Walking along the road, one hand holding ng Shuyan, and the other carrying so groceries, Tian Sangsang was noticed from afar by her fragrance.
A woman approached curiously, "Sangsang, what are you carrying? The scent is wafting all the way over there."
Searching her mory, she realized the woman was from the sa village, though not soone she was familiar with.
Tian Sangsang answered politely, "Oh, it’s nothing much, just so fried pig offal I cooked myself. Today, Sister ng gave a hand, so I’m bringing her so as a thank you."
The woman peeked at the bag—wow, that was a lot. This was truly surprising. Tian Sangsang, known for loving food, was offering it to soone else! Usually, she’d hoard it all for herself.
The woman’s expression beca a bit odd. "Sangsang, I heard you struck it rich when you went to town recently, bought all kinds of things?"
That didn’t sound quite right.
"Auntie, where did you hear that from?" Tian Sangsang knew it was likely so gossip being spread. She smiled, "I’ve just earned a little money, bought a few things to make life easier at ho. We didn’t even have sewing supplies, so I still need to go to Sister ng’s place to make use of her sewing machine."
The woman looked her over carefully—it didn’t seem like she had hit the jackpot. And giving sothing to the widow ng? Obviously because she needed to borrow the sewing machine. Still, the woman tried probing further, but Tian Sangsang made an excuse and left quickly.
"Your eldest’s Sangsang seems to be doing well for herself. I just saw her carrying several bolts of Dacron fabric," the woman turned and started chatting with Chen Guilan and Tian Tian.
"Impossible! Where would that girl Tian Sangsang get the money?" Chen Guilan scoffed.
"You don’t know!?" The woman shook her head, speaking as though she’d witnessed it firsthand. "She went to the town market today, said she was selling so stead dumplings. Ca back hauling fabric and a whole load of other things—her hands were so full she could barely handle it. And she’s even cooking pork—slls delicious!"
"Buying both fabric and pork..." After the woman left, Chen Guilan muttered, "What kind of stead dumplings could she possibly make to trade for fabric and pork?"
"Mom," Tian Tian affectionately took her mother’s arm, "That fatty’s really making waves now. She can make dumplings, so can we! I heard she used crabs."
A glimr of greed flashed in Chen Guilan’s eyes. She patted her daughter’s hand. "I’ll get your dad to catch a few crabs later."
The Tian Family was ultimately just another rural household, far from wealth or extravagance. Whenever a money-making idea ca up, everyone was eager to try it out.
The widow ng was hanging laundry in her courtyard when she spotted Sangsang approaching. She quickly put down her work, beaming, "Oh, Sangsang, you really ca! Need to use the sewing machine? Co, I’ll take you inside."
Her gaze then shifted to ng Shuyan, inspecting him over and over with her eyes practically glued to him. "Is this your Yanyan? How handso he is! Among all the kids in the village, yours is the best looking."
Inside, the widow ng brought out a few candies wrapped in colorful sugar paper. "Here, so milk candies for the child to try."
"Oh, Sister, these are too precious. You keep them for yourself," Sangsang said.
"Keep them for what? I don’t even have kids at ho." The widow chuckled, insisting on giving the candies to ng Shuyan.
But ng Shuyan didn’t take them. Instead, he looked up at Tian Sangsang.
Seeing her nod, he finally accepted, his smile bright like sunshine. "Thank you, Auntie."
"He called Auntie!" The widow ng said joyfully, reaching out to touch his soft curls. She couldn’t resist—the feel of his hair was simply too pleasant.
"Sister ng, here’s the pig offal I cooked. Like I said earlier, you must try it!"
Widow ng lifted the cloth covering the dish, revealing stir-fried pig stomach with green peppers, chili, and other ingredients. The vibrant mix of red, green, and white looked very appetizing.
Taking a whiff, she exclaid, "Sister, you weren’t kidding—this slls amazing!"
"By the way, Sister, I also made so for Brother Li. But you see, with all the sewing and no ti to deliver it myself—not to ntion the nosy gossip in the village—I don’t dare bring it over myself anymore."
"You know how the villagers love to gossip. It’s good you don’t have any ill intentions. How about this: I’ll take it over for you. I’ve been through it all, so I’m not scared of any chatter." Widow ng smiled warmly.
That was exactly what Sangsang needed to hear. She replied gratefully, "Thank you, Sister ng."
Tian Sangsang sat at the widow ng’s sewing machine. It was an old-fashioned beehive brand machine with a black tal fra and pedal. The whole thing was taller than ng Shuyan. In reality, the hardest parts of making clothes were drawing patterns, cutting shapes, and creating templates. The actual sewing was relatively easy. Years ago, she had used a sewing machine back ho, and the muscle mory was still there.
Once seated, she touched the machine and tried pressing the pedal, threading the top and bottom threads. The familiarity ca rushing back, as though it was second nature. Won’s skill in sewing was like n’s instinct in... other areas—it just ca naturally and could spark creative ideas.
The widow’s collection of thread wasn’t vast—mainly black and white, with a few spools in red, purple, orange, blue, yellow, and brown. That was it.
"Mom, are you making clothes?"
Tian Sangsang turned her head to et her little boy’s wide, glistening eyes.
"Yes, I’m making you new clothes."
Hearing this, ng Shuyan’s dark pupils lit up with joy, and he quietly stayed by her side, watching her sew.
Ti passed unknowingly, and outside, the sun moved from high noon to the slanting rays of sunset. Sangsang had finished a set of pajamas and two sumr outfits before stretching lazily.
Clothes in this era were overly simple. She wanted to add an embroidered animal to the front but was hesitant since she had no experience in this area. She contemplated, unsure where to start.
"Sister Sangsang, what’s taking you so long? What are you thinking about?" Widow ng’s laughter suddenly ca from behind her.
Glancing at the window, Sangsang’s face showed so guilt. "Sorry, Sister ng. Once I get into sothing, I completely lose track of ti."
"No problem." The widow ng examined the clothes closely. "You made these well—neat stitches too. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, let know, and I’ll give you so advice." Widow ng had a passion for making clothes herself. Back then, her husband had gone out of his way to get this sewing machine to make her happy.
"Oh, no need to trouble you, Sister. I was actually thinking of embroidering an animal on the clothes—it’d be easier to do at ho with a needle." Yes, embroidery could achieve this, without relying on the machine.
The widow ng was a little surprised. Kids’ clothing in the village was usually passed down from siblings, adjusted here and there for a better fit—nothing fancy. Sangsang’s attention to detail gave her a fresh perspective. Still, looking at ng Shuyan’s adorable face, the widow wasn’t surprised. If she had such a handso child, she’d pour all her effort into him too.
Reviews
All reviews (0)