Chapter 15 Entering the Mountain (Part 1)

  On the way back to the village, Uncle Dashan and Aunt Cuihua seriously reminded several children that when they returned to the village, they should not talk nonsense. If someone asked, just say it was their own family who had bought it for Lin Chun's sister and brother, and don't say anything else. The children all promised obediently.

  Back in the village, Cuihua Dama moved things back to Lin Chuns house, and Dashan Bobo took Lin Chun to the woods behind the house, saying a few more words. Lin Chun picked up what he should say and shouldn't say, and said a bunch of true and false things. Dashan listened and didn't suspect anything, but felt even more that he needed to protect Lin Chun and his siblings well. If someone found out about Lin Chuns situation, it would likely cause quite a stir. The two reached an understanding, and Dashan Bobo stopped worrying about these things. Thinking about what Lin Chun said in town about buying land and building a house, he couldn't help but ask: "Big brother, you said you wanted to buy land and build a house, do you have any specific plans?" Dashan already treated Lin Chun like an adult, and Lin Chun didn't think much of it.

  "I've just had some income today, I don't want to draw too much attention, so I plan to make a good plan next spring. The other day, I asked the village chief, and he said that no one has bought the mountain land on the west side of the village, including the hill behind it. I thought that if I buy land from villagers, they won't care whether it's good or bad, as long as they sell it to me, but that wouldn't be good. It would be better to buy this mountain land on the west side of the village, and even the hill together with it. Then, we can use a wall to enclose the area facing Linjia Village and Chenjia Village, and the road at the foot of the mountain is just the way to town. Later, we can pave the road and make two big gates at the blacksmith's shop. We can build a big house in our own yard, and others won't be able to see it. If we build the wall higher, we'll also be safer. It will take a lot of money, but that's okay, I'll work hard for it!"

  Dashi was shocked by Lin Chun's idea, but also thought it was good. "Hmmm, Dashi thinks it's a great idea, however the mountain land and hilltop in the west of the village will cost quite a bit of silver. The money you earned today is already enough to build several nice brick houses with plenty left over. But if we buy mountain land, I estimate it won't be enough. Moreover, buying mountain land and hilltop requires going to the county to handle paperwork, and at that time we'll still need to grease some palms...

  "I know what Uncle Dashan said, but I've already made up my mind. Don't try to persuade me anymore, Uncle. Just help me out when the time comes, hehe..."

  "Alright, alright, since Dà Yā has made up her mind, Uncle Dà Shān will listen to you. Just be careful and cautious when doing things for Qiān Fú Yuán, don't let anyone notice, especially the Lín family. If anything happens in the next few days, come find me at my place, it's convenient since our houses are close."

  "Uh-huh, okay."

  Lin Chun and Da Shan Bo Bo returned home, and after tidying up a bit, they followed Da Shan Bo Bo and Cui Hua Da Niang back home to prepare some delicious food and celebrate Lin Chun's first bucket of gold earned in ancient times. At the dinner table, Lin Chun thought that since the weather was still not too cold, he would venture into the mountains with Da Shan Bo Bo, who knew Lin Chun's plan and decided to take Lin Chun and his siblings, as well as Xiao Shan, into the mountains tomorrow. Cui Hua Da Niang didn't pay much attention to these matters, only reminding everyone to be careful and return home early for dinner. For the past few days, Lin Chun and his siblings had been eating at Da Shan Bo Bo's house, and usually only boiled water at home to take baths. Today, they bought pots, bowls, and other kitchenware at the market, and Lin Chun planned to start cooking at home from now on.

  After dinner, Lin Chuan and Da Tou, Er Ya, the three of them worked together to take out the fabric they bought in town today. According to Lin Chuan's arrangement and idea, they decorated and renovated the small house, although Lin Chuan knew that she wouldn't be living in these two rooms for long. However, she still carefully considered every corner, after finishing, Lin Chuan and Da Tou Er Ya looked at their newly renovated home with pride and satisfaction.

  The small single bed was expanded a bit with wooden boards and stones, covered with straw and quilts, and then covered with brand new sheets, making it look like a double bed. New pillows were added, and Lin Chun used floral fabric to cover the headboard and walls of the bed, and hung up new mosquito nets. Even in late autumn on the mountain, there were still many mosquitoes. Two small wooden cabinets were placed at the head of the bed, with boxes covered in cloth containing clothes and newly purchased sheets. The new sheets and clothes were stored in the lower cabinet, while the worn-out clothes were kept on top. Lin Chun instructed Da Tou and Er Ya to wear the new clothes inside from now on, so as not to attract unnecessary trouble. Da Tou and Er Ya were very obedient and understood that this was for their own good. They also didn't want to ruin the new clothes by wearing them outside, so they all agreed with Lin Chun's opinion.

  Next door, a wooden table made by Uncle Dashan yesterday was placed in the room, and Lin Chun also spread a bed sheet on it, and put a new tea pot and cups that had been washed clean. The tools in the corner of the wall were all taken to under the eaves of the house in the courtyard. The small house was divided into a small space by Lin Chun with cloth, used for bathing and putting the bathtub, and several small wooden stakes were nailed on the wall, tied with a rope, used for hanging towels and clothes. Both rooms were decorated simply and warmly, making Lin Chun and her siblings very happy.

  Lin Chuan boiled some hot water and took turns bathing with Da Tou. While Da Tou was washing, Lin Chuan quickly cleaned up the small kitchen with Er Ya. After thinking for a long time, he decided to move the grain, oil, salt, and other items to the bedroom to prevent theft. Now that they had all the necessary utensils, Lin Chuan wanted to make some midnight snacks for Da Tou and Er Ya. He quickly got to work, using some leftover vegetables from today and cracking three eggs to make a soup. After Da Tou finished bathing, the three of them drank the hot soup together. Seeing the satisfied looks on Da Tou's and Er Ya's faces, Lin Chuan felt a sense of fulfillment.

  The next day, early in the morning, Uncle Dashan came to find Lin Chun after eating breakfast. Lin Chun was also worried about going into the mountain today and got up very early. He made breakfast, and Dahou and Er Ya also got out of bed. Perhaps because they slept on a new quilt last night, the three siblings slept very well, without being bitten by mosquitoes and feeling warm. They all had a lot of energy this morning after eating breakfast. Lin Chun put on his backpack, brought the small iron shovel from home, locked the door, and went up the mountain with Uncle Dashan. Xiaoshan didn't get up early, so he didn't follow them.