Seeing that they were chatting, Zhou Cailian went back to her room to practice calligraphy. She hadn't written in a long time, so her handwriting was very ugly, and she couldn't write some of the commonly used characters even though she knew them.
Before, when she was farming at home, she never thought about practicing calligraphy. But after she came here, her mother reminded her to read the newspaper and practice calligraphy when she had nothing to do. So a couple of days ago, she bought a pen and a notebook and asked Zhang Yuping for some old newspapers. These past two days, after lunch, when she had nothing to do, she copied the characters from the newspapers.
She only has an elementary school education, so there are many characters she doesn't recognize, but she doesn't really care. She practices calligraphy purely to pass the time.
Inside the main room, Yu Qiuying and Fu Daying were chatting.
A short while later, Zhang Yuping and Song Baohuan returned from outside.
"Sister Qiuying, Aunt Fu, have some water chestnuts, they're fresh and so juicy." Zhang Yuping washed a bowl of water chestnuts and brought them over for Yu Qiuying and Fu Daying to eat.
Fu Daying didn't stand on ceremony at all and grabbed two without hesitation.
Zhang Yuping sat down beside her. "Sister Qiuying, you haven't gone out at this time. Have you found a shop?"
"Yes, I found it this morning and have already rented it." Yu Qiuying also ate a water chestnut. It was indeed very juicy and crisp. Water chestnuts taste better at this time of year. Water chestnuts from later generations don't taste like this. They also say that there are parasites and they can't be eaten raw. She didn't know whether there were parasites or not. Anyway, she often ate this when she was a child, and she always ate it raw.
When Zhang Yuping heard that a shop had been found, she was happy for Yu Qiuying. "You've finally found a shop! Where is it?"
Fu Daying quickly answered for Yu Qiuying, "It's near the Cultural Park on Xinxiang Road. I was just saying I'd go support her when she opens."
"That place is great. Xinxiang Middle School is right there. I'll go and support Sister Qiuying when the time comes." Zhang Yuping picked up some sunflower seeds and started eating them.
Just then, Song Baohuan came over with an old dictionary. "Aunt Yu, is Sister Cailian inside?"
“I’m here, Huanhuan, come over and have some melon seeds.” Yu Qiuying waved to her.
Song Baohuan said she wasn't going to eat anymore and went inside to find Zhou Cailian.
"Sister Cailian, let me teach you how to use a dictionary!" Song Baohuan really likes Zhou Cailian, her older sister. Ever since Aunt Yu and Sister Cailian came to live here, she feels that the house has become more lively. Sister Cailian is very gentle and willing to play with her. After spending the last few days with her, she has come to regard Sister Cailian as her playmate.
Last night, my sister Cailian told me that she didn't recognize many words, and she said she would teach her how to look them up in the dictionary.
"Huanhuan, you're back! Did you go out to play today?" Zhou Cailian also quite liked this little girl. These past few nights, the little girl would come and chat with her for a while, and even taught her a few local phrases.
"Yes, I went to the mall with my mom and Uncle Wu today. Uncle Wu bought me clothes, a new schoolbag, and stationery." Song Baohuan is in fifth grade this year. Although she is called twelve years old, she is actually only ten years old and will turn eleven in October this year.
The Uncle Wu she mentioned is Wu Zhiwen, who is Zhang Yuping's second husband whom she is about to marry.
Zhou Cailian pulled out a stool for her to sit on. Song Baohuan watched her practice calligraphy and told her to circle any unfamiliar characters so she could teach her one by one when she had time.
Then Song Baohuan began to teach Zhou Cailian how to use a dictionary. Zhou Cailian hadn't originally intended to learn how to use a dictionary, but seeing how seriously the little girl was teaching her, she felt embarrassed to be careless, so she also started to learn diligently.
After an unknown amount of time, a loud "bang" suddenly came from outside, as if the courtyard gate had been kicked open.
Zhou Cailian's heart tightened, and she immediately got up and left the room.
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