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

Brother De lowered his head and realized that he had indeed been too impatient.

"Alright, don't worry about this. I know what I'm doing." The village head waved his hand. "Go back and rest. You still have to set up your stall tomorrow."

Brother De responded and turned to leave. After a few steps, he turned back, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

The village head didn't look up, but simply said, "Don't worry, I won't let those few bad apples ruin our village's good soup."

---

In the Chen family courtyard, Father Chen played with his four children all day. Although tired, he was happy. Shi Tou was indeed a great help, keeping his younger siblings entertained in the yard, preventing them from running out, and occasionally bringing his grandfather water or something.

"Grandpa, when are my dad and the others coming back?" Shi Tou asked.

Mr. Chen glanced at the sky and said, "We'll be back soon, after sunset."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of a mule cart came from outside the courtyard gate. Stone was the first to rush out: "Father! Mother!"

Chen Dashan jumped out of the car, picked up his son, and Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing also got out of the car with smiles on their faces. Although they looked tired, their eyes were full of joy.

Chen's mother took the mule back to the shed, and Chen Xiaohe began unloading it from the cart. Chen's father came out to greet him, carrying Afu: "How was today?"

Chen Dashan laughed and said, "Great! Excellent! Most of the goods I brought have been sold, with only a few small items left."

Chen's mother also said with a smile, "There are always more people at the market during festivals. We'll have to start preparing earlier next year for the Dragon Boat Festival."

The family chatted and laughed as they entered the courtyard. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimney, and the aroma of food began to waft through the air.

Meanwhile, in the village, someone was secretly watching the three houses with dim lights, plotting when they could catch them doing something shady.

Amidst the chirping of insects on a summer night, everything seemed so peaceful. But undercurrents were already beginning to stir.

----

"Dad, Mom, our watermelons are so sweet this year!"

Chen Xiaohe held a freshly cut slice of watermelon, took a big bite, and juice dripped down his chin. He didn't bother wiping it away, and praised it indistinctly. The watermelon flesh was red and the seeds were black. It was sweet and refreshing, and his mouth was full of sweet juice.

Mr. Chen was also eating a piece, a satisfied smile on his face: "It's sweet. The rainfall was just right this year, and the melons are growing well. We can start selling them now."

Chen's mother pondered, "How about starting tomorrow? It's hot today, so it'll definitely sell well tomorrow."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Okay, Dad, you and Mom go set up a stall to sell watermelons tomorrow. Several pieces of furniture for Master Li's house have also been made, and Xiao Hexian and I are carefully polishing them at home."

Chen Xiaohe swallowed the melon in his mouth and quickly said, "Yes, Dad, then you and Mom go sell the melons first, and let my older brother and I stay home and work on the furniture. His work is delicate, and we can't keep interrupting him."

Father Chen glanced at his youngest son, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "Alright, it's settled then. Dashan and Xiaohe will stay home and make furniture, and the old woman will come with me to sell melons."

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were also watching the drama unfold, whispering amongst themselves. Su Xiaoqing spoke first: "Father, Mother, we've finished our large embroidery piece, 'Wealth and Longevity.' Should we sell it at the market or send it to the embroidery workshop?"

Mother Chen thought for a moment: "The price offered by the embroidery shop is definitely not as high as what I can sell it for myself. Let's try putting it up at the market for a couple of days first. If someone takes a liking to it, that would be great if we could sell it for a good price; if we can't sell it, we can always give it to the embroidery shop later."

Chen Dashan added from the side, "I'll add a few more words to our sign—'Exquisite Embroidery, Welcome to Appreciate.' If someone asks, just show it to them. If they're just curious, show them the handkerchiefs and small items; don't easily show them the large embroidery pieces."

Su Xiaoyin nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Chen Dashan then asked, "Mother, are there many people at the market lately?"

Chen's mother recalled for a moment: "I went to set up a stall a few days ago, and there weren't many people. After the Dragon Boat Festival market, many people are busy with work in the fields, so it will probably be a few more days before it gets lively."

Chen Dashan suddenly thought of something, his eyes lighting up: "Mother, since there aren't many people, why don't you bring Shi Tou and the other three along?"

Chen's mother was taken aback: "Take them to the county town?"

"That's right." Chen Dashan pointed to the four little ones chasing butterflies in the yard. "The furthest they've ever been since they were born is the village entrance. They don't even know what the county town looks like. There aren't many people at the market now, so you, Dad, Xiaoyin, and Xiaoqing can keep an eye on the four children.

As he spoke, he turned and went into the house, and soon returned with four exquisite little wooden plaques. The plaques were about the size of a palm, with perfectly polished edges, engraved characters, and coated with a layer of clear oil, giving them a pale golden sheen.

"I made this a couple of days ago, and it comes in handy." Chen Dashan handed the wooden sign to Su Xiaoyin.

Su Xiaoyin took it and examined it carefully. It was engraved with words like "Shitou, eldest son of the Chen family in Nanshan Village" and "Qingqing, second daughter of the Chen family in Nanshan Village," along with the Chen family's address. A warmth filled her heart. She looked up at Chen Dashan, her eyes filled with a smile: "You've really thought of everything."

Chen Xiaohe also came over to take a look, marveling, "Brother, your craftsmanship is getting better and better. This wooden sign looks like a work of art."

Chen Dashan was a little embarrassed by the praise, and waved his hand: "It's just a sign for the children to hang up, so that if they get separated, kind people can bring them back."

Su Xiaoqing laughed from the side, "Big brother is putting all the effort he put into being a carpenter into raising children."

---

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the Chen family courtyard became lively.

Mr. and Mrs. Chen were loading the truck, which was overflowing with watermelons, embroidery, bamboo crafts, wood carvings, hair ties, and tiger-head shoes. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were busy tidying up for their four children.

Shi Tou wore a newly made light yellow cotton jacket, looking clean and tidy, like a little young master. Qing Qing wore the same light blue jacket, her hair tied into two little buns by Su Xiao Qing with newly made hair ties, looking extremely cute. A Ji and A Fu were also wearing new clothes. The four children standing together looked like dolls from a New Year's painting.

"Come here, all of you, Mom will hang these around your necks." Su Xiaoyin beckoned to the four children and hung the wooden plaques around their necks one by one. "You're not allowed to take these off, understand?"

Stone looked down at the wooden sign, then curiously touched it: "Mother, what's this?"

"These are your names and our address." Su Xiaoyin squatted down, looking earnestly at her eldest son. "Shitou, you're the older brother, so you have to look after your younger siblings today. Don't leave Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Auntie's side, understand?"

Stone puffed out his little chest: "I know, Mother! I'll keep an eye on them!"