Aunt Ma slapped her thigh and said, “Why look for someone else? If you trust me, leave the fabric with me.My mother-in-law is the best at making clothes in this area. We even have some leftover cotton at home, and I can gather more from friends and’ll make Heidan a warm winter coat.”

Song Wei’s eyes brightened, handing over the fabric. “Of course I trust you, Aunt Ma!”

“Aunt, if there’s any extra cotton, I’d also love to have a winter coat made. I’ve heard winters here get quite cold, and the clothes I brought aren’t thick enough.”

“No problem. Families around here usually have some extra cotton stashed away. I’ll ask around the village.”

Aunt Ma took Song Wei’s and Heidan’s measurements. “I’ll talk to my mother-in-law, and she’ll get started as soon as she’s back.”

With three coats to make, Aunt Ma could earn over five yuan from this job.

“That’s great!” Song Wei tugged Heidan to measure his size as well. “Aunt, make sure his is a bit big so he can still wear it as he grows.”

Auntie Ma smiled. “We always make kids’ clothes bigger.”

Song Wei paid her three yuan as a deposit to reassure her. She then asked about the carpenter.

“Aunt Ma, where’s the carpenter you recommended?”

“Let me take you there myself,” Aunt Ma offered.

“No need! Just tell me where to go, and Heidan can lead the way,” Song Wei replied, not wanting to trouble her further.

“It’s the carpenter at the edge of the village. Lots of villagers can do basic woodwork, but he’s the most fair and makes things that last. You’ll get your money’s worth there.”

Heidan nodded. “I know where it is, Sister Song.”

Song Wei bid Aunt Ma goodbye, handing her a fresh bun. Aunt Ma couldn’t refuse, beaming as she took it. In return, she pulled some vegetables from her garden and handed them to Song Wei. “Take it back and add some more dishes, and don’t be polite to your aunt.”

Song Wei happily accepted, then headed to the carpenter’s house with Heidan.

At the carpenter’s, she explained what she needed. The old man pointed to a room full of furniture. “I have plenty of cabinets and chairs in there; take your pick. As for the rabbit cage, it’ll be done by afternoon and delivered to the educated youth dormitory.”

Song Wei chose a small chest, a large cabinet, and two sturdy chairs. When she tried to move the cabinet, the old carpenter offered to help load it onto a cart. But to his shock, Song Wei, though slim, lifted the large cabinet on her own.

The carpenter’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth agape as he watched her effortlessly place the cabinet on the cart.

“Girl, you’re… really strong!” he managed.

Song Wei grinned, looking as sweet and harmless as ever. “Oh, it’s not too heavy.”

The carpenter blinked. Not heavy? That cabinet’s huge—there’s no way she should be able to lift it.

All the things cost four yuan in total, and the cabinet was a little bigger and more expensive. The cabinet was not a common style in the village. It was made by the old carpenter based on the description by the educated youth. However, no one wanted it because it was a bit expensive. Now that Song Wei bought it, the old carpenter was very happy. Pleased, the old carpenter lent her his cart to transport the items back.

Song Wei and Heidan managed to get everything home. As they were arranging things, some of the other educated youth arrived back from the fields.

“Well, isn’t someone lucky, always finding an excuse to skip work,” sneered a voice. Although they knew they couldn’t win against Song Wei, people like Liu Linlin and Xu Laidi couldn’t resist making snide comments.

Xu Laidi eyed Heidan’s shoes with jealousy and muttered bitterly, “What a fool. She barely has enough food for herself, yet she’s raising a child. Waste of money.”

Heidan glared, his eyes fierce. “Mind your own business!”

He might be polite with Song Wei, but around others, he was still the defensive little wolf cub.

Xu Laidi opened her mouth to retort, but Song Wei grabbed a thick branch and snapped it in half with her bare hands. She looked at Xu Laidi, smiling sweetly, her gaze saying clearly, Say one more word, and it’ll be your mouth I break.

Xu Laidi shrank back, and the others quickly kept their distance from Song Wei.

Song Wei turned her attention to Luo Yecheng. “Luo Zhiqing, any update on repaying me for those tickets?”

Luo Yecheng averted his eyes. “I’m working on it.” He quickly scurried off, looking embarrassed.

Everyone dispersed to their own tasks. Later, Song Wei brought a rabbit to Li Juan.

Li Juan gasped in delight. “A rabbit? Song Wei, you’re unbelievably lucky! First a snake, then fish, and now a wild rabbit?”

Song Wei handed her the rabbit casually. “Let’s cook it. I’ve still got some wild boar left too.”

“Wild boar meat?” Li Juan’s eyes widened, then she clamped a hand over her mouth. “Where did you even get that?”

“From the black market,” Song Wei replied, unbothered.

“The black market? I heard it’s risky. Some Educated Youth were caught there and still haven’t returned.”

“I run fast,” Song Wei assured her.

Li Juan scowled, worried. “Be careful, though.”

When Heidan brought the boar meat, Li Juan’s eyes sparkled. “Let’s make dumplings! I still have some flour. With some sauerkraut added to the pork, they’ll be delicious!”

Dumplings—something Song Wei had dreamed of during the barren years on the wasteland. Her mouth watered, and she nodded eagerly.

With tasks divided, Song Wei took charge of kneading the dough, Li Juan prepared the filling, and Heidan stoked the fire.

Watching Heidan work diligently, Li Juan murmured, “What were the Lin family thinking? He’s so hardworking, yet they treated him so horribly.”

She felt heartbroken when she saw the injuries on Heidan’s body.

Song Wei sneered: “Stupid and vicious.”

Li Juan: That’s a perfect description.