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

"The market is tomorrow, Dashan and Xiaohe, have you packed everything up? You have to leave early tomorrow, there will be a lot of people at the market, and you won't get a good spot if you go late!" After dinner, Chen's mother asked her two sons, who were packing up their goods in the yard, as she cleared the dishes.

Chen Dashan was carrying a bamboo basket filled with various small wooden carvings to the cart when he heard this. He replied, "Mother, everything is ready. Wooden carvings, bamboo weavings, hair ties, sachets, tiger-head shoes and hats, and even the mugwort we just cut today—everything is neatly packed and sorted. We'll just load it onto the cart and leave tomorrow morning." He paused, then asked, "Mother, Father, are you coming along tomorrow?"

Mother Chen dried her hands and came out of the kitchen. She glanced at the four little ones giggling at the entrance of the main room, being amused by Su Xiaoyin and her sister, and shook her head. "Your father and I won't go this time. These four little rascals need someone to look after them, and the cattle, sheep, chickens, and ducks at home need to be fed. Let Xiaoyin and Xiaoqing go with you. We'll go together at the last big market before the Dragon Boat Festival! We'll take my grandsons and granddaughters to see the fun!" As she spoke, she bent down and teased the nearest stone. The little guy seemed to understand the word "fun," and immediately waved his chubby little hands, grinning with his toothless mouth. Qingqing next to him also babbled along.

Chen Xiaohe's eyes lit up: "Okay, Mom! At the last big market before the Dragon Boat Festival, my older brother and I will set up our stalls first to reserve space. You and Dad can take the kids and ride in the back of Uncle Li's oxcart from the village. When the market is almost over and we've sold most of our stuff, we'll pack up and go shopping together! My older brother and I will take the kids' stroller over in our oxcart first, otherwise, carrying these four little weights, we won't be able to shop for long." He chuckled and pinched Aji's chubby cheeks.

Chen's mother immediately slapped his hand away as if protecting her own, and scolded, "What little weight! My precious little one, how is she fat? She's growing just right, fair and tender, so lovely!" She looked at her four grandchildren, her eyes filled with undisguised love and satisfaction.

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The next day, as the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, the Chen family's oxcart creaked and groaned its way out of the village. Chen Dashan drove, while Chen Xiaohe and the Su sisters sat in the back, guarding the baskets of goods. The early summer morning breeze still carried a chill, but everyone's hearts were burning with excitement. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing, in particular, could hardly contain their excitement. They had finally finished the last stitches on two meticulously embroidered designs—"Four Joys at the Door" and "Lotus Brings a Noble Son"—after a frantic effort the previous day. They were just waiting to take them to the embroidery shop before the market closed today to test the market.

By the time they arrived at the county town market, it was already broad daylight. The open spaces on both sides of the street had already been mostly occupied by early-arriving vendors, and the air was filled with the aromas of various breakfast items, the smell of livestock, and the growing clamor of the crowd. Chen Dashan scanned the area and quickly stopped at a relatively spacious spot at a fork in the road. There was a decent flow of people here, but it wasn't too crowded.

The two brothers immediately got to work, unloading the goods, spreading out the old coarse cloth they had brought, and arranging the merchandise. Chen Xiaohe bundled the freshly cut mugwort, which exuded a bitter aroma, into neat bunches and placed them at the front. Chen Dashan, on the other hand, neatly arranged the wooden animal carvings, combs, hairpins, bamboo baskets, wicker baskets, sewing boxes, as well as the various sachets, colorful hair ties, and adorable tiger-head shoes and hats made by the Su sisters. The small stall suddenly appeared to be filled with a dazzling array of goods.

"Everyone, take a look!" Chen Xiaohe cleared his throat and began to hawk his wares. "Fresh mugwort, two coins a bunch! It repels mosquitoes and wards off evil spirits—a must-have for festivals! We also have exquisitely handmade wood carvings and bamboo weavings, hair ties and sachets that young women and wives will love, and tiger-head shoes and hats for little ones! Look at the craftsmanship, so authentic!"

His shout indeed attracted a lot of attention. Especially the lush green mugwort and brightly colored children's items; soon, elderly women carrying baskets and women holding children gathered around.

"This mugwort is so fresh! I'll take two bunches!"

"How much is this hair tie? Wow, I've never seen this style before, it's really pretty."

"These little tiger shoes are so well-made! I'll get a pair for my grandson!"

The stall gradually became lively. The four had a clear division of labor: Chen Xiaohe, quick-witted, was in charge of greeting customers and making calls; Chen Dashan, steady and reliable, was in charge of taking the goods and collecting money; Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were meticulous, especially when dealing with women with children. They could patiently explain the meaning and craftsmanship of the tiger-head shoes and hats, and would also recommend suitable hair ties or sachets based on the customers' attire.

Su Xiaoyin was holding a pair of tiger-head shoes and explaining to a neatly dressed old lady with gray hair, "...Feel the soles of these shoes; they're thick, soft, and durable. The tiger's eyes are made of black beads, bright and piercing. Children who wear these will be safe and sound, and they'll look adorable..."

The old lady held the shoes, examining them from all angles, clearly delighted. Then she looked at the matching tiger-head hat and small cloth tiger doll beside them, her face lighting up with a smile: "Excellent! Excellent! The craftsmanship is truly wonderful! My youngest son, whom I had late in life, is my precious darling. His wife is about to give birth, and I was just wondering what auspicious things to prepare for my future grandson! These are perfect!" Pointing to the tiger-head shoes, hat, and doll, she exclaimed, "I'll take them all!"

Then, she picked out a wooden hairpin for each of her other daughters-in-law and several particularly bright hair ties for her granddaughters. All in all, it cost her seventy-two coins, the biggest sale she'd made since opening that day.

As Su Xiaoqing deftly helped the old lady pack the things, she said with a smile, "Grandma, you really love your children and grandchildren! This mugwort is fresh and good for warding off evil spirits. I'll give you two bunches; take them home and hang them above your door for good luck!"

The old lady was overjoyed to hear this, thanked her repeatedly, and left contentedly with her full basket.

Business was booming at the stall. Mugwort, being both seasonal and inexpensive, sold out quickly; hair ties and sachets were also popular with young women and married women alike; and small bamboo and wooden items, practical and exquisite, attracted many inquiries. The four were busy but not chaotic, beads of sweat glistening on their faces, but their eyes shone brightly with the joy of a successful business. The pre-Dragon Boat Festival market was indeed more bustling than usual, making them even more eager for the two embroidery designs they would soon send to the embroidery shop.