Chapter 53: Three More Days

As soon as August arrives, the rice harvest begins. The eastern part of the village is covered in extensive rice fields, making it a busy time. Chen Feng forbade Dabao from taking Qiqi, Gray, and Zhui Feng to play there during this period.

Dabao would take them for a walk to the west side of the village in the morning and afternoon.

One hot afternoon, Dabao was still doing his homework when Chen Feng returned after watering the fields. She saw Shitou struggling to carry a gourd filled with milk, along with a small birdcage and an unusually large birdcage.

He said, “Auntie Feng, this is the house my second uncle made for Qiqi and Gray.”

The two birdcages were exquisitely made, complete with wooden bowls inside, nearly reaching the craftsmanship of a wicker craftsman.

Chen Feng couldn’t help but picture his dark face, white teeth, and the loud voice of Mrs. Wu.

It seemed she wasn’t too keen on receiving his gifts.

Chen Feng smiled and said, “Qiqi and Gray don’t need cages, and they won’t run around…”

Perched on the windowsill, the Golden Swallow chirped, “Mom, accept them quickly. Even if Qiqi and Gray don’t use them, they can be for other birds.”

Hearing this, Chen Feng had to accept the cages, saying, “They’re really beautiful. Thank you.” She then gave Shitou a few candies to eat.

It wasn’t until Dabao had finished an hour of studying that the two boys took the three birds and the dog out to play.

Today, the Golden Swallow also accompanied them, and Zhui Feng struggled with internal conflict for a while but didn’t dare to follow. It watched their departing figures, whimpering for quite some time.

At noon, when Dabao returned, he looked very sad, holding the Golden Swallow with an expression of reluctance. He said to Chen Feng, “Mom, today I saw many geese and swallows flying in a line from the north to the south. Will Golden Treasure also fly to the south?”

Chen Feng lifted Dabao and said, “Yes, Golden Treasure will also fly to the south.” She had heard from the Golden Swallow a few days ago that every August 5th, it had to enter the space and wait until the following February 20th to come out.

It wasn’t because it feared starving or not finding live insects, it was simply a custom. Even if the Golden Swallow defied the odds, it couldn’t stay outside during the winter.

Seeing Dabao’s eyes reddened, she added, “Don’t be sad, Dabao. In the spring next year, Golden Treasure will fly back.”

Dabao, feeling down, asked, “What if Golden Treasure can’t find the way back home?”

“It won’t happen. Our Golden Treasure is the smartest swallow in our family. It will find its way home no matter where it goes,” Chen Feng reassured.

The Golden Swallow also sadly chirped, “Three more days, I can only play outside for three days, then I have to stay in the space until the flowers bloom next spring.”

Chen Feng felt even sadder. With The Golden Swallow not outside, their family’s defensive strength was weakened. And Zhui Feng was still young, not yet capable of significant tasks. Even when it grew up, she didn’t know how powerful it would be.

Before Shitou leave to have lunch, she packed him a few pieces of homemade steamed jujube cake to take home.

In the afternoon, Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang went to the town together, intending to buy some glutinous rice, meat, shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients to make glutinous rice balls for the Golden Swallow. The Golden Swallow had mentioned that its previous owner used to make several dishes it loved, including a dish called Pearl Meatballs. These dishes, especially the Pearl Meatballs, were simple and didn’t cost much, so Chen Feng wanted to make them to comfort the little creature’s sorrowful heart. Additionally, she planned to buy some fine cloth and cotton to make things for the family.

With several tens of taels of gold ingots, Chen Feng felt quite confident in spending money.

She found it difficult to mention making Pearl Meatballs for the Golden Swallow, so she simply said that she had heard from Changgen’s wife that Pearl Meatballs were delicious, and she wanted to try making them.

Dabao wanted to go along, but Chen Feng didn’t allow it and instead asked him to gather more firewood from the west side of the village.

She wore a semi-new green vest and a bamboo hat, walking hand in hand with Mrs. Wang, taking a small path from the side of their own yard, heading east towards the road to Mingshui Town.

The early autumn sky was a deep, lofty blue. Although the weather had cooled, the sunlight was still intense, making it difficult to keep one’s eyes open.

The farmers in the rice fields were busy, sweating profusely, yet their faces beamed with happiness.

As Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang passed through the rice fields and entered a small grove, they finally felt some relief from the heat. In the distance, they noticed six or seven horse-drawn carriages and twenty strong men on horseback heading towards Tangyuan, and the seemingly forever-closed vermilion gate was now open.

Chen Feng thought of Madam Chu, as mentioned by Changgen’s wife. Were they coming to the estate for a rest again?

Mrs. Wang also noticed and, after a deep sigh and a darkening of her gaze, she looked away. After a moment, she sighed and said, “Those grand mansions may seem prosperous, but life inside isn’t easy. Especially for some people, their hearts…” Perhaps feeling she had said too much, she quickly fell silent.

Was she thinking about that “son-in-law who’s become an official”?

Chen Feng squeezed Mrs. Wang’s hand and said, “Our small surname isn’t bad at all. Although we may lack clothes and food, our family is united, affectionate, and cheerful, which those wealthy households cannot compare to.”

Mrs. Wang nodded with a smile and said, “You’re right, A’Feng.”

After buying the ingredients in town, Chen Feng took Mrs. Wang to the fabric shop. Seeing her buy so much cotton and fine cloth, Mrs. Wang was surprised and said, “A’Feng, why are you buying so much? You and Dabao don’t need this much.”

Chen Feng replied, “We also need it for you, Dad, and A’Lu.”

Mrs. Wang said, “We don’t need anything new, we can manage with what we have.”

Chen Feng explained, “The other day, I saw your cotton jackets and pants are very old and not warm enough. A’Lu’s clothes are getting too small, and he needs new blankets and quilts.”

Mrs. Wang suggested, “A’Lu can use your old quilts.”

Disagreeing, Chen Feng said, “Our quilts have been soiled by Dabao’s urine, and they’re smelly and stiff. No, we need new ones.”

Seeing her determined daughter, Mrs. Wang let Chen Feng make the purchase, adding, “When we get back home, I’ll reimburse you for the money we use for the three of us.”

Chen Feng responded, “Mom, why are you still so polite with me? I should be taking care of you and Dad.”

The cotton and fine cloth filled two carrying baskets, and Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang each carried one as they walked towards Xiangluo Village.

As they strolled along the crisscrossing paths, they came across the older man they had encountered several times before.

They later learned his name was Liu Erniu. He was a filial son, and due to poverty at home and his mother’s paralysis, he hadn’t been able to marry. His mother had only passed away two years ago, and in the delay, he was now thirty-three years old.

He greeted them with a smile, “Aunt, little Feng, can you manage those baskets? Here, let me help you.” He reached to take the carrying basket from Chen Feng’s back.

Chen Feng quickly evaded, frowning, and said, “Thank you, Uncle Liu Erniu, I can manage.”

Liu Erniu hastily laughed, “Just call me Liu Erniu, I’m not that old…”

Mrs. Wang was annoyed and spat, “Bah, you old rascal, you’re halfway to the grave, and you still claim not to be old! Liu Erniu, you used to call me Aunt Chen before, why are you calling me Aunt now? You’re only a year younger than A’Feng’s father. There’s no need for you to lower yourself.” With that, she pulled Chen Feng away.