In the afternoon, when the sun was no longer scorching, Old Man Zhan, after resting for more than half an hour, walked out of his bedroom.
Catching sight of his daughter sitting on a small stool, holding an embroidery needle and scraps of cloth, learning needlework, Old Man Zhan's stern and square face softened slightly.
"Dad, you're up." Zhan Feiyu looked up, a big smile appearing on her fair, plump face. Paired with her large, round, dark eyes, she looked much more spirited than the little girls in the village.
Old Man Zhan's large, rough palm patted his daughter's head. "Don't prick your fingers."
Perhaps it was because he never had a son, but Old Man Zhan appeared taciturn and serious. His stern face alone was enough to scare small children into crying.
Among the Zhan family's children, even the eldest son, Zhan Dalang, who was considered superior due to his education, was somewhat intimidated by his uncle. Only Zhan Feiyu was not afraid, and the father and daughter had a good relationship.
Madam Li handed Old Man Zhan the bamboo tube filled with coarse tea on the table. Glancing at the glaring sun outside the door, she couldn't help but remind him, "There isn't much work in the fields, take it easy, don't get heatstroke."
The autumn harvest was over, and it had been a bountiful year. The rice grew well, and every household's granaries were piled high with grain. There was no heavy work left now, only a few acres of vegetable patches that needed tending.
Accustomed to working with his face to the yellow earth and his back to the sky, Old Man Zhan took the bamboo tube. "I'm going."
As Old Man Zhan walked away with his hoe on his shoulder, Zhan Feiyu darted out, her clear childlike voice reaching into the house, "Mom, I'm going to the mountain to pick wild peaches."
"This girl." Madam Li chuckled and scolded her, then put away the small basket containing needles, thread, and cloth scraps.
When Zhan Feiyu reached the hillside behind the village, she heard the sound of chattering and commotion from afar.
Er Niu, with sharp eyes, saw Zhan Feiyu approaching and ran over excitedly. The threads on the patch on his knee had come loose, dangling in the wind. "Xiao Yu, hurry up! The peaches on this tree are all ripe."
Although Zhan Feiyu was a little girl, she held great authority among these children.
Normally, the children would just play around, chasing and running. But Zhan Feiyu was good at telling stories. One day, you're a soldier, and I'm a bandit; tomorrow, you're a big tiger in the mountains, and I'm a big wolf. The same chasing and running became irresistible for the children because of the role-playing.
"Xiao Yu, there are five ripe peaches at the top of this tree. How should we divide them?" Shan Wazi was tanned like a charcoal briquette. After speaking, he tilted his head back to look at the top of the tree. Er Niu and the other children also looked up.
There weren't enough peaches to go around, and everyone was greedy. If Zhan Feiyu hadn't come, the few sturdy and mischievous boys would probably have started fighting.
Following her companions, Zhan Feiyu also tilted her small head, her black hair tied in twin buns, and looked at the top of the tree. Her clear, soft, and sweet voice rang out, "The three fastest runners get one peach each. The last two will be cut in half, and the remaining four will share."
Er Niu and Shan Wazi were quick to react. Comparing the numbers, everyone could get a share, and it was also fun. The two lean, dark-tanned children spat twice into their palms, rubbed them together, and then, with a swipe, climbed the peach tree...
"Got it!"
"There's another red-mouthed one on the left."
"Er Niu, don't snatch, don't push Shan Wazi off."
Listening to the shouts of her companions below the tree, Zhan Feiyu, thinking of the saliva-covered peaches, lost all appetite.
A moment later, a race began, with the entrance to the Zhan family's courtyard as the finish line. The shouts of six or seven mischievous children could be heard throughout the entire village.
"They're all not afraid of the sun," an aunt passing by shook her head with a smile.
Er Niu and Shan Wazi shouted and rushed forward, followed by three or four others. Only Zhan Feiyu followed leisurely behind.
When Er Niu and Shan Wazi won with an absolute advantage, Zhan Feiyu also arrived, and the group rushed into the Zhan family's large courtyard.
"Xiao Yu, hurry and divide the peaches."
"I want to drink water, my throat is parched."
The Zhan family had an old well in their courtyard. Er Niu, who was already eight years old, picked up a wooden bucket and dropped it in. After hauling up half a bucket of water, the sweaty, mischievous children gathered around with a splash. Water splashed everywhere, and the five peaches were also thrown into the water bucket to be washed clean.
"So noisy, Xiao Yu, you guys go play outside!" Zhan Dalang opened the window and cursed with dissatisfaction.
Zhan Dalang considered himself a scholar, but looking at Er Niu and the others frolicking all over the mountainside, Zhan Dalang's eyes turned red with envy. He wished he could tear up all the books on the table. What good was reading!
"Big Brother, we're having a competition. Whoever runs the fastest gets to eat the peaches." Zhan Feiyu's clear and cheerful voice sounded. She turned her head and showed a big smile.
"Xiao Yu, I'm first, I'll pick first!" Er Niu grabbed the biggest and reddest one and took a bite. With a crunch, juice splattered everywhere. Er Niu smacked his lips, eating as if it were a celestial peach.
After Zhan Feiyu took two peaches into the kitchen to cut them and brought them out, Madam Yao, the younger wife, walked out from the left side hall.
Looking at the group of children gnawing on peaches, Madam Yao hadn't said anything yet, when San Lang rushed out, staring longingly at the half peach in Zhan Feiyu's hand. "Sister."
"San Lang, that's Xiao Yu's, don't be greedy." Madam Yao pretended to scold her younger son.
Although the two children were the same age, Zhan Feiyu was small, short, and plump, with her black hair tied into little buns. Coupled with her big, round, dark eyes, she looked as tender as a baby.
Moreover, her eldest brother and sister-in-law were the main pillars of the Zhan family. Madam Yao was not so shallow as to covet half a peach. On the contrary, she was quite fond of her niece, Zhan Feiyu, at least in her words.
"Here, for you." Zhan Feiyu, not greedy, handed the peach over.
San Lang snatched the peach and stuffed it into his mouth. His movements were so fast that his fingernails scratched Zhan Feiyu's little chubby hand, leaving two red marks.
"Xiao Yu, San Lang is only two months younger than you, don't spoil him. Did you win this?" Madam Yao's smile became more genuine. She hadn't heard clearly from inside the house earlier; it was mainly because the six or seven children were all mixed together, talking over each other.
"Second Aunt, I ran the fastest, so I won." Er Niu puffed out his sturdy little chest. With a peach in his mouth, he almost drooled when he spoke.
Madam Yao listened to the whole process of the competition and peach-eating from the babbling of Er Niu and Shan Wazi. Her eyes flickered shrewdly, and the smile on her face, dotted with freckles and dark spots, deepened.
Zhan Feiyu drew some more water and squatted by the wooden bucket to wash her hands. She glanced up at her second aunt, her plan half-successful.
Summer days darkened late. After dinner, villagers usually came out to cool off, either by the stream at the village entrance or under the large banyan tree in the center of the village. However, tonight, after clearing away the dishes, the Zhan family members did not come out.
"Mother, I've been thinking that both Er Lang and San Lang want to study, but the family can't afford the tuition. In September, we can only send one to the private school. Why don't we have the children compete, and whoever is smarter will enroll first? Next year, we can go to the county to find odd jobs, and when we earn some money, we can send all the children to the private school."
As soon as Madam Yao said this, the Zhan family members who had gathered at noon fell into deep thought.
Old Man Zhan took two puffs of his dry pipe and nodded in agreement. "This method is good."
They were all grandsons of the Zhan family, and it made no difference whether Er Lang or San Lang went to the private school. However, Old Man Zhan did not want the second and third branches to quarrel over this matter again. There were already some rifts, and if another dispute arose, the family would have no peace, and it would be a laughingstock among the villagers. A competition for enrollment was the fairest way, and the loser would have no grounds to complain.