Lin Zhilan took out a decades-old ginseng from her spatial dimension, wrapped it in leaves, and placed it in her basket.
Then, she placed a layer of green vegetables on top.
They were all watered with spring water. The greens were emerald and vibrant; not only were they delicious, but eating them also seemed to make one sleep sounder.
After packing her things, Lin Zhilan carried her daughter and went out.
She had put all the family's money and ration tickets in her spatial dimension, so she wasn't afraid of thieves eyeing them.
Nowadays, when villagers went to town, they either walked on their own two feet or paid the production team five cents to ride the ox cart.
Little Linlin was still young, so Lin Zhilan took her on the ox cart.
"Er Ye," Lin Zhilan took out a dime and handed it to him. "Do I need to pay for the child?"
Er Ye glanced at Linlin. "No need. Just hold her, don't take up an extra seat."
"Alright, thank you, Er Ye."
As soon as Lin Zhilan got on the cart, several young men immediately chased after it and hopped on.
Er Ye snorted through his nose and told them to pay.
Although these men felt the pinch in their wallets, they obediently took out their money for the ride.
The ox cart was not large, and it filled up in no time.
Blushing, these men only dared to look at Lin Zhilan from the corner of their eyes, not even daring to touch the hem of her clothes.
Linlin poked her head out from her mother's embrace, looking at them curiously.
Making eye contact, she immediately shrank her head back.
Her adorable appearance made the young men unable to hold back their smiles.
Before long, the cart arrived in town.
When they got off, Er Ye reminded them seemingly casually, "You must be back here before three o'clock in the afternoon. I won't wait for anyone."
"Understood, thank you, Er Ye."
Today, in order to formally acknowledge their god-relatives, Chen Jin specially took a day off and cleaned up the house with his wife, Zheng Hui.
Peanuts and candies were laid out on the table, and Zheng Hui hurriedly went to the cabinet to find some tea leaves.
Seeing her parents-in-law preparing so solemnly, Miao Yue coaxed her son while muttering in her heart. She wanted to see if the person coming today was really a fairy.
Just as she was thinking this, she heard a woman's voice coming from outside.
"Sister-in-law Zheng, come out quickly, an esteemed guest has arrived at your house."
Zheng Hui hurriedly walked to the door, and upon seeing Lin Zhilan, she was stunned.
Chen Jin had described her as a beauty rarely found on earth, and she had thought he was just bragging. Who knew she was truly this beautiful.
"Xiao Lin, right? Please come in quickly."
Lin Zhilan smiled and nodded, handing her the basket. "Auntie, we don't have anything precious at home. These are all homegrown, please don't mind."
"I don't mind at all," Zheng Hui took the vegetables and teased Linlin. "Is this your daughter? She looks so well-behaved. What is her name?"
Lin Zhilan held her daughter, "Baby, Grandma is asking what your name is."
Linlin hugged her mother's neck and said in a small voice, "Linlin."
Chen Jin, who was inside, grew anxious and shouted towards the door, "What are you doing standing at the door? Come in and talk."
"Ignore him," Zheng Hui reached out her hands. "Little Linlin, let Grandma give you a hug, okay?"
Linlin glanced at her mother, and seeing her nod, she reached out into Zheng Hui's arms.
"Oh my, so good."
Zheng Hui held Linlin, her eyes full of affection. She sent away the nosy neighbors and led Lin Zhilan into the house.
Since Lin Zhilan was an adult, the enthusiasm of Zheng Hui and her husband was entirely directed at Little Linlin.
They unwrapped candies for her and brewed her a cup of malted milk extract.
Where could one find such things in the countryside? Little Linlin's eyes crinkled with delight as she ate, her two little feet dangling and swaying, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Lin Zhilan couldn't stop them, so she could only watch her daughter with a helpless smile.
Miao Yue was in the room feeding her baby. Hearing Chen Jin bringing out candies and brewing malted milk extract, she felt a bit resentful that her parents-in-law were being too generous, so she quickly coaxed her son and came out.
Her bellyful of complaints instantly vanished the moment she saw Lin Zhilan and Linlin.
Miao Yue had a quirk: she loved good-looking people.
Lin Zhilan was beautiful and Linlin was adorable; they hit right at her sweet spot.
Seeing her come out of the room, Lin Zhilan quickly stood up.
Zheng Hui introduced, "This is my daughter-in-law. You can just call her Miao Yue."
"Sister, you can call me Yueyue too."
Miao Yue leaned in and took Lin Zhilan's hand. "Sister, you are so pretty."
Oh my, her hands are so smooth and tender.
If she didn't have to maintain her image in front of a beauty, Miao Yue would have wanted to smell her own hand to see if it was fragrant now.
Lin Zhilan curled her lips into a smile, "Hello, Yueyue."
Seeing her daughter-in-law looking like she was about to drool, Zheng Hui simply couldn't bear to watch.
"Miao Yue, go into the room and see if Qiangqiang has woken up."
"No," Miao Yue didn't even shift her gaze. "He just got full and fell asleep, it will be a while."
Zheng Hui: "..."
Little Linlin held onto her mother's leg, looking at Miao Yue curiously.
The little one was wearing a clean little padded jacket, with two pigtails, looking at her timidly.
Her big eyes were bright and clear, just like grapes.
Miao Yue reached out her hands to her. "Let Auntie give you a hug."
Seeing her mother nod, Linlin slowly approached Miao Yue.
Holding the fragrant and soft little girl in her arms, Miao Yue's heart melted completely.
"Linlin, why don't you be Auntie's daughter instead?"
"No!"
Linlin stopped smiling and didn't even want the candy in her hand anymore, anxiously throwing herself at her mother.
Zheng Hui patted Miao Yue. "Why are you teasing the child?"
Lin Zhilan hugged Linlin into her arms. "It's okay. Baby is Mommy's daughter, I won't give you to anyone. Auntie Yueyue is just playing with you."
Miao Yue also realized she had misspoken and quickly tapped her own mouth. "Pah, pah, pah, Auntie said the wrong thing. Don't be mad, Linlin."
After coaxing her for a long time, Linlin finally turned her head, but her little hand kept gripping her mother's clothes, refusing to let go.
Zheng Hui sighed in her heart.
The child lacked a sense of security.
Zheng Hui went to the kitchen to cook. Lin Zhilan chatted with Chen Jin for a few sentences, then carried her daughter to the kitchen to help.
There was chicken and meat on the cutting board; the spread was probably on par with a Chinese New Year feast.
"I can do it alone, you go out and play with the child."
Lin Zhilan smiled, "It's fine, Auntie. Let me help you."
She had Linlin sit on a small stool while she helped Zheng Hui sort and wash the vegetables.
Zheng Hui looked at Lin Zhilan's side profile and said softly, "From now on, call me Godmother."
Lin Zhilan paused, tearing a hole in the green vegetable in her hand. "Godmother."
Zheng Hui smiled.
"How old are your parents now? We are all family, Lao Chen and I should go visit them."
Lin Zhilan pursed her lips. "My parents are no longer around."
"I see..." Zheng Hui felt a bit of heartache. "Then do you have anyone else in your maiden family?"
Lin Zhilan recalled for a moment; the original owner of her body still had an older brother.
But in the book, the character of Linlin's uncle had never appeared.
Since that was the case, Lin Zhilan replied, "I have an older brother, but we are no longer in contact."
Zheng Hui took the vegetables from her hands. "From now on, treat this place as your maiden home."
Lin Zhilan's parents had divorced and each formed new families.
To either side, she was just a burden, the unwelcome one.
Hearing Zheng Hui's words, her nose inexplicably stung, and she softly hummed, "Mm."
After lunch, Lin Zhilan officially changed how she addressed them, calling them Godfather and Godmother, and Little Linlin also called them Grandpa and Grandma.
When they were returning to the village, Zheng Hui prepared a bag full of pastries and white sugar for her.
After sending off the mother and daughter, Zheng Hui and Chen Jin returned home.
Miao Yue hurriedly closed the door. "Mom, do you know what Zhilan brought over?"