Chapter 27: Strange Neighbors

Zhou shi wasn’t happy hearing this, but Xie Jiu’er felt they couldn’t afford to spoil Wuyang.  His maturity and willingness to work hard were positive traits.

“Oh, right, Mother, when did our neighbor move in? Did you interact with that Aunt Fang before?” Xie Jiu’er asked about her encounter at the door.

“They moved in two days ago. Her husband does hard labor, and her son and daughter are older than you two. The night she moved in, I was frying taro with lard, and she smelled it and came over, asking a lot of questions. She even wanted to come inside.  It was our first meeting; I didn’t know what kind of person she was, so I stopped her.”

Zhou shi recalled Aunt Fang’s intense stare and couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s good you didn’t let her in. Tonight, she asked what I was doing, and when I didn’t tell her, she got angry. I don’t know why she’s snooping around!” Xie Jiu’er disliked people who stirred up trouble and gossiped.

“You don’t need to say it. Am I that indiscreet?  Luckily, the wall is high; otherwise, I wouldn’t feel safe.”

After dinner, Zhou shi cleaned up and mentioned something else. “Oh, there’s another family in the alley, at the very end.”

Xie Jiu’er raised her eyebrows in surprise. “So fast? I thought no one would move in before spring.”

Zhou shi washed the dishes. “There are.  That house wasn’t rented; it belonged to them. I met the woman.  Her husband’s surname is Liu, and they seem nice. But the Fangs are not easy to deal with.  I don’t go out much, but yesterday, I heard the two women arguing.”

Xie Jiu’er sat by the charcoal, roasting three taro. “They just moved in; why are they already fighting? What happened?”

Zhou shi scoffed. “It’s because Mr. Fang kept staring at Mrs. Liu when she passed by, and Mrs. Fang got angry, yelling that Mrs. Liu was seducing her husband.”  She made a disgusted face.

Xie Jiu’er knew there was more to the story. “Her husband stared at another woman; why didn’t she scold her husband but blame the other woman?”

Zhou shi shook her head. “Exactly.  But Mrs. Liu is feisty and didn’t let Mrs. Fang get away with it.  You shouldn’t know about these things, but since we have such a neighbor, it’s good to know.  Be careful.  The Fangs don’t seem like good people. Avoid them if you can.”

Xie Jiu’er and Wuyang nodded. It seemed the alley would have more families before the Spring Festival.

Since Zhou shi discovered she could sell her shoes, she’s been busy making them. Wuyang collected firewood every day, keeping the smaller pieces for the kitchen and leaving the larger ones at the foot of the mountain.  When Xie Jiu’er was free, they made charcoal together.  They kept some and sold the rest, increasing their savings from three to five taels.

Xie Jiu’er kept half a tael and gave the rest to Zhou shi.  “Our rent for six months is three taels; we still owe two taels.  We need to pay next month. After paying the rent, we’ll have three taels left, enough for the next rent payment.  My wages, shoe sales, and charcoal sales will cover our daily expenses.”

“That’s true, but now, most people buying shoes are those returning home, wealthy families. Ordinary people don’t have the money to buy shoes. Once things settle down, people will make their own shoes.  Charcoal sales will also slow down after the Spring Festival when it gets warmer.  Then we’ll only have your wages.”

Zhou shi looked at the money, worried about the future.

“Mother, even when it gets warmer, we can do other things. Don’t worry.  The court issues new policies daily; things change quickly.  I’ll figure out what to do after the New Year. Don’t think too much.”

Xie Jiu’er comforted Zhou shi. The worst was over; she believed things wouldn’t get worse.

She received her first month’s wages five days before the New Year. Rice and flour were expensive, but Xie Jiu’er bought half a bag of rice.  With rice, flour, meat, dried ground moss, and mushrooms, they could have a decent New Year.

There were also lotus root and vermicelli.  Xie Jiu’er planned to buy some later.  As she reached the alley, she heard a woman shouting. It was Aunt Fang.

“You shameless widow! You seduce other men’s husbands.  This isn’t over; you must give me an explanation!”

She grabbed Wuyang, who was guarding the door, trying to barge in.

“What are you doing?  My mother just passed by; your husband’s eyes are wandering, and we haven’t even settled the score with you, yet you’re slandering my mother?  What kind of behavior is this?”

Wuyang held Aunt Fang’s arm, preventing her from entering.

Zhou shi came out and pushed Aunt Fang away. “I spit on you! Seducing her husband?  Your husband stinks; I’d be crazy to seduce him! Just say what you have to say; why are you barging into other people’s houses?  Your husband went into your house, not mine! You’re slandering me and trying to break into my house. What are you thinking?”

Aunt Fang cursed. “I want to see what you’re doing, you vixen! A widow with two children, not working, and the smell of meat constantly coming from your house.  No one will believe you and your daughter aren’t doing something shady!”

Xie Jiu’er ran over. “Do you think this is still the lawless era?  Trespassing!  For your actions, I can report you to the authorities. Spend the New Year in jail!”