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

Su Xiaoyin nodded, then asked, "What about lunch? Will we pick you up to eat at home, or will you eat at the school?"

Chen Dashan said, "The teacher didn't say that lunch would be provided. We should either pick him up or bring his own lunch to the school. I'll ask again later."

Several children entered the house and surrounded Chen's mother, chattering about school. Chen's mother smiled broadly and patted each of their heads, saying, "Study hard, and you'll have a bright future."

That evening, after the family had eaten, they sat around in the main room. Chen Dashan recounted the day's events in detail, concluding, "The teacher said we must be at school at 3:45 AM every day. We live in the village, so we have to get up very early in the morning, and it's cold in winter; I'm afraid the children won't be able to handle it. The teacher also said we can stay at the school for 500 cash a month."

Mr. Chen took a puff of his pipe and said slowly, "It's fine if they stay here. Our home isn't far from the county town, we can just pick them up and drop them off every day. But we'll have to get up early, and the children will have to endure the hardship."

After thinking for a moment, Chen's mother said, "How about this? Our house in the county town is empty, isn't it? Let the children live there. They can walk just a few steps to school every day. They won't have to get up so early."

Chen Dashan said, "Mother, the house near the general store isn't close to the school either; it's a 15-minute walk. The house we bought last year is closer to the school, just a few steps away. But that house hasn't been properly renovated yet, so it's uninhabitable."

Mr. Chen said, "Then let's get the new house ready. We did a simple tidying up when we bought it last year, but since people are going to live there, we need to do a proper cleaning. The walls need to be painted, the kang (heated brick bed) needs to be renovated, and all the pots, pans, and utensils need to be prepared."

Chen's mother said, "We need to hurry. The children start school the day after tomorrow. Can we get the house ready in the next couple of days?"

Chen Dashan thought for a moment and said, "Mother, how about this, let the children live in the house near the general store for now. Although it's a bit far from the school, it's at least closer than living in the village, and there's still room for them. We can move there once the new house is ready."

Mr. Chen nodded: "That's fine. But the children will need someone to stay with them in the county town. They're only five or six years old; they can't live alone."

Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe exchanged a glance. Chen Dashan said, "Dad, Xiaohe and I can't leave the village. We have to keep an eye on the work in the fields and the carpentry."

Su Xiaoyin spoke up: "How about this, Xiaoqing and I will take turns going to the county town to keep them company. Someone also needs to watch over the shop, so it'll be a good solution for both. It's just that the embroidery work might take a little longer."

Su Xiaoqing nodded in agreement: "Sister is right. We'll take turns going, each for a few days. We'll bring Qingqing along too; she'll stay at the shop during the day and stay with her brothers at night."

Mother Chen waved her hand: "You two sisters should focus on your embroidery. Embroidery is a major source of income for our family, so we can't afford to neglect it. How about this, I'll go live with the children in the county town."

Everyone looked at Chen's mother.

Chen's mother said, "Every morning I take them to school, and then I go to set up my stall. If they don't provide lunch, I bring them food to eat at school, and then I pick them up after school. I stay with them at night, so it doesn't interfere with my work. If any of you have time, please come to the county town to help me. If you don't have time, you can manage on your own."

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Chen said, "That will do. But old woman, are you physically capable of handling it?"

Chen's mother laughed: "What's so hard about it? It's much easier than working in the fields. Besides, I'd like to live in the county town for a while; it's quieter there."

Chen Dashan said, "Mother, then we'll trouble you. We'll visit you in the county town every two days, and bring you anything you need."

Chen's mother nodded: "Okay, it's settled then."

Su Xiaoyin held Qingqing's hand and said softly, "Qingqing, you can stay with Mom or Auntie at the shop during the day, and your brothers will come back in the evening. They can teach you to read, okay?"

Qingqing's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "Okay!"

And that was settled. Father Chen tapped his pipe and said, "Tomorrow, we'll thoroughly clean the new house and buy whatever is necessary. Every morning thereafter, we'll send the children to school first, and they'll stay temporarily in the yard of the general store at night."

As night deepened, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Chen Dashan lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), thinking about tomorrow's matters. The new house needed tidying up, the shop couldn't be neglected, and the tables and chairs for Wu the Registrar still needed to be finished. Every single thing was important, but he felt at ease.

Su Xiaoyin lay down beside him and whispered, "Dashan, do you think Shitou and the others can do well in their studies?"

Chen Dashan hummed in agreement: "Yes, our child isn't stupid."

Su Xiaoyin smiled and closed her eyes.

Outside the window, the moon has risen, casting its gentle light across the ground. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

The family got busy early the next morning.

Chen Dashan first sent the three children to school, while Chen Xiaohe drove the oxcart, carrying bedding, pots and pans, rice, flour, and cooking oil, to their house in the county town. Chen's mother followed, directing the tidying up of the things. Su Xiaoqing stayed home to prepare lunch, while Su Xiaoyin took Qingqing to the general store to sell goods.

The new house is in an alleyway on East Street, very close to the school, just a few steps away. When I bought it last year, I did some simple renovations: the walls were whitewashed, the kang (heated brick bed) was rebuilt, and the stove is usable. But to make it habitable, we still need to add quite a few things.

Chen's mother made the bed and checked the doors and windows. The window paper was a bit torn, so Chen Dashan re-pasted it. He tested the stove; it burned well and the fire was strong. The water in the well was clear; he drew some up and tasted it—it was sweet.

"This house is nice." Mother Chen nodded in satisfaction. "The children will live here in the future. It's close to the school, just a short walk away. It's also convenient for me to set up my stall; the market is just two streets away."

Chen Xiaohe carried the grain he had brought into the kitchen and checked the firewood again: "Mom, the firewood is enough for a few days. I'll send more later."

Mother Chen waved her hand: "No rush, use this for now. If you need anything, I'll have someone send word back and you can bring it over."

After a whole day of work, the house is finally habitable. Although simple, it's clean and has everything you need.

That evening, the family returned to the village. Mother Chen called the children to her side and said, "Tomorrow you'll be going to school. Grandma will live with you in the county town. Every morning I'll take you there, bring you lunch to eat at school, and pick you up after school in the evening. You must study hard and listen to your teacher, do you understand?"

The three children answered in unison. Qingqing tugged at her grandmother's sleeve and whispered, "Grandma, I want to go too."

Chen's mother patted her head: "Qingqing, be good. You stay with me in the shop. When your brothers come back, I'll have them teach you to read. Grandma will buy you some delicious food."

Qingqing nodded and stopped making a fuss.

Before dawn the next day, Chen's mother got up. She woke her three children, dressed them, washed their faces, and gave them breakfast. Chen Dashan drove the oxcart and took the four of them to the school in the county town.

Mother Chen checked the children's backpacks, finding that their writing implements were all there. Holding Shi Tou's hand, she instructed him, "You are the older brother, so you must take care of your younger brother at school. Do whatever the teacher tells you to do, and don't be naughty."