “No need. Just bring a basket. We have hooks and such at my place. Tomorrow morning, your aunt will call you. Just follow along.”

Ming Dai smiled and looked forward to the trip.

After Zhou Sinian had played enough, the two returned home.

After dinner, Ming Dai took out the sheepskin prepared by Aunt Huang and tailored it into two sets of knee pads.

Both of them were still quite delicate-skinned, so some protection was necessary for fishing on the ice.

Hearing about the fish, Zhou Sinian immediately remembered Ming Dai’s earlier mention of wanting to raise fish in their space.

“Ming Dai, let’s catch some fish to raise.”

Ming Dai thought for a moment. “As long as it’s nearby, I can bring some in using the space. But it’s too conspicuous; we have to wait until no one’s around.”

Zhou Sinian excitedly urged, “Let’s sneak out and do it!”

Ming Dai shook her head. “No, the Jade Belt River is too far. Most of our time would be spent traveling. Remember last time, we went by horse-drawn sled.”

Zhou Sinian looked at his small storage. “We can make a dog sled!”

Ming Dai looked at him in surprise. “Can you borrow a dog?”

He nodded confidently. “Yes!”

Ming Dai grew excited. “Alright! Then borrow one tonight, and we’ll leave early tomorrow!”

Zhou Sinian patted his chest confidently, promising no problem.

Ming Dai then took him to tidy up the pond that had long been used as a bathhouse.

Zhou Sinian insisted that at least one pond be preserved for washing little lambs or something similar in the future.

Ming Dai divided the two ponds into two separate parts.

If the sheep had a bathhouse, why couldn’t she have a swimming pool?

She further divided the two ponds into four parts, one for each of them, perfect!

Because they were going fishing, the two were so excited they couldn’t sleep all night. Zhou Sinian got up and polished the sled again.

Ming Dai imagined all kinds of ways to cook fish, making herself hungry.

Finally, she got up as well, made two bowls of hand-pulled noodles, and they ate before going back to sleep.

Dear readers!
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Today’s update is a hefty five chapters!
I feel like I’ve been emotionally manipulated by you all!