Divorced woman with child travels through time

The pond was about half an acre in size, with weeds growing all along its edge, including some houttuynia cordata, which Chen Wenfang didn't like to eat.

There were a few wild lotuses growing in the pond, and two pink and white lotus flowers had bloomed. There was a blue stone slab along the bank where Chen Wenfang often fetched water or washed vegetables. The pond was not stagnant; a small ditch came down from the mountain, and another small ditch flowed into the river. Dazhuang and Shitou often took Chen Xuanyu to play in the ditch.

Chen Wenfang tidied up the fishing net, and following the fishmonger's instructions, she lifted it by hand and tossed it out. Then she slowly dragged it back, and the three children excitedly came over to help pull it back.

Chen Wenfang pulled on the water and felt it was a bit heavy. Haha, there must be a fish. After pulling it up, four heads crowded around, and after parting the water plants, there really was a small fish.

Chen Xuanyu happily carried over his small bucket filled with water and said, "Quickly put it in, put it in, or it will die."

Stone happily said, "Sister-in-law, throw the net at me next time, I'm sure I can catch it."

Chen Wenfang said, "No, you're too small. What if you don't swing properly and fall into the pond?"

Stone shouted, "My brother can swim, he can save me."

Chen Wenfang said, "No, your brother won't be able to pull you up later."

Stone pleaded, "Oh, please let me just drop it for a bit, just once, please."

She tugged at Chen Wenfang's clothes and started to whine and plead, "Okay, okay, just for a little while, alright?"

Annoyed to no end, Chen Wenfang said, "Then go to your house and call your parents over. If your dad's here, I'll let you drop the net for a bit, okay?"

Stone surprisingly said cleverly, "Definitely not, my dad would never let me throw it away."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "If I say I'll let you lose it, I promise I'll let you lose it. Your dad won't let me, okay? Don't you trust me?"

Shi Tou thought Chen Wenfang's words made sense. His parents always listened to Chen's sister-in-law. After thinking for a second, he said, "Then wait for me. I'll go back and call my dad and the others. Don't catch all the fish." He turned and ran away.

Chen Wenfang waved her hand and called out, "I know, I know, go ahead."

Looking back at Dazhuang's envious gaze, she said, "Oh dear, my hands are so tired. Dazhuang, can you help me drop the net?"

Dazhuang asked in surprise, "Can I?"

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Of course, come on, like this."

Chen Wenfang taught him how to properly fold the fishing net, set it up, and then forcefully throw it out, following the instructions of the fishmonger.

Then they closed the net. Chen Xuanyu, though small, was always busy, standing at the back helping to pull up the radishes. He even shouted work chants, "Heave-ho, heave-ho..." It was especially cute.

After being pulled up, they immediately squeezed over, their little hands not minding getting dirty, to rummage through the water plants to see if there were any fish.

Dazhuang was lucky this time, catching two fish, both about the size of his palm, crucian carp. Chen Wenfang's net was a small-mesh net. Most fish that weren't particularly small probably wouldn't escape. It seems there aren't any big fish left in this pond.

"Dazhuang is pretty good, he caught more fish than me," Chen Wenfang praised.

Dazhuang, who was easily embarrassed, blushed and said, "That's because my sister-in-law taught me well."

Chen Xuanyu said with red eyes, "Mom, let me have a turn too."

Chen Wenfang laughed, "You're not even as tall as the fishing net. You'll throw yourself out of there."

Chen Xuanyu was a reasonable and good kid, and after hearing this, he just said sadly, "Okay then."

Dazhuang couldn't stand it anymore and said, "When my dad comes later, can you cast the net with me when I do it?"

Chen Xuanyu's eyes lit up with joy, and he laughed, "Great! Big Brother Dazhuang is so nice. I like you the most."

Chen Wenfang chuckled, "Didn't you say last time that you liked Mother the most?"

Chen Xuanyu laughed, "I like Mom too. I like Brother Dazhuang too. I like them both, hehe."

Chen Wenfang didn't stop, casting another net. But unfortunately, there was nothing there, just like a pond without fish.

But you can clearly see small fish swimming around nearby.

After Chen Xuanyu came closer and found nothing there, he pointed to the fish swimming nearby and said, "Mom, they're laughing at you."

Chen Wenfang pretended to be angry and said, "We'll have Uncle Liu Hai come and scatter them later. He'll definitely catch them all in one go. Humph."

After a while, Shi Tou and Aunt Liu arrived. Shi Tou rushed over to check Chen Xuan Yu's bucket and found that there were still only three fish inside. Relieved, he ran over, picked up the fishing net, and said, "Dad, Sister-in-law Chen said I can cast the net."

Before Uncle Liu could object, Chen Wenfang added, "Uncle Liu, please let him throw it away. I promise. I'll feel more at ease if you watch over it. Everyone's here; nothing will happen. Okay?"

Aunt Liu said, "He's too small, he might fall inside if I throw him."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "That's why I asked him to call you over. There's always a first time for everything, so let the kids give it a try."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Chen Wenfang otherwise, Uncle Liu Hai said, "Stone, come here, Dad will teach you."

Stone skipped over excitedly and carefully cast his first ever fishing net. He was very happy.

With Uncle Liu watching over it, the net, though cast close by, was very effective, catching five small fish. Stone was overjoyed.

Chen Xuanyu watched longingly, Uncle Liu Hai felt sorry for him, and Da Zhuang even took his hand and said, "Come on, let's cast the net."

Chen Xuanyu cast his net closer, right to his feet. Surprisingly, he caught seven or eight small fish. Chen Xuanyu was overjoyed.

"Haha, I caught the most fish in my net. Put them in, put them in, put them all in, or they'll die." Chen Xuanyu was busy carrying a small bucket.

“You can’t put any more in, your bucket is too small. Pour it into the big bucket,” Chen Wenfang said.

Chen Xuanyu happily put the small fish he caught into his own small bucket, then poured them into the larger bucket, busy as a bee. The key was that Shi Tou and Da Zhuang were also helping. Chen Wenfang was truly at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Aunt Liu and her husband watched their antics with loving eyes.