The Chen Zhanshan couple naturally overheard the commotion in the neighboring yard over a box of cakes.
Recalling the day Chen Zhancai returned and urged Old Lady Chen to ask him for money, Chen Zhanshan felt a pang of heartache.
The third brother has been living in the town for years, and it seems that he has only learned to enjoy life and has forgotten his original aspirations.
They're becoming increasingly irresponsible, acting like royalty at home.
Having lived together before, I had become numb and accustomed to it.
Only after moving out and living separately did I realize how terribly wrong the third child was...
He frowned and sighed, "Xiumei, it's a good thing we moved out and lived separately, otherwise we would still be exploited by them in the old house."
Madam Lin smiled faintly, "Who says otherwise? There are only the second and third sons left over there. If parents don't treat them equally, it's normal for Zhanliang's family to have objections."
"My grandparents are so biased. Erbao is so thin that he can't even get an egg. My grandma even tried to take a box of cakes and give it to Ruolan."
Chen Jiye and Sister Ruolan have eaten all sorts of good food, yet they used to brag to me and Erbao about how much they ate in town. Poor Erbao.
Chen Han and Chen Erbao are both eight years old. He is only one month older than Chen Erbao. He wanted to protect Erbao from the bottom of his heart. Moreover, they grew up together since they were little and were almost inseparable. Their relationship was very close.
He put down his pen, looked up, and grumbled indignantly on Chen Erbao's behalf.
Hearing his rambling, Madam Lin chuckled softly, "I know you and Erbao are close. If you have something delicious to eat, just call him over to share it with you."
Chen Han shook his head like a little adult, "Mom, Erbao also has his pride. He knows that we have separated from my grandparents and are now two separate families. He is embarrassed to come to our house for dinner."
Seeing Chen Han's concern for Erbao, Chen Qingqing smiled helplessly, "Xiao Han, you should be thinking about studying hard now. When you are capable in the future, you can naturally take care of Erbao. If you can't even take care of yourself, how can you help Erbao?"
Chen Han nodded heavily. "Sister, I know."
Chen Qingqing has always felt sorry for Chen Zhanliang's family. No matter how much they give, they will eventually be drained dry by the third wife's bloodsucking. It would be better for them to separate and live separately.
Their reluctance to leave must also stem from a glimmer of hope for Chen Zhancai. After all, they had supported him for so many years, and if he were to actually pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, it would certainly be a prestigious thing in this small Nanshan Village. It would even make it easier for Da Bao and Er Bao to find spouses.
Furthermore, if Old Man Chen and his wife do not propose dividing the family property, the second wife will be considered unfilial if she moves out, and will not be able to hold her head high in the village in the future.
Back then, Old Mrs. Chen kicked out the eldest son's family, separated the family, and severed ties with them because she believed she could control Chen Zhanshan.
But she never expected that she would become an unexpected disaster, ending up losing both her money and her life. Old Mrs. Chen must be regretting it to death right now!
Chen Zhanshan laughed and said, "Alright, we can't interfere with what's going on at the old house. If your second uncle's family really can't make ends meet, they'll naturally come to us for help. We'll definitely lend a hand if we can."
Madam Lin nodded in agreement, "Husband, you're right. Zhanliang and his wife are good people. They helped us when we were in the most difficult time. No matter how good or bad the things they gave us were, they helped us through the crisis at the time. We must repay this favor in the future."
Chen Qingqing smiled and agreed, "Mother is right, I agree with this approach."
“I agree too.” Chen Han raised his hand.
Chen Zhanshan stood up with a smile and took out a handful of copper coins from his pocket. "Ever since Qingya dug up the ginseng, our family's good luck seems to have come all at once, and we can't stop it."
I've been earning ten coins a day in town these past few days. Although I don't earn as much as Qingya, ten coins a day adds up to three hundred coins a month, and I can save more than three taels of silver a year.
"Qing'er, you shouldn't go to Wolf Valley to risk digging for ginseng anymore, so as not to worry your parents."
"Father, don't worry, I won't risk my life."
To avoid worrying them, Chen Qingqing obediently nodded, but she didn't think that way in her heart. If her father only earned three taels of silver, how could he support Chen Han's studies, and how could he help his older brother Chen Feng open a restaurant in the future?
Besides, she had been longing for that nine-leaf ginseng king on the mountain, and she couldn't let it go without digging it up.
Although the money she has is enough for her family to live a good life, she doesn't want her skills to go to waste. She wants to open a clinic to help more people in need get rid of the pain caused by illness.
Of course, people like Fan Tong and Fan Hun are exceptions. She doesn't want to deceive people, but since the magic ring given to her by the Black and White Ghost Brother agrees with her punishing evil people, she can't blame herself for lacking medical ethics.
At this moment, Lin was holding a set of clothes that had been made. She smiled and said to Chen Qingqing, "Qing'er, come and try on the clothes."
"Mom, you work so fast! My clothes are finished in just a few days."
Lin was a little embarrassed by the praise. "I saw that you often went to town wearing patched clothes. I was afraid that people would look down on you, so I went to the trouble of making these clothes for you."
Lin heard from the village head's wife about her daughter's bet with Chen Ruolan. Her daughter was sensible and didn't want her to worry, so she didn't mention it when she came back. Fortunately, the village head's wife told her about it, otherwise she would still be in the dark. So she has been working day and night to make clothes for the past two days.
Chen Qingqing looked at Lin's bloodshot eyes, took the clothes and put them aside, then took her hands and found that her hands had many needle marks and bruises.
She felt a pang of sympathy. "Mother, it doesn't matter what you wear. I don't care what others think."
“That’s true, but there are too many snobs these days. They’re used to currying favor with people who are dressed smartly. I don’t want you to suffer because of that.” Madam Lin said with a loving expression. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Go and try on the clothes to see if they fit.”
"Okay." Chen Qingqing nodded, took the clothes, and went inside, quickly changing them.
A pair of trousers and a short jacket; the fabric wasn't expensive, but they were very comfortable to wear.
Lin's work on the waist was particularly good, highlighting Chen Qingqing's slender waist when she wore it, and the neckline was carefully sewn with a circle of fine blue lace.
The apricot-colored clothes made her look even more radiant.
Chen Qingqing came out and circled around in front of Lin Shi. "Mother, your craftsmanship is so good. The clothes fit perfectly. Thank you, Mother."
Madam Lin smiled and gave her a reproachful look, "You child, why are you being so polite with your mother?"
Chen Qingqing was deeply moved; she was no longer alone in this life.
She has a loving father, a doting mother, a protective older brother, and an admiring younger brother. It feels so good...
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