So, Ms. Fang settled down in the house. The mother and son had been separated for twenty years, and when they met again, there was always an excessive politeness between them.
With Xiao Fangshi at home, there was never a shortage of firewood or wild vegetables. Whenever she wasn't home, it meant she had gone up the mountain to collect branches.
Fang is so capable. Qiu Yu was also a little nervous, and cleaned the house so clean that she couldn't bear to step on it.
A few days later, the house was handed over. The new house was empty, and we still needed to buy some things.
He Zifeng gave her mother one tael of silver and told her to buy whatever she wanted. She bought only household items, always comparing prices at different stores to get the best deals.
Qiu Yu was very convinced. If anything was missing, she would ask Fang Shi to buy it.
She was happy to do this kind of work, buying everything she could while shopping. She bought a cartload every day, and gradually the new house took shape, the blue-and-white porcelain stable was quite impressive. Soft straw was laid inside, and it loved playing there.
They've already moved in; the old house has been cleaned up and returned to the original landlord. Living in the new house is very comfortable; everyone has their own room.
With a larger space, it's much more convenient to work.
When Fang saw that He Zifeng had carried two loads of soil from the mountain, she asked, "What are you doing with this?"
He Zifeng said, "My son is coming back tomorrow. Last time I told Qiuyu that we wanted to plant flowers in front of and behind the house. The soil on the mountain is better." The decaying leaves add nutrients to it, which is much better than the dry soil that has been trampled all year round.
Upon hearing this, Fang asked, "What does Xiao Ranran like?" It was their first time meeting, and she hadn't prepared anything. He Zifeng had given him one tael of silver last time, leaving him with over six hundred coins. She was thinking of buying him something he liked when she set up her stall with them tomorrow.
He Zifeng said, "He probably just likes wildflowers and little rabbits." A gentle smile appeared on his lips when he talked about his son. Compared to others, his son was much easier to raise.
Fang knew that the two big, fat rabbits in the yard were raised by Xiao Ranran.
A few days ago, He Zifeng ordered a new large cage for his son's pet.
The female rabbit seems to be pregnant; she's always pulling out fur, and the nest is already full of rabbit fur.
After Fang went out, she returned a little while later and bought ten chicks and ten ducklings. She spent one hundred coins on them. Now that Fang was hanging out with Sister Liu and the others, she knew everything interesting happening around the village; there were people who specialized in selling chicks and ducklings.
However, no one in the village liked raising them. Chicks are not easy to raise. Fang prepared some coarse grains and put some water next to them. The chicks scrambled to eat them!
They even cleared out the unused backyard, planning to dig up some soil and plant some vegetables in a few days.
Upon hearing this, He Zifeng said, "Why wait? I'll go dig up some soil right now!" He then carried three more loads of soil.
The seeds were all obtained by Fang through trading scraps of cloth with others. These scraps were either carefully selected or whole pieces saved from Qiu Yu's past dealings. Back then, he had planned to make something from them, but never got around to it. Besides, the cloth was too colorful. Gradually, he stopped using it. When he was packing for the last move, he discovered that Fang liked these things, so he immediately offered to give them all to Fang so he could clear out his cabinets.
Fang treasured these scraps of cloth, knowing they would be of great use to her.
Most people in the village have yards, and they have a habit of saving seeds from the best produce. This scrap of cloth even became a form of hard currency. It was exchanged for a lot of good seeds, and also for more than twenty eggs, which he said he would save for his grandson to cook eggs for him when he came back.
Since returning, Fang has gradually found her rhythm and said to Liu Sao and the others, "Life in the village is still more comfortable." Before, when she worked for wealthy families, she never had a moment's rest from morning till night. There were many people, and she was forced to scheme against each other, guard against people plotting against each other, and she couldn't stand the shady dealings of some wealthy families.
Fang still prefers the days of farming at home. As long as she is diligent, she won't starve. This simple life makes her feel at ease.
Now she just has to keep the chicks out of the backyard so they don't eat the seeds she just sowed.
He Zifeng used to leave the rabbit cages unused, but now that the rabbits are too small, they're perfect for the chicks. During the day, he lets them run all over the yard, but at night he puts them in the small cages. A bunch of fluffy chicks huddle together, so they're not cold at night.
As for the ducklings, they're a bit more resilient. After raising chickens and ducks at home, you can hear their sounds everywhere in the yard, which inexplicably puts you in a good mood.
He Zifeng now cooks two large pots a day, one for braised dishes and one for braised pork ribs. After Gouzi's dad became famous for selling braised pork ribs at the market last time, he orders 200 jin (100 kg) every time he goes to the market. The market days vary in different nearby counties, some on the 5th, some on the 8th. There are about seven or eight market days a month, which brings in another source of income.
Qiu Yu discussed with He Zifeng, "Last time Mother bought us things, but she refused the money. Let's give her some silver." Having lived through poverty themselves, they knew the frustration of being penniless. Fang Shi only had a few hundred coins, given to her by He Zifeng last time. Little Fang Shi was proud and embarrassed to ask her son for money, but she had many expenses.
He Zifeng said, "Okay, I'll talk to Mother."
He Zifeng went to find Madam Fang, but as soon as he mentioned it, she refused repeatedly, saying, "No need, how could I take your money? You don't earn money easily!"
He Zifeng said, "Why be so polite with your own son?"
Fang looked at He Zifeng and said, "I'm not being polite, I really do have some. I'll ask you for some when I run out. I see that some families in the village are pretty good at basket weaving, so maybe I can do some small business too." She helped out at the stall every day, thinking that having a small business would be a good idea.
In the village, every household knows how to weave baskets; it's not considered a valuable item. Many women and men weave them to pass the time when they have nothing else to do. After all, living near the mountains, branches and trees are free, and over time, every household has accumulated quite a few. Fang Shi observed that while these baskets aren't worth much in the village, they are still used in the county.
For example, when families buy groceries, they can put them in a basket to save themselves from carrying them in their hands.
He Zifeng said, "Okay."
The next morning, Fang carried more than a dozen baskets, all bought for one coin each, and she decided to give it a try.
When He Zifeng set up his stall, he had a large space; her dozen or so baskets could be placed next to his. He called out, "Three coins each." The baskets weren't particularly well-woven, but they all sold out after he called out.
It's easier to make money in the county. The baskets woven by farmers are very practical; they can be carried by hand or over the shoulders. You can just put your purchases in the basket, which saves a lot of effort.
Besides, they're not expensive, and one will last a long time. Even if you don't need one right now, buy one if you come across it. You never know when you might need it.
Little Fang's first time selling things went so well! Although forty coins wasn't much, she didn't put in any effort at all. It was as if she'd found the money for free!
"Mother is so clever," Qiu Yu flattered from the side.
Fang said, "I'll get some more when I get back. Yesterday when I went to collect woven baskets, they even asked me if I still wanted any, but I didn't dare say. Now it's all good, these things can be sold! Next time, I'll have them weave more."
He Zifeng said, "Mother, you're selling this cheap. I think others would sell it for at least five coins." He was driving a cart outside when his voice came in.
Fang said, "Earning a little is enough. The kids in the county have it tough too. They have other uses for their money." She was already content with earning a little.
Now, Xiao Fang has enough to eat and drink, and can even run a small business—a life she never imagined before.
"Shall we go pick up Ranran?" said Madam Fang. Although her grandson wasn't wearing a mask, Madam Fang was very much looking forward to it. She had just secretly gone to the stall next door and bought a peace pendant for two hundred coins. It wasn't an expensive item, but it was a token of her affection as an elder.
"Hmm," He Zifeng said.
Qinghua seemed to know she was going to pick up her young master, and walked familiarly towards the private school.
This time, they didn't tease the child on purpose. They arrived early and saw Xiao Heran looking around from afar. When he saw them coming, he immediately jumped up and down. He even introduced him to his classmates, saying, "That's my dad."
Amidst the envious gazes of the other children, He Zifeng said, "He Ran."
“Father,” the son said loudly.
He Zifeng listened carefully to the carriage, then reached out and hugged his little one.
The surrounding children looked on with even more envy; they had never hugged their fathers before.
He Zifeng hugged him, then turned to Master Lin and said, "I'm taking him back."
Master Lin nodded.
Little He Ran obediently greeted the teacher. He Zifeng noticed that Gouzi hadn't left yet and asked if he wanted to go back with him.
The dog said, "Then I'll go back with you!"
He Zifeng brought Gouzi into the car as well, and said to Lin Fuzi with a smile, "We're from the same village, I'll take this child back with me."
Master Lin agreed.
Xiao Heran excitedly returned to the car and immediately threw himself into Qiu Yu's arms, saying, "Little Daddy." He was about to cuddle with Qiu Yu when he noticed there was another stranger in the car, and he smiled at her somewhat embarrassedly.
Qiu Yu said, "This is your grandmother, your biological grandmother."
Little He Ran's eyes lit up instantly. He said, "Grandma."
As soon as Fang waved, little He Ran ran over and hugged her arm, rubbing his little face against Fang's face—a favorite gesture for children.
He Zifeng couldn't help but laugh when he saw that his son wasn't shy at all; what a little devil!
As soon as the dog came in, Xiao Heran introduced him to him in a very generous manner: "This is my grandma, my own grandma." His tone was full of pride.
Upon hearing this, Gouzi said, "I also have a biological grandmother. But she's not good to me." Gouzi's father married into the family. He shared the same surname as his mother, and whenever he saw his grandmother, she would run away faster than a mouse.
Xiao Heran said, "Don't be sad, or I'll be your grandma."
Children speak without thinking, and his words made Qiu Yu unable to help but laugh.
The dog, a few years older than Xiao Heran, got angry and said, "I won't do it." He wasn't going to be a pushover!
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