Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Mrs. Zhang's lips twitched. Li Shi was different from Lin’s Second Aunt; if she didn’t like something, she would directly start arguing. But this Third Daughter-in-Law of the Lins was so gentle that even a slightly harsh word would make her burst into tears.

Then everyone would think Mrs. Zhang was bullying Li Shi, and no matter how many mouths she had, she couldn’t explain herself.

Mrs. Zhang could only let Li Shi comfort her.

"What’s the point of catching these small fish? They have no meat and are very fishy." Li Shi frowned. "Elder Sister, why don’t you arrange marriages for the two girls early on? We can’t let the children suffer like this."

This suited Lin Taohong perfectly; she couldn’t wait to get married and enjoy life.

But Mrs. Zhang pretended not to hear.

She thought, what would happen if both girls got married and left? Would the Lin family still let her live in this house?

They needed to find a son-in-law to stay.

Lin Chunyan, annoyed by their chatter, went straight into the kitchen and sorted through the wild vegetables.

She pickled many of them.

Though they looked plentiful when picked, after soaking, there wasn’t much left, and Lin Chunyan was still unsatisfied.

These pickled vegetables could be stored for a long time and were a rare delicacy during winter when fresh vegetables were scarce.

Outside, after Li Shi finished talking, she took out two freshly made flowers and handed them over, claiming they were the latest style.

"Here, for the two of you to play with."

Lin Taohong happily accepted them and immediately put one on her head.

Seeing that she only received two flowers made from scraps of cloth, Mrs. Zhang’s last bit of patience vanished. Her eyes darted around as she started a conversation, "These flowers are beautifully made. Why don’t Yan Niang and Hong Niang learn embroidery from you? These two girls will surely repay your kindness in the future."

Li Shi’s lips twitched; the satisfaction she felt earlier was gone. She pressed her handkerchief to her lips, knowing Mrs. Zhang wouldn’t be easily appeased, and bluntly said she couldn’t teach them.

"Elder Sister, don’t be angry. Both girls have calluses on their hands; they can’t learn such delicate work."

Mrs. Zhang huffed, "My Yan Niang and Hong Niang haven’t done any rough work; where would they get calluses? You’re their Third Aunt, after all..."

Li Shi stood up, citing an urgent matter at home, and stopped listening.

Lin Chunyan didn’t want to deal with the gleeful Lin Taohong showing off her flower. Thinking her sister was foolish, she went into the kitchen to fry the small fish and placed the wild fruits in the well.

This way, when they returned from town, they could enjoy cool, refreshing wild fruits.

Yesterday, while standing next to the old lady selling sugar water, Lin Chunyan wanted some too, though she didn’t say it aloud.

Especially those icy, slightly sticky rice balls—soft and chewy.

She wondered if grinding the extra wild fruits with a stone mill could produce some kind of drink.

Hearing that Mrs. Zhang was also going to town, Lin Taohong, despite the long walk, decided to join them. She wore the flower Li Shi made, and seeing that Lin Chunyan didn’t wear hers, she took it and put it on her own head.

"Don’t complain about being tired on the way," Lin Chunyan warned.

"I know," she said, touching the flower every few steps.

Sure enough, halfway through the journey, the sun rose high, and Lin Taohong sat under a big tree, unwilling to move.

The flower on her head was askew, and Lin Taohong lazily adjusted it, losing her initial enthusiasm.

Mrs. Zhang, who hadn’t fully recovered, was also tired and panting heavily.

Lin Chunyan looked at the sky. "You two rest here; I’ll go ahead to the town."

With that, she carried her things and continued walking.

As Lin Chunyan’s figure grew smaller, Lin Taohong turned to Mrs. Zhang. "Mother, why does Elder Sister seem different?"

She had never walked so far before and was sweating profusely. Even after adjusting the flower, it didn’t look as bright.

Mrs. Zhang glanced in Lin Chunyan’s direction, then lowered her eyes without responding.

Lin Chunyan arrived at the old lady’s sugar water stall, paid for a fixed spot, and arranged the fried river fish.

The old lady smiled at Lin Chunyan. "Young lady is here."

Lin Chunyan greeted her, and the old lady asked, "Did you add anything else to these fish besides coating them in flour?"

Seeing Lin Chunyan’s young age, the old lady tried to pry more information.

Lin Chunyan didn’t answer. Mrs. Zhang, who had just arrived, frowned. "That’s our family secret! How can we tell others!"

Her eyebrows furrowed, revealing her fiery temper. The old lady hadn’t expected anyone else to be with Lin Chunyan today and closed her mouth awkwardly.

Mrs. Zhang looked at Lin Chunyan with a mix of disappointment and frustration, thinking she might have suffered a loss if not for her presence.

Lin Chunyan ignored her thoughts and began calling out to customers.

Lin Taohong’s eyes wandered, particularly lingering on the old man making sugar figurines and the sugar water stall.

Clearly, she was craving something sweet.

Sure enough, after looking around, Lin Taohong shook Mrs. Zhang’s arm, wanting to buy something.

She had seen Lin Chunyan give Mrs. Zhang two coins.

Mrs. Zhang asked the sugar water vendor next to her, "How much is that plum drink?"

"One coin per bowl."

Mrs. Zhang was taken aback, "Why is it so expensive?"

"The tea stalls charge one coin per bowl for coarse tea. My drink is made with several plums and plenty of sugar."

The sugar water vendor had faced such questions before and knew how to respond.

Mrs. Zhang did not have much money and needed to be frugal for the days ahead, so she did not agree.

Lin Chunyan called out for a long time without anyone coming to buy, so Mrs. Zhang grew restless, "I'll go write a letter first."

Lin Taohong did not want to move and stayed behind.

As soon as Mrs. Zhang left, Lin Chunyan called out even more enthusiastically and offered free samples, finally selling a dozen or so.

Lin Taohong's eyes widened at the sight of the copper coins in her hand.

How could there be so many?

Yesterday, they only earned five coins.

Lin Chunyan knew she could not hide it for long but still tried to keep it secret. After thinking, she gave Lin Taohong one coin.

"Go buy a sugar figure, but don't tell Mother."

Lin Taohong understood and rolled her eyes, extending an extra finger, "Give me another coin, and I won't say anything."

Lin Chunyan slapped her hand down, "Then you won't get any coins, and I'll give them all to Mother."

Lin Taohong's back stung, knowing that everything was done by Lin Chunyan. If she got angry or told Mrs. Zhang, she would not get the coin.

She pouted but nodded.

Seeing her happily buy a bowl of plum drink, the cool, sweet scent wafted over from afar, Lin Chunyan's gaze fell on the sugar water vendor's stall.

She needed to save up to try these flavors next time—whether it was ice balls, purple basil drinks, or soap water, she wanted to taste them all.

Halfway through eating, Lin Taohong suddenly remembered something and pushed the drink towards Lin Chunyan, "Big Sister, finish the rest."

Lin Chunyan looked at her suspiciously; when had she become so generous?

But she still took it and tasted it lightly. The plum drink had honey added to the plums and sugar.

She wondered if the sugar water vendor used the same recipe.

Lin Chunyan finished the drink, feeling the heat dissipate from her body.

When Mrs. Zhang returned after writing the letter, all the fried river fish had been sold.

Lin Chunyan handed over five coins.

Mrs. Zhang was not foolish and knew there must be something amiss with the money, but since the idea came from Lin Chunyan and she did not contribute any effort, having five coins was better than nothing.

She put the money away, feeling somewhat reassured.

Before coming, Mrs. Zhang never imagined that people would actually buy the fried river fish.

After subtracting the costs, there was still a profit.

Seeing that Mrs. Zhang did not mention the money again, Lin Chunyan knew the matter was settled and hid the twenty coins in her sleeve pocket.