Chapter 5

Qin Jiashu clutched two large balls of yarn, gazing adoringly at Xu Jiaojiao. His small hands instinctively reached for the blue one.

“Do you like blue?” Xu Jiaojiao asked.

Qin Jiashu pursed his lips and blinked obediently, utterly charming.

“Alright then, Auntie will knit you a blue sweater first,” Xu Jiaojiao said with a smile, picking up the blue yarn.

Is Auntie really going to knit me a sweater? Qin Jiashu’s eyes sparkled with delight, his joy overflowing.

After casting on, Xu Jiaojiao measured the width of Qin Jiashu’s arm. With the measurements in mind, she began knitting, barely needing to look at her hands as she chatted casually with him.

“If it doesn’t snow tomorrow, Auntie will take you to Qixian Village to see Grandpa. He can make you some new clothes, okay?” Xu Jiaojiao gently tapped the bridge of his nose.

Though small and slender, the boy’s features were striking. Even at such a young age, he showed the promise of a future heartthrob.

“……” No!

Qin Jiashu clutched the blue yarn tightly, his small body trembling as he stared intently at Xu Jiaojiao.

Unaware of his distress, Xu Jiaojiao continued knitting. Qin Jiashu slowly lowered his head, as if resigned to his fate.

“You know, your Grandpa is amazing! He makes the most beautiful clothes,” Xu Jiaojiao said, counting stitches as she worked.

“Oh,” Qin Jiashu murmured faintly, leaving Xu Jiaojiao unsure if he believed her or not.

Xu Jiaojiao knitted quickly. In just two hours that afternoon, she had completed more than half of Qin Jiashu’s sleeve and felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

“How about vegetable noodles for dinner?” she asked, glancing out the window at the darkening sky. She reluctantly set aside the sleeve and stood up.

She hadn’t moved much all afternoon and wasn’t particularly hungry, but Qin Jiashu needed nourishment to grow. She decided to blanch some greens and cook thin noodles.

Qin Jiashu nodded, sliding off the bed and putting on his shoes with practiced ease.

In the cold countryside, there wasn’t much to do after dinner but go to bed.

Xu Jiaojiao lit a candle and carefully applied frostbite cream to Qin Jiashu’s hands.

“Lie down and let Auntie tell you a bedtime story,” she said, tucking the quilt around him before picking up her knitting.

She was grateful to have something to do. Though her fingers grew cold from knitting, the long, dull evenings would have been unbearable otherwise.

Qin Jiashu nestled under the quilt, watching her knitting needles move in the candlelight.

“What story should I tell?” Xu Jiaojiao asked softly, occasionally glancing at his bright eyes. “How about Little Red Riding Hood?”

“Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl…”

She spoke gently, her storytelling vivid and expressive. Qin Jiashu listened intently. Having dozed throughout the day while waiting for her, he wasn’t at all sleepy now.

When she finished, Qin Jiashu hesitantly tugged her sleeve.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Were Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma… rescued?” he asked, mustering the courage to say his longest sentence to her yet.

“Yes, the hunter saved them,” Xu Jiaojiao nodded.

Qin Jiashu exhaled in relief, a faint smile curving his lips.

“Alright, time to sleep.” Xu Jiaojiao’s hands were cold, so she blew out the candle and lay down beside him.

That night, Qin Jiashu fell asleep with images of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf swirling in his mind.

—

Another day passed. Xu Jiaojiao woke early to check the weather. The sky remained overcast.

After cooking fragrant sweet potato porridge and dressing warmly, she prepared to set out.

“Let’s go to Qixian Village to see Grandpa about the clothes.”

She carried the fabric she had purchased from the supply and marketing cooperative, along with half a jin of walnut pastries.

Qinjia Village was large, while Qixian Village, her hometown, was smaller. The walk took about an hour—a common distance in the countryside, but still tiring.

Qin Jiashu held her hand silently, lost in thought.

“Xiao Shu, watch your step! Don’t step in the puddles.”

Xu Jiaojiao held a burlap sack in her left hand and Qin Jiashu’s right. When she saw him about to step into a muddy puddle, she instinctively hoisted him by the arm.

Only because he was small and thin could she manage it. If he were any bigger, she wouldn’t have had the strength.

Qin Jiashu kicked his legs twice in mid-air, startled to find himself lifted into her arms.

“What’s going on in that little head of yours?” Xu Jiaojiao pretended to scold him, tapping his forehead.

Qin Jiashu pouted and stared at her.

Seeing him so quiet, she didn’t press further. She carried him a few steps to the side before setting him down after they passed the puddle.

Having nearly stepped in mud, Qin Jiashu walked more carefully the rest of the way.

By the time they reached Qixian Village, it was ten in the morning. Their shoes were caked in soft yellow mud.

“Xiao Shu, lift your foot.” At the village entrance, Xu Jiaojiao bent to pick up a stick.

Qin Jiashu looked at her, then placed one hand on a nearby stone and carefully lifted his foot.

His awkward but adorable posture made her smile.

“Hold steady,” she said, scraping the thick yellow mud from his leather shoes.

The sticky mud had made his shoes heavy, and he nearly lost his balance as she scraped them clean.

Once done, Xu Jiaojiao cleaned her own shoes.

Qin Jiashu eagerly picked up a small stick and began scraping mud off her shoes with both hands, his little face flushed with effort.

“Thank you, Xiao Shu,” she said warmly. Her shoes instantly felt lighter.

Qin Jiashu shyly pursed his lips and lowered his gaze.

“Let’s go,” Xu Jiaojiao said cheerfully, taking his hand and heading toward the Xu family home.

“Dad, Mom…” she called naturally as she entered the main hall, memories rushing back.

The Xu family’s main hall was large and well-lit. Father Xu’s sewing machine stood prominently in the center, next to a long table for cutting fabric.

Nearby, a bamboo fire cage warmed Mother Xu and her daughter-in-law, Sun Zhaodi.

Father Xu was marking a bolt of deep blue cloth with tailor’s chalk when he looked up.

“Baisui!” he called out with a smile, stopping his work.

“Baisui’s here!” Mother Xu exclaimed joyfully, rising to greet her.

Yes, Baisui was Xu Jiaojiao’s childhood nickname, meaning “a hundred years of life.”

“Mom…” Xu Jiaojiao walked in with a smile, nodding at her sister-in-law. “Sister-in-law.”

“The little sister-in-law’s here again,” Sun Zhaodi said coolly, emphasizing the word “again.”

Ever since Xu Jiaojiao’s marriage, she had often returned home—a habit Sun Zhaodi deeply resented.

After all, her mother-in-law had handed over the entire dowry to the youngest daughter, even adding fifty yuan. Xu Jiaojiao often arrived empty-handed and left with gifts. The family’s few nice things were all saved for her.

Hearing Sun Zhaodi’s words, Mother Xu gave her a sharp look.

“Baisui, you must be tired!” she said, examining her daughter with concern.

“A little tired,” Xu Jiaojiao admitted.

She had walked to the county town yesterday and back again today—two days of exhausting travel.

“You’ve lost weight! Look how thin your face is!” Mother Xu fretted. “Sit and warm up by the fire. I’ll make you some brown sugar eggs.”

She had been saving eggs just for Xu Jiaojiao’s visits.

Sun Zhaodi turned away with a disgruntled huff.

“Mom, I’m not hungry,” Xu Jiaojiao said gently, pulling her mother’s hand away.

She wasn’t the original owner of this body. She couldn’t bring herself to be so shameless, nor could she ignore Sun Zhaodi’s resentment.

“Mom, I came to ask Dad to make two padded coats for Xiao Shu. Here’s the fabric.”

She placed the cloth on the cutting table.

“Clothes for him?” Father Xu glanced at Qin Jiashu, surprised to see the usually unkempt child looking so clean and neat.

“Yes, he doesn’t have many warm clothes. It’s too cold for him to go without,” she explained.

Father Xu nodded. “Come here, Grandpa will take your measurements.”

He pulled a soft tape measure from a drawer and beckoned.

Qin Jiashu looked at Xu Jiaojiao, confused. She nodded encouragingly, and he trotted over.

“Raise both arms,” Father Xu said.

Qin Jiashu obediently lifted his arms, looking like a little cloth doll.

Xu Jiaojiao smiled at his clumsy posture and turned to hand half a jin of walnut pastries to Mother Xu.

“Mom, these are for you. I bought them as thanks for Dad helping with the coats.”

“There’s no need to bring anything. Your visit is enough. Buying things is a waste of money.”

Though she scolded her, Mother Xu’s eyes shone with delight. This was the first time her daughter had brought a gift home—and not just anything, but walnut pastries! So expensive at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Sun Zhaodi turned, shocked. This sister-in-law always comes home to freeload. She actually bought walnut pastries? That’s rarer than a blooming iris!

“I knew you’d be back today,” Mother Xu said. “I put two sweet potatoes in the fire pit early this morning. They should be ready now.”

She happily set the pastries aside, pulled Xu Jiaojiao down to sit, and rummaged through the fire pit ashes with tongs, pulling out two perfectly roasted sweet potatoes.

“Wow, they smell amazing!” Xu Jiaojiao had noticed the aroma the moment she walked in.

“They’re roasted just right,” Mother Xu said, trying to press one into her hands.

“Mom, it’s too hot,” she said, shaking her head.

“Then I’ll let it cool.” Mother Xu smiled, brushing her hands clean. “I’ll go roast you two eggs too.”