Yang Yufen said it was simple, and indeed it was simple for her. She laid out the cabinet door panels on the ground, sketched floral patterns with chalk, and with just a few strokes, an orchid design emerged.
She took out tools from her backpack and, with a few deft movements, carved the chalk-drawn patterns into the wood. Then, she added borders to the entire door panel. By noon, not only had she finished carving all eight door panels for two cabinets, but she had also smoothed the edges.
"Ask your godson to sand the panels tonight so we can paint them tomorrow. I’ll come back this afternoon to assemble the cabinets." Yang Yufen checked her watch, packed up her tools, and left.
Not long after Yang Yufen left, Wang Shuo returned.
"Mom, I’m back."
Wang Shuo had swapped his classes to free up more time for house preparations. Everyone congratulated him when they heard he was getting married, and many offered to help.
"You’re back just in time. Come, sand these properly. Your godmother prepared these as wedding gifts for you. I’ll go make lunch."
Yang Yufen had created two designs—one with orchids and the other with plum blossoms.
"Are these for cabinets?"
"Stop talking and get to work."
The panels had already undergone basic sanding, and Wang Shuo worked efficiently. By the time Yang Yufen returned with lunch, he had already smoothed three door panels.
"Godmother."
"Ah, you’ve done well. No wonder you’re a professor—your work is meticulous." Yang Yufen praised him.
Wang Shuo wanted to thank her but felt a little embarrassed by the sudden compliment.
"Which design do you prefer, the plum blossoms or the orchids? We can assemble them today, then apply a clear coat to dry before adding the red paint."
"The orchids," Wang Shuo answered without hesitation, remembering the orchid-embroidered handkerchief Fang Fen had once given him during their time in the countryside.
"Good."
Yang Yufen had originally planned to assemble just one cabinet that day, but with Wang Shuo’s help—since he’d swapped his classes—they managed to put together both cabinets.
"Godmother, your craftsmanship is so solid the cabinets don’t even need nails to stay sturdy." Wang Shuo felt the nails were almost an eyesore, disrupting the overall beauty.
"Nails still add stability and speed up the process. Sand them well, and make sure to apply clear coat on both sides—it’ll keep the wood from getting worm-eaten."
"Godmother, I’ll call a few people to help. We’ll make sure to sand every inch of these cabinets by tomorrow."
Wang Shuo wasn’t one to take advantage of kindness. Since his godmother had already worked so hard, he wanted to shoulder the rest.
"Alright, then we’ll have enough time. I’ll make you a bed too—this one can be for Yaoyao later."
"Godmother..."
"Handmade beds are better than store-bought ones. I’ve been wanting to make one for Nian anyway. Get your helpers to sand that too."
Qin Nian’s current bed could barely fit two people, but only if both slept very still. As her pregnancy progressed, they definitely couldn’t keep squeezing together.
"Then I’ll trouble you, Godmother. But you must let me pay for the materials this time."
"Fine, I won’t argue with you. Come on, let’s go pick out the wood now. That batch of walnut should be perfect."
Yang Yufen took Wang Shuo to the carpenter’s shop to select timber.
"Godson, how many people can you call to help?" she suddenly asked.
"A few of my students are reliable. Even if they can’t come every day, four or five should be able to spare some time."
"In that case, since we’re making the bed, we might as well add smaller pieces. If we hurry, we can finish the room setup. Let’s calculate for sixteen legs—plus a nightstand and a desk."
These were all things Yang Yufen wanted to provide for Qin Nian. Others might have gotten the "three rounds and a sound" with a 600-yuan betrothal gift, but her Nian only received one round and 500 yuan. Just a few months’ difference—she had to make it up.
Yang Yufen picked out a pile of lumber and had the carpenter do preliminary processing for delivery the next day. Wang Shuo went ahead and ordered a sofa he liked, along with a coffee table, rounding it up to twenty-four legs.
Qin Nian had noticed her mother-in-law falling asleep quickly these past few days but didn’t think much of it. She herself had been feeling drowsier, especially in winter, when she didn’t want to get up.
Time flew, and soon the whole residential compound knew about Wang Shuo’s upcoming wedding banquet.
"Hurry, hurry! Our teacher’s wife is moving in tomorrow—we need to make sure everything’s ready. These new furnishings look impressive!"
Two sets of furniture: one with bright red orchid patterns, the other in natural wood with plum blossoms.
Meanwhile, Yang Yufen was also tidying up her place. A group of strong young men carried in the light-toned furniture. Luckily, the two homes weren’t too far apart, and the lads had plenty of strength to spare.
"Auntie, we’ve delivered these. Anything else you need help with? If not, we’ll go assist our teacher."
"Go on, go on. Next time, come to Auntie’s for a meal."
Yang Yufen handed them roasted sweet potatoes—a snack she made every couple of days because Qin Nian loved them.
Qin Nian didn’t own much, and once her belongings were stored in the cabinets, the room looked even sparser.
Yang Yufen thought about the spacious backyard. Maybe she could build herself a room there later—she’d seen others do the same.
The narrow bed was replaced with a two-meter-wide one—truly massive. The once-spacious room suddenly felt cramped.
Yang Yufen eyed the space and decided a vanity table would be useful for mirror access.
The bedding was now too small, so she’d have to order wider quilts later.
Then she remembered Gui Xiang, an old friend she hadn’t contacted in a while.
The tricycle wasn’t available since Wang Shuo was using it to help Fang Fen move.
Yang Yufen bought some items, mailed them at the post office, then called the village committee.
"Gui Xiang!"
"Yufen!"
Gui Xiang’s booming voice was undiminished even over the phone.
"I sent you some things—remember to collect them. Didn’t you grow a lot of cotton this year? Send me thirty catties. I’ve mailed the money too."
"Is thirty enough? My family also grew some. I can get you more."
"That’s plenty. My daughter-in-law is pregnant, so I won’t be back this year. Once the child is older, I’ll bring them for a visit."
"Wonderful news! I’ll pass it on to the village chief. Take care of yourself, alright?"
Click. The call ended. True friends never wasted each other’s money.
Gui Xiang happily spread the word that Yang Yufen had gone to the city to help with her grandchild, putting an end to rumors about her long absence.
Yang Yufen had said thirty catties was enough, but Gui Xiang sent forty anyway, along with a note inside to save on postage.
Qin Nian had already eaten lunch, but when she caught a whiff of Xiao Ranran’s cooking, she couldn’t resist heading over.
