After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

As dawn broke, commotion broke out in both the old and new courtyards of the Chen family.

"Mother, my eldest brother and I are leaving!"

Chen Xiaohe's voice, brimming with youthful energy, broke the morning's tranquility. The oxcart was already harnessed and parked at the courtyard gate. Chen Dashan was loading several heavy sacks and baskets onto the cart—containing the last batch of carefully selected, uniformly sized spring bamboo shoots, as well as the high-quality dried mushrooms that Chen's mother had been drying these past few days, all separated by clean straw mats to prevent them from being crushed.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing also came out of the house, dressed neatly. The two sisters had changed into slightly worn fine cotton clothes in plain colors, their hair was tied up neatly with wooden hairpins, and although they did not wear makeup, their eyes looked bright due to anticipation. Each of them carried a small basket covered with a blue cloth, containing embroidered hair ties to sell, as well as money to buy embroidery thread and fabric.

Chen's mother chased after them, carrying two bamboo tubes tied with hemp rope. She handed them to her two daughters-in-law, saying, "Take these. There's hot brown sugar water inside. Drink it if you get thirsty on the way. I also boiled four eggs. Two for each of you to tide you over." Her eyes held reluctance, but even more so, they were full of instructions. "Go with peace of mind. Your father and I are here at home. We'll keep a close eye on our four little darlings. We won't let a single hair on their heads fall. Go early and come back early. Be careful on the road."

"I understand, Mother." Su Xiaoyin took the bamboo tube; its warmth touched her hands, and her heart felt warm as well.

Chen Dashan sat on the oxcart's shaft, gave the reins a gentle shake, and the old ox began to move with steady steps. Chen Xiaohe and the Su sisters sat on the cart. The oxcart creaked and groaned as it rolled over the still-dim dirt road in the village, heading towards the county town.

A cool morning breeze carried the fresh scent of fields and vegetation. The wheat seedlings on both sides of the road had already turned green, stretching lushly into the distance. As Chen Dashan drove, he said to the people in the car, "Once we get to the county town, Xiaohe and I will head to 'Wang's Restaurant' to deliver the last batch of bamboo shoots and dried mushrooms. The bamboo shoot season is over for this year, and we need to settle the accounts with Manager Wang."

Su Xiaoyin thought for a moment and then said, "Then you should take Xiaoqing and me to the market first. We'll set up our stall there and sell hair ties and embroidery. That way, when you come back after delivering the goods, all the good spots in the market will be taken."

Chen Xiaohe agreed: "Okay, sister-in-law is right! My brother and I will go and come back quickly to help you sell them!"

Su Xiaoqing said, "No rush. My sister and I will watch the stall first. When you come back, we'll help out when there are more people. We can go to the embroidery and fabric shops when the market is almost over and there are fewer people."

As the sun rose higher, it dispelled the morning mist. When the oxcart entered the county town gate, the main street of the market was already faintly filled with the sounds of people. They arrived at their usual stall spot, familiar with the area, and sure enough, there were still plenty of empty spaces. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe helped the two sisters unload their goods—bamboo baskets, wicker baskets, wooden animal carvings, hairpins, combs, and colorful hair ties of various styles, tiger-head shoes and hats, and adorable cloth tigers. The items weren't many, but they were arranged neatly and eye-catchingly, especially the small bamboo rack that Su Xiaoqing had specially made for hanging hair ties, which immediately attracted the attention of many passing women.

After quickly setting up their stall, Chen Dashan gave the two sisters a few instructions, and then he and Chen Xiaohe drove the oxcart, loaded with bamboo shoots and mushrooms, straight to "Wang's Restaurant".

The market stalls were temporarily deserted. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing stood side by side, watching the market gradually come to life. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling, and greetings between acquaintances mingled together, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. The sisters exchanged a glance, both a little nervous and excited. This was their first time facing a market alone since giving birth.

Before long, an older woman carrying a vegetable basket came over, picked up a small bamboo sewing basket, looked at it, and asked the price. Su Xiaoqing quickly replied in a clear voice, "Three coins, deal." With their first sale, the two sisters breathed a sigh of relief and felt more confident.

Soon, more people gathered around. There were young girls picking out hair ties, comparing colors and patterns; grandfathers buying little wooden horses for their children; and women picking up tiger-head shoes, carefully examining the fine stitches and lifelike tiger head patterns.

"These tiger-head shoes are so well-made! And the tiger head on the hat is so majestic!" A well-dressed young woman holding a chubby baby picked up a set of tiger-head shoes and hat, admiring them dearly. The baby in her arms also reached out to grab the pom-pom on the hat.

Seeing this, Su Xiaoqing quickly smiled and introduced, "Madam has a good eye. These tiger-head shoes and hats are filled with new cotton, soft and breathable. The stitching is also tight, making them durable. This cloth tiger is also a set, so it's safe for the child to hold and play with."

The lady checked the shoe size, then gestured to her child's foot, and readily nodded: "Okay, I'll take the shoes and hat, and this cloth tiger. How much?"

"A set of shoes and hat costs twenty-five coins, and a cloth tiger costs eight coins, for a total of thirty-three coins," Su Xiaoyin quoted gently.

"Okay!" The lady paid the money readily, took the items, and left with her child, satisfied.

This "big deal" delighted the two sisters. The number of people at their stall seemed to increase; some looked at the bamboo baskets, others inquired about the wooden combs, and for a time they were almost overwhelmed. Su Xiaoyin collected the money, while Su Xiaoqing handled the goods and introduced them; the two gradually developed a tacit understanding.

Just then, Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe rushed back after finishing their deliveries. Seeing several people gathered around the stall, the two brothers quickly squeezed in to help. Chen Dashan wasn't a talkative man, but he described the wooden carvings clearly and logically; Chen Xiaohe, on the other hand, had a naturally smiling face and a quick tongue, seizing every opportunity to shout out: "Selling exquisite bamboo weaving and wood carvings! Bright and beautiful hair ties! And tiger-head shoes and hats, and cloth tigers for the kids! Everyone, take a look! Cheap and affordable, perfect gifts for the children during the New Year and other holidays!"

His shout, with its clear voice standing out in the noisy market, attracted several curious onlookers.

As the sun rose higher, the crowds at the market reached their peak. The Chen family's stall remained constantly packed with people. Most of the bamboo and wooden trinkets they had brought had been sold, as had most of the hair ties. Even the tiger-head shoes and hats they had initially thought were too expensive and unlikely to sell well were now down to just one set.

Taking advantage of a lull in the crowd, Su Xiaoyin took the bamboo tube Chen Dashan handed her, drank a sip of lukewarm brown sugar water, wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and smiled at her sister, "There are so many people at the market today. Look, we've almost sold out of everything."

Su Xiaoqing's cheeks were flushed from exhaustion, but her eyes sparkled: "Yes, I didn't expect it to sell so well!"

As Chen Dashan tidied up the somewhat messy goods on his stall, he said, "The spring planting is over, and everyone is more relaxed and has more money. This market isn't held every day; it's only open on the 1st, 15th, and 25th of the lunar month, so naturally there are a lot of people. If every market could be like today, our little business could make a steady living."

Chen Xiaohe carefully arranged the last few small bamboo baskets and said confidently, "We definitely can! My brother's craftsmanship is excellent, and my sister-in-law and Xiaoqing's hair ties are exquisitely embroidered. Plus, our prices are reasonable, so we have no trouble selling them!"