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

The customer, surnamed Zhou, is a scholar who runs a small bookstore in the county town. When we ordered furniture last time, we agreed that he would come and take a look after the main frame was made, and make changes as soon as possible if there were any unsuitable parts.

When the oxcart arrived at the bookstore, Mr. Zhou was already waiting. He got on the cart and chatted with Chen Dashan about furniture along the way.

Upon arriving at the Chen family home, Chen Dashan led Mr. Zhou into the carpentry shed. The shed was spotless, with finished furniture parts stacked against the wall and covered with old cloths to keep out dust.

Chen Dashan lifted the cloth, revealing the large frames of furniture inside. Mr. Zhou walked around them several times, touching and tapping here and there, a satisfied look on his face.

"Master Chen, the mortise and tenon joints are really well done, sturdy and smooth," Mr. Zhou praised. "It's even better than I expected."

Chen Dashan breathed a sigh of relief and then took out the book of carving patterns and handed it over: "Mr. Zhou, please take a look and see what kind of carving pattern you want. My brother and I can make any of the ones drawn in it. Please pick one you like."

Mr. Zhou took the booklet, flipped through it, and was stunned. He looked up at Chen Dashan, then looked down and flipped through a few more pages, finally managing to laugh, "Master Chen, this is truly... an eye-opener. It's the first time I've ever seen a carpenter use a booklet to help a client choose patterns. Who came up with this idea?"

Chen Dashan's lips curved slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "My wife and sister-in-law drew these. They're skilled at embroidery and drawing patterns, so they helped me create this book."

Mr. Zhou nodded repeatedly: "Good, very good. This way it's so clear, saving me from having to explain it clearly and you not understanding either." He flipped through a few pages, pointed to one of the patterns, "This one will do, a simple cloud pattern, it matches the antique style of the furniture."

Chen Dashan took a look; it was a lucky cloud pattern drawn by Su Xiaoyin, with smooth lines, simple yet pleasing to the eye. He nodded and said, "Okay, this is it. You can take a look after it's finished; we can revise it if you're not satisfied."

Mr. Zhou left satisfied. After seeing him off, Chen Dashan returned to the carpentry shed, picked up his carving knife, and began to carve stroke by stroke the pattern in the booklet.

The carving knife sliced ​​through the wood, making a soft, rustling sound. Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating his focused profile. The simple cloud patterns gradually came to life in his hands, winding around the cabinet doors and drawers, exuding a rustic yet refined elegance.

Outside the shed, Su Xiaoyin carried Qingqing out of the main room, glanced at her from afar, and then quietly retreated back inside.

---

As evening fell, Chen Dashan put down his carving knife and stretched his somewhat stiff shoulders. He heard the sound of an oxcart outside and got up to go out—his father and the others had returned.

"Dad, Xiaohe, how is it?" Chen Dashan took the cloth bag from his father's hand.

Chen Xiaohe jumped out of the car, his face beaming with excitement: "Brother, we've had a great harvest! We got new seeds and bought a lot of vegetable seeds and melon seedlings!"

Chen De also got out of the car, smiling as he said, "Uncle Chen, Xiao He, I'm going back now. Let's talk again tomorrow."

"Take care, Brother De!" Chen Xiaohe waved and followed Chen Dashan into the courtyard.

Inside the main room, Chen's mother had already set the food on the table. The family sat around the table, and Chen Xiaohe couldn't wait to open the cloth bag and take out the contents one by one.

"Dad, these are the new sweet potato seeds we got. They say they have a particularly high yield. These are corn seeds, also a new variety. These are vegetable seeds. We bought five or six kinds: radish, cabbage, spinach, chives, and there's another new variety from the south called water spinach. Nobody here has ever grown it before."

Mr. Chen took out several small packets: "These are melon seedlings and seeds, including cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and a new variety of watermelon, which is said to be even sweeter than the ones we planted last year. Take them back and try planting them."

Looking at the small cloth bags on the table, Chen's mother couldn't stop smiling: "Good, good, let's plant well this year, and the autumn harvest will definitely be better than last year."

Chen Dashan picked up the seeds and examined them, pondering how to utilize the barren hills and wasteland. Su Xiaoyin asked from the side, "Dad, what does water spinach look like? Is it tasty?"

Mr. Chen shook his head: "I don't know. Let's buy it and try it. If it's good, we'll grow more next year."

Su Xiaoqing leaned closer: "If I manage to grow it, I'll make some for everyone to try first!"

Chen Xiaohe chuckled, "That's great! I'm looking forward to tasting Xiaoqing's cooking!"

The family burst into laughter. Outside, dusk was falling, and a warm spring breeze gently swept through the Chen family's courtyard. A new year, new hope—it was quietly sprouting from these seeds.

----

"Dad! Is this a mule? It's so strong!"

Chen Xiaohe circled the mule his father had brought back several times, his eyes shining. The mule was smaller than an ox, but it was strong and sturdy, with long, powerful legs and a glossy coat; it was clearly a good animal.

Father Chen handed him the reins, wiping the sweat from his brow: "This mule cost me over ten taels of silver. Although it's cheaper than an ox, it's still a major purchase for our family."

Chen Dashan came out of the carpentry workshop, carefully examined the mule's teeth and hooves, and nodded: "Dad picked a good one, he has a good eye. The livestock from Hu Niuguan's family are indeed reliable."

"By the way, Dad," Chen Dashan pointed to the newly built shed next to the cowshed, "Xiaohe and I just finished building the mule shed today, right next to the cowshed. The materials are all readily available, so it's just a simple shed that can keep out the wind and rain."

Mr. Chen was somewhat surprised: "You guys are moving pretty fast! I was originally thinking of letting the mules and oxen make do for a few days, and then slowly building the shed after the spring plowing was over."

Chen Xiaohe chuckled: "My older brother said the sooner we set it up, the easier it will be. Anyway, we have all the wood and bamboo at home, so my brother and I finished it in half a day. Dad, please go in and take a look. If there's anything you don't like, we can make some changes."

Mr. Chen went into the shed and looked around. It was lined with thick layers of dry straw, and the food and water troughs were all ready. Although it was a simple shed, it had everything he needed and was kept clean and tidy. He came out satisfied and patted his two sons on the shoulders: "Good, with you two around, I have much less to worry about."

Chen's mother poked her head out from the kitchen: "Alright, alright, the mule is settled now, come inside and eat, everyone's waiting for you."