Chapter 104: Saving Up

Chapter 104: Saving Up

In the end, Lin Shu and Lin Xiaopu chose a roll of beige cloth and a roll of off-white cloth—colors that would flatter both older women and younger girls. The remaining two rolls were light brown, intended for the men of the household.

As usual, Lin Shu, with her silver tongue, sweet-talked the shopkeeper into giving her some scrap fabric as a bonus.

After all, she had bought a full four rolls of cloth, spending 160 wen—a considerable sum. Even townsfolk might hesitate to spend so much on fabric at once. So, when Lin Shu asked for the scraps, the shopkeeper readily agreed.

However, once Lin Shu received the scraps, she understood why the shopkeeper had been so generous. The pieces were minuscule, barely enough for patching, let alone anything else.

It just goes to show how shrewd businesspeople can be—these scraps were likely useless to the shop, which is why they were given away so freely.

Yet, while these scraps were of no use to the fabric shop, they were incredibly valuable to village households.

In winter, these scraps could be used as filling for thick quilts, padded bedding, and padded jackets. Stuffing with fabric scraps provided far superior warmth compared to straw or reeds.

Moreover, among the scraps, larger pieces could be selected to create the multi-layered cloth needed for shoe soles and insoles.

He Guixiang was delighted to see Lin Shu acquire so many scraps. In the past, when she went shopping, she would half-heartedly ask for a discount, only to be flatly refused by the shopkeeper. She could never negotiate like Lin Shu, who, with her smooth talking, could always coax even the most reluctant shopkeeper into giving some extra.

But even after watching Lin Shu in action, He Guixiang knew she could never replicate it. The same words spoken by different people carried different weight—when she tried, her posture wasn't confident, and her voice lacked conviction, making it sound unconvincing.

“A-Shu, from now on, whenever the family needs to buy something, I’ll leave it to you, alright?” He Guixiang asked.

Lin Shu immediately agreed, “Of course, you don’t even need to ask! For small items, it’s fine, but for bigger purchases, leave it to me and A-Ye. Haggling isn’t just about smooth talking—just look at A-Ye. Though he’s not much of a talker, he’s sharp as a tack.”

Hearing this, He Guixiang recalled how A-Ye had helped Brother Miao’s family buy a water vat at a much lower price. Whenever she ran into Brother Miao’s wife afterward, the woman would happily pull her aside to chat, singing A-Ye's praises over and over.

If not for the fact that the village already knew her daughter had returned and her husband’s intentions were clear for all to see, someone might have already tried to arrange a marriage—with A-Ye as the prospective groom.

Before, when He Guixiang didn’t know about Lin Shu’s feelings for A-Ye, it was one thing. But now that she knew, she wanted to arrange their marriage as soon as possible. However, Lin Shu always seemed in no hurry, and since she had a mind of her own, pressing her was useless.

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, He Guixiang’s eyes fell on the newly purchased cloth, and her heart skipped a beat. “A-Shu, are we really taking these four rolls of cloth back to the village like this?”

Since Zhou Ye’s basket already contained the pungent pig intestines, there was no way to stuff the cloth inside. Instead, he placed the rolls horizontally on top of the basket and secured them with straw rope.

At a glance, the four rolls were clearly visible. Even from a distance, the colors alone indicated that they were the finer 40-wen-per-roll hemp cloth.

Village folks usually bought fabric to make new clothes only during festive occasions or celebrations. Even during the Dragon Boat Festival at the beginning of the month, such a purchase would not have been so conspicuous. And here they were, buying four rolls at once!

He Guixiang worried that as soon as they reached the village entrance, gossipy women would spread the news far and wide.

Lin Shu had wondered what had made her mother look so troubled, but it turned out to be this?

She had never been one to care about others’ opinions, but she knew most people did. Humans are social creatures—it doesn't do to be too much of a loner, but living among others inevitably invites scrutiny and whispers.

She laughed and glanced at Lin Xiaopu. “Why worry about that, Mother? Didn’t I say that Xiao Pu’s recovery is a cause for celebration? We should flaunt it a little. When people ask, we can use their curiosity to let everyone in the village know—our Xiao Pu is now healthy and strong! The Chinese medicine doctor himself said so. If anyone dares call her a sickly invalid from now on, they’re doubting the doctor’s word. And if they doubt the doctor, we’ll report it to him. Let’s see if they dare seek his help in the future when they’re sick or in pain—the doctor won’t treat those who question his skills!”

Lin Xiaopu grinned widely, her back straightening with pride.

Hehe, from now on, she was no longer the sickly girl who had to drink medicine every day! And the villagers wouldn’t dare say nasty things about her anymore!

He Guixiang’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed after hearing Lin Shu’s words.

It seemed Lin Shu had a knack for turning what He Guixiang perceived as bad situations into good ones. No matter how many worries she had, discussing them with Lin Shu always brought clarity and relief.

Without realizing it, He Guixiang had developed the habit of sharing every little household matter with Lin Shu. Even Xiao Pu was becoming more informed as a result.

Before, she had kept her troubles to herself, not wanting to burden her daughters. But now, she thought differently.

“Are you still worried, Mother?” Lin Shu asked.

Not only was He Guixiang no longer worried, but she was also beaming with joy. “A-Shu is right—the more we flaunt it, the better. I’ll be waiting for them to ask when we get back today!”

Even He Guixiang herself hadn’t noticed how much she had changed since Lin Shu’s return. She smiled more often, and her worries had significantly decreased.

Happiness brings a radiant spirit. In the past, her face often bore traces of sorrow, diminishing her natural beauty. But lately, her complexion had improved remarkably. Among women her age in the village, she had always been one of the most attractive. Now, no one would dispute that she was number one in Sweetwater Village.

“Mother, it’s still early. I noticed a wonton shop at the end of the street earlier. Why don’t we go there to rest and have a bowl of wontons?”

Although they typically ate two meals a day at home, they had already eaten a flatbread with mountain spring water from a bamboo tube on the ox cart earlier, counting as their morning meal. But that was early, and eating early meant getting hungry early. Even though they had leftover flatbread, Lin Shu didn’t feel like eating more of it.

A bowl of wontons wasn’t too filling—just enough to tide them over.

He Guixiang said, “You’ve spent the big money already; you think I’d begrudge you this small expense? But since the earlier expenses were covered by the money you earned from selling Termitomyces sauce, and I’ve hardly spent any of the money I brought, let me pay for the wontons.”

Lin Shu chuckled. “Look at you, Mother, talking about ‘your money’ and ‘my money.’ The money earned today is for all of us to spend, and whatever’s left will be given to you to manage. I’m just asking you to allocate it in advance. Why does it sound like you think I won’t give it to you? Don’t be so formal!”

He Guixiang hesitated for a moment. Since Lin Shu had brought it up, she decided to share her thoughts. “A-Shu, how can anyone manage without a little private savings? When I was a daughter-in-law, I always tried to secretly save a few coins. Even if it wasn’t much, at least I could buy a piece of candy or a bowl of mung bean soup when I went to the market without anyone knowing. There are times when everyone wants to buy something for themselves without others finding out. I’ve been thinking—from now on, you and A-Ye should keep the money you earn. There’s no need to give it to me.”

Lin Shu laughed. “Mother, what are you thinking? You and your mother-in-law had a daughter-in-law relationship, but we’re mother and daughter—how can it be the same? You might have felt awkward asking your mother-in-law for money, but would I ever hesitate with you? Xiao Pu and I never shy away from saying when we want meat or new clothes. We’ve never felt inconvenienced. As for A-Ye, he has no desires. Last time I asked him to have tea at a teahouse, he refused. What would he even spend money on?”

He Guixiang thought to herself: You have no idea how many places A-Ye could spend money!

Lin Shu continued, “Besides, I’m a big spender, as you saw today. If you really let me save money, aren’t you afraid I’ll spend it all in no time?”

He Guixiang: …

That was a valid point.

With Lin Shu’s spending habits, no matter how much she earned, she could easily spend it all, leaving nothing to save.

For instance, after buying the wontons, the money Lin Shu earned from selling Termitomyces sauce would be nearly gone—likely not even enough to cover the ox cart fare back!

Recalling this, He Guixiang amended her statement slightly. “Then how about this: you give the money you earn to me, and I’ll keep it for you. You can ask for it whenever you need it. But A-Ye doesn’t need to give me the money he earns from selling wild goods and game.”

Zhou Ye frowned slightly and opened his mouth to refuse.

But before he could speak, He Guixiang gave him a meaningful look. “A-Ye, don’t refuse just yet. To be honest, I have a selfish motive. I want you to start saving from today—as much as you can. When you and A-Shu marry someday, that money will serve as your betrothal gift.”

Zhou Ye was taken aback. His half-open mouth slowly closed, and his eyes involuntarily drifted toward Lin Shu.

Lin Shu hadn’t expected the conversation to turn to her. She stamped her foot in embarrassment. “Mother, didn’t I tell you not to mention these things in front of A-Ye?”

He Guixiang covered her mouth innocently. “I thought you and A-Ye had already had an understanding. Haven’t you?”

Lin Shu: …

Well, they had, but she thought her mother didn’t know. When A-Ye had spoken to her alone last time, it might not necessarily have been about that, right?

Beside them, Lin Xiaopu shook her head like a little adult. Only her sister would think their mother hadn’t noticed. The way A-Shu and A-Ye looked at each other—their eyes practically connected by an invisible thread! How could A-Shu think their mother didn’t know?

Lin Shu coughed lightly, feeling awkward. “Ahem~ A-Ye, what do you think of my mother’s suggestion?”

Zhou Ye looked at her seriously. “I think Auntie makes a good point, A-Shu. I’ll start saving from today until the day you say yes. When we marry, all that money will be yours.”