Chapter 10: Fully Prepared for Winter

“One hundred and fifty pounds,” Yan Rushan said as he started the tractor and turned it around. “Twenty pounds of cotton. The cloth is cotton; enough for you to make five sets of clothes. There’s also some Dacron fabric—seconds, but it’s just right for making quilts.”

“There’s extra fabric?” Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes sparkled.

Yan Rushan nodded lightly. “It was given.”

“They’re so generous?” Fabric was scarce in these times.

“They knew it was a whole wild boar. They’d just bought a batch of seconds, and when they heard I needed fabric, they gave me two bolts.”

Not just a few meters—two bolts; each bolt is over thirty-three meters, so that's more than sixty-six meters in total. Goodness! With so much fabric, she wouldn’t have to worry about cloth for two years.

Zhong Yuxiu asked excitedly, “What color are they?”

“One’s plaid gray, one’s a pale red. Seconds don’t have extra patterns,” Yan Rushan explained again. Seconds were usually cheap and mostly consumed internally, rarely sold unless you had connections—which showed just how well-connected those black market folks were.

“That’s even better.” Zhong Yuxiu was thrilled, mentally calculating how much cotton she’d need for clothes and quilts. Before she finished, Yan Rushan’s voice sounded again: “The cotton I bought is batting, enough for four sets of clothes and two sets of bedding.”

Zhong Yuxiu felt happiness well up; it was worth risking everything to hunt that wild boar. Otherwise, where would all these supplies have come from?

On the way back, Zhong Yuxiu remained excited; even when they arrived at the youth camp, her excitement hadn't faded.

As they moved the goods into the compound, the other young people gathered, drawn by the commotion.

“Comrade Zhong, Comrade Yan, you’re back?”

“How come there’s so much stuff?” Luo Jianmin walked up and paced around the little mountain of goods.

Sun Ruhong and Jiang Mei came forward, pulling Zhong Yuxiu aside, “Did you and Yan Comrade go to the county town again?”

“Yes, there’s not much to gain in the mountains. I thought I’d get fabric and cotton sooner, so I asked Brother Yan to take me to the county. Things went smoothly; not only did we get what we needed, we even traded for some grain,” Zhong Yuxiu beamed, innocent and joyful. “Now I don’t have to worry about food, and next year I’ll have more grain, so I won’t need to go to the mountains as often.”

Sun Ruhong and Jiang Mei stared at the pile for a long time, stunned.

“It’s best not to go to the mountains so much—they’re dangerous!” Setting aside their complicated feelings, Sun Ruhong and Jiang Mei were sincerely happy for her. “Now you’ve got enough grain to eat and can settle in for the winter.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded repeatedly, “There’s so much stuff, I’ll need both of you to help.”

“It’s nothing,” Sun Ruhong said cheerfully, calling Jiang Mei to help carry fabric, cotton batting, snacks, shampoo powder, and soap into their room. The grain was stored in the kitchen cellar. After sorting everything, the three male youths were left smacking their lips.

Inside, Zhong Yuxiu took out four sets of cotton batting for clothes and tried them on. They fit perfectly. “Ruhong, Jiang Mei, once I finish making the cotton jackets, I’ll return your clothes.”

“No rush, take your time. You don’t have a thick quilt—why not make the quilt first?” Seeing so many things, Sun Ruhong and Jiang Mei were envious.

Sun Ruhong nodded, “Exactly. The cotton is batting; we’ll help you make a quilt cover and you can use it right away. Otherwise, you’ll freeze at night. We’re not in a hurry for the clothes.”

They’d watched Zhong Yuxiu gradually acquire her household goods and understood better than anyone how hard it had been. To say they weren’t tempted would be a lie, but they absolutely weren’t jealous.

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated briefly, then agreed. “I’ll listen to you both and make the quilt cover first. Once it’s done, I’ll make the clothes. Sorry to trouble you again.”

“It’s nothing—we’re idle anyway,” Sun Ruhong said, smiling at Zhong Yuxiu’s simple, thin bedding. “How about doing it on my bed? My quilt is thick and warm.”

“Great idea,” Jiang Mei quickly grabbed a cotton batting and headed for Sun Ruhong’s bed.

Zhong Yuxiu picked the pale red fabric and followed. The three climbed onto the bed, covering their lower halves with the quilt. Sun Ruhong found scissors, thread, and needles; they cut the fabric to size and began sewing in three directions. In just over an hour, they finished the cover, stuffed in the batting, and secured it with thread—a thick quilt was ready.

After finishing, they discussed making lunch first; after eating, they’d continue with the mattress.

At lunch, Zhong Yuxiu poured two cups of water and thanked Yan Rushan. “Brother Yan, thank you for taking care of me these days. Without your help, things would have been much harder for me. I offer water in place of wine to show my gratitude.”

Yan Rushan said nothing, just took a cup and drank.

Zhong Yuxiu drank hers too. The meal was pleasant, filled with laughter and chatter.

After lunch, Sun Ruhong and the others made the mattress and laid it out for Zhong Yuxiu; the simple old quilt was replaced, the mattress underneath, a sheet on top, and the quilt laid over it.

Previously, anyone seeing her bedding would feel cold inside. Now it looked warm and inviting.

“Thank you both. Without your help, this wouldn’t have been done so quickly.”

“Why thank us? You’ve helped us plenty—working in the fields and helping out. We’re together by fate, so let’s skip the formalities.”

“You still need to make cotton clothes? We’ll help, so you can wear warm clothes sooner.”

Zhong Yuxiu knew how to get along and how to handle things. The two were happy to help; with mutual kindness, their relationship was harmonious.

Zhong Yuxiu took out snacks and divided them on the bed, giving each one a share. “Thank you both. The cotton jackets I’ll make myself—I know how. You two rest.”

“You’re giving us food? We can’t accept it,” Jiang Mei tried to return it; Sun Ruhong wouldn’t take it either.

“These are fresh snacks; they taste better when shared. If I eat them all myself, what would that make me?” Zhong Yuxiu insisted.

The two exchanged glances. After Zhong Yuxiu pressed them twice more, they couldn’t refuse and accepted. But they insisted on helping with the jackets; with batting, it was easy, and by dusk, a brand-new set of clothes was finished.

After sewing in the batting, Zhong Yuxiu tried on the jacket and was very satisfied. Conditions didn’t allow for luxury, but warmth and good food were enough.

“It fits perfectly—not too big or small.”

“Let’s leave it at that; tomorrow we’ll make the other sets,” Sun Ruhong said, putting away the sewing kit. “It’s getting late—we should make dinner. It gets dark early now, and cleaning the kitchen is inconvenient if we eat too late.”

Winter nights were much darker than summer.

“All right, I’ll tidy up the leftover fabric and batting,” Zhong Yuxiu said, putting them away at her bed. “Let’s go. Tomorrow I’ll wash the clothes and hang them to dry, then return them to Ruhong.”

Sun Ruhong laughed, “No need to wash—they were only worn for a day. I don’t go out much; I’ll keep wearing your set for a few more days.”

“That won’t do. I promised to return them washed, and I won’t go back on my word.”

The three girls went to the kitchen, made dinner, and called the male youths to join. Afterwards, the men took care of their chores; the women washed up and rested, and soon, the men finished and went to bed as well.