C5 The First Love of the Trash

Usually, they stayed at the market until after noon, but today, Shen Jian and Bai Shengli were done in just over an hour, leaving them a bit bewildered.

Bai Qiaoqiao plopped down on the empty stall, wiped the sweat from her brow, and said, "Phew, I'm exhausted."

This little body of hers just couldn't keep up; her stamina was seriously lacking.

But...

She looked around at the scattered stalls nearby, finding it hard to imagine that in less than two years, this place would be bustling with people from all over the country flocking for the famous shoes.

Maybe it was because this wasn't the main area yet.

She thought she should explore deeper into the market when she had the time.

Shen Jian, too happy to count the money, said, "Our little girl is worn out. When we get back, I'll have your aunt fix you some eggs."

Bai Qiaoqiao replied, "You need to make more shoes. I can't sell enough of them."

Bai Shengli was thinking the same...

They sold four pairs of shoes in the morning, one pair of size 9 even fetched a high price of eighteen dollars, netting them twenty-three dollars after costs.

The foot traffic here wasn't that heavy yet; usually, they couldn't head back until after noon, and often, they didn't sell out.

Once home, they'd rest a bit and then start making more, but they couldn't produce much in a day.

Now, they could head back early in the morning and still have plenty of time to spare.

Thinking about his nephews at home, Bai Shengli felt a surge of energy and quickly said to Shen Jian, "Let's go, let's head back."

Qiaoqiao scrambled up and nestled into the small basket, ready to go.

Shen Jian started packing up the stall, chuckling, "Let me carry your little girl for a bit."

At this point, Qiaoqiao was indeed a bit chubby. It was quite remarkable; despite the Bai family's financial struggles, Lin Yuefen had managed to keep Qiaoqiao well-fed and plump.

On the way there, Bai Shengli carried his daughter on his back, balancing a yoke across his shoulders, feeling like it took half his life. On the way home, he and Shen Jian took turns carrying her, and neither of them complained about the weight.

The two brothers returned home excitedly, and it was just after nine in the morning. At this time, Lin Yuefen and Shen Jian's wife, Mao Jinlan, were still out in the fields.

Not bothered by the effort, they carried the little one all the way to the fields to find their wives.

"Yuefen! Jinlan!" Bai Shengli and Shen Jian called out happily, standing on the ridge between the fields.

The people working in the fields turned to look, seeing the two of them grinning like fools.

Lin Yuefen was working on the Bai family's plot, right next to the Shen family's.

Both Lin Yuefen and Mao Jinlan turned around, puzzled.

They quickly ran over, one after the other.

"What's up?" Lin Yuefen's brow furrowed suddenly. "Did something happen to the little one?!"

Qiaoqiao, well-rested, crawled out from behind Bai Shengli and laughed, "Mom, I'm right here."

Lin Yuefen finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Why are you back so early? And your shoes? Did you lose them?"

Bai Shengli was startled, "Why do you always expect the worst from me?"

Shen Jian chuckled, "All the shoes are sold, not a single pair left!"

Mao Jinlan was stunned, "All ten pairs, gone?"

Shen Jian replied, "Yep, and there was even more demand!"

Mao Jinlan and Lin Yuefen exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing—“Our men must be out of their minds.”

Shen Jian quickly pulled Mao Jinlan up from the field, saying, "Stop standing around, go make some eggs for Qiaoqiao."

With that, he hurriedly dragged his wife away.

Mao Jinlan stumbled as she was pulled along, scolding, "Are you crazy? Is it mealtime now? The work in the field isn't done yet. Be honest, did you lose the shoes..."

Qiaoqiao lay in the little basket, laughing like a blooming flower.

She couldn't help but adore Mrs. Mao's fiery demeanor, untouched by her daughter-in-law's antics!

Bai Shengli, unlike Shen Jian, didn't drag his wife away. Instead, he set down the bamboo basket and gently lifted his daughter out.

He walked over, picked up the hoe, and said with a smile, "Let me take over for a bit. You take a break."

In the past couple of years, selling shoes had gradually started to bring in some money. It was the only way they could earn real cash aside from working odd jobs. He helped out with the farm work whenever he could; if not, he left it to his wife.

They had been farming the land for both families for years, and the harvest was just enough to keep everyone fed. If it weren't for the better policies these past couple of years, Bai Shengli would have had to leave for work elsewhere. Now, selling shoes could bring in a hundred or two dollars a month, so he almost didn't need to leave.

Today, he came back early, thinking his wife could use a rest. Lin Yuefen followed him to the fields, and as they worked, they talked about the day's events.

When Lin Yuefen heard their daughter had sold all the shoes, she was surprised. "Qiaoqiao managed to attract customers?"

She turned to ask her daughter, but Bai Qiaoqiao had already run off, hearing them talk about it. Qiaoqiao knew the adults would ask her about it, and she couldn't really explain, so she just slipped away. After all, she was still a kid, and playing was her priority.

...

Bai Qiaoqiao still had the piece of candy a customer had given her in her pocket. Though she had an old soul and wasn't interested in such trinkets, she planned to give it to her cousin, Bai Rui.

Bai Rui was the youngest son of the second family, two years older than her, and still a preschooler. She wanted to use the candy to charm her little cousin.

Jojo searched all around and finally found two little kids lying on the ground at the base of the hill behind her house. One of them was her brother, Ray.

Kids are so carefree. His face was still swollen from crying, yet here he was, playing with water and mud today. Maybe it was because their parents were often away, and he was just too young to know better.

"Ray!" she called out, "What are you guys doing?"

Ray turned his head and said, "Digging for ant holes."

"Stop that and go wash your hands," she said in her childish voice, "Don't bully the little ants!"

Ray immediately scrambled up from the ground and told the other kid, "Heming, stop digging. My sister said no."

Heming squinted up at Jojo and suddenly smiled.

Jojo's little face fell. Heming... he was the second son of Mrs. Mao. Even worse, he was her first love in a past life, and later he married her cousin, Susie. Yes, she got caught up in that soap opera drama too. But she didn't feel upset about it at all. In fact, she thought it was the biggest mistake of her life to have dated such a jerk when she was young and naive.

When they got married, Heming was awkward around her, saying, "Jojo, I don't like you anymore. You should move on."

The comment left her feeling disgusted for quite a while. Heaven knows, at that moment, she was thinking, "May you two love each other forever; at least it spares the rest of us." But Shen Heming is only six now, just an ordinary, cute little boy. Who knows how he grew up to be such a notorious heartbreaker. Right now, he has no idea why Bai Qiaoqiao dislikes him. With his muddy hands, he reaches out to pinch her chubby cheeks, saying, "Qiaoqiao, why don't you be my little sister too..."

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