Chapter 6: Gou Dan’s Hesitation

Lin Yue saw two or three people skillfully take out a quilt from a bundle and then pull out a flatbread to nibble on.

Zhou’s eldest son didn’t seem surprised, but his eyes glanced at Lin Yue.

Staying in someone else’s house usually required payment. Lin Yue only had four wen in her purse and wasn’t sure if it would be enough.

Moreover, the backyard wasn’t exactly inviting.

There were already two or three men lying in the cart.

The ox had been brought into the shed, but its dung hadn’t been cleaned, attracting swarms of insects.

The cattle shed was right nearby, sending off waves of foul odor, mixed with the sounds of oxen and buzzing insects.

Not suitable for living!

These four words kept flashing in Lin Yue’s mind.

“Let’s go take a look,” Lin Yue said, holding Gou Dan’s hand, looking at Da Ya.

Da Ya hid behind Gou Dan.

“Hold tight,” Lin Yue said gently, not forcing her, and they walked into the house.

“Here you are,” the people inside were familiar with Zhou’s eldest son. “Want something to eat?”

“The usual,” Zhou’s eldest son muttered, “This rain on the road really wore me out.”

“You’re saying? Huangshi Village was washed away by the mudslide, just across the mountain from you.”

The woman went into the kitchen to cook, while a man brought three bowls into the hall, pouring drinks. “I heard everyone there died, and no one dared to rescue. Continuous heavy rain these days, supplies in Shitai are short. This trip of yours should make you a good profit.”

“Hahaha, I thought the same,” Zhou’s eldest son said, drinking to warm himself.

“What do you want to eat?” the man asked Lin Yue.

“I brought food. I just need a room to rest,” Lin Yue said nervously. “How much?”

“Uh…” The man hadn’t replied when Zhou’s eldest son interrupted. “She’s my acquaintance. Aunt Li specifically told me to take care of her. You better charge less.”

The man clearly knew Aunt Li.

“Heh, when have I ever charged too much?”

The man joked, looking at Lin Yue and the children. “These little ones, not easy at all. Four wen should do.”

Four wen was nothing to a hero.

Lin Yue took out her purse and shook out four wen, staring at the man.

She shook the purse again, but no more coins came out.

Looking a bit pitiful.

The man looked at her. “That’s all?”

Lin Yue felt a bit embarrassed, then took out a meat bun. “Add this, alright?”

The man sighed, came over, and picked up the four wen. “Not good at managing, eh? No money to buy meat buns.”

He didn’t take the meat bun. “The children are so thin. Give it to them. Follow me.”

They went to a small room in the east wing, which had a bed and a wooden basin on a rack.

The conditions were simple, but far better than the open backyard.

At least they wouldn’t get rained on.

Lin Yue’s body slowly warmed.

“When their dishes are ready, and the hot water is done, I’ll bring some over,” he said.

“Thank you.”

Once the man left, Lin Yue sat on the straw-padded bed, fully relaxed.

“Let’s eat!”

At the mention of food, not just Lin Yue, but the children’s eyes lit up.

They had only eaten half a flatbread today, already starving.

If it weren’t for the meat buns earlier, giving them a bit of oil and calories, they would probably have fainted.

Lin Yue took four meat buns out of her virtual space—those refreshed at noon—and just retrieved them.

“One for you, one for me, one for you, and one for me again.”

She divided them like a practiced teacher.

Lin Yue took two buns; each child got one.

“Any objections?”

“Huh?” Gou Dan looked puzzled. “One-one? What does that mean?”

“It means any objections? Do you think this division is fair?”

Gou Dan eyed the two buns in Lin Yue’s hands greedily, but shook his head.

Da Ya didn’t even acknowledge Lin Yue. She seemed lost in her own world, only taking the bun when Gou Dan handed it to her.

Seeing that both children had no complaints, Lin Yue felt relieved.

She hadn’t raised children before, but she wasn’t the type to hoard her rations and give only scraps to the kids.

If you skimp on yourself, neglecting your own needs, your heart won’t feel happy. Naturally, you’ll expect some return from the children.

But children, in turn, may take it for granted, thinking everything is owed to them.

If you keep living like that, eventually neither side’s needs are satisfied, and conflicts only grow.

So Lin Yue’s principle was simple: take care of herself first, then others.

But she also wanted to explain a bit, so they wouldn’t feel resentful.

“Big sister is an adult. Look at our sizes. I’m bigger than you, so I need a little more to eat. Got it?”

Gou Dan nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Yue ruffled his hair. “Go ahead and eat.”

Seeing that Da Ya was still dazed, Lin Yue softly said to her, “Eat.”

Still no response.

Lin Yue took the meat bun from her hand and placed it in her mouth. “Stop staring.”

Da Ya looked up, surprised.

“I…,” her voice was faint, even smaller than a chick’s, cautious and timid. “Can I eat?”

“Of course.”

The moment Lin Yue said “of course,” Da Ya greedily stuffed the bun into her mouth, as if afraid someone would snatch it away.

Lin Yue looked at her eating, tempted to stop her.

But seeing how careful she had been earlier, she decided to wait and teach her later.

Lin Yue couldn’t resist and took a bite herself.

The meat juice burst in her mouth.

Wow! Delicious!

No matter how many times she ate it, it never failed to move her!

Once the hot water was ready, Lin Yue washed herself first to remove some chill.

Then she helped Da Ya and Gou Dan clean up.

“I’m going to pee,” Gou Dan said, rushing out.

“This child… scared? Want me to take you?”

“No!” Gou Dan’s voice rang out clear and loud.

It was obvious he had eaten his fill.

At the outdoor latrine, after peeing, he stood on the ground and carefully took out a string of coins from his pants.

He never felt at ease keeping money anywhere else—only where he could feel it with him.

But it rubbed his skin raw, turning red and almost blistering.

Still, he had no mind to care, constantly peeking outside.

By moonlight, after making sure no one was around, he carefully untied the knots on the string of coins.

He had tied a knot for every 100 wen, with extra knots at the ends.

Squatting, he untied one knot and poured the coins into his belly pouch.

Holding the next knot, he hesitated—should he give 100 wen or 200 wen?

Sister-in-law had changed so much these past two days, becoming more capable, which reassured him.

And they were almost at Shitai; they needed travel money, otherwise she couldn’t make it.

But she was too extravagant, buying meat buns every meal.

He felt like her money was going down the drain—but a lot of it ended up in his mouth.

Gou Dan held the money, thinking and hesitating.

Finally, he untied the other knot, poured in another 100 wen, then carefully retied the string.

He tucked it back into his pants, thoroughly checking the ground to make sure no coins had fallen.

Satisfied, he cautiously ran back to the room.

Once inside, his heart was pounding, excited and anticipating Lin Yue’s praise.

“Big sister, the money—”

Before he could finish, she fanned her nose. “Why does it smell so bad? You went to the latrine?”