Yang Yufen had said she wouldn’t celebrate, but when the full month arrived, she still boiled eggs to share with her neighbors.
Looking at the stockpile of eggs, Yang Yufen realized she couldn’t possibly eat them all. Luckily, some people in the residential compound were willing to buy them, sparing her the hassle of selling them at the market. It was a small but welcome income.
When she took the child to the hospital again, the doctor ran a series of checks before declaring the baby perfectly healthy. Satisfied, Yang Yufen headed home.
"Sister Wang, I have some business to attend to tomorrow. Could you help feed the chickens while I’m away?"
"Go ahead, go ahead. But are you really not leaving the twins with me?"
Aunt Wang knew exactly what Yang Yufen was planning.
"The two little ones are well-behaved, and I’ve gotten used to taking care of them."
Early the next morning, Yang Yufen fed the twins, filled a thermos with hot water, packed their necessities and supplies, then set off on her tricycle, leaving the residential compound behind.
She had already tidied up the old courtyard during her last visit. This time, the trees and plants had turned lush and green. She settled the twins in the shade, arranged their things neatly, and got to work.
She cleaned every window, door, and even the roof beams. In the process, she stumbled upon some hidden treasures—things only someone familiar with carpentry would notice. Carefully, she retrieved them, planning to hand them over to her daughter-in-law Qin Nian when she returned.
Only after confirming there were no more hidden items did Yang Yufen finally relax.
This trip lasted half a month.
"A rental notice? You’ve cleaned up Qin Nian’s old courtyard while taking care of the children?"
Professor Wen couldn’t believe one person could be so capable.
But when he followed Yang Yufen to the old courtyard, he had no choice but to accept it.
"I’m planning to rent out the three outer rooms by the gate. The three main rooms in the center will stay vacant. The four side rooms opposite each other are divided into two sections—spacious enough. That makes nine rooms in total."
"Renting them out is a good idea. It’s extra income, and having people around keeps the place from falling into disrepair. If you ever want them back, it’s easy enough. Actually, don’t bother with the rental notice. I teach at the nearby university—I’ll mention it to my students. Anyone interested can come take a look."
Thinking of Qin Nian’s family situation, Professor Wen immediately took charge.
"That’s too kind of you."
"Not at all. Back then, Qin Nian didn’t have the time, and neither did we. Now that you’ve done all the hard work, finding tenants is the easy part. With more students attending university these days, and the place being so close to campus, it’ll rent out in no time."
True to Professor Wen’s words, even before he could mention it to his students, colleagues were already inquiring.
Two professors, both with families, found the dormitories too cramped. After seeing the place, they were delighted—each family took one side of the courtyard, giving everyone plenty of space.
The three outer rooms went to students. Within five days, every room was rented.
Rent was collected annually. The three small rooms by the gate went for five yuan a month, while the side rooms cost twenty yuan a month.
That added up to six hundred and sixty yuan a year.
The courtyard had running water, electricity, and even a well, making daily life convenient.
As for the flowerpots, Professor Wen specifically reminded Yang Yfen to take them back to the residential compound.
Holding the money, Yang Yufen marveled at how much rent alone could bring in. If she had more properties, she wouldn’t even need a job to get by.
But she only had about three thousand six hundred yuan to her name—her savings, plus Shen Xianjun’s pension. After setting aside supplies for Qin Nian and adding the extra three hundred yuan she’d tucked away, the six hundred and sixty yuan from rent still left her with roughly the same amount.
It was a decent sum, but not quite enough to buy another house.
As she wove a bamboo crib for the twins, Yang Yufen suddenly stared at the bamboo in her hands.
She had plenty of skills—why not give this a try? Bamboo weaving wasn’t any simpler than carpentry. To make it beautiful, the work had to be meticulous. But since she had time at home, she decided to craft a few items and ask Qin Nian’s mentor’s wife for advice. Surely, a scholar’s mind worked faster than hers.
Bamboo baskets, bamboo hats, tiny bamboo animals, bamboo balls—inspired by Qin Nian’s suitcase, she even made a bamboo trunk.
Her creations fit neatly inside, saving space and hassle.
Worried the plain bamboo color was too dull, Yang Yufen roasted the bamboo strips to create varying shades, weaving them into intricate patterns.
The only downside was the strain on her neck from bending over for long hours. Thankfully, caring for the twins forced her to move around often.
Afraid the bamboo might scratch the children or leave splinters, she wrapped the toys in cloth before letting them play.
When Professor Wen visited again, Yang Yufen showed him her handiwork.
"Professor Wen, do you think these could sell? The government encourages private businesses now. I’m not looking to become a full-time artisan—just earn a little extra for the children’s milk powder and ease Qin Nian’s burden."
"You made all these?"
Professor Wen was astonished, examining each piece carefully.
"They’re quite impressive. If you’re serious about selling, I’d recommend Badaling. Foreign tourists there love these kinds of crafts. They pay with foreign exchange certificates, which can be used at Friendship Stores and Overseas Chinese Stores to buy things even the department stores don’t carry—no purchase limits either."
Take milk powder, for example. Department stores sold it, but it was expensive and required ration coupons. Only Qin Nian’s special status, combined with subsidies from Dean Hu and Professor Wen, plus Yang Yufen’s willingness to spend, kept the twins well-supplied.
"How much should I charge for these?"
Yang Yufen’s eyes sparkled with hope.
"How long does one take you to make?"
After a detailed discussion—and watching her craft a bamboo ball in real time—Professor Wen gave his verdict.
"Pricing them too low isn’t worth it. The simpler, quicker items can go for one yuan each. The zodiac animal set should sell as a whole for twenty yuan, or two yuan per piece. This trunk? Fifty yuan—don’t accept less than thirty-five."
He nodded approvingly at her skill.
"Make some simpler items too, like pencil holders or cups. They’ll sell well as add-ons."
Yang Yufen brightened. "I’ve actually made some cups for us to use at home."
She brought them over, each carved with delicate floral patterns.
"These are lovely. Let me write a few lines for you—see if you can carve them in. The Four Gentlemen: plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. It’ll increase their value."
With Professor Wen’s guidance, Yang Yufen turned larger bamboo segments into pencil holders and smaller ones into cups—each piece a work of art.
