Divorced woman with child travels through time

The children all ran to Chen Xuanyu to collect their copper coins. Once they had received the money and realized it was real, they immediately ran back to Wangjiazhuang and shouted. Seven-year-old Zhuzi ran home in one breath, shouting, "Sister, sister, hurry to Madam Chen's house! They're giving out red envelopes! They're really giving out money! Look, five copper coins!"

Chunfang glanced at the five-coin copper note dangling in his hand and said, "But am I too old? I'm already ten. What if people don't feel comfortable with my husband later?"

Zhu Zi, panting, said, "They're given out. Even the adults get them. You're not very big, but you can take one. I saw that Aunt Chunlan's granddaughter, Honghua, got one. She's even older than you. Hurry up, or there won't be any left!"

Chunfang took off her smock and threw it on the table, saying, "Then I'm going!"

"Go on, go on!" Chunfang arrived at Chen Niangzi's house. There were already many people at the door. Chuyi stood at the door and reminded them, "Everyone, don't push, take your time and line up. Children, come over here." Chunfang joined the line and found that all the young women from the village had come. They rarely came here before. Chunfang quietly asked Yanxia, ​​who was in front of her in line, "Is there really money to be received? My brother just received it. Are we too old? Will we get criticized later?"

Yanxia whispered, "No, Madam Chen is a very nice person. I saw Honghua take the money back, and she said Madam Chen even praised her for being pretty."

Chunfang finally relaxed and lined up patiently. Chen Xuanyu was already impatient with handing out money because there were so many children, and he was a bit of a troublemaker; if they started making a fuss, he would take them off to play with firecrackers. In the end, Chen Wenfang handed out the money. Chunfang only realized it was real when she actually received five copper coins from Chen's mother. She finally had some pocket money and needed to think about what to buy. Chunfang sweetly fantasized that this was the first time in her life she had her own money. Chen's mother had said that these were special New Year's red envelopes for the children, and the parents couldn't take them. She never took the children's New Year's money.

Her own mother said that, as Chen Niangzi said, only families that spoil their children can be harmonious. Just like Aunt Liu, since she learned from Chen Niangzi, that Shitou has become incredibly sensible. He keeps his money for himself, and when his mother spoils him, he doesn't ask for it anymore. For the first time, Chunhua felt that her own mother was spoiling her, and she was so happy that tears streamed down her face.

She was the eldest child in the family, doing everything herself—feeding the chickens, sweeping, cooking, washing clothes, fetching water—without ever complaining. Everything in the house was left for her younger brother; she'd never even eaten a chicken leg, let alone touched a copper coin. Suddenly having five copper coins felt like having a fortune. How was she going to spend them? Her mother said that Madam Chen would be harvesting a lot of syrup next year and would teach her how to make it. For every jar made, she'd get five coins. Could she finally buy that hair accessory she'd been wanting for so long? Chunhua suddenly felt incredibly happy; she could earn money herself…

Aunt Wang also arrived, joining the group of young women from the village who delivered syrup to Chen Wenfang. Chen Wenfang herself had received syrup many times and naturally recognized it, giving each woman twenty coins. The young women left happily, thinking how incredibly generous Chen was as their employer. They were just casual laborers, yet Chen even gave them New Year's red envelopes—truly a great act of kindness.

Thanks to those two large baskets of firecrackers, the children, along with the other children from Wangjiazhuang, played wildly on the wasteland outside from the first to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. There was a large, flat wasteland outside Chen Wenfang's house, and with the addition of their dog, Luo Xiaohei, and Chen Wenfang teaching them to jump rope and play beanbag toss, the four of them would often have children come to their door to play while they were still having breakfast. Chen Wenfang was generous and would give each child a large white steamed bun. Some children were shy and refused to accept them, so Chen Xuanyu would give them to them. As they received more, they became familiar with each other and started to eat. Later, they discovered how delicious the steamed buns were and stopped being polite.

Some children went home and told their parents that Chen Niangzi had given them steamed buns. The parents who knew proper etiquette would let their children eat their fill before coming over, while those who didn't would specifically call their children over during mealtimes and make them eat more. Chen Wenfang didn't mind too much, since it was only a few days anyway, and they would be setting up their stall again on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, when no one would be home. On the other hand, Chu Yi was very angry. When she was hanging around in town, she had seen all kinds of children. When playing games, she specifically grabbed those children and gave them a stern talking-to. After that, they behaved themselves and even if they hadn't eaten, they would only eat one steamed bun and say they were full, unlike before when they would eat several like starving ghosts.

Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu haven't been idle at home these past few days. Apart from the New Year's Day when people came to pay their respects, they made over 300 jin of yin rice over the next three days. On the morning of the fifth day, they packed up their things as usual and went to set up their stall. Aunt Liu's family also went with them, essentially helping Chen Wenfang out. They also sold sweet potatoes at the stall, since Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu, along with their children, couldn't manage it all.

Upon arriving in Lijia Town, business was as booming as ever. The market hadn't been open for so long, so naturally, it was packed with people. Chen Wenfang saw that there were so many people that the four of them couldn't keep up. One was frying rice, another was boiling syrup to fry rice puffs, one was pressing and cutting, and the third was packing and collecting money. As soon as a pot of rice puffs was fried, it was cut out and sold. Their hands didn't stop moving. Chen Wenfang took a moment to turn around and tell the three children not to leave the cupboard, and instructed Chu Yi, Zhuang Shitou to keep an eye on the children.

Fortunately, I had already cut hundreds of sheets of paper and rope at home. While I was watching, the children sitting behind me were also busy cutting paper and rope. Occasionally, someone would bring me syrup, and I would also go to collect some on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After a busy day, just before closing up shop, Chen Wenfang packed two bags of rice candy and bought some pastries that Ouyang Jin liked to eat at the Ouyang residence. She then took Chen Xuanyu to the Ouyang residence to wish them a Happy New Year.

Madam Jiang was as beautiful as ever, and she gave Chen Xuanyu a pretty sachet and red envelope. Ouyang Jin complained a bit, wondering why she hadn't brought him any novel food. Before Chen Wenfang could even speak up, Madam Jiang scolded, "Now is the time to do business. There are only a few days like this in a year. You can earn a year's worth of money in these few days. How can you delay other people's livelihood like this?"

Ouyang Jin was a person who listened to advice, so he said, "Then you should focus on your business. Make me some food when you're less busy."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, young master. In a few months, I will send you a very new food. The main problem is that it is too scarce right now. I only have the seeds. I will make it for you when I have more. I am sure you will like it."

Ouyang Jin jumped up. "Could it be something like sweet potatoes again?"

Chen Wenfang said, "No, it's just about growing a seasoning. I'll tell you more when I've made it."

Ouyang Jin nodded and said, "Go ahead and get busy. There are too many people at the market. If your business is slow, you might not be able to handle it."

Chen Wenfang bowed to the two of them and then took her leave.