The time was May 1976, a season of warm spring and blooming flowers, when Shen Yunfang took Pangpang, the little one, and Taxue out to transplant the well-nurtured vegetable seedlings to the backyard.
Of course, Shen Yunfang was the one doing the work, while the little Pangpang just lay in the small bed basking in the sun, sleeping, and Taxue's task was to lay by the little master's side, always watchful of the little master's movements.
The backyard was rectangular in shape, and when Li Hongjun prepared the ground, he made ten rows. While transplanting, Shen Yunfang planted a row each of eggplants, persimmons, cucumbers, green beans, hot peppers, and small chili peppers—vegetables that her family commonly ate. Along with the early-planted potatoes that took up two rows, only two rows in the backyard were left unplanted.
