"Everyone, listen to me. This little cart took five days to make because I already had the materials at home. Otherwise, it would take at least ten days or even half a month to finish. Besides, I still have to take care of my two grandsons. At most, I can only make four a month—any more than that is impossible."
Only four a month? The crowd couldn’t hide their disappointment. Some had already started scheming when they saw how popular the little cart was.
After all, it was just woven bamboo, and it cost eight yuan each. If they could make it themselves, they could keep the money instead of handing it over to someone else. Bamboo didn’t even cost anything—why let someone else profit?
Those who were envious suddenly felt better when they heard Yang Yufen could only take on four orders at most.
Yang Yufen accepted orders from a few families with children over four months old, collecting a three-yuan deposit for each, promising one cart per week.
"If you change your mind, let me know in advance, and I’ll return your deposit. But once I start working on it, the deposit won’t be refunded. Cutting bamboo is hard work, and it takes time away from looking after the kids."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Finally, before the children woke up from the noise, Yang Yufen managed to usher everyone out.
Amid the daily hustle and bustle, the chicks hatched. Out of thirty eggs, three had been discarded earlier, and in the end, only twenty-one successfully hatched—six didn’t make it out of their shells.
Aunt Liu came to see the novelty and took the six unhatched eggs away.
"These are a delicacy, though not everyone can stomach them."
Yaoyao, fascinated by the fluffy little chicks, immediately lost interest in the old hen at home. Unfortunately, the school term was about to begin.
Encouraged by her first success, Yang Yufen prepared for a second round of hatching, this time selecting fifty eggs.
"Isn’t that more than enough for you to raise?" Aunt Liu asked, surprised.
"Not all of them might survive. Raising more means Niannian will have plenty to eat when she comes back. Besides, it doesn’t take much feed anyway."
Thanks to Yang Yufen’s diligence, the backyard remained clean and odor-free.
"Then sell me two of your hens. My daughter-in-law is pregnant," Aunt Liu said, seizing the opportunity.
Yang Yufen shot her a look but still picked out two of her best laying hens.
"You’re the only one I’d do this for. Anyone else trying to take my egg-laying hens? Forget it."
"Aren’t we good sisters? Come on, if Professor Wen or Sister Wang asked, I bet you wouldn’t refuse. You’re all tough talk but soft-hearted."
Some things shouldn’t be said—because they come true.
The next day, Professor Wen arrived with good news.
"The sweet potato seedlings planted on a large scale have all taken root. The higher-ups are very pleased. Also, your village head sent you a letter—I brought it along."
Reading the letter, Yang Yufen felt relieved to know the villagers were safe. Though they had lost property, as long as people were unharmed, everything could be rebuilt.
"Qin Nian’s sister-in-law is pregnant. I know you have eggs, but her health is weak. I was hoping to trade for two of your hens—she has two children at home too."
Yang Yufen congratulated her, then packed a basket of eggs and tied up two laying hens for Professor Wen to take.
Noticing two extra cans of powdered milk left behind, Yang Yufen carefully stored them away.
The twins were growing fast, and the milk powder was barely enough. But in another month, as the doctor had said, they could start eating other foods.
Just as she finished putting things away, Aunt Wang arrived.
"I’ve got good news—Little Fang is pregnant! You still have that old hen, don’t you?"
"Seems like good news is coming all at once. Let me get it for you. Will one hen be enough?"
The old hen was almost past her laying days, only good for stew now.
"Who else has good news?" Aunt Wang asked curiously. After hearing, she laughed.
"You’re raising these chicks at just the right time. Actually, I should raise some too. Give me a few—Yaoyao needs an egg a day, and so will Little Fang. Store-bought eggs can’t compare to home-raised."
"Wait until they’re a bit older before you take them. I’m afraid you might not raise them well now. Just bring me vegetable scraps in the meantime."
Yang Yufen had been worrying about overcrowding in the coop, but now space had opened up.
September—it had only just begun, and already so much good news.
Skillfully, Yang Yfen scooped up Dabao, who had crawled out of the playpen, and placed him back inside. She tossed the cloth-wrapped bamboo ball in another direction for him to fetch, wiped Erbao’s drool, and let him gnaw on his peppercorn-wood teether.
Now that they could crawl, there was no containing them—except when they slept, safely within the playpen’s boundaries.
The fourth cart was finished, and when the buyer came to collect it, they shared some news.
"Professor Lin’s mother-in-law in the residential compound is also taking orders for carts—only seven yuan each. Everyone’s flocking to her now."
"Is that so? Well, that’s good. I’m too busy with the boys anyway. Do you still want this cart? If not, I can give it to someone else—saves me the trouble of cutting more bamboo."
Yang Yufen’s tone was indifferent.
"Oh no, I’ll take it! Yours is much more finely made. I just thought you should know. I’d better get going now."
Saving one yuan clearly wasn’t worth the wait—especially when every day with a fussy baby felt like an eternity.
Yang Yufen truly didn’t mind. She had known from the start that envy would follow. Besides, the carts took too long to make and barely turned a profit. She’d rather craft something special for Little Fan.
September also meant the garden was overflowing with vegetables. Every day, Yang Yufen blanched and sun-dried excess beans and greens, and filled jars with pickled vegetables.
The grapevine bore no fruit this year, but its lush leaves had made the summer heat more bearable.
"Godmother, I brought you sweet potatoes—all handpicked. You said you wanted to dry some, right? The weather’s perfect for it lately."
"Wang Shuo, how’s Little Fang doing?" Yang Yufen asked as she hung freshly washed cloth diapers on the bamboo pole.
"She’s doing well, though she’s developed a craving for your pickled vegetables."
"As long as she has an appetite, that’s what matters. Come back for more when she runs out."
Wang Shuo unloaded sack after sack of sweet potatoes.
Promoted at work, with the experimental fields secured, Wang Shuo was in high spirits. His wife was pregnant again, soon to welcome another child, and their bright, obedient daughter made him feel like life couldn’t get better.
"Godmother, those two you introduced last year came asking again. Any thoughts?"
"They’re good people, especially Little Zhang. He brought us so much fish during the New Year. With Niannian away and the boys still small, I probably won’t be selling roasted sweet potatoes this year."
"Alright. If these aren’t enough, just let me know—I’ll bring more."
Wang Shuo washed his hands with a ladle of water.
"Take care on your way back."
