Granny Hua from the village had taken a fall, causing a huge ruckus, but no one in Juhua’s family was paying attention—they were busy. On the tenth day of the first month, Qingmu drove their family’s new ox-cart, taking Zheng Changhe and Yang Family to Liujiatang to deliver the betrothal gifts, while Juhua stayed ho to look after the house.
She sat in the courtyard, soaking up the sun while doing so needlework—it was a gift for izi, consisting of two pillowcases and two throw pillows.
izi had been the first girl in the village to co looking for Juhua to play, and Juhua was very fond of her innocent, lively nature. Even though izi hadn’t ended up becoming her sister-in-law, they were still good friends. So, in addition to the wedding gift from her family, Juhua, as a close friend, was making these two extra items for her by hand.
These two items were relatively simple—Juhua couldn’t manage anything too complex anyway. It took her half a day to finish them. Finding them a bit plain, she decided to sew a delicate ruffled border onto the edges of the pillowcases and fill them with dried wild chrysanthemums. The throw pillows, she stuffed with cotton.
Once everything was finished, she stretched and rubbed her stiff neck. ’This needlework really is tough,’ she thought. ’I have no idea how those young ladies who do embroidery ever master such an incredible skill. In any case, I’ll never manage it in this lifeti.’
Gazing at the setting sun, Juhua began to miss her parents and brother. She couldn’t help but run to the courtyard gate and look down the village road. And what should she see approaching from the end of the village but their family’s ox-cart?
Her heart filled with joy. Instead of going back inside, she leaned against the courtyard gate to wait. Black Dog had apparently recognized the ox, too, and ran forward to greet it, barking happily. WOOF! WOOF!
From a distance, Qingmu saw his sister standing at the gate, looking out for them. ’She must be anxious after being ho alone all day,’ he thought, and quickly shouted at the ox to hurry it along.
When the cart reached the gate, Qingmu looked Juhua over. Seeing that she seed fine, he flashed her a brilliant smile, then jumped down and asked, "Was everything okay here?"
Juhua bead. "Nothing happened. Where are Dad and Mom?" As she spoke, she moved around to the cart’s entrance and lifted the curtain—it covered the carriage compartnt Zheng Changhe had ticulously woven from bamboo at her request—and peered inside.
Two voices called out, "Sister Juhua!" followed imdiately by two small heads poking out—it was Laicai and Laishou.
Juhua wasn’t surprised. Her grandmother had ntioned she’d be coming with Yang Family to stay for a while. ’But why is Laicai here too?’ she wondered. ’Isn’t he supposed to start school soon?’
After what had happened last ti, she didn’t dislike Laicai as much anymore, so she was in a decent mood upon seeing him. She reached in and lifted the two children down before calling into the cart, "Grandma!"
Mrs. Wang responded cheerfully, "Ah, Juhua! Were you getting anxious all by yourself at ho?" she asked as she climbed down from the cart.
Juhua turned to Zheng Changhe and Yang Family as they climbed down. "Oh, Dad, Mom, with you both gone, the house felt so empty. I was really getting worried."
Zheng Changhe was pleased to hear this. He had already had a few drinks at the Liu Family’s ho at noon, so he laughed heartily. "We were finalizing your brother’s engagent—we had to go! From now on, though, if anything cos up, Yang Family and I will make sure one of us stays ho, so our daughter won’t be left here getting anxious all by herself."
Yang Family nodded, smiling at her daughter so that crow’s feet bunched at the corners of her eyes. "Now that your grandma is here, the house will be much livelier. We’re going to be busy tonight—your future in-laws are coming tomorrow. Your sister-in... I an, your Sister Yunlan will be coming too."
Juhua asked in pleasant surprise, "Really? Is it appropriate for them to visit right now?"
Yang Family started unloading bundles from the cart as she explained, "Once you’re engaged, you’re relatives. Besides, it’s still the first month of the year. What’s so inappropriate about new family coming for a visit? It’s a perfect chance for them to see our new ho. Your uncle and aunt will be coming with them tomorrow."
Juhua heard this and knew it ant another houseful of people, but that was fine this ti. The house was spacious now. ’Besides,’ she thought, ’relatives like them will definitely go ho at night.’
Qingmu led the ox away while Zheng Changhe unloaded the cart. Juhua, her grandmother, and Yang Family all went into the house together, laughing rrily.
Mrs. Wang had already visited the new house once, so there was nothing novel for her to see. Laicai, on the other hand, was a real surprise. The effect of the reward Juhua had given him last ti had sohow managed to last all the way to the present, which she found truly unexpected.
He was sitting quietly on a small stool, not running around or chasing the dogs and chickens. He even pulled Laishou down to sit beside him. The two brothers’ eyes darted about, listening to the adults speak as their gazes followed them around the room.
Juhua watched the two of them, one tall and one short, sitting there like a pair of tree stumps and acting like serious little adults. She almost laughed out loud. She was especially impressed with Laicai and was seeing him in a completely new light, though she couldn’t help but wonder if this was just a fleeting phase.
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