Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty-Chapter 53 - 52 - 3 Days Left

Chapter 53: Chapter 52 – 3 Days Left

Chapter 53 -52 – 3 Days Left

By August, the rice harvest began. The eastern side of the village was covered in large rice fields, buzzing with activity. Chen Afu did not allow Chen Dabao to bring Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng to play there during this period.

Chen Dabao took them to the western part of the village for walks in the morning and the afternoon.

One midday, while Dabao was still writing, Chen Afu returned from watering the fields and saw Shitou struggling to carry a gourd full of milk in one hand, and a small birdcage and a very large birdcage in the other.

He said, “Aunt Fu, these are the houses my uncle made for Qi Qi and Hui Hui.”

The birdcages were intricately made, with small wooden bowls inside. The crafty workmanship almost rivalled that of a basket weaver.

Chen Afu’s vision was filled with the sight of Shitou’s dark face and white teeth, along with Carpenter Wu’s loud voice.

Somehow, it didn’t seem right to accept his gifts.

Chen Afu smiled and said, “Qi Qi and Hui Hui don’t need cages, they won’t stray too far…”

The bird Jin Yanzi, perched on the window, chirped, “Mummy, quickly accept it! Even if Qi Qi and Hui Hui don’t use it, other birds can.”

Hearing this, Chen Afu had no choice but to accept them. She smiled and said, “They’re beautiful, thank you.” She gave Shitou some candy to eat.

It was only after Chen Dabao finished studying two hours later that the boys took the three birds and the dog out to play.

Today, Jin Yanzi also went with them. Zhui Feng was torn between wanting to go and fear, ultimately deciding to stay, whining as he watched them leave.

When Chen Dabao returned at midday, he looked sad, holding Jin Yanzi while wearing a distressing expression. He said to Chen Afu, “Mum, I saw many geese and swallows flying south in groups from the north today. Will Jin Bao also fly to the Southern Region?”

Chen Afu picked up Dabao and said, “Yes, Jin Bao will also fly to the Southern Region.” She had heard from Jin Yanzi some days ago that it must enter the space every August 5 and stay there until the following February 20.

It was not because Jin Yanzi was worried about starving due to lack of live bugs to eat in the space, but simply a matter of habit. No matter how rebellious Jin Yanzi was, it couldn’t possibly stay outside during winter.

Seeing that Dabao’s eyes were getting red, she said again, “Don’t be sad, Dabao. Next spring, Jin Bao will fly back.”

Dabao asked in distress, “But what if Jin Bao can’t find the way back home?”

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“That won’t happen. Our Jin Bao is the smartest swallow. No matter where it goes, it can always find its way back home,” Chen Afu assured him.

Jin Yanzi also chirped sadly, “I only have three days left to play outside, then I have to stay in the space until the warm spring next year.”

Chen Afu felt even sadder. Without Jin Yanzi outside, their family’s defensive power would be too weak. Zhui Feng was still small and might not be very useful even when it becomes big.

Chen Afu let Shitou eat lunch with them. When he left, she gave him several pieces of home-steamed red date cake.

In the late afternoon, Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang went to the town together, preparing to buy some glutinous rice, meat, mushrooms, and other ingredients to make glutinous rice balls for Jin Yanzi. According to Jin Yanzi, its previous owner used to cook several dishes that it liked, among which pearl meatballs was one. Such dish was simple and inexpensive; Chen Afu wanted to cook it to comfort the sad little heart of Jin Yanzi. She also planned to buy some fine cloth and cotton to make some things for the family.

With those few dozens of gold ingots in hand, Chen Afu had more confidence in spending money.

She didn’t overtly mention that she was making pearl meatballs for Jin Yanzi. She just said that she heard from Mrs. Changgen that pearl meatballs are delicious, and she wanted to try cooking them.

Chen Dabao wanted to go with her, but Chen Afu told him to go to the western part of the village to gather more firewood instead.

She wore a half-new green bellyband and a conical bamboo hat, and left straight from the small path beside their yard with Mrs. Wang and went east to the small path leading to Mingshui Town.

The early autumn sky was clear and expansive. Although the weather had started to cool, the sun was still bright and dazzling.

The farmers in the rice fields were busy working. Despite being covered in sweat, they were smiling brightly.

Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang walked past the rice fields and into a small forest, where it was finally cooler. They then saw six or seven horse-drawn carriages and about twenty robust men on horseback going towards Tang Garden in the distance, and the always-closed vermilion gate was also open.

Chen Afu wondered if the Master Chu and Madam Chu whom Mrs. Changgen had spoken of were visiting their estate.

Mrs. Wang also noticed. After watching for a while, she sighed deeply. Her eyes dimmed, and she looked away. After a while, she said slowly, “Those big families, they might look rich and glamorous, but their lives are not easy. Some people, their hearts…” She seemed to realise she had misspoke and quickly shut her mouth.

Was she thinking of that “high-ranking official” son-in-law of hers?

Chen Afu squeezed Mrs. Wang’s hand and said, “We common folks also have our good points. Even though we often lack food and clothing, our family is united, loving, and happy. The big families can’t match that.”

Mrs. Wang nodded and smiled, saying, “True to what you said, Afu.”

Upon arriving at the town and buying the necessary ingredients, Chen Afu took Mrs. Wang to the fabric shop. Mrs. Wang was surprised to see her buying so much cotton and fine cloth, “Afu, why are you buying so much? You and Dabao can’t use all of this.”

Chen Afu replied, “There’s also you, dad, and Alu.”

Mrs. Wang said, “We don’t need anything replaced. We can still use what we have.”

Chen Afu said, “I saw it the other day, your cotton jackets and trousers are already quite old, they’re not warm. Alu’s have become too short and small too. His quilts and mattresses also need to be remade.”

Again, Mrs. Wang said, “Alu can use your old mattresses.”

Chen Afu disagreed, “Our mattress has been soaked in Dabao’s urine. It’s smelly and hard. No, we need to make a new one.”

Mrs. Wang had no choice but to let Chen Afu buy them. But still, she said, “When we get home, I’ll pay you back for what we use.”

Chen Afu said, “Why are you being so polite to me, Mum? Consider it as my dutiful contribution to my parents.”

The two large baskets full of cotton and fine cloth, Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang each carried one on their back and walked towards Xiangluo Village.

On their way through the intricate rural path, they encountered an older man they’ve run into multiple times before.

They later found out that his name was Liu Erniu, a dutiful son. Due to his family’s poverty and his paralysed mother, he wasn’t married yet. His mother had died two years ago, and in the delay, he was already thirty-three.

He smiled and greeted them, “Aunt Chen, Miss Afu, do you need help carrying these? Here, let me help you.” As he was saying this, he reached out to take the basket on Chen Afu’s back.

Chen Afu quickly avoided him, and frowning, said, “Thank you, Uncle Liu, but I can carry it.”

Immediately, Liu Erniu rallied with a grin, “Just call me Brother Liu, I’m not that old yet…”

Mrs. Wang snorted, “Bah, you old rascal, you’re already one foot in the grave, and you’re saying you’re not old! Liu Erniu, you used to call me Aunt Chen, but now why are you calling me Auntie Chen? You’re only one year younger than Afu’s father, there’s no need to downgrade your seniority.” After finishing her piece, she took Chen Afu and left.