Just like Mrs. Lin, Aunt Lu also only had one child.
Compared to other families with several children, Aunt Lu, who only had her daughter Xingzi, often faced troubles at her in-laws’ ho.
Though it was her husband’s health that caused their inability to have more children, she was the one who suffered the sha.
So, Aunt Lu vented all the unfair treatnt she received onto Xingzi. She often gossiped and sowed discord in the village, which made many villagers dislike her.
Originally wanting to anger Lin Xiang, Aunt Lu ended up having her sore spot hit by Lin Xiang, and she imdiately started cursing, spewing a slew of vulgarities.
People who had been standing with her earlier quickly distanced themselves.
"Oh, it’s al ti, I’d better head back to cook!"
"Wait up, I’ll go with you, our hos are on the sa route."
Everyone left, and Aunt Lu’s face turned a multicolored shade.
Lin Xiang continued smiling, "Auntie, you should really consider what I said earlier. Xingzi is a smart kid. If you let her go to school, she will surely repay you well once she starts earning money."
"Easy for you to say. Where will the money for her education co from? Your family will pay?"
"Sure, if you let Xingzi recognize as her sister, and my mom as her mom, we’ll cover her school expenses."
"Get lost, get lost!" Aunt Lu gave Lin Xiang a shove, "I don’t want to see you again!"
Such an annoying girl!
Lin Xiang humd a tune and went ho.
She placed items on the table in the main room, "Mom, could you give so fabric? I need to visit the captain’s house."
"What are you taking the fabric for?"
"I’m going to give a gift to the captain."
Mrs. Lin instinctively wanted to refuse, but then thought, the fabric was acquired thanks to Lin Xiang, and Lin Xiang is much smarter than her, so there must be a reason. She graciously pulled out a few yards of fabric in three patterns to make three sets of clothes.
As for who the captain’s wife will make clothes for with this fabric, that’s not her concern.
Lin Xiang carried the fabric to the captain’s house.
Unlike the last two tis, today it was the captain’s daughter-in-law, Qian Huifang, doing laundry.
She was already more than seven months pregnant, her belly quite heavy, making it extrely difficult to bend and draw water.
"Huifang sister-in-law," Lin Xiang called at the door, Qian Huifang supported her waist as she ca over to open the door for Lin Xiang, "Why are you here?"
When she saw the fabric in Lin Xiang’s hand, she thought Lin Xiang was here to trade for eggs, "I might not have enough eggs to exchange for the fabric."
"No need to exchange. This is a gift from to you. Huifang sister-in-law, why are you doing laundry?"
Qian Huifang pursed her lips, "My mother-in-law thinks I haven’t done anything since I married in, so she’s unwilling to serve ."
Qian Huifang got pregnant within the first month of marriage, and it wasn’t an easy pregnancy, so she rested in bed for the first three months until she stabilized before starting to move around.
Initially, the captain’s wife treated her very well, didn’t let her do any household chores, and cooked her delicious food every day.
Unfortunately, Qian Huifang loved to help her family and frequently gifted her own family’s items to them, which eventually upset the captain’s wife, causing a rift in their relationship.
The captain left early and returned late each day, unable to attend to the housework, and Qian Huifang’s husband, spoiled as he was, would order his mother to care for his wife rather than helping out himself.
So the chores, like laundry and cooking, fell to the pregnant Qian Huifang.
Every family has its struggles, and with the captain’s household affairs, Lin Xiang, being an outsider, didn’t feel it was appropriate to ddle too much.
"Dad, Lin Xiang is here."
Qian Huifang escorted Lin Xiang to the main room, then returned to the laundry.
As soon as Lin Xiang entered, she set the fabric on the table, "Uncle, my mom picked out the best quality fabric. You can take it to Auntie later, let her use it as she pleases. If there’s not enough, feel free to get more from us."
The captain glared at Lin Xiang, "Take it away, take it away! Didn’t I tell you, you’re welco to visit anyti, but don’t bring things over!"
"This fabric was given by Director Chen from the cotton spinning factory. I didn’t pay for it, so you should keep it."
"Besides, I ca here today to trouble you with sothing. If you don’t keep the fabric, I won’t feel comfortable asking."
"What is it you need for?"
Lin Xiang pointed to the cart in the yard, "I’d like to borrow your cart. It’s not for free, I’ll pay you a di for each day I use it. How about that?"
"No need for money! Why so formal with Uncle? If you want to use it, just go ahead and take it."
"Uncle, I might need to use it for a bit longer."
"Use it. We’re in the slack season now, and we won’t be needing it."
"Then I’ll take you up on it. I’m planning to use the cart to haul things to the market to sell sweet potato flour."
Lin Xiang frankly inford the captain of her plan.
It’s better to make the captain aware early on so he’ll have a good impression of her; otherwise, if soone brings it up later, he might not think well of her.
Don’t underestimate a village official from the seventies. Not to ntion, if she wants to travel, she needs an introduction letter, and the captain holds the power over whether she gets one or not. It’s entirely his call.
"You’re going to sell sweet potato flour at the market?" The captain was astonished.
Lin Xiang said, "Chef Shen from the state-run restaurant told that selling at the market is allowed, not against the law, and even if the authorities co by, they can’t do anything."
"That’s not the issue. The point is, there are so many people selling flour, you might not sell much. Oh well, if you want to try, go ahead. It’s just a bit of ti wasted."
"You can take the cart, no rush to return it, just bring it back when you’re done."
"Thanks, Uncle. I’ll take it ho now."
Lin Xiang brought the cart ho, and Lin Yun had already crafted two wooden tubs.
"I tested them with water, they don’t leak. Tonight we’ll soak them, and they’ll be ready to hold items tomorrow."
Lin Yun asked, "Apart from the two wooden tubs, is there anything else you need to make?"
We need a stove!
But Lin Xiang knew that this would be too much for Lin Yun; he simply couldn’t make one, so she said, "Brother, could you go to town with tomorrow?"
Once there, she’d have Lin Yun build an earth stove on-site.
"Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow."
Early the next morning, Lin Xiang got up at dawn.
She used their family’s big pot to cook the millet, soaked overnight, into a thick porridge. Once cooked, she poured it all into the wooden tubs that had been soaking.
After that, she started frying the seasoning.
To make delicious spicy flour, freshly fried seasoning is essential.
User Comments
0 comments from readers