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

"Dashan, I've bought everything." Su Xiaoyin put down the basket and took out the items one by one.

Chen Dashan walked over and looked at them, saying, "The bowls and plates are nice, they look sturdy. Did you buy the pig offal too?"

Su Xiaoyin nodded: "Let's braise it when we get back. When Dad and Xiaohe are home, we can just heat it up and eat it. It'll save us a lot of trouble."

Chen Dashan smiled: "You've thought of everything."

Su Xiaoqing asked from the side, "Big brother, are you done here? If you are, let's go back. My sister bought some pig offal, we'll braise it when we get back."

Chen Dashan looked at the tidied-up house and nodded: "All done. Let's go back."

---

The three locked the courtyard gate and headed back.

On the way, Su Xiaoqing said, "Sister, the vegetables we planted in this yard this year aren't growing well; they're all wilted and drooping. We need to fertilize them properly next year, otherwise we won't need to bring vegetables from home anymore; the ones we grow in the yard will be enough to eat."

Su Xiaoyin nodded: "We've never grown vegetables in this yard before, so this is our first year. The soil is definitely not fertile enough. We'll get used to it, we can't rush it."

Su Xiaoqing hummed in agreement and then moved on to other things.

Chen Dashan walked ahead, listening to the two sisters talk, feeling very at ease.

----

"Xiaohe, you'll be home alone tomorrow. I've hung all the braised offal in the well and steamed some buns; that'll be enough for you for two days. Just heat them up yourself."

As evening fell, Su Xiaoyin packed her things while giving Chen Xiaohe some instructions. The whole family was going to the county town tomorrow, leaving him alone at home to look after the house.

Chen Xiaohe was squatting in the yard playing with the puppy when he heard this. He looked up and chuckled, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I can still heat up some food; I won't go hungry."

Chen's mother poked her head out of the kitchen and said, "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. Don't wander around at home, just make sure the livestock are fed."

Chen's father, smoking his pipe beside him, thought for a moment and said, "Xiaohe, these next few days when you're home, besides looking after the livestock, you also need to check on the fruit trees on the mountain. The sun is strong these days, don't let them get dry."

Chen Xiaohe stood up, patted the dirt off his hands, and said earnestly, "Dad, don't worry. I check on them every day, and they're growing well. I feel like they'll bear a lot of fruit this fall."

Mr. Chen nodded, a satisfied look on his face. Since Chen Xiaohe returned from learning fruit tree care, he had indeed taken it seriously. He would go up the mountain every few days, knowing exactly which trees needed fertilizing and which needed pruning.

After packing the last basket of things, Su Xiaoyin said to Su Xiaoqing, "Xiaoqing, let's bring the Qilin Bringing a Child embroidery too. We can embroider some when we're not cooking in town. I estimate it won't be finished in another two months, so we need to hurry."

Su Xiaoqing was washing the four children's faces when she heard this and nodded: "Sister, this one is indeed more difficult to embroider than the previous ones. But let's take it slow, there's no rush."

She thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, right, sister, we also need to make some sachets and colorful ropes for the Dragon Boat Festival when we have some free time. These things sell well every year, so we need to prepare them in advance."

Su Xiaoyin laughed: "I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. There are still things to sell for the Dragon Boat Festival, so we really need to start making them in advance."

Hearing this from the side, Chen's mother said, "You all take care of everything at home and outside. Take your time, there's no rush. Make sure you get plenty of rest and don't overwork yourself."

Su Xiaoyin responded and checked the things she needed to bring for tomorrow again.

---

A good night's sleep.

The next day, before dawn, the family got up. Father Chen hitched up the mule cart, and Chen Dashan loaded the luggage and tools onto the oxcart. The four children, still half asleep, were carried onto the cart by Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing, wrapped in blankets, and went back to sleep.

Chen Xiaohe stood at the gate of the courtyard, rubbing his eyes as he saw them off.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law, Xiaoqing, please drive carefully," he said, yawning.

Chen's mother waved her hand: "I know. You stay home and take good care of yourself, and don't forget to feed the livestock."

"I can't forget it!" Chen Xiaohe replied, watching the two cars gradually drive away before turning back into the house.

---

As the sun rose higher, Chen Xiaohe finished feeding the livestock, locked the gate, and headed up the mountain.

The fruit trees on the mountain are indeed growing well. The peach and apricot trees are laden with fruit, the small, unripe berries hidden under the leaves, a delightful sight. The jujube and persimmon trees have also sprouted new branches, lush and green, looking very vibrant.

Chen Xiaohe inspected each tree one by one, watering those that needed watering and removing pests where necessary. He put all the skills he had learned in the neighboring county to use.

Just as they were busy working, a shout came from down the mountain: "Little River! Little River!"

Chen Xiaohe straightened up and looked down the mountain. It was Brother De, standing at the foot of the mountain waving at him.

"Brother De! What brings you here?" Chen Xiaohe put down his work and walked down the mountain.

Brother De came up to us with a smile and said, "I came to tell you that after the Dragon Boat Festival, we have to go to the neighboring county again. The master said that summer maintenance is also very important, and we need to learn about it for a while longer."

Chen Xiaohe nodded: "Okay, no problem. Let me know in advance, Brother De, so I can prepare."

Brother De then asked, "By the way, Xiaohe, what have you been busy with lately? I've seen you hauling timber and stones to the county town time and time again. Are you building a house?"

Chen Xiaohe's heart skipped a beat, remembering his father's words, "Don't flaunt your wealth." He remained outwardly calm, smiled, and said, "I'm helping someone build a shop. You know our family's carpentry skills; someone came to us, so we took the job."

Brother De nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He then started talking about his own situation: "I'm also thinking of buying another shop. I've looked at several, but they're either too expensive or too dilapidated and would need to be renovated. I'm unsure how much it would cost to build one. After you finish this job, could you help me find out the prices?"

Chen Xiaohe breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay. I'll ask around for you when my older brother gets back. He's in charge of the carpentry, so he knows the prices."

Brother De smiled and said, "Then I'll leave to you. I have to go check on the fields."

After seeing Brother De off, Chen Xiaohe stood at the foot of the mountain and pondered. His father was right; it was best to keep the matter of buying the house a secret. Making a fortune quietly and living a low-key life was better than anything else.

He turned and walked back up the mountain to continue tending to the fruit trees.

---

In the county town, the family had already arrived at their house.

Father Chen took the bricklayer Liu to inspect the site and determine the location for construction. Chen Dashan set out his carpentry tools and began preparing materials for the doors and windows. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing settled the four children in the largest room and then went to the kitchen to prepare the things needed for lunch.

"Sis, Mom's coming to deliver the groceries soon, let's start preparing the dough first," Su Xiaoqing said.

Su Xiaoyin nodded and began kneading the dough. Su Xiaoqing went to the yard, picked a few scallions, fetched a bucket of water, and chopped up a plate of the braised offal.

Around noon, Chen's mother arrived in her mule cart. The cart was loaded with vegetables, tofu, and a large bucket of mung bean soup.