Chapter 19 - Mustn’t Skimp on the Gifts (1/2)

Chapter 19: Mustn’t Skimp on the Gifts

Xue Dongting set the dragon saliva incense down gently and found a set of Song Yuming’s old clothes. The coarse hemp carried his manly scent. She blushed despite herself and quickly took its measurements and got to work outlining on the new bolt of cloth.

Before she knew it it was noon. Song Yuming had not yet returned. She went to the kitchen and heated up some food. When she was done she continued cutting out and sewing the garments.

The winter afternoon was long and chilly, but the fisherman’s little cottage was warm and cheery. Xue Dongting threw on a coat and sat by the little brazier. The fire was going good in the brazier so she set her sewing aside and went to the kitchen and got some rice and set the congee pot on the brazier to cook slowly. By the time Song Yuming got home the congee ought to be about ready.

Steam roiled from the edge of the wooden pot lid. Xue Dongting kept lifting it up to prevent it from boiling over. Every time she lifted the lid she caught a heady whiff of the rice. She was at peace. The banalities of daily normal life were really pleasant.

Near dusk she heard the heavy clomp of footsteps outside. It made her inexplicably happy. She opened the door to see Song Yuming carrying two large fish and a few packages of sweets as he stepped into the courtyard. “You went fishing?” she said curiously. You can still catch something on such a cold winter day?”

Song Yuming dropped the writing fish into a bucket of water and smiled. “I got lucky and caught two today. Winter fish are particularly plump.” He held up the packages of sweets. “I got someone going to town to bring these back. Tomorrow when I take you back home we can bring the fish and these along with us. Madame Qiao might not think much of them, but we mustn’t skimp on the gifts.”

Xue Dongting went “Mm” and took the packages. She was really grateful. She didn’t expect him to be so conscientious.

Song Yuming took off his straw raincoat and hung it on the wall outside and he and Xue Dongting went inside together.

He gazed at the pot of congee on the brazier and nodded, smiling. “That’s a good idea.”

“Did you eat lunch?” she asked.

“I ate some with Old Zhao the helmsman, and had a few drinks to warm up. Not to worry.”