Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lin Chunyan, carrying a basket on her shoulder, first went to the river.

The sun had just risen, and it was getting warmer. Afraid of the scorching sun on her way back, Lin Chunyan quickened her pace.

The spot for catching fish was to the west of the village, not far from their home. However, the fish and shrimp in this small river were tiny, so adults rarely came here, finding it too much trouble.

Usually, only some children with a craving for food would come and catch some small fish and shrimp, light a fire nearby, and eat them without any seasoning.

On previous visits, she had seen fish the size of thumbs in the river, so she had placed a fish trap, hoping for some luck.

Fortunately, when she pulled up the fish trap, it was full of small fish.

She released the tiniest ones and brought the rest back.

The courtyard was quiet, with only two chickens pecking at something leisurely.

She put down the fish, washed the shrimp, rinsed them, and then boiled them in water.

Once dried, these would become small dried shrimp that could be stored for a long time.

The two people lying inside the house heard the commotion coming from the kitchen but made no move to get up.

The older person was Mrs. Zhang, looking haggard and pale, a far cry from her former vigor.

The air was filled with the aroma of the small fish. After drying the shrimp, Lin Chunyan began to process the small river fish.

The young girl lying next to Mrs. Zhang stirred and couldn't help but inhale deeply.

It smelled so good.

She hadn't had a proper meal in a long time, and the smell almost made her drool.

"Mother," Lin Taohong nudged the person beside her. "I'm so hungry."

Mrs. Zhang did not respond.

Lin Taohong pouted but, unable to resist her hunger, got out of bed and headed towards the kitchen.

The kitchen was on the east side of the courtyard. Inside, a young girl dressed in semi-new clothes was busy working.

"Big Sister, what delicious food are you making?" Lin Taohong asked, leaning against the door frame and peering inside.

Lin Chunyan glanced at her, noticing that she finally got out of bed, but didn't want her to eat for free. "If you want to eat, go stoke the fire."

Lin Taohong was reluctant. She looked at her fine clothing. "It might get ruined."

Lin Chunyan didn't indulge her. "Then don't eat."

Lin Taohong pouted, hesitated for a moment by the door, and then stepped in to help stoke the fire.

Lin Chunyan was different now. In the past, she would always bring food to Lin Taohong's bedside, but now she insisted that Lin Taohong work for her meals.

And every time, she wouldn't let her eat her fill, saying that more work meant more food, less work meant less.

Lin Taohong sniffed, suppressing her complaints, and watched eagerly as Lin Chunyan seasoned the small river fish and poured some lard into the pan.

No wonder it smelled so good; she was using lard!

If Mrs. Zhang saw this, she would surely beat Lin Chunyan.

Their family wasn't poor enough to afford lard, but things were different now, even Lin Taohong knew that.

From now on, they would have to live on their own, and she couldn't wear silk anymore.

While smelling the fried fish, Lin Taohong shed tears.

"Sister, what will we do in the future?"

Before Lin Chunyan could respond, Lin Taohong continued, "In the future, I'll be someone's mistress and bear sons to kick out the main wife!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she received a hard slap on the back of her head, nearly hitting the stove.

"Why did you hit me?" Lin Taohong covered her wound and glared at Lin Chunyan.

"For talking nonsense. Every time I hear it, I'll hit you."

Lin Taohong was indignant and wanted to raise her hand to strike Lin Chunyan, but having skipped several meals, how could she possibly be a match for Lin Chunyan?

Seeing that she couldn't win, she ran to Mrs. Zhang to complain.

Lin Chunyan didn't follow to listen. Mrs. Zhang had no mood to deal with Lin Taohong now; she was almost out of strength to even speak.

Hot oil in the pan, reduce the fire to a gentle flame and slowly fry until the surface turns golden.

She packed some of it in her backpack; the rest would be today's lunch.

Lin Taohong's complaint was utterly useless, and she returned, feeling wronged, wanting to eat a few fried small fish.

Fearing that Lin Chunyan would refuse, he specifically explained, "I just started a fire."

Lin Chunyan gave her two, ate four herself, and then took another four to serve Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang still refused to eat.

Lin Chunyan had seen her like this a few days ago, so she took the meal away as usual, planning to reheat it for dinner.

But today, seeing Mrs. Zhang with more air going in than out, I know that if this continues, she won't make it.

She thought for a moment, placed the small fish in the basket, warned Lin Taohong not to reach for it, and then went to the kitchen to make a bowl of egg drop soup.

She added eggs and tomatoes, sprinkled some chopped green onions on top, making it look particularly appetizing.

It had been many days since Mrs. Zhang had eaten, so she was suitable for some liquid food.

She brought the soup over and nudged Mrs. Zhang.

"If you die, they'll be even more pleased." Lin Chunyan's words were flat, making people feel a chill in the heart even in the heat of summer.

"When you're gone, they can come back and continue living in the main house, and everything in this house will become theirs."

Mrs. Zhang was usually very frugal; she had saved bit by bit to build this house, which she cherished dearly.

How could she willingly hand it over?

Especially to a concubine who bore a son!

Mrs. Zhang stared at Lin Chunyan as if she wanted to devour her.

But Lin Chunyan knew that she wasn't looking at her but at her original father.

To think that the reason her father didn't return was because he had someone else who gave birth to a son.

Later, someone from the village saw him and sent a divorce letter back without even showing his face.

Seeing that Mrs. Zhang could sit up, Lin Chunyan handed her the egg drop soup, "Drink it."

Without a breadwinner, many people were waiting to see their downfall. If Mrs. Zhang passed away, she and Lin Taohong would surely struggle to survive.

Mrs. Zhang eventually drank the bowl of egg drop soup. Lin Chunyan no longer paid attention to her, carefully counted the small fish in the basket, ensuring Lin Taohong hadn't stolen any, before heading out with the basket on her back.

Lin Taohong was struggling internally; she wanted to steal some but feared getting beaten. Seeing Lin Chunyan leaving with the basket, she quickly followed, "Where are you going?"

Lin Chunyan did not respond.

She wanted to go to the town to see if she could sell the fried river fish.

The town had a bustling street where people often sold vegetables. Their village was only half an hour's walk from the town, quite close.

Every day, carts went to the town, but today she arrived late and missed them.

Selling things was one aspect; another was her desire to see the outside world.

The original owner was just an ordinary peasant girl who worked in the fields every day, knowing nothing of the outside world.

But farming alone couldn't provide a good life.

Firstly, farming was too exhausting with little yield, and secondly, there were heavy taxes.

Fortunately, it was a peaceful era, and most people had enough food and money to buy better fare.

As she approached the town, she first saw the fluttering flag with the character for tea.

This was a tea stall selling large bowls of tea for one copper coin each.

Lin Chunyan licked her dry lips, thinking that this tea stall business wasn't bad either. Although it didn't bring in much profit, many people walking from the village to the town under the scorching sun easily got thirsty.

She looked away and continued observing the bustling street.

There were vendors selling vegetables, peaches, apricots, melons, sugar water, baked pies, pastries, and stalls cooking noodles and wontons.

It was quite prosperous.

She found a spot and set down the basket.

It was a bit off-center, but fortunately, no one came to collect money.

The old lady next to her curiously eyed Lin Chunyan and asked, "Young lady, what are you selling?"

Lin Chunyan showed her the river fish, "Fried with oil and flour."

The river fish were tightly wrapped, still warm and emitting a pleasant aroma.

"Oh, you used quite a bit of lard!"

The old lady sold sugar water, with ice on her table, offering iced drinks, sweetened mung bean water, and plum juice.

Across the diagonal was an old man also selling sugar water, but he specialized in crystal jujubes—cooked soapberry seeds soaked in sugar water, turning a deep purple color, enticingly delicious.

Seeing her glance across, the old lady pouted and whispered, "Let me tell you, his yellow cold rice balls are terrible, very sticky. Mine are much better."

Seemed like two rivals.

Lin Chunyan didn't hesitate and started calling out to passersby.

If she couldn't sell them, she'd have to find another way.

Relying on Mrs. Zhang and Lin Taohong was out of the question; they needed to at least not hinder her efforts.

Soon, someone approached, glancing briefly at her goods without interest, and ultimately chose the sugar water lady's stall for some iced rice balls.

Seeing no one buying from Lin Chunyan, the sugar water lady comforted her, "This is your first time here, it's always like this. People think this kind of business is easy, but they don't know how hard it is."

Lin Chunyan understood and continued calling out to passersby. After a few steps, one person suddenly turned back.

"Young lady, what are you selling?"

Lin Chunyan told the man and handed him a small piece of the river fish she had prepared earlier. After tasting it, he found the fried river fish to be crispy and not at all fishy, which perfectly masked the fact that there was little meat.

The man, after one bite, couldn't bear to put it down and looked at Lin Chunyan, "How much is it?"

She quoted the price, which she had set herself. The river fish didn't cost much, but the white flour and lard used for frying did add up.

It sounded a bit expensive, but the taste was irresistible. The man thought for a moment and eventually bought a few coins' worth.

Lin Chunyan carefully put away the seven coins she received. The old woman selling sugar water beside her was already staring in amazement, marveling at what she saw.

"Can you actually sell it?"