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

Su Xiaoqing calmed down a bit, but still couldn't help laughing: "Sister, I thought Manager Sun was speechless from being stared at just now. Are our embroidery pieces really that good?"

Su Xiaoyin thought for a moment and said seriously, "It should really be true. He's seen so many good things, and for him to praise it like this shows that our efforts weren't in vain."

Su Xiaoqing nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Sis, shall we go for a walk? It's been so long since we've been to a market."

Just as Su Xiaoyin was about to agree, she suddenly remembered the silver notes in her basket and shook her head: "Don't rush, let's return the silver to the stall first. There are many people at the end of the year, and if it gets lost, all our work will be for nothing."

Su Xiaoqing slapped her forehead: "Right, right, I was so happy I forgot! Let's go, let's go!"

The two walked quickly back, through the bustling crowd, and returned to their own stall.

----

At the stall, Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe were greeting customers.

A middle-aged woman picked out several hair ties and then took a fancy to a pair of tiger-head shoes, and was haggling over the price. Chen Xiaohe had a sweet tongue, and with a few kind words, he coaxed the woman into paying the money without hesitation.

Su Xiaoyin walked over, handed the banknotes to Chen Dashan, and said in a low voice, "The final payment is settled, please keep it safe."

Chen Dashan took it, glanced at it, and carefully tucked it into his pocket. He looked at Su Xiaoyin, a smile in his eyes: "Thank you for your hard work."

Su Xiaoyin shook her head: "It's not tiring. Let's go for a walk and come back in a bit."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Go ahead, but don't stay out too late."

Su Xiaoqing pulled her sister away, while Chen Xiaohe called after them, "Sister-in-law, help me see if there's anything good!"

Su Xiaoqing turned around and smiled, "Okay, I'll buy you candy!"

Chen Xiaohe stomped his feet in anger, while Chen Dashan laughed beside him.

---

The market was bustling with people. Stalls selling New Year's goods lined up one after another, offering everything from red lanterns and couplets to New Year's pictures and firecrackers. There were also long queues in front of food stalls selling candied hawthorns, sesame candy, and peanut candy, the aroma wafting far and wide.

The two sisters strolled around and bought some things. Su Xiaoyin bought two jin of pork belly to make dumplings. Su Xiaoqing bought several strings of candied hawthorns, saying she wanted the four children to try them. They also bought some floral fabric to make new clothes for the children for the New Year.

Halfway through their shopping trip, Su Xiaoyin suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Dashan asked me to buy him some ointment. I almost forgot."

The two then went to Dr. Li's clinic and bought some plasters. Dr. Li remembered them and asked about Chen Dashan's leg. Su Xiaoyin said it was much better, and Dr. Li nodded, giving a few more instructions.

After leaving the clinic, Su Xiaoqing said, "Sister, let's go back. We've bought almost everything."

Su Xiaoyin nodded, and the two walked back.

---

Back at the stall, Chen Dashan was guarding it alone. Seeing them return, he asked, "Where's Xiaohe?"

Su Xiaoqing was taken aback: "I didn't see him. Wasn't he with you?"

Chen Dashan said, "He said he went to the restroom, but he hasn't come back for a while."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiaohe emerged from the crowd, holding a package in his hands. He ran to the stall and handed the package to Chen Dashan: "Brother, these are plasters I bought for you! Doctor Li said they're very effective, so I bought a few extra."

Chen Dashan paused for a moment, took it and looked at it; it was indeed a plaster. He glanced at his younger brother, said nothing, and simply patted him on the shoulder.

Su Xiaoqing laughed from the side, "I wondered where you went. Turns out you went to buy medicine for your older brother."

Chen Xiaohe chuckled: "My brother asked me to buy it, how could I forget?"

Su Xiaoyin took out the plaster she had bought as well, and after comparing the two, she realized she had bought the same one. Chen Xiaohe scratched his head: "What... what should we do?"

Su Xiaoyin smiled and said, "It's alright, just buy more to keep on hand. It'll be cold in winter, and we'll need a lot more."

---

In the afternoon, the market gradually emptied out. Chen Dashan glanced at the sky and said, "That's about enough, let's pack up."

The group packed their belongings, loaded them onto the mule cart, and headed home.

On the way, Chen Dashan thought about the day's events. The final payment for the embroidery was settled—twenty-five taels of silver. Combined with what he had earned before, the family's savings had increased again. There were still a few days left until the end of the year; if he set up his stall for a few more days, he should be able to earn a little more. Next spring, if the shops in town were cheap and everything was suitable, he would buy one.

As he was thinking, he suddenly spoke up: "Xiaoyin, what do you think about us buying a shop in town?"

Su Xiaoyin was stunned for a moment, then realized what she meant: "Are you serious?"

Chen Dashan nodded: "Seriously. We have some savings now, and we also have some over by the river. If the price of the shop is right, we'll buy it. Even if we don't use it for the time being, we can still earn income by renting it out. It's a steady stream of income, and it'll be something our children can rely on in the future."

Su Xiaoyin was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I think it's okay. But we need to check the price first, and then find out about the market."

Chen Dashan said, "Well, I'll go back and discuss it with Dad."

---

By the time I got home, it was almost dark.

Chen's mother was busy in the kitchen, while Chen's father was chopping firewood in the yard. The four children were playing inside when they heard the gate open and rushed out, calling out "Mother" and "Auntie" to Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing.

Su Xiaoqing took out candied hawthorns, one skewer for each child, and the four children jumped for joy. Afu held his candied hawthorn, his little mouth agape, licking it incessantly.

During dinner, Chen Dashan recounted the day's events. The final payment for the embroidery had been settled, and business at the stall was doing alright. He also mentioned his desire to buy a shop and asked for his father's opinion.

After listening, Mr. Chen was silent for a while, then nodded: "That's a good idea. The shop is tangible property; once you buy it, it's yours. Even if you don't use it for the time being, you can still earn income by renting it out. And when the children grow up, they'll have something to do."

Chen's mother also said, "I think it's a good idea. Your two families have saved up quite a bit of money over the years, so it should be enough together. But we need to find out more first, so we don't get scammed."

Chen Dashan nodded: "Yes, I'll ask Manager Liu tomorrow. He knows a lot of people and is well-informed, he should know."

Chen Xiaohe said from the side, "Brother, when you buy the shop, I'll help you keep an eye on it! I'll definitely do a good job!"

Su Xiaoqing rolled her eyes at him: "You should finish your bamboo weaving first."

The whole family laughed.

---

Back in her room that evening, Su Xiaoyin sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and took out the book she had bought that day, "Essentials of Agriculture and Sericulture," to read. Chen Dashan came over, looked at it, and asked, "What book is this?"

Su Xiaoyin said, "I bought it at the bookstore today. It's about planting crops and fruit trees, isn't that exactly what Dad and the others need?"

Chen Dashan took the book, flipped through it, and nodded: "This book is good, it's written in detail. I'll show it to Dad tomorrow."

Su Xiaoyin took out the picture book again and showed it to him: "This one is good too. There are many patterns on it that can be turned into embroidery patterns."

Chen Dashan glanced at it a few times; although he didn't understand these things, he still thought it was interesting. He put down the book and suddenly said, "Xiaoyin, thank you for today."

Su Xiaoyin was taken aback: "Thank me for what?"

Chen Dashan said, "Thank you for always worrying about this family."

Su Xiaoyin laughed and leaned on his shoulder: "What are you talking about? This is my home too."