Jade arrived next door to find Aunt May scrubbing laundry in the courtyard. Unlike Jade, who only washed her own clean clothes, Aunt May dealt with Uncle Wang's work-soiled garments from the butcher stall and village slaughters. They required soaking in wood ash – cheaper than the precious store-bought laundry powder.
The Wangs' gate stood open. Spotting Jade, Aunt May looked up, pleasantly surprised. "What brings you over?" She stood, wiping soapy hands on her apron, then fetched a chair from inside. "Ah, since my daughter left for university, it's been so quiet! Just me rattling around. I'd love someone to chat with!" She placed the chair behind Jade. "Sit!"
Jade suppressed a smile. Though they'd only met yesterday, Aunt May couldn't resist mentioning her university-bound daughter within moments of speaking. It was practically a catchphrase. Jade handed her the plate. "Auntie, I braised the pork intestines last night. Brought some for you to try. Hope you like it?"
Aunt May clucked. "Oh, child! You shouldn't give back what I gave you! Too polite! That stuff isn't worth much. Keep it for yourself."
"There's plenty left. I can't eat it all. Try it!" Jade pressed the plate into her hands.
Seeing Jade's sincerity, Aunt May protested half-heartedly before accepting. "Alright then, I'll take it!" She popped a piece into her mouth, drawn by the enticing aroma – far better than her stir-fried version. Her eyes widened. She took another bite, looking at Jade. "This is good! No stink! How did you make it? Tastes way better than mine!" It was savory, rich, pleasantly chewy, not greasy.
Jade smiled modestly. "I'm glad you like it. Was worried the flavor might not suit you."
Aunt May, delighted, didn't probe further. "Your uncle will love this! Let me get your plate back." She hurried to the kitchen to transfer the intestines to her own bowl, washing Jade's plate clean.
Returning to the courtyard, she found Jade sewing the baby outfit. Aunt May eyed the strange-looking garment, momentarily forgetting the recipe question. "That's baby clothes?"
Jade nodded. "Yes, a one-piece suit." She unfolded it, explaining the design.
Aunt May listened, warming to the idea. Handy for when my girl has a baby someday. The thought pleased her. She suddenly saw Nigel's wife in a new light: delicate-looking, but clearly capable.
Jade elaborated on the suit's advantages. "My baby's due when it's cold. Changing wet pants is messy and risks sickness. This is much easier – just snap the buttons."
"You're so thoughtful!"
Jade chatted amiably, then steered the conversation to pregnancy advice. Aunt May, a natural talker, sensing Jade lacked family support (useless mother-in-law, absent parents), eagerly shared her own experiences, punctuated by rants about her awful mother-in-law. "Eight months pregnant, about to pop! That old witch made me wash the whole family's clothes by the river! Winter! Freezing! My hands were numb, legs gave out. On the way back, I stepped into an icy puddle, soaked to the knee. Thinking about it still makes me miserable!"
Jade frowned sympathetically. "That sounds awful, Auntie."
"It was!" Aunt May warmed to her theme. Her husband dismissed her complaints; it was his mother. Her daughter, fondly remembered by her grandmother, tried to mediate. Finally, she had a receptive audience!
Jade soothed her. "But you've come through it, Auntie. Your daughter's at university, you're comfortable. All the neighbors admire you!"
Aunt May beamed. Jade's words hit the mark perfectly. "Well… you just keep going, life gets better. I'm just waiting for my girl to finish university and take me to the city!" She mentioned the daughter again. Jade stifled a laugh and played along. "You're blessed, Auntie. Uncle's business thrives, your daughter's making her way. It all comes from your careful management. I should learn from you." She added a touch of wistfulness. "I worry so much about Nigel being away. I don't care about big money, just his safety. But at least he's trying to provide now. That fight… he was pushed too far. He promised me, no more fighting."
Aunt May privately doubted Nigel could change, but she liked Jade. She offered advice: "Men need training. My man didn't know how to care either. Look at him now! Handy everywhere. Nigel's not all bad. Get him away from those street friends. Cry a little, sweet-talk him sometimes. He'll listen."
"Hmm," Jade murmured, seeming shy. She touched her belly, then looked up hesitantly. "Auntie… what did you think of the braised intestines? Do you think… people would buy it?"
Aunt May paused her scrubbing, surprised. "You want to sell braised offal?"
Jade gave her a bashful look, as if struggling to voice it. "Money's tight. Nigel left some, but… I think ahead. The baby will need so much. I'm not sure he'll make much out there."
Aunt May, assuming Nigel had left very little, jumped to indignation. "Men! They think we live on air! Oil, salt, soy sauce… it all costs money!"
Jade sighed in agreement. "Exactly. That's why I thought… maybe we could partner?"
"Partner?" Aunt May stopped scrubbing entirely.
Jade continued. "You supply the offal. I braise it. We rent a small stall at the market, sell it together. Split the profits fifty-fifty after costs. What do you think?"
"I found the recipe in Nigel's grandmother's old book. I just followed it, and it worked! It's the only one, but it should do. Think about it, Auntie – tasty braised offal, ready to eat. Saves time. Working women in town would love it."
Aunt May was hooked. "Rent a stall? Nonsense! We'll just use a space next to your uncle's meat counter!"
"Would that be okay?"
"Why not? Who buys intestines? Only at New Year for sausage casings! No one sells this stuff at the market! We'll charge a bit more… five yuan a pound. You cook, I sell…" She practically saw the money piling up.
Their meat stall faced competition. Selling this unique, tasty item could draw customers who might also buy fresh meat. Aunt May, with her business sense, saw potential. Why pass this up? Nigel was away, Jade was pregnant – this opportunity fell right into her lap! With only one daughter (a university student!), more money meant more security.
Barely containing her excitement, Aunt May exclaimed, "Sister, wait here! I've got fresh intestines. Take them, braise them today! We start tomorrow! I'll clear the stall space this afternoon! Need firewood? I can spare some!"
Jade didn't hesitate. "Alright, Auntie. Give me all you have. Braised keeps two days; no rush to sell. I'll have it ready tomorrow morning. Wood's fine, thanks."
"Deal!" Aunt May abandoned the laundry, fetching a hefty bundle of fresh intestines from the kitchen. She even carried it back to Jade's house, her mind buzzing. Poor girl, saddled with Nigel, pregnant and hustling… but marrying him brought her that recipe! Rumors said Nigel's grandmother had been a maid in a landlord's house. Landlord's recipes? Must be good!
Back home nearing eleven, Jade took her time. She cooked lunch, ate, then took a nap. Refreshed, she tackled the mountain of intestines. Her money-making venture took priority over sewing. She'd use the profits to hire someone for the baby clothes; her own stitches were slow and clumsy. The fabric could become diapers and bibs instead.
She was shrewd. Listening to her successful older brother and sister-in-law discuss business had taught her something. Chatting with Aunt May, she'd laid the groundwork: flattery, a dash of vulnerability, positioning herself favorably for the partnership. Mentioning Nigel served a dual purpose – selling her "plight" and subtly reminding Aunt May that crossing her meant dealing with a dangerous man.
The next morning, Aunt May arrived to collect the braised offal, bringing another basket of fresh intestines. She offered a caveat: "First day might be slow. Don't get your hopes too high. We'll build it up." She didn't rely on this income, but Jade likely did.
Jade nodded, serene. "I understand, Auntie. Don't stress. We'll take it easy." She offered reassurance.
"Ah!" Aunt May felt a wave of relief. Dealing with Jade was so comfortable. She bustled off with the large basin of braised treasure.
Jade took the morning off, only washing her clothes before settling under the large tree in the courtyard to sew cloth diapers.
Around ten o'clock, the gate rattled. Thinking it was Aunt May, Jade called out, "Who is it?"
A brief silence. Then a girl's voice answered, "Jade? It's me."