Song Xinwen hadn’t expected her husband to say that. Back when her father passed away and Song Xinran had stayed with them, hadn’t he complained about how having another woman in the house made everything inconvenient for him?
But Song Xinwen didn’t dwell on it too much at the moment. She just advised, “Xinran, you’re still too young to understand the importance of money. Earning six hundred a month at the glass factory is already a lot—your brother-in-law only makes eight hundred a month, and his job involves heavy lifting every day. You won’t find a better job than this.”
“Besides, Xiao Yu is only four. What will happen to him if you quit? Children cost money for food and clothes.”
Song Yu was too young to understand many of the words the adults were using, but he caught the last sentence. He looked up, wanting to say that he could eat very, very little, that he didn’t need new clothes, and that he wouldn’t cost much money.
But there was no room for a child to interrupt at a table where the adults kept talking. Song Yu, who was timid to begin with, swallowed his words and decided to tell his mother alone later.
Despite Song Xinwen’s repeated advice, Song Xinran still said, “I’ve already resigned.”
Song Xinwen finally sighed.
Cai Yongde smoothed things over: “Alright, you’ve talked so much your throats must be dry. Have a bowl of the congee Xinran made.”
“Xinran’s cooking skills are amazing. I’ve never had fish congee before.”
“Xinran,” Cai Yongde said, “don’t listen to your sister. What’s done is done. If you haven’t found a job yet, just stay with us for now. We have plenty of rooms. Your sister is busy at home—there’s a lot of work in the fields, and she still has to cook. You can just help her out in the kitchen. She’s been missing you ever since you started working.”
As soon as he said this, even Song Xinwen understood Cai Yongde’s intention—he was coveting Song Xinran’s cooking skills.
But…
Wasn’t this treating her like a maid?
Song Xinwen said, “Xinran, you should still think it over carefully. Having a stable job is better.”
Cai Yongde shot Song Xinwen a glance, clearly displeased. Song Xinwen didn’t say anything more.
The air grew quiet for a moment. Song Xinran, having finished eating, was taking small sips of water and didn’t speak either.
She understood Song Xinwen’s concerns, but she didn’t want to explain too much. Her mind was focused on taking Song Yu to live in Lingde Town as soon as possible—staying in someone else’s home was inconvenient.
If they moved to the town, the first task would be renting a place. The Lingde Town she was in now was a relatively remote area. When she had returned from the town earlier, she had checked the bulletin board for some information. The cheapest single room in town was 50 yuan a month, but it had no private bathroom or kitchen, and aside from a bed frame, the room was empty.
She planned to rent a place in town to make things and set up a stall, so a private kitchen was a must. For her and Song Yu, a private bathroom would also be safer. Even if she wanted to save money, she absolutely couldn’t skimp on something like this.
That meant she would need at least 200 yuan to rent a place for a month, plus a 200-yuan deposit. That would leave her with only 655 yuan. She still had to buy materials for the stall, which would cost another large sum.
Even for a 200-yuan-a-month place, the landlord wouldn’t provide daily necessities like pots, bowls, ladles, bed sheets, or cotton quilts. Individually, these items might not cost much, but together they added up to a significant amount.
Song Xinran was particularly short on money at the moment. After running through ideas in her head, she decided to return to the original host's home later to see if she could gather some items to take to town—another way to save money.
As the saying goes, one should broaden sources of income and reduce expenditures. Since she couldn't increase her income for now, she could only focus on cutting costs.
Having made up her mind, Song Xinran watched as Song Xinwen began clearing the dishes and slowly said, "Sis, I'd like to take Xiao Yu back to our old home for a visit later."
Song Xinwen immediately grew upset at this: "Can't you handle a few words from your sister? Running back to the old home right away? Those earthen-walled houses aren't even fit to live in."
Song Xinran explained, "It's not that. I was thinking Xiao Yu has never been to the old home, and I wanted to show him. Of course I'll stay with you here—how could I go off on my own?"
The latter part of her reply was tactful, unlike the original host's typically wooden and inexpressive nature.
Song Xinwen's expression softened somewhat, and she remarked with a sigh, "Working outside for two years has made you more outgoing."
She seemed to recall past events as she added, "It's good to take Xiao Yu back for a look. He shouldn't grow up not knowing where his hometown is."
"Xinran, just sit. I'll take care of the dishes."
Song Xinran neither agreed nor refused but instead asked, "Which room is Xiao Yu staying in? I'll find him a coat to wear."
It was already late autumn. Though the afternoons weren't too cold, the child, who spent his days running around, easily worked up a sweat. By evening, a chill had set in.
Song Xinran found Cai Yang's jacket on the daybed in the main hall but didn't see Song Yu's.
Song Xinwen said, "Xiao Yu has his own room now. I originally wanted him and Xiao Yang to share with me—they're still so young. But Xiao Yu is sensible and said he could sleep by himself, so he's on the second floor."
Song Yu climbed down from his stool and volunteered, "I'll take Mom to the room."
Song Xinwen replied, "Alright, you two go ahead."
Song Yu's room was on the second floor. The staircase in Song Xinwen's home was quite steep, and the child struggled a bit climbing up, though he seemed accustomed to it and didn't need help.
The door to the room wasn't locked, just slightly ajar. Song Yu pushed it open easily, and Song Xinran saw the room where the child usually stayed.
The bed was low enough for Song Yu to climb onto by himself. The pink peony-patterned bedsheet was old and covered in pilling. The quilt was bundled up at the foot of the bed. The floor was clean with no trash, but the room felt bare and empty, without even a place to sit.
Song Yu hurried over to an uncovered wooden chest on the floor, leaned over it, and pulled out a thin jacket. Holding it with both hands, he shook it out and stretched his thin arms, struggling to slip them into the sleeves.
He was still very young. Though he could dress himself, his movements were clumsy, especially since the jacket was a bit too big, making it even harder. One of his hands missed the sleeve, and his small, clenched fist poked out through a large tear in the side seam.
Song Yu noticed something was wrong, looked down, and blushed instantly. He quickly took the jacket off to try again.
Song Xinran walked over to him and took the jacket from his hands. Song Yu gazed at her uncertainly.
She asked softly, "Don't you have any other clothes, Xiao Yu? This one is torn. Let me mend it before you wear it."
Song Yu said, "I do."
He was still trying to continue searching while lying on the trunk when Song Xinran lifted him up and set him aside to stand. She began rummaging through the clothes in the trunk.
There were quite a few clothes—winter cotton jackets and pants, summer short sleeves and shorts, autumn single-layer clothes and thin jackets… However, each piece looked somewhat faded and discolored, with several items severely worn at the cuffs and pant legs. The knees were patched with fabric of the same color.
Song Xinran felt a dull ache in her heart. She took out all the thin jackets and asked, "Which one does Xiao Yu want to wear?"
Song Yu looked over the clothes and pointed happily at a black one: "This one."
Song Xinran helped him put it on. The child was quite pleased, smoothing the hem to make the clothes lie flat. He whispered to Song Xinran, "This one is the best—it has no holes."
Song Xinran patted his head. "How about Mom buys you new clothes when we go to town?"
But Song Yu shook his head. "No need. I’ll have new clothes soon. Auntie said Cai Yang has grown taller and can’t wear his clothes anymore, so he’s giving them all to me."
He pursed his lips and smiled shyly. "I have plenty of clothes."
A sudden wave of sorrow rose in Song Xinran’s heart. She forced it down, crouched in front of Song Yu, and smiled gently at the child. "But what if Mom really wants to buy new clothes for Xiao Yu?"
Song Yu lowered his head, feeling conflicted. He thought he didn’t need to spend money on new clothes, but Mom wanted to buy them.
He whispered, "Then let’s buy them, but just for two yuan."
Although two yuan was already expensive, Song Yu had two yuan saved up, hidden inside his pillow where no one had ever found it.
If Mom ran out of money after buying the clothes, he would give her his savings.
Song Xinran was taken aback. Although prices weren’t particularly high now, the cheapest children’s jacket still cost around twenty yuan.
But seeing the child’s earnest expression, she smiled and said, "Okay, we’ll buy one for two yuan."
Only then did Song Yu cheer up.
Song Xinran held his hand. Although Song Yu still felt a little uneasy, he no longer pulled his hand back.
"I’ll take Xiao Yu to see the old house."
Song Yu asked, "Right now?"
Song Xinran said, "Why? Does Xiao Yu have something to do now?"
Song Yu nodded seriously, his voice cheerful. "I need to help Auntie wipe the tables and wash the dishes. Uncle said I wipe the tables the cleanest and wash the dishes the brightest!"
Song Xinran frowned slightly and squeezed the child’s soft hand. "Xiao Yu, take a break today. Let Cai Yang wash the dishes and wipe the tables." Song Yu shook his head. "That won’t work. Uncle said Cai Yang is clumsy and might break the dishes."
He puffed out his little chest, wanting to show his mom how capable he was, how much better he was at doing things than Cai Yang.
Song Xinran closed her eyes for a moment, then pretended to be pitiful. "But Mom will be scared going back to the old house alone. Can Xiao Yu keep me company?"
Song Yu pursed his lips. Even though he really wanted to help Auntie wash dishes and wipe tables to show Mom how capable he was, if Mom would be scared alone, then he should stay with her.
He nodded and replied obediently, "Okay."
It was 6:30 now, and the weather was nice today. It probably wouldn’t get dark until after 7:00. Holding the child’s hand as they walked on the dirt road, Song Xinran thought that forty minutes round trip would be enough.
Sure enough, when they reached the old house, it was still quite early.
Before them stood a house built with earthen walls, its roof covered with tiles that appeared somewhat aged.
Song Xinran stood frozen in place for a moment. The sight of this house stirred countless emotions within her, and numerous scenes flashed through her mind.
Song Yu tugged gently at her hand and called out softly, "Mom."
His gaze was filled with concern. Song Xinran snapped out of her daze, temporarily suppressing the rapidly flickering images, and smiled. "Let's go in."
Yet Song Yu looked somewhat bewildered. He stared at the entrance of the earthen-walled house, which was tightly blocked by bundles of corn stalks neatly stacked against the door.
How were they supposed to get in?
Could they climb through the window? But the window was so high—even if he tried his hardest, he might not be able to reach it. And if he stood on the windowsill and fell, he might break his legs.
As these thoughts raced through Song Yu's little head, his short legs couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Author's Note:
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