The aunts haven't been in contact with our family for the past few years. They didn't come when Lin Lao Si and Lin Lao Wu got married. Now they are sitting around and feel very restrained.

Mother Lin: "Qingqing just told me that she wants Xiaomei to join the army. I definitely agree. This is a good thing. We need to talk to her aunt about this matter. It happens that her eldest and third aunts are also here, so let's discuss it together."

Aunt Lin smiled. "It's a good thing that Qingqing can let her and I learn something. I heard Qingqing say that we'll be gone tomorrow. We'll go back and pack up. What time should we come tomorrow morning?"

Mother Lin smiled and said, "Xiaomei and her husband can't let her work for nothing. Our family hasn't split up yet, so I called all the wives here to discuss how much money we should give Xiaomei and her husband this year. I thought that after all, she's out of town and can't come back at any time, so we'll give her 50 yuan this year. What do you think?"

Auntie glared at him. Their family couldn't even save 60 yuan a year, and Xiaomei only gave him this much for cooking and helping with housework. Auntie was suspicious. Wasn't my brother's family very poor?

After being stunned for a few seconds, Aunt Lin rubbed her hands and said, "It's just a meal for you. We're all family, so how can I pay you? Sister-in-law, it would be too formal if you pay me."

Mother Lin waved her hand and said, "Brothers, let's not settle accounts. Xiaomei has really put my mind at ease. I should give her the money, and you should take it too. Our family has the money now. In the next few years, we will demolish this thatched house and build ten large houses with blue bricks and tiles. Just think of this money as a dowry for Xiaomei."

Aunt Lin was surprised: "A large blue brick and tiled house, ten... ten rooms?"

Aunt Lin pressed the issue, "Ten rooms?" Oh, my goodness, a house with big blue bricks and tiles is the best house ever, and ten rooms? But my brother's family is large, so we need to build more houses.

Mother Lin smiled and said, "It's ten rooms. It's all because of Qingqing's ability."

Aunt Lin glanced at the daughters-in-law of the Lin family. They had all been smiling since they entered the house. They were not like the younger sisters-in-law who looked squinting and grimacing with jealousy after spending money. This was rare even in the countryside.

She also advised: "Sister, I think what Baojun's mother said is reasonable, so you should not refuse. If you make things awkward, it will be Xiaomei's dowry."

Li Zhaodi and Zhang Guilian were also very tactful and worked together to mediate.

Aunt Lin lowered her head and thought for a while: "Okay, this money will be given to Xiaomei. I will thank her uncle and Qingqing on her behalf. Now I will take her home to pack up." After saying that, she stood up and was about to leave.

Mother Lin said hurriedly, "Auntie, it's still early and we don't know what time it is. Take Xiaomei back home and pack up. When you're done, come over together and sleep in that clean room tonight."

(A warning: the hero and heroine haven't gotten married yet, so they don't sleep together. You Baozi said that they can just have a wedding banquet, but the hero here is a soldier, so my setting is more rigorous, so they will sleep in the same room after getting married.)

Aunt Lin rubbed her hands and nodded: "Yes." Her daughter had never left her side, and now she was leaving, she felt very reluctant.

After the talk, Aunt Lin told Xiaomei the news and was about to go home with the children. Mother Lin gave Aunt Lin a handful of candy and a big bag of meat and vegetables for the banquet.

"Her aunt brought it back to treat the children who weren't here."

Aunt Lin took it, thanked her repeatedly, and left with the children.

Aunt Lin Da and Aunt Lin San stayed to help clean up, and several daughters-in-law of the Lin family and helpers from the village washed all the dishes. The Lin brothers also had to dismantle the stove and deliver the tables and chairs.

The yard was bustling with activity. Lin Qingqing was tidying up the house. Song Yiyuan wanted to follow the Lin brothers to help, but Lin Baojun came to find Lin Qingqing.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Lin Qingqing opened the door and saw Song Yiyuan: "What's up?"