Chen Shi thought of Lin Yongshun’s shameless face.
“Has your third brother ever argued with me any less? Ever since he was little, he’s been throwing tantrums, rolling on the ground, thick-skinned and shameless. For a bite of food, he’d even smash the pot the whole family uses to cook.”
Meanwhile, what Lin Hongying was thinking was this: Erxia clearly had the potential to make something of herself in the future. Sure, her methods were a bit aggressive, but the girl knew how to fight for her own interests. She could endure hardship, work hard, and still study diligently. Such a good child—how could her own mother not see it?
In Lin Hongying’s view, being able to strive and fight for what you want wasn’t a bad thing. If you didn’t fight or compete, were you just supposed to sit around waiting for opportunities to come to you? If she hadn’t fought for herself back then, where would her current job have come from?
Fortunately, their father had agreed to let Erxia attend high school. Otherwise, Erxia might have resented both her parents for the rest of her life.
Her mother seemed to have forgotten how the whole family had tightened their belts and borrowed money just to send her to high school. Those were days she would never forget. Without the family working together back then, there would be no “her” today. That was why she always wanted to help out at home.
But she couldn’t say these things out loud. After all, she knew how much her parents loved her. She couldn’t bear to hurt her mother’s feelings.
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade her mother, Lin Hongying changed her approach.
“Mom, from now on, you don’t need to worry about Third Brother’s family. They can earn their own work points anyway. And you don’t have to worry about Erxia going to high school either. Why trouble yourself over them?”
Chen Shi muttered, “As if I dare meddle in their affairs. I’m just afraid that one day that father and daughter pair will smash a hole through the Lin family.”
Lin Hongying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and at the same time felt a bit tired. Although her third brother was indeed unreliable, he hadn’t caused any major trouble all these years. And her third sister-in-law was as honest and meek as they came.
She dropped the subject. “Xiao Jie’s transport team has been extremely busy lately. I went to see him once, but everything was rushed. We barely exchanged a few words before he was called away again.”
Chen Shi smiled. “The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up soon. Of course the transport team will be busy. Busy is good—only when they’re busy can they earn money and get paid.”
Lin Hongying nodded with a smile and said nothing more.
That afternoon, Lin Hongying didn’t stay long. She knew that if she lingered, she would delay the family’s work. Around two o’clock, she rode her bicycle home with Ye Shangdong and Ye Shangxi.
Before leaving, she said to Lin Zhuer and Lin Erxia, “On the day school starts, your aunt will be waiting for you at the station. I’ll take you to school—I’m very familiar with the county town.”
Without waiting for them to refuse, she waved to Lin Dayong and Chen Shi. “Dad, Mom, brothers, sisters-in-law—go back inside. I’ll bring Xiao Dong and Xiao Xi to visit again next time.”
Chen Shi couldn’t help but wave from behind. “Be careful on the road! Don’t ride too fast!”
Lin Hongying’s clear voice echoed in the air. “Alright, go back!”
Chen Shi’s eyes grew moist, and she wasn’t the only one. Lin Dayong’s spirits were low as well, and even the younger generation looked listless.
Chen Shi turned to Lin Zhuer and Lin Erxia, especially Erxia. “Your aunt treats you so well—you both know that in your hearts. In the future, you must be filial to her.”
Erxia agreed with that. Her aunt really did treat them well. She had seen everything at the dinner table—without saying much, her aunt had directly taken out money for her, without the slightest hesitation. When it came to food, she treated all the younger generation equally, and her words carried a gentle warmth.
For such a caring elder, Lin Erxia respected her from the bottom of her heart.
She nodded firmly, and Lin Zhuer followed suit.
Lin Dayong straightened up. “Alright, everyone go back and get ready for work.”
The family got up and headed back.
Somehow, Lin Yongshun squeezed over to Chen Shi’s side and asked in a low voice, “Mom… when are we going to eat the mooncakes Aunt brought?”
The moment he said that, Chen Shi’s gaze could practically spit fire. Lin Hongying had just left, and already the third son was thinking about food—did he have any conscience at all?
Chen Shi took off her cloth shoe and started beating Lin Yongshun with the sole. “Third child, looks like your skin’s itching! You still dare to covet your younger sister’s things? Those are her filial offerings to your father and me! You ungrateful wretch!”
Did Lin Yongshun just stand there and take the beating? Of course not.
Clutching his head, he darted around while shouting, “Mom, I was just reminding you in case you forgot! Why are you getting so worked up?”
His answer was the flying shoe sole Chen Shi hurled at him. Lin Yongshun jumped and dodged, fleeing before he even made it home.
What remained was a furious Chen Shi and the rest of the Lin family, who were struggling not to laugh. They couldn’t help but admire Lin Yongshun’s “talent” for provoking Chen Shi—he could hit her exact breaking point every single time. That, too, was a kind of skill.
Two days later, August 30th, Monday. The sun blazed high—it was the opening day of Pingyao No. 1 High School.
At that time, students had to bring their own bedding, toiletries, and most importantly, food. They needed to carry enough grain for a whole month—otherwise, they’d have to spend money to buy meals.
Lin Erxia’s belongings were simple: one set of bedding, her only two patched outfits, and a towel. She didn’t even have a toothbrush—she usually snuck some salt in the morning to brush her teeth.
The night before, while washing dishes, she had secretly wrapped some salt in paper from the kitchen. This morning, Chen Shi had even remarked that the salt was being used up too quickly.
She carried her admission notice, along with the introduction letter issued by the village. The school would provide books. From home, she brought a sack of mixed corn and sorghum.
She also took a jar of pickled cucumbers from the kitchen—otherwise, she might end up chewing on dry flatbread for an entire month.
And then there was her private stash of money: five yuan from her aunt, one yuan she’d pried out of her father, and the sixty-three cents she had saved up herself.
If she didn’t keep it hidden well and Comrade Lin Yongshun found it, it would all be squandered.
Lin Yongshun had “successfully fought for” the opportunity to escort Lin Erxia to high school.
On the other side, Lin Zhuer had far more belongings: nearly new bedding, a mosquito net, and so many clothes they couldn’t fit into one bundle. Lin Erxia even spotted a jar of Snow Cream among her things.
Her luggage was at least twice as much as Erxia’s. Anyone who saw it would feel a twinge of envy. Lin Erxia simply stood still—whoever wanted to help could go ahead and help.
They had arranged in advance with the village to borrow a donkey cart to take them to the commune, and from there they would catch a bus to the county.
When the donkey cart arrived, Lin Yongshun and Lin Erxia made two trips to load their belongings. Then the two of them sat on the cart, quietly watching Lin Yongfeng and Sun Xiaoyun running back and forth carrying things.
Lin Zhuer wanted to help, but Sun Xiaoyun wouldn’t let her lift a finger.
Comparing the two, Lin Erxia tilted her chin toward them and said to her father, “Dad, look at them—afraid their daughter might get tired even carrying a small bundle. They’d probably carry her on their backs if they could.”
Unlike you—can’t even finish your own work, and you run off, leaving your daughter to do it.
Although she didn’t finish her sentence, Lin Yongshun understood perfectly. He plucked a foxtail grass from somewhere, stuck it in his mouth, and said earnestly,
“Daughter, if you weren’t born with a princess’s fate, don’t act like a princess. I’m just training your ability to endure hardship. Everything I do is for your own good.”
Lin Erxia couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him.