"Chapter 41"
"Shen An promised to share some treats with Shen Jin, finally sending the little trio on their way. He and his sister-in-law then washed their hands and headed to the Chen family for dinner."
"Dinner was still a feast, with some leftovers from the midday's braised pork with pickled mustard greens. The flavorful greens, soaked in the meat's aroma, were more than half a bowl left, and the vegetable dishes were stir-fried in pork fat, providing a rich blend of veggies and meat."
"After a hearty meal, Sang Luo thanked everyone who helped that day, and then everyone headed back to their own homes."
"Sang Luo, along with Shen An and Shen Ning, hurried to fetch spring water to wash the leaves of the miraculous tree before it got dark. Back home, while sorting things out, she pulled out a handful of sour dates from under the wild vegetables in the basket and handed them to the siblings."
"Shen An and Shen Ning's eyes lit up instantly."
"'Big sister, you picked sour dates? Are they ripe already this year?'"
"It was evident they were longing for this treat."
"'They are ripe now. Try them if you don't mind the sourness,' she said with a smile, handing a bunch to Shen Ning and then grabbing another handful for Shen An: 'Go wash them before eating.'"
"The siblings thanked her and ran outside joyfully."
"Village children, with little to eat throughout the year, always looked forward to the seasonal wild fruits in the mountains. Sour dates, growing on several hills to the west of the village, were highly anticipated despite their tartness."
"This year, busy with household chores, Sang Luo had completely forgotten about these sour dates."
"When Sang Luo came out carrying a bucket and a basket of leaves, she saw the siblings grinning at each other, their necks retracted, their small bodies and faces, along with the hands holding the sour dates, all shivering and trembling with delight."
"Despite this, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, peeling another date after finishing one."
"Seeing Sang Luo emerge, Shen Ning peeled a date and fed it to her. Sang Luo had just eaten, but sour dates had a kind of magic; just thinking about them made her mouth water. She took one from Shen Ning's hand, and then her face also scrunched up in reaction, amusing the siblings greatly."
"Shen Ning offered another, but Sang Luo shook her head, 'No more, two is enough. They're too sour. You eat them yourself.'"
"Shen An and Shen Ning continued to eat them happily until they finished all the sour dates in their hands, then contentedly started helping with the work."
"Back inside, while preparing to wash the second bucket of leaves, Shen An tidied the wild vegetables, planning to bundle them with straw ropes. When he reached the basket Sang Luo used today and moved aside the wild vegetables, he found a whole basketful of sour dates."
"Even though he cherished these fruits, Shen An was stunned, incredulously digging through them with his hand. They were all sour dates."
"Baffled, just as Sang Luo walked in, he made a face as if soured, 'Big sister, did you pick this many? Are you taking these to sell in the county tomorrow?'"
"He shook his head vigorously, 'These are too sour; no one will buy them.'"
"Apart from village kids who eat them for lack of snacks, Shen An couldn't imagine city folks enjoying such tart fruits."
"Sang Luo smiled, 'Not for tomorrow. When I come back after buying some things, I'll process them into a different kind of snack. Then people will like it.'"
"Shen An and Shen Ning: ?"
"Girls naturally have more curiosity about cooking, and Shen Ning asked, 'How can you process these?'"
"Sang Luo was quite willing to keep a sense of mystery, smiling, 'You'll see tomorrow.'"
"Currently lacking sugar and a drying mat at home, she decided to leave the dates for another night, planning to work on them after returning from the market tomorrow. In a few days, they would become a treat for the siblings."
"Sour Date Cake, hmm, that should sell well in the county too, likely being a novel treat. She hadn't seen it sold there before, and even in her previous life in a well-off family, with plenty of preserved fruits and snacks, she never came across Sour Date Cake."
"Shen An and Shen Ning exchanged glances. To them, their sister-in-law Sang Luo was now someone of great ability."
"Coming from a prominent family, literate and knowledgeable, they even had books with recipes at home."
"If she could make such delicious miraculous tofu from leaves, then what about the naturally edible sour dates?"
"Their eyes brightened immediately. Shen An asked excitedly, 'Big sister, does your family's book have recipes for making dishes out of sour dates?'"
"Sang Luo nodded, confirming that indeed, they had the perfect excuse ready."
"The siblings were delighted. This meant that besides selling miraculous tofu, they could sell other things to exchange for money and grain."
"'Big sister, there are some on the hills to the west of the village. I'll go pick more tomorrow.'"
"Hearing that they were available nearby, Sang Luo inquired, 'Are there many?'"
"Shen An shook his head, 'Not many, about three trees. We don't dare to go further in.'"
"Sang Luo advised against it, 'Then don't pick them. Other village kids like them as much as you, right? Leave them for snacks. I'll pick them in the mountains.'"
"She knew from her exploration today that there were plenty in two areas in the mountains, with more likely to ripen and fall daily. There was no need to compete with the village children for food."
"Shen An and Shen Ning only then learned that Sang Luo had ventured deeper into the mountains that afternoon, causing them some concern."
"Sang Luo reassured them, 'Chen Granny gave me some snake-repellent powder. I used it when I went, and although it was deeper in the mountains, it was still close to the village. There are no fierce animals there except for snakes, and with my trouser legs tied and the powder scattered, it was safe.'"
"She cautioned Shen An and Shen Ning, 'Don't go too far in without an adult with you.'"
"Going deep into the mountains was risky, even with snake-repellent powder. Getting lost, injured, or encountering an unexpected danger was always a possibility, especially since these two children were braver than most their age. Sang Luo felt it necessary to instruct them more."
"Shen An and Shen Ning took Sang Luo's advice seriously, agreeing not to wander too deep."
"Still curious, Shen Ning asked, 'Big sister, how can you make these sour things tasty?'"
"'Add sugar,' Sang Luo replied. 'We don't have any at home today, but I'll buy some tomorrow, then we can start cooking.'"
"At the mention of sugar, the siblings started drooling again, but they wondered if sugar was too expensive."
"These worries were no longer theirs to bear. The household was no longer dependent on the siblings' efforts, and they didn't need to meticulously count every grain of rice. Everything was now managed by their big sister."
"As Sang Luo prepared the ingredients for the miraculous tofu, she suddenly realized something might be missing. Looking around, she remembered, 'Where's the filter cloth?'"
"She normally washed and hung it on a hemp rope inside the house every night. But today, she didn't see it, realizing its absence only at that moment."
"'It's with me,' Shen An said, reaching into his pocket. 'We had to go down the mountain for lunch, and it wasn't safe to leave it unattended. Thinking this is something we need to keep hidden, I folded it and carried it with me. I forgot to hang it back up.'"
"Sang Luo was impressed by the young boy's meticulousness."
"She gave him a thumbs-up: 'Well done. Once we have some spare money, we'll get a lock, so we won't have to go to such lengths.'"
…
"The next day, after selling all the miraculous tofu at the West Market, Sang Luo bought several pounds of maltose. In fact, she knew how to make it herself, having learned from online tutorials and even uploaded a video after mastering it. But given the current inconveniences at home, buying ready-made maltose to melt and use was more suitable."
"She then met with Qin Fangniang at the East Market and bought two large, round bamboo winnowing baskets for drying things and a smaller rice winnowing basket, which would be useful for scooping rice once the kitchen was set up and all cooking utensils were in place."
"Of course, using this basket for straining water while cooking or washing things was also quite convenient."
"As they were about to leave, passing near a Hu cake stall, the aroma reminded Sang Luo of Shen Jin's craving conversation with Shen An yesterday, about sharing a Hu cake if she bought it again."
"Recalling that last time Shen An and Shen Ning barely had a few bites of the Hu cake she bought, she cheerfully took out three coins and, after a thought, added another three, asking the old man at the stall for two Hu cakes, which were then neatly wrapped in oil paper."
"Qin Fangniang found this quite amusing, noting that recently their merchandise had increased slightly, and they usually only returned after midday, using the sample miraculous tofu to tide over their hunger, thus not needing to buy food at the market."
"Seeing Sang Luo purchasing Hu cakes, she chuckled, 'Bringing treats for little An and Ning again?'"
"Sang Luo nodded, then added, 'Remember, Auntie? There are now seven children clearing that patch of land behind my house. I'm taking these back to share with them.'"
"This reminded Qin Fangniang of her own two children also being there, prompting her to laugh self-deprecatingly, 'My little girl is just joining the fun. What can she possibly clear? And why buy snacks for them?'"
"Moreover, Sang Luo had bought two Hu cakes, costing six coins in total. Qin Fangniang had only made seven coins selling wild vegetables all day, finding Sang Luo's generosity excessive, especially considering how her family had been eating well recently with Sang Luo, enjoying both rice and meat. Qin Fangniang herself would be reluctant to buy such treats for her children."
"For Sang Luo, however, the steady income from selling miraculous tofu had improved her living conditions considerably compared to her initial struggle after arriving in this world. Spending a few coins on treats to delight the children who had been helping her for several days didn't bother her at all."
"She explained with a smile, 'They've been helping out too, and it's not like I buy this every day. It's just to make them happy once in a while.'"
"Qin Fangniang, as a mother, felt she couldn't compare, 'You really spoil those kids. No wonder they all love going to your place.'"
"'As long as Auntie doesn't mind.'"
"'Mind? Why would I mind them having Hu cakes to eat?'"
"Chatting and laughing, the two women pulled the cart out of the East Market and went to a grain shop to buy some grains before finally leaving the county town."
…
"Upon returning to the village, it was necessary to stop outside and let Sang Luo take a shortcut to first carry back items like water buckets and ceramic pots that weren't needed for selling wild vegetables. Hidden inside the buckets, the maltose and Hu cakes were also brought back."
"Carrying the items to her doorstep, Sang Luo felt glad she had thought to let the kids have a little extra, spending an additional three coins to buy two Hu cakes."
"Only upon reaching home did she realize that today's land-clearing team wasn't just seven, but eight kids."
"Chen Ershan, who was originally in the team, had gone to carry yellow clay with the adults, and there were two new kids whom Sang Luo didn't recognize. She learned from Shen An that one was called Huzi and the other Erniu."
"Huzi was the son of Lu Dalang, often mentioned by Shen An, and Erniu, whom she had heard of a few times, turned out to be Shen Erlang's nephew."
"Lu Dalang, a bit embarrassed, smiled and explained, 'Yesterday when I went home, I mentioned Shen An and the others clearing land behind the house. Huzi and Erniu heard it and, being good friends with Shen An, joined them today.'"
"The Lu and Shen families were neighbors. The aroma of the braised pork belly with preserved vegetables cooked for the Shen family's house building had drifted everywhere yesterday. After their dinner, inevitably surrounded and chatted by the villagers, they gathered together. After everyone left, only their two families remained, and Lu Dalang brought up the kids working behind the house, which the children overheard."
"Children who weren't close to Shen An naturally didn't join, but those who used to play with him, hearing that Chen siblings and Shen Jin were helping out, became eager to join too. They didn't inform their families and brought their own small hoes in the morning."
"After exchanging pleasantries with Lu Dalang, who was working with mud bricks, Sang Luo turned to call the group of kids over. She thanked them and then took out the Hu cakes for Shen An to distribute among them."
"Shi Erlang and others went out to carry mud and didn't see it, but Lu Dalang was visibly stunned."
"These folks, who occasionally take up odd jobs in the county during the agricultural off-season, were well aware of the price of Hu cakes. Buying two Hu cakes for a group of children to eat?"
"Lu Dalang's mouth hung open in surprise, unable to close it."
"Considering her plans for sour jujube cake and tofu, Sang Luo had some other ideas in mind. While cautious with other villagers, she was more open with the Shi and Lu families who came to help."
"Handing the Hu cakes to Shen An and not seeing Chen Ershan around, she reminded him to save a piece for Chen Ershan. Then, placing the buckets inside, she greeted Lu Dalang and left, as Qin Fangniang was waiting for her at the edge of the village."
"Lu Dalang reflected on the meals from last night and today. While not as extravagant as the braised pork belly with preserved vegetables at noon, each meal was substantial – meat last night, stewed pig heart today – a far cry from the usual token meat slices in vegetables at other village homes."
"Though not particularly observant, Lu Dalang began to realize that Sang Luo, beyond selling wild vegetables, likely had her own means of earning money. Thinking of Qin Fangniang, who had been going to the county with them these days, and the tasks organized by the Chen family, his suspicions seemed increasingly likely."
"Even with his hunch, seeing Sang Luo taking back alleys to avoid attention, Lu Dalang surmised she preferred not to publicize her affairs and naturally wouldn't gossip about it."
"As for the children, they didn't ponder these matters, their eyes fixated only on the Hu cakes in Shen An's hand!"
"Shen Jin was so delighted he nearly jumped for joy, hovering around Shen An like a little tail."
…
"When Sang Luo and Qin Fangniang returned to the village, the villagers only saw some basic groceries, a few inexpensive bamboo utensils, and some old backpacks."
"Little did they know, the eight children who had been working on the mountain were now in high spirits, and with Chen Ershan, who had returned from carrying mud, there were nine of them."
"All nine kids washed their hands and gathered together to share the Hu cakes, a moment of joy that felt more splendid than the New Year celebrations."
"Did Shen Jin wash his hands today?"
"Yes, because when Sang Luo returned with the buckets and took out the cakes for Shen An to distribute, she specifically said to wash hands first before sharing the cakes."
"Shen An might not be able to persuade Shen Jin to wash his hands, but Sang Luo's words were surprisingly effective."
"Of course, they were effective! In Shen Jin's eyes, his sister-in-law was incredibly generous!"
"She actually bought Hu cakes!"
"He had been longing to taste these Hu cakes."
"Even though young Shen Jin didn't quite understand the meaning of 'generous,' it didn't stop him from grasping the concept!"
"Once his sister-in-law spoke, not just washing hands, if she asked him to wash his face, rinse his mouth, and even dunk his head in the mountain spring before eating, he would do it all!"
"That's the kind of authority she had!"
Shen An: "…"
Chapter 42
"Every day at noon, Shen An and Shen Ning quietly pick the leaves of the magical tree. Sang Luo's first task after lunch at the Chen family is to make sour date cake."
"Because of the two Hu cakes, the children behind the grass hut were invigorated as if energized, and became especially curious about Sister-in-Law Sang Luo, who actually bought them Hu cakes."
"Naturally, as curious as they were and as much as they wanted to get closer, the children were shy and timid, and none dared to approach her."
"This situation wasn't exclusive to the two new kids; in fact, except for Shen An and Shen Ning, and Chen Ershan who had eaten the cakes and gone to dig and carry mud, the rest were similarly reserved, particularly Shen Jin."
"Shen Jin hadn't forgotten the delicious taste of the Hu cakes. Seeing Sang Luo return, he was restless as if he had ants in his pants, sneaking glances at her, only to see her ignoring him and going straight into the grass hut."
"Shen Jin's feet shuffled... but only slightly, almost as if he hadn't moved at all."
"But who is Shen An? He immediately spotted Shen Jin's little scheme and pulled him back from his half-step forward."
"'What are you up to? Stick to your work or go back to your house. Anyway, don't go over there. My sister-in-law has been up since dawn to go to the county and is very tired now. She needs rest, and you must not disturb her.'"
"In fact, Shen An knew very well that his sister-in-law was going to process those sour dates that afternoon."
"How could sour dates be turned into something delicious? Shen An pondered several times but couldn't imagine it."
"But that was his sister-in-law's family recipe, and he couldn't let Shen Jin, that simpleton, barge in and see, so Shen An was particularly vigilant in keeping an eye on him."
"Shen Jin continued to hoe the ground and pick out stones with a sense of frustration. He actually didn't dare to approach her."
"He just wanted to show his loyalty to Sister-in-Law Sang Luo, to familiarize her with him and change the poor impression he had previously made on her."
"Not going was fine. Sister-in-Law Sang Luo was quite formidable when she was serious, and he didn't dare to disturb her."
"Sang Luo was indeed making sour date cakes. With many prying eyes outside, she didn't come out but prepared two large round sieves for drying the cakes, fetched two buckets of water into the house, and processed all the subsequent steps with the door of the grass hut closed."
"Making sour date cake was not difficult. While living in the mountains, it was a snack Sang Luo made for herself every year when sour dates ripened. She made a good amount, dried them, and sealed them in boxes – a nutritious, clean, and delicious snack, with absolutely reliable ingredients, which became one of her favorite treats."
"Now in a different place, Sang Luo was adept at making sour date cakes. Washing, boiling, peeling, removing pits, and then gradually kneading in the melted malt sugar, the sour date cake was practically finished. It required more labor than skill."
"She took out the sieves prepared in the morning, and placed handfuls of the mixture onto them. While it was still moist and soft, she gently shaped them into small round cakes with her hands."
"Covering two full sieves densely, after packing away the peels and pits, Sang Luo finally opened the door and stepped out."
"Lacking a drying rack, and with every chair in the house used to prop the bed planks, she chose two trees with suitable branches to serve as a natural drying rack. After testing a large stone for stability and reach, she carried the sieves out and set them up. In three days, the sour date cakes would be ready."
"Lu Dalang and Shi Erlang, who had just returned with mud, only saw Sang Luo setting something up in the tree branches to dry, but they couldn't tell what it was."
"Both had the decency not to pry, assuming it was probably unsold ferns or something similar. Their wives also dried ferns annually, saving them for winter when soaked in water as a delightful dish."
"After finishing these tasks, Sang Luo took an empty basket, tied up her trouser legs, sprinkled some snake repellent powder, and geared up to head into the mountains."
"Having found sour dates, she didn't rush to borrow a hoe from the Chen family to dig for konjac. With over a dozen people around the house, processing sour dates indoors was feasible, but konjac was not as convenient. Anyway, there was no rush in these few days, so she decided to wait until the house construction was completed."
"After instructing Shen An and Shen Ning, and greeting Shi Erlang and the others, Sang Luo entered the mountains."
"Taking the same path as yesterday, Sang Luo went deeper into the woods. She removed the sour date peels wrapped in lotus leaves from her basket and buried them in a loose, leaf-enriched soil patch, simply digging a small hole with a stone axe."
"As for the seeds, sour date kernels are a type of medicinal herb with several processing methods, one of which involves drying. However, drying them at home was not suitable; while people might not recognize the finished sour date cakes, the kernels were easily identifiable."
"Everyone in the village had eaten sour dates before. In Sang Luo's region, the southern sour date is also known as 'Wuyan fruit', and the kernels have a very distinct appearance."
"Therefore, Sang Luo decided not to process them at all. She planned to wash and dry them in the evening, pack them in a cloth bag, and inquire at the pharmacy in town the next day about selling them."
"Sang Luo continued to gather sour dates in the forest. Nature's bounty should be fully utilized, especially during the ripe season of the fruits."
"Having spent considerable time making sour date cakes, by the time Sang Luo gathered a basket full of sour dates and returned, it was already dinner time. The bustling area around the grass hut had quieted down, with only Shen An and Shen Ning still busy outside, waiting for her."
"On seeing Sang Luo's return, the siblings breathed a sigh of relief, put down their hoes, and greeted her."
"Big Sister, did you go far?"
"As it was a foray into the mountains, and it was getting dark with no sign of her, the siblings were understandably worried."
"Sang Luo smiled, 'It was okay, just a bit deeper than yesterday.'"
"Shen Ning frowned with concern, 'Big Sister, don't go too deep into the forest when it gets late. It's dangerous in the mountains at night.'"
"'Alright, I'll be careful next time.' Sang Luo reassured them warmly, looking around, 'Has everyone gone for dinner? Why didn't you two join them?'"
"Shen An smiled, 'We're not hungry. We just wanted to wait for you.'"
"He tiptoed to peek into the basket behind Sang Luo, whispering, 'Is that wild vegetables on top? Are the sour dates underneath?'"
"Shen Ning, also excited, pointed towards the side of the house, 'Have the ones you picked yesterday been processed this afternoon?'"
"Both she and her brother saw the large winnowing basket placed high in the tree, curious yet unable to see due to their short stature."
"Sang Luo laughed and nodded, 'It needs three more days of sun-drying. I'll make another batch tonight and let you two taste the fresh sour date cake. However, we can't call it that to others; we need to come up with a different name.'"
"Otherwise, it would give away the ingredients."
"Both siblings nodded in unison, making a mental note to never reveal the true name of the product to outsiders, even if they end up selling it at home."
"Shen Ning, initially regretting not seeing how the sour date cake was made in the afternoon, now brightened up upon hearing that a new batch would be made that night, especially since they would get to taste it: 'Are we really going to eat some?'"
"Malt sugar was expensive, and Sang Luo had even bought them Hu bing (a type of bread) that day."
"'Of course, why wouldn't I give my own homemade food to you? Come on, clean up and wash your hands for dinner. I'll need to borrow a few more winnowing baskets from your Aunt Chen tonight so we can process this whole basket of sour dates.'"
"They didn't want to leave for fear that the Chen family might be waiting for them to start dinner."
"Upon hearing about making more date cakes in the evening, the siblings were invigorated and quickly went to wash their hands."
"Sang Luo also placed the basket back inside the house."
"As they were about to leave, already outside the house, Shen An suddenly stopped: 'Big sister, I'll stay at home, can you bring my meal back?'"
"In Shen An's view, their home wasn't just making fairy tofu anymore, but also sour date cakes. These were crucial for their future livelihood. With a basket full of sour dates inside, what if someone from the village sneaked in and found them? Then people would guess what they were using to make the sour date cakes."
"Shen An was extremely protective of his big sister's recipes, almost to the point of being overly cautious."
"Having thought this through, he decided not to wait for Sang Luo's reply, 'That's settled then, Big Sister. You and Ning go eat. Just bring some food back for me.'"
"Sang Luo understood the boy's concerns and felt reassured. When she first arrived, she was in dire poverty."
"Indeed, they were still poor, spending almost all the money they made on food and household items. She didn't save much to avoid drawing attention, buying just enough food daily, without storing any surplus."
"Thus, Sang Luo currently hasn't saved up even a hundred coins in her purse."
"Waking up at midnight to make fairy tofu, leaving the house before dawn to set up the stall, walking twenty li to and fro every day – it sounds simple in just a few words, but the daily repetition is truly exhausting."
"Yet, these two children are so understanding and caring that Sang Luo feels her efforts aren't in vain. Despite their small stature and limited strength, they give their all for this family, protecting and supporting both the household and her."
"Sang Luo, who had always been alone, only after becoming Sang Luo in this world did she realize the feeling of having family and companions through these two unrelated children."
"She patted Shen An's head, 'Alright, thank you for your effort, little An. I'll bring you some food later.'"
"Was that a compliment?"
"Moreover, this 'our little An' was the first time Shen An had heard such affectionate words from his big sister."
"The child felt a surge of excitement."
"Though young, Shen An was not really that young, especially having lost his parents early and then his elder brother. As an elder brother himself, he needed to protect his younger sister, maturing earlier than his peers."
"Shen An understood certain things. For instance, he knew his big sister was only taken in by his third aunt in exchange for half a bag of grain, and she hadn't truly married his elder brother. He had seen marriages in the village, where the couple wore wedding clothes and worshiped heaven and earth. Only then was it considered a true marriage."
"Therefore, if Sister-in-law really insisted, she actually wouldn't be obliged to take care of him and his sister."
"Deep down, Shen An knew this, and he had felt fear and uncertainty in his heart."
"But Sister-in-law never thought of abandoning them. Not when they were so hungry they could only eat chaff, and not now either. These days, she's been genuinely kind to him and his sister."
"However, this heartfelt closeness, the feeling that 'we truly are a family,' Shen An only clearly realized just now."
"He was a bit excited, so much so that his tongue seemed to tie itself in knots, and for a while, he struggled to find the right words: 'I'm not the one who's having a hard time, Sister-in-law is the one who's really struggling.'"
"That joyful and eager feeling of wanting to please or be close to someone, Shen An couldn't quite put it into words, he just smiled with his eyes curved, urging, 'Sister-in-law, you should go now.'"
"He thought that, with nothing else to do later, he would wash all the fairy tree leaves, so that Sister-in-law would have less work to do when she returned in the evening."
"Chapter 43"
"Borrowing the round winnowing baskets from the Chen family was no trouble. The two large ones at the Chen's were idle at this time of the year. The few vegetables that needed drying were simply strung up in the courtyard."
"Shen Ning, being too small, was only responsible for delivering Shen An's meals. Another round winnowing basket was brought over to Sang Luo's house by Qin Fangniang. People chatting leisurely outside their houses after dinner noticed and wondered aloud why she needed so many winnowing baskets."
"Sang Luo smiled and responded unusually to the unfamiliar woman, 'Drying some fern vegetables for storage, otherwise, we'll have no vegetables to eat in winter.'"
The villagers: "Oh, that's right, Sang Luo doesn't seem to know much about farming. She can only dry some wild vegetables for storage."
"You still need to know how to grow vegetables. Even at this time of the year, there's more you can plant. If you don't know, you can always ask Fangniang for advice."
This was a well-intentioned and kind suggestion, and Sang Luo smiled and thanked them for it.
Having previously had little interaction with the villagers, she now seemed to be gradually integrating into the community.
Qin Fangniang watched with a smile, helped Sang Luo with her things, but neither entered the house nor asked further. After glancing at the vegetable garden behind Sang Luo's house, noting that several patches were now usable, she went home.
…
The moon hung like a silver disk in the night sky, its presence all the more prominent, casting a frost-like moonlight.
The door of the grass house was shut, a fire burned inside, illuminating the interior brightly. Occasional crackling sounds from the burning wood contrasted with the silver frost outside, adding a warm hue to the atmosphere.
In this fire-lit warmth, Sang Luo and the two children began making sour jujube cakes.
A familiar fruit since they were able to walk and run, transformed under simple processing into something entirely different in their hands. After mixing with sugar, Sang Luo smiled, "You can try it now. Pinch a bit and taste it. It's different from the final dried version."
The thought of sugar mixed with sour jujubes had Shen Ning salivating even before tasting it.
The unformed sour jujube cakes were soft, but loaded with malt sugar, the sweet and sour flavor left the siblings enraptured as they each pinched a piece, thoroughly enjoying it.
"It's really tasty. People will definitely buy this!"
"What does it look like when it's dried?"
Sang Luo, with a smile, set up the washed winnowing baskets and methodically shaped the sour jujube cakes in front of the children. After positioning two baskets on the branches of two trees outside, she then ushered the children to tidy up and go to bed.
The mountain nights were growing less hot. Sang Luo decided to also prepare the immortal tofu before retiring to bed after some simple tidying up.
The two children snuggled inside the bed, leaving more space on the outside for her. Shen Ning, sleeping in the middle, was turned to one side. Sang Luo gently moved her a bit further outwards, then lay down to sleep beside her.
…
Unbeknownst to Sang Luo, after her busy day, she had become the main topic of conversation in the Shi and Lu families before bedtime.
Discussions about the house, meals, her character, and the Hu cakes she brought back for the children today made Hu Zi and Er Niu the most envied of their siblings.
The next day, the child labor crew grew from nine to twelve, stunning Shen An and Shen Ning.
Shen An pulled Hu Zi and Er Niu aside: "What's going on?"
The two friends awkwardly scratched their heads: "Well, we told our families about your big sister buying us Hu cakes today."
Shen An: "…But we don't have Hu cakes to eat while working here, that was just a one-time treat from my big sister."
If they were here just for the cakes, they might as well go back home. He didn't really need so many helpers, did he?
Hu Zi quickly clarified, "No, I made it clear to them that there's no reward. My grandfather even scolded me."
Otherwise, there wouldn't be just three new kids. The others, obviously too small to work, were held back by their parents and grandparents, preventing them from joining. Those who came were older and genuinely able to help.
Furthermore, the elder siblings of Hu Zi and Er Niu, like Chen Er Shan, were mid-sized lads, not here to clear fields but to help with mud for bricks alongside Chen Er Shan.
On the other hand, Shi Er Lang was explaining to Chen Lao Han: "Our kids and Lu's heard about Hu Zi and Er Niu eating Hu cakes, so they all wanted to come today. But we put a stop to that, allowing only the three older ones to come and help, agreeing they wouldn't need meals. They come early in the morning for an hour to help dig mud, speeding up the construction, so we can rest a few days before the farming season."
Chen Lao Han nodded in agreement, "That makes sense. We are tight on time."
Knowing the fatigue of farming, he said, "If your kids are willing to work hard, they don't have to leave at meal times. Let them stay and help like Shi Er Lang, eating with us. I can decide this. Sang Luo will be pleased, not offended."
After spending time with Sang Luo, Chen Lao Han understood her character. Initially, they planned to invite more help but didn't to avoid drawing attention, ending up with only the Shi and Lu families. Now, it's still their children coming to help. Although young, they are valuable workers and can take over tasks like mud digging and brick making, freeing up adults for foundation work.
Shi Er Lang and Lu Da Lang exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.
Helping with house-building in the village is common, but this scenario, involving young boys, is unprecedented. They might eat almost as much as adults.
But doing so felt somewhat inappropriate.
Reflecting on his father's morning advice to send the boys to help as a goodwill gesture towards Sang Luo, Lu Da Lang hesitated, worrying it might seem like taking advantage instead. "Uncle, maybe we shouldn't. Our kids can help dig for a bit over an hour. That should suffice for our timeline."
Seeing Lu Da Lang's refusal, Shi Er Lang also declined.
Chen Lao Han, accepting their decision, said, "Let's focus on work now. We'll discuss this later."
He planned to consult Sang Luo when she returned in the afternoon.
…
Sang Luo was naturally agreeable to the idea. She didn't want too many villagers helping because of the food they made at home, which she preferred to keep low-profile.
But if it was the Shi and Lu families' kids, who were already helping, what harm could a few more half-grown boys do?
Chen Lao Han chuckled, "I figured you'd be okay with it. They probably felt a bit guilty since these half-grown boys, while not full laborers, still eat nearly as much as adults, so they didn't want to take advantage."
Sang Luo's eyes curved in amusement. Those who got along well with the Chen family were indeed of good character.
She smiled, "I'll talk to Shi Er Shu and Lu Da Shu. Our family's well-known poverty means their help in building the house is already a favor. We're all villagers; there's no need for such detailed calculations."
Chen Lao Han laughed in agreement, "Exactly."
If everything was measured and accounted for, it would be difficult to establish good relations.
Their conversation, a bit distant from others, concluded with Sang Luo going to speak with Shi Er Lang and Qi Da Lang. Always smiling and sincere in her interactions, Shi Er Lang was somewhat easier to persuade, while Lu Da Lang, more like Chen You Tian in temperament, couldn't resist her convincing words.
The matter was settled shortly after.
Once she left, Lu Da Lang, still a bit dazed, was reminded by Chen You Tian, who was working on timber, "What are you spacing out for? Call Hu Zi back and get the boys over."
Lu Da Lang snapped out of his daze and quickly called for Hu Zi.
With the addition of a few boys taking over tasks like digging mud and making bricks, the five men, excluding Chen You Tian who was busy, focused on digging the foundation, significantly speeding up progress.
The half-meter deep foundation was excavated in just two days, and by the time Sang Luo returned from the county, Chen Lao Han, accompanied by Shi Da Lang and others, had already begun building the walls.
For the first time, Sang Luo witnessed the construction of an adobe house.
The foundation had a set of wooden boards fixed on top to form a four-sided frame. The mixed yellow sticky soil was filled in and then compacted using a very heavy tool. Four strong laborers lifted and dropped it repeatedly until the soil was compacted inside the frame. Once the frame was removed, the soil became solid, and the process was repeated for the next wall. This process is known as tamping.
"So, this is how they tamp the soil."
From Chen Lao Han, Sang Luo learned this technique was called "banzhu."
After two more days, the basic structure of the kitchen, bathroom, and front yard walls was visible. The half-grown boys' prepared mud bricks were put to use. In just a few days, walls of the kitchen and bathroom were erected, and door and window frames set, only leaving the roofing and thatching to be done.
Besides buying a few mats of reeds from the county, Sang Luo didn't have to worry about anything else. By August 22, the two modest rooms and the walls of the front and back yards were completed, with the walls finely plastered with bran mud.
The new mud-brick house completely changed Sang Luo's perception of rural adobe houses. It was not ugly at all, and in fact, quite appealing with its rustic red hue, thanks to the high-quality yellow sticky soil chosen by Chen Lao Han from the mountains.
Compared to this, the main house that had only been minimally repaired before moving in seemed quite rough.
Nonetheless, the house was successfully completed, showcasing the diverse skills of the villagers. They even crafted the stove for her.
Except for the bed promised to Shen An, which was still unfinished, the doors, windows, tables, benches, and a wooden case for storage were all ready.
In the kitchen, even the wooden frame needed for tofu-making and filtering soy milk was prepared by Chen You Tian and hung from the beam.
For the tofu molds and tofu-lifting boxes, Sang Luo described their design to Chen You Tian. Although he didn't know their purpose, he crafted them using the leftover wood from the house construction.
Along with the money she earned, Sang Luo gradually equipped her house with the necessary kitchen and household items.
To express her gratitude and warm the house, Sang Luo planned a feast. She borrowed a calendar from Chen Lao Tai Tai's house, picked an auspicious day, and invited the three families for a meal.
In Qi Yang County's countryside, due to modest living conditions, it was rare to hold both a beam-raising and housewarming feast separately. Usually, a toast to the beam was made on the day of its raising, and then a combined feast was held when moving into the completed house.
The auspicious day was set for August 25.
By that day, the villagers would start their autumn harvest. Sang Luo assured them there was no need to help with the preparations; they just needed to come and eat after finishing their work in the fields.
The families agreed to attend, but not everyone would come. Typically, the eldest member of each family would come, along with those who had helped with the work. Maybe a couple of children would accompany them, and each family might send a woman to help with the cooking and cleaning on the day.
Even this arrangement promised a lively gathering.
There would also be a group of young guests - the children who had been helping with the land clearing these past days. Shen An had started planting in the backyard with guidance from the uncles who worked there. The children who helped deserved to be honored as well, so naturally, they were included in the invitation.
As these were Shen An and Shen Ning's friends, Sang Luo entrusted the task of organizing the event to them, much to the excitement of the young siblings.
"We can invite people to a feast?"
And the guests would be a group of children.
"Why not?" Sang Luo smiled warmly. "This is your home too, after all. And you both have put in so much effort to make our home what it is today, haven't you? You can invite the friends who helped you, and if you have other close friends you'd like to invite, that's fine too. Just let me know the approximate number so I can prepare."
Even Shen An, who usually tried to act mature and composed like an adult, couldn't contain his excitement at Sang Luo's words, his eyes beaming with joy.
"Sister-in-law, inviting those who helped is enough. My best friends have already come to help."
"Alright." Then turning to Shen Ning, "Do you have any friends you'd like to invite, Ah Ning?"
Shen Ning blinked and said, "I'll just invite Xiao Ya."
She usually followed her brother, and her close friends were also his friends. Besides Xiao Ya, she didn't have any other particularly close girlfriends to invite.
Sang Luo smiled and said, "Alright, I got it. You two go ahead and let your friends know."
Shen An, unable to contain his excitement any longer, said, "Sister-in-law, then Ah Ning and I will go right now."
With Sang Luo's nod of approval, he excitedly grabbed Shen Ning's hand and they both ran off like the wind.
Author's note:
①The information was sourced from Baidu. Additionally, the methods of building mud-brick houses vary slightly from place to place. I have chosen one of these methods for use in the story.
Chapter 44
"We're invited to a feast?" A group of children playing with mud outside were stunned. "Isn't this something usually for our parents and grandparents?"
Shen An, beaming with happiness, explained, "My sister-in-law said that since you all helped us recently, I can invite you to our house for a feast. So, your parents and grandparents are invited by my sister-in-law, and you kids are invited by Ah Ning and me."
Tiger and Er Niu, along with a few others, were amazed. Er Niu murmured, "Shen An, your sister-in-law is really nice."
It was amazing that Shen An and Shen Ning, like adults, could decide on their own to invite guests for a feast.
Shen Yin asked his brother, "Is Sister-in-law inviting our parents?"
These days, his parents were almost drooling over the meat and vegetable fragrances from Xiao Ya's home, hardly able to enjoy their own meals.
Upon hearing Shen Yin's question, Er Niu and Tiger, who were somewhat more knowledgeable, looked somewhat awkward, and Shen An choked a bit, realizing they hadn't thought about inviting their aunt and uncle...
But Shen Jin puffed out his chest and scolded Shen Yin, "Are you silly? Shen An's inviting us because we helped. I've been digging for more than ten days! What did our parents do?"
In fact, Shen Jin felt rather embarrassed, especially considering Xiao Ya's family was almost entirely involved in helping, as were Er Niu and Tiger's dads, uncles, and brothers in building the house. His dad never showed up even for a day.
Initially, he thought since Er Niu, Tiger, and their brothers were helping, he wouldn't miss out on anything Sister-in-law bought. Just the thought was thrilling. But seeing so many people helping with construction and cultivation, and comparing it to his own family, he realized even as the eldest he was no match for the youngest helper from the Lu family, let alone his younger brothers Shen Yin and Shen Tie, who were practically just loafing around.
Realizing this, his indignation subsided. He couldn't hold his head high anymore.
After talking to his dad about helping out, his dad just scolded him fiercely, telling him to mind his own business and not to meddle in his father's matters.
Thus, Shen Jin didn't dare to brag about his own efforts in helping.
Now hearing his younger brother ask if their parents would be invited, and seeing the expressions of Er Niu, Tiger, and Shen An, Shen Jin retorted, "Only those who work get to eat meat! When Dad helped others build houses, he couldn't just bring us along for the feast."
Shen Yin wondered, was that right? Or was there something amiss?
Shen Yin couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly was amiss.
The youngest, Shen Tie, didn't ponder as much. He simply thought of the tantalizing meat aroma from next door, drooling, "Big brother, when will we go for the meal?"
Shen An smiled warmly, "The day after tomorrow, for dinner."
Everyone would be busy harvesting rice during the day. Coming for a meal then would mean they couldn't enjoy it properly, as they'd be rushed back to work in the fields. So, Sister-in-law planned it for dinner to make it more festive and relaxing for everyone.
Shen Tie, counting on his fingers, muddled: "Today, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...?"
Confused, he looked up at his brother for clarification.
Shen Jin chimed in, "No need to count. It's the day our parents go to harvest rice."
That was perfect. On that day, their parents would be too busy to supervise them. Since their elder brother left, their family lacked labor and always harvested rice later than others, not returning until after dark. So they usually had just cold porridge at home for themselves.
Shen Jin warned, "Don't mention the feast to our parents when we go back. Remember, or we won't get to eat."
He hadn't forgotten the last time he was beaten. Knowing his parents' temperaments, if they weren't eating, he and his brothers shouldn't either. But this time, he decided to keep silent, eat his fill, then go home.
Suddenly, Shen Jin remembered their little sister, Tian Ya. With their parents in the fields that day, she would be his responsibility. What about her if they all went to the feast?
"Shen An, can I bring Tian Ya with us? There'll be no one at home if we all go."
Shen An nodded, "Bring her along, just take good care of her."
"Don't let her fall or bump into anything, or else Auntie San will make a fuss."
Shen Jin confidently patted his chest, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."
Having quickly settled the big matter of inviting guests for the feast, and with Little Ya absent, Shen Ning eagerly went to invite her, not lingering to chat and quickly pulling Shen An towards the Chen family.
…
By mid-afternoon, the Shis and Lus, also invited to the feast, were at Chen's discussing what gifts to bring.
They now genuinely appreciated Sang's ability to get along well – she was incredibly adept at building relationships!
Previously, it was mostly men and children helping, but now the women of their households were invited too. As it was their first visit, they wanted to leave a good impression with thoughtful gifts.
From the Lu family, Granny Lu was coming. From the Shi family, Shi Er Lang's wife joined alongside her sister-in-law.
Oh, and Shi Da Niang, Da Niu and Er Niu's mother, was invited too, given her sons had been helping these past days.
Shi Er Lang's wife was an obvious choice. Though her son was too young to help, he had longingly envied his older brothers. Her husband was among the first to assist and a key contributor to the house-building, earning her an invitation.
Being acquainted with the Chen family and particularly close to Sang, they all turned to Granny Chen for advice on appropriate gifts for Sang's housewarming.
In the village, modest gifts were customary for acquaintances, like some cabbages or cucumbers. It was a simple, token gesture.
However, for the Shis and Lus, whose young men had been working hard and eating well at Sang's, a mere vegetable wouldn't suffice. Despite instructions to eat modestly, the hearty meals had delighted them more than the New Year festivities.
Knowing Sang's generous nature, neither family considered just bringing vegetables or eggs.
Granny Chen, noticing the respect the Shis and Lus had for Sang, felt pleased. The old saying goes, "A single log cannot ignite on its own," and "A single stick can't prop up a building." Originally refugees, the Shen family's senior and third branches now had strained relations. It was only fitting for Sang, alone with two children, to build connections in the village for support in times of need and help against injustice.
She warmly offered a seat and asked, "Do you have any specific ideas or plans? Let me hear them so I can give some advice."
As a peer, Granny Lu spoke first, "Although I haven't interacted much with Mrs. A'Lie, I've heard plenty from my sons and grandchildren. She's a straightforward, generous person. This invitation itself is a testament to her sincerity."
"No other family in the village invites everyone like this."
Typically, each family brings one adult and one child; it's understood that no household could host everyone.
But Sang nearly invited their entire family, partly because her sons and grandsons helped out, extending the invitation to their wives and the elderly couple. This warm, inclusive approach is indeed comforting, isn't it?
Granny Lu suggested, "Since A'Lie's family doesn't produce much, vegetables are a given. We'll bring some from our fields, as will everyone else, right?"
Granny Chen and the Shis nodded, "That's our intention. Bringing our produce helps her avoid extra purchases."
Granny Lu added, "There's a custom here of giving 'prosperity rice' as a housewarming gift. We give rice and oil, symbolizing full granaries and prosperity. As Sang is from outside, why don't we add to this good omen?"
Granny Chen agreed, "That aligns with our thoughts too. Such a significant event as building a house shouldn't be taken lightly. We should contribute to their wealth and prosperity."
The Shi sisters-in-law smiled and concurred. Shi Da Niang said, "We planned the same. We'll buy six liang of pork, cook it into oil, and put it in a jar. We'll also buy a bamboo container for a liter of rice. Our uncle will gather a bundle of firewood. It's not much, but rice, oil, and firewood as housewarming gifts symbolize wealth and prosperity."
Granny Chen and Granny Lu expressed their approval: "That's very thoughtful and generous of you both."
"Considering the pork, jar, and container, along with the firewood and rice, the total cost is over twenty wen."
"In rural areas, even spending a couple of wen is carefully considered. But to spend over twenty wen for a gift shows they truly value Sang."
Granny Lu nodded in agreement.
The two elderly ladies exchanged glances. Granny Lu proposed, "Older sister, shall we follow Shi's example and bring similar gifts? Each family brings vegetables, while we add our share of grain, oil, or firewood."
Granny Chen agreed with a smile, "Alright, our three families will prepare the same offerings."
She continued, addressing Granny Lu and the Shi sisters-in-law, "I have to mention, our family is quite close to Mrs. A'Lie. My daughter-in-law accompanies her to the county market daily. While I can't divulge specifics, we've made some earnings. Besides what we've just discussed, I'm thinking of gifting a handwoven mat. I've already started weaving it."
Pointing to the half-finished mat on the floor, she added, "Mrs. A'Lie is fond of the children and has asked my son to make a bed for Shen An. The bed is still being made. I've measured the size and am weaving a mat to fit it, as a housewarming gift."
The Shis and Lus were aware of Sang's ability to earn money, having enjoyed quality meals for over ten days.
The substantial daily supply of rice and meat couldn't possibly be sustained by selling mere bundles of wild vegetables.
They'd noticed Sang's secret trips, lugging two buckets up the mountain trail.
They had been working there all this time; these things were hard to miss. Could they have remained unnoticed for a week or more?
Unless Sang had halted her market activities during the construction.
Chen subtly referenced Sang's earnings, understanding the Shis and Lus had some inkling.
Both families were discreet, taking cues from Chen and keeping silent about matters Sang wanted kept private.
Granny Lu responded, "Of course. It's the thought that counts. We don't need to match everything exactly."
Gifts are a matter of personal relationship and sentiment.
Chen's willingness to share such information suggested a level of trust from Sang towards both families.
While unaware of the specifics of Qin Fangniang and Sang's county market activities, Granny Lu believed in knowing only what's necessary in a relationship, maintaining a respectful distance.
The Shi sisters-in-law were curious. The men's stories had sparked their interest. Who wouldn't be intrigued by ways to earn money?
But her sister-in-law specifically cautioned her several times to restrain her curiosity.
"If you pry into things people don't want you to know, driven by your curiosity, it will mark the end of whatever little relationship you have with them."
"If you're really envious of Qin Fangniang being able to earn money with Mrs. A'Lie, then at least strive to be like the Chen family. Observe carefully how they interact with Mrs. A'Lie. Reaching that level of relationship may not guarantee that Mrs. A'Lie will include us like she does Qin Fangniang, but her ability to earn money and support her family is admirable. It's always beneficial to be on good terms with capable people."
These were the exact words of Mrs. Shi.
Despite Shi Erliang being the only adult male in the household, the couple actually heeds his elder sister's advice on major family decisions.
That's why they both behave properly. Even Shi Erliang, sharper than Lu Daliang, doesn't act overly clever. He follows his elder sister's advice, keeping a respectful distance from the thatched house and avoiding getting involved in matters that don't concern him. He diverts his gaze when necessary, pretending not to see anything, though in reality, he never did.
Mrs. Shi Erliang, who enjoys chatting with the village women, also keeps her mouth shut. If she can't hold back, she vents at home with her sister-in-law, discharging her gossiping urge, and then can leave the house without the itch to blabber.
Having a few wise individuals like this in the family creates a unique balance and unspoken agreement between the Shi, Lu, Chen families, and the Shen household regarding the supposed secret money-making venture shared by Mrs. A'Lie and the Chens, which everyone else is supposedly unaware of.
The Shi and Lu families: "We know you have a secret, but since you're not telling, we'll act as if we know nothing and won't speculate."
Mrs. A'Lie: "I'm aware you know I have a secret, but as long as you don't probe or pry, I'll consider you ignorant of it. Let's see how things go, and maybe we can get along."
Chen Family: "I observe everything and it's good. The people we associate with are all sensible."
Chapter 45
Each family is preparing in their own way, unbeknownst to Sang Luo.
In the newly built yard, those who came to help have returned home to prepare for the busy farming season. Only Chen Youtian is still working tirelessly, determined to finish the new bed he promised to make for Shen An before the housewarming feast, with saws and planes flying.
Sang Luo, along with the two children, is also busy cleaning and tidying up the main house. Items like the pile of firewood, previously cluttered, are now neatly stacked under the eaves outside the kitchen. The old buckets and the old tile pot they used have already been moved to the kitchen, leaving only the simple stove and the stone slab used as a table, which they are currently clearing out.
Chen's mother-in-law and Qin Fangniang came together to return the rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar that Sang Luo had previously brought to their house and had not finished using.
Qin Fangniang comes every morning to pick up supplies, but it's Chen's mother-in-law's first visit here. After asking Sang Luo, she looks around the newly built house, her smile deepening into creases at the corners of her eyes: "It's quite nice, really feels like a home now. Raising a few chickens and ducks will make it even livelier. Whether you sell the eggs or eat them, it's all good."
Sang Luo, delighted, responds: "I have been planning that. The extra bran from rice milling needs to be put to use. But it's not the season for hens to lay eggs, and it's hard to buy chicks now. I was thinking of asking around the village if anyone has half-grown chickens for sale."
Chen's mother-in-law raises an eyebrow: "I'll ask around for you."
The Lu family has more people, so they have more bran left over from rice milling, which is why they raise more chickens than families with fewer members.
Sang Luo, joyfully: "That would be great. If you could ask around, it would be perfect. If not, I'll have to try my luck at the eastern market in the county."
Sang Luo had seen ducklings for sale in the western market recently, fluffy and adorable yellow chicks, but for now, they rely on the mountain spring water near their house for daily use. She worried that bringing ducks home might contaminate their water source, so she decided against it for the time being.
Chen's mother-in-law took on the task of finding chickens and then turned to other matters. Qin Fangniang then smiled and asked, "We came to ask if there's anything we can help with for the feast at your house. Do you need any assistance?"
Sang Luo waved her hand, "You have enough on your plate already, and you've helped me a lot. I can manage the preparations. On the 25th, I won't be going to the western market. I need to check with you how you plan to arrange it, whether you'll be setting up the stall or busy with the autumn harvest."
"It's harvest time; the market stall will have to wait until after the harvest is over," Qin Fangniang replied without hesitation. The crop in the fields is a top priority and cannot be delayed.
Sang Luo nodded, "Okay, if you plan to resume the stall after that, just let me know. In the next few days, we'll go to the county because I need to purchase some heavy items. Uncle Chen might need to help carry them."
A stone mill, which she couldn't handle alone.
Living in the mountains has its perks, but transportation is challenging, especially with heavy items.
Qin Fangniang readily agreed, "No problem, it's just a bit of lifting. We'll call him when it's time."
In recent days, Sang Luo had been adding household items, carrying something back every day. Qin Fangniang didn't pry into what she was buying, assuming they were ordinary household necessities.
Meanwhile, Chen's mother-in-law had finished her inspection, even peeking into the bathroom. She saw a clean, covered chamber pot and remarked, "That's quite neat and convenient, no need to fumble to the outhouse in the dark anymore."
After her tour, Chen's mother-in-law got to the point, "On the 25th, Fangniang will be busy harvesting, and I'll be cooking at home. I'll be free in the afternoon and come over to help you. The Lu family will likely be busy in the fields too, but I think their grandmother will also come in the afternoon."
She also mentioned that the three families would bring some vegetables from their gardens to avoid Sang Luo having to buy extra from the county, and then bade farewell to return home.
…
After seeing the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law off, Sang Luo finished tidying up the main house. She left the two kids at home and, with a basket on her back and a sickle in hand, stepped out herself.
Picking sour dates was a daily task for her, and today was no exception. After collecting the dates and placing them in the main house, Sang Luo turned her attention to the tools Chen Youtian had left on the ground.
Chen Youtian wasn't a professional carpenter; he had developed the skill on his own, so his toolkit wasn't extensive but included a few essentials. Among them was a curved knife, commonly used by villagers for chopping wood in the mountains.
Something crossed Sang Luo's mind, and she inquired, "Uncle Youtian, are you using this curved knife right now?"
Chen Youtian, busy sawing wood, glanced at her and asked, "Do you need it?"
Sang Luo nodded eagerly, "Yes, I need it to cut some bamboo to make a broom."
In the past, with just a small hut and limited resources, there was hardly any need for a broom. Anything that fell on the ground was simply picked up by hand. Too busy to bother making a broom, now with a front and backyard, a broom was essential. Making one now also allowed her to borrow Chen Youtian's tools.
Chen Youtian was surprised, "You know how to make one?"
There was a common belief among the villagers that Sang Luo, who appeared to come from a well-to-do background, was too delicate for such tasks, not even knowing how to farm. So, her claim of knowing how to make a broom surprised Chen Youtian.
"Yes," she affirmed. Making a broom wasn't particularly difficult. During her years in the mountains, she had learned to create various household items using handcrafting techniques found online.
Chen Youtian still seemed skeptical, "Can you chop the bamboo yourself? Maybe I should help you with that, and you can make the broom afterward."
Sang Luo smiled reassuringly, "No need, you focus on your work. I just need to borrow the curved knife for a bit."
Chen Youtian silently nodded, "Take it and use it, I don't need it right now."
Upon hearing that bamboo would be chopped, Shen An wanted to help but reconsidered after thinking about the tasks at home and decided against it.
Sang Luo took a sickle and left. About two or three quarters of an hour later, she returned, dragging a rather large bamboo pole and a branch of fir wood.
Seeing that Sang Luo had chosen a fir branch for the broom handle, Chen Youtian knew that her claim of knowing how to make brooms was probably true. The fir branch, being lightweight and a common choice in the village for broom handles, was a fitting choice.
When Sang Luo returned, the siblings eagerly gathered around. To make a broom, she first needed to chop off the bamboo branches. Sang Luo worked steadily but not quickly, which Chen Youtian observed with approval.
The trio worked together to strip the leaves. Without scissors for the next step, they still managed precisely with a sickle and a wooden block to chop off each branch.
Chen Youtian, amused, set aside his work to help. He sawed the fir branch to the right length, smoothed its surface after removing the bark, and sharpened one end, making a suitable broom handle and setting it aside for her.
Sang Luo prepared the smaller twigs with hemp rope in small bundles and sharpened a few thicker branches into bamboo pegs. Finally, with the broom handle Chen Youtian had prepared, she began the final binding process.
She wrapped the hemp rope tightly around several times, adding one bundle of twigs after another, meticulously working and applying sufficient force. Chen Youtian thought the finished product looked much better than most brooms in the village, which often seemed rudimentary by comparison.
Sang Luo tied the rope knot and drove in the prepared bamboo pegs, examining the broom with satisfaction.
Chen Youtian, uncharacteristically talkative, commented, "With your skill, you could even sell these brooms in the county."
Sang Luo's eyes crinkled with a smile, "It seems I have another skill to earn a living with in the future."
At that moment, she truly appreciated her previous years living in the mountains. Not only had she become more tranquil, but she also learned many practical skills.
Having finished the broom, she bundled the leftover bamboo twigs, arranging them neatly outside the kitchen where firewood was stored. Then, looking at the large bamboo pole as thick as her arm, an idea formed in her mind.
She walked outside, towards the spring by the mountain where they usually fetched water, and stared at it. The spring water flowed down the mountain side, and its source wasn't necessarily from atop the mountain, but more likely from a water vein within the mountain.
Consequently, although the flow of the spring was not large, it was consistent. After observing, Sang Luo returned to the courtyard, dragging the bamboo pole and marking roughly a length of fifty to sixty centimeters, asking Chen Youtian to help her saw it off.
Chen Youtian, though unsure of her purpose, didn't ask questions and complied with her request.
Sang Luo took the sawed-off bamboo, stood it upright, and split it in the middle with her sickle.
Bamboo is relatively easy to split, neatly dividing into two halves. She took one half, removed the bamboo nodes in the middle with her sickle, creating an excellent water conduit.
She slightly trimmed both sides of one end and then cut a branch with a fork from a tree, heading straight to the mountain spring with these two items.
There was an inward curve in the mountain wall, where she usually collected the falling spring water, which was exceptionally clean.
This time, Sang Luo directly fitted the bamboo half as a conduit, and the spring water naturally flowed into and along the bamboo.
Perfect, this meant she wouldn't have to bend over and lean in to collect water anymore, making the process much easier. The water would flow outwards instead of clinging to the uneven mountain wall, simplifying even bucket collection.
She took the other forked branch, knocked it into the mud to match the bamboo's position, creating a perfect support. She inserted one end of the bamboo into the mountain wall, resting the other end on the branch. It was quite stable.
To ensure stability, she called Shen Ning to bring some hemp rope and secured the bamboo and branch together.
Shen Ning, watching the spring water flowing through the bamboo, was delighted: "Big sister, you're so clever! How did you think of such a water channeling method? This makes water collection much easier."
Sang Luo's eyes curved into a smile: "We'll decorate it more, making it prettier. Let's dig this pit a bit larger and create a small pond."
Shen Ning agreed and ran back to get a hoe.
The aunt and niece duo vigorously expanded the naturally formed pit by the spring to nearly twice its original size.
The originally clear water became slightly turbid, but it slowly cleared up again.
"Ning, call your brother and find some smooth stones to lay at the bottom of the pit. This will keep the water in the pit clearer."
Knowing Shen An's curiosity, Sang Luo didn't go herself but delegated the task to the younger siblings while she went back to work on the remaining bamboo pole and some scrap wood.
Indeed excited, Shen An came out to find the once unremarkable spring had transformed remarkably, leaving him utterly fascinated. The siblings each carried a basket and went to the stream to look for pretty stones.
The variety of stones in the stream was truly abundant. In no time, they each returned with half a basket full, carefully placing each stone at the bottom of the pit.
The pit wasn't big, and after two trips, they had neatly arranged the stones at the bottom. The siblings then watched the turbid water in the pit get washed away, gradually becoming clearer.
Seeing this, Sang Luo came out and smiled.
"We can keep ducks now," she thought. "Collecting water for consumption is easier now, and we can use buckets directly. This small pond will be enough for a few ducklings to play around in."
She kept quiet about her plans for a surprise for the children the next day, merely suggesting with a smile, "You can pick some pretty flowers that grow well by the spring and plant them around the pond. It will look nice and the plants' roots will help stabilize the soil, preventing collapse."
The children, eager for this task, grabbed their small hoes and baskets and went off to find beautiful flowers and plants.
Chen Youtian, hearing the activity and having just finished a section of his work, came out to see and found the previously inconspicuous spring flowing down the mountain wall had turned into a charming scene. He remarked, "This makes using water much more convenient."
There was a spring behind his house too, from which they usually collected water. Thinking of replicating Sang Luo's idea at his home, he decided not to bother cutting bamboo and asked Sang Luo for the other half of the bamboo pole she had used earlier.
Sang Luo smiled and said, "Sure, feel free to take it."
She glanced at the sky and, not wanting to delay outside, went inside to prepare dinner.
Chen Youtian, seeing her heading to the kitchen, stopped her, "No need to cook for me, just eat yourselves. I'll eat back at my place. I've finished shaping the bed boards today. Tomorrow, I'll construct the bed frame and set it up, then it'll be done. I'll move the boards under the eaves for now. That's it for today; I'll come back tomorrow."
Saying so, he began tidying up.
Sang Luo insisted, but Chen Youtian waved his hand, "I'll be eating at your place in a couple of days anyway."
Adding a guest means adding a lot of extra work, which is more than enough trouble.
After speaking, Chen Youtian quickly gathered his things and left.