Three days passed in a daze. The Lin family, which normally ate only two meals a day, now had to prepare three meals for her. For the first two days, she was even given an egg each day. It wasn’t until the third day that she learned the family’s chickens weren’t well-fed either, and their egg-laying couldn’t keep up with her consumption.
“Haitang, our chickens didn’t lay any eggs today. Go to your Third Uncle’s house later and borrow a few eggs to cook for Yuhe.”
Grandma Lin had already decided that once her granddaughter recovered, she would either save up to repay Third Brother’s Wife or give her copper coins instead. In any case, her granddaughter had to eat eggs these few days.
Lin Yuhe, who had been spacing out in her room, overheard Grandma Lin planning to borrow eggs for her. She walked out to say she didn’t need eggs, only to see an elderly woman approaching with something wrapped in a handkerchief, followed by an old man.
Having absorbed all the original owner’s memories, Lin Yuhe recognized them as Grandpa Lin’s third brother and his wife. Grandpa Lin also had a second sister married in the neighboring town, and the three siblings got along quite well.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Haitang,” the visitors pushed open the wicker gate and entered together.
Lin’s mother and Grandma Lin, who had been talking inside, heard the commotion outside. “Third Aunt, Third Uncle, what brings you here?” Lin’s mother went out to greet them.
“Haitang, I came to check on Yuhe. When your Third Uncle heard I was coming, he insisted on tagging along. Here, take this. We don’t have much at home, but I brought a few eggs for the girl. Steam them for her.”
Seeing the eggs wrapped in the handkerchief, Lin’s mother’s eyes reddened, and she wiped away tears.
“Haitang, what are you doing? Don’t let your Third Aunt laugh at you. Since she brought eggs, thank her properly. Next time we have something good at home, share some with your Third Aunt.”
Grandma Lin couldn’t stand her daughter-in-law Bai Haitang’s tendency to cry at the drop of a hat.
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, please sit in the yard. I was just about to ask Haitang to borrow eggs from your house, and here you are delivering them. As the eldest sister-in-law, I thank both of you.”
Grandma Lin thanked Third Uncle and his wife once more. When she married into this family, Third Uncle was still unmarried. It was only with the help of Grandma Lin and Grandpa Lin that Third Uncle’s Wife was brought into the family.
This Third Uncle was eloquent and treated Grandpa Lin well, though he wasn’t as kind to outsiders. The villagers called him “San Guaizi” (Third Cripple), and over time, he became known as Uncle Guaizi or Grandpa Guaizi.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, what are you saying? These are for the child. There’s no need to thank us.”
Third Uncle’s Wife noticed Lin Yuhe standing at the doorway, silently watching them without saying a word. Her heart ached. “Yuhe, how are you feeling? Be a good girl and don’t be upset.”
She had scolded others for crying, but now she herself was wiping away tears.
Grandpa Lin also came out of the house and saw his third brother visiting. “How are things? Do you have enough grain at home? If not, I can spare some from our stock. It should tide you over until the autumn harvest.”
The two elderly brothers each took a small stool and sat in the shade by the wall. “Big Brother, no need. Your family has more sons than mine. They say a growing boy eats his father out of house and home—it’s absolutely true.”
Grandpa Lin smiled but said nothing. Every family wanted sons, but theirs still cherished their granddaughter dearly.
Third Uncle continued, “Big Brother, now that Yuhe’s engagement is broken off, have you retrieved the Gengtie? This is an important matter and must not be taken lightly.”
“Don’t worry. Lin Hai and our second son went together. It cost a full five taels of silver to get it back,” Grandpa Lin said with a hint of helplessness.
Third Uncle exploded upon hearing this, "What? The Zhang family's little bastards shamelessly insisted on arranging a childhood marriage back then, only giving two taels of silver. Now that our family wants our own thing back, they're asking for five taels!"
"You two brothers, why are you getting so worked up while talking? Can't you discuss things calmly?" Grandma Lin knew the two brothers weren't truly arguing.
Third Uncle still spoke somewhat urgently, "Sister-in-law, my brother is too kind-hearted. How can you also agree to spend five taels of silver to buy back the Gengtie? The second boy isn't even married yet! Just give them two taels."
"Money spent can be earned again. Getting Yuhe's Gengtie back is worth more than anything," Grandpa Lin affirmed from the side.
Seeing Lin Yuhe standing at the doorway, Third Uncle's voice grew softer and softer.
He quickly took two steps forward and crouched down in front of Lin Yuhe, "Yuhe, Third Uncle didn't mean you're not important. We're willing to spend however much silver it takes. Third Uncle just thinks the Zhang family is too greedy."
Lin Yuhe understood there was no misunderstanding—this family truly cherished their children, especially her. She nodded and turned back to her room.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with the child? Isn't this matter already over?" Third Uncle's Wife watched Lin Yuhe, who only nodded or shook her head without speaking, with great concern.
Grandma Lin didn't want to explain too much to Third Uncle's Wife, so she simply said, "The child's throat is injured and hasn't fully healed yet. She's still taking medicine."
In truth, Lin Yuhe's throat was almost better; she just didn't want to speak much. She wanted to observe every person in this household clearly.
"Sister-in-law, we should head back. There's still a lot to do at home. If you need anything, come find me. I'm saving up some eggs for the girl. When she finishes them, send Haitang to our house to get more." Third Uncle's Wife didn't stay too long and soon suggested leaving.
Grandma Lin didn't say too many words of thanks either, just patted Third Uncle's Wife's arm while holding it.
After seeing off Third Uncle's Wife, Grandma Lin entered Lin Yuhe's room, "Yuhe, don't be sad anymore. The Zhang family is no good. No matter what you become in the future, you'll always be the treasure of our Lin family."
Lin Yuhe looked directly at Grandma Lin, her grandmother in this life. What did she mean by that? Had she realized she wasn't the original owner?
"Grandma, I—" Lin Yuhe's hoarse voice finally spoke.
"Yuhe, you're finally willing to speak! My granddaughter is back. From now on, you are my granddaughter." Grandma Lin hugged Lin Yuhe and burst into tears.
The day passed quickly. The two brothers who had gone to town to sell firewood returned. Today, they were quite lucky—two bundles of firewood sold for four wen.
"Sister, here's a meat bun for you. Eat it quickly before it gets cold and loses its taste," Lin Changping pulled out two meat buns, each the size of a child's fist, wrapped in leaves from his chest, and handed them to Lin Yuhe.
Taking the meat buns, Lin Yuhe looked at the brothers' faces and took a bite. To be honest, the bun wasn't delicious—it couldn't compare to what she could make. She just wanted to see the brothers' reactions.
Watching their sister eat the bun, the two brothers couldn't help but swallow. Were the meat buns really that tasty?
"Sister, hurry up and eat. Tomorrow, we brothers will buy more for you," Lin Chang'an said.
The meat buns had been tucked in his chest the whole way back. Smelling their fragrance along the journey had made him even hungrier, but he never once thought of eating them—they were bought for his sister.
In this generation of the family, their sister was the only girl. The whole family cherished her dearly. Even as boys, they had to come second to their sister.
"Sister, you eat it! I'll go fetch water from the river with Changan," she said, pulling away the drooling Lin Chang'an.
Lin Yuhe watched the two brothers leave, then carefully rewrapped the two buns in her hand and placed them on the top shelf of a worn-out cabinet in the kitchen.
"What did you put in the cabinet?" Mother Lin asked casually.