While the three children were taking their afternoon nap, Qian Chunhua took the opportunity to pack all the clothes and quilts from the room into her storage space.

Then she moved everything into the next room.

With the help of her magical space, Qian Chunhua easily cleared out the entire house.

In the end, only one bed remained in the room, but even the bedding and mattress on it had been moved to the next room.

Eventually, Qian Chunhua even stored away the remaining bed.

After she finished, she organized the pots and bowls from her basket.

Standing up, she let out a sigh of relief.

As she turned around, she saw Zhao Mother standing alone by the courtyard wall, craning her neck to look over.

Qian Chunhua had a good impression of her.

“Mother.”

Zhao Mother was delighted that Qian Chunhua was still willing to call her “Mother.”

She quickly came forward and, pulling a small packet of grain from her clothes, carefully handed it to Qian Chunhua.

“Chunhua, take this bit of millet for now. Make do with it for the next few days,” she said gently.

After speaking, she wiped the corner of her eyes. “I dare not go against your father’s wishes, but in the future, if you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me. I’ll help you figure something out.”

She sighed. Chunhua’s life—truly harder than her own.

Qian Chunhua smiled and nodded.

She was quite touched by Zhao Mother’s sincere kindness.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Zhao Mother smiled awkwardly. “No need to thank me, no need.”

“You go ahead with your work. I’d better leave before someone sees me.”

As she spoke, Zhao Mother looked around cautiously.

She was worried that Zhao Daqing or Li Cuihong would see her giving food to Qian Chunhua—otherwise there would be a huge scene at home.

Qian Chunhua looked at the millet in her hands.

It wasn’t much, maybe two or three jin (about 1–1.5 kg), but it was everything an elderly woman could offer within her means.

Qian Chunhua accepted the kindness in her heart.

In the future, she would repay Zhao Mother’s goodwill with filial respect, she silently vowed.

The afternoon passed quickly.

After lunch and a break, Uncle Ding and the workers returned to continue their work.

Qian Chunhua woke the three children. A half-hour nap was enough; they couldn’t sleep too long.

After confirming the dimensions of the heated brick bed (kang) with Uncle Ding, she took the children and left the Zhao household, leaving the rest to Qian Xingshan.

Following the memory in her head, Qian Chunhua arrived at Carpenter Wang’s home in the village. He was working on wood in the courtyard.

These logs had been chopped from Lion Mountain during his spare time. He treated them for future use.

Times were tough now, and few people came to him for custom furniture. The wood had already piled up into a mountain.

“Uncle Wang,” Qian Chunhua greeted as she stepped into the yard.

Carpenter Wang looked up and paused for a second when he saw her. He had already heard what had happened at the Zhao household the night before.

What surprised him was why Qian Chunhua had come looking for him.

His wife also came out curiously when she heard someone arrive. Upon seeing Chunhua, she warmly grabbed her hand.

“Chunhua, you’re here to see your Uncle Wang, right?” she said enthusiastically, while shouting into the house, “Erwa! Erwa! Come pour a glass of water for your Sister Chunhua!”

Qian Chunhua quickly waved her hand. “Aunt Wang, no need to trouble Erwa. I just came to order some furniture from Uncle Wang, and I’ll be on my way.”

But Aunt Wang wouldn’t let her go and pulled her and the children into the main room.

Before the kids even sat down, she grabbed a big handful of peanuts from a bamboo basket on the table and stuffed them into each child’s hand.

“You’re at Grandma Wang’s house—don’t be shy, eat up!”

After settling the kids, Erwa came trotting in with a bowl of water. “Sister Chunhua, have some water!”

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Qian Chunhua sat down.

Aunt Wang and Erwa looked at her expectantly.

“Chunhua,” said Aunt Wang, “is it true you severed ties with the Zhao family?”

Erwa also stared at her curiously.

At that, Chunhua realized—this whole family was quite gossipy.

Even Carpenter Wang set down his work and walked into the house, holding a cup, ears perked.

Qian Chunhua nodded. “Yes, I’ve cut ties with the Zhao family.”

Aunt Wang gasped. “Did Li Cuihong really swap Qingyun with you and take Qingsong instead?”

Qian Chunhua nodded again.

Getting the confirmation, Aunt Wang shouted toward her husband, “See! I told you there was something wrong with that Li Cuihong! And to think her family tried to match her sister with our Erwa. Good thing we didn’t agree!”

Both Carpenter Wang and Erwa nodded furiously in agreement.

Aunt Wang continued, “Don’t worry, Chunhua. We live in the same village. No matter what happens, the kids can still grow up just fine. If you need anything, come find your Uncle Wang.”

Qian Chunhua was touched again.

Aside from her own family, here was another household offering sincere kindness.

“Thank you, Uncle and Aunt Wang.”

Carpenter Wang asked, “You came to order some furniture after leaving the Zhao family?”

Qian Chunhua nodded quickly.

Aunt Wang’s hospitality had kept her from getting to the point.

“Uncle Wang, I need three doors—can you come take measurements? One for the main entrance, one for the kitchen, and one for the outhouse.”

“Sure, shall we go now?” he asked.

Aunt Wang added, “Chunhua, don’t worry. I’ll make sure your Uncle Wang gives you a discount. A widow with kids—it’s not easy.”

“…” Chunhua was speechless—but Aunt Wang wasn’t wrong either.

In addition to the doors, Qian Chunhua also ordered:

One dining table for the family

Two wooden bathtubs (one for Qingsong and Qingfeng, one for her and Xiaoling)

Two small kang tables (for meals and writing in winter)

Two water buckets

She didn’t need new basins for washing, as the household already had those.

After the order, Carpenter Wang only asked for 800 wen.

Qian Chunhua paid 300 as a deposit and would pay the remaining 500 upon delivery.

After thanking them, she left with the children. Carpenter Wang would come later to take measurements.

As she walked home, her heart felt warm. The Wang family, though a bit gossipy, was genuinely kind.

Ordering so much furniture for only 800 wen—it was truly a bargain.

Back at the Qian household, Qian Mother was sewing shoe soles for Qian Xingshan in the main room. That boy wore out his shoes climbing mountains and working the fields.

“You’re back?” she asked with a smile upon seeing Qian Chunhua and the kids.

“Mother, we’re back.”

“Grandmother, we’re back!”

Qian Mother beamed. These past two days had brought her more joy than the whole past year.

Qian Chunhua placed the millet Zhao Mother had given her on the table. Qian Mother looked at it curiously. “Where did this come from?”

“From my mother-in-law,” Qian Chunhua replied.

She also shared Zhao Mother’s words.

Qian Mother sighed. “Life isn’t easy for anyone. Your mother-in-law isn’t a bad person, but she has no say in that household.”

Qian Chunhua nodded.

Zhao Mother had spent her life under Zhao Daqing’s command. It wasn’t just her—many women of this era lived the same fate.

After chatting a bit, Chunhua saw it was almost time to cook dinner.

Even though she was back at her mother’s house, she couldn’t just sit around waiting for meals.

“Qingsong, take your siblings and play in the yard. Don’t wander far—I’m going to cook.”

Without turning his head, Qingsong replied, “Okay, Mother.”

“Don’t rush,” said Qian Mother. “I’ll cook after I finish these insoles.”

But Qian Chunhua gently held her mother’s shoulder. “Mother, I haven’t cooked for you in years. Let me show off tonight. You’ll get to taste my skills.”

As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves with determination.

Qian Mother couldn’t stop smiling. “Alright, alright. I can enjoy my daughter’s care now.”

Qian Chunhua grinned. “And there’s more to come!”