"Little sister, I know you were upset for a while, but things will get better."
Xu Nian'an thought Xu Nianhua was just embarrassed to admit she tried to end her own life in the lake, so he said that deliberately. And with the way she was smiling now, it was honestly kind of creepy.
Xu Nianhua's smile grew even brighter. She replied, one word at a time, "Second Brother, I really didn't jump into the lake."
"You aren't going to say you thought it was hot and just wanted a cold bath, are you?" Xu Nian'an raised his eyebrows, clearly not believing what Nianhua said.
"Second Brother, how could I bear to leave Mom and Dad, or you and Big Brother?" Xu Nianhua's voice was soft and gentle, but not weak. It had a tenderness to it. Her eyes flickered, and she said, "I just accidentally fell in."
As for what she saw on the back hill, Xu Nianhua didn't mention a thing. After all, she couldn't quite remember who was with whom, anyway.
"By the way, Second Brother, why did you come over?"
Xu Nianhua countered.
"And you have the nerve to ask." Xu Nian'an was still feeling shaken. He said, "Little sister, if I hadn't come, would you be in one piece?"
Xu Nian'an stood up, draped his white shirt over her shoulders, leaving himself in just a vest. He crouched in front of her and said, "Come on, let's go home."
Home.
Xu Nianhua suddenly burst into tears. She clung tightly to the white shirt and said, "Second Brother, I can walk by myself."
"Hurry up, don't catch a cold."
Xu Nian'an urged her, not moving to stand up.
Xu Nianhua carefully leaned onto his back. His back was broad and steady. He carried her, every step sure and firm. In her memory, Big Brother and Second Brother always carried her everywhere. Whether it was her brothers or her parents, they'd always cherished her most. She wouldn't let anyone hurt them!
The Xu Family lived in Shuangzhu Village. The village got its name from two big bamboo groves here. The people built their homes by the streams, leaning against the mountain. The houses, though old, nestled unevenly among the hills. Looking down from halfway up the mountain, smoke curling from the kitchens shrouded the homes, giving them a peaceful feeling.
"Little sister?"
Xu Nian'an noticed Nianhua on his back was unusually quiet. He couldn't help but call softly. Turning to look, he found she'd fallen asleep. Maybe it was just his imagination, but he felt her back was like a furnace, baking his own.
Xu Nian'an picked up the pace. His sister fell into the lake—he didn't want her catching a chill.
"Little sister, we're home now." Xu Nian'an spoke softly to Nianhua once they'd reached the house.
"Second Brother?"
Xu Nianhua opened her eyes in a daze. She only felt burning all over, answered vaguely, then shut her eyes again.
Xu Nian'an reached out to check. Her forehead was frighteningly hot. He carefully set her back on the bed and hurried straight to the fields to find their mother, Ji Ying.
It was July. Early rice had just been harvested, and the Xu Family was working the fields, preparing to plant late rice.
Xu Nian'an was supposed to help in the fields, but Ji Ying and her husband were worried about Xu Nianhua, so had him stay home to dry the rice. When the rice was dried, he hadn't seen his little sister, so he went to look for her.
Ji Ying heard Nianhua had fallen in the lake and now had a fever. She rushed back from the fields immediately. Xu Nianhua on the bed was burning with fever and confusion. Ji Ying gazed at her daughter with aching love, brought out what little fever medicine herbs she had at home, brewed them and fed them to her. Only then did she anxiously ask Xu Nian'an, "Nian'an, do you think Nianhua really just accidentally fell in the lake, or...?" Couldn't bear it anymore?