The government officially announced the news that they were preparing to construct a water conservancy project.
Digging canals would pay wages daily, with rates equivalent to those of urban workers.
It happened to be at the tail end of the autumn harvest when the village's working-age population was largely idle, so families eagerly signed up.
For the sake of fairness, Village Chief Zhang gave priority to households facing difficulties when selecting participants.
The Yue Family landed a spot, awarded to the strong and able-bodied Yue Jiandong.
Though the job paid well, it was hard work.
Early in the morning, Lin Chunju got up to cook for the family, with Zhang Ying lending a hand.
Wang Xiaoni, who had just come out of her confinement period, could do some lighter chores.
Having lain around for days, she felt uncomfortable and wrapped a headscarf tightly around her hair first thing in the morning, then set to clean the courtyard, inside and out.
Tiny Yue Xingxing lay at the edge of the bed, watching over two little ones smaller than herself.
"Stop sleeping, you lazy... lazy eggs."
Yue Qingqing couldn't help but laugh at her serious demeanor.
Her eyes, like dark grapes, curved into crescents, and the corners of her mouth lifted in a pretty arc.
Yue Xingxing opened her eyes wide in curiosity.
Then, she poked Yue Xiaohu's chubby cheeks with her finger, "Why aren't you laughing?"
The innocent baby boy, still in his sleep, was abruptly poked and burst into loud wailing.
Wang Xiaoni, hearing the noise and thinking the child had wet himself, hurried in to clean up.
Feeling like she had caused a mess, Yue Xingxing's lips quivered as she started to sob as well.
Wang Xiaoni cooed at one and then the other, flustered and frenzied.
Yue Qingqing, tortured by the children's cries, stared out the window with lifeless eyes.
How she wished... she wished she could grow up quickly.
Finally, when Zhang Ying came in and lifted her onto the table, Yue Xingxing and Yue Xiaohu stopped their crying.
Lin Chunju cautioned Yue Jiandong at the breakfast table, "The pay is good, but once you're there, you can't slack off. You need to work diligently."
"Mom, I will," he replied.
Yue Jianxi glanced at the sun outside with some concern, "The heat hasn't passed yet, big brother, be careful not to get heatstroke."
Yue Jiandong reassured, "It's okay, mom made me green bean soup early in the morning; I'll take it with me to work."
Zhang Ying also chimed in, "I'll bring another bucket at noon when I deliver lunch; I'll take it to you, brother."
Yue Jiannan grinned mischievously, "Second brother, don't worry. Sister-in-law cares about big brother the most; she'll handle everything perfectly."
Zhang Ying's face flushed red, and she fell silent.
Lin Chunju smacked her youngest son on the back, "Cut the chatter. Can food not fill your mouth, or are you missing a wife?"
Yue Jiannan choked on his words and could only gulp down his rice.
Under the table, Yue Jiandong quietly took his wife's hand.
The two of them exchanged a glance, and then simultaneously lowered their heads.
Lin Chunju noted this scene with inward glee.
Jiandong was a good kid, tall and strong, and not only that, but also bold yet careful. If the Yue family hadn't been so poor, he wouldn't have married at twenty-eight.
Zhang Ying's past circumstances had been even tougher. She had grown up under a stepmother, treated almost like a beast of burden, and had barely managed to scrape through to adulthood.
Initially, Zhang Ying's stepmother demanded twice the usual bridal price before agreeing to let her marry into their family.
Fortunately, they led a harmonious life together. She rarely smiled before they had children, but now, it seemed their wishes had come true.
Thinking this, Lin Chunju looked at Yue Qingqing sentimentally.
Although Qingqing was a girl, since she had come to the family, everything that happened to the Yue family seemed to be good fortune, though whether it was coincidence or not was unknown.
As she cleaned the dishes by the stove, Lin Chunju envisioned a brighter future.
Digging canals was tiring, but it paid well, which could help the main household build some savings.
Suddenly, an alarmed cry came from outside.
"Qingqing... what happened to Qingqing?"
Hearing the shout, Lin Chunju nearly dropped the bowl she was holding.
After steadying her shaken nerves, she hurriedly ran towards the front courtyard.