Chapter 24: The Ox Cart Encounter

He had just given her ten taels of silver yesterday, and now another twenty. Even a wealthy landlord wouldn’t be so generous.

If it were any other man, she’d be thankful if he didn’t guard against her. There was no way he’d just hand over dozens of taels.

Lin Qinghuan’s expression turned subtle. Since Xiao Hanting wasn’t short on money, why didn’t he use it to make life better for himself and the children?

But then again, the gossips in the village would blow things out of proportion. If they knew Xiao Hanting had a fortune, they’d scheme against him endlessly. He’d have no time to deal with the trouble.

‘No need. The ten taels you gave me yesterday are still mostly unused. They’re more than enough to buy quilts and new clothes.’ Lin Qinghuan pushed the silver back.

She and Xiao Hanting had formed this temporary family. She couldn’t let him be the only one contributing. She had to give as well, for it to be fair.

‘Keep it. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. I’ve earned some money running a study with a friend over the years. The savings are enough to support all of you. From now on, don’t hold back on food or clothing.’

His way of speaking and handing over money really made it hard not to like him.

So ancient times had their own version of a domineering CEO.

Xiao Hanting insisted, so Lin Qinghuan accepted. She could just keep whatever she didn’t use. They would need it eventually, living together.

‘Fine. Is there anything you want me to bring? I’ll pick it up for you.’

‘Bring some rice paper and ink brushes. Qingyu is not young anymore, but he’s never been to school. It can’t hurt for him to learn to read.’ Xiao Hanting spoke seriously.

He wasn saying this because he saw through everything, but because he knew the Lin family. They wouldn’t let Lin Qingyu attend school. The boy’s knowledge was probably less than Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s. He needed to consider his future.

Hearing this, Lin Qinghuan was filled with guilt. She had never thought about it, just focused on getting through each day.

She hadn’t noticed that Qingyu was already twelve. In ancient times, by sixteen or eighteen, people could start discussing marriage. There wasn’t much time to waste.

She didn’t want her brother to live an ordinary, mediocre life. Learning more couldn’t be wrong.

She never expected Xiao Hanting, a grown man, to be so observant. Noticing this on only the second day was truly surprising.

‘It’s my negligence as his sister. I’ll buy more. Please take charge of his education from now on. If he does anything wrong, feel free to correct him.’

Xiao Hanting was someone who could take the imperial exams. He was upright and principled. She could trust him completely with Qingyu.

‘You’re too kind. We’re family. No need for separate talk.’ Xiao Hanting looked at her steadily, as if this was a trivial matter not worth thanks.

Lin Qinghuan smiled politely, then went to the kitchen to boil eggs and steam some corn and sweet potatoes to eat together.

After finishing, the sky was fully bright. Lin Qinghuan carried her only backpack and went to the village entrance to catch the ox cart.

To go to the county, you had to take the ox cart early in the morning. If you missed it, you’d have to wait until tomorrow.

By the time she arrived, there were already a dozen people on the cart. The remaining seats were near the edges.

Lin Qinghuan didn’t say anything. She picked a seat and sat down, placing the backpack on her lap.

As luck would have it, Old Madam Lin and Zhang Cuihong were on the cart today.

They must have gone to the county together, sitting close to each other.

When Lin Qinghuan boarded, the atmosphere froze for a moment.

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