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By the time the four siblings got home, it was already dark. In the courtyard, even if people weren’t asleep yet, they were holed up inside their rooms—no one was outside.
After unpacking their things, Bi Chunliu said to Bi Weiguo, who was boiling water in the kitchen,
“Weiguo, heat up some extra water. After all the traveling, we’re covered in dust.”
“Got it, Big Sis. This pot’s almost ready. You and Xiahe can wash first. I’ll wait for the next one with Fourth.”
“Alright,” Chunliu agreed.
Now that Third Uncle was no longer eyeing the job, Xiahe’s mood had lightened up a lot. She stuck her head out, grinning.
“Thanks, Second Brother.”
“What are you thanking me for?” Weiguo waved her off, guarding the stove.
Luckily, the weather wasn’t too cold anymore. After running around all day, even if they couldn’t bathe properly, at least wiping down was necessary—otherwise they’d feel grimy all over.
After cleaning up, without chatting further, Qiuguo and Xiahe soon fell asleep. Chunliu stretched out her hand in the dark, trying to sense if something felt different about herself. Something wasn’t right—she’d trained before, but skill and raw strength weren’t the same thing. Did her past self at this age really have this much strength? She had noticed it earlier when she’d lashed the rope: her power seemed much greater than before.
Pondering it, Chunliu drifted off. Half-asleep, she thought: Today was tiring, but at least one matter’s settled. Hopefully Third Uncle’s memory will last a while this time.
Early the next morning, Chunliu was woken by a clatter in the courtyard. Whether from exhaustion or peace of mind, she hadn’t even dreamed the night before. With no watch at home, she lifted the curtain corner to check the sunlight—and peek at what was going on outside.
By the courtyard water tank, the Nie family’s fourth child, Nie Xiangnan, was already washing up.
Qiuguo was also awakened by the noise. Sleepily, she shuffled over, peeked outside once, and instantly sobered up. She hurried into her clothes, even freeing a hand to smack the still-dozing Xiahe.
“Oh no! Third Sister, get up quick—Sister Xiangnan’s already washing! We’re going to be late!!”
“What?!” Xiahe bolted upright. Sister Xiangnan had always been a mysterious figure in the compound—whatever she did, she was always exactly on time. If school required them to arrive at eight, she’d never arrive a minute earlier. If she was already washing now, then they really were running late.
Qiuguo finished dressing and rushed into the other room to call Weiguo. Seeing her eldest sister still staring outside, she panicked:
“Big Sis, if you don’t get up, you’ll be late for work too!”
Work? Damn! Chunliu scrambled up. She hadn’t worked in years and had nearly forgotten she had to.
Xiahe packed the fastest, slinging her schoolbag onto her back. She ran a couple of steps before darting back.
Chunliu had just washed her face when she asked, “What is it?”
“Big Sis, we didn’t prepare lunch last night. Today we’ll have to buy something.”
“Go get it then. You know where the money is?”
“I know!”
Qiuguo also finished tidying up, giggling.
“Hehehe, Third Sister, don’t forget the grain coupons! Let’s have noodles for lunch, okay? I want white flour noodles!”
“Go ahead,” Chunliu said. “This month’s almost over anyway. On the first, when we’re on holiday, we’ll make dumplings.”
“Yay, dumplings!” Qiuguo and Weiguo cheered.
Xiahe grinned too.
“Big Sis, can we take the leftover flatbread from the other day for breakfast?”
“Sure, see how much is left. If it’s not enough, you can eat more at lunch. Tomorrow I’ll get up earlier to cook.” Chunliu bent to put on her shoes, thinking: From now on, I really can’t sleep in. Unlike later years, it’s not easy to buy breakfast outside right now—if you don’t eat at home, you’ll go hungry.
“Qiuguo, are you coming or not? Time for school!” someone shouted outside.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Qiuguo yelled back. She grabbed her bag, called “Big Sis, I’m off!” and dashed out the door.
“Big Sis, we’re leaving too.” Xiahe and Weiguo followed after.
The three schoolgoers hurried off. Chunliu thought to herself she’d better find something to fill her stomach and head out too. It had been so long since she’d worked—she wasn’t sure if she could get used to it again.