Yin Chiyan did not speak.
He simply watched Lin Yuming quietly.
"By the way, you're an orphan, right? Is your name really Tieniu?" Lin Yuming asked with a frown.
The names of the two children were too careless—Tie Dabao, Tie Xiaoya… They sounded so odd!
"No," he shook his head. "My name is Yin Chiyan. Tieniu is a nickname the villagers gave me. Over the years, everyone got used to calling me that, so I rarely mention my real name."
Lin Yuming couldn't help but laugh. Indeed, the name suited him—a body as sturdy as iron, a build like an ox.
"What about your family…"
"I lost my memory."
Yin Chiyan's tone remained flat. "Eleven years ago, I was injured and my mind was unclear. All I remember is that my parents died, and my name is Yin Chiyan. The village chief took pity on me, so I settled down here."
"Well, you can call me Yu'er," Lin Yuming's tone relaxed a little. "Let's consider this an attempt at reconciliation. If you still can't stand my temperament in the future, once the children are a bit older, I can agree to a separation."
Hearing the word "separation" and seeing the woman's nonchalant expression, Yin Chiyan felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.
With that said, Lin Yuming began tidying up the room.
She gathered the moldy quilts and the straw spread on the earthen bed, tossed them all into the yard, and even called for Yin Chiyan to help!
Meanwhile, Xiaoya and Dabao had already boiled water!
After working hard all day, Lin Yuming finally cleaned up the small courtyard, and Xiaoya and Dabao were scrubbed clean too!
The moment she saw Xiaoya's clean face, Lin Yuming fell in love with the little girl! She was so adorable—if only she were a bit fairer, she'd be as cute as a doll on a store shelf!
Dabao was the same! With his hair neatly combed, he looked incredibly handsome!
The only thing was, both children still bore scars—all thanks to the original owner's doing!
Lin Yuming also took the opportunity to replace all the bedding in the rooms! She had plenty in her cargo hold!
Fortunately, in her previous life, she had been obsessed with Hanfu and started a Hanfu business. Although the quantity in her cargo hold wasn't large, each piece was exquisitely beautiful and refined.
But of course, she couldn't take them out now!
Facing Yin Chiyan's puzzled gaze, she simply claimed she had stolen them from the Lin family! She had gone out in the morning, so Yin Chiyan couldn't press further.
As the oil lamp was about to be extinguished, Xiaoya cautiously approached Lin Yuming.
"Mother, can I sleep with you tonight?"
Exhausted from the long day, Lin Yuming just wanted to crawl into the warm, clean quilt and sleep. She nodded and pulled Xiaoya into her arms!
Xiaoya was overjoyed!
All these years, they had lived with Yin Chiyan in the adjacent wing room. Without Lin Yu'er's permission, they were absolutely forbidden to enter this room!
And now, her mother was holding her while sleeping!
If her mother could stay like this forever, she would die of happiness!
At the doorway, Dabao stared blankly at the scene, saying nothing, but a flicker of longing shone in his eyes.
Would this woman stay like this forever?
He didn't believe it, nor did he dare to!
"Dabao, do you want to come over too?" Lin Yuming asked drowsily, her eyes half-closed. But she only saw the child turn and run away!
Ah, guiding minors through psychological issues is a long and arduous journey!
Early the next morning, seeing Xiaoya still asleep, Lin Yuming picked up the nearby carrying basket and used her mental power to pour out a whole pile of candies from the cargo hold!
Here, maltose candy sells for about ten wen, while patterned ones like sugar paintings go for around fifteen wen. Most of her candies are individually packaged, so selling them for two wen each is sufficient.
Once prepared, Lin Yuming walked into the kitchen, casually refilling the rice and flour jars before starting to make breakfast.
Dabao was awakened by the aroma wafting from the kitchen. As soon as he opened his eyes, he hurriedly ran toward the room. Upon entering, he saw Lin Yuming bustling around in front of the stove.
"Dabao, you're awake?" Lin Yuming turned and saw the child. Without saying much, she pointed to the hot water she had boiled nearby. "Wash up first, then have breakfast."
The snow-white rice simmering in the hot broth emitted a rich fragrance. Despite his lingering discomfort, Dabao went to wash his hands. But just as he placed his hands in the hot water, he saw Lin Yuming walking over!
Instantly, he tensed up like a wary little animal, staring intently at Lin Yuming.
"Come here," Lin Yuming handed Dabao an unused cloth. "Use this to dry off."
Dabao’s eyes widened in surprise. He cautiously took the cloth, but before he could ask anything, Lin Yuming spoke up. "Hurry up and wash. I’ll go wake your sister. Finish breakfast quickly—Mother needs to go to the market later."
She still had to gather the four taels of silver she promised to return to Zhang Cui and put this matter behind her for good.
Hearing this, Dabao’s heart instantly turned cold.
She was still going to the market to sell him and his sister!
"I don’t want your things!" Dabao angrily threw the cloth aside and ran out.
Hearing the commotion in the kitchen, Yuchi Yan, holding Xiaoya, also walked in. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Dabao in this state, and his expression darkened. "Dabao, what’s wrong?"
"She’s still going to the market to sell Sister!" Dabao’s eyes reddened as he threw a tantrum without explanation.
Yuchi Yan walked straight up to Lin Yuming, but she remained silent, only staring coldly at Dabao. Her gaze made his heart sink.
"What’s going on?"
"Help the child wash up. I’ve prepared some goods and need to go to town to see if I can sell them for some silver," Lin Yuming said as she grabbed the carrying basket nearby. "The food is in the pot. I’ve already eaten."
After saying this, Lin Yuming walked straight out.
Dabao froze, realizing he had misunderstood his mother. He quickly took two steps forward, but she was already gone.
Nearby, Xiaoya yawned and walked over to Dabao. "Brother, you made Mother angry, and she even cooked for us."
Hearing this, Dabao’s guilt deepened. His eyes welled up, and tears suddenly fell.
Yuchi Yan didn’t comfort the child. In his view, many things required children to figure out on their own.
A flicker of complexity passed through his eyes.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuming walked angrily for a long time, only stopping when she reached the village entrance!
She was angry! Although she knew Dabao had misunderstood her, the thought of the child's deep-seated distrust made her heart ache.
Ah, it was all the original owner's fault.
She would just have to wait until evening to go back and have a proper talk with Dabao.