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

Chen Dashan took it and smelled it; it did smell nice. He then looked at the price: twenty coins, not expensive.

"I'll take this one."

The shopkeeper took out another silk flower, peach-colored, with layers of petals, exquisitely crafted: "Brother, this is a newly arrived silk flower. Take one for your wife. It's the New Year, she should wear something bright and cheerful."

Chen Dashan looked at the silk flower, then at the others on the counter, and picked out a pink one, which looked simpler.

"How much?"

"Five coins."

Chen Dashan took out a copper coin from his pocket, counted out twenty-five coins, and handed them over. The shopkeeper wrapped the silk flower in paper and handed it to him along with hand oil.

As Chen Dashan walked out of the shop, he tucked the things into his pocket, thinking that he would take on more carpentry work next year and save enough money to buy Su Xiaoyin a silver hairpin. The wooden hairpin in her hair was made the year they got married and was already quite old.

He quickened his pace and headed towards his family's grocery store.

Inside the shop, Chen Xiaohe sat behind the counter, a pile of bamboo strips in front of him, weaving a gift box. His hands moved quickly, the strips weaving between his fingers, and soon the base was complete. Seeing Chen Dashan enter, he looked up and asked, "Brother, have you delivered everything? Is Brother De satisfied?"

Chen Dashan nodded: "Satisfied. The doors and windows have been checked, no problems."

Chen Xiaohe, with his sharp eyes, noticed that his older brother's arms were bulging, as if he were carrying something. Curious, he asked, "Big brother, what are you carrying in your arms?"

Chen Dashan took the items out and placed them on the counter: a small porcelain box of hand cream and a paper package wrapped with silk flowers.

Chen Xiaohe's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer to look: "Hey, big brother, you bought silk flowers? For your wife?"

Chen Dashan put away the silk flowers and hand cream, tucking them back into his pocket, looking a little embarrassed: "It's almost Chinese New Year, I'll buy one for your sister-in-law."

Chen Xiaohe chuckled and asked again, "Did you buy hand cream?"

Chen Dashan nodded: "I bought it."

Chen Xiaohe put down the half-finished gift box he was weaving and stood up from behind the counter: "Brother, could you watch the shop for me for a while? I'll go buy one for Xiaoqing too. You buy silk flowers and hand cream for your sister-in-law, and I'll buy her a silk flower and hand cream as well. She'll definitely be happy."

Before Chen Dashan could speak, Chen Xiaohe had already run out, his hurried figure quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Chen Dashan shook his head and sat down behind the counter. The street was bustling with people. He thought about how Su Xiaoyin would look when she received the gift, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

After a while, Chen Xiaohe came running back, panting. He was carrying something in his arms, a smile on his face, and as soon as he entered, he asked, "Big brother, do you think this will do?"

He took out a paper package from his pocket, opened it, and inside was another silk flower, bright red, even more vibrant than the one Chen Dashan had bought. He then took out a small porcelain box, opened it, and smelled it; it had the fragrance of gardenias.

"The shopkeeper said this tastes good, and all the young girls buy it." Chen Xiaohe chuckled as he carefully wrapped the items.

Chen Dashan glanced at him and said, "Xiaoqing likes red, so you picked a good one."

Chen Xiaohe carefully put the things away, then sat down to weave his gift box, humming an off-key tune, looking very happy.

As evening fell, the two closed their shop and drove the oxcart back home. The sky was ablaze with the crimson glow of sunset, like the peony on the new cushion Su Xiaoyin had made. A cold wind blew against their faces, but both felt warm.

Chen Xiaohe sat at the back of the car, took the silk flowers out again for a second look, and then carefully put them back. He suddenly said, "Brother, do you think Sister-in-law and Xiaoqing will be happy to receive these things?"

Chen Dashan didn't turn around, steadily driving the car: "Yes."

Chen Xiaohe chuckled, leaning against the cart and watching the sunset. The oxcart creaked and groaned along the road back to the village, smoke rising from the distant village and drifting into the twilight.

As they neared home, Chen Dashan carefully put away the silk flowers and hand cream, then glanced back at his younger brother: "Xiaohe, take on more work next year and buy your wife a silver bracelet."

Chen Xiaohe hesitated for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Okay! Big brother, let's go together!"

The oxcart turned into the village, and the courtyard gate was already in sight. Smoke billowed from the kitchen chimney, and warm light shone through the windows. Children's laughter and the voices of Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing could be heard coming from inside.

Chen Dashan tied up the cow and walked into the house with Chen Xiaohe.

----

"Mountains, Rivers, you're back! We've been waiting for you. Dinner's ready!"

Chen's mother's voice came from the kitchen, carrying the aroma of steaming food. Su Xiaoyin was putting the last bowl of food on the table, while Su Xiaoqing was setting out the bowls and chopsticks. The four children were already sitting around the table, staring longingly at the food on the plates. Afu's little hand had reached out several times, only to be gently patted back by Su Xiaoqing and then stretched out again.

Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe washed their hands and sat down at the table. Chen's father had already picked up his bowl and said, "Eat, we can talk while we eat."

The family ate heartily. Dinner was plentiful, featuring braised pork, stewed tofu, stir-fried cabbage, cold radish salad, and a large pot of steaming bone broth. Since the pig was slaughtered, the family had more meat, and Mrs. Chen would stew it every few days; everyone's complexion had become much rosier after eating it.

Chen Dashan ate a few bites and told De Ge about what he had discussed with him that day: "Dad, De Ge said today that he wants to send his youngest son to school in the county town after the New Year. I told him that our family also wants to send Shi Tou, A Ji, and A Fu there. De Ge said that if they go together, the children will have company."

Mr. Chen put down his bowl and nodded: "Then we'll send it after the New Year. Tomorrow I'll inquire about what kind of tuition fees the school needs, and we'll prepare them in advance and send them directly then."

He turned to look at his three grandsons, his tone becoming serious: "Shitou, Aji, Afu, I'll send you to school next spring. Study hard, do you hear me?"

Stone puffed out his little chest and said loudly, "I heard you! Grandpa, I will definitely study hard!"

Aji and Afu nodded in agreement. Although they didn't quite understand what a school was, seeing their older brothers nod, they nodded vigorously as well. Shitou then said, "Grandpa, when we finish our studies, we'll come back and teach Qingqing!"

Aji and Afu chimed in, "Yes, come back and teach your older sister!"

Qingqing, who was sitting next to them, was initially a little disappointed, but when she heard her younger brothers say that, her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth curved up.

Su Xiaoyin patted Qingqing's head and said softly, "The school doesn't accept girls. You, Shitou, go with Aji and Afu and study hard. They'll teach you when they come back. You're smarter than them, so you'll definitely learn faster."

Qingqing nodded vigorously, a smile appearing on her face.

Shi Tou patted his chest and promised, "Qingqing, I'll teach you every day when I get back! I remember everything the teacher taught me, and I'll tell you as soon as I get home!"

Aji and Afu chimed in, "Sister, we'll study hard too, and we'll hand it over to you when we get back. Don't worry!" Everyone at the table laughed, and the room became lively and bustling.