Chapter 14: A New Look

  Lin Chuan returned to the home of Da Shan Bo Bo, where he had left his ox cart, accompanied by Da Tou and Er Ya. Da Shan Bo Bo and Cui Hua Da Niang had been waiting at the door for a long time, and when they saw the three children approaching, they hurriedly went forward to take a look at each of them. After seeing that the three children were safe and sound, they finally felt relieved. Da Shan Bo Bo noticed that Lin Chuan was holding a beautifully wrapped brocade box in his hand and became curious, "Da Ya, what's that you're holding?"

  Big Head and Second Girl received Lin Chun's instructions on the way back, thinking that when Little Mountain turns four years old, they would give Big Mountain Uncle and Cui Hua Aunt a surprise. They were very obedient and didn't say a word. Lin Chun was very satisfied with Big Head and Second Girl's obedience, patted their shoulders, and said to Big Mountain Uncle and Cui Hua Aunt who looked curious and puzzled: "Big Mountain Uncle, Cui Hua Aunt, this is a surprise, I can't tell you now, but when we get home, I'll explain it to you in detail. Can Cui Hua Aunt take me to buy some quilts and clothes?" Lin Chun planned to replace all the old clothes and bedding at home with new ones, redecorate the house, and make it look brand new.

  "Buy cotton-padded jackets and clothes? Big Ya, Aunt Cuihua has already bought fabric for you all. When we get home, Aunt will personally make one for each of you. And today, Aunt and Uncle Dashan have almost spent all the money they brought, so why not come back next time to buy?"

  Lin Chun looked at the fabrics that Cuifang's mother had bought for her three siblings, and was touched by their bright colors - a peach red, a pink, and a deep blue. The fabrics were obviously high-quality cotton brocades, worth at least one or two silver coins. Lin Chun felt grateful and walked forward to hug Cuifang's mother's arm, then went to the other side to hug Dashan's father's arm, leading them to a corner. "Uncle, Auntie, I won't say much about my gratitude," she said. "Although your family is wealthy, you can't always take care of us three siblings. Xiaoshan will get married in the future, and I hope Auntie can give birth to a daughter for him. Moreover... today, I found a job at the Qianfuyuan store in the market, and their young master gave me a generous salary. Now, my siblings and I have an income, enough to live a good life. However, Uncle and Auntie's kindness to us will always be remembered in my heart."

  "Alright, good child, your uncle and aunt understand what you're thinking, but you're still so young, how much money can you earn? It's better if you just stay home and take care of Da Tou and Er Ya. Besides, if you go to town every day to work, if you leave early in the morning and come back late at night, your uncle and aunt will worry about your safety. And if you take a cow cart, you'll earn even less money. Your uncle can't always send you there either. So it's better if you just forget about it. If you're scared, I'll have your uncle accompany you. This old shop, Qian Fu Yuan, has been around for over a decade, they shouldn't give us too much trouble." Cui Hua didn't ask Lin how much money he could earn, but kept talking about his safety concerns, making Lin feel warm in his heart. Only people who truly care about you would think this way.

  "Right, Da Yu, your aunt was right, let's go and push it, Uncle Bo will accompany you, come on, we'll go now..." Big Mountain Uncle said as he pulled Lin Chun towards the Qian Fu Yuan store.

  Lin Chun didn't want to explain anymore, so he directly took out the money that Qian Dashi had given him from his pocket and put it into Cuihua's hands. "Auntie, uncle, this is the betrothal gift of 500 taels that Young Master Qian gave me. I spent 5 taels on something, leaving 495 taels. Originally, I planned to tell you when I got home, but seeing how you are now... actually, my mother was a daughter from a wealthy family, but she suffered misfortune and was rescued by my father. My mother taught me to read, paint, and many other things when she was alive. She just didn't dare to go out in public herself. If it weren't for that... nowadays, the three siblings are independent, free from Lin Lao's family, I don't have to worry, and I can use what my mother taught me to make a living. So... I know uncle and auntie are genuinely good to us, which is why I want to work hard myself. Uncle, auntie, what I said today won't be repeated. You treat us like your own children, we treat you like our own family. As long as everyone is doing well, I'm satisfied. However, I still hope auntie and uncle can keep this secret for me, or else I fear..."

  The old mountain and Cuihua looked at the silver tickets and ingots in their hands, thinking that they had never seen so much money in their lives. After hearing Linchun's words, they put down their worries, but suddenly their eyes turned red, and they didn't say anything else. They just pursed their lips and nodded heavily. Cuihua directly wiped away the tears that were about to overflow from her eyes with her sleeve, held Linchun's hand tightly, and hugged him into her arms. The old mountain watched on the side, suppressing his own emotions. After hugging for a while, Cuihua slightly composed herself, carefully put the money in Linchun's arms, and prepared to take Linchun to the fabric store to buy some good fabrics and clothes.

  Lin Chunjing took out money from her bosom and put it into Cuihuadama's hand, Cuihuadama was a bit anxious: "Dahua, what are you doing..."

  "Auntie, I've thought about it and feel that the money is safer with you. I'm only nine years old, and there's no safe place to keep it at home. If someone were to find it by accident... So I think it's best if you hold onto the money for now. When I save up enough, I can buy a new house and then you can return the money to me. If I need something in the meantime, Uncle Dashan can pick it up for me at the market and deduct the cost from the total. And don't forget to include today's purchases and the repairs we made to the house the other day. Auntie, please don't be polite with me or I'll get upset." Lin Chuan said this very seriously, causing Cuifeng to swallow her refusal before she could even articulate it.

  Mr. Dashan watched from the side, thinking it was very fun, and didn't delay any further. He busily took Lin Chun and a few others to the clothing store in town, buying new clothes for Lin Chun's three siblings, both inside and out. They also bought several new quilts, and Lin Chun picked out a few sheets. Additionally, they purchased several bolts of simple yet elegant floral fabric, thinking of decorating their home with it when they returned. Mr. Dashan also bought new clothes for himself, Cuihua, and Xiaoshan. Cuihua couldn't decline the gift, so she accepted it. Xiaoshan, Dahu, and Er Ya were all very happy.

  Several people went to the rice shop and bought some food, oil, salt, and vegetables. Lin Chun also asked Dashan to buy more vegetables and a few pounds of pork ribs, thinking that he should celebrate his first earnings well. Dashan and Cuihua thought so too, and they happily did as they were told.