A Small Farmer Girl 's Story of Making a Fortune by Farming

75

　　The lamb leg I brought back yesterday was hung on the beam of the kitchen, waiting for Shen Lao Da and his family to return from Yue's house, and then stewed it in the evening.

　　It's almost the fourth day of the New Year, and there's still not much work to do. Both adults and children get up late.

　　It was after the hour of Chen that smoke began to rise from the Shen family's chimney.

　　Shen Yao poked his head out from under the quilt, caught a glimpse of the sunlight shining through the window paper, and got up reluctantly.

　　For breakfast, we had thick porridge with two plates of pickles.

　　She had only eaten half of the porridge when she heard someone coming into the yard. Mrs. Wu thought it was her eldest son and his family coming back from Yue's house, so she didn't get up to greet them. She thought that her eldest son probably didn't have breakfast, so she hurried back. Just as she was thinking about whether to help serve the porridge, she heard a voice: "Aunt!"

　　There was a tone of crying in that voice, which made Mrs. Wu's heart skip a beat. She quickly put down the bowl and strode out of the hall.

　　Shen Yao didn't know why, but he felt a little uneasy and stood up and followed him.

　　Standing in the yard was my uncle's youngest son, Wu Fuyou. When he saw Aunt Wu coming out, he immediately knelt down, holding Aunt Wu's hand and crying bitterly: "Aunt! My father is gone!"

　　The sudden bad news made Mrs. Wu's eyes go dark, and she staggered and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Wu Fuyou was quick to stand up and support her.

　　After a long while, Mrs. Wu finally woke up.

　　It must be a dream.

　　Sanda just came home yesterday, how come he left just like that?

　　Turning his head, he saw his nephew's sad face. He asked with trembling lips: "Fuyou, your father..."

　　Wu Fuyou lowered his head and said nothing.

　　Only then did Mrs. Wu realize that everything was true. Her brother, the only close relative from her mother's side, had passed away before her.

　　They did not even have time to finish their breakfast, so they left only their second daughter-in-law at home to clean up the mess while the rest of the people followed Mrs. Wu to Wujiazhuang.

　　As soon as I stepped into Wujiazhuang, I heard the sharp sound of suona. It was a sunny day, but suddenly a cold wind blew, and a few crows circled overhead, occasionally making cries that sounded like mournful cries in the dark night.

　　After entering the village and walking a hundred steps further, you will reach the home of Shen Yao's uncle. At this time, the door of the Wu family was full of people. Shen Yao didn't recognize any of them except his uncle and aunt.

　　Seeing the Shen family members behind Wu Fuyou, the older man lit the whip again, and Wu Fuqin, his wife and brother's wife came forward to kneel and pay their respects.

　　Ignoring her nephew and niece-in-law, Mrs. Wu stared at the white banner in front of the door. She felt it was so dazzling that it hurt her eyes and she couldn't stop crying.

　　"Take me to see your father." Mrs. Wu's voice was choked with sobs.

　　In the side room, the person lying on the bed was covered with a white sheet. Mrs. Wu couldn't hold back any longer and lay on the bed crying: "My third son, how could you leave like this!"