Chapter 15

As it was the last market before the New Year, it was especially bustling, with people everywhere carrying baskets and bags, making the most of their last big purchases before the New Year.

Fang shi, supported by Song Dingxiang, kept muttering, "Let's first buy some fabric, buy plenty, it's cheaper before the New Year. Then we'll get each of you a pair of silver hairpins, buy some nice fabric to sew a purse, buy a ring for your grandmother, stock up on some thread for the house, get some linen thread as well. And then let's buy some dried sea fish, it's great for stewing meat and vegetables. We should also get a few more sugar blocks, for visiting relatives after the New Year, every family should get at least half a pound of sugar blocks, right?"

"Mom, we should buy a few more headbands. I noticed that there are some young girls around four or five years old in my Granduncles' family, so let's get some pretty headbands for them," Song Dingxiang added.

"Mother, there's a place selling oranges over there, should we get some oranges?" Qiao Shi, holding three-year-old Goudan, chimed in.

"Let's buy some new bowls as well, new bowls for the new year, let's just throw away the old ones at home that are all battered up, to avoid cutting our hands," Fang shi continued, "Dingxiang doesn't have to bring gifts when she visits her mother after the second day of the New Year, after all, it's just a short trip. Daughter-in-law, what will you bring when you visit your mother this year? Will it be the same things as last year?"

"It's enough," Qiao Shi pondered, "Let's buy two pieces of bright and shiny fabric, my cousin in my mother's family is getting married during the New Year, so she should have a beautiful dress made."

"Oh, how old is your cousin in your mother's family? It's been years since I last saw her, she must have grown into a young woman," Fang shi agreed after some thought.

Goudan followed Qiao Shi quietly, his curious eyes darting around the bustling market, but he kept his small hands to himself, never causing a scene. Behind them, Zhou Yinuo trailed the group with a casual ease, suddenly stepping aside to pull Song Dingxiang closer. A quick exchange of murmured words passed between them, accompanied by a knowing look.

Without hesitation, Song Dingxiang reached into her pocket and handed over a few copper coins. Zhou Yinuo disappeared momentarily, weaving through the crowd before returning triumphantly with two sticks of candied hawthorns-the ruby-red glaze catching the sunlight like tiny jewels.

The marketplace was overflowing with tempting sights and smells, from sizzling skewers to steaming buns. Yet, it was the simple, glossy candied hawthorns that seemed to hold the children's rapt attention. Goudan, his gaze lingering on every vendor selling the treats, remained silent, never uttering a word of want or asking for one.

Zhou Yinuo approached him and extended a stick, his tone almost nonchalant but laced with quiet affection. "Here, kiddo."

Goudan didn't immediately reach for it. Instead, he turned those wide, questioning eyes up to Qiao Shi, seeking permission.

Qiao Shi's lips curved into a soft, encouraging smile. "It's from your uncle, Goudan. Go ahead, take it-and don't forget your manners."

Goudan's small hands finally moved, taking the candied hawthorn with deliberate care. His voice, sweet and a little shy, piped up. "Thank you, Uncle."

His joy was evident as he turned to share the treat, first offering it to Fang Shi. She chuckled warmly, leaning down to take a delicate bite. "Ah, so sweet and tangy-just like you, my darling grandson. Thank you."

Next, Goudan shyly extended the stick to Qiao Shi. She accepted with a smile, taking a taste before offering a word of praise that made his cheeks flush a deep red. Goudan's eyes flicked nervously toward Song Dingxiang, unsure of himself.

Song Dingxiang, ever the sharp observer, raised the second stick with a teasing grin. "Don't worry, little one. This one's mine-yours is all yours to enjoy."

Only then did Goudan lower his head, finally letting himself indulge in the treat. Bite by bite, he savored the sweet and sour tang, his small figure content amidst the warmth of those around him.

Fang shi saw that Song Dingxiang was also holding one of these, and scolded, "You're already married, yet you're still eating on the street, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

Song Dingxiang didn't care; she hadn't eaten this when she was young and didn't find it particularly special. In the chaotic times that followed, it was already hard enough to have enough to eat, let alone enjoy such sweet snacks.

Now, she was healthy, young, with a mouthful of good teeth, and this candied hawthorn was bought by Zhou Yinuo, so she naturally enjoyed eating it.

Under the protection of the bodyguard Zhou Yinuo, the women roamed the market, popping into various shops, stopping at each vendor. When they were tired, they would find a warm wonton stall, each enjoying a bowl of wonton soup to warm themselves up before continuing on their shopping spree, determined not to return until they had spent all the money they had brought with them.

By noon, the market started to empty out, but the food stalls became more lively.

Supported by her daughter-in-law and daughter, Fang shi walked along, exclaiming, "I'm so tired, oh my, my feet need a good soak when we get back, I'm so exhausted..."

When they reached the large cart shop, Fang shi saw Old Third Song San's wife chatting with Song Zhiyuan. Upon seeing her, Fang's fatigue disappeared, and she walked towards Song Zhiyuan, her face showing a confident smile, "Hey, Third Aunt, what are you doing standing here?"

Old Third Song San's wife, followed by her two daughters-in-law, had a somewhat unpleasant expression but managed a smile when she saw Fang shi, "Nothing much, just wanted to ask if your son's cart still has space, to take us back later."

Fang shi didn't directly refuse, saying, "The things I bought will be delivered shortly, if there is still space in the cart, it wouldn't be a problem to give Third Aunt a ride."

Song Dingxiang thought about the things they had bought, then thought about the things Aunt Zhang would bring back later, realizing that the cart probably wouldn't have any space left, and Old Third Song San's wife would likely be waiting in vain.

Sure enough, as the items bought by Fang shi and Aunt Zhang were gradually delivered, Old Third Song San's wife face became increasingly grim. She looked covetously at the piles of baskets, bags, and rolls of fabric on the ground, and sarcastically remarked, "Oh, buying so many things, looks like you must have made quite a bit of money this year."

Fang shi replied, "Well, others may not know, but Third Aunt should know, it's all hard-earned money. His father, his uncles, Dashan, and a few nephews all work from dawn till dusk. Even the little ones go out every day to gather feed for the pigs. After a year of hard work, it's all just to add a little more to the family today. If staying at home could bring in money, I wouldn't want them to go out and work so hard."

Old Third Song San's wife mouth twitched a few times as she said, "Who isn't tired in their family? The problem is, in my family, even with all the hard work, we still can't make any money... "

Fang shi sighed with her, saying, "I have no choice either. Back then, my husband took his cousins to raise and slaughter pigs, but in the end, only First Uncle family's did well. Covered in blood all day long, unable to lift his arms after a day's work. When we were busy, our family had to pitch in, we had no choice."

Listening to the exchange between Fang shi and Old Third Song San's wife, Song Dingxiang suppressed a smile and quickly said, "Mom, you rest, I'll go check on those things, to make sure nothing is missing or short."

With that, she pulled Zhou Yinuo and left.

Song Zhiyuan also had a relieved expression on his face as he said, "I'll go check on the cows."

He then dragged his son and nephew away.

Aunt Zhang, being the least sharp-witted, decided to stay on the sidelines with her daughter-in-law, waiting for Old Third Song San's wife to leave so they could load the cart and go home. After half a day of shopping, they were indeed more tired than working a day on the farm, but spending money also brought them joy, feeling satisfied.

Seeing that Fang shi refused to budge, Old Third Song San's wife knew she wouldn't benefit today, so she left with a huffy attitude.

The two daughters-in-law exchanged glances, and the daughter-in-law of the Old Third Song San's family couldn't help but snort and remarked, "Sister-in-law, the two families can't get along even if they wrote 'Song' with one stroke of the pen. My mother-in-law is at least your elder, even if your cart won't offer her a seat, at least invite your Third Aunt for a cup of hot tea."

Fang shi was taken aback and replied, "What? How can you put me in such a spot? That's your mother-in-law, don't you care about her... Forget it, Third Aunt, are you hungry after a half-day of shopping? Come on in, I'll order you some hot noodle soup."

Old Third Song San's wife wanted the hot noodle soup, but she couldn't swallow her pride. The daughter-in-law of the Song family chuckled, "Mother, Sister-in-law is inviting you for noodles, this isn't something that happens every day."

Fang shi smiled and said, "Well, you say that, but didn't we hear that you ate the fish fillets the other day, feeling like eating dog's food?"

The daughter-in-law of the Song family was stunned, and Old Third Song San's wife face fell. She no longer had the face to eat noodles and left, unable to be called back.

When they had left, Fang shi turned to Aunt Zhang and said, "Look at them, what kind of people are they? We giving food yet they bearing grudges. Before, we didn't see them like this at all, acting as if our money is blowing in from the wind, as if they should take advantage of it."

Aunt Zhang also chimed in, "Yeah, if it weren't for that incident, we wouldn't have known what kind of people they really are. I used to think Third Aunt had a kind and honest demeanor, always smiling at people, but now, it doesn't seem right."

Fang shi sneered, "That's because they used to put up a good front. Now, they've hitched onto a scholar and think they're relatives of a high-ranking official, even before seeing any money they're already flaunting."

The daughter-in-law Qiao shi didn't dare interrupt and stood to the side listening. When the argument paused, Song Dingxiang put down the things in her hands and said, "Alright, mom, everyone here is human. Let's say a few less words, quickly load the cart and head home. Zhou ge, go call Dad and Big Brother back. Where did they go to check the cows?"

After loading half the cart with goods, the group rested for a while by sitting on the other half and walking, afraid of tiring out the cows. After trudging along for a while, they finally reached home after almost half an hour.

As soon as they entered the house, Fang shi started complaining about her aching legs, feet, and arms, feeling sore all over.

Li shi looked through the clothes and fabrics bought by Fang shi and Aunt Zhang for the elderly couple, and said to Song Dingxiang with a smile, "Look at your mother, she can't hide it when she does a bit of work. When she puts in three units of effort, she shows five, when she puts in five units of effort, she wishes for ten."

Fang shi was indeed exhausted and leaned against the cabinet, saying, "Mother, please don't nag at me, I am really tired today. Big Sister-in-law, you don't need to clean up either, let Dingxiang do it, she's young and strong."

With that, she dragged Aunt Zhang onto the kang bed.

Li shi laughed again, "Alright, now you've even dragged your sister-in-law into this."

Song Dingxiang showed each item bought to Li shi and said, "My mother and my aunt, are really exhausted, and third Sister-in-law is pregnant. This whole journey has been tiring. I just played around and didn't worry about anything. Grandma, you can try the oranges, these big mandarins from the south, this basket costs quite a bit. Oh, Grandma, where's Grandpa?"

Li shi finished organizing the fabrics, took the oranges and played with them in her hands, saying, "He said there's good timber at the forest farm, so he went with a few old friends to check it out."

Song Dingxiang was taken aback and asked, "Why is Grandpa looking at timber during the holidays? To build a house?"

Song Lishi burst into laughter, "Build a house? No, he's preparing funeral goods, it's about time."

Song Dingxiang was shocked, "Grandma, why would Grandpa prepare funeral goods at this time? This..."

Li shi explained, "What's wrong? It's the custom here, while the body is still healthy, the elderly prepare the funeral goods in advance. They have a good coffin ready, whoever has a good set of funeral goods is considered lucky."

Song Dingxiang finally snapped out of her thoughts.

Indeed, there used to be such a custom in the old days. While the family is harmonious and the body is healthy, the elderly would prepare the funeral clothes and goods in advance.

This way, when the time came, they would be ready without rushing, putting on the clothes and entering the coffin happily. If nothing was prepared properly and it was chaotic, with the funeral clothes and goods not appropriate, it indicated that the family was not doing well, and the departing elder would be uncomfortable and restless.

Li shi was talking about how someone had spent a lot of money on a beautiful mahogany coffin for their upcoming funeral, with intricate carvings on the wood. She also mentioned how she wanted several outfits for her own funeral, and multiple layers of blankets.

She looked positively radiant as she spoke.

Listening to Li shi, Dingxiang couldn't help but shudder. She thought to herself, no wonder the new era is promoting cremation. Not only does burying coffins take up agricultural land, but having coffins in every household is just unbearable.

Song Dingxiang thought to herself, "Thank you, new China. We can't hold onto obsolete traditions!"