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

Su Xiaoyin then looked at the other three: "Also, you're not allowed to accept food from anyone. If you really want some, come back and tell your mother, and your mother and aunt will take you to buy some. Be good today, and we'll take you out to play again, okay?"

Qingqing, Aji, and Afu nodded in unison, replying in their childish voices, "We understand!"

Chen Dashan took four small chairs out of the carpentry workshop. They were specially made for the children; they were the right size and stable for them to sit on. He put the chairs in the car, clapped his hands, and said, "Alright, let's go."

Father Chen drove the mule, with Mother Chen sitting beside him. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing led their four children in the cart, each holding one child, with Shitou and Qingqing sandwiched in the middle. The oxcart creaked and groaned as it pulled out of the courtyard gate, the four little ones excitedly looking around, everything new and exciting.

"Mother, is that our land?"

"Mother, what's that over there?"

"Auntie, is that a mountain?"

The four little mouths chattered incessantly along the way, asking all sorts of questions. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing patiently answered each one, their faces beaming with smiles.

---

When we arrived in the county town, the market was indeed not crowded, but it wasn't deserted either.

Father Chen drove the mule cart to a familiar spot and began unloading. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing first carried the four children down and let them stand in the shade. They then set out small chairs for them to sit on and not move.

As soon as Chen's mother set up her stall and put the watermelons on display, some of her regular customers from last year came over.

"Hey, Aunt Chen, the watermelons are in season this year? They look really good!"

Mother Chen greeted her with a smile, "That's right! It just opened, and these are the first batches—they're incredibly sweet! Would you like one?"

The man squatted down, picked out a large one, and Mr. Chen weighed it and took the money. That's how the first business deal was made.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing sat behind the stall with their four children, not causing any trouble. The four little ones sat obediently, curiously watching the crowds coming and going. Occasionally, someone passing by would see the four adorable children sitting in a row and couldn't help but take a second look.

"Oh my, whose child is this? So handsome!"

"Look at that girl in the yellow dress, so fair and clean-cut, she's really adorable."

"Is this your grandson?" someone asked Chen's mother.

Mother Chen beamed, "That's right, all four of them! These two are from my eldest son's family, and these two are from my youngest son's family—they're twins!"

The man clicked his tongue in amazement: "You're so lucky!"

As a result, many people were drawn to the four children and took a look at the items on the stall. Some bought hair ties, some bought tiger-head shoes, and some looked at baby clothes. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing busied themselves serving customers, showing them things, and were very happy.

Shi Tou sat in the chair, looking at his younger siblings like a little adult. Qing Qing was getting restless, squirming around, so Shi Tou tugged at her hand and whispered, "Don't move, Mom said we should behave."

Qingqing pouted, but still obediently sat there.

---

Around noon, Liu Yilong arrived.

He was wearing his slightly worn official uniform, carrying a teapot, and walked over with a smile. His eyes lit up when he saw four children sitting behind the stall.

"Uncle Chen, your grandson and granddaughter are so adorable!" Liu Yilong leaned closer to look and liked them more and more. "They're so fair and clean, just like the dolls in the New Year's paintings."

Mr. Chen greeted him with a smile, "Manager Liu is here. Come on, have a slice of watermelon, it's freshly picked and very sweet!"

Liu Yilong didn't stand on ceremony, took a piece, took a bite, and nodded repeatedly: "Mmm, so sweet! Uncle Chen, your melons are really well grown."

Just then, Chen's mother took out a basket she had prepared beforehand, containing a large watermelon and a bag of dried mushrooms. She handed the basket to Liu Yilong: "Manager Liu, this is a small token of our appreciation from the family. Please take the watermelon and dried mushrooms home and try them. We'll get you more when the other watermelons come in season."

Liu Yilong took the basket, his smile becoming even more genuine: "Auntie, you're too kind. I've received so many things from you these past few months, I feel really bad."

"Hey, you've helped us so much, this is nothing," Mother Chen waved her hand. "It's all from the mountains, it didn't cost any money."

Liu Yilong thought for a moment, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Auntie, there's something I'd like to ask you."

Seeing his serious expression, Chen's mother leaned closer and said, "Please speak."

Liu Yilong was unusually embarrassed, rubbing his hands together: "It's just... do you still have any diapers left from when your children were using them?"

Chen's mother paused for a moment, then understood. Liu Yilong continued, "My wife and I have been married for two or three years, but we still don't have a child. We've been to the doctor, and he said we're both fine, it's just that our time hasn't come yet. My mother is extremely anxious and keeps talking about it every day. I was thinking that finding some used diapers from other people's babies might bring some good luck."

Upon hearing this, Chen's mother immediately nodded: "Yes! I specially kept a few good diapers from when they were young, thinking they might be useful later. I'll bring them to you tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yilong's face lit up, and he repeatedly thanked her, saying, "Auntie, thank you so much! You've really helped me a lot!"

"Don't mention it. We've known each other for so long, this is nothing." Chen's mother patted his hand. "Relax, when the time is right, it will happen naturally."

Liu Yilong left happily, but after a few steps he looked back at the children, his eyes filled with envy and anticipation.

---

As the sun rose higher, more and more people began to gather at the market.

Mr. Chen's watermelons sold well; he sold more than half a truckload in just one morning. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing's embroidery also attracted inquiries. Although no large embroidery pieces were sold directly, they sold quite a few small items such as handkerchiefs and hair ties.

The four children got tired of sitting, so Su Xiaoyin told them to get up and move around. They were to walk around near the stall, but not to go too far. Shi Tou led his younger siblings around, finding everything new and interesting.

"Mom, there's someone blowing sugar figurines over there!" Qingqing pointed to the distance, her eyes sparkling.

Su Xiaoyin looked over and, sure enough, saw an old man blowing sugar figurines, surrounded by a group of children. She smiled and asked, "Want some?"

Qingqing nodded vigorously, and Aji and Afu followed suit. Su Xiaoyin took out a few coins from her purse and led Shitou, Qingqing, and the other two over, where each of them bought a small sugar figurine.

The four children held the sugar figurines, licking them carefully, their faces beaming with satisfaction.