Li Jianguo woke Li Long up.
Hearing his older brother's voice outside, Li Long climbed up from the heated brick bed and answered. He rubbed his eyes, scrubbed his face with his hands, and began getting dressed.
He really didn't want to crawl out from under the covers-the stove had gone out, and the room was cold. Only the bedding was warm. Outside, the temperature had dropped to thirty below zero; just thinking about it was miserable.
But Li Long knew he couldn't slack off if he wanted a better life. Time was precious now. If he didn't work hard to seize his opportunities, no one would wait for him after the New Year.
After getting dressed, he went to the West Room and saw that his sister-in-law had already made breakfast and was bringing it to the table. Li Juan and Li Qiang weren't up yet.
"Why not have your brother take you to Stone City?" Liang Yuemei said as she set out the chopsticks. "You two could look out for each other."
"No, no." Li Long waved a hand. "That would be too much trouble. My brother still has fish to catch here. I know my way around Stone City."
Li Jianguo didn't think a strapping young fellow would run into any trouble going to Stone City, either. Li Long hadn't told his family about the time he and Tao Daqiang had been robbed on the road.
After breakfast, Li Long wrapped the two pieces of jade in cloth, put them in a urea sack, and slung it over his back. Liang Yuemei handed him his shoulder bag.
"There are white-flour steamed buns, two pieces of lamb, and two pieces of pickled vegetables in here. Eat them on the way if you get hungry. Drink the warm water