The house was stocked with coal and wood, and the rice, flour, grains, oil, and vegetables Ling Chengyan had delivered. Second Sister-in-law Zheng Xiaotian was settled in.
In the evenings, Ling Chengyan would go over to keep her company at night, so she wouldn't be scared alone.
After Second Brother-in-law Wang Lianfa went back home and didn't return the next day, Ling Chengyan and Wang Liansheng guessed there had been something happening at home. But they still reassured Second Sister-in-law to keep calm, saying nothing would go wrong.
Despite everything, Zheng Xiaotian was strong-willed. Each time Ling Chengyan visited, Zheng Xiaotian appeared calm, if not completely at ease. She busied herself making paper boxes, sewing... The fabric and sewing supplies were brought by Ling Chengyan—colorful pieces of cloth, some big enough for seven or eight-year-olds, but mostly smaller scraps for making children's clothes, or just suitable enough for piecing together shoe soles.
