As night deepened, Gu Fei fell asleep reading.
Mrs. Chen waited for Gu Zhang in the main room.
Gu Zhang didn't hurry home until the middle of the night.
"You old fool, where on earth have you been? You didn't even leave a word!" Mrs. Chen scolded.
Gu Zhang waved a hand. "We'll talk tomorrow. The girl, Eldest Son, and I are going into the city. Let's get some rest."
The old couple shared a kang bed with Gu Fei.
At the first crow of the rooster, Mrs. Chen got up. She had to quickly make breakfast so her husband and sons could eat before going into the city.
When she entered the kitchen, Li Chunhua was already there.
She was squatting on the floor, holding an oil lamp and staring blankly.
Mrs. Chen followed her gaze. On the floor sat two large sacks made of a material she had never seen before. There was writing on them, but since Mrs. Chen couldn't read, she didn't know what it said.