Gu Zi had just been thinking it was time to buy the kids a few new outfits—perhaps something cozy for the colder days ahead. She called out for them to get ready for a quick shopping trip.
But before they could even get their shoes on, someone knocked at the door.
The sound of little feet pattering across the floor echoed through the house. "Da-da-da"—that was Su Le, the youngest, rushing to answer it. She pulled the door open with a sense of occasion that only a child could muster and asked, quite seriously, "Granny, who are you here to see at our house?"
Gu Zi came up behind her, curious. Standing at the doorway was a woman in her early fifties, bundled up against the wind, cheeks red from the cold.
Gu Zi recognized her immediately. She was from the Zhao family that had moved in just two days ago. Everyone around here already called her Aunt Zhao, the way small towns always bestowed familial titles to newcomers they liked.
Seeing Gu Zi, Aunt Zhao beamed. "Ah, Gu Zi, dear! We’re having a pig slaughter feast at our house today. Come over with the whole family! Also... is your husband home? We could use an extra hand to help with the butchering."
As she spoke, Aunt Zhao glanced around, half-hopeful. She’d only seen Su Shen once, but once was enough. That man was tall, broad-shouldered, and gave off the unmistakable aura of someone who could lift a full-grown ox without breaking a sweat.
Their family pig, which they’d bought earlier in the year, weighed over five hundred jin—it was practically a baby bear. They’d planned to send it to the slaughterhouse, but a snowstorm the night before had sealed the roads like something out of a movie: no one could get in, and no one could get out.
So now, the pig had to be dealt with at home.
Unfortunately, the Zhao household was short on able-bodied men. That meant borrowing some help from the neighbors—something of a tradition here, really. Besides, it was the perfect excuse to host a feast and further settle into the community.
Aunt Zhao had done her homework. Word on the street was that the Su family had become something of local celebrities ever since their dog helped crack a decade-old case. Peace had returned to the area, and it was all thanks to them—quite the heroic reputation.
Not to mention, Su Shen had apparently arranged for the road outside to be paved and even had the alleyways redone. Everyone spoke highly of them. Of course, if you were going to host a feast, how could you not invite the Su family?
Gu Zi chuckled inwardly. This was practically Su Shen’s old profession calling. How amusing. She wondered if Su Shen was out of practice—hadn’t wielded a butcher’s knife in so long, maybe he’d forgotten which end was which. But, alas, he wasn’t home yet.
"Is it today?" she asked politely. "My husband hasn’t returned. If it’s today, I’m afraid he won’t be able to help."
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