Zhang Hongmei sat at the kitchen doorway, her Chinese textbook on her lap. She needed to practice the traditional Chinese characters more, but she couldn't easily get out paper and a pen. The only things she had at home were Zhang Aiguo's fountain pen and a blank notebook, but those weren't usable either. So she picked up a small twig and started gesturing on the ground.
When Li Cuihua entered, she saw this scene: a thin, sallow-faced girl dressed in tattered clothes sat by the door, flipping through a book and drawing on the floor. Even years later, when Zhang Hongmei thought of her, she could still recall this scene.
When Zhang Hongmei got up, she opened the gate to the courtyard. It would be impolite to keep the gate closed when you know someone is coming.
"Hongmei, are you reading? I heard from your third uncle that you want to go to school?"
“Auntie, you’re here. Please come in and sit down. Well, the women’s federation comrades in the township took pity on me and asked the school if I could go to school in this situation, the kind where I just need to take an exam. If it’s not possible, I really can’t go. After all, I have to farm the land and eat.”
“You’re a strong-willed child, that’s how you should live. When your third aunt comes to help you with chores, you should study hard. Your brother Jianguo only went to primary school, as did your sisters Daya and Erya. Aidang and Sanya are still too young, so we’re planning to let them start school next year. Your third uncle and I are thinking that even if we go hungry, we’ll make sure the children can learn to read. Look, isn’t your brother Jianguo learning from Liu Changlin, the village accountant? I’ll tell you a secret, your third uncle is looking for a way to get your brother Jianguo a job at the county’s winery. It’s a secure, permanent job. That way, he can help out the family. Once he gets a permanent job, the family will have the resources to help your sister Daya get a job at the textile factory.”
Zhang Hongmei looked at Liu Maocai and his wife with even more respect. Although they also favored sons over daughters, they still loved their daughter and didn't treat her like a human being as depicted in novels. "That's great! You can just wait to enjoy the blessings of my brother Jianguo and sister Daya. If Auntie needs anything, just tell me, and I'll do my best to help."
Years later, Li Cuihua could still remember the promise the thin little girl had made to her that afternoon. "Okay, if I need your help, Auntie Di will definitely not be polite. We need to finish making the cotton-padded jacket this afternoon. I'll teach you how to make the collar and the frog buttons."
"Auntie, you know how to make Chinese knots? You mean those really pretty knots?"
"Yes, I know several kinds. Come on, let's prepare the rope for the frog buttons first. Look, I brought a small piece of floral fabric, let's use it to sew."
"How do you make rope with floral fabric?" Zhang Hongmei asked, puzzled.
"It's just cutting the cloth into small strips, rolling them up, and sewing the ends shut. That makes the rope for making frog buttons. It's very simple; you can learn it just by watching me do it. By the way, cotton-padded jackets have small stand-up collars, right? They're also close-fitting and warm."
"I don't know either, anything is fine as long as it's warm."
The two sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), which was quite comfortable since it had been heated again at noon. Li Cuihua cut out the collar of her cotton-padded jacket, dividing it into two pieces, stuffing cotton in the middle, and then sewing them together. Next, she would attach the collar to the jacket, a delicate process. While other needlework was done inside, this was the exposed stitching. Li Cuihua didn't let Zhang Hongmei sew it, saying, "I'll sew this. You watch. The main thing is to make sure it's neat, not a straight stitch, and the stitches are close together, otherwise the cotton will show."
Once Li Cuihua finished sewing, the cotton-padded jacket was complete; all that was missing were the buttons.
Li Cuihua cut the strips of cloth and had Zhang Hongmei sew them with her. It has to be said that the thread looked no worse than the colored thread bought in later generations.
Watching the thread in Aunt San's hands move so skillfully, Zhang Hongmei realized how incredibly clumsy she was. Even as darkness fell, she still hadn't learned how; Aunt San had already finished sewing the buttons, and she still hadn't mastered it.
"You've got it. Take your time learning. I'm going home now. We'll make cotton-padded trousers and shoes tomorrow." Li Cuihua got out of bed to put on her shoes.
Zhang Hongmei quickly grabbed the cloth bag she had sewn and went to the kitchen, filling it with seven large steamed buns. Each one was as big as a grown man's fist. "Third Aunt, these are the steamed buns I made at noon. Take them home and eat them tonight. Don't be disgusted by them. If you don't take them, I won't come to you next time if I need anything." Zhang Hongmei shoved the bag into Li Cuihua's hands, making it clear that she wouldn't accept it unless Li Cuihua took it.
"Yes, how could I refuse such good steamed buns? You should also get yourself something to eat and go to bed early so you don't get cold." After saying that, Li Cuihua walked home, thinking to herself that Hongmei had really grown up. She was very considerate. Although she didn't want anything from Hongmei, she was happy that Hongmei had given her something. At least she knew how to repay kindness and wasn't an ingrate.
When he got home, he saw that Liu Maocai was already there. "Husband, why are you here so early today?"
"Did you go to Hongmei's house?"
"Yes, I taught her how to make a cotton-padded jacket. This child is so lovable, studying at home all by herself. Before I came back, she gave me a few steamed buns and told me that if I didn't accept them, she wouldn't come to us for help in the future. I didn't want to take advantage of her, but then I thought that this child was returning a favor to us, so it's good that she doesn't feel burdened."
"Let's just accept it. We'll take good care of her in the future. When we cook something delicious at home, we'll send her some too. Since this child understands the importance of social etiquette, we should just go along with it. After all, she'll have to rely on herself in the future. We're just outsiders, after all."
"I know, but what's even funnier is that when I told her you were looking for a job for Jianguo, she told me she would definitely help if I needed her help. What kind of help can such a young child possibly provide?"
"It's good that you have the intention."
The elderly couple were chatting inside while Liu Daya was cooking in the kitchen. Hearing her parents' words, she pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "They still care so much about an orphan? They even help out. I should stop taking advantage of my family in the future. Only my parents are foolish." "Mom, the food is ready. We can eat now. Er Ya, go set the table."
Liu Erya silently stood up, picked up the table, and placed it on the kang (a heated brick bed) in her parents' bedroom. Liu Daya's shout of "Time to eat!" brought everyone in. The two younger children chattered away carefree. Liu Jianguo helped bring in the porridge bowl—a large bowl full for the family of seven. Liu Daya also brought in the pickled vegetable shreds and soybean paste bowls, while Liu Erya followed behind, carrying the family's chopsticks and bowls.
Li Cuihua went to the cellar to get a few scallions, peeled them, and brought in the remaining cornbread. "Da Ya, why didn't you heat up the cornbread? It's ice cold."
"Just soak it in the porridge and eat it. It's time to eat, don't bother." Liu Maocai didn't want to get angry while eating. He knew his eldest daughter's character well; she was always good at cheating and being cunning. This porridge was obviously made by Er Ya.
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