Shen Rong was quite obedient. The next morning, she arrived at the Ye family on time, with a chubby and lively child by her side.
Ye Zhinan took an immediate fancy to the child. She quickly greeted them over.
"You can play in the yard obediently. I'll find some toys for you later."
She didn't have much to offer. She could only rummage through her own space.
After searching around, she only found a bamboo dragonfly.
The rest were either too complicated or too modern.
This little thing was the best.
She took out the bamboo dragonfly and handed it to the little boy.
"Tell me, what's your name?"
The little boy stared straight at the bamboo dragonfly, swallowing hard, but still dared not speak.
He looked at Shen Rong tentatively, as if asking for permission.
Shen Rong nodded, and only then did the little boy shout out his name loudly.
"My name is Shen Chen!"
Ye Zhinan nodded, surprised that he took his mother's surname.
But then she remembered that Shen Rong was a widow, and thought it was reasonable.
Ye Zhinan demonstrated how to play with the bamboo dragonfly to Shen Chen, and then let him play in the yard by himself.
"It must be hard for you to raise a child alone. Why don't you think about finding another man?"
She walked up to Shen Rong. It seemed like just a casual inquiry, but actually she wanted to learn more.
Shen Rong's arrival was rather suspicious, so Ye Zhinan had to be extra careful.
Shen Rong wiped the sweat off her forehead and forced a bitter smile.
"After all, I have a child and I'm no longer a young maiden. Even if I were to remarry, I'd probably be a second wife. Moreover, no one would accept Xiaochen."
As she spoke, two tears welled up in her eyes.
Ye Zhinan was a bit touched. She sized up the calluses on Shen Rong's hands and gradually calmed down.
The calluses on her hands were on the thumbs, probably caused by holding farm tools for a long time.
There were also calluses from embroidery needles and small and large wounds. It seemed that there was really nothing wrong with her.
"I'll have to trouble you more about the fabric."
Ye Zhinan patted Shen Rong on the shoulder.
Whether they could make it or not didn't really matter. She just wanted to toss out a brick to attract a jade.
Since the chance to take advantage was gone, someone would surely bring something to gain favor.
She just had to wait and enjoy the fruits of others' labor.
Days passed leisurely, and Ye Zhinan wasn't in a hurry.
Anyway, her crops were growing well, which was enough to pay the taxes.
Shen Rong also made a little progress, but this progress was negligible.
"I really can't do it. You'd better find someone else. I can't just eat and drink at your place for so long."
Shen Rong clutched the corner of her clothes, blushing with embarrassment.
Next to her, Shen Chen seemed to sense his mother's embarrassment. He stopped making noise and just lowered his head, standing obediently.
"It's okay. You eat very little, and Shen Chen is just a child. Stay for now. You've already made some progress."
There was a smile on her face, but no one could tell what was on her mind.
After hesitating for a long time, Shen Rong finally nodded in agreement.
After all, she needed a chance to make a living.
There wasn't much food stored at home. Someone willing to support them mother and son would relieve her burden.
Ye Zhinan went to the supply area to pick up something at night and happened to see Qin Yihuai there.
She greeted him with a smile.
"Are you also researching weaving?"
Qin Yihuai was startled. He quickly turned around and looked at the unexpected guest in horror.
He subconsciously wanted to hide the things behind him, but then he remembered that Ye Zhinan had seen everything, so he awkwardly took them out.
"Yes. I saw that the villagers weren't making any progress, and Shen Rong's progress wasn't very good either. We thought we'd help. It's also for the benefit of the villagers."
Ye Zhinan was stunned for a moment.
Qin Yihuai could even talk about benefiting the villagers. It seemed that he had really changed a lot.
"No need. You gentlemen would probably have to start from scratch if you want to learn weaving. Soon someone will bring the things to me."
She smiled mysteriously and turned around to leave.
Qin Yihuai wiped his hands on his clothes and followed behind Ye Zhinan.
"Let me walk you home."
Ye Zhinan wanted to decline at first, but then she remembered that she had something to say, so she nodded.
The two walked side by side under the moonlight, slowly making their way home.
"Who do you think will be the first to bring me the cloth?"
She looked at him with a smile. Her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky, making it hard for Qin Yihuai to look away.
"I don't know." He smiled. "You're so accurate in your calculations. You must know who will be the first."
Ye Zhinan shook her head.
Actually, she wasn't sure either. She was just good at peeping into people's hearts.
"It's not that I'm accurate in my calculations. It's just human nature. Once people miss an opportunity, they'll try every means to make up for it."
She looked unusually serious. Qin Yihuai also straightened his face, and the two looked at each other.
Before a second had passed, they burst out laughing.
"You're really a smart one. Your elder brother used to say that you were a fox. I didn't believe it before, but now it seems that's really the case."
The two joked with each other as they walked home. By the time Ye Zhinan got home, her family had already gone to bed.
She tiptoed to say goodbye to him and then quietly slipped into her room.
Qin Yihuai didn't turn around and leave until he saw the light in the room turn on.
Ye Zhinan slept soundly that night. In the morning, she was woken up by her mother's loud voice.
"Hurry up and come out. There's someone looking for you outside."
Han Xiangmei rushed in, lifted Ye Zhinan's quilt, and pulled her out of bed.
Ye Zhinan wanted to complain at first, but when she saw Han Xiangmei's expression, she immediately became serious.
"Who is it?"
Han Xiangmei also thought it was strange. Even though the two families had a relationship, they had had a very unpleasant fight before.
Moreover, considering what Wei Shishi had done, it was unreasonable for them to come to her place voluntarily to bring cloth.
But they did.
"It's the Wei family. They've come to bring cloth. Go out and have a look."
Ye Zhinan was puzzled. She had thought of many people, but she never thought it would be the Wei family.
She got out of bed quickly, tidied herself up, and seemed fine. Then she stepped out of the door.
Sure enough, Mrs. Wei was standing outside, holding a box wrapped tightly in red cloth. If you didn't know, you'd think it was some kind of treasure.
"You're finally out. We came too early and disturbed your sleep. We'll come later next time."
Ye Zhinan felt embarrassed. She awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and walked up quickly.
"I'm just too lazy. How could I let the elders come to visit me? I should be the one going to visit you."
She was very good at false politeness. Such simple polite words were naturally no problem for her.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries before getting to the point.
Mrs. Wei opened the box like she was presenting a treasure. Inside was silk cloth.
The hope that had just risen in Ye Zhinan's heart was immediately shattered. She rolled her eyes hard in her heart.
If she had the money for this stuff, she wouldn't need to do this research at all.