Crossing Over to Yamada Love

Mo Lan forced herself to swallow the sorghum rice; she had to eat it no matter how unpalatable it was. Otherwise, where would she get the energy? She was already thin enough; she didn't need to diet.

The meal was finished quickly. Liu and Qiu went to clean up, and the elders and men chatted for a while before returning to their rooms to rest.

"Grandma, wouldn't it look better if our shoe uppers were made into shoes?" Mo Lan didn't want to go back to her room with Qiu Shi and stayed at Wang Shi's place.

“Yes, it would definitely look better as a shoe, but the soles haven’t been sewn yet. Why does Lan’er want Grandma to make the uppers into shoes?” Madam Wang let her granddaughter pester her.

"Well, I think making them into shoes would sell better. I'll have my aunt make a pair of insoles."

"Alright, I'll finish making a pair of shoe soles these next few days and make shoes. If they don't sell, I'll keep them for my Lan'er. But do you still need to make the insoles?" Madam Wang replied with a smile.

"Yes, Grandma. The flowers and patterns on the shoe uppers are all our own ideas. We'll also make a nice insole with embroidered flowers to match. Also, our shoes are made in the standard women's bound-foot size. Some people might find them too big, while others might find them just right. With an insole, people can make a better choice."

"Okay, then I'll have your aunt make the insoles this afternoon."

"Grandma is so good." Mo Lan hugged Wang Shi's arm and nestled her face against Wang Shi's shoulder.

"Lan'er likes embroidered shoes, does Lan'er want to bind her feet?" Madam Wang pondered for a while before suddenly asking.

"No, Grandma, Lanlan doesn't bind her feet." Mo Lan shivered. Foot binding was torture, she didn't want to do it. She wasn't stupid, how could she possibly torture herself!

"Alright, if you don't want to be bound, then so be it. Grandma doesn't expect you to marry into a wealthy family. There's nothing wrong with finding a farmer and living an ordinary life." Madam Wang stroked her granddaughter's hair and said softly.

"Lanlan won't marry. Lanlan will stay with Grandma for the rest of her life," Molan said coquettishly.

"Alright, alright, our Lan'er will stay with Grandma." Madam Wang smiled indulgently at Mo Lan.

After resting for a while, the men went to the fields. Wang, Liu, and Momei did needlework. Qiu worked alone. Molan, Erlang, and Xiaosan'er went to their uncle's house.

After the three men greeted their uncle, they sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Good, good. The children of the Mo family are indeed all good. I'm so happy that your uncle is teaching you to read." Mo Changhai exclaimed "good" twice, clearly genuinely pleased.

"Uncle, you teach my brother first. Xiao San'er and I will listen from the side. After you finish teaching my brother, Xiao San'er and I will learn," Mo Lan said obediently.

"Good girl Lan, I'll teach your older brother first." After saying that, Mo Changhai picked up the book and began to teach Erlang to recognize characters.

Mo Lan held Xiao San'er close beside her and listened attentively. The little guy didn't seem bored at all being next to Mo Lan, blinking his big eyes and looking intently at his uncle and brother.

One taught diligently, the other learned meticulously. Mo Lan nodded; her older brother was truly remarkable. He studied diligently and was intelligent, so he progressed quickly. In his spare time, he also helped with housework—truly, a poor man's child matures early!

Time passed by, but Mo Lan wasn't in a hurry. She had heard most of what Mo Changhai was saying back then, so she didn't feel confused. On the contrary, she found it strange that Xiao San'er could sit quietly like that.

The two instructors finished their lecture, and Erlang thanked his uncle. Then he smiled at Molan and Xiaosan'er and said, "Are you tired of sitting? I'm done learning. I'm going to gather some firewood. You two must study hard with your uncle."

"Okay, brother, don't overwork yourself. Don't forget to silently recite what Uncle taught you on the way, like 'long back'," Mo Lan reminded her brother.

"Yes, I will. I'm off then." Erlang said goodbye to his uncle and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Mo Lan sighed inwardly. It's truly not easy for him. He's learned so much, but since there's no paper or pen at home, he can only draw and write on the ground with twigs. "Uncle, have some water and rest a bit before you teach us," Mo Lan said, getting off the kang (heated brick bed) and handing a bowl of hot water to Mo Changhai.

Mo Changhai took the water, smiled with satisfaction, and thought, "Lan'er has grown up. She knows how to take care of people now."

And so, Mo Lan and Xiao San'er spent an afternoon at Mo Changhai's place, and Mo Lan began her journey of learning to read in this era.

The days passed quickly, each day the same as the last: the eldest son's family busy, the second son's family dissatisfied, bickering and complaining, all echoing in Mo Lan's ears daily. She just smiled; that's life, isn't it?

Today was the day Liu was to deliver her embroidery, so early in the morning Liu packed up the pieces she needed to deliver and came to Wang's place.

"Mother, sister-in-law, I'll take Lanlan with me then. I'll leave the house to you." Liu said to Wang and Qiu.

"Okay, be careful on the road, keep an eye on Lan'er, don't let her run around, and come back as soon as possible." Wang instructed Liu, then handed her fifteen coins for the carriage, and told her to buy food in town if she was late.

"It doesn't need to be that much, ten coins will suffice," Liu declined.

"Take it, I don't have any more here. Don't refuse." Wang told Liu to put the money away.

Mo Lan narrowed her eyes upon seeing this; she was even refusing to pay more than ten coins. A pang of sadness welled up in her heart.

"Lanlan, listen to your aunt on the way, don't get lost," Qiu Shi reminded her again from the side.

"Yes, Mother, don't worry, I will definitely be obedient," Mo Lan assured her again.

"Sister-in-law, then I'll have to trouble you." Qiu said to Liu.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I will definitely take good care of Lanlan," Liu assured Qiu.

And so, with their family members giving them instructions, Liu and Molan left the courtyard and headed towards the village entrance.

Liu led Mo Lan to the roadside at the entrance of the village, where an oxcart was parked, and a man in his fifties was squatting next to it, smoking a pipe.

"Uncle Liu," Liu called out to the man. Mo Lan knew this was Old Liu from the village. His family had bought an ox to plow the fields, and when he wasn't busy, he would use the oxcart to take people to town to earn some money to supplement his family's income.

"Oh, it's Changhai's family. They're delivering goods again today. This must be Molan, why is she going too?" Uncle Liu looked up at Liu Shi and stood up.

"Hello, Grandpa Liu," Mo Lan greeted him with a smile.

"Yes, yes," Old Liu replied happily.

"Lanlan, come with me to see when Uncle Liu is leaving."

"Let's wait a bit. Erdan's family, your Aunt Chen, Aunt Shiliu, and the others are going too. They should be here soon," Old Liu said, glancing at the sky.

"Okay, then we'll wait. Uncle Liu, how much is the fare? I'll pay you first."

"Forget about the fare, it's all from the villagers," Old Liu said, declining the offer.

“That won’t do. Uncle Liu has a whole family to support. If his family weren’t struggling, who would be willing to let the ox run around like that?”

"Well, cattle are a treasure to us farmers. I have no choice. Your aunt has been in poor health for many years, and the family only has so much land. There are also many children to feed. If I don't haul some cattle, I really won't be able to take care of everything." Old Liu sighed.

“That’s right, so Uncle Liu has to take the money. He can’t just ride in your car for free.” Mrs. Liu didn’t want to take advantage of others.

"Alright, then give me two coins. Lan is just a child, so we'll forget about her money," Old Liu said generously, slapping his thigh.

"That won't do," Liu hurriedly declined.

After some arguing, Liu gave three coins, which meant Mo Lan paid half the fee. Watching their argument, Mo Lan was both amused and exasperated. She usually only saw people haggling over prices, but today, one refused, and the other insisted on paying. They were only arguing over one or two coins. However, these arguments also revealed their character.

After Liu paid the money, she led Mo Lan into the car, while several women walked over from the direction of the village.

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Thank you Lei Ge Tianying, Xiao Shunshun YY, Wen Huayu for the peace charm, and Empress Online for the PK vote. Thank you everyone for your collections, clicks, and recommendations. Thank you for your support!