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

On the last major market day before the Dragon Boat Festival, the Chen family compound awoke earlier than usual, just as dawn was breaking.

Mrs. Chen got up early and ironed her four grandchildren's clothes neatly—all newly made by Su Xiaoyin and her sister using discounted fine cotton fabric they had bought last time, in sky blue and ginger yellow, fresh and bright. She also found the little tiger-head hats and bibs embroidered with the Five Poisons pattern that she had prepared beforehand, and dressed the sleepy-eyed children one by one. The four little ones seemed to sense that today was special, and were exceptionally cooperative, letting their grandmother and mother dress them up.

On the other side, Mr. Chen carefully checked the things to be brought: a water bag, clean diapers, a few soft snacks, and a large palm-leaf fan. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were busy packing the last batch of small sachets and colorful silk thread-wrapped rice dumpling ornaments into baskets. These were to be taken to the market in case the stall needed to restock, or to give as a favor to acquaintances.

"Brother Chen, Sister-in-law Chen! This way! Get in the car quickly, we're leaving soon!"

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, several people were already seated in the oxcart used for going to the market. When Uncle Chen, who was driving the cart, saw Mr. and Mrs. Chen carrying their child, he quickly called out to them. Most of the people sitting on the cart were women from the same village or neighboring villages, carrying baskets and chatting quietly.

Father Chen first handed the two slightly larger and plumper children, Shitou and Qingqing, onto the cart. A familiar-looking auntie on the cart quickly took them and held them in her arms. Mother Chen, Su Xiaoyin, and Su Xiaoqing then followed, carrying Aji and Afu onto the cart and settling into the empty spaces made by the others. The oxcart was immediately filled with four newly dressed children and adults, and it became lively all at once.

"Oh dear, Sister Chen, why didn't you come in your own oxcart?" The auntie who had helped carry the child earlier, surnamed Wang, asked quickly. "Didn't Da Shan and Xiao He take the cart to the market early this morning?"

Chen's mother adjusted Afu to a more comfortable position and explained with a smile, "The two brothers have to set up a stall before dawn to secure a good spot. With these four little devils in tow, how can we get up that early? We thought it would be better to wait until the sun is higher and the first wave of people has passed before going. It's also a good opportunity to bring the children out to see the world."

"That's right, you have to take it slow when raising children." Aunt Wang nodded, her gaze sweeping over the four children with obvious affection. "Look at how well you've raised your four grandchildren! They're so chubby and fair-skinned, with such handsome features, they're just so adorable! They're much stronger than my eldest grandson was back then, and you can't tell at all that they're twins! Xiaoyin, Xiaoqing, you two are truly blessed!"

These words drew the attention of the other women on the bus, who all turned to look and praised them. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing smiled shyly, but felt a sweet warmth in their hearts.

The conversation quickly shifted from the children to the latest happenings in the village. A well-informed Aunt Zhao lowered her voice, speaking with a hint of mystery, "Hey, Sister Chen, did you know that Chen the Cripple's son is getting married soon?"

"I know, he specifically came to tell my husband that we should come to the wedding banquet." Chen's mother nodded. "I was just thinking about it. We'll go over early to help. Back when we were building our house, and when Dashan injured his leg, Chen the Cripple and his son helped a lot."

"Our family is the same," Aunt Wang chimed in. "Those two are honest men, just had a tough life. But they've finally made it through. By the way, Aunt Zhao, you're the most well-informed. Where is the bride from? All the eligible girls around here have been engaged for the past two years."

Aunt Zhao, as expected, knew the inside story. She lowered her voice even further, but it was enough for everyone in the car to hear clearly: "She's not a local girl; she fled from the south a few years ago during the famine. I heard she's not young anymore, about twenty, with a decent appearance and a strong build. She had to take care of her ailing mother, which delayed her marriage. Her mother passed away recently, and before she died, she was thinking about her daughter's marriage. The girl is filial and wanted to fulfill her mother's wish as soon as possible, which is why the Chen Cripple's family 'got the job.' I saw the girl once from afar; she's very good at working in the fields, has good eyesight, and is a capable woman."

"Oh my, that's really a stroke of good luck for Chen the Cripple's family!" Aunt Wang exclaimed. "Such a good girl, if it weren't for the family's burdens, how could they have gotten together? It shows that good people are rewarded."

Everyone on the cart echoed their agreement, all happy for Chen the Cripple's family. The oxcart swayed along the country dirt road, carrying a load of gossip and the impending joy, heading towards the county town.

When they arrived at the market, it was indeed past the busiest time, but the flow of people was still considerable. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling, and greetings between acquaintances mingled with the aromas of various foods and goods, filling the air. It was the first time the four children had seen so many people and so many novel things; their eyes couldn't take it all in, and they pointed everywhere with their little fingers, babbling away.

Holding the stone, Mr. Chen said to his wife and two daughters-in-law, "There are still quite a few people. Carrying them for a while will get tiring. Let's go to the riverbank and get the stroller. With the stroller, it will save us effort, and the children will be more comfortable."

The family slowly moved towards the general direction of the stall they remembered. As they walked, Chen's mother and her sister Su Xiaoyin kept an eye on the roadside stalls, looking for any holiday items they needed to buy for the family.

From afar, a few people could be seen gathered around his stall. Chen Xiaohe was holding a pair of small, exquisite tiger-head shoes, enthusiastically promoting them to a neatly dressed, gray-haired old lady: "...Look at these stitches, so tight! The tiger's eyes are made of shiny black beads, so spirited! Give them to your grandson, and I guarantee he'll be healthy and strong..."

Chen Dashan was behind the stall, tidying up the remaining goods in the bamboo basket. When he looked up and saw his parents, wife, and children coming over with their baby, a smile immediately appeared on his face. He quickly turned around and unloaded two baby strollers that were placed side by side from behind the oxcart.

This cart was something Chen Dashan had been thinking about making before. It has a sturdy frame, flexible wheels, a soft pad inside, and a sunshade that can be set up. He usually pushes it around the village, but today is the first time it will be officially "taken out on the street".

Mr. and Mrs. Chen carefully placed the four children into the two strollers. Shitou and Qingqing rode in one, and Aji and Afu rode in the other. Sitting in the novel strollers, with a higher view, the four little ones became even more excited, kicking their little legs, patting the edges of the strollers with their little hands, and giggling.

This attracted a lot of attention. The old lady who had been looking at the tiger-head shoes at Chen Xiaohe's place was also drawn by the commotion and turned around. She carefully examined the two carts, and her eyes gradually lit up.

"Young man," the old woman pointed to the cart and asked Chen Dashan, "this little cart... did you make it yourself?"

Chen Dashan put down his work and respectfully replied, "To answer your question, sir, it was something we made haphazardly. With so many children, carrying them is really tiring, so I came up with this thing to make things easier."

"Made haphazardly? I think it's quite well-made!" The old lady stepped forward, bent down, and carefully examined the cart's structure, touching the smooth bamboo poles and sturdy ropes. "These wheels are cleverly installed; it must be easy to push. This canopy also provides shade... My eldest daughter-in-law just had a son, and she cherishes him like the apple of her eye. Every time we go out, she either carries him or holds him on her back; it's exhausting. If only we had a cart like this..."

She straightened up, looking at Chen Dashan with eager eyes: "Young man, is this car... for sale? Or, can it be custom-made?"

Chen Dashan and Su Xiaoyin exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and delight in each other's eyes. Chen Dashan steadied himself and said, "Sir, this car was originally made for our own use; we never intended to sell it. But if you really like it and want to order one, that's fine too. Where do you live? If it's nearby, after the Dragon Boat Festival, when it's convenient for you, you can come to my house to see what it looks like, and then we can discuss how to make it, what materials to use, and how much the labor will cost. If it's custom-made, it will definitely be made more exquisitely for you."

The old lady was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly said, "My family lives in Willow Lane on the west side of the county town, and my husband's surname is Zhou. After the Dragon Boat Festival... the sixth or seventh day is fine! I'll have my son visit your home! Your family is...

Chen Dashan told the old lady the exact location of Nanshan Village and the Chen family's house. She carefully remembered it and asked for Chen Dahe's name. Only then did she buy the tiger-head shoes she had long admired with satisfaction. She also picked out two sachets, saying they were for her great-grandson to wear to ward off insects and evil spirits.

Watching the old lady's light and cheerful figure as she left, and then looking at the four carefree children in the stroller, smiles appeared on the faces of the Chen family. This Dragon Boat Festival market not only sold their goods, but it seemed... it had also unexpectedly opened a new door. Chen Dashan looked at his hands, those rough palms that had dealt with wood and tools for years; perhaps besides making furniture and carving trinkets, they could bring some different expectations to the family.