The morning air was chilly, and the well water especially cold. Shen Mianmian carried a basin to the kitchen to fetch hot water. Zhou Siyu was chatting with Zhou Lanfang and, upon seeing her, immediately clammed up.
Just then, Shen Jianhua happened to be coming in from outside, carrying water.
She pretended not to see Shen Jianhua and began to play the role of a caring little cotton-padded jacket, "Auntie, one yuan and fifty cents is enough for me. I don't have a big appetite and can't eat much. Uncle works hard to earn money. I'll save a bit, and with a little extra from you, we can buy a pair of shoe soles and make Uncle a new pair of cotton shoes for the New Year. The soles of the shoes Uncle is wearing are nearly worn through."
Zhou Lanfang felt a twinge of jealousy, "You only care about your Uncle. Haven't you noticed that my shoe soles are nearly worn through too?"
