For thirty years, he has roamed the Northeast, his divine might overwhelming all immortals under hea

As I pushed open my familiar, slightly chipped wooden gate, carrying a bulging nylon net bag on my back and a wine barrel and pork tied with hemp rope in my hands, the sun was already high in the sky, shining brightly into the yard.

"Father! Mother! I'm home!"

I shouted it out.

The door creaked open, and my mother, wearing an apron and with flour still on her hands, peeked out and saw it was me. Her face immediately lit up with joy, and she hurriedly wiped her hands on the apron before coming out to greet me.

"Oh my thirteen! You're finally back! How did it go? Is that matter resolved?"

I was carrying large and small bags, but my mother didn't seem to see me; she only asked about that matter.

My father also came out of the house in his cotton-padded shoes, wearing an old cotton-padded coat, with a worn-out pipe in his mouth.

"Your mother asked you, why didn't you say anything?"

"It's all done. Boss Zhao even gave me an extra 1000 yuan."

"Mom, I bought all of these. Look, I also bought Dad some wine and cigarettes."

I smiled broadly, after all, this was the first time I had ever bought anything for my home.

"Wasting money! You spend it all as soon as you earn a little, don't you know how to save? All you do is waste money!"

"You still need to get married!"

"Mom, what are you saying? Why do I earn money? Isn't it so I can live a better life?"

"Besides, do I really need that much money to get married?"

"Didn't Old Wang say he didn't want a bride price?"

"Thirteen, even if they don't want it, we still have to give it to them. That's called etiquette; we can't be careless about manners."

"Your mother is right, Thirteen. Marriage is a big deal, and the bride price can show a family's attitude toward the matter."

My dad was smoking and squatting by the door. I took the opportunity to put the alcohol and cigarettes in front of him. My dad didn't say anything, but there was a feeling on his face that he wanted to laugh but was trying his best to hold it in.

My mother touched the dark blue polyester fabric again and again, her smile lines deepening.

"This fabric is thick and the color is just right, it'd be great for a cover-up... Oh, and this bed sheet is good too, it's durable... And you even bought face cream? What a waste of money, what's the point of putting anything on my old face..."

But she couldn't bear to put down the tin box of face cream.

Seeing the steamed rice cake and the chubby piece of pork belly, he was overjoyed and kept talking about it.

"Good, good, good! My Thirteen knows how to care for people now! This meat is so fresh, we'll stew it at noon! Thirteen, go quickly and call Xiulian and her father over! We'll have a good meal today, let's all have a good time!"

Should I go and call Xiulian? My face felt a little hot, and I rubbed my hands together.

"Mother, this...this isn't appropriate, is it? Maybe they already have food at home..."

"What's inappropriate about it!"

My mother playfully slapped me.

"What's the relationship between our two families? We're practically going to become in-laws! What's wrong with having a meal together? If you go, do you think they won't come? Hurry up! The meat's ready to cook!"

My dad also took a puff of his cigarette and mumbled something.

"Go ahead and call him. Your Uncle Wang is a straightforward man who doesn't complain. It's perfect timing; we haven't had a proper drink since what happened last time. You bought the meat, so inviting him along is perfectly fine."

With no other option, I had to put the red scarf I bought for Xiulian in my pocket and grit my teeth and head west.

The sunlight was so bright it made the snow almost blinding, and my heart was pounding like a rabbit inside me.

Xiulian's yard was tidy up, and the firewood was stacked neatly.

I had just pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate when Huang Dalang's voice suddenly rang in my mind, carrying a rare hint of wariness:

"Hmm? Thirteen, wait... something smells off in this courtyard, it's a bit... raw. Be careful."

My heart skipped a beat, and I unconsciously slowed my pace.

The smell is off? I sniffed hard, but apart from the crisp air and the usual smell of firewood and earth, I couldn't smell anything else.

But I dare not disregard what Brother Dalang said.

I heard a slight noise coming from inside the house, so I went to the door and called out.

"Uncle Wang? Xiulian? Are you home?"

The curtain was lifted, and Xiulian peeked out. She was wearing a slightly worn floral cotton-padded jacket and a headscarf. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat in the room. When she saw me, her eyes lit up instantly, a hint of surprise flashing across them, followed by a touch of shyness.

"Thirteenth Brother? You...you're back from the county town? Come inside, it's cold outside."

How did you know I went to the county town?

"I heard from my dad yesterday that you went to the county town on business."

"Come in quickly."

I didn't say anything and followed her into the house.

The room was warm and cozy, the fire in the stove hadn't completely died down, and it seemed like they were preparing to cook something in the pot, but Xiulian was all alone.

"Where is Uncle Wang?"

"My dad said early this morning that he was going to the village entrance to meet an old acquaintance. He said it was an old friend he used to work with when he was young. He was coming back from out of town and was stopping by to see him."

As Xiulian spoke, she swept the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) with a broom.

"Thirteenth Brother, please sit down. Have you eaten? I'm about to start, or else..."

"No, no!"

I quickly waved my hand, then remembered what I was doing and pulled out the neatly folded red scarf from my pocket. The scarf was soft and a true red, which looked particularly bright even in the dim light of the room.

"Um... Xiulian, I came back from the county town and brought you... a scarf. Do you... like it?"

I handed her the scarf, my palms slightly sweaty.

Xiulian's face flushed even redder, like a ripe apple.

She glanced quickly at the red figure, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice barely audible.

"Thirteenth Brother...why...why did you spend this money...this...this color is too bright..."

Despite saying that, she still took it, her fingertips gently brushing against the soft cashmere, her eyes filled with undisguised joy.

"It's not flashy, it will definitely look good on you."

I chuckled sheepishly, and looking at her, the tension in my heart dissipated considerably, replaced by a warm feeling.

Just then, the outer courtyard gate creaked, and footsteps and voices could be heard.

"I'm back!"

Xiulian quickly stuffed the scarf into her pocket and turned to go out to greet them.

The curtain was lifted again, and Xiulian's father walked in first, followed by an old man.

The old man looked a bit older than Xiulian's father. He was wearing a slightly worn navy blue cotton coat and a Lei Feng hat. His face was quite wrinkled, his eyes were slightly squinted, and he didn't have any particular expression. He just looked a bit... stiff, and his walking movements seemed a little stiff.

"Thirteen's here?"

When Xiulian's father saw me, he gave me a simple smile and pointed to the old man behind him as he introduced me.

"This is an old buddy of mine who worked on the dam when I was young. His surname is Chen, you can just call him Uncle Chen. We haven't seen each other for many years, and he was passing through here, so he made a special trip to see me."

I quickly called out.

Uncle Chen.

Uncle Chen raised his eyelids, glanced at me, grinned, and smiled, but didn't say anything, only nodded.

That smile... how should I put it, the curve was fairly standard, but the eyes didn't seem to move much, it looked a bit strange.

"Thirteen, is there something you need?"

I quickly explained my purpose.

"Uncle Wang, my mother asked me to invite you and Xiulian to my house for lunch. I bought some meat and started stewing it. My father also said he'd like to have a couple of drinks with you."

"Oh, I can't accept this..."

Xiulian's father rubbed his hands together.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Uncle Wang. It's already stewing; it would be a waste if you didn't come."

Xiulian's father thought for a moment, then glanced at Uncle Chen beside him and said to Xiulian.

"Alright, Xiulian, you go with Thirteen, I'll go with Uncle Chen. Uncle Chen doesn't come often."

"Thirteen, tell your dad that someone's come to our house. Next time I'll buy some good food and invite your dad over."

"Okay, Uncle Wang!"

I nodded.

Xiulian responded, went inside to get a coat and put it on, then quietly touched the pocket containing the red scarf before coming out with me.

I walked out of the yard and followed the path towards my house.

Xiulian walked beside me, her head slightly lowered, and I could see the small shadows cast by her eyelashes on her cheeks.

My heart was racing. After hesitating for a long time, I mustered up my courage and gently took her hand.

Her hands were a little cold, small, and soft.

When I pulled her, she trembled slightly and lowered her head even further, but she didn't pull away and let me hold her hand.

This was the first time I had ever held a girl's hand. I felt both nervous and sweet inside, like I was holding a jar of freshly shaken honey water, bubbling away.

In the midst of this rare, slightly dizzying sweetness, Huang Dalang's chilling voice once again slammed into my mind, carrying a heavy tone:

"Thirteen, stop being so smug! That old Chen guy in the house just now... he was acting strangely!"

My heart tightened, and I unconsciously gripped Xiulian's hand tightly.

"What's wrong, Brother Dalang?"

"That old bastard, he's got a spirit but no soul!"

Huang Dalang's voice was resolute.

"The way he walks, the way he looks at people, the way he reacts—it all exudes an emptiness! Like a wooden block being pulled along by a string! Just a manipulated shell! That fool of your father-in-law brought this thing into the house, and he thinks it's a good buddy!"

A body with a spirit but no soul? A shell controlled by someone?

The hairs on the back of my head stood on end, and the stiff smile and empty eyes of Uncle Chen from just now instantly became clear in my mind.

The sweet atmosphere was instantly replaced by an inexplicable chill.

"Thirteenth Brother, why are your hands so cold?"

I was taken aback for a moment, and then I said.

"Ah, it's nothing, it's probably just the wind."

But I didn't notice that the wind had stopped sometime ago.

"Xiulian, let's go. My mother probably thinks the meat will be mushy by now."

As we spoke, Xiulian and I quickened our pace.

When Xiulian followed me into my courtyard, the aroma of stewed meat filled the entire yard, and steaming white vapor wafted out from the cracks in the kitchen window, carrying a comforting, homey scent.

"Auntie, Uncle, I'm here."

Xiulian stood at the doorway, her voice soft and tinged with shyness.

My mother was stirring the pot with a big iron ladle when she heard the noise. She leaned out halfway and her face lit up with a smile.

"Oh my, Xiulian's here! Come in, come in! It's cold outside, but the kang (heated brick bed) is warm! Thirteen, what are you standing there for? Pour Xiulian a bowl of hot water!"

My father also came out from the inner room and invited Xiulian to sit on the kang (heated brick bed).

Xiulian took off her shoes, sat sideways on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and placed her hands neatly on her knees. My mother handed her a bowl of steaming brown sugar water. She took it, sipped it slowly, but secretly glanced around the room.

The windows were bright and clean, and although the furniture was old, it was neatly arranged. The kang (heated brick bed) was burning hot, and a thin layer of condensation covered the windowpanes.

"Mother, Uncle Wang's family has arrived, they can't come anymore."

"Look at the mess this has made! Sigh, Old Wang still didn't get his way!"

My mother was setting the bowls and chopsticks on the table while muttering to herself.

"Thirteen, go and bring up the steamed rice cake first, so Xiulian can have something to eat."

I responded and went to the inner room to take out the rice cake wrapped in oil paper, then unwrapped it and placed it in the center of the kang table.

The golden pastries emitted a sweet aroma. I broke off a small piece and handed it to Xiulian. She blushed as she took it, but held it in her hand without eating it immediately.

"Thirteen, that kid, he buys all sorts of things recklessly as soon as he earns a little money..."

My mother scolded me, but her hands never stopped. She brought out braised pork belly with glass noodles, pickled cabbage with pork, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and a small dish of homemade pickled radish, one dish at a time. The pork was stewed until tender, the glistening broth coated the translucent glass noodles, and the pickled cabbage absorbed the meat juices, giving it a fragrant and sour aroma.

My dad opened the bottle of liquor I bought and poured it into two small wine cups. The aroma of the liquor mixed with the smell of meat, making my stomach rumble.

"Come on, Xiulian, don't be shy, this is your home."

My father picked up his wine cup and gestured to me.

"Thirteen, your Uncle Wang didn't get to drink this wine, let's have a toast together."

I quickly picked up my own cup, gently clinked it with my father's, and the spicy liquid slid down my throat, carrying a warm current straight down.

This was the first time I'd ever drunk with my dad; the liquor was incredibly strong.

Xiulian looked at me, smiled, and then took a small bite of the rice cake.

"Auntie, your cooking smells delicious."

Xiulian picked up a piece of pickled cabbage with her chopsticks and said softly.

"Eat as much as you like! It's the time when you're growing!"

My mother kept piling meat into Xiulian's bowl, the streaky pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat piled up like a small mountain.

"Thirteen, you eat too, don't just look!"

The atmosphere gradually warmed up.

My father asked Xiulian about the preparations for winter vegetables at home and whether there was enough firewood. Xiulian answered him one by one, and her voice gradually grew louder.

My mother then went on and on about the embarrassing things I did when I was little, like climbing a tree to steal a bird's nest and getting stuck in the branch, or being lazy and not wanting to gather firewood so she dug a hole in the woodpile and hid inside to sleep. Her words made my face burn, but Xiulian listened with her eyes crinkling, glancing at me every now and then. Her eyes were full of laughter and a little curiosity, which made my heart feel both itchy and warm.

Huang Dalang remained silent, but I was on edge.

What he just said about Uncle Chen felt like an ice ridge piercing my heart, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the warmth in the room.

I can't help but wonder what Uncle Chen, who is "spirited but soulless," and Uncle Wang, who is honest and simple, are doing in Xiulian's house right now.

"Thirteen, what are you daydreaming about? Get some food for Xiulian!"

My mother gently tapped the edge of my bowl with her chopsticks.

"Huh? Oh!"

I snapped out of my daze and quickly picked up a piece of the most tender stewed meat with my chopsticks, placing it in Xiulian's bowl. Xiulian's face turned even redder, and she whispered something.

"Thank you, Brother Thirteen."

They lowered their heads even further.

Just then, a series of unhurried footsteps came from the courtyard, followed by a knock on the door.

It's not banging on a door, but the kind of tapping with your knuckles. The sound isn't loud, but it carries a kind of rigid rhythm.

"Who is it? Coming!"

My mother wiped her hands on her apron, responded, and got off the kang (a heated brick bed) to open the door.