Fang Damiao didn't say anything, but directly moved over a stepladder and skillfully mixed the lime water. Standing on the ladder, he swung the brush, and the snow-white mortar was evenly applied to the wall, much smoother than what Yu Jihong had done.

Fang Meili was responsible for handing out tools, cleaning the floor, and occasionally helping to paint the walls below.

The three of them chatted and laughed, and the originally strenuous task became easier with their concerted efforts.

In less than an afternoon, the walls of the shop were painted snow-white, and even the paint on the storefront was touched up by Fang Damiao, making it look brand new.

Looking at the bright and spacious storefront, Yu Jihong felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She was almost finished with her work and hurriedly went to the side to buy some snacks. "Here, have some. I've been working all afternoon and I'm hungry. Mei Li, Da Miao, it's all thanks to you two, otherwise I don't know how long I would have had to work."

Fang Damiao nodded, "If you have any heavy work in the future, don't carry it yourself. Just call me anytime."

On the way back, Fang Meili couldn't help but say, "Jihong's shop sells women's clothing, so don't go in when you pass by. It's not very convenient."

"I know, I'm not going."

"I mean, for example, if you want to show me clothes, or buy me something, I'll come over and pick one out for you," Fang Meili explained earnestly.

Fang Damiao snorted, "Don't I know what you're thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking about anything. I was just worried you wouldn't know how to choose clothes and it would be troublesome to go and change them."

“Okay, I won’t go looking for her. You’ve been waiting for me to say that.” Fang Damiao was straightforward.

Fang Meili gave an unnatural smile, but did not refute it.

Just as Yu Jihong's clothing store was starting to take shape, the woman selling houses contacted her. The woman said she felt a connection with the mother and daughter and had spoken to them on her behalf, offering to lower the price. She also asked when the daughter's birthday was and when the paperwork could be completed.

"Sister, I really want this house, but there have been some changes at home. I've stopped going to work and opened a shop. The rent and inventory will cost a lot of money, so I'm afraid I don't have enough money to buy a house."

Unexpectedly, the older sister laughed and said, "What's so difficult about that? Don't you know you can get a loan to buy a house now? You can set up an installment plan, pay a portion first, and then pay the rest back slowly each month, just like paying rent."

"Buy a house in installments?" Yu Jihong was stunned. "Is that even possible? Move in first, and then pay back the money slowly?" In her more than forty years of life, she had never imagined that such a good thing could happen.

The older sister also told her a joke: a foreign old lady lived in a big house her whole life, and only paid off the loan when she passed away; while our Chinese old lady saved money her whole life, and only bought a house at the very end, without enjoying a single day of happiness.

"If I have the money, can I pay off this loan early?" Yu Jihong asked uncertainly.

"Of course you can."

If she didn't have enough money, she would buy a house and move in first. Yu Jihong's heart pounded; she needed to make sure she earned money every month. Rent and inventory were two fixed expenses for the shop; she would be frugal with everything else.

That evening, I told Fang Yu about it. "Mom, there is such a saying now. I saved some money last year, not much, but I'll use it first. I have my salary to pay the mortgage every month, so let's be frugal."

Yu Jihong gritted her teeth and said, "If we both work hard, how can we not make ends meet? Let's buy it!" After thinking for a moment, she added, "Things we never dared to dream of before are now a reality. Let's move into the new house first, and pay off the debt slowly. Things will only get better."

Yu Jihong agreed with the landlord to wait a few more days until she received the goods and saw how much money she had left before deciding how much loan to take out.

With the shop ready, Yu Jihong went to buy goods. The market was already bustling with noise, with people pushing carts, shouting, and haggling all mixed together, making Yu Jihong both nervous and excited.

She dared not buy any goods indiscriminately; at each stall, she would carefully examine the styles, feel the fabrics, and bargain.

The shop has opened, and Fang Yu's birthday has arrived. Yu Jihong holds the signed contract and clutches the heavy keys in her hand. Finally, she has her own house and her own home in the county town.

Yu Jihong carefully calculated that after the mortgage was approved, the monthly payment would be 280 yuan.

Yu Jihong became the most diligent shop owner on the street. She opened earlier and closed later than others every day, "doing business with dedication and striving to pay off the loan as soon as possible."

Yu Jihong greets every customer who enters the store with great enthusiasm.

She loves dressing up and has a keen eye for fashion. The clothes she buys are stylish and of good quality. She can always match the most suitable clothes according to the customer's figure and temperament.

"Sister, these corduroy pants would suit you perfectly. Pair them with a sweater, and you'll look both comfortable and youthful." While the customer was trying on the pants, Yu Jihong brought her a sweater.

With her patient recommendations, customers often leave satisfied after selecting several items of clothing.

Fang Meili also often helped her introduce business opportunities.

Whenever there are female customers who are familiar with the store, they recommend that they go to Yu Jihong's store to buy clothes. "My sister loves to dress up. She gets fashionable clothes that are of good quality. Look at this one I'm wearing, I bought it from her."

After school, Fang Yu would go to the shop first. If there were greasy stir-fries for dinner, Fang Yu would cook them at home and bring them to the shop. The shop would then heat up the semi-finished products or cook some noodles or dumplings, which are less oily and smoky, so that the mother and daughter could eat dinner together.

The Qingming Festival in 1999 fell on a Monday. The sky was overcast and a fine drizzle was falling.

Fang Yu went to work that day, and Yu Jihong didn't ask her to come with her. She got up early and took the first bus to see Fang San Di.

Back home, Yu Jihong picked up a hoe that Fang Sandi used to use when he was alive from the corner of the wall. Touching the handle of the hoe, Yu Jihong's eyes turned red. She carried it on her shoulder, along with incense, paper money, and snacks, and walked towards the cemetery.

On this day, there were many villagers on the road and at the cemetery who came to sweep the tombs. When they saw Yu Jihong, they said softly, "She is quite sentimental and came back to see her third brother."

Fang Sandi's grave was surrounded by weeds. Yu Jihong picked up a hoe and began to carefully clear the weeds from the grave. Several cousins ​​also came to help. "Jihong, we have also prepared paper money for Sandi."

"Oh, I brought some with me too."

After clearing away the weeds, Yu Jihong placed the snacks in front of the tombstone and lit incense and candles. As the smoke curled upwards, Yu Jihong's voice choked with emotion, "Third brother, I've come to see you."

Yu Jihong chatted with Fang Sandi as if they were old friends, telling him about recent events in a very casual way, clearly telling him the address of the shop and the address of the new house, as if afraid that he would not remember them.

The rain grew heavier, wetting her hair and clothes.

Yu Jihong bowed deeply before the grave, saying, "Third brother, I will come to see you every year on Qingming Festival. I hope you are doing well over there."

Yu Jihong picked up her umbrella, went home to put down her hoe, and looked around the house again. The time she spent in this house with Fang San Di Fang Yu was now just a memory. Yu Jihong's nose tingled, she wiped her eyes, closed the door, and hurried back to the county town.

The rain was still falling, but her steps were firm. She knew that Fang San Di was watching her from heaven, watching her make her life better and better.