Chapter 58: Father even praised Sister Afu for being very sensible, like a proper older sister.

Chapter 58: Father even praised Sister Afu for being very sensible, like a proper older sister.

The people of Nan Tuo Village suddenly discovered that the old Yu family had sent four of their sons to school all at once.

When asked about it, Bai Xiaofeng beamed with joy and, following the story they had agreed upon, said that Xingxing had found a pearl and sold it for six taels of silver, barely enough to cover the tuition for the children's first year.

No one was suspicious; everyone was envious instead.

Previously, when Xingxing had found a Heartburn Grass and sold it for four taels of silver, Liu Pozi had spread the news throughout the village. Villagers who had nothing better to do would go into the mountains to flip rocks and look for Heartburn Grass in crevices.

This new story about finding a pearl in a river mussel sparked another craze in Nan Tuo Village—flipping stones by the stream to find mussels.

Luo Qiong Niu also learned that the rock Xingxing had pointed out to him did not have crabs but had a large mussel that contained a big pearl!

He was quite proud and went to his friends to earnestly dispel the rumors—Xingxing hadn't made a mistake; she was just a little lucky star!

Xingxing's reputation as a lucky star spread throughout the entire Nan Tuo Village.

As the days grew increasingly hot, the Yu family became busier.

Huai Geer and the others, whether they liked it or not, had to cross mountains every day to attend school in the neighboring village.

Yu Sanbao decided on his business venture—he had noticed during his trip to the state city to sell the pearl that many fabrics there were cheaper than in their small county town, though the quality varied greatly. He needed to carefully select the patterns and dyeing techniques.

In his youth, he had worked in a textile shop and knew how to pick good fabrics.

Yu Sanbao planned to test the waters.

The work on the western farmstead also intensified. Old Yu, along with his sons Yu Daniu, Yu Erhu, and Yu Siyang, often left before dawn and returned late at night under the stars.

Wei Pozi, along with the three daughters-in-law, managed household affairs and, in their spare time, made new clothes for everyone in the family, keeping them busy too.

For a while, it seemed that only Ju Geer and Xingxing were idle.

However, Ju Geer was a boy and preferred playing with older boys.

Xingxing often played with Yamei'er.

Previously, Yamei'er, Xingxing, and Ju Geer had gone to see her future stepmother but ended up getting lost. When they returned home, Yamei'er received a "bamboo shoot stir-fry" from her father and behaved well for some time.

A few days ago, Yamei'er's stepmother moved in. The stepmother, Mao, wore the new flowered dress bought by Yamei'er's father, carried a bundle in one hand, and led her daughter from a previous marriage into Yamei'er's home amid fireworks, completing the ceremony.

Mao brought a daughter who was three years older than Yamei'er. Upon entering the house, the daughter took Yamei'er's father's surname, becoming Xiang Fu.

Yamei'er, being young, felt uncomfortable with the sudden addition of two people who would share her father's attention.

Now, Yamei'er sat on a stone, resting her chin in her hand, and complained to Xingxing, "Sister Afu calls my father 'Daddy' too. Daddy won't be just mine anymore."

Xingxing, being young and without memories of parents, didn't fully understand Yamei'er's feelings.

But she tried to comfort Yamei'er: "Your father is still the same father. Look, now there will be two more people who will love you."

Yamei'er looked doubtful. "Is that really true?"

"Of course!" Xingxing nodded vigorously, hoping to boost Yamei'er's confidence.

"But..." Yamei'er was conflicted, unsure how to express herself.

After all, she was just a little girl, barely six years old, and couldn't articulate her feelings clearly.

Xingxing waited for a while but got no further explanation. She scratched her cheek and suggested, "Yaya, why don't we play catch?"

Yamei'er's face fell. "The ball is with Sister Afu." She sniffled, almost crying, "Father promised to make me a new one soon."

Seeing Yamei'er's sadness, Xingxing quickly changed the subject. "How about we go pick pebbles by the stream?"

Yamei'er perked up. "Okay!"

However, remembering the "bamboo shoot stir-fry," the two girls went home first to inform their elders.

Wei Pozi repeatedly warned Xingxing, "You can play by the stream, but don't go into the water, okay?"

Xingxing nodded solemnly. "Yes, I know!"

Xingxing waited under the big elm tree near her house for a while before Yamei'er ran over.

But Yamei'er wasn't alone; a slightly thin girl followed her, carrying a ball—the same ball that Yamei'er's father had made.

Yamei'er ran ahead, calling back, "Little Yaya, you're running too fast! I walk slowly!"

Unlike the tiny Xingxing and Yamei'er, this girl was noticeably older.

Xingxing, unfamiliar with the girl, looked confused and asked Yamei'er, "Who is she?"

Yamei'er looked hesitant. "This is Sister Afu. My father was worried about our safety, so my mother suggested that Sister Afu come along to watch over us."

She added softly, "Father even praised Sister Afu for being very sensible, like a proper older sister."

Xingxing understood and greeted the approaching girl, "Sister Afu."

Xiang Fu complained, "Little Yaya, why are you running so fast?"

Yamei'er obediently responded, "Okay, I'll slow down next time."

Xiang Fu turned to Xingxing, scrutinizing her. "You're Xingxing?"

Xingxin nodded politely.

Xiang Fu stared at Xingxin. "My mother said you found a pearl in a mussel and sold it for a lot of money, is that right?"

This was something everyone knew, and Xingxing nodded.

Xiang Fu then smiled and said matter-of-factly, "Alright then, take us to collect some river clams today."

She glanced at Xingxing with a smile, "They say you're a lucky charm. Surely you can't fail at something this simple?"

Xingxing was a bit taken aback.

Yamei'er felt that something wasn't right, but being young, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She could only protest to Xiang Fu, "Sister Afu, don't say things like that."

Seeing Yamei'er speak to her like that, Xiang Fu got angry first, "What's wrong with what I said?!"

"I..."

Yamei'er didn't know how to explain, so Xingxing hurriedly tugged at her arm, not wanting Yaya to argue with her sister because of her.

Seeing that both little ones had gone quiet, Xiang Fu curled her lips, "Well then, let's go."

Saying this, she didn't move.

Both Xingxing and Yamei'er looked at Xiang Fu in puzzlement.

Xiang Fu frowned, "I've only been in your village for a couple of days; how would I know the way? You lead the way."