Coming to the Door

Soon enough, the rabbit was neatly cleaned and put into the pot.

There weren't many spices at home, so the cooking was simple—just some old ginger and coarse salt, stewed in an earthenware pot.

Luckily, the wild rabbit was plump and fresh, its meat firm. As steam rose, a tempting meaty fragrance gradually filled the whole house.

The meat was stewed until tender and falling apart. Mother Lu filled a large bowl to the brim, even adding a plump, tender rabbit leg.

She handed the bowl to Lu Chuan and instructed:

"Chuanzi, take this bowl to Sister Chunfang's house while it's hot. They gave us grain when we were at our worst—we can't forget that kindness."

Lu Chuan didn't argue.

Taking the bowl, he headed toward the Zhao house.

The Zhao place was a bit tidier than the Lu home. Lu Chuan knocked on the wooden door.

"Who is it?" came Uncle Zhao's wary voice from inside.

"Uncle Zhao, it's me, Chuanzi."

The door cracked open, revealing Uncle Zhao's gentle face:

"Oh, it's Chuanzi. So late, what's up? How's your father doing..."

He trailed off mid-sentence as his eyes landed on the fragrant bowl of rabbit meat in Lu Chuan's hands.

"Uncle Zhao, I got lucky today and caught a rabbit. My mother told me to bring this bowl over—for Auntie and the kids to try, and to thank you for the grain this morning."

Just then, the rest of the Zhao family, drawn by the commotion, gathered at the door.

Aunt Zhao was wiping her hands on her apron, while two half-grown boys clung to the doorframe, their eyes fixed on the bowl of meat.

Zhao Chunfang was among them. Seeing Lu Chuan, her eyes lit up, and her voice carried a relieved cheerfulness:

"Brother Chuanzi, you're back from the mountain? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, doing great." Lu Chuan nodded at Chunfang, then turned back to Uncle Zhao.

"Uncle Zhao, please take it. My family's waiting for me to eat too."

Uncle Zhao looked at the bowl of meat, a mix of embarrassment and emotion on his face.

Finally, he took the bowl: "Chuanzi, look at this... we only lent you a few catties of coarse grain. How could this warrant such a big bowl of meat? This... this is too much. You should keep it for yourselves—your father needs the nourishment..."

Lu Chuan waved his hand, his tone sincere: "Uncle Zhao, don't say that. You know better than I do what times these are. Grain is precious."

He spoke the truth.

In famine years, grain prices soared, and sometimes even silver couldn't buy life-saving food right away.

For the Zhao family to spare their own rations while struggling themselves—that was a rare kindness.

Besides, without that meal, he might not have made it through on the mountain, let alone caught any game.

Uncle Zhao's eyes grew warm at the words:

"Alright, good kid. Your parents are blessed... Then I'll shamelessly accept this. Thank your parents for me."

"Sure!"

Lu Chuan replied, turned, and hurried back home.

Back at the house, the corn porridge on the stove was done.

Lu Chuan was starving, his stomach practically touching his back. He picked up his bowl and gulped down the porridge.

The corn porridge, paired with the tender rabbit meat, became a rare delicacy.

The rabbit was stewed until it fell apart, savory on the tongue. The only pity was the lack of fat—if it had been a fatter rabbit, they could've rendered some lard to save for later.

The meal was devoured in a whirlwind.

Most of the rabbit meat ended up in Lu Chuan's stomach.

He knew his parents were holding back, wanting him to eat more.

He tried to persuade them a few times, but it was no use, so he let them be and ate his fill.

The meat settled in his stomach, warmth spreading from his gut to his limbs.

After the meal, Mother Lu cleared the dishes. The only sound left in the room was the crackling of the firewood.

The family of three gathered around the still-warm hearth, thinking they could finally get a good night's sleep.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A violent pounding on the door suddenly rang out.

Then, a sharp, shrewish woman's voice pierced into the house:

"Lu Danian! You black-hearted lot, get the hell out here!"

The peace inside shattered instantly.

Lu Chuan's head snapped up, his eyes sharp.

"That's... Xinghua's Mother's voice... What's going on?"

Mother Lu and Lu Danian exchanged bewildered looks, utterly confused by the shouting outside their door—they still knew nothing of the clash at the village entrance earlier that day.

Lu Chuan knew he couldn't hide it. His voice heavy, he said, "Father, Mother, they're here for me. When I came back this afternoon, I ran into Xinghua at the village entrance."

He gave a terse account, quickly recounting how Xinghua had demanded the golden pheasant, then tried to snatch it by force, and how he'd blocked her and ended up slapping her.

"Too damned bullying!" Lu Danian finished listening, trembling with rage. He struggled to get out of bed again. "They steal from us and still dare to play the victim? Do they think I'm already dead or what?!"

But it only triggered a wrenching fit of coughing.

Mother Lu quickly steadied him, frantic and furious. "How... how can they be like this? They're the ones who were unreasonable!"

"Father, don't get worked up. Your health comes first." Lu Chuan pressed his father down. "This started because of me. I'll handle it."

"What nonsense?!" Lu Danian glared. "Your mother and I aren't dead yet! How can we let a kid like you take the lead?"

"Father!" Lu Chuan's voice hardened. "If you go out now, what good will it do besides making yourself sicker? Trust me. Leave it to me."

Seeing the steady resolve in their son's eyes, both of them froze.

Lu Chuan said no more. He turned and pulled open the door.

Outside, centered around Xinghua's family of three, a crowd of villagers had already gathered to watch the commotion.

Xinghua's father, Lu San, was a burly, broad-shouldered farmer, his face ashen.

Xinghua's mother, Lu Qinshi, was known village-wide as a sharp-tongued shrew. She stood with her hands on her hips, spittle flying as she ranted.

Xinghua herself cowered behind her mother, one side of her face still red and swollen.

She squeezed out a few well-timed tears, putting on a perfect show of grievous wrong.

But in Lu Chuan's eyes, he clearly saw the smugness and venom beneath.

"Neighbors! Come and look! Come and judge for yourselves!"

As soon as Lu Chuan stepped out, Lu Qinshi launched her attack.

She yanked Xinghua forward, pointing at the swollen cheek.

"Look! Open your eyes and look! This is what that Lu boy did!"

"My Xinghua is an innocent, pure girl. She just turned down his advances, and what does he do? Can't take rejection, so he beats her this badly! Is there no justice anymore?!"

The words were incendiary.

The gathered villagers erupted in murmurs, heads bent together.

"Oh dear, he really hit her? That slap mark's no joke..."

"I'd heard Chuanzi had a thing for Xinghua before, but I didn't think he'd be this extreme..."

"Wouldn't have guessed it. Lu Chuan always seemed so steady, but he hits that hard?"

The tide of public opinion quickly followed Lu Qinshi's lead, and accusing stares began to fall on Lu Chuan.