"She had the audacity to cling to Ershun back then, taking advantage of Gui Xiang and her husband’s gentle nature, as well as Ershun’s kindness. But when disaster struck, she feared being left without support and listened to her family’s coaxing, wavering in her resolve and leaving. Now she’s reaping what she sowed."
Yang Yufen sighed.
"The path was her own choice. She lacked the courage to stay the course, and her weakness led her here. What’s the use of regret now? Back when Ershun and his father were injured, she didn’t even dare go to the hospital. When it came to pooling money to save them, all she did was cry, saying there was no money, that they couldn’t repay it—she didn’t even try."
Cuihua spoke, revealing details Yang Yufen hadn’t known before.
"Changshun isn’t so bad. His wife was worried about their children. Her family came and, knowing about the debts, feared their daughter would suffer, so they pushed for splitting the household. These past few years, Changshun has barely spoken a word in the village."
Though the separation happened over just two phone calls, the villagers found out, and the gossip was inevitable. No elder could accept such a thing.
Yang Yufen stayed silent.
A man’s voice sounded from outside.
"Aunt Cuihua, it’s Changshun."
Cuihua paused, glancing at Yang Yufen.
"Ah, we’re in the kitchen."
She called back, and Changshun entered awkwardly.
"Aunt Yang, it’s been a while. I heard you were back, so I… I brought a fish."
He thrust the fish into Cuihua’s hands.
"Mm. You want to ask about your parents, don’t you? Let’s talk outside."
Yang Yufen knew he’d come for her. She nodded at Cuihua and stepped out.
They walked beneath the persimmon tree in the yard, its branches heavy with unripe fruit.
"Auntie, how are my parents and Ershun?"
"They’re managing. Your mother’s set up a stall, working dawn till dusk to earn money. Your father can’t handle heavy labor anymore. As for Ershun, he’s like a child now—needs someone to guide him in everything."
"I’ve failed my parents and Ershun."
Changshun hung his head. A sun-darkened country man, his worn-out canvas shoes had holes in them.
"Your parents don’t blame you. Just focus on your own life. They’re only looking after Ershun now."
Yang Yufen sighed. After all, she’d watched him grow up. Now he was older, with his own family and concerns—it was natural, but it still stung those closest to him.
"I know. My parents are even sending money back to pay off debts. I’m useless."
With several children in school, Changshun worked himself ragged. He’d even dug a fishpond, but the earnings were meager. The more he struggled to provide, the heavier the guilt of being unable to help.
"Your mother said they’d visit at New Year’s. You can talk to her then. I’m leaving early tomorrow."
Yang Yufen glanced at the sky. Soon, the others would return from the fields.
"Alright. Then I’ll head back, Auntie."
Only after Yang Yufen nodded did Changshun shuffle away, his steps unsteady.
No matter how angry, a mother’s heart softens at the sight of her child like this.
Yang Yufen returned to help finish cooking, then woke Niannian for dinner.
At the table, the village head discussed the year’s harvest.
"This year’s yield was decent, thanks to good weather. But the young folks don’t want to stay—they’re all itching to leave for work, saying they can earn a hundred a month in the cities, more than farming here."
The village head sighed. His own children had the same thoughts, though he’d been suppressing it. With Yang Yufen’s family back from the capital, he wanted their advice.
"It’s good for the young to go out. Things are different now. They might return with new ideas, even lift the whole village out of poverty."
Yang Yufen saw it as an opportunity.
"I just worry they’ll be cheated. So far from home, their families will fret."
"Uncle, I remember most folks here know a bit about construction. Even if not, we’re strong and hardworking. I know of some jobs—building houses, for instance."
Shen Xianjun spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.
"With the country developing, there’s demand for infrastructure—roads, bridges, buildings. The village could pick a foreman to lead a crew. I can help connect them to jobs."
He smiled at Yang Yufen.
She was momentarily stunned but listened quietly as her son and the village head talked.
"Mom, I’ll take Niannian to make a call with the village head. You’ve had a long day—rest. Don’t wait up."
"Mm."
Yang Yufen nodded.
Shen Xianjun, Qin Nian, and the village head headed to the office.
"Xianjun, helping the village is good, but don’t feel obliged. I just brought it up over dinner, and…"
The cool air cleared the village head’s mind.
"Uncle, I wouldn’t promise what I can’t deliver. This isn’t about privilege—it’s straightforward. Don’t worry."
The jobs were real. Construction needed laborers, but the locations were distant, and villagers lacked connections. Shen Xianjun happened to know people.
A phone call later, the terms were settled—wages, lodging, everything. The village head wept.
"This is… incredible. Xianjun, I don’t know how to thank you."
"Uncle, no tears. I still remember you turning a blind eye when I stole persimmons from your tree."
Shen Xianjun tore off the number.
"Shame it’s not persimmon season. But the men can manage—food and housing are covered. If they can’t find work, they’ve no one to blame but themselves."
"Uncle, Niannian and I will stroll a bit. You go ahead."
"Right, right. I’ll ask house by house."
The village head hurried off, energized. The elders and women could handle the fields.
Shen Xianjun and Qin Nian wandered to the old family home.
"The flood years ago ruined it. I never came back, but the villagers rebuilt it. Not much inside, I’d guess. Surprised the jujube tree at the gate still stands."
