Chapter 26: Mixiang Courtyard, sworn brotherhood
As soon as the griddle on the new stall was firmly set up, the first rays of sunlight slanted across the surface, baking the batter to a golden hue. Xiaoyanzi squatted beside the bamboo basket, helping Liu Hong arrange the jars of freshly made pickles. The aroma of sesame seeds and sauce lingered in her nostrils, and she suddenly clapped her hands, as if remembering something important.
"That's right!" She stood up, her skirt sweeping across the broken grass on the ground, and looked at Liu Qing and Liu Hong with bright eyes, "Don't always call me Miss Fang, it sounds strange. My nickname is Xiaoyanzi, my parents and elder brother all call me that, you can call me that too!" As she spoke, she tilted her head playfully, and the red rope on her braid swayed with the movement.
Liu Hong was stunned for a moment, then smiled brightly. "Little Swallow? What a nice name! Just like you, lively and energetic!" She took Little Swallow's hand and shook it, the calloused skin on her palm rubbing against the back of her hand, feeling warm. "Then I'll call you Little Swallow from now on!"
Liu Qing also scratched his head, a shy smile on his dark face: "Xiaoyanzi, that sounds familiar." He handed over the freshly made pancake, "Fresh out of the oven, with double the sesame seeds."
Xiaoyanzi took the pancake and took a big bite. The warm aroma of the flour mixed with the sweet crunch of sesame spread in her mouth. She mumbled, "Delicious!" As she spoke, she caught a glimpse of servants standing at the corner of the street carrying two cloth bags. She waved at them and said, "Those are the things I asked the servants to bring. Can you help me get them?"
The servant stepped forward and placed the heavy cloth bag on the open space beside the stall. Xiaoyanzi untied the rope, revealing bright white rice and fine noodles inside, along with two bags of brown sugar and dried fruit. "These are for the grandparents and children in the compound," she pointed to the bag, her tone softening. "I passed by yesterday and saw smoke coming out of the chimney in the compound late at night. I thought they might be running low on rice."
Liu Hong opened the rice bag, and a few snow-white rice grains rolled out. Her eyes suddenly became hot, and she quickly turned her head and wiped them with her sleeves: "Xiaoyanzi, you...how can you be so thoughtful?" The old people in the slum always saved rice for their children, and they often ate dry and hard steamed bread themselves. She had never said this to outsiders, but Xiaoyanzi saw it.
Liu Qing was also stunned, his hand holding the batter spoon still in mid-air. He had seen many rich young ladies, either spoiled or distant, but Xiaoyanzi was the first one who genuinely cared about the well-being of the courtyard. His Adam's apple moved, and after a long pause, he whispered, "How can we thank you..."
"What are you thanking me for?" Xiaoyanzi waved her hands, her cheeks flushed with the heat of the pancakes. "I love the hustle and bustle of the compound, I love my grandparents telling stories, I love the kids chasing each other. Besides—" She leaned forward, her voice low but filled with excitement, "You and I hit it off the moment we met. It feels like we've known each other for a long time. I think... why don't we become sworn brothers? From now on, we'll be siblings, family!"
"Sworn brotherhood?" Liu Hong's eyes suddenly lit up, and she held Xiaoyanzi's hand tighter. "Is it really possible? We...we are just setting up a stall, and you are..."
"Identity doesn't matter!" Xiaoyanzi interrupted her, tapping her own chest with her fingertips, then pointing at Liu Qing and Liu Hong. "Closeness in heart is what matters most! My parents always say that when making friends, you look at the heart, not family background. You're kind-hearted and loyal, so I, Xiaoyanzi, will accept you as my brothers and sisters!"
Liu Qing looked into Xiaoyanzi's sparkling eyes, which contained no trace of disdain, only genuine longing. He clenched his fists, a flush on his dark face. "Okay! Xiaoyanzi, from now on, you are my sister, Liu Qing! If anyone dares to bully you, I will be the first to say no!"
"And me!" Liu Hong puffed out her chest, her braids swinging straight up. "From now on, you'll be my real sister. I'll make pancakes for you for the rest of your life, with double the sesame seeds!"
As they were talking, they heard the laughter of children in the courtyard in the distance. A few half-grown children ran by carrying firewood on their backs. When they saw Liu Qing, they shouted, "Brother Liu! Sister Liu Hong!" Xiaoyanzi smiled and waved at them, grabbing a handful of dried fruits from the cloth bag and handing them over, "Take this, it's sweet!"
The children took it timidly, and seeing her gentle smile, they chirped and thanked her, then ran away skipping and jumping. Liu Hong looked at this scene, and suddenly remembered something. She nudged Liu Qing and said, "Brother, have you forgotten? Xiaoyanzi just said that you are good at martial arts!"
Liu Qing scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "I only know some farming skills, not that good."
"Don't be so modest!" Xiaoyanzi raised her eyebrows and patted her waist - where the small dagger Xiao Jian had prepared for her was hidden. "My elder brother taught me a few self-defense techniques, but he always said that I wasn't good enough. If you don't mind, can we have a sparring match when we have time in the future? Let me learn some real skills!" As she spoke, she imitated Xiao Jian's way of making a starting posture, but her arms were not straightened, causing Liu Hong to laugh out loud.
"Okay!" Liu Qing's eyes lit up. Jianghu people loved to exchange martial arts skills. Looking at Xiaoyanzi's agile appearance, he no longer felt reserved. "After we close the stall, there's an open space behind the compound. I'll teach you some practical moves so you can protect yourself if you encounter bad guys."
"It's a deal!" Little Swallow held out her hand, palm facing upward. "Then it's settled! Find a sunny day, buy three incense sticks, and bow to the heavens and the earth. Then we'll be family!"
Liu Qing and Liu Hong exchanged a glance, each seeing warmth in the other's eyes. Liu Qing extended his broad palm, and Liu Hong placed her warm hand on top. The three of them folded their hands together, the warmth of their palms radiating through their skin, like holding a warm fire.
In the distance, a waiter at a teahouse called out, "Excellent Longjing tea!" Steam rose from pancakes nearby. Sunlight shone on the three people's faces, stretching their shadows long and tangled. Little Swallow, looking at Liu Qing's innocent smile and Liu Hong's radiant eyes, felt a sudden sense of relief. Life in the capital, with family, friends, and the daily life, was truly wonderful.
Hiding beneath the old locust tree on the corner, Xiao Jian watched his sister and the siblings smile with smiles, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist. The wind rustled through the leaves, and a faint smile played at the corner of his mouth. This girl always managed to make her life lively and cheerful. As long as she was happy, let her cherish this friendship in the city.
Smoke gradually rose from the courtyard's chimney, mingling with the aroma of pancakes and drifting into the sky. Little Swallow helped Liu Hong carry the rice and flour to the courtyard's gate. Looking at the smiling faces of the elderly people who came out to greet them, she suddenly felt that the sunshine in Beijing was a little warmer than that in the south of the Yangtze River.
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