Chapter 5: Uncle

The night had draped half the sky. The summer sunset lingered reluctantly, sinking slowly. As if checking if all its work was done before leaving.

Sang Shen, exhausted, rubbed his lower back. The weeds by the door were cleared, piled on a nearby empty patch.

Once the sun dried them, they could be used as kindling.

Country life was like that: use everything, waste nothing.

The mountain breeze was his best comfort. Like a mother’s hand, it caressed him—cool yet gently warm.

Yin Xing hugged her knees, staring at ants moving by the door. She only looked up when Sang Shen spoke.

“It’s about time. We should head to Uncle’s for dinner. Auntie called this afternoon, insisting we come.”

Yin Xing tilted her head slightly. The breeze lifted her hair, her body swaying lightly with the green rice in the fields.

“…Uh, don’t want to go?”

“…Yeah.”

“Not going’s not great. Uncle’s family’s been good to us… And dinner’s sure to be hearty.”

“Can’t taste it anyway.”

“Uh… even just eating rice is better than nothing. It’s gotta be more nutritious than instant noodles.”

Yin Xing hugged her knees, face pressed to her thighs. She nodded lightly. After a long silence, she forced out two words.

“…Let’s go.”

“If you feel really bad, you can come back early. I’ll explain for you. Maybe… pack some food for you? But I think it’s better if we go together.”

Yin Xing seemed too tired to answer. She gripped the doorframe, standing slowly. She looked calmly at Sang Shen by the door, ready to leave.

“Oh, wait, I’ll change and shower first! Five minutes! I’m covered in grass seeds from weeding, all dirty…”

***

Leaving the house, the sunset still clung stubbornly to the horizon. It mingled with the rising moon in the distance.

On the cement road, their shadows stretched long.

Perhaps tired, Sang Shen didn’t talk much. He walked normally, looking around with a touch of nostalgia.

Yin Xing only watched the road ahead. She ignored the occasional curious glances.

“Do you know what happened to Cousin later?”

Yin Xing stayed silent.

“Uh, if you don’t know what to say… maybe her career? Like, did she really start a family workshop and make money?”

“…She couldn’t.”

“Knew it wasn’t realistic… What about her love life? What’s my future brother-in-law like? Is he good to her?”

“…Not good.”

“Huh, does he, like, hit her?”

“…I don’t know.”

Yin Xing hesitated, shaking her head.

“No.”

“Then what’s it like?”

“Too many problems.”

“Oh, sorry… You tired from walking?”

“Don’t apologize.”

“Sorry…”

Yin Xing stayed silent.

“Ahem, did they divorce later? Or just fight but stay together?”

“Divorced.”

Turning the village path’s corner, Cousin’s house came into view. Yin Xing and Sang Shen slowed their steps in unison.

“She didn’t keep her daughter.”

“Huh… that’s… unexpected. She didn’t like her daughter?”

“She just thought her daughter would live better with her ex-husband.”

“…Feels so… humble.”

“Humble like a man.”

“Maybe we can change that future. Keep her from that husband. Maybe she’ll meet someone she truly loves.”

Yin Xing looked at him deeply. As if explaining was too exhausting, she said nothing.

They reached Uncle’s house.

Even walking slowly, the short distance didn’t take long.

This was Uncle’s new house, built in recent years. It looked grander than the old one but couldn’t stand close inspection. It had that half-rustic, half-modern village style.

The gate facing the road was clean. The walls had blue-and-white striped tiles. The windows used colorful glass like a church.

Before Sang Shen could knock, Cousin’s complaining voice came from inside.

“…So annoying!”

The door was flung open, nearly hitting Sang Shen’s nose.

Seeing him standing there awkwardly, Cousin Sang Rou’s irritation softened.

“Hm? Little guy, you’re here?”

“Yeah, Cousin, I’m here for dinner. What’s wrong?”

“My mom’s making me go to town for pastries. I told her she didn’t say earlier. At this hour, I won’t find any good ones!”

“…Uh, is it because I’m here? Forget it then. Rice is enough for me…”

“Whatever, the food’s just started cooking. I can still make it to town.”

Sang Rou flicked Sang Shen’s forehead.

“The motorcycle’s fast.”

“Oh, be careful. Don’t get into trouble.”

“Say something positive, will ya?”

She rolled her eyes. Suddenly spotting Yin Xing behind Sang Shen, she darted forward excitedly.

“Wow, this your distant cousin? She’s kinda related to me too, right? Calling her cousin’s fine? She’s way too cute!”

The smell of motor oil and sweat hit Yin Xing’s nose. Her brows furrowed slightly.

This body’s sense of smell was far sharper than when she was male.

“Hey, little sis, don’t hide from me! Come on, let me pat you!”

“…Ruo Jie, don’t tease her.”

Sang Shen coughed dryly.

“She’s… in a bad mood.”

“Bad mood? Must be you being too boring. Say some fun stuff, and she’ll cheer up!”

“If only it were that easy…”

“Rou Rou! Hurry up and go buy!”

“Got it!”

Cousin’s lively tone turned irritated again.

“Ugh, always rushing me…”

“Be safe on the road.”

“You guys go in. I’ll be back soon!”

“What’re you standing at the door for!”

“My cousin’s here!”

“They came? Zhong!”

“Come on in!”

Uncle emerged from the house, full of warmth.

“Just come inside. Village life, no need to take off shoes! Sit anywhere! The sofa’s a bit hard. Try the rattan chair, it’s softer!”

Uncle’s sofa was old-fashioned red lacquered wood. No cushions, its only perk was staying cool in summer.

“Want a drink? Cola or orange juice? Oh, there’s sour plum juice too. Your aunt made it this morning. It’s chilled in the fridge. Food’s not ready yet. There’s some biscuits on the table to tide you over!”

“Uncle, don’t be so formal. It’s making me uneasy…”

“Haven’t seen you in years. Gotta welcome you warmly! Was supposed to have you over yesterday, but something came up…”

“No worries, today’s just as good.”

His gaze fell on Yin Xing.

“This your distant cousin, right? What’s her name again?”

“Yin Xing.”

Sang Shen introduced formally.

“Yin Xing, this is Uncle.”

Yin Xing didn’t reply. She nodded weakly and sat on a cleaner-looking rattan chair.

“She’s not much of a talker.”

“Normal, normal. City kids are a bit shy.”

Uncle waved it off.

“Slept okay last night?”

“A bit unaccustomed, ahem…”

“You and your sister share a bed?”

“Nah.”

“So you slept on the floor?”

Uncle, who’d helped clean the house, knew there was only one bed.

“Yeah.”

“We’ve got a foldable bed. It’s small, but better than the floor. Take it later.”

“No need, really… The floor’s pretty nice, actually.”

“Ha, Hong Ye, you’re just like when you were three—always so sensible.”

“Huh? Hong… Hong Ye?”

“Whoops, haha, slipped and called your old name.”

“Uh…?”

“You didn’t forget your old name, did you? You were in elementary school, old enough to remember.”

“Oh, yeah…”

Sang Shen pretended to recall, glancing at Yin Xing, who seemed uninterested.

“I forgot why I changed my name.”

“Your dad said he found a great fortune-teller. Said if you kept his surname, your future would be rough. So you took your mom’s surname.”

Uncle shook his head, sighing.

“Pfft, that fortune-teller was probably a fraud. Maybe changing your name caused the trouble. If you hadn’t, maybe your parents wouldn’t have…”

Sang Shen took a deep breath. He forced a smile.

“If fate could change just because of a name, that’d be nice.”

“Yeah… Shouldn’t talk about sad stuff. It’s rare you’re at Uncle’s. Let’s have a good meal.”

“Yeah, and we can see each other more often now.”

“Ha, not necessarily. I work in the county. Can’t come back every day.”

“What about Auntie?”

“She’s still working in town. Pay’s low. I told her to work in the county with me. We could rent a place together, earn more.”

Then came a flood of tedious family matters.

In Sang Shen’s memory, Uncle was playful when he was young. He’d talk about fun things—catching birds, grabbing crabs, or finding special leaves in the hills that made loud whistles.

But now, his words were all about bothersome trifles.

Life’s pressures had changed Uncle a lot…

Sang Shen couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.