Chapter 48: The Riverbank Bounty

Old Madam Lin’s expression cleared instantly, and her confidence returned.

“After all, it’s my own granddaughter getting married. As her grandmother, I have to put some effort into the arrangements. Don’t be fooled by these few things, I even bought her a plain hairpin and silver bracelets from the jewelry shop. Those alone cost a pretty penny.”

Old Madam Lin signaled to Big Aunt, motioning for her to bring them out for everyone to see, so the others would envy their family.

When the items were displayed, the crowd did feel a bit jealous. What did country folk know about jewelry? That Old Madam Lin had prepared these as dowry showed she truly cared.

Everyone chattered excitedly about Lin Yanlan’s dowry, leaving Lin Qinghuan to enjoy the peace. She leaned against her basket and dozed off.

When they reached the village, people paired off in small groups to head home. Lin Qinghuan walked alone.

People are practical. Now that Lin Qinghuan had cut ties with the Lin family and married into a poor household, who would want to get close to her?

But that suited her just fine.

On her way back, Lin Qinghuan saw many children playing and splashing in the creek. She quickened her pace toward home.

“Mother, you’re back! Father taught me several more characters today. Let me show you.” Da Bao reported excitedly, his little face flushed with enthusiasm.

Lin Qinghuan pinched his cheek and pulled him into her arms. “Is that so? You’re amazing, Da Bao. Look what Mother bought for you.”

She let the chicks out of her basket, and they immediately filled the yard with chirping.

“You have to feed them greens on time, alright? Make them nice and plump.”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s eyes lit up. They found it utterly fascinating.

“I will!”

Not even bothering to fix the fence, Lin Qinghuan thought of the children playing in the creek. If she could get them to catch things from the water, it would be convenient. So after settling the chicks, she went out again.

By the creek, Lin Qinghuan called out loudly.

“Who wants to earn some money?”

“Me!” “Me!”

The children froze for a moment, then all chorused in agreement and scrambled ashore, jostling to crowd around Lin Qinghuan.

“Then get in the creek and catch whatever you can. I’ll buy everything. Whoever catches the most gets a little extra. How about that?”

The village had no shortage of creeks and hills, and likely plenty of wild goods. She planned to mobilize the whole village, so she needed to spread the word first.

Otherwise, with these kids, a few candies would be enough to get them to catch things for her.

At her request, the taller children jumped back into the creek and began diving for creatures.

Some used their clothes as bags, others used bamboo baskets. With a dozen kids mobilized, it wasn’t long before a pile accumulated at her feet.

The children were delighted, emptying their catches in front of her before diving back in.

This was easy for them. Country kids had nowhere else to play; they spent almost half the year in the creek.

Crayfish, crucian carp, common carp, various small shrimp and fish, even yellow catfish, though in small quantities.

There were even a few pounds of eels.

After nearly an hour, Lin Qinghuan called for them to stop.

“Alright, I’ve been watching. You were the most enthusiastic and caught the most, so I’ll give you twenty coppers. Everyone else gets fifteen. Any objections?”

She pointed to the tallest boy among them, probably two years older and more experienced at diving, which explained his larger haul.

The children were overjoyed. This kind of work was nothing to them, something they did just for fun. They never expected to get paid for it.

They had thought a few coppers would be generous, but fifteen coppers? In a few days, they could even afford a meat meal. How could they not be thrilled?

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Whole World Hates Me, but He Must Be Blind

Alternate UniversedanmeiFantasy World

Read Now →
Not interested