Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Chapter 033 A Bit Different (1/2)

Chapter 33: Chapter 033 A Bit Different

Translator: 549690339

Zhuang Yonghe sighed again and said, “Here’s the thing, these two kids really have tough lives. The last time we did not offer them much either, since now they’ve asked for help, let’s give them a bit more, and try not to be too stingy.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. He chuckled.

“What is it?” Zhuang Yonghe looked at Mrs. He who was laughing heartily, his face full of confusion.

“I’m laughing at us for jumping to conclusions. We thought that the young Miss Ning came to borrow food, but she didn’t. She came to ask if 1 could help hem a few pieces of clothing for them. She even brought us a piece of tofu, wanting us to taste her work.”

Mrs. He then relayed her encounter to Zhuang Yonghe: “She initially intended to pay, but 1 declined. Let’s discuss this later. They just moved out and will need money down the line.”

“That is correct,” Zhuang Yonghe agreed while nodding his head, “In the sunshine later, tofu may not sell, or even turn bad too quickly. We don’t have much to give, so if we can avoid taking their money then we won’t.”

Seeing her husband in agreement with her, Mrs. He didn’t say any more. She just tidied up the cloth, calling to the kids who were playing around in the courtyard, telling them to do their chores or to go to bed if it was their bedtime.

When Zhuang Qingning came back inside the courtyard, Zhuang Qingsui was hoeing the ground. Bit by bit, she had already cleared a small patch.

“Let me take over. Have a rest, and go drink some water.” Zhuang Qingning took the hoe from her and continued hoeing.

The courtyard of this house had been deserted for a year. Weeds had grown all over the place. The ground wasn’t as hard as in other courtyards, making it easier to hoe.

The previous owner’s body was conditioned by years of farming labor, thus she was strong, and adept at this hard work. She hoed the ground without panting or getting flush faced.

While Zhuang Qingning was busy hoeing the ground, Zhuang Qingsui boiled some water for tea to cool down, so that she could drink it when she finished working later.

After a while, she insisted Zhuang Qingning take a break, and she took over the hoeing.

The sisters took turns in preparing the ground for growing vegetables in the courtyard. The task was accomplished quickly.

Once the newly turned soil had dried sufficiently in the sun, they would hoe it once again before starting to plant their vegetables.

It was getting late. After taking a break with Zhuang Qingsui, Zhuang Qingning cleaned up and went to Aunt Wen’s.

Knowing that Mrs. Wen usually went to bed early and was a light sleeper, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui were careful to enter quietly, making as little noise as possible.

They crossed the courtyard and entered the tofu workshop cautiously.

In the usually dark, silent tofu workshop, an oil lamp was burning. Mrs. Wen was sitting there, staring blankly at the large pot on the stove, where the soy milk was boiling.

“Aunt Wen?” Zhuang Qingning walked up to her with surprise and called her.

It wasn’t until this moment that Mrs. Wen came out of her trance. She squinted at Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui: “You two, why are you here so early today?”

“We promised someone that we’d deliver tofu early in the morning, so we came to grind the tofu early.” Zhuang Qingning noticed the gloomy look on Mrs. Wen’s face, as if she was preoccupied with something. She asked cautiously, “Did we disturb you, Aunt Wen?”

“No bother. Go about your work. 1 was just looking for something and I couldn’t find it, so 1 drifted into a reverie,” Mrs. Wen said, getting up and heading out.

“You should get some rest early, Aunt Wen,” Zhuang Qingning said.

Mrs. Wen didn’t respond. She just turned around and walked slowly away.