At the edge of the village sat a well-arranged little courtyard, kept tidy and clean. Several fishing nets hung before the door, flanked by two long fishing spears.
Uncle Gui rushed out from the house, followed by Aunt Gui’s shouting: "Wait! Take my two pairs of silver earrings to the pawnshop. Exchange them all for rice and flour. Don’t worry about getting the top grade—just something we can eat will do."
"Keep one pair. Isn't this your favorite set of silver earrings?" Uncle Gui looked at his wife’s bare earlobes, his heart aching. She had loved looking her best since she was young.
Chapter 117