Divorced woman with child travels through time

Chen Xuanyu, who was eating a piece of dried sweet potato next to him, asked, "Mom, is this a roasted sweet potato?"

Chen Wenfang nodded, and seeing that Chu Yi and Shi Wu weren't eating sweet potato chips, she asked, "Didn't you get some sweet potato chips for your brothers?" These two children were still quite worried; they didn't dare to get anything to eat themselves. She had told them to take some from the cabinet outside, but they still wouldn't reach for it. They only started eating snacks when Chen Xuanyu took the lead.

Chen Xuanyu said, "They took it, but none of them ate it. They said they were full from eating steamed buns, and they would keep the dried sweet potatoes in their pockets to eat slowly."

Chen Wenfang walked over, patted one of their heads with each hand, squatted down, and said softly to Chu Yi and Shiwu, "These are snacks. Eat them if you're craving them. There's plenty at home, don't worry. I took them out for you to eat. Don't save them, they'll get moldy if you leave them too long, and then you won't be able to eat them, what a waste. Right? Be good."

Chu Yi and Shi Wu exchanged a glance, nodded, and took out dried sweet potatoes from their pockets to slowly nibble on them. The dried sweet potatoes were so sweet.

Chen Wenfang smiled with satisfaction.

An hour or so later, Chen Wenfang was preparing lunch. Uncle Liu Hai returned from Wangjiazhuang with Dazhuang and came in to tell Chen Wenfang that Wang You had brought people over that afternoon to check out the yard and determine where to dig the well, and that construction would begin tomorrow.

After Uncle Liu finished speaking, he looked at the oven in the yard and asked, "Is this the thing you were talking about for roasting sweet potatoes?"

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "That's right. How's the charcoal you asked me about last time?"

Uncle Liu Hai said, "I've already made the arrangements. You said you needed 100 catties each of charcoal and rock charcoal. They should be delivered in about five days."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "That would be great! Uncle, would you like to buy some to prepare for the winter?"

Uncle Liu Hai smiled bitterly, “I’m afraid that won’t work. At most, we can buy twenty catties of coal. Our land is rented. Although the court has exempted us from taxes, we fled here and don’t own any land. We used all our money to buy those three houses. The land is rented, so we have to pay rent. The rent isn’t expensive, but we didn’t make any money last year. We borrowed some money to grow peanuts. This year, thanks to you, we made some money to pay off the rent and the loan we owed. We still need to keep some for emergencies.”

Chen Wenfang seemed thoughtful, then said, "I see. I understand. This afternoon, please ask Aunt Liu to come over so we can discuss the meals for tomorrow. You can also help me talk to Uncle Youdi about digging the well."

Uncle Liu Hai said, "Alright, then I'll head back first."

Chen Wenfang nodded.

After lunch, Aunt Liu and her family all came to Chen Wenfang's house, making it quite lively. Dazhuang and Shitou led the three children in jumping rope in the yard. This time they were using straw rope, a gift from Uncle Tian. Chen Wenfang figured it was just sitting there anyway, so she taught them how to play the two-person jump rope game, the kind where they jump while crawling through it. Chen Wenfang was very glad that the yard was big enough; otherwise, there wouldn't be enough room for so many children to play.

Chen Wenfang, Aunt Liu, and Uncle Liu Hai were eating melon seeds and chatting in the main room.

Chen Wenfang stretched out her hand and placed it in front of Aunt Liu, saying, "Auntie, look at my hands, they've been torn up from making cotton trousers lately."

Aunt Liu looked at it carefully and said, "I'll get you some of that oil to rub on it later. You're good at making herbal medicine and food, but how come you can tear your hands so badly by severing your clothes?"

Chen Wenfang said with difficulty, "Well, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Look, Auntie, aren't the clothes you make especially good? Last time, I could only wear the sleeves after you altered them."

Aunt Liu laughed again after being praised, and said, "That's right. The clothes-making skills of your aunt in our village were personally taught by your Aunt Lan Hua. Although I am not as good at embroidery as she is, the clothes I make are not bad."

Chen Wenfang said, "Yes, but my cotton shoes haven't been made yet. There are four people in our family, and if each person gets two pairs, that's eight pairs. What are we going to do?"

Aunt Liu said, "What's so difficult about that? I'll do it. Leave it to me."

Chen Wenfang grinned, just waiting for these words. "Oh, my Aunt Liu is the best to me! It just so happens that I bought extra fabric and soles. Counting the four of you in your family, we can each make two pairs, and there's still some left. Aunt Liu, you can make them all together. I've finished the uppers and put cotton in them. I'll leave the soles to you, Aunt Liu." As she spoke, she pulled two large bundles out of the cupboard. "Here, take these back with you."

Aunt Liu said, moved, "Fang'er, no matter how many stitches I sew, it's not enough to make up for eight pairs of shoes. I'll give you the money later."

Chen Wenfang pretended to be angry and said, "Auntie, you're being so formal, and that makes me angry. These shoes are not easy to make. Each person's shoes have to be embroidered with different things so that it's easy to tell whose shoes they are. It takes a lot of work."

Aunt Liu said, "That's a small matter."

Chen Wenfang feigned anger and said, "Anyway, if you give me money, our two families will break off all ties."

Aunt Liu looked at Uncle Liu Hai, who couldn't get a word in edgewise. They were women discussing things, and he was too embarrassed to say anything.

Seeing Aunt Liu looking at him, Uncle Liu Hai said, "Then let's do as Sister Chen says."

Aunt Liu rolled her eyes at him; he'd always been like this. But she was pretty much the same. Anyway, neither of them could argue with Chen Wenfang. Her family had received much kindness from Fang'er, so she'd just treat her even better in the future. She said, "Okay, I'll take it back and make it later."

Chen Wenfang smiled with satisfaction.

Aunt Liu was an impatient person. After chatting for a while, she couldn't sit still any longer. She picked up two large bundles and said to Chen Wenfang, "I'll go back first since I have nothing to do anyway. I'll take the things back and make them. I'll bring them to you as soon as I finish. I'll come back tomorrow morning and cook with you. I'll go back and get busy now."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Then Aunt Liu, please take care and come over early tomorrow morning."

Aunt Liu smiled and nodded, then picked up her bag and hurried away.