“Wake up, Fan’er![1]” a feminine voice broke his dreams.

He shut his eyes tight and moaned in reluctance, “Not now! I’ll wake up just a few breaths[2] later!”

“Mom made steamed buns. If you don’t wake up, you’ll miss them!”

He jolted awake and sat upright like an arrow. He looked at his older sister with sparkling eyes, “Really?”

His sister covered her mouth with a hand and laughed, “Yes, now wash up!”

He took off the quilt covering him and stood up. He stretched lazily as he took in the warmth of the early sun. Once he less groggy, he turned around to see his sister staring at him with her round black eyes.

“Are you done staring?” It was a daily thing for him, so he wasn’t fazed. He walked to the door as he said, “Wasn’t staring at my sleeping face enough?”

“But you look so pleasing and cute!” his sister still hadn’t stopped.

“You should say that to big brother Shi instead of me,” he shook his head.

“You-!” his sister instantly turned red as an apple. She swiped at him with an angry look, “Get over here!”

He giggled and ran away. Leaving out the backdoor, he came up to the well and drew out some water. Wetting his hands with water in the pail, he wiped his eyes and face. He looked around and saw that he forgot to bring the cloth he used to wipe down. He shook his hands to get rid of the excess water and walked back to his house. Opening the backdoor, he headed into his house.

His house wasn’t that big; the smallest sized Chinese Quadrangle[3]. It didn’t need to be big. It was enough for a family of five and was just within the budget of a middle-class merchant like his father. Walking through the halls, he came across the door to his younger sister’s room. She was just five this year, no need for her to wake up so early in the morning. Yang Yunfan walked past her room and into the bathroom inside the house and got his cloth. Cloth in hand, he walked back from where he came from and again went to the well at the back. Wetting the cloth, Yang Yunfan wiped himself down. No longer feeling groggy or dirty, he wrung the water out of the cloth and walked to where the clothesline was put up, and let the wet cloth dry up.

After he was done, he walked back into his house and went straight to the dining room. The dining room was joined with the kitchen and that’s also where he saw his mother cooking. His mother, Luo Mengmeng[4] was a gentle and motherly looking woman. Her greying black hair and wrinkles were a testament to her aging self. Even though she was in her forties, she was a great beauty in the past according to his father. Well, Yang Yunfan disagreed; she was a beauty regardless of age.

And her beauty was inherited by her daughter and his older sister, Yang Xin. Now, at the age of 16 which was considered to be an adult in this world; she had numerous men who wanted to court her. Yet all of them were heartbroken when she got herself a lover; he was the ‘big brother Shi’ Yang Yunfan teased his sister with.

“Mum, are the steamed buns ready?” Yunfan sat down at the table.

“Yes, yes, you gluttonous child.” His mother came out of the kitchen with a plate of steamed buns. Steam rose from them as proof of being freshly cooked. Yang Yunfan gulped so that he didn’t drool at the salivating sight.

“Is there any soybean milk with it?”

“I’ll bring it, just eat!” his mother laughed. He heeded his mother’s instructions, and took a bun and bit down on it. The juices of barbequed pork inside flowed inside his mouth.

“Mm!” he moaned in delight. It was truly tasty! He looked around but didn’t see his older sister. Looking at his mother who also sat down at the table, he asked, “Mum, where’s big sis?”

“Xin’er has already finished eating and ran to Shi Hao.”

Yang Yunfan laughed but said nothing. Just remembering how he accidentally caught them holding hands and their faces when they saw him was enough to keep him entertained for the next week. However, after a stern talking-to from his mother, he did not disturb them on their dates again.

He had finished the bun in his hand and took another. As he was about to bite down on it, he saw his mother staring at him as she ate. He sighed; this was also a daily occurrence. It would be somewhat fine if it was just his family but the others in the village would stare at him as well. They said it was ‘calming’ and ‘pleasing’. His first visit to the village was alongside his mother to purchase some vegetables. That was a few years ago. Back then, he would be scared and creeped out by the stares. He would hide behind his mother’s dress and clutch it hard. But now, he was used to it. They could stare all they want as long as they didn’t cause problems. Though the feeling of being watched like an animal in a zoo would never be normal, at least he could cope with it.

“Go wake Ju’er up!” his mother said.

“Fine,” Yang Yunfan got up and left the dining room. He headed straight for his younger sister’s room. Gently opening the door, he peered inside. On the small bed, he saw his sister wrapped up in her quilt; fast asleep. Her soft rhythmic breathing hadn’t been interrupted even as he walked inside. He slowly walked up to her and shook her.

“Ju, get up,” he called but there was no response. He shook her and called out to her again, “Come on, it’s already morning. Ju, get up!”

She turned his back to him and moaned a negative response. Yang Yunfan went to the other side of the bed so that he faced her front.

“No more sleeping! Wake up!” he called out again and slowly took the quilt off her. Warm sunlight fell on her face. She had a round face, full of baby fat. Traces of both their father and mother could be seen. It seemed as though she’d grow up into a great beauty.

Her eyes scrunched up and her arms went around his neck as she grabbed on. Yang Yunfan sighed, “You know, you’re five this year. You’re getting heavier and heavier for big bro to carry you.”

Yang Ju moaned stubbornly. Understanding that she wouldn’t let go, Yang Yunfan grunted and picked her up. Her legs coiled around his waist as she rested her head on her shoulder. With his sleepy younger sister in his arms, he walked out of the room and went to the well again; this time to wash her up.

Yang Yunfan sighed when he saw he had to draw water with her in his arms again. She gained this habit from her baby days and it still hadn’t changed. He had drawn water like this countless times but as she grew older, it became harder and harder. Grunting as he exerted force, he drew water. Putting the pail full of water on the ground, he walked to the clothesline and got the cloth he used for wiping. It was still a bit wet but would do the job just fine. He looked at the drooling girl who was sleeping on his shoulder wondered how she didn’t wake up with all the movement.

He went back to well and wetted the cloth in the water. He gently dabbed the cloth on her face. “Mmn!” she moaned in annoyance as the cold water came in contact with her face.

“Ju, get up! It’s already morning!” he called out once more as he washed his sister’s face. This time, she groggily opened her eyes and looked around. Seeing her big brother, she greeted, “Ju'er is hungry!”

Yang Yunfan chuckled as he sat down cross-legged on the ground. He propped her up on his lap and kept washing her face. “I know, I know,” he nodded, “But mum won’t let you eat until you finish washing up. So, be a good girl and let me wipe you.”

She hummed a response and quietly sat on her brother’s lap as he finished washing her face. After he was done, he instructed, “Raise your arms!”

She raised her arms above her head and Yang Yunfan took off her pajama shirt. He wrung the wiping cloth, removing the dirty water, and wetted it again. This time he wiped her body. She shuddered when the cold water came in contact with her skin and let out a childlike cry. Yunfan felt her smooth skin which had a ton of baby fat in them. After he was done, his sister put his arms around his neck again.

“Again?” he sighed. His sister hummed a response. He shook his head and picked her up again. Just like before, he wrung the cloth and put it on the clothesline before walking into the home with Yang Ju in his arms. He took her into the dining room where his mother was still seated. When his mother saw his sister in his arms, she said with a stern tone, “Yang Ju, stop bothering your brother! You’re already five; how long will you act like this?”

Yang Ju let out a stubborn cry as she clung to her brother even harder. Yang Yunfan’s expression softened as he pacified his mother, “Come on now, mum. She’s only five now. If she doesn’t act childish now, then when will she?”

“Hmph! It’s because you spoil her that she acts like this!” his mother stopped speaking and continued eating. He walked to the dining table and sat his sister on a chair. Luo Mengmeng’s lips crept up as she saw this scene. Regardless of what she said, it always warmed her heart to see her children so close to one another.

Yang Yunfan put two steamed buns on Ju’s plate and sat down on a chair himself. There was a jug of soybean milk on the table which he poured into a porcelain mug. He was quietly drinking his milk when his mother asked, “Have you finished the work your father gave you?”

He shook his head, “No, I still have a page worth of problems remaining.”

“You should hurry up. Your father will come back tonight,” his mother advised.

Yang Yunfan’s eyes lit up, “Really? Father’s coming back from Lianyi Town tonight?”

“Yes, yes, his work is done!” his mother smiled. “He’ll come back tonight; so go finish what he gave you!”

“Okay!” Yang Yunfan stood up, “It’s just math, isn’t it? It won’t stop me!”

He drank the remaining milk in one gulp and left the dining room. Yes, his father gave him math problems to do; specifically those related to finances and accounting. His father, being a merchant himself, naturally wanted his son to inherit his business. Thus, he made Yang Yunfan study from childhood. Being nine this year, he has shown above-average capabilities. His father although proud of him didn’t let him get complacent and kept on giving him even harder problems to solve. Aside from mathematics, his father taught him calligraphy whereas his mother taught him rites[5] and music.

Yang Yunfan went back to his desk and put the flute away. He took the stack of yellowish paper which had math problems written on them. He took the last page which was unfinished and started working on it. It took him a month to complete all the math problems in the stack; just like his father intended.

“Mr. Shui bought 10 jins[6] worth of rice for 5 silver taels[7]. How much is 5 jins of rice? One member of his family consumes 2 jins of rice in one month. If Mr. Shui has four members in his family including himself, then how much rice will be consumed by them in half a month?" Yang Yunfan repeated the question as he tried to calculate. Taking a blank paper, he started calculating.

The currency people here used was taels. There were 3 kinds of taels- gold, silver, and copper. 100 copper taels were equivalent to 1 silver tael and 100 silver taels were equal to 1 gold tael. Daily necessities were cheap as a copper tael could purchase two loaves of bread.

After a while, his eyes lit up, “Aha! The first answer is 2 silver taels and 50 copper taels, and the second answer is 4 jins of rice!” Like this, he solved the other math problems and time flew by quickly. By the time he was done, the sun was close to setting. Doing fifty math problems in one sitting was no joke! After he was done, he stretched. As he saw the position of the sun in the sky, he took up his brush again.

“I guess I should start copying now!” Resolving himself, he took another blank piece of paper and started copying the questions on them without the answers. He was doing this for his sister.

Yang Yunfan knew his father wasn’t an opinionated person. He was a rather rational person. If not for how society viewed women, he’d allow Yang Xin to inherit his business if she had exceptional capabilities. But he knew that people would discriminate if a woman were to run a business. They’d try to fool her and if that didn’t work, use brute force against her. This went for both his employees and business rivals. Other than this, his oldest daughter didn’t have the shrewdness required to run a business. She was quite the carefree person; a bit optimistic really. She wouldn’t be able to handle the dark and filthy side of society.

This was a fact known both by his father and him. His father knowing this didn’t try to make his sister learn mathematics, so, his mother would teach her rites and the zither. But just because his father wouldn’t teach his sister, that didn’t mean Yang Yunfan wouldn’t. She already knew two of the Six Arts[8], which already raised her value as a marriage candidate. As such, the Shi family whose family head was Sergeant didn’t oppose her love with Shi Hao. So, if she truly became proficient in mathematics which was highly regarded in the Six Arts, they might want to push for the marriage themselves. Shi Hao was already making results and is on the verge of being promoted to Corporal which came with benefits as well.

Like his father, Yang Yunfan was a rational person. He knew the upsides of his older sister’s union with Shi Hao. A military backing was nothing to scoff at. It would undoubtedly make their father’s business flourish. He saw that his sister loving Shi Hao had no downsides. But as rational as he was, as much as he looked at the pros and cons; it ultimately depended on how Shi Hao treated his sister. If his sister was treated badly, then regardless of the outcome, he’d try to talk his sister out of the relationship. His sister’s happiness comes first, the business is second. Though his father might be disappointed in him if he knew what he was thinking, Yang Yunfan believes that his father might also have the same train of thought as him.

Actually, his father too sought his siblings’ happiness. If not, then his mother’s sacrifice of leaving her clan would amount to nothing. His parents knew firsthand what would end up happening to lovers who were unwillingly separated because of their families.

As he finished copying the questions, the sun had already set. Yang Yunfan got up and walked out of his room with the question paper in hand. He heard sounds of talking from the living room. He walked towards the noise but placed the paper on a nearby table before entering. Inside the living room, he saw his sister with her lover Shi Hao talking and laughing with his mother with his Yang Ju on her lap.

“Oh, big bro Shi! When did you come?” Yunfan asked as he took a seat. His mother was seating in one of the main chairs; so, he was sitting directly opposite Shi Hao and his older sister.

“Just now! I’m here to drop Xin off,” Shi Hao said with a smile. He had black irises and long black hair that was done in a ponytail, sword blade-like eyebrows, and a fit body from his military training. He had a high nose and a somewhat oval face. It was quite a match with his sister who had a round face and willow leaf-like eyebrows. Her black hair cascaded down her waist like a waterfall. She had a good figure; though not a great figure like his mother.

“Oh?” noticing his choice of words, Yang Yunfan exclaimed, “You’ve already started calling her ‘Xin’? Next marriage and a baby, I suppose?”

“You-!” his sister blushed up to her ears.

“Haha!” Yang Yunfan laughed.

“Stop teasing your sister!” Although Luo Mengmeng was admonishing Yang Yunfan, she didn’t try to hide her laughter.

“Mom, you too?!” Yang Xin felt embarrassed getting laughed at.

Amid his laughter, Yang Yunfan saw that Shi Hao was staring at him with awe in his eyes. His laughter instantly died down as he massaged his glabella.

Looking at Shi Hao, he said, “If you keep staring at me like that, my sister will get jealous!”

“No, it’s just that it seems you’ll grow up to be really handsome. Your face just feels so pleasing!” Shi Hao honestly admitted.

“Right?” his older sister excitedly agreed.

Yang Yunfan felt his head aching. Are you sure you guys are lovers? You stare at me more than you do each other.

With an exasperated look, he sighed deeply. Just when he thought they stopped, he heard Shi Hao’s amazed voice, “Look, even his exhausted expression is pleasing!”

Yang Yunfan nearly choked. Damn it!

No matter how much he got used to people staring, he’d never get used to men doing the same.

This matter had left him feeling stifled for the longest time. I don’t swing that way, okay?!

Kachak!

The front door opened and in came a black-haired man. He had a square face and a Chevron-styled mustache which gave him a rugged look. He was tall, almost 6’8”. He wore black inner robes and a black outer robe[9]. He had long hair which was greying[10]. He had tied part of it up and left the rest flowing. He had eye bags and wore an exhausted look on his face.

Alarmed, Yang Yunfan hurried over to his father, “Father, you’re back!”

His father, Yang Kai, nodded and smiled at him. His mother also put down Yang Ju, “Husband, would you like to eat first or wash up?”

“I want to-!” before he could finish, Yang Kai saw Shi Hao and Yang Xin looking at him. He smiled, “Shi Hao, how are you doing?”

“I’m doing just fine, Mr. Yang!” Shi Hao bowed.

“Would you like to have dinner with us?” Yang Kai offered.

“I’d like to but I fear my mother would beat me up if I didn’t eat with them!”

“Haha! I understand, your mother had a fiery temper ever since she was young,” Yang Kai laughed.

“Then I shan’t impose on you any longer,” Shi Hao said and looked at Yang Xin, “Xin, I’ll meet you tomorrow.” After saying his piece, he walked up to the door and opened it.

Just as he was left the house, he heard Yang Kai's teasing voice, “You’ve already started calling her ‘Xin’? Next marriage and a baby, I suppose?”

Shi Hao staggered. Do you father and son have to be so similar?!

Seeing Shi Hao almost fall over, Yang Kai let out a hearty laugh.

“Dad!” Yang Xin complained, “Stop teasing him! Fan’er has already done enough.”

Yang Kai raised an eyebrow before laughing heartily. Amidst his laughter, he patted his son on the back, “Good lad! Since he’s daring to take my beloved daughter, the most we should do is let him suffer!”

Yang Yunfan joined his father and laughed.

“Papa!” a childish voice sounded before Yang Ju hugged her father’s legs.

“How’s my Ju’er doing?” Yang Kai picked his youngest daughter up. “Uohh! You’ve become big! Papa can’t pick you up anymore!”

Yang Ju puffed her cheeks up and looked at her father, “Ju is not fat![11]”

“Yes, yes, Ju’er isn’t fat.” Yang Kai pacified her to which she revealed a satisfied expression and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Give me Ju’er,” Yang Kai gave his youngest daughter over to his wife. Holding Yang Ju up, Luo Mengmeng asked, “What do you-?” Seeing her husband’s abnormally exhausted face, she asked worriedly, “Is there everything alright?”

“Yes, but I’ll talk about it later,” Yang Kai waved his hand to dismiss it, “For now, I want to wash up and go to bed!”

“I see,” Luo Mengmeng nodded and then looked at her children, “You three, food is already on the table. Eat it and then go to bed!” She put Yang Ju down.

“Okay!” Yang Yunfan and Yang Xin replied in unison whereas Yang Ju nodded.

Luo Mengmeng revealed a satisfied expression, “Good!” She then left with Yang Kai back to their bedroom.

Yang Yunfan ate together with his sisters. As he slurped down the rice noodles, Yang Xin suddenly asked, “What do you think Dad is so worried about?”

“Must be work!” Yunfan replied but didn’t stop eating.

“You think so?” She raised an eyebrow. “If it was about work, wouldn’t he discuss it with you?”

Yang Yunfan put his chopsticks down, “Father does ask me work stuff claiming to build my experience but he doesn’t tell me everything. Mainly things he knows I can’t handle.”

Yang Xin hummed a response but didn’t say anything. Clearly seeing that her mind was still on the matter, Yang Yunfan said, “Stop thinking about it. You just need to think about what you will name your baby! Those days aren’t too far off, you know!”

“Stop it!” Yang Xin yelled, “You better-!”

“Okay! I’m done eating, I’ll go now!” Yang Yunfan stood up and hurriedly returned to his room.

As he speed-walked away, he heard his sister’s screams, “We’re not done, you hear me!”

Yang Yunfan hastened his speed and went into his room. Exhaling deeply, he made up his mind. Opening the window, he crept outside and silently went towards his parents’ bedroom. He had a bad feeling that what he was about to hear wouldn’t be good.