Divorced woman with child travels through time

Chen Wenfang, being a widow and orphan, felt it inconvenient to keep guests. Wang the carpenter, understanding the situation, accepted the money and, before leaving, took out a tangram puzzle from his pocket and gave it to Chen Xuanyu. Chen Xuanyu was very happy; he usually played with small stones and twigs. Chen Wenfang thought that businessmen in ancient times were very good at interpersonal relationships, no wonder their businesses lasted so long. After giving the gift, Wang the carpenter left with his two nephews.

Chen Wenfang set up the table in the main room and placed the stools there. Now it finally didn't look so empty; it felt like a home. She picked up a hoe and cleared the newly sprouted weeds in the yard, scattering some millet for the chicks in the coop. Then she swept the weeds into a pile. Seeing that it looked like it was going to rain, she brought the clothes that were drying inside. Seeing the mosquito net she had bought, she thought, "Hmm, I'll hang it up properly. I can sleep well tonight."

After a busy night, Chen Wenfang scooped the rice from the pot into a small wooden basin. The newly made basin, unoiled, had a pleasant, fresh pine scent. She washed the pot, lit the stove, and called her son, Chen Xuanyu, who was playing with tangrams on the kang (heated brick bed) next door, to watch the fire. Chen Xuanyu came over with his tangrams, occasionally tossing twigs into the stove. Seeing Chen Wenfang chopping eggplant…

She asked, "Mom, are you going to make braised eggplant with pork?"

In her past life, Chen Wenfang often made this dish, which is very suitable for children.

Chen Wenfang said, "Yes, but it's a pity there's no soy sauce. I'll buy some next time. Is the tangram fun?"

Chen Xuanyu said, "It's fun."

Chen Wenfang said, "When Mom earns money, I'll buy you more toys."

Chen Xuanyu said, "Then when I grow up, I'll earn lots of money and buy you an airplane."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "Buying an airplane might be a bit difficult."

Chen Xuanyu said seriously, "Then I'll buy you a ship and a car. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you to buy me a ship." Haha.

Looking at her son's rosy face beside the firelight in the stove, Chen Wenfang felt that this life wasn't bad. But her child would grow up eventually; it was time for him to learn to read. Life was long ahead of him; he couldn't be illiterate. He needed to go to school, and their place was a bit out of the way... Anyway, I digress.

Cut the eggplant into small cubes. Heat a little oil in a pan over low heat and stir-fry until softened. If it's too dry, add a little water, but not too much, otherwise the eggplant will taste watery and won't taste good. After it's softened, add the braised pork and simmer for a while until the eggplant absorbs the flavor. Serve and the fragrant braised eggplant with pork is ready.

Chen Xuanyu's mouth watered as he looked at the meat, and he said, "Mom, I'm hungry."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Wait a moment, just fry the rice."

As they spoke, they deftly poured in the oil, and once it was hot and smoking, they cracked in two eggs. After the eggs bubbled and were stir-fried briefly, they added the leftover rice from lunch and stir-fried until each grain of rice was separate. They then added a little salt, and it was done.

As Chen Wenfang carried the rice to the main room, she felt as if something was staring at her. Turning around, she saw a dark shadow flash past the window.

Chen Wenfang quickly ran to the main room, put down the rice, picked up a kitchen knife, went around to the back of the house, and slowly walked to the window. No one was there. Chen Wenfang wondered, "Could I have seen wrong?"

Back in the main room, Chen Xuanyu was already trying to climb onto the bench again, but his legs were too short to make it. Chen Wenfang sat him down with the baby in her arms, then went to the kitchen to get some braised pork with eggplant for the child to eat. After thinking for a moment, she rushed back to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and this time brought a lamp. She went around to the back of the house, but still no one was there. She crouched down and shone the lamp on the floor. There were a few shallow footprints under the window. "I wasn't mistaken," Chen Wenfang thought.

Back at the table to continue eating, Chen Xuanyu asked, "Mom, where did you go?"

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "I'll go check on the chicks. It looks like it's going to rain. I need to move the chicks to the room next door, otherwise they'll get sick if they get wet."

Chen Xuanyu said, "Then I'll go catch some chicks for Mom after we finish eating."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Xuanzai is so well-behaved."

Chen Xuanyu ate the braised pork wrapped in eggplant, along with the egg fried rice with its rich egg flavor.

Chen Wenfang, however, felt a little listless. She was worried that perhaps her wealth was attracting unwanted attention, or that her generosity was making people covet her money. She needed to think carefully about how to protect herself, especially since she had a child. Chen Wenfang pondered this.

Should we get a dog? That should be a good idea.

Or should we surround the house with thorns? We'll have to ask Uncle Liu Hai and the others for help.

Should I buy another long knife? That's probably a state-controlled tool, I doubt I can buy one, and I don't even know how to use it. I might hurt myself, no way.

How about buying two pairs of scissors? That would be perfect for that too. That makes sense, that's a good idea.

Before they had finished eating, the rain started. Chen Wenfang then realized that she didn't have a raincoat. She had thought of buying one last time it rained, but she had forgotten about it because she was busy. Not only did she not have a raincoat, she didn't even have a straw hat.

Chen Wenfang braved the rain to herd the chicks from the chicken coop to the side room. Chen Xuanyu wanted to help, but Chen Wenfang stopped him, saying that getting wet in the rain could easily make them sick, and children in ancient times were physically weak; getting sick was no joke. Since becoming a mother, Chen Wenfang never took any risks.

The rain soon intensified, and it looked like it wouldn't stop anytime soon. Chen Wenfang closed the door and decided it was time to get some rest.