Mother Lin picked up the gluttonous little Sanbao, who was frightened, and gently patted his back.
"Oh, oh, good grandson, don't be afraid. The river worms can't get out of the fish basket and won't bite my good grandson."
Sanbao pressed his face tightly against his grandma, pointed outside the door, and said, "Grandma, lots of river worms."
Mother Lin carried him outside, "Let's go, Grandma will take you to see how many worms scared my little good grandson like this."
When she saw the dense mass of worms in the basket, she was startled and nearly dropped Sanbao in.
She trembled, "Xiaofeng, didn't you go fishing? How did you catch so many worms?"
Lin Feng smiled, "These are tastier than fish."
"What nonsense. They look disgusting, no one eats them."
"You'll know how good they are once I cook them."
Mother Lin took Sanbao back to cook.
Lin Feng lit a fire in the yard to cook the shrimp.
Dong dong dong.
"Is anyone home?"
Lin Feng knew it was his neighbor, Zhang Xiaoyu, a kind farmer a few years older.
His wife was pregnant, and they loved kids.
Lin Feng opened the door. Zhang stood with a small bag.
"Brother Zhang, what's the matter?"
"My wife heard a commotion. She thought the Feng bullies came again, so I brought some food."
Not all in Xiahe Village were like Zhao the widow or the Fengs.
Some, like Zhang, were kind.
Lin Feng refused, "Thanks, Brother Zhang. The bullies did come, but I beat them away."
Zhang pushed the food into his hands.
"Don't be embarrassed. You beating them? Hard to believe. Just take it, don't let the kids go hungry."
Lin Feng called Lin Hu, who recounted the whole event.
Zhang was stunned.
Lin Feng smiled, "Stay for dinner? My second uncle's here too."
"I need to care for my wife. I'm glad you're okay."
He patted Lin Feng, "You've grown up. If you need grain, just ask."
Lin Feng said, "Thank you. Take care of Sister-in-law."
After he left, Lin Feng peeled the shrimp—heads, tails, shells, veins—and sprinkled salt.
He tasted a few. "Tender and fragrant."
He handed one to Lin Hu, who hesitated.
"No one eats this in the village."
"Being first isn't bad."
Sanbao drooled watching him eat.
Lin Feng called him over and handed him one.
Sanbao took a small bite—his eyes lit up. He ate happily.
Lin Feng held him, and they ate together.
The other kids watched nervously.
Dabao asked, "Third brother, are river worms tasty?"
Sanbao replied, "Not tasty, don't eat."
But he kept eating.
Dabao noticed and tried one—then called the others to eat.
Lin Feng patted Sanbao's head, "Share good food. It tastes better."
"Mm," Sanbao nodded.
Soon, the plate was empty.
Lin Hu tried one, then joined in.
Mother Lin, Lin Feng's uncle, aunt, and wife refused.
Lin Feng didn't force them. Sooner or later, they'd try it.
By dinner, Lin Feng, Lin Hu, and the five kids were full, just drank porridge.
Sanbao kept praising the shrimp.
Chunlan wiped his mouth. "Next time, I'll try them too."
But Lin Feng wouldn't let her—she was still on medicine.
He stored the rest in the tank to eat later.
Too much shrimp wasn't good at once.
After dinner, Lin Hu's family helped clean up and left.
Mother Lin resumed sewing shoes for the kids.
Lin Feng brewed medicine for Chunlan.
She said, "I'm better, I can take it myself."
"Wife, lie down. You're still recovering."
She lay in his arms. He tasted the medicine, then fed her.
It was a bit intimate.
She whispered, "Why not sleep here tonight?"
Lin Feng stroked her hair, remembering the risky birth—almost one corpse and six lives.
"No, let's wait till you recover."
She blushed, gently hit his chest, "Shameless, what are you thinking? Get out!"
Lin Feng hugged her for a bit, then left and placed the shrimp in the tank.
That night, everyone slept.
But Lin Feng stayed up, thinking of the Feng brothers' resentful eyes.
He quietly got up and stood in the yard, cold wind blowing.
"There's no guarding against thieves forever. Better to follow local customs."
He looked at the sky.
The moon hid in clouds—it was pitch black.
"Dark and windy night, a time for murder and arson. The time has come, better to choose a day than to bump into one."