"It’ll just take a moment. I’ve eaten and was just resting, but it’s dull with no one to talk to, so I came to find you, Sister Liu," Yang Yufen said as she followed Aunt Liu into the house.
Aunt Liu had married and had children early, while Yang Yufen married late—her tall stature made her less appealing to most men. Despite this, the two women were the same age, born less than a month apart.
"That’s wonderful. I’m usually alone too. Our little courtyard isn’t as lively as the apartment buildings over there. My husband, son, and daughter-in-law are either in the military or at the research institute, always leaving early and coming back late. Sometimes I don’t even see them for days when they’re busy. At least the two kids bring some liveliness when they visit."
Hearing this, Yang Yufen’s eyes landed on a small stool in the room, immediately spotting the issue.
"It’s this stool, isn’t it? Just wedge a wood shim in there—simple fix. Their work at the research institute keeps them that busy? Not even coming home for days? Niannian said she’s swamped too and won’t be back for lunch."
She picked up the stool, pulled a wood shim from her pocket, and began whittling it down with a knife.
"They’re like this all year round. Little Qin’s advisor is the institute director, so he’s even busier."
Aunt Liu suddenly realized she might have misspoken and was about to correct herself when Yang Yufen cut in.
"That must be exhausting, no wonder she’s so thin. I should’ve brought that rooster instead of selling it. At least I managed to get some meat today."
With a few firm taps, she secured the shim, then shaved off the excess and smoothed it to ensure no splinters remained.
"All done."
"You’ve got such a good heart, Sister Yang. Comrade Qin is lucky to have a mother-in-law like you."
Aunt Liu paused briefly before chuckling.
"My son is the lucky one to have married Niannian. She’s beautiful and capable—what man disappears on a mission right after getting married? He’s been in the military for years without even coming home. Might as well have donated him to the army."
Yang Yufen handed the repaired stool to Aunt Liu.
"Take a look, Sister Liu."
"Oh my, that was quick! Impressive!"
Aunt Liu shook the stool—it was sturdy as ever.
"I should head back and finish up. The soil’s ready, so I need to plant the seeds soon."
"Always on the move, aren’t you? If you sow now, it’ll be too late for harvest. I’ve got some seedlings—wait here. Let me take you to Sister Wang. She loves gardening and has more seedlings than most. You’ll still make it for autumn crops."
"Ah, I can’t impose. Let me grab a couple of eggs—good thing I brought those three hens."
Yang Yufen spoke while already moving, fetching the eggs and a basket before heading off with Aunt Liu to Sister Wang’s place, which wasn’t far.
"Sister Wang, do you have any extra seedlings?"
Before even stepping inside, Yang Yufen was struck by the lush greenery covering the fence. Entering the yard, she was dazzled by clusters of deep purple grapes hanging heavily from vines.
"Plenty! I’m in the backyard—come on through."
Walking past the gate, grapevines arched over a trellis stretching to the porch. One side of the yard grew loofah, the other bottle gourds, both climbing the walls. The garden beds were packed with eggplants and beans, neatly lined up.
"This yard is perfectly arranged. I’ll have to take notes for mine."
Noticing a neatly built outhouse in the corner, Yang Yufen made a mental note to ask about constructing one later.
Passing through the west side of the house, the backyard revealed even more crops under bamboo frames.
"Perfect timing—I was just thinning the seedlings. If I don’t transplant them soon, they’ll stunt each other’s growth. And who’s this?"
"This is Sister Yang, Comrade Qin’s mother-in-law. Her son’s away on duty, so she’s come for a visit."
"Hello, Sister Wang. I’d like to trade for some seedlings. I’ve never seen so many varieties! Your whole garden is thriving—better than what we grow in the fields back home."
Yang Yufen gave a thumbs-up, her praise genuine.
"I’m from the countryside too—just love tending the land. Here, let me pick out the best ones for you."
Two eggs later, Yang Yufen’s basket overflowed with seedlings. The two women chatted like old friends, the eggs nearly tumbling to the ground in their back-and-forth before Sister Wang finally accepted them.
As a parting gift, she snipped two bunches of grapes for them.
Yang Yufen casually asked for a grapevine cutting and handed Sister Wang a jar of homemade fermented bean paste in return.
"This trip was all thanks to you, Sister Liu. Otherwise, I’d never have met Sister Wang. What a generous soul! I never thought to use the backyard—it’s worlds better than those cramped apartments."
"Absolutely! Put up a bamboo fence back there, plant some winter crops, and you’re set for the season."
After washing the grapes and laying them out to dry, Yang Yufen planted all the seedlings before starting dinner: mixed-grain rice with braised pork belly, eggplant, and beans.
When Qin Nian returned, she found the yard transformed yet again.
"You’re back. Wash up for dinner."
Yang Yufen emerged, already drawing water.
"Mom."
Qin Nian parked her bicycle, washed her hands, and moved to help—only to find the meal already served.
"Eat."
Yang Yufen plunked a bowl of firmly packed rice in front of her daughter-in-law, leaving no room for argument.
Qin Nian sat and picked up her chopsticks.
She wasn’t picky, just avoided overly fatty meat. Today’s pork belly had been rendered crisp, its fat absorbed by the eggplant and beans.
Staring at her bowl—her usual one, not the larger noodle bowl from yesterday—Qin Nian wondered why she felt so full. Must be her mother-in-law’s cooking.
Without another thought, she reached to clear the table.
Silently, Yang Yufen went to boil water. She’d packed that rice down tight—one bowl was enough, as long as it was compact. Next time, same method.
"There are grapes in the basket, washed and ready. They’re too tart for me—you have them."
The next morning, Qin Nian woke to find no porridge. Instead, an egg and a bowl of malted milk awaited.
"Mom, you should keep the malted milk for yourself. I’m still young."
"Eat what’s given. I made my own."
Yang Yufen waved her off, already outside feeding the chickens.
Three hens weren’t enough. If the backyard could grow crops, it could hold more birds—raise them through winter, ready for New Year’s feast.
Watching her busier-than-ever mother-in-law, Qin Nian drank the malted milk, pocketed the egg, and hurried to the institute.
"Sister Yang, why so many chicks?"
Aunt Liu watched as Yang Yufen selected thirty.
"Not all may survive. Better to have extras—they’re cheap anyway."
