After dinner, Bonnie accompanied her parents for a walk in the yard. Because of the funeral in the family, they usually didn't visit other people's homes.
However, Bonnie's third uncle and aunt came over together. None of their three children lived with them; the eldest and youngest lived in the city, and the second eldest lived in a town outside the island. They had all started their own families and careers.
"Sister-in-law, I really envy you."
"What do you envy about me?"
Looking at her child's third aunt, Bao Ni's mother thought, "She's living a good life, what is there to envy?"
"I envy you for having such a wonderful daughter!"
"That's true. Bonnie is the only girl in her generation. From her grandparents to her uncles and aunts, everyone dotes on her, but she hasn't been spoiled."
This time too, your older brother and I feel much better because Bonnie is here. Otherwise, with Mom and Dad gone, and the children gone, the house feels so empty.
This is also why Bonnie's parents didn't strongly insist that she leave the island; they felt uneasy about it.
"Sister-in-law, after our parents' 49-day mourning period, will you stay on the island or go to the city?"
Aunt Bao Ni knew that her sister-in-law and Lin Yu's wife didn't get along very well; the girl worked quietly and didn't say much. Lin Tao's wife wasn't good either; she favored boys over girls and had different ideas. Only Lin Bo's wife was alright; she was talkative and cheerful.
“We’re not going anywhere this year, we’ll just stay on the island. Our parents just passed away, so we want to stay home. After the New Year, we might go to Bonnie’s place; your older brother and I feel more comfortable there.”
Bao Ni's mother also wanted to stay by her daughter's side; she didn't want to stay at home, where it felt empty and eerily quiet.
"Big brother, have you made up your mind?"
Uncle Bonnie was a little skeptical. People in their area value raising children to provide for them in old age, and almost no one lives with their daughter in their old age; they would be laughed at.
"Yes, it's decided. While we're still healthy, we'll stay active. When we get older, we'll go back to the island to retire. For so many years, your sister-in-law has been taking care of the family and has hardly had any time for herself. Now, while we can still move around, we'll go out and travel."
Bonnie's father also didn't want to live with his son and daughter-in-law, feeling it was inconvenient.
The weather on the island in May is neither too hot nor too cold. With the salty sea breeze and a sky full of stars, it's really comfortable to sit together and chat about everyday things.
As night deepened, everyone dispersed; tomorrow, they would go beachcombing again.
When Bonnie woke up, it was already eight o'clock. After changing her clothes, she opened the door and a ray of sunlight shone on her, making her feel warm.
"Mom, what's for breakfast?"
"Cooked rice porridge, eggs, and vegetable pancakes."
Bao Ni's mother came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of porridge, followed by Bao Ni's father carrying a box of vegetable pancakes.
"Vegetable pancakes, what kind of vegetables?"
"The first batch of chives is so fresh!"
"Is it safe to eat the chives?"
Bonnie felt it wasn't the right time yet; when she returned, the chives in the courtyard had only just begun to grow tall.
"They're ready to eat. They're already over half a foot tall. They're on the sunny side, so the sunlight is better."
After washing up, Bonnie sat down with her parents to eat breakfast.
The eggs laid by our own chickens aren't very big, but they taste great. A sip of porridge, a bite of side dish, and a bite of bread—it's a feast for the taste buds.
"Seeing you eat so heartily has made your father and me more hungry, and we've eaten a bit too much."
"It's okay, we're going to go beachcombing later, so it'll digest quickly."
"That's true. Let's pick more, dry them, and you can take them back."
Every year, Bao Ni's mother would sun-dry a lot of seafood and send it to Bao Ni, knowing that she liked to eat it, and also using it to give gifts.
"Alright, while the weather's nice, I'm going to my secret base. I haven't been back for years, there should be plenty of seafood there."
Bonnie, I just remembered her secret hideout. I haven't been back for two or three years. The sea cucumbers and abalone must have grown quite a bit.
"Okay, go get it back. Your dad and I will dry it at home. But, is that place still available? Is it dangerous?"
Bao Ni's mother had no idea where her daughter's secret hideout was; all the sea cucumbers and abalone she had collected over the years were top-quality.
"I don't know. I'll go and check it out first. If it doesn't work, I won't go."
"Yes, safety first."
Bonnie's father also added a word of advice. He was not one to talk much, but he was happy to listen to his daughter and wife talking.
After packing up, Bonnie and her parents carried baskets on their backs and walked towards the beach.
"Mom, has my eldest brother expanded his seaweed farming area?"
"Yes, now it's all privately contracted. Your older brother has taken over several dozen acres, and he and your sister-in-law work together. When things get busy, they hire some casual laborers. They've made quite a bit of money in the last two years."
"This is all thanks to Bonnie. If it weren't for her developing seaweed farming and teaching Lin Yu how to farm seaweed and earn money to buy a tractor, how would he have managed?"
Your grandfather is right, Bonnie is the lucky star of our Lin family. Because of you, they all have a better future, the children have better lives and learning conditions, and the family continues to thrive generation after generation.
Bonnie's father shared the same sentiment, saying that the goddess Mazu had blessed them with a wonderful daughter.
"That's right, your father and I are the envy of everyone on the island. Having a daughter like Lin Baoni is what many families hope for these days."
Bonnie's parents praised her, one after another, and they felt very happy.
"I didn't even know I was so good at this. It's all thanks to my parents' good upbringing, haha..."
"This child, what a lovely voice, haha..."
The laughter of the family of three carried far across the open seaside. The seabirds heard it and their calls became brighter, as if responding to this joy!
Bonnie had a fulfilling time on the island, accompanying her mother to pick and dry wild vegetables, and helping her father gather firewood and chop wood. She was strong and worked much faster than her father.
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