Chapter 190: Making Shoes
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“We can’t waste these fabric scraps. I recall from my past memories that these pieces can be pasted together with flour glue and left to dry. They can then be used to make shoes.” Zhou Lan continued working with her hands while she explained this to Jiang Xia.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia recalled something similar from her original memory.
But it was rather vague.
Over the past two years, due to the drought, they barely had enough to eat, let alone use flour paste to make shoes.
Essentially, everyone in the village wore straw sandals. Only those who were somewhat well-off still wore the cloth shoes they had from before. Otherwise, only those who had relatives or children in the city could get cloth shoes to wear.
If not, they would have to wait until winter.
However, even then, only the working members of the household could afford the luxury of cloth shoes. The women and children in the family would just sew layers of cloth into their straw sandals, enough to prevent their feet from getting frostbitten.
Considering all of this, Jiang Xia couldn’t help but admire her mother’s foresight. With the end of the autumn harvest and the cold weather approaching, it was the right time to make a few pairs of shoes, ready to wear once the chill set in.
“In that case, let’s take apart all the worn-out clothes at home. Now that we’re not short of food, let’s see if we can make a pair for each family member.” “Do I even need to say that? Your mother has already done the math; we have just enough. Don’t worry, you won’t be left out.” Zhou Lan said with a smile. In her view, Jiang Xia’s question was completely redundant.
Now that their home life had improved, it was only right that each person had a pair of new shoes to wear, reflecting their hard work.
“Right, and for eldest sister, don’t forget to make a pair for her too.”
“I haven’t forgotten. I’ve factored in a pair for your eldest sister as well. Your eldest sister had a tough time. We couldn’t help much before, but now that our lives have improved, we shouldn’t forget her.” Zhou Lan’s feelings for Jiang Qing had been with her ever since she arrived here.
Especially now that life was better, Zhou Lan missed Jiang Qing even more, always thinking of leaving something for Jiang Qing no matter what.
“Then what about the clothes, mother? Did you leave some for eldest sister?” Jiang Xia remembered that after each person in the family made a set of clothes, there should still be some fabric left, which she had specifically reserved for Jiang Qing.
“I’m keeping it. Didn’t you tell me last time? I didn’t forget.”
Hearing Zhou Lan say this, Jiang Xia felt relieved.
The two then discussed what kind of family Jiang Qing had married into, whether she was living well, and whether she had enough to eat.
After a long discussion, a worrying thought suddenly sprung from Jiang Xia’s heart, “Mother, do you think eldest sister would hate us? Would she not acknowledge us because we sold her?”
Zhou Lan paused for a moment.
She essentially dismissed this possibility. In her memory, Jiang Qing had always been a child who deeply cared about her family. When Old Madam Jiang said she was going to sell her for food. Jiang Qing knowing there was no turning back, silently accepted her fate.
Even with a thousand reluctances in her heart, at the crucial moment, she did not want to make her parents uncomfortable.
Such a child wouldn’t easily disown them.
“Your elder sister isn’t that kind of person. However, in this era, women can’t just return to their parents’ home like we could in our times. They would be reprimanded by their in-laws. If your elder sister has a child there, the situation would become even more complicated.” Zhou Lan’s voice was filled with an increasing sense of helplessness as she spoke.
Not only did she feel helpless about Jiang Qing’s sorrow, but she also felt the same about the general plight of women in this era.
Jiang Xia understood this. Even if they find their elder sister and she really can’t come back, it’s okay. They just want to see if she’s doing well. If her family is struggling, they’ll bring some food for them.
If their elder sister’s in-laws aren’t treating her well, they shouldn’t blame her for taking action.
If their elder sister is unwilling to come back for the sake of her child, that’s not a problem either. Given their family’s current situation, they can afford to raise another child.
The two of them fantasized about their future life while tirelessly working.
When they had nearly finished dismantling the old clothes, Jiang Chuan returned home with a big smile on his face.
“Why are you so happy today?” Zhou Lan asked, looking at Jiang Chuan’s cheerful face and laughing, “Has the certificate been issued?”
“It’s not that simple,” Jiang Chuan responded. “The village chief said it can’t be issued yet. We have to wait a few more days; otherwise, if the villagers find out, they’ll gossip behind our backs.”
“Then why are you so happy, dad?” Even Jiang Xia couldn’t help but be curious..