Chunniang recounted her day to Mrs. Ma with glowing enthusiasm. When she mentioned the daily wage of twenty coppers, Mrs. Ma’s eyes immediately welled up with tears; that was more money than a man could earn even by backbreaking labor at the docks.
With this, the children would no longer have to suffer from hunger. If they pinched their pennies, they might eventually save enough to buy a few bolts of cloth for new clothes. For over four years, the children had worn nothing but rags—garments that were far too short for them. They were constantly mocked by neighbors, making the children so ashamed that they preferred to stay curled up at home all day.
Mrs. Ma had seen it all and worried in silence.
Chapter 444