next day
At noon, Lin Qinghuan and Fang Li were chatting at the entrance of the courtyard when they saw Wang Cuihua return looking travel-worn and haggard. Soon after, they heard heart-wrenching, unbearable sobs coming from inside the courtyard.
"Xiao Jian! Why did you think of such a thing? If you die, what will your mother do!"
"How could you be so heartless as to abandon your mother? How am I supposed to live now?!"
"Xiao Jian, my son! My poor, unfortunate son..."
Hearing Wang Cuihua's sorrowful cries, everyone fell silent, and even those who were easily moved to tears.
"Wang Cuihua was also a pitiful person!" Fang Li sighed.
Aunt Lin sighed, "There's always a reason why someone is pitiful. If Wang Cuihua hadn't spoiled Li Jian so much and had taken a firmer approach to change his stubborn nature, Li Jian might not have done such an outrageous thing. He might not have died, and Piaoxue would still be alive and well."
“Qiangzi is gone, and Li Jian is dead too. Now, only two old people, Li Changqing and Wang Cuihua, are left all alone. How will they survive?” said the village chief’s wife.
...
Lin Qinghuan listened to everyone's hushed discussions and felt a bit conflicted. She envied Li Jian for having such a loving mother, but unfortunately, Li Jian didn't know how to cherish her.
After Lin Piaoxue's funeral, Lin Qinghuan and Grandpa Lin prepared to return to the city.
After dinner, Lin Qinghuan looked at her father, who was sitting in the living room smoking silently, and said, "Dad, why don't you take Mom and come back to the city with us? It will be easier for me to give Mom acupuncture and massage, as well as traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Although it won't make Mom a normal person again, it should be able to let her eat by herself, go to the toilet by herself, and take care of herself."
Lin's father frowned and said, "Your mother and I went to the city. What will happen to the brick factory and the small shop?"
Lin Qinghuan thought for a moment and said, "Let Auntie run the convenience store for now!"
"What about the brick factory?" Lin's father asked.
Lin Qinghuan looked at Lin Qing and Lin Feng, "Why don't one of you stay and take over the brick factory?"
“I promised to help you, and I won’t go back on my word. Besides, I’m in contact with a few suppliers and we’re about to sign contracts,” Lin Qing said.
Lin Feng said, "I prefer following my grandfather. Not only can I learn a lot from him, but I can also broaden my horizons."
Seeing that neither Lin Qing nor Lin Feng were willing to take over the brick factory, Lin Qinghuan thought for a moment and suggested, "Let Uncle help manage it for a period of time. During Uncle's management, he can have 20% of the profits from the brick factory. What do you think?"
Lin's father was somewhat undecided, so he looked at Lin's grandfather, wanting to ask for his opinion, and asked, "Dad, what do you think?"
Grandpa Lin agreed, “Qinghuan’s arrangements are very good. You and your wife can come back to the city with us and let Qinghuan treat her. Once she can take care of herself, you can go back to the village and take over the business.”
Mr. Lin was very reluctant to leave the brick factory he had worked so hard to build, but for Mrs. Lin's health, he chose to accompany her back to the city.
"Okay, I'll go tell your uncle and Aunt Lin." Lin's father said, standing up and walking towards the outside of the courtyard. After a few steps, he turned back to Lin Qinghuan and said, "Follow me!"
Lin Qinghuan looked slightly puzzled, but still followed.
When Lin's father and Lin Qinghuan arrived at Lin's uncle's house, their aunt and Lin Tang had already left. Only Lin's uncle was sitting in the main room drinking tea. When he saw them arrive, he smiled and invited them to sit down.
"No one visits a temple without a reason," so Lin's father must have something to ask him when he came at this time. He asked with some curiosity, "Second son, do you need something from me?"
Lin's father gave a soft "hmm" and said, "Brother, I would like to ask you to help manage the brick factory for a period of time."
"Okay." Uncle Lin thought it was something big, but it was just helping to manage the brick factory, so he agreed without thinking.
“Brother, I won’t let you help for nothing. During the time you manage the brick factory, I will give you 20% of the profits from the brick factory,” Lin’s father said.
“We’re family, no need to be so polite,” Uncle Lin quickly said.
Lin's father said frankly, "Brother, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. I can't let you help me for nothing. Besides, I trust you, that's why I asked you to help manage the brick factory."
"Let's leave the convenience store to you for now, sister-in-law! All the money from the sales is yours. It's not much, but it's alright."
Uncle Lin thought Lin Piaoxue was dead. Lin's father was in a bad mood and had no interest in managing the brick factory. Now that he had even put the convenience store under Lin's control, he realized something was wrong.
"Second brother, are you leaving the village?" Uncle Lin asked.
Mr. Lin replied, “My wife is quite ill. I need to take her to the city so that Qinghuan can treat her.”
"Alright, thank you then, brother," Uncle Lin said.
Mr. Lin glanced at Lin Qinghuan, a hint of relief on his face. "Qinghuan has become sensible. She has given all the things that her mother left her to her."
Uncle Lin asked in surprise, "Qinghuan is still young, are you sure you want to give it to her now?"
Lin's father said solemnly, "Brother, I forgot to tell you, Qinghuan may be here. She opened a huge supermarket, bigger than the village committee's courtyard. You and your sister-in-law must go and have a look when you have time."
Uncle Lin exclaimed in surprise, "It's true! Qinghuan is really that capable!"
Lin's father said with pride, "Why would I lie to you?"
Uncle Lin exclaimed with undisguised joy, "This is a truly glorious event that will bring honor to our ancestors!"
"Qinghuan, you're so young, yet you've achieved so much. You've brought honor to the Lin family."
Lin Qinghuan smiled and said modestly, "Uncle, it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. I thought opening a supermarket would be profitable, and I just happened to find a suitable shop..."
"Good, good, you truly are a good child that your grandmother has her eye on." Uncle Lin said, standing up and going into the room. After a while, he came out of the room carrying a small box.
“Qinghuan, your grandmother is worried that you will be looked down upon by your husband’s family after you get married. This is the dowry she left for you.”
Uncle Lin put the box on the table, took out the key to open it, revealing the gold and silver jewelry inside, and then pushed the box to Lin Qinghuan.
Lin Qinghuan took the box, picked out two gold bracelets, a jade thumb ring, and a jade pendant, and placed them in front of her uncle. "Uncle, this is my gift to you. Please don't refuse it."
Uncle Lin and Father Lin exchanged a glance, their faces showing understanding. Without refusing, they said with smiles, "Uncle will accept it without hesitation."
Lin Qinghuan also took out a few pieces of jewelry and handed them to her father, saying, "Take these to your three older brothers!"
Lin's father rarely smiled. "Alright, I thank you on behalf of your third brother!"
Lin Qinghuan smiled when she heard her father's words. She didn't lack gold and silver jewelry. Besides, it was left to her by her grandmother. Her uncle didn't keep it for himself, which showed his good character. Moreover, her father didn't go against her grandmother's last wishes and was willing to give her all the gold and silver jewelry. It was for this reason that she was willing to give them a few pieces of gold and silver jewelry in return.
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