Divorced woman with child travels through time

The Tian family was in a hurry to leave. Before leaving, they gave Chen Wenfang some straw sandals, refusing to accept any money. Chen Wenfang tried to give the money to Aunt Lanhua, but Aunt Lanhua also refused and insisted on returning it. The two of them kept pushing and shoving each other, and Chen Wenfang was exhausted.

Aunt Liu offered Aunt Lan Hua a jar of candy, but Aunt Lan Hua still refused to accept it. Aunt Liu got angry and said with a stern face, "Are you looking down on me? I'm giving you something and you don't want it?"

Aunt Orchid argued, "I didn't, you know that's not what I meant."

Aunt Liu said angrily, "Then do you even consider me your sister? You didn't tell me about what happened to your family. If I hadn't heard about it from people in your village when I went to the market, I wouldn't have known until now. Do you consider me your sister?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt wronged.

Aunt Lanhua said sadly, "I know you've had a hard time too, with a family to support. I don't want to make things difficult for you."

The more she talked, the sadder she became. Aunt Liu hugged Aunt Lanhua and cried, "No matter how hard things are for me, you have to tell me! Otherwise, I'll be so heartbroken." The two embraced and wept. The onlookers were all saddened. Taking advantage of the crowd's inattention, Chen Wenfang secretly slipped some money into the pocket of the little boy, Aunt Lanhua. The little boy glanced at Chen Wenfang, who gave him a shushing gesture with a finger. He didn't say anything.

In the end, Aunt Lan Hua couldn't persuade Aunt Liu otherwise, so she took the syrup and went home. On her way home, Tian Le (Aunt Lan Hua's son) reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of copper coins, and handed them to Aunt Lan Hua, saying, "Mother, that's what my sister-in-law gave me."

Aunt Lanhua looked at the copper coins and silently wiped away her tears. Uncle Tian sighed, "Take it. Madam Chen is a good person. We can pay her back when we sell more straw sandals."

Aunt Lanhua nodded.

After what happened to Aunt Lan Hua, everyone at Aunt Liu's house was a little sad, and the misty, drizzly weather added to the oppressive atmosphere.

Aunt Liu hesitated for a moment and asked Chen Wenfang, "Fang'er, there's something I'd like to discuss with you?"

Chen Wenfang said, "Aunt Liu, please speak."

Aunt Liu murmured, "I want to teach Aunt Lanhua how to make thatch syrup. Of course, it won't be for free. She'll give you ten coins for every jar she sells, and she can give you less later when she has more..."

Before Aunt Liu could finish speaking, Chen Wenfang said, "Sure, but you don't need to give her the money. She can keep it for herself."

Aunt Liu exclaimed in surprise, "You agreed so quickly!"

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Why wouldn't you agree? We're all mothers." She patted Chen Xuanyu's head and said, "Just consider it doing something good for the children."

Aunt Liu nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll teach her later."

Chen Wenfang spoke up again, "Aunt Liu, could you help me find out if any families have puppies? I'd like to get a puppy; things haven't been going well lately!"

Aunt Liu said, "What's wrong? It's easy to find a paparazzi. I'll catch one for you later."

Chen Wenfang told her about the footprints by the window.

Aunt Liu said, "Your family lives alone, so you need to be extra careful. When the weather clears up, your Uncle Liu Hai and I will go together to build a bramble fence."

Chen Wenfang thanked her repeatedly. They agreed to go to Wangjiazhuang together the next day if it didn't rain. Before leaving, Aunt Liu picked a bunch of amaranth for Chen Wenfang, saying it was from the south and would make a delicious red soup that went well with rice. Ever since Aunt Liu made money growing peanuts, she often went to the shop to buy seeds that others had never seen before.

Chen Wenfang took it and returned home.

I put the straw sandals Uncle Tian gave me into the room, took off my straw sandals and socks, washed my bare feet, and put on the straw slippers. Ah, much more comfortable. In her previous life, Chen Wenfang worked in Guangdong for many years, wearing slippers all year round at home. It was the same when she returned to Wuhan, except she wore wool slippers in winter and sandals in summer. Once she got used to it, she couldn't change it.

Chen Xuanyu looked at it and shouted, "Mom, I want one too! I used to have one too!"

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "There isn't any now, but Mom will buy it for you next time Uncle Tian comes over."

Chen Xuanyu said, feeling wronged, "Okay then, but I don't have anything to wear right now."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "Why don't you wear mine?"

Chen Xuanyu said disdainfully, "It's too big, I'll fall over. I've worn it before."

Chen Wenfang laughed heartily, "You wore it? When? How come I didn't know?"

Chen Xuanyu turned his head away, "When you're not home, hmph, you laugh at me." Then he ran off.

Chen Wenfang was preparing dinner when she saw Shi Tou come over to play with Chen Xuanyu.

Chen Wenfang asked, "Shitou, did you tell your mother you were coming?"

Shi Tou stood up obediently and replied, "Sister-in-law Chen, I told Mother I was going out."

Without waiting for Chen Wenfang's response, she said, "I'm going to find Xuanzai to play," and ran off.

From afar, the sounds of two people laughing and joking could be heard coming from the main room.

Chen Xuanyu said, "Brother Stone, look at my tangram puzzle..."

Shi Tou said, "I took my brother to buy firecrackers. I heard they're really loud when you set them off. You've never seen them before, have you?"

. . . .

Chen Wenfang listened intently, and seeing that they weren't arguing, she stopped paying attention. Chen Wenfang changed into straw sandals and went to check on the vegetable garden.

The bok choy has sprouted; it's time to pick and eat it.

The loofah vines have started to climb, and it's time to set up a trellis. Chen Wenfang called out into the house, "Xuanzai, Mom is going to the back hill to cut some branches. You guys play inside."

Chen Xuanyu responded loudly, "I... know..."