One late afternoon, after Chen Afu finished her chores, she led Dabao to the carpenter's house. She didn't want to bring the old cabinets and tables to her new home and decided to buy some new furniture.
As they walked through the village, they attracted a lot of attention.
A few middle-aged women made snide comments, but due to Chen Afu's formidable character, they dared not confront her and could only gossip in hushed whispers, "She's just like us, a country peasant, but she insists on flaunting city manners."
Chen Afu didn't hear this, otherwise she would have protested. She was actually trying to fit in with the villagers of Xiangluo. Her clothes had a patched shoulder, her dark green skirt was washed out, and she carried a bamboo hat. She even lowered her head slightly as she walked.