Chapter 21: Preparing Clothes for the Family

The next day, Jiang Yuman woke up and went to the kitchen to prepare food.

Based on yesterday’s situation, she figured that everyone else in the courtyard would have already left.

However, upon stepping out, she saw a woman hanging clothes at the Yao family’s doorstep.

She was also pregnant, and her belly looked bigger than Jiang Yuman’s, about seven or eight months along.

Noticing her, the woman also looked at her.

Their eyes met.

“You must be the Fu family’s daughter-in-law, right?” Before Jiang Yuman could say anything, the woman smiled and asked.

At this moment, Jiang Yuman also remembered the woman’s identity.

She was Yao San’s wife.

She was also the most beautiful and easy-going out of the three Yao family daughters-in-law.

The reason she could recognize her was that, because according to the plot of the book, Yao San’s wife was the only daughter-in-law in the Yao family who was pregnant.

She was also the person Jiang Yuman had initially targeted to get to know.

She had a sewing machine! And she knew how to sew!

“Sister, you know me? I haven’t seen you before.” Jiang Yuman picked up on the conversation.

“How could you not have seen me? We met last night, didn’t we?”

Yao San’s wife laughed. “My husband picked you up from the train station.”

“So, you’re his wife!” Jiang Yuman feigned a realization. “We’re really destined.”

Her tone was genuine.

Yao San’s wife was quite happy to hear this. She had always admired Jiang Yuman’s personality, and her liking for her grew even stronger now.

“You must be seven months along, right?” She looked at Jiang Yuman’s belly.

“Six months,” Jiang Yuman said.

She was considered to have more prominent belly.

Yao San’s wife was a little envious. “Only six months, and your family doesn’t let you work?”

She knew that Jiang Yuman didn’t work, otherwise, Yao Simeng wouldn’t have gotten extra white flour and dried meat.

“I’m not good at farm work, so I just help out with the cooking at home. Isn’t that the same for you, sister?”

Yao San’s wife shook her head. “I’m just feeling unwell today, so I didn’t go out. Usually, I work until I’m nine months along.”

Nine months?

Jiang Yuman was shocked. How could she work that late? Wasn’t she afraid of giving birth in the field?

Seeing her stunned expression, Yao San’s wife laughed. “That’s already good. Some people give birth directly in the field.”

She said, while supporting her waist, she reached for the clothes in the bucket to hang them.

Seeing her struggle, Jiang Yuman quickly put down what she was holding and stepped forward to help.

Together, they quickly hung up the clothes.

Yao San’s wife said gratefully, “Thank you so much. By the way, what’s your last name? I don’t know what to call you.”

“My last name is Jiang, and my full name is Jiang Yuman. Just call me Yuman, sister.”

Yao San’s wife smiled. “Okay, Yuman, we’re neighbors. If you need anything, don’t be shy to ask.”

Finally, she said it!

Jiang Yuman’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Okay, sister, I won’t be shy. I actually have something to ask you.”

“What is it?” Yao San’s wife looked at her.

It wasn’t surprising that Fu Jingchen was protective of his wife. Jiang Yuman was truly beautiful.

“Is there anyone in our team who knows how to sew?”

Jiang Yuman said a little awkwardly, “I don’t know how to sew, so I was hoping to find someone to help.”

Yao San’s wife was stunned. “I know how to sew, and I have a sewing machine, but…”

Her belly was so big now that it was inconvenient to sew.

“That’s quite a coincidence! Sister, would you be willing to help? I’m not so sure about the others, but I can trust you since you’re so straightforward.”

Jiang Yuman was direct. “I know sewing isn’t easy, so if you’re willing, I can offer you two pounds of eggs and a pound of brown sugar as a thank-you gift.”

She understood that their brief conversation hadn’t built a deep enough relationship to persuade Yao San’s wife easily.

However, with resources being scarce, eggs were universally recognized as a supplement.

Two pounds of eggs and a pound of brown sugar was quite an enticing offer.

At this time, many women relied on brown sugar water and eggs to nourish their bodies during postpartum recovery.

“…What kind of clothes do you need?” Yao San’s wife hesitated for a moment before asking.

Seeing the opening, Jiang Yuman went into the house and brought out the prepared fabric.

She also took out two pounds of eggs and a pound of brown sugar.

These were all things she had just taken from her space.

The eggs were one thing, but the pounds of brown sugar were bright red, clearly authentic local brown sugar, excellent for boosting energy and blood.

“It’s simple; I need two outer jackets made from this coarse cloth for our family, and two inner garments from this cotton fabric.”

This request was indeed not difficult, and Yao San’s wife could manage it.

The offer of two pounds of eggs and a pound of brown sugar was also very tempting for her.

The Yao family had been poor for the past two years, and her in-laws only cared for her sister-in-law.

If she didn’t have good food while raising her child, her body wouldn’t recover properly, and the baby wouldn’t have enough milk.

She couldn’t rely solely on her husband to hunt game in the mountains. When winter came, the animals would hibernate, making them harder to find and it’s more dangerous.

After a moment’s hesitation, she took the items and nodded, “Alright, when do you need them?”

“A week would be good,” Jiang Yuman thought for a moment and replied.

With the number of clothes needed for the family, the timeframe was reasonable.

“Okay, these fabrics should be enough. If there’s any leftover, I’ll give it to you.”

Yao San’s wife was experienced in sewing; she could tell the quality of fabric at a glance.

After looking at the cloth, she recalled the heights of the Fu family members she had seen yesterday and felt the sizes should be sufficient.

“However, if there are any good leftover pieces, you should make something for my nephew too. That’s my intention as an aunt,” Jiang Yuman said with a smile.

She planned to have Yao San’s wife help make clothes for the baby in her belly as well, ensuring that the benefits were substantial.

There was plenty of fabric stored in her space, so she didn’t mind sharing a little.

Yao San’s wife’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, “I really can’t accept that…”

Having already taken two pounds of eggs and a pound of brown sugar, how could she also take fabric?

She had felt the cotton fabric; it was extremely soft and likely expensive.

She couldn’t help but be taken aback. She had heard her father-in-law say that the Fu family had connections and used to have a higher status.

Indeed, the lean camel is bigger than a horse; this daughter-in-law was truly generous.

“It’s nothing; we’re neighbors,” Jiang Yuman said, trying to build rapport.

Yao San’s wife’s expression brightened as she touched the cotton fabric. “Yuman, thank you very much.”

She silently resolved to finish the clothes quickly so she could make some for her baby, too.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Yuman went to the kitchen to cook.

The sun was still blazing today. Jiang Yuman made a kelp and pork rib soup, though there weren’t many ribs.

The main dish was braised pork with stewed eggs, with both eggs and pork being tender and flavorful, super appetizing.

After finishing the meal, she was sweating from the heat.

However, she could endure it.

She didn’t have many hobbies; because she was picky about food, she had developed excellent cooking skills. Cooking was something she genuinely enjoyed.

With the dishes ready, she proudly prepared to head back inside.

Just as she stepped out, she nearly bumped into someone.