Widow Zhang emerged shakily from the alleyway of cosmetics, a hundred coins she had just earned tucked into her pocket. Though she looked tired, she was happy inside.
She continued walking forward, but unexpectedly bumped into He Tiantian.
This is the only road out of the city, so it's not unusual to run into it.
Widow Zhang was taken aback, her grip on the handkerchief tightening. She glanced awkwardly at He Tiantian, forcing a smile, "Oh, it's Wanzi's mother. Are you ready to go home after shopping?"
He Tiantian glanced at the alley behind her, the place where she had encountered Zhao Yan's embarrassing incident last time.
Unexpectedly, I encountered Widow Zhang's embarrassing situation in the same place again. Alas, it seems this land is incompatible with her.
Seeing He Tiantian's suspicious look, Widow Zhang offered a rather blatant explanation: "Oh, I came here to buy some rouge and face powder. Would you like some, Maruko's mother? I know a place that sells them cheaply and beautifully."
He Tiantian quickly shook her head, "No, no." Having gotten used to modern skincare products, He Tiantian couldn't appreciate the skincare products of this era.
Moreover, the smell of cheap cosmetics on Widow Zhang made her dizzy and disoriented.
Since the two had run into each other, they could only keep walking forward in silence. Whether Zhang the Widow was feeling guilty or something else, she only dared to follow five or six meters behind He Tiantian.
The two walked a little further and ran into Zhao Yanniang, who was returning from buying daily necessities.
Zhao Yanniang, carrying a basket, greeted everyone with a smile, "Oh, Wanzi's mother, you bought so many things!"
He Tiantian nodded, "Yes, there are more people in the family now, and we use a lot more things."
Inside the basket, a flock of chicks chirped and chattered, making it hard not to notice them.
Zhao Yanniang looked at the little yellow chicks, who were full of energy, and praised them with a beaming smile, "Look at these chicks, they're all so well-grown. Wanzi's mother, you really know how to pick things."
"I haven't seen any chicks for sale anywhere. There are so few chicken farmers in our village. You, Maruko's mom, have suddenly become the biggest chicken farmer in the village!"
Aunt Zhao stared at the basket of chicks, her eyes brimming with joy.
She'd lived most of her life, and this was the first time she'd ever seen so many chickens. In the village, a family with ten chickens was considered quite wealthy, but Maruko's mother had bought over thirty!
Once we arrived at the city gate, we basically started heading back as soon as we got into the carriage.
It was dusk, and the setting sun cast its rays across the distant horizon, forming a long, narrow strip that was quite beautiful.
Mountains and rivers, countless scenes, all are full of vitality because of the arrival of spring.
He Tiantian plans to take some time to go up the mountain sometime. There are already plenty of food growing on the mountain now, and she has seen that the villagers go up the mountain almost every day to look for food.
Perhaps they were tired from the journey, as everyone was quiet. Only the chicks in He Tiantian's basket chirped restlessly.
When they arrived at the village entrance, the four children were already standing eagerly under the old locust tree, waiting for them.
Now, the four little ones love it when He Tiantian goes to town, because she always brings them back delicious food.
"Mother!" Zhao Denglong shouted when he saw He Tiantian, and ran over with Zhao Wanzi.
Liu Yulan and Liu Shuixian followed behind, panting heavily, followed by Coconut and Wujin.
"Oh my, when did Maruko's family start keeping two dogs?" Zhao Yanniang exclaimed softly upon seeing them.
Not many people in this village keep dogs. After all, these days, families are poor, and when there's food to eat, people are the first to be fed.
“Hehe, I brought him from Zhang the hunter’s house in winter. He’s here to guard the house,” He Tiantian replied.
Zhao Yanniang glanced at the crooked, dilapidated temple, which could barely be called a home, as there wasn't even a courtyard.
The four children very sensibly took the things from He Tiantian's hands and back. Liu Shuixian carried the tomato seedlings and chives, Zhao Wanzi carried the pork and pig's trotters, while Zhao Denglong and Liu Yulan carried the chicks in the basket on their backs.
This scene of returning home with a full load filled everyone with joy.
Widow Zhang got off the oxcart and went straight to Erhua's house at the end of the village without saying goodbye.
She carried a bag of pastries in her arms and had prepared ten coins in her pocket beforehand. All the way there, she kept thinking about how to have a proper talk with Erhua's mother later.
I don't know if she arrived late or if the job had been taken by someone else.
When they arrived at Erhua's mother's house, Widow Zhang saw Zhao Erhua sitting at the door chopping wild vegetables. She smiled and walked over, "Erhua, is your mother home?"
Zhao Erhua stared wide-eyed at Widow Zhang with some wariness.
Widow Zhang smiled again. "Don't be afraid, I've come to see your mother. Here, these are some snacks for you, take them and eat them."
As she spoke, Widow Zhang stuffed the large bag of pastries into Zhao Erhua's arms.
Zhao Erhua was flattered. She had never tasted this before, but it smelled delicious. Since her older and younger sisters weren't home, she figured she could eat quite a bit of this pastry if she opened it.
Zhao Erhua didn't say anything, and went back to her room with the snacks in her arms.
This left Widow Zhang somewhat bewildered. Would this little fellow accept the gift but not do anything in return?
She stood outside the door for a while, and only after seeing Erhua Niang come out did Widow Zhang feel relieved.
Behind Erhua's mother followed a dejected Zhao Erhua, the package of pastries still unopened.
"That brat is so greedy, how can I accept your things so easily? Erhua, give the snacks back to Aunt Zhang," Erhua's mother ordered sternly.
She and this widow Zhang were not familiar with each other, and had barely exchanged a few words before.
Erhua's mother dared not accept the gifts being delivered to her house for no reason!
Zhao Erhua clutched the bag of pastries tightly, looking at it again and again, reluctant to part with it. She slowly approached Widow Zhang, tears welling in her eyes.
She really wanted some snacks, and she didn't want to give them back...
Widow Zhang waved her hand with a smile, "There's no reason for me to take back what I've given away, Erhua's mother. Let me tell you the truth. I've come to you today because I need your help."
Left with no other choice, Erhua's mother had to bring Widow Zhang into her home.
Just before entering, he glared fiercely at Zhao Erhua: You brat, you're such a glutton.
However, Zhao Erhua didn't take it to heart. After watching her mother go into the house, she happily carried the snacks out.
Widow Zhang followed Erhua's mother into the main room, feeling somewhat uneasy.
“My home is simple, so please sit on this stool. What brings you here today?” Erhua’s mother asked, getting straight to the point.
"Oh, Erhua's mother, aren't you a cook at the mine? I just wanted to ask if they're still hiring for this job." Widow Zhang said, putting the ten coins she had prepared in advance into Erhua's mother's hand.
[Author's Note]: Dear readers, please remember to leave your valuable feedback! I will consider any reasonable suggestions you may have.
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