Chapter 26: The Ability to Earn Money

“Ah? No, no, no… absolutely not, I absolutely cannot accept this money. This is yours, you keep it, I don’t want it.” After another shock, a surge of emotion instantly flooded Wen Jiuyue’s heart, tears uncontrollably pouring out.

“Grandma Wen, don’t you want me anymore?” A sudden wave of fear struck Leng You’s heart, causing her to subconsciously clutch Wen Jiuyue’s clothes.

“Youyou, don’t be afraid!” Xiang Wentian immediately noticed Leng You’s unusual state. Her originally clear, glass-like eyes were now shrouded in a layer of despair, her small face pale and bloodless.

He directly picked Leng You up and held her in his arms, gently patting her back and soothing her repeatedly.

His heart ached as if it were being twisted. He knew that this was the inescapable shadow left on Leng You’s heart by the hellish Leng family, a shadow that might accompany this poor child for life.

The cold light in Xiang Wentian’s eyes gathered into an impending storm.

“How could that be? How could Grandma Wen not want Youyou? I dream of being with you.

Youyou, don’t be afraid! Even if Grandma Wen risks her old life, she will definitely get you back.”

Wen Jiuyue also lovingly stroked Leng You’s hair, no longer able to care about her tears.

“Please take the money,” Xiang Wentian said, still holding Leng You, looking at Wen Jiuyue.

“Alright! Then I’ll keep it for Youyou for now.” Wen Jiuyue, worried about Leng You’s sadness, didn’t dare refuse. However, she secretly decided to only keep it for Leng You and never use a single cent.

“Brother, I’m fine.” Under Xiang Wentian’s gentle coaxing, Leng You finally climbed out of that dark abyss.

“Don’t be afraid of anything in the future, I’m here.” Xiang Wentian looked intently into Leng You’s eyes, each word he uttered resonating deeply in her heart.

“Okay!” Leng You saw her reflection in those bottomless deep eyes, and that reflection seemed to have strength.

At Leng You’s suggestion, dinner was brought forward, and it was to be a good one—dumplings with roe deer meat filling.

While Wen Jiuyue prepared, Xiang Wentian carried Leng You back to Xiang Huaixin’s place.

“This is for Grandpa Xiang and Grandpa Bai.” Leng You explained about selling the ginseng and then took out two stacks of money, placing them separately in front of Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu.

“Xiao Youyou wants to give us money?” Bai Changpu’s eyes were about to pop out.

The fact that the two children had sold the ginseng for such a high price was already incredibly amazing, but for an eight-year-old child to be able to allocate this money so clearly was even more incredibly divine.

“We accept Youyou’s filial piety, but Grandpa Xiang and Grandpa Bai don’t need money.

Let your Grandma Wen keep this money for you. After you leave the Leng family, you’ll need money for your studies, for university. Your Grandma Wen is also getting older each day, and that also costs money.

This amount is far from enough. The real test is yet to come; you need to be mentally prepared.”

Xiang Huaixin was also deeply moved by Leng You’s actions. He knew that although this child was only eight years old, she understood everything she was saying.

“I know, but I can earn money, don’t worry.” Leng You had immense confidence.

“Xiao Youyou, listen to Grandpa Bai, take the money back, we really don’t need it.

If you really want to show filial piety… hehe… just have your Grandma Wen make us more delicious food.”

Bai Changpu expressed his feelings somewhat embarrassedly.

Xiang Huaixin: …

His gaze at Leng You was as fervent as Bai Changpu’s.

“Put it away!” Xiang Wentian scorned his father and Bai Changpu’s somewhat spineless behavior, took the money, and stuffed it into Leng You’s pocket. This ended the extreme tug-of-war.

Leng You also brought some of the fruits and snacks given by Hu Liu. Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu didn’t refuse these, worried about completely angering this stubborn little fellow.

The four of them didn’t delay, returning to Wen Jiuyue’s place.

Wen Jiuyue had prepared everything and was about to make dumplings.

After the four of them arrived, they all helped out, and soon, steaming hot dumplings were served on the table.

Some people’s culinary skills are truly innate, like Wen Jiuyue’s. The roe deer meat dumplings were the most delicious food the five of them had ever eaten.

After dinner, everyone was proud and upright.

When Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu went back, they also took a large basin of dumplings that had been wrapped and frozen solid in the outside cold for a meal’s time. Wen Jiuyue had specially made extra dumplings for Xiang Huaixin and the others for breakfast the next day.

Xiang Wentian didn’t go back with Xiang Huaixin and the others but took Leng You outside.

As if by magic, he took out a custom-made “children’s version” skiing equipment from a corner and helped Leng You put it on.

“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the snowboard, and experience the feeling of shifting your center of gravity forward and backward.

Try walking a few steps, stomp your feet… yes, try jumping.

Squat down… then stand on one leg and see what feels different.

Remember, don’t fall forward, fall sideways.

Keep your center of gravity forward… forward… yes.

…”

Xiang Wentian patiently taught Leng You skiing techniques. He started by holding her in his arms and slowly sliding, and when he felt Leng You gradually mastering the technique, he let go but stayed close by, ready to protect her at any time.

Having already witnessed Leng You’s intelligence, he wasn’t surprised at all when, half an hour later, Leng You was gliding freely in the snow.

After an hour, Leng You could ski up a gentle slope and fly down a short distance.

After two hours, Leng You skied up a large slope and flew down from the top. Although she didn’t land perfectly, because of the proper protective actions, she only fell sideways lightly.

By the time dusk fell and they returned, Leng You no longer looked like a skiing beginner; her soaring posture, like a young eagle, was not inferior to Xiang Wentian’s.

“Brother, let’s ski to the county town tomorrow.” This was one of the few times Leng You had shown such excitement since her rebirth.

“Okay.” Xiang Wentian hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn’t bear to spoil Leng You’s mood.

…

Xiang Wentian arrived early again today. After cleaning the snow off the roof and courtyard and entering the house, he told Wen Jiuyue that he and Leng You were going to the county town.

“Is it safe for you to go skiing?” Wen Jiuyue was very worried.

After all, it was a journey of more than a hundred miles, and they had to cross mountains. In the past, even with a donkey cart, it would take a whole day to go to the county town.

Leng You and Xiang Wentian had made the round trip in just half a day yesterday; Wen Jiuyue couldn’t imagine how incredibly fast that was.

“It’s safe.” Xiang Wentian assured Wen Jiuyue.

“Youyou, this is a big coat made of rabbit fur. We don’t have any extra cloth to make an outer layer; it looks a bit ugly, but you can wear it for now, at least it’s warm.”