"I'm starting to make the waistband. It's similar to how the collar of a cotton-padded jacket is made, and the stitching method is the same. You can make the waistband yourself, and I'll see how you handle the stitching."

"Third Aunt, you can hold it up. Although the stitches can't compare to yours, they will definitely be sewn very tightly."

Judging from Zhang Hongmei's posture, Li Cuihua knew that the girl had already mastered it. Why hadn't she realized before that the child was so clever? She learned it after being taught only once.

“Hongmei, if these were men’s cotton trousers, they would have to be open at the front, and the method would be the same.”

"I understand, Auntie. I'll wear men's clothes next time too, they're easier to put on and take off."

"It can be changed now, do you want to change it?"

"No, let's leave it at that for now. When I have time, I'll figure out how to make another cotton-padded coat, and make it bigger."

"Okay, I'll go back to sleep first. This afternoon, let's make some linings, mother and son. The strength of the shoe sole depends on how well the lining is made. Find all the old clothes that you can't wear anymore, and we'll take them apart and paste them on this afternoon. Even if we leave the pasted linings indoors in this weather, they won't dry for more than a few days. Let's just paste one piece first, and then you can paste the rest when it gets warmer. I'll bring my linings over tomorrow and teach you."

"How can that be? Auntie, you have a large family and use a lot of things. If I use your things, what will you use?"

"It's no big deal. You can pay me back when you're done. I'm going back now."

After Li Cuihua left, Zhang Hongmei locked the door and went back inside to rummage through old clothes, starting with her own. She remembered that when her mother used to make quilts, she would always take apart old clothes first. Anyway, she had nothing else to do now, so she would take them apart after dinner.

I treated myself to lunch – rice and braised fish. Just thinking about braised fish makes my mouth water; it's been so long since I've had it. I have dozens of braised fish cooked in my storeroom, all ordered from restaurants. After a delicious meal, I took a nap and then came out. I was worried about what to do if someone suddenly came over.

I took out my Xinhua Dictionary. I flipped through it, and it was all in traditional characters. Suddenly, I remembered that Li Juying hadn't replied to my emails for two days. Was that not acceptable?

Forget it, I won't think about it anymore. I'll just go to the school and ask them myself. I'll go to the village after Zhang Aiguo and Cui Lin's ashes are returned and buried. School will start in March at the latest, so it won't be too late. I graduated from a prestigious university; I can't be illiterate now. Besides, in this day and age, getting a permanent job is the most secure option. The days of toiling in the fields are too hard. I'm too young to leave now, but I'll have to find a way to become a worker in a few years.

Zhang Hongmei took out all her old clothes and disassembled them one by one. They were all patched. There was one set that looked slightly better, but she decided to keep it for wearing in public. Being low-key is the best policy.

Everything was ready by 1:00 PM, so I lit the fire and heated up a bowl of sweet potato porridge, adding ginger and brown sugar as usual. After eating it, I felt especially happy. Sweets bring joy to the mind and body.

I dare not take a nap, so reading is my only option. Sitting by the kitchen doorway, the sun is shining brightly, but it's too cold; I don't even want to stretch my arms out. But reading indoors is too dark. I studied so hard in my past life and never became nearsighted; I can't ruin my eyes because of this. Nearsightedness would be so unsightly.

The texts in the Chinese textbook still need to be memorized. Although they're not as difficult to pronounce as the classical Chinese texts from school, they're still quite obscure and hard to understand compared to modern vernacular texts. There's a reason Zhang Hongmei was considered a top student before; while she couldn't claim a photographic memory, she could remember things after reading them two or three times. Now that she's transmigrated here, her memory has improved even further, making memorizing these elementary school texts a breeze. But even top students have their flaws; she always feels that she hasn't truly memorized something unless she writes it down from memory. But the current situation doesn't allow for that. She can only mentally simulate writing it down. Sigh! When will this ever end?

I stopped after memorizing a book and dug out some old newspapers. Newspapers these days are quite unique; I wonder if they were the same in my past life? But seeing all the positive and uplifting news reports, I realized how easily people in this era were influenced. I even saw a casual photo of the Chairman in one of them; he was quite handsome.

Looking through the reports on advanced practices in various regions, I realized this parallel world was probably similar to my previous life's world, and the movement was beginning to take shape. It seemed I absolutely had to skip grades and finish my studies. Otherwise, without education, I wouldn't have a degree, wouldn't be able to find a stable job, and would have to work myself to the bone again. Thinking about my small frame, I felt like crying. No, I had to find a way to go to school, and I couldn't let others be envious.

Now that she's an orphan, she's suited to playing the role of someone who evokes sympathy; the more miserable and exhausted she appears, the safer she'll be. First and foremost, she has to be careful about her clothes. She dares not wear new clothes; she had originally planned to take this opportunity to make several new outfits. It seems she'll have to alter Zhang Aiguo and his wife's old clothes. Zhang Hongmei tries to encourage herself, telling herself there's nothing she can't overcome; if things get too difficult, she can wear her nicer clothes underneath. As long as it's not noticeable, it'll be fine.

He put the newspaper away, propped his chin on his hand, and stared blankly. He realized how difficult his life had been; going from luxury to frugality was truly painful. Every step he took from now on had to be cautious, to avoid unnecessary trouble. The next ten years or so would be an era where the poorer you were, the more justified you were. Although he didn't know if he had been a poor peasant for eight generations, his status as a family member of a martyr should be quite safe. As long as he didn't cause trouble, no one should bother him.

After thinking about it for a while, Li Cuihua still hadn't arrived. Was something holding her up? This Third Aunt was a straightforward person; she wouldn't break her promise without a reason.

People are really afraid of being talked about. Speak of the devil and he appears. "Hongmei, were you waiting long? Something came up at home and I'm late."

"It's alright, Auntie, I'm not in a hurry. If you have something urgent, go ahead and do as I please."

"It's nothing, it's just that your eldest sister is being unreliable. She's made your third uncle angry. You know, that child was so sensible when she was little, so why is she becoming less and less likable as she grows up?"

Parents' hearts are always full of love and worry, but how could Zhang Hongmei possibly answer this? She wasn't familiar with the villagers, nor did she know them well. Without investigation, she had no right to speak, and saying the wrong thing might offend someone. Zhang Hongmei could only give an awkward smile; she couldn't respond to this question.

"Forget it, why bother telling you all this? You're still young. I brought the brocade; I'll teach you how to make it when we go inside. Do you have any white cloth? We'll need a few strips; white-edged shoes look better."

"Some of you are old ladies, shouldn't we start by making the quilted fabric?"

"No, I'll teach you how to paste it when it gets warmer. I brought enough for you to make three pairs of shoes, so don't worry about using it. I've already made shoes for your brother Jianguo and the others."