Chapter 44

"We’re invited to a feast?" A group of children playing with mud outside were stunned. "Isn’t this something usually for our parents and grandparents?"

Shen An, beaming with happiness, explained, "My sister-in-law said that since you all helped us recently, I can invite you to our house for a feast. So, your parents and grandparents are invited by my sister-in-law, and you kids are invited by Ah Ning and me."

Tiger and Er Niu, along with a few others, were amazed. Er Niu murmured, "Shen An, your sister-in-law is really nice."

It was amazing that Shen An and Shen Ning, like adults, could decide on their own to invite guests for a feast.

Shen Yin asked his brother, "Is Sister-in-law inviting our parents?"

These days, his parents were almost drooling over the meat and vegetable fragrances from Xiao Ya’s home, hardly able to enjoy their own meals.

Upon hearing Shen Yin's question, Er Niu and Tiger, who were somewhat more knowledgeable, looked somewhat awkward, and Shen An choked a bit, realizing they hadn't thought about inviting their aunt and uncle...

But Shen Jin puffed out his chest and scolded Shen Yin, "Are you silly? Shen An's inviting us because we helped. I've been digging for more than ten days! What did our parents do?"

In fact, Shen Jin felt rather embarrassed, especially considering Xiao Ya's family was almost entirely involved in helping, as were Er Niu and Tiger's dads, uncles, and brothers in building the house. His dad never showed up even for a day.

Initially, he thought since Er Niu, Tiger, and their brothers were helping, he wouldn’t miss out on anything Sister-in-law bought. Just the thought was thrilling. But seeing so many people helping with construction and cultivation, and comparing it to his own family, he realized even as the eldest he was no match for the youngest helper from the Lu family, let alone his younger brothers Shen Yin and Shen Tie, who were practically just loafing around.

Realizing this, his indignation subsided. He couldn't hold his head high anymore.

After talking to his dad about helping out, his dad just scolded him fiercely, telling him to mind his own business and not to meddle in his father's matters.

Thus, Shen Jin didn’t dare to brag about his own efforts in helping.

Now hearing his younger brother ask if their parents would be invited, and seeing the expressions of Er Niu, Tiger, and Shen An, Shen Jin retorted, "Only those who work get to eat meat! When Dad helped others build houses, he couldn’t just bring us along for the feast."

Shen Yin wondered, was that right? Or was there something amiss?

Shen Yin couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly was amiss.

The youngest, Shen Tie, didn't ponder as much. He simply thought of the tantalizing meat aroma from next door, drooling, "Big brother, when will we go for the meal?"

Shen An smiled warmly, "The day after tomorrow, for dinner."

Everyone would be busy harvesting rice during the day. Coming for a meal then would mean they couldn't enjoy it properly, as they'd be rushed back to work in the fields. So, Sister-in-law planned it for dinner to make it more festive and relaxing for everyone.

Shen Tie, counting on his fingers, muddled: "Today, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...??"

Confused, he looked up at his brother for clarification.

Shen Jin chimed in, "No need to count. It's the day our parents go to harvest rice."

That was perfect. On that day, their parents would be too busy to supervise them. Since their elder brother left, their family lacked labor and always harvested rice later than others, not returning until after dark. So they usually had just cold porridge at home for themselves.

Shen Jin warned, "Don't mention the feast to our parents when we go back. Remember, or we won't get to eat."

He hadn’t forgotten the last time he was beaten. Knowing his parents’ temperaments, if they weren’t eating, he and his brothers shouldn’t either. But this time, he decided to keep silent, eat his fill, then go home.

Suddenly, Shen Jin remembered their little sister, Tian Ya. With their parents in the fields that day, she would be his responsibility. What about her if they all went to the feast?

"Shen An, can I bring Tian Ya with us? There’ll be no one at home if we all go."

Shen An nodded, "Bring her along, just take good care of her."

"Don't let her fall or bump into anything, or else Auntie San will make a fuss."

Shen Jin confidently patted his chest, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

Having quickly settled the big matter of inviting guests for the feast, and with Little Ya absent, Shen Ning eagerly went to invite her, not lingering to chat and quickly pulling Shen An towards the Chen family.

……

By mid-afternoon, the Shis and Lus, also invited to the feast, were at Chen's discussing what gifts to bring.

They now genuinely appreciated Sang's ability to get along well – she was incredibly adept at building relationships!

Previously, it was mostly men and children helping, but now the women of their households were invited too. As it was their first visit, they wanted to leave a good impression with thoughtful gifts.

From the Lu family, Granny Lu was coming. From the Shi family, Shi Er Lang’s wife joined alongside her sister-in-law.

Oh, and Shi Da Niang, Da Niu and Er Niu’s mother, was invited too, given her sons had been helping these past days.

Shi Er Lang’s wife was an obvious choice. Though her son was too young to help, he had longingly envied his older brothers. Her husband was among the first to assist and a key contributor to the house-building, earning her an invitation.

Being acquainted with the Chen family and particularly close to Sang, they all turned to Granny Chen for advice on appropriate gifts for Sang's housewarming.

In the village, modest gifts were customary for acquaintances, like some cabbages or cucumbers. It was a simple, token gesture.

However, for the Shis and Lus, whose young men had been working hard and eating well at Sang's, a mere vegetable wouldn’t suffice. Despite instructions to eat modestly, the hearty meals had delighted them more than the New Year festivities.

Knowing Sang’s generous nature, neither family considered just bringing vegetables or eggs.

Granny Chen, noticing the respect the Shis and Lus had for Sang, felt pleased. The old saying goes, "A single log cannot ignite on its own," and "A single stick can't prop up a building." Originally refugees, the Shen family's senior and third branches now had strained relations. It was only fitting for Sang, alone with two children, to build connections in the village for support in times of need and help against injustice.

She warmly offered a seat and asked, "Do you have any specific ideas or plans? Let me hear them so I can give some advice."

As a peer, Granny Lu spoke first, "Although I haven't interacted much with Mrs. A'Lie, I've heard plenty from my sons and grandchildren. She's a straightforward, generous person. This invitation itself is a testament to her sincerity."

"No other family in the village invites everyone like this."

Typically, each family brings one adult and one child; it's understood that no household could host everyone.

But Sang nearly invited their entire family, partly because her sons and grandsons helped out, extending the invitation to their wives and the elderly couple. This warm, inclusive approach is indeed comforting, isn't it?

Granny Lu suggested, "Since A'Lie's family doesn't produce much, vegetables are a given. We'll bring some from our fields, as will everyone else, right?"

Granny Chen and the Shis nodded, "That's our intention. Bringing our produce helps her avoid extra purchases."

Granny Lu added, "There's a custom here of giving 'prosperity rice' as a housewarming gift. We give rice and oil, symbolizing full granaries and prosperity. As Sang is from outside, why don't we add to this good omen?"

Granny Chen agreed, "That aligns with our thoughts too. Such a significant event as building a house shouldn't be taken lightly. We should contribute to their wealth and prosperity."

The Shi sisters-in-law smiled and concurred. Shi Da Niang said, "We planned the same. We'll buy six liang of pork, cook it into oil, and put it in a jar. We'll also buy a bamboo container for a liter of rice. Our uncle will gather a bundle of firewood. It's not much, but rice, oil, and firewood as housewarming gifts symbolize wealth and prosperity."

Granny Chen and Granny Lu expressed their approval: "That's very thoughtful and generous of you both."

"Considering the pork, jar, and container, along with the firewood and rice, the total cost is over twenty wen."

"In rural areas, even spending a couple of wen is carefully considered. But to spend over twenty wen for a gift shows they truly value Sang."

Granny Lu nodded in agreement.

The two elderly ladies exchanged glances. Granny Lu proposed, “Older sister, shall we follow Shi's example and bring similar gifts? Each family brings vegetables, while we add our share of grain, oil, or firewood.”

Granny Chen agreed with a smile, “Alright, our three families will prepare the same offerings.”

She continued, addressing Granny Lu and the Shi sisters-in-law, “I have to mention, our family is quite close to Mrs. A'Lie. My daughter-in-law accompanies her to the county market daily. While I can't divulge specifics, we’ve made some earnings. Besides what we've just discussed, I'm thinking of gifting a handwoven mat. I've already started weaving it.”

Pointing to the half-finished mat on the floor, she added, “Mrs. A'Lie is fond of the children and has asked my son to make a bed for Shen An. The bed is still being made. I've measured the size and am weaving a mat to fit it, as a housewarming gift.”

The Shis and Lus were aware of Sang's ability to earn money, having enjoyed quality meals for over ten days.

The substantial daily supply of rice and meat couldn’t possibly be sustained by selling mere bundles of wild vegetables.

They'd noticed Sang's secret trips, lugging two buckets up the mountain trail.

They had been working there all this time; these things were hard to miss. Could they have remained unnoticed for a week or more?

Unless Sang had halted her market activities during the construction.

Chen subtly referenced Sang's earnings, understanding the Shis and Lus had some inkling.

Both families were discreet, taking cues from Chen and keeping silent about matters Sang wanted kept private.

Granny Lu responded, “Of course. It’s the thought that counts. We don’t need to match everything exactly.”

Gifts are a matter of personal relationship and sentiment.

Chen's willingness to share such information suggested a level of trust from Sang towards both families.

While unaware of the specifics of Qin Fangniang and Sang's county market activities, Granny Lu believed in knowing only what's necessary in a relationship, maintaining a respectful distance.

The Shi sisters-in-law were curious. The men's stories had sparked their interest. Who wouldn't be intrigued by ways to earn money?

But her sister-in-law specifically cautioned her several times to restrain her curiosity.

"If you pry into things people don’t want you to know, driven by your curiosity, it will mark the end of whatever little relationship you have with them."

"If you’re really envious of Qin Fangniang being able to earn money with Mrs. A'Lie, then at least strive to be like the Chen family. Observe carefully how they interact with Mrs. A'Lie. Reaching that level of relationship may not guarantee that Mrs. A'Lie will include us like she does Qin Fangniang, but her ability to earn money and support her family is admirable. It's always beneficial to be on good terms with capable people."

These were the exact words of Mrs. Shi.

Despite Shi Erliang being the only adult male in the household, the couple actually heeds his elder sister’s advice on major family decisions.

That's why they both behave properly. Even Shi Erliang, sharper than Lu Daliang, doesn't act overly clever. He follows his elder sister's advice, keeping a respectful distance from the thatched house and avoiding getting involved in matters that don't concern him. He diverts his gaze when necessary, pretending not to see anything, though in reality, he never did.

Mrs. Shi Erliang, who enjoys chatting with the village women, also keeps her mouth shut. If she can’t hold back, she vents at home with her sister-in-law, discharging her gossiping urge, and then can leave the house without the itch to blabber.

Having a few wise individuals like this in the family creates a unique balance and unspoken agreement between the Shi, Lu, Chen families, and the Shen household regarding the supposed secret money-making venture shared by Mrs. A'Lie and the Chens, which everyone else is supposedly unaware of.

The Shi and Lu families: "We know you have a secret, but since you’re not telling, we’ll act as if we know nothing and won't speculate."

Mrs. A'Lie: "I'm aware you know I have a secret, but as long as you don’t probe or pry, I’ll consider you ignorant of it. Let’s see how things go, and maybe we can get along."

Chen Family: "I observe everything and it’s good. The people we associate with are all sensible."