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

Back at the stall, Chen's father and Chen Xiaohe had already packed up. The three of them drove the mule cart back, and on the way, Chen Dashan told them about Manager Sun's matter.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen nodded: "This is a good thing. If we can make a name for ourselves in the county, we won't have to worry about finding work in the future."

Chen Xiaohe said excitedly, "Big brother, sister-in-law and Xiaoqing are amazing! Even the bookstore owner seeks them out!"

Chen Dashan smiled, feeling happy inside. He knew that these embroidered pieces were not just about the money, but also about the recognition of Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing's hard work and skills.

The sun was gradually setting in the west, and the mule cart was making its way home. The cold wind blew on his face, but Chen Dashan felt warm inside. He had had a good day—the final payment for Master He had been settled, he had bought meat for his family, his father had bought him some ointment, and he had even found new work for the family.

Back home, Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing greeted him. Seeing so much meat in the car, Su Xiaoqing asked in surprise, "Big brother, did you strike it rich today? You bought so much!"

Chen Dashan smiled and briefly recounted the day's events. He concluded by saying, "Xiaoyin, you need to go to the bookstore in the county town tomorrow; Manager Sun wants to order a birthday painting."

Su Xiaoyin's eyes lit up, then she became a little nervous: "The bookstore owner? We'll have to be well prepared."

Su Xiaoqing took her sister's hand: "Sis, I'll go with you!"

Chen's mother laughed from the side, "Go on, go on, we'll take care of things at home."

At dinner time, the table was laden with tender braised pig's head, fragrant braised pork belly, and a pot of milky white bone broth. The four children ate with gusto, their mouths greasy, while Afu gnawed on a bone with great relish.

Mr. Chen took a sip of soup and said to his family, "Although we suffered a disaster this year, our family has worked together and our lives are getting better and better. We must continue to work hard."

Chen Dashan nodded and glanced at Su Xiaoyin beside him. She was wiping Afu's mouth, a gentle smile on her lips.

Outside the window, the north wind howled, but inside the house it was warm and cozy. The family sat together, eating a hot meal and talking about their plans for tomorrow. Such days, no matter how hard or tiring, were worthwhile.

----

The next morning, before dawn, the Chen family's courtyard was already bustling with activity.

Chen Dashan harnessed the mule cart and inspected the goods on it. He had to bring more things than usual today—in addition to the bamboo and wood carvings he usually sold at his stall, there were also several embroidery pieces that Su Xiaoyin and her sister had specially prepared to show Manager Sun.

"Is everything ready?" Chen Dashan called out into the house.

"They're here!" Su Xiaoqing pulled her sister out of the house, each carrying a basket on their backs, filled with cushions, handkerchiefs, and a few small embroidered items that they had rushed to make over the past few days. Su Xiaoyin had also brought a few extra items, just in case Shopkeeper Sun wanted to see different styles, so she would be prepared.

Chen's mother, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, saw them off at the gate of the courtyard and instructed them, "Drive carefully on the road. It's cold, don't catch a cold. Xiaoyin and Xiaoqing, when you get to the county town, go to the stalls to warm up first, don't rush to the bookstore."

Su Xiaoyin nodded: "Mother, we understand. You should go back inside; it's cold outside."

Chen's mother waved her hand, watched the mule cart drive away, and then turned back into the house.

---

The mule cart creaked and groaned along the village road, the cold wind blowing straight down their necks. Fortunately, everyone was wearing rabbit-skin gloves and hats, which made them much warmer. Su Xiaoqing huddled in the cart, clinging to her sister's arm, and whispered, "Sister, I'm a little nervous."

Su Xiaoyin patted her hand: "Don't be nervous, let's just embroider well. If people like it, great; if not, we won't force it."

Chen Xiaohe turned around and laughed, "Xiao Qing, you've even met Madam Yu, what are you afraid of, a mere bookseller?"

Su Xiaoqing rolled her eyes at him: "That's different. We went to Madam Yu ourselves, but this time they came to us. What if we don't like them? That would be so embarrassing."

Chen Dashan drove the cart steadily, and unusually spoke up, saying, "Don't overthink it. Your skills are good, it's their good fortune to have taken a liking to you."

Su Xiaoyin felt a warmth in her heart after hearing this.

---

By the time we arrived in the county town, it was already broad daylight.

The group first set up their stall and arranged the goods they had brought one by one. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe started greeting customers, while Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing helped out. With the New Year approaching, the market was busier than usual, and trinkets like hair ties and tiger-head shoes were selling particularly well.

After working for half a day, as the sun rose higher, Su Xiaoyin finally pulled her younger sister to pack their things and prepare to go to the bookstore.

"Big Mountain, Little River, let's go to the bookstore." Su Xiaoyin slung the basket over her shoulder and checked the embroidery inside one last time.

Chen Dashan nodded: "Go ahead, don't rush, take your time talking. It's okay if you can't reach an agreement, we can talk about it again when you get back."

Chen Xiaohe added from the side, "Sister-in-law, you can definitely do it!"

Su Xiaoqing laughed: "You're so good with words."

The two sisters walked through the market toward Sun's bookstore. The closer they got, the more nervous Su Xiaoqing became, clinging tightly to her sister's sleeve. Su Xiaoyin patted her hand, signaling her to relax.

Sun's Bookstore was located on the main street of the county town. The shop was small, but very clean. A plaque hung at the entrance with the four characters "Sun's Bookstore" written in vigorous strokes. Through the window, one could see rows of bookshelves inside, neatly stacked with books.

Su Xiaoyin took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

---

As soon as the door opened, a wave of warmth rushed out. A charcoal brazier burned inside, making it much warmer than outside. A middle-aged man in his forties was standing behind the counter arranging books; he looked up when he heard the door open.

"Ladies, would you like to buy books or...?" Shopkeeper Sun put down the book in his hand and greeted them with a smile.

Su Xiaoyin quickly curtsied: "Greetings, Manager Sun. I am Carpenter Chen's wife, my surname is Su. This is my younger sister, Su Xiaoqing. She was introduced by Steward Liu yesterday; he said the manager wants to order a large embroidery."

Shopkeeper Sun slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, what a memory I have! Right, right, please come in, please come in!" He ushered the two sisters into the shop and brought out two stools. "Sit down, sit down and let's talk."

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing sat down on the stools and placed their baskets at their feet. Manager Sun also sat down and looked them over.

"You two ladies look so young, I didn't expect your craftsmanship to be so good," Manager Sun said with a smile. "I saw the few little items that Steward Liu brought over yesterday; the stitches are fine and the colors are elegant. They're better than many of the embroiderers I've ever seen."

Su Xiaoyin said modestly, "Shopkeeper, you flatter me. My sister and I have only learned a little bit from our mother since we were little, and we still need to practice more."

Shopkeeper Sun waved his hand, "No need to be modest. I have a good eye for quality, and your craftsmanship is indeed excellent." He paused, then got down to business, "It's like this, my grandmother in the prefectural city will be turning sixty in a few months. I want to send her an embroidery as a birthday gift, something grand, festive, and also a bit original. I've seen quite a few embroidery pieces from the shops in the prefectural city, but they all seem to lack something. Yesterday, when Manager Liu mentioned you, I thought, perhaps you can create something different."