In the experimental field, Wang Shuo looked at his sweet potato seedlings with a pained heart.
They could have grown a bit more, but this was the last moment he could delay.
"Professor Wang, your wife is here to see you. She says there’s something urgent at home and you need to go back immediately."
Hearing this, Wang Shuo shouldered his hoe, placed it in the toolshed, and hurried out.
"Fang Fen, what’s happened at home?"
"It’s Mom and Godmother—they need to talk to you, and it’s quite urgent."
If it weren’t urgent, she wouldn’t have come all this way.
Wang Shuo motioned for Fang Fen to sit on the back of the bicycle while he pedaled.
"Mom, Godmother, I’ve brought Wang Shuo back. I’ll take Yaoyao home to start cooking first," Fang Fen called out.
Yaoyao happily ran out to greet them.
"Alright, don’t make anything too complicated," Yang Yufen replied.
Once inside, Yang Yufen shared her thoughts with Wang Shuo.
"Last year, those honey sweet potatoes sold so well. Do you think it’s still possible to plant them now? If not, we could plant something else. Our brigade has plenty of land, but finding enough seeds won’t be easy."
"They can still be planted, but the yield will be lower. It might be better to grow other crops—we could harvest more that way."
Though reluctant, Wang Shuo had to admit the shortcomings of his sweet potato variety.
"The temperature isn’t high enough for other grains," Yang Yufen blurted out.
"With sweet potatoes, at least something will grow, even if they’re smaller. The main issue is needing a lot of sweet potato vines—using the tubers for seedlings is too slow."
"Godmother, are you sure? If we’re really planting sweet potatoes, I can get you the vines—not just the honey variety, but others too. But we need to act fast. Any later, and the livestock team might cut them for pig feed."
Wang Shuo was aware of the flood situation but had felt powerless to help.
"No, feeding them to pigs would be such a waste! They could save lives. I’ll pay for a cart to transport them back."
Yang Yufen was decisive and action-oriented.
With phone lines down and telegrams taking too long, preparing and transporting the vines immediately was the best option—just as the floodwaters were receding.
"I’ll take care of the children for you in the meantime," Aunt Wang offered.
"Thank you, my dear friend. But I still need to speak with Professor Wen—she can help arrange transportation."
Wang Shuo didn’t mention that he could handle the transport himself.
"Then, Godmother, you go talk to Professor Wen first. If it works out, I’ll arrange for the vines to be cut right away."
Yang Yufen nodded, fed the children, and then went to see Professor Wen, who happened to be home.
"I think your idea is excellent—it’s practical and beneficial. But you shouldn’t go yourself; the children need you. I’ll report this to the higher-ups. They’re taking the flood disaster very seriously, so you won’t need to pay out of pocket."
Professor Wen had a broader vision. By collaborating with the Agricultural Academy, the plan would have a higher chance of success and reach more people in need.
"That’s wonderful! I’ll have Wang Shuo come—he studies sweet potatoes, so he knows exactly how many seedlings the Agricultural Academy can provide."
"Good. Try not to worry too much."
Professor Wen knew Yang Yufen’s hometown was among the hardest-hit areas.
Wang Shuo hadn’t expected his godmother to specifically mention him. If this succeeded, his future prospects would brighten considerably.
He realized that since becoming her godson, not only had his family’s situation improved, but he had also gained many advantages.
After confirming the plan, Wang Shuo even told Yang Yufen the departure date—he would personally guide the planting efforts.
Finally, a weight lifted from Yang Yufen’s heart.
With no business to run, the eggs at home were piling up. Yang Yufen wanted to buy chicks to raise, planning to make dried chicken for winter—maybe even send some to Qin Nian if possible.
"None available?"
"Right. Because of the floods, eggs are in high demand, so no one’s hatching chicks now."
Returning home, Yang Yufen eyed her eggs. If no one else would do it, she’d hatch them herself—she still had a spare electric blanket.
Back when the brigade’s livestock officer had taught the village about artificial incubation, she’d paid attention.
Determined, she got to work. The eggs wouldn’t keep forever, and selling them all felt wasteful—they weren’t that desperate for money, and the children needed food.
Worried her first attempt might fail, she selected only thirty eggs.
Luckily, she had a flashlight. At night, candling the eggs revealed clear signs of life.
The bamboo bed was now too small for both children, so Yang Yufen built two strollers. She salvaged old bicycle tires from the scrap yard, carved wooden wheels, and wrapped them in the rubber for durability.
Bamboo slats held the two strollers together, making it easy to push both children alone. With help, removing the slats separated them into individual strollers.
The women in the residential compound were amazed.
"Aunt Yang, you made this stroller yourself? Could you make one for me? I’ll pay… eight yuan."
A woman holding one child, carrying another, and with a third strapped to her back made the offer after some thought.
Yang Yufen considered, then agreed.
"Alright, but it’ll take five days."
"Wonderful! I’ll pay upfront—please make sure to finish it."
Though not twins, her children were close in age and always in her arms—exhausting day after day.
Soon, the strollers became a sensation in the compound. At eight yuan each, everyone rushed to Yang Yufen.
"My daughter-in-law is due in three months—I can wait."
"But Auntie, I’m due next month—let me go first!"
"Wait, my granddaughter is already three months old—she’ll need it soonest!"
Before her chicks even hatched, Yang Yufen had a pile of stroller orders.
"Don’t rush! If your baby isn’t born yet, or is too small, the stroller won’t suit."
Yang Yufen quickly reminded them.
"Oh, this little bamboo bed—was it for the kids? It looks great. I’ll order one!"
"It’ll be too cold for bamboo beds soon," Yang Yufen cautioned again.
"No problem—just add a mattress. It’s better than squeezing into an adult bed."
Soon, everyone noticed how many clever child-rearing tools Yang Yufen had—all neatly stored and highly practical for keeping little ones content.
Even the back scratcher and fly swatter caught someone’s eye.
The younger women admired the delicate bamboo baskets too.
"These small things aren’t hard to make. You could try crafting them in your free time."
As the children began to stir, Yang Yufen gently ushered everyone out.
