While Tan You was on a big shopping trip in town, Daya and An Wen, who had stayed home, followed her instructions. As everyone gradually headed out to the fields to work, the two went to the Zhuzi family's home and, just as they'd hoped, traded two Copper Coins for a small ladleful of coarse rice.
That price was far too low to get that much grain; in truth, it was the villagers' way of helping them out. It was just that Daya and An Wen were still too young to understand these subtleties.
"When is Mom coming back?" Erya asked, her eyes filled with anxiety as she drank a rice porridge so watery you could see your reflection in it.
Due to their family's poverty, frugality was ingrained in their bones. When making the porridge, Daya had used only a small handful of rice—just enough to ensure her family wouldn't starve.
Sanya's lips trembled, on the verge of tears, but Daya put on a stern little face. "No crying. Crying will only make you weaker."
