Chapter 335: The Stove

It was still dark outside.

The Yan Family’s rooster was crowing again, loud and shrill!

This little rooster, which had cheated death more than once, made a point to assert its existence every day.

As if it sensed constant danger looming ahead, it treated every crow as if it might be its last.

It screeched with all its might, straining every feather.

Yan Lao’er dragged himself out of the warm bed with great effort, threw on his clothes, and climbed off the kang. He’d only taken a few steps toward the backyard when the rooster seemed to sense something and instantly fell silent.

Splashing cold water on his face, Yan Lao’er woke up completely.

Yan Yu had already dressed and gotten up as well.

She suddenly remembered she should pack extra paper for her dad.

Since they made some themselves, there was no need to buy any in Crouching Tiger City. It would save money.

Yan Xiangheng was up early too. After freshening up, he began loading his things onto the ox cart.

Daya bustled around, helping with everything inside and out.

“Dad, they don’t have a kang at the Government Office, so I brought you a little stove. You can connect the pipe yourself,” Yan Yu said, pointing to the ox cart. “And charcoal. I packed two bags for you to use first, and I’ll bring more later.”

“One bag is enough. Don’t bring too much,” Yan Lao’er replied. “Your big brother and I will be staying where your uncle used to live. The space is small, and we can’t cram in a lot of stuff. Besides, we’re there to study, not move house.”

Yan Yu realized he had a point, so she only took down one bag of charcoal.

She did a final check and, seeing nothing was missing, went back inside to tie up her father’s quilt with a hemp rope, folding it neatly into a square.

Then she did the same for her brother’s.

Tossing them onto the cart, she still felt it wasn’t enough, so she added their pillows too.

Yan Lao’er: …

“We’re taking all this. What will we sleep with when we come back?”

His daughter looked like she was trying to pack them off completely…

“We’ll just make new ones, what else?” Yan Yu kept working, tying everything down tightly with hemp rope.

Granny Rong called everyone to eat.

Each person got a warm bowl of goat milk and a freshly steamed bun. They’d also boiled a dozen or so eggs. Whatever they couldn’t finish, they could take with them.

Li Xuemei was the last to get up. She handed Yan Lao’er a wooden box.

Daya smiled and passed a box of the same size to Yan Xiangheng.

“Hehe! Mom asked Uncle Qi Wu to rush and make these book chests. They hold brushes, ink, books, inkstones… and can double as lunch boxes if needed,” Yan Yu explained.

Yan Lao’er grumbled, “Why bother with wooden ones? It’s a lot of extra work. Don’t you already have your little schoolbag? I can just use that.”

But his arms clutched the box tight as he lifted the lid to inspect it. It was clear he really liked it.

Yan Yu thought to herself, What are you going to do carrying my little schoolbag?

Going to school demands a proper look.

Uncle Qi Wu had put a lot of effort into the book chests. They had to be spacious but not heavy; the top and sides opened, with clear compartments inside. The bottom layer even had a hidden compartment. The craftsmanship was meticulous.

Yan Yu pointed out the secret compartment for her dad and brother.

Both of them were pleasantly surprised.

Yan Lao’er immediately wanted to stash money inside.

But after a second thought, he changed his mind. Too risky. Better to keep it on his person.

Dawn was beginning to lighten the sky.

Yan Lao’er turned to his wife and niece. “You two head back. It’s cold outside. Go lie down a bit, catch a little more sleep.”

Li Xuemei nodded, struggling to hold back a laugh.

She pulled Daya back into the house.

“Hurry up, hurry up, what if someone in the village sees us later?” Yan Lao’er urged.

Yan Yu wrapped herself tightly and climbed into the front seat of the ox cart to take the reins.

“Dad, Big Brother, cover your heads and faces properly. We’re heading out!”

Yan Xiangheng let out a sigh. “Xiao Er, take it slowly. No need to rush.”

“Don’t worry, Big Brother!” Yan Yu replied cheerfully.

…

Yan Yu sped along the road like the wind.

By the time they reached Crouching Tiger City, the gates had just opened.

Yan Lao’er showed his face for entry, and the ox cart rolled smoothly into the city.

When they arrived at the side entrance of the government office, the uncle and nephew clambered down from the cart, legs trembling.

As soon as Yan Xiangheng felt solid ground beneath his feet, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

Xiao Er’s driving was way too fast!

The two men helped straighten each other’s hair and smoothed out their long robes.

This was why Yan Yu had driven the cart.

As scholars, the two needed to preserve their appearance. It was their first day at the County School, and they wanted to make a good first impression on the teachers and fellow students.

Yan Yu had a great memory. After just one visit, she already knew how to get around.

She parked the ox cart, then hurried the two men inside.

“Go through this door and just head straight until you pass a courtyard. Then turn left. When you see a row of offices, turn right. Go to the end, and you’ll find a small courtyard. That’s the County School.” As she spoke, she used her hands to gesture the directions.

Yan Xiangheng was impressed.

“I need to go to the west side gate. It’s closer to my uncle’s place,” she said, waving to the two of them. “Don’t worry, I’ll settle in just fine. If you get lost after class, just find someone in the office area and ask for directions. The clerks in the Judicial Office are pretty friendly…”

Yan Xiangheng was amazed!

“Uncle, Xiao Er’s only been to the government office once, right?”

“She’s got… quite a memory,” Yan Lao’er said, picking up his book box. “Let’s go and see if her directions check out.”

“Yan Lao’er, just follow what that girl of yours said and you’ll be fine,” said the gatekeeper with a smile. “The east gate here is the closest route to the County School. If you can’t find your way later, come find me, I’ll take you there myself.”

Yan Yu drove the ox cart to the west side gate.

She pulled out five copper coins, but after a moment’s thought, put three back.

“Brother, I’m from Registrar Yan’s family. I came today to drop off my dad and big brother at the County School. Could I trouble you to let me in so I can put away some things?”

The girl acted with practiced ease, handing over a paper-wrapped parcel with a bright smile. “These are dried apricots my family made. They’re really sweet. Give them a try.”

The gatekeeper casually accepted it, immediately noticing the copper coins hidden inside.

He couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“I recognize you, you’re Registrar Yan’s niece, right? You came by not long ago. We’re all family here, so what’s with the formality?” He returned the coins and kept only the apricots.

“I’ll take the apricots, now get on in. You know where the stables are, don’t you? Park the cart there. If you see someone free, give them a shout and they’ll help you move things. I can’t leave my post, so I won’t see you off.”

With that, he opened the gate and stepped aside from the threshold.

Yan Yu blinked. She had planned to carry everything in trip by trip, but now that she could drive the cart straight in,

even better.

Familiar with the place, she found the stables easily and tied the ox cart securely.

She didn’t need anyone’s help and moved everything back and forth on her own.

By the time she finally got all the things settled inside the house, only then did the scattered voices of the constables drift in from outside.

Looked like the morning shift had just arrived.

After setting everything in place and opening the doors and windows to let in some air, Yan Yu found herself with nothing left to do.

She tried connecting the iron duct pipes, extending them all the way to the window.

Just as she was about to hook them up to the stove, she saw someone walk in.

Looking up, she saw it was her dad.

“Dad, you’re done with class already? That was fast!”

“Got there too early,” Yan Lao’er said with a complicated expression. He’d told her to slow down, but of course she had to rush.

“Your big brother and I were the first to arrive. Not a soul there. We finally bumped into one classmate who said it’d still be a while. Your brother stayed to check the class schedule, and I hurried over to check on you.”

As he spoke, he finished connecting the stove and pipe, placing the exhaust vent by the window.

“What’s the hurry setting this up?”

“I want to warm up the room. No one’s lived here for days,” Yan Yu replied.

Yan Lao’er let out an “Oh,” then lit the stove and tossed in a few lumps of charcoal.

“That’s good enough. Just leave it alone,” he said. “You go on home now, girl. No need to have your mother worrying.”

Yan Yu couldn’t help but feel a little reluctant to leave.

“Dad, be sure to stay on good terms with the gatekeeper. Makes it easier for me to drop things off later.”

Yan Lao’er said, “No need to come so often. Once every two days is fine.”

Yan Yu: …

Once every two days isn’t often?!

“Well, I’m heading out then.”

“Alright, go on, go on.”

Yan Yu was just about to leave.

“Where’s that smoke coming from? It’s… it’s… huh? What is that?”

The two of them looked at each other.

They rushed out to explain.

Yan Lao’er said, “It’s alright, it’s alright, I just lit a stove to warm the place.”

Outside, someone stood holding a bucket of water.

Soon another person came. Then another…

Each carrying either a bucket or a tub of water.

“Where’s the fire? Where is it?”

Yan Lao’er could only keep explaining over and over.

Yan Yu, without an ounce of loyalty, slipped away while no one was watching…

(End of chapter)