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

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness mixed with amusement in each other's eyes. They knew that behind this envy lay the result of their family's tireless efforts from dawn till dusk, their mutual dependence on each other during their escape from famine, their frugality and self-discipline in the early days of settling down, and the accumulation of countless ordinary yet fulfilling days like today. They cherished their current life and understood even more how hard-won this stability was.

After buying tofu, the two sisters also bought half a pound of sesame candy, which the children loved, from a roadside peddler's stall (intending to give it to them as a snack in the afternoon), and then headed back. As they neared home, they saw Chen's mother carrying a full basket of green grass on her back, bending over and spreading it out to dry at the foot of the courtyard wall.

"Mom, we're back!" Su Xiaoqing called out.

Chen's mother straightened up, wiped her sweat, and saw her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. A kind smile appeared on her face: "You're back? Did you buy the tofu? Oh, and you also bought candy? Don't let them ruin their teeth."

"I only bought a little bit, just for occasional consumption." Su Xiaoyin smiled as she unloaded the children one by one. "Mom, you've gathered so much grass, take a rest. We'll cook lunch: crucian carp and tofu soup, two stir-fried dishes, and a steamed egg custard."

"Okay, you guys do what you think is best. After I finish drying this bit of grass, I'll go water the vegetable garden in the backyard." As she spoke, Chen's mother's hands moved non-stop, spreading the tender green grass thinly in the sunlight, and the air was immediately filled with the unique fresh scent of grass.

After settling the children in, the two sisters went into the kitchen to start their work.

As night fell and the stars began to appear, Chen's father, Chen Dashan, and Chen Xiaohe dragged their weary but satisfied steps back home. The oil lamp in the main room was already lit, and the aroma of the warm food wafted from the stove, making their mouths water.

"Quick, go wash your hands and faces, dinner's ready!" Su Xiaoyin called out as soon as the three returned. She and Su Xiaoqing quickly brought the food that had been warming in the pot to the table: a large bowl of mixed grain flatbread, a bowl of egg drop soup sprinkled with scallions, a dish of stir-fried wild vegetables, and a small bowl of specially reserved, oily stir-fried cured pork with pickled vegetables.

The three of them were indeed starving. Without saying much, they quickly washed their hands and faces and sat down around the table. Chen Xiaohe grabbed a still-warm flatbread, devoured half of it in a few bites, then gulped down a large mouthful of egg drop soup. He finally let out a long sigh and mumbled, "Mother, you have no idea how exhausted we were today! The village head's family planted so many saplings, a huge area on the hillside. Everyone worked tirelessly, without a moment's rest, afraid the saplings wouldn't survive if they were out of the soil for too long. We're starving!"

Mr. Chen was older and ate a little slower, but it was clear he was really hungry. He ate his flatbread with pickled vegetables and said, "We have to race against time. The saplings are delicate and can't afford to delay. Fortunately, many hands make light work, and we managed to plant them all before dark. The village head said he'd treat everyone to dinner tomorrow night, but we finished too late to prepare."

Chen Dashan swallowed the food in his mouth, his eyes filled with admiration: "The village head's family is really bold, planting so many fruit trees all at once. I heard there are nearly a hundred jujube saplings alone, as well as pear, apricot, and peach trees, covering a huge hillside."

As Chen's mother added soup to the three of them's bowls, she asked, "With so much planted, where will you sell the fruit? Can we possibly eat it all?"

Mr. Chen continued, "The village head has inquired and found that there's been a significant demand for fresh and dried fruit in the neighboring county in recent years, so he plans to sell there. We don't grow much; the county market and some deliveries to restaurants should be enough. We'll see how things go in a couple of years when the trees are laden with fruit."

The conversation naturally turned to their own livelihood. Father Chen said to his two sons, "Dashan, tomorrow is market day. You and Xiaohe go set up your stall as usual. After you're done, remember to go to Master Qin's house in town and ask if we can take over the furniture set his nephew has. Make sure to time it right, so as not to delay their business after the autumn harvest."

Chen Dashan nodded and said calmly, "Dad, I was just about to discuss something with you and Mom. After this market day, I plan to ask Chen Xiucai from the village to write a few words, and then carve a sign out of jujube wood that says 'Chen Family Furniture Workshop.' We'll hang it up at the market and also at our own door. That way, people will know we're a legitimate furniture maker, and they'll be more likely to find us work in the future."

Mother Chen's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands, saying, "That's a great idea! We should have a name. Otherwise, relying solely on introductions from acquaintances will only limit our work. Hanging up a sign will make us look more professional and attract more business."

Chen Xiaohe also got excited: "Brother, when you're carving the plaque, could I carve some simple patterns on the sides? Like lotus scrolls or a meander pattern, to make it look more delicate!"

"Okay, it's up to you." Chen Dashan was very satisfied with his younger brother's improved skills. "But the pattern should be simple and elegant, and shouldn't overshadow the main subject."

The meal was finished amidst enthusiastic discussion. The hot soup and rice soothed their tired bodies, and the plans for the future invigorated them. After washing up, everyone went to their rooms to rest.

In the east wing, the oil lamp flickered dimly. Su Xiaoyin spread out the bedding and noticed that Chen Dashan unconsciously rubbed his right knee after sitting down. She sat down beside him with concern and asked, "Planting trees today was all strenuous work, bending over and straining. Is your leg hurting again? Let me see."

Chen Dashan grasped her outstretched hand and shook his head: "It's nothing, just a little sore. Things aren't like before. As long as I don't do several days of particularly heavy work in a row, my legs can handle it. It's just that when the weather changes, my bones ache a little, it's an old problem, nothing serious."

Su Xiaoyin was still worried, so she carefully examined the old injury on his leg under the lamplight. The skin was slightly darker and seemed harder to the touch than the surrounding muscles. "In a few days, when the mugwort grows, I'll gather more, dry it, and pound it into mugwort floss to make you a knee brace. You can use it to fumigate or apply it to your knees. I heard it can dispel cold and improve blood circulation, which will make you feel more comfortable."

Chen Dashan felt a warm glow in his heart and held her slightly cold hand in his palm: "You've worked so hard, taking care of everything at home and outside every day, and you still remember my leg."

"We're family, don't talk about how hard it is." Su Xiaoyin leaned on his shoulder, listening to the faint chirping of insects outside the window. "Life is getting better and better, you have to take good care of yourself so that our family can move forward steadily."

"Yes, everything will be alright." Chen Dashan blew out the lamp, hugged his wife, and lay down. His body, exhausted from the day's work, quickly relaxed, and his breathing became deeper. Moonlight shone gently through the window paper, spilling onto the kang (a heated brick bed).