Liu Ergou was Liu Tiezhu's cousin, just seventeen this year. The kid was famously stubborn in the village, never budging on anything. After their eldest brother passed away in the past life, Liu Ergou bustled around tirelessly, treating his family exceptionally well. Eventually, he went to town and became a gang leader, often sending money back to his sister-in-law.
"What's up, Ergou? Come in quick." Liu Tieshan opened the door and pulled Liu Ergou toward the main hall.
"Tieshan, my dad's coughing up blood." As soon as Ergou sat down, he spoke urgently.
Coughing up blood? Hearing this, Liu Tieshan and Liu Tiezhu's faces instantly changed. Coughing up blood at a time like this was no good sign. The village was six kilometers from the town hospital. With no transportation, carrying someone on their backs would take at least an hour.
"What happened? How could Uncle suddenly cough up blood?" Liu Tieshan wrapped on his army coat and asked anxiously.
"My dad couldn't sleep from the cold tonight, so he drank some *shaodaozi*..." Before Liu Ergou could finish, Liu Tiezhu cut him off.
"Uncle must have a stomach issue. Big brother, grab two bamboo chickens, and let's hurry over." He figured Uncle was too hungry to sleep and tried drinking to pass out. But *shaodaozi*, a strong liquor at 52 proof, on an empty stomach would damage the stomach.
Liu Tieshan didn't hesitate, grabbed a flashlight, and handed it to Liu Tiezhu, telling him and Liu Ergou to go ahead while he fetched the bamboo chickens.
Uncle's house was a tiled three-bedroom, one-hall place less than fifty meters away by the field. As Liu Tiezhu entered, he heard Uncle coughing violently, with a large pool of blood on the floor—a terrifying sight.
"Ergou, go pick some mugwort from the yard right now." Liu Tiezhu instructed, then quickly walked to the bed and helped Uncle sit up. Uncle's condition matched his guess: drinking on an empty stomach had caused stomach bleeding. But it wasn't too severe; stopping the bleeding and getting some food in him would likely fix it.
Ergou soon returned with mugwort, his face already pale, clearly shaken by the scene. Seeing this, Liu Tiezhu kicked him: "What are you standing there for? Mash the mugwort into juice."
"Oh, oh, I'm on it." Ergou nodded repeatedly and hurried out to mash it. Soon, he came back with half a bowl of mugwort juice. Liu Tiezhu took the bowl and poured the juice into Uncle Liu Tian's mouth.
Just then, big brother Liu Tieshan arrived, also startled by the blood everywhere. "Tiezhu, no good—we need to carry Uncle to the hospital." Liu Tieshan's legs trembled as he spoke panickedly.
"No, Uncle can't handle the jostling now. Kill those two bamboo chickens, make broth, and cook porridge with it." Liu Tiezhu instructed, then straightened Uncle up and gently massaged him.
Half an hour later, Uncle's complexion returned to normal, and he regained consciousness. By then, the porridge was ready, and the bamboo chicken was shredded into the bowl.
"Uncle, have some porridge to warm your stomach." Liu Tieshan brought in the square table from the hall, placing the chicken and porridge on it. Liu Tian, ravenous by now, grabbed the porridge and wolfed it down.
In half an hour, Liu Tian had six bowls of porridge and then ate a whole chicken. But he was only half-full; seeing his nephew and son watching, he stopped.
"Tiezhu, thank goodness you came in time, or I'd have lost my life tonight." Liu Tian sighed, looking helpless. Months of heavy snow had eaten up most of his stored grain. To save some for the New Year, he'd been eating just one meal of thin porridge a day for the past month.
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand: "Uncle, we're family—no need for such formality. Don't drink on an empty stomach anymore; it's really bad for your stomach."
"Tiezhu, I won't hide it from you—this snow disaster... sigh..." Liu Tian sighed and laid out their current plight.
After listening, Liu Tiezhu thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, have Ergou start following me hunting tomorrow." The mountains were rich in resources; an extra hand would save some effort and bag more game.
Hunting? Liu Tian was stunned: "Ergou doesn't know anything."
Liu Tieshan said, "Uncle, don't worry. Tiezhu knows the ropes; Ergou just needs to help out. The day before yesterday, Tiezhu caught dozens of bamboo chickens, and today he got a coyote and two masked palm civets."
Hearing this, Liu Tian and his son's eyes lit up.
"Tiezhu, I'm strong and can carry heavy loads. Take me into the mountains tomorrow. I know where the roe deer are—I'll show you." Liu Ergou said excitedly. Catching dozens of bamboo chickens, a coyote, and civets in two days showed Liu Tiezhu's hunting skill was top-notch. If he could follow his big brother hunting, he'd never go hungry again.
Liu Tiezhu said, "Ergou, prepare a short knife and a sack. Also, bring a lighter and wear a thick coat. Come by at eight tomorrow morning." The mountain temperatures were much lower than in the village; protection was key.
After discussing the mountain trip, it was past ten at night. Seeing it was late, Liu Tieshan called Liu Tiezhu home.
The next morning, the yard gate was pounded loudly. Huang Xiumei, cooking breakfast in the kitchen, thought it was Liu Ergou and quickly opened the gate. As soon as it opened, Liu Yusheng slipped in and shut it behind him. The move startled Huang Xiumei, and she cried out.
"Sister-in-law, don't shout—it's me. What's that smell from the kitchen? What are you making?" Liu Yusheng rubbed his hands, staring at Huang Xiumei with a lecherous look.
"Yusheng's brother, what are you doing here?" Huang Xiumei stepped back, timid.
Liu Yusheng was notorious in Liujia Village as a lecher, skilled in swindling, cheating, gambling, and everything else. Someone like him showing up meant no good; Huang Xiumei had no fondness for him.
"Sister-in-law, what do you mean? I'm here to see my brother-in-law, Tiezhu. I'm hungry—bring out whatever's in the kitchen to serve." Liu Yusheng was blunt, heading straight for the west hall.
Just then, Liu Tieshan and Liu Tiezhu woke up. Seeing Liu Yusheng, they exchanged glances, both displeased.
"Brother-in-law, I'm a bit short on cash lately. Give me three bucks." As soon as he saw Liu Tiezhu, Liu Yusheng asked for money without preamble.
Hearing this, Liu Tiezhu's face turned cold. "Liu Yusheng, do you think I'm an ATM? Judging by your look, you were gambling again last night, weren't you?"
Seeing Liu Tiezhu so disrespectful, Liu Yusheng's face darkened, and he slammed the table. "Liu Tiezhu, what's your deal? Don't you want to marry my sister anymore? Can't even spare three bucks? Then forget the wedding."
"Forget it, then. Who cares?" Liu Tiezhu wasn't about to indulge Liu Yusheng. Liu Yuru wasn't a good woman anyway; marrying her would be a disaster. Besides, the Liu family was asking for an outrageous bride price of thirty-eight bucks and eighty cents. Even if he could afford it, he wouldn't waste that much money bringing home a princess.
"Fine, fine, you bastard. You said it—don't come crying later." Liu Yusheng was furious, pointing at Liu Tiezhu's nose.
Liu Tiezhu opened his mouth to retort but was pulled back by his brother.
"Yusheng, don't be mad. Tiezhu's young and doesn't know better—don't take it to heart. I'll get you the three bucks right now; just wait." Liu Tieshan said, moving to fetch the money.
"Which ear did you hear me say three bucks? I said eight." Liu Yusheng pushed his luck, then turned to Liu Tiezhu. "If you can't come up with the money today, don't even think about marrying my sister. Step one foot into the Liu house, and I'll break your leg."