The sunset was blood-red, and smoke curled lazily from chimneys.
At Wang the Carpenter's dinner table, he placed two bowls of stew, one for himself and one for Wang Gensheng.
Gensheng, used to it by now, dug in without a second thought.
Wang the Carpenter, lost in thought, didn't touch his chopsticks, sighing as he gently ruffled Gensheng's hair.
Gensheng, his face smeared with soup, looked up with wide, innocent eyes and asked: "Father, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, my son… it's just that you've been through a lot today."
Gensheng shook his head: "Father, I'm not suffering. I think Qinjia Village is pretty good—better than the town."
Seeing his sensible son, Wang the Carpenter smiled with relief. Thinking of today's events, he nodded: "Yes, it will only get better from here."
After two years of living here without recognition, today, because of Gensheng's fight, he had finally gained approval from Qin Yong and Qin An.
This was a very good start.
With this, the Wang family could finally start to truly put down roots in Qinjia Village.
Yet, there was still a long way to go, perhaps until Gensheng grew up, married, and had children.
Though difficult, for the sake of future generations, it was worth it.
Thinking of this, Wang the Carpenter reminded Gensheng: "Gensheng, from now on, Da Shan, Shuanzi, Zhuzi, and you are sworn brothers. Treat them like real brothers, understand?"
Gensheng thought of Da Tou, the only child who had truly accepted him, and nodded with a smile: "Yes, Father."
…
The moon was bright, the night gentle.
At the northern edge of the village, near the mountains, in the only household there, Qin An called Da Shan to a dimly lit room.
"You know why I called you here?" Qin An asked.
Da Shan lowered his head: "Yes… I fought."
Qin An, irritated, held back his anger, thinking of Qin Yong. He took a deep breath: "Fighting isn't the problem—boys fight. What matters is why and with whom. Think carefully—why did you fight, and with whom?"
Da Shan, confused, stared blankly, unsure what he meant.
Seeing this, Qin An gave up reasoning and spoke bluntly: "Take good care of Da Tou and Gensheng, treat them like your own younger brothers. Get along with Shuanzi and Zhuzi. If they ever get into trouble, you step up to help. Understood?"
"Yes, Father," Da Shan replied.
But of course, he really didn't understand.
Qin An waved his hand: "Go now."
Da Shan, surprised that his father didn't punish him, dashed out gratefully, as if fearing his father would change his mind.
Qin An looked at his son's retreating back and muttered: "Sworn brothers… Wang the Carpenter got lucky. But…"
He glanced at the iron-bamboo arrows hanging on the wall and nodded: "It's fine… this way, we'll never lack arrows."
He stood by the window, gazing southward, whispering: "Qin Yong…" with eyes full of memories, as if transported to his distant youth.
…
Moonlight like water, night serene.
Zhenniang lay awake, tossing and turning. After a long hesitation, she nudged Qin Yong: "Husband… are you asleep?"
Sighing, Qin Yong replied: "With all this noise? How could I sleep? What's wrong?"
"Do you think Da Tou… could he go back to how he was before? Today's just the first day we corrected him, and such trouble already. What if… I don't live to see him grow up?" Zhenniang said anxiously.
Qin Yong laughed: "You're awake at night thinking all this nonsense. It's not as serious as you think. Today's fight went well."
"Fight? What's good about that? Husband, are you just comforting me?"
"You're smart, Zhenniang. I'm not comforting you. There's good in everything. Even a fight—bad on one side, good on the other. Don't you agree?"
"Hmm, yes."
"Take today's fight. The bad side is obvious. Let me tell you the good side."
"Okay, tell me."
"First, Da Tou made his first good friend."
"Yes, Wang Gensheng is clever and sensible, really similar to Da Tou. No wonder they get along."
Seeing her son endure bullying without telling Wang the Carpenter showed his maturity. Zhenniang nodded in agreement.
"Second, it strengthened the bond between the three brothers. They realized they are blood-related, stand together in everything. When an outsider threatens one, they unite. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yes, indeed. When I arrived, seeing them stand up for Da Tou, I was so touched."
"Third, I turned an enemy into a friend. From now on, even if Da Tou doesn't fit in, he has two older brothers, sworn brothers, supporting him. That's a big benefit, right?"
"Ah… so all you did today was for Da Tou. I misjudged you."
He laughed: "Did you think I didn't care? He got hurt, and I'd just let it go? Never."
Zhenniang sighed: "You're always so clever. Anything else?"
"Yes… fourth, Da Tou is now fully accepted among the village children. Even if he's a little different, he won't be excluded."
Zhenniang playfully hit his hand: "Behave! Is there more?"
"Yes… finally, now you don't need to worry about Da Tou so much. And maybe… we should think about having another child… you've always wanted a daughter."
"Ha! Last time you said that, and we got another boy!"
"This time… maybe…"
"Shh… gently… don't wake Da Tou."
End of Chapter