In August, rice harvesting begins. There are large rice fields to the east of the village, and it is a busy time at this time. Chen Afu does not allow Chen Dabao to take Qiqi, Huihui and Zhuifeng there to play during this period.
Chen Dabao took them to the west end of the village for a walk in the morning and afternoon.
That morning, Dabao was still writing. Chen Afu had just come back from watering the fields when he saw Xiao Shitou coming in with a gourd of milk in one hand and a small birdcage and an extra-large birdcage in the other, looking very tired.
He said, "Aunt Fu, this is the house my second uncle built for Qiqi and Huihui."
The two bird cages were made very delicately, with small wooden bowls inside. The craftsmanship was almost as good as that of a bamboo craftsman.
The dark face, white teeth, and Wu the Carpenter’s loud voice flashed before Chen Afu’s eyes.
It seems that it is not a good idea to receive his things.
Chen Ahfu smiled and said, "Qiqi and Huihui don't have cages, so they won't run around..."
The golden swallow squatting on the window chirped, "Mommy, please take it. If Qiqi and Huihui can't live here, you can give it to other birds."
After hearing this, Chen Afu had no choice but to take it and said with a smile, "It's very beautiful. Thank you." He then took out a few candies and gave them to Xiao Shitou.
It was not until Chen Dabao had studied for an hour that the two boys took the three birds and one dog out to play.
The golden swallows also went today. Zhuifeng struggled with his thoughts for a long time but still didn't dare to go with them. He looked at their backs and sobbed for a long time.
At noon, when Chen Dabao came back, he looked very sad, holding the golden swallow in his arms, looking reluctant to leave. He said to Chen Afu, "Mother, today I saw many wild geese and swallows flying in a line from the north to the south. Will Jinbao also fly to the south?"
Chen Afu picked up Dabao and said, "Well, Jinbao will also fly to the south." She had heard from Jin Yanzi a few days ago that it must enter the space on August 5th of every year and can only leave the space on February 20th of the following year.
It entered the space not because it was afraid of starving without live insects, but because of routine. No matter how powerful the golden swallow was, it would not stay outside in the winter.
Seeing that Dabao's eyes were red, Chen Ahfu said, "Don't be sad, Dabao. Jinbao will fly back next spring."
Dabao said sadly, "What if Jinbao can't find the way home?"
"No, our Jinbao is the smartest swallow. No matter where it goes, it can find the way home." said Chen Afu.
The golden swallow also chirped sadly, "There are only three days left. I can only play outside for three days. I have to stay in the space and wait until the spring comes and the flowers bloom next year before I can come out."
Chen Ahfu was even more worried. With Jin Yanzi away, his family's fighting power was too weak. Zhuifeng was still young and could not be of much use. Even if he grew up, he didn't know how powerful he would be.
Chen Afu invited Xiao Shitou to have lunch with him, and when he left, he gave him some steamed red date steamed cakes.
In the afternoon, Chen Ahfu and Wang went to the town together to buy some glutinous rice, meat, mushrooms and other ingredients to make glutinous rice balls for Jin Yanzi. Jin Yanzi said that its previous owner could cook several dishes that it liked, including pearl meatballs. Among those dishes, only pearl meatballs were simple and didn't cost much, so Chen Ahfu wanted to make it for the little thing to comfort its sad heart. By the way, she also wanted to buy some fine cloth and cotton to make something for her family.
With those dozens of taels of gold ingots, Chen Afu felt confident enough to spend money.
She didn't want to tell Jin Yanzi that she was making pearl meatballs, but she just said that she had heard from Sister Changgen that pearl meatballs were delicious, and she wanted to try making them.
Chen Dabao still wanted to go, but Chen Afu didn't let him and asked him to go to the west end of the village to collect more firewood.
She was wearing a half-new and half-old green bodice and a conical hat. She and Wang walked hand in hand along the path on the side of their yard, heading east to the path leading to Mingshui Town.
The sky in early autumn is blue and high. Although the weather has turned cooler, the sunlight is still so strong that people cannot open their eyes.
The farmers in the rice fields were busy and although they were sweating profusely, they had smiles on their faces.
Chen Ahfu and Wang walked through the rice fields and entered a small forest, where they finally cooled down. In the distance, they saw six or seven carriages and twenty strong men on horseback heading towards Tangyuan, and the red gate that seemed to have been closed forever was also opened.
Chen Afu thought of Uncle Chu and Madam Chu mentioned by Changgen’s wife. Are they coming to the farm to rest again?
Wang also noticed it. She looked at it twice, sighed deeply, and looked away. After a while, she said slowly, "Those big houses look rich and prosperous, but in fact, life is not easy. Especially some people, their hearts are so cruel..." Perhaps she felt that she had said something wrong, so she quickly shut up.
Was she thinking of the young son-in-law who had become a high-ranking official?
Chen Ahfu squeezed Wang's hand and said, "There's nothing wrong with our Xiao Lao family. Although we don't have enough food and clothing, we are a united, friendly, and happy family. We can't compare to those wealthy families."
Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "Afu is right."
After arriving in town and buying food, Chen Ahfu took Wang to the cloth shop. Wang was surprised to see that she bought so much cotton and fine cloth, and asked, "Ahfu, why did you buy so much? You and Dabao can't use so much."
Chen Ahfu said, "And you, Dad, and Ah Lu."
Wang said, "We don't have anything to exchange, we can use it all."
Chen Ahfu said, "I saw that day that your cotton-padded jackets and trousers are already very old and not warm enough. A-Lu's are also too short and small, and his quilt and mattress also need to be remade."
Wang added, "Alu, just use your old mattress."
Chen Ahfu disagreed and said, "Our mattress is peed on by Dabao, it is smelly and hard. No, we need to make a new one."
Wang had no choice but to let Chen Ahfu buy it. Or, "When we get home, I will return the money we used for the three of us."
Chen Ahfu said, "Mom, why are you still so polite to me? Even though I am being filial to my parents."
Two backpacks were filled with cotton and fine cloth. Chen Afu and Wang each carried one on their backs and walked towards Xiangluo Village.
They were walking along a narrow path with many paths and paths when they ran into the older man they had met many times.
Later I learned that his name was Liu Erniu, and he was a filial son. Because his family was poor and his mother was paralyzed, he had never been able to marry. His mother died the year before last, and he was already 33 years old.
He greeted the two people with a smile, "Aunt Chen, Sister Afu, can you carry it? Come, I'll help you." As he said that, he wanted to come over and take the backpack on Chen Afu's back.
Chen Ahfu quickly moved away, frowned and said, "Thank you, Uncle Liu, no need, I can carry it."
Liu Erniu quickly smiled and said, "Just call me Brother Liu Er, I'm not that old yet..."
Wang was so angry that she spat, "Bah, you old fool, you're already half buried in the ground, but you still don't look old! Liu Erniu, you used to call me Chen Er's wife, why is it Chen Er's aunt now? You are only one year younger than Afu's father, there is no need to lower your generation." After that, she took Chen Afu away.
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