F{h*F 5/+ V hapter 46 The Fat Lady
“Oh my! We lined up for so long and still couldn’t get any, such a shame, little girl, are you coming to the next market day? I just tasted both items, and they really were quite delicious,” a plump woman dressed in fine clothes said, looking at the two empty basins with reluctance.
One look at her figure, and you could tell she was a foodie.
“Of course we will! Auntie, next time I’ll save some just for you,” Xuexue spotted the valuable fabric on the woman and knew she must be wealthy.
The plump woman and the crowd reluctantly dispersed.
“Mother, we made quite a lot of copper coins today.” Xuexue smiled broadly, looking at the full bundle of copper coins.
“Pack it up, let’s count them when we get back, and don’t let others see,” Madam Xie cautioned in a whisper, looking around, she was older and knew that wealth should not be flaunted.
Xuexue quickly grabbed a handful of copper coins to put in her bosom, packed up the rest, and put them in the bamboo basket for Madam Xie to carry home.
After they had packed up, Madam Xie and Xuexue prepared to head back, having been out for most of the day and not knowing if Chuner was hungry at home.
Just as Madam Xie was about to leave with their things, the auntie selling jewelry called out to them.
“Big sister, is there anything else you need?” Madam Xie stopped and turned around to ask.
“Sister, the next time you come, will you be at this stand? I’ll hold the spot for you in advance, okay?” the auntie asked hopefully, looking at Madam Xie and her daughter.
The business at Xuexue’s stall was booming today, which had helped the auntie sell quite a bit of jewelry—far more than usual. Naturally, she wanted to keep the God of Wealth close to boost her own sales.
“That’s very kind of you,” Madam Xie was simply and honestly grateful, though a bit embarrassed.
“No trouble, no trouble at all, it’s the least I can do. After all, my home is just in town, very close by,” the auntie said, smiling warmly and repeatedly.
“Then we’ll be in your debt, Auntie,” Xuexue, aware of the subtleties, did not hold back her gratitude.
“No problem, you have a long way to go, hurry home,” the auntie waved them off.
Xuexue responded and walked slowly along the street with Madam Xie.
While selling river snails today, Xuexue had bought some buns to eat; she wasn’t hungry, but she was thinking about Chuner back at home.
As they were about to leave town, they passed by a pastry shop.
“Mother, wait here for me for a moment, I’ll be right back,” Xuexue said, then turned and entered the shop.
Madam Xie looked up to see it was a pastry shop, knowing Xuexue was thinking of Chuner, she smiled contently.
When Xuexue came out, she was carrying a package.
“Xuexue, what did you buy?” Madam Xie stared at the package in Xuexue’s hand.
“Pork lard cakes, Chuner’s favorite.” Xuexue replied, placing the package in the bamboo basket and covering it a bit.
Indeed, Xuexue had gone in to buy pork lard cakes for Chuner.
“Mother, it’s getting late, let’s take an ox cart back,” Xuexue suggested.
The winter days were short, and quickly the sky had darkened considerably.
“Alright,” with the money they had earned, Madam Xie spoke with more confidence.
Having worked for the Mo family for over a decade with no pay and even her dowry taken by Old Lady Mo, leading a life without any money, Madam Xie felt her spine had straightened quite a bit.
They reached the village by ox cart, and the sky had grown dark, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from the kitchens of every household.
As they encountered several villagers on the road, these people looked at Madam Xie and her daughter with a peculiar expression, hesitating as if wanting to say something. Ultimately, they sighed, shook their heads, and walked away.