Chapter 108: The Gift

With the arrival of summer vacation, Qi Biao first escorted Lin Wu back home.

After paying respects to his parents and recounting his experiences at school, Lin Wu took out the small handmade items he had crafted in his spare time and distributed them to his family one by one.

For his father, he presented two perfectly round black stone balls, meticulously polished. The eldest son, like a child, immediately laughed and walked out while playing with them in his hands. “Haha, I’ll go show them off!”

For his mother, he gifted a set of paintbrushes with plum blossoms carved into their handles. Li Cuimei left happily, eager to use the new brushes to sketch the designs for her envisioned new clothing styles. “Hmm, they’ll definitely look beautiful.”

For his aunt, he gave a small round mirror framed with jujube wood, intricately carved with elaborate patterns, along with a jujube wood comb featuring a pair of butterflies on its handle. Lin Cui’e left with a smile, not wanting to lose her composure in front of others. She headed back to her room to admire herself in the mirror and fix her hair.

Taking out a set of rabbit-hair brushes, Lin Wu frowned. He hadn’t been able to see his second brother off when he left, and he didn’t know when they’d meet again.

Seeing her fifth brother lost in thought while holding the brushes, Lin Fang, sensing his sadness, quickly asked, “Fifth Brother, what about mine? Don’t tell me you forgot about your little sister.”

Lin Wu snapped out of his reverie. “Oh, how could I forget you?”

Setting down the backpack containing the gifts, Lin Wu pulled out an exquisite brocade box from his pocket. Carefully opening it, he revealed a delicate forehead chain. Tiny purple crystals, each the size of a grain of rice, were strung together in three rows—short, medium, and long. The fine chains at either end, meant to be tied behind the head, were made of tiny interlocking links, with red silk ribbons at the tips.

“Fifth Brother, did you make this?”

The craftsmanship was so intricate that Lin Fang couldn’t believe Lin Wu’s hands had become so skillful.

Lin Wu didn’t feign modesty. “Of course. This chain took a lot of effort. Here, let me put it on you and see if it suits you.”

Gently tying the ribbons behind his sister’s head, Lin Wu turned her around and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Her large eyes stared at him, framed by long, curved lashes. Her petite, upturned nose and rosy, moist lips complemented her fair, oval face, which seemed so delicate it might drip water if lightly pinched. Her jet-black curly hair was braided into countless small plaits cascading down her back. Already beautiful, her features were further enhanced by the purple crystals, making her appear even more radiant and charming.

Her lashes fluttered like tiny brushes as Lin Fang teased, “Well, Fifth Brother? Are you so dazzled by your sister’s beauty that you’re speechless?”

*Thwack!* A light slap landed on the back of her head. Lin Wu chuckled wryly. “Why must you ruin the moment, little sister? Of course, I’m happy my sister is beautiful, but when will you learn a little restraint?”

Lin Fang laughed. “What if one day Fang’er were to sweetly say, ‘Fifth Brother, thank you so much’? Would you be shocked?”

Hearing her exaggerated tone, Lin Wu shuddered, rubbing his shoulders. “Ugh, that’s creepy. Just stay as shameless as usual—that’s the sister I know.”

Taking out the gifts meant for Guicheng’s family and Guo Siniang, Lin Wu handed the backpack to Nanny Liu. “Nanny Liu, you’ve worked hard taking care of Father, Mother, and my sister every day. There are a few more things here—take them and share them with the others.”

“Even gifts for us old servants?” Nanny Liu beamed before happily leaving with Qian’er and Xian’er.

The siblings bantered as usual. Lin Fang grabbed Lin Wu’s hand, flattening it, and poked at the dimples on his knuckles. “Wow, Fifth Brother! I was just thinking of keeping some small fish but hadn’t found a tank yet. Looks like I don’t need to bother—they can live right here and save me some money!”

Lin Wu had a sweet tooth, as did Qi Biao. When the two were together, they inevitably indulged.

Glancing at Qi Biao, who had been silently sipping tea, Lin Fang noticed his lean, muscular frame and wondered why his dark skin hadn’t changed while her fifth brother had gained so much weight.

Teased by his sister, Lin Wu retaliated. “*Whoosh—whoosh—* Wow, where’s this sudden wind coming from? Did you practice some breathing technique to summon gusts at will?”

Clamping her mouth shut, Lin Fang switched from poking to pinching, making Lin Wu gasp in pain and beg for mercy.

Lin Fang had just started losing her baby teeth. Strangely, while others lost theirs one by one, she’d lost four at once, leaving a gaping hole when she smiled. Now, with Lin Wu mocking her for “letting the wind in,” she pinched him hard in retaliation.

Finally, Qi Biao spoke up. “Fang’er, before Lin Wen left, he mentioned you’d asked him to buy you books. I’ve brought them for you.” He handed over a set of books, which Lin Wu helped receive.

Excitedly unwrapping the brown paper covering, Lin Fang gasped. “Wow, *The Sacred Buddhist Sites of Our Dynasty*! This is perfect—thank you!”

Qi Biao frowned. “Thank who?”

Lin Fang absentmindedly replied, “You, of course?” Her head remained buried in the books.

“I give you a set of books, and I don’t even deserve a proper address?”

Why was he fixating on titles again? Lin Fang fell silent. She’d tried, but she just couldn’t bring herself to call him “Brother Yi.”

After a pause, Qi Biao seemed to drop the issue. “Why do you want these books?”

Lin Fang relaxed. “Partly out of interest, partly for future travels. Better prepared than sorry—it’ll save me from cramming later.”

“Aren’t women supposed to stay home, manage the household, and raise children?”

At this, Lin Fang looked up indignantly. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but if it means being confined to one place for life, I’d rather not marry at all.”

Qi Biao fell silent, feeling uneasy.

After a moment, he asked, “Do you really plan to travel?” His eyes flicked to her feet, his meaning clear.

Glancing at Qi Biao and then down at her still-small feet, Lin Fang’s spirits sank. She listlessly walked out, abandoning the book she’d been so eager to flip through moments ago.

Watching her small, despondent figure retreat, Qi Biao suddenly felt a pang in his chest.

“Brother Yi, how could you be so cruel? You know what Fang’er cares about, yet you deliberately point out her flaws.” Lin Wu angrily chased after his sister.

When Qi Biao left, he didn’t bid farewell to anyone. Unlike usual, he paused briefly outside the courtyard gate before mounting his horse—less smoothly than before.

The eldest son was in high spirits today. After the attack on Lin Village, he’d delivered a batch of garments to town. The intricate embroidery, led by his sister Lin Cui’e and her sewing team, had drawn rave reviews from Zhou Sanxiao. Many customers had even left measurements for custom orders.

According to his sister, this new embroidery style had been inspired by Fang’er. When asked, Fang’er claimed she had no idea how it happened. Regardless, the garments were selling well.

Though the eldest son couldn’t embroider, years in the clothing trade had sharpened his eye. This new style was unlike any he’d seen—simple yet elegant. Up close, the patterns seemed slightly blurred compared to traditional embroidery, but from a distance, they resembled ink wash paintings, ethereal and layered.

“Fang’er, did you draw this?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Auntie, why do you still have this paper? I was just doodling for fun.”

“Haha, it seems your aunt is truly brilliant! Even your random scribbles could inspire me to develop a new embroidery style. How wonderful!”

“Uh, Auntie is indeed brilliant.” *Did I influence this? Everyone’s getting thicker-skinned.*

Seeing the rainbow in Lin Cui’e’s hand, Lin Fang finally understood the new embroidery style.

The day after the mountain skirmish, bored out of her mind, Lin Fang had grabbed her mother’s design brushes and scribbled wildly—first small animals, then sunflowers. Somehow, she’d ended up writing punctuation marks, Arabic numerals, mathematical symbols, equations, English letters, and finally, the single-line gourds from her past life’s father’s bicycle seat covers. Rows of symbols formed a colorful, curved rainbow.

She didn’t even remember what happened next. That day, she’d covered her mother’s entire room with such drawings before leaving the mess for the servants to clean up.

Who’d have thought those careless doodles would be picked up by Lin Cui’e and inspire a new embroidery style? Essentially, it was like cross-stitch but using letters and symbols. Lin Fang marveled at her aunt’s ingenuity—she’d never even seen these symbols before yet turned them into art.

“Hehe, Auntie is indeed brilliant. But since I drew this and it sparked your idea, technically, I’m still slightly ahead.” Lin Fang doubled down on shamelessness.

Lin Cui’e scoffed. “Pfft, I never said I was stealing credit.”

Giggling, Lin Fang returned to copying her newly compiled literacy primer. The first half-year had focused on simple characters. Come autumn, she’d increase the difficulty—and start charging a small fee to discourage villagers from expecting handouts.

Since she’d be charging, each student would need their own book. She wasn’t sure how many would stay, but preparing extras couldn’t hurt—it was good handwriting practice.

Lin Cui’e, however, showed no sign of leaving. Hesitating, she opened and closed her mouth until even the preoccupied Lin Fang noticed. Looking up, Lin Fang waited silently for her to speak.

Unable to bear the scrutiny, Lin Cui’e finally said, “Fang’er, has your fifth brother told you about school?”

“Yes, he’s shared lots of funny stories. What do you want to know?” Lin Fang replied before resuming her writing.

After a pause, Lin Cui’e asked, “Well… did he mention anything about Liangping Town?”

“He hasn’t been back to Liangping Town. Why would he bring it up?” Suddenly, Lin Fang looked up. “Auntie, do you want to go back?”

Of course—Dong Shi was still in Liangping Town. As her youngest daughter, how could Lin Cui’e not miss her? Especially since, according to her mother, Dong Shi had shown signs of dementia before they left.

“Never mind. You’re busy—I’ll come back later.”

With that, Lin Cui’e left abruptly. She’d actually come to ask about someone, but Lin Fang’s question about returning home had struck a chord, filling her with melancholy.

As she walked away, Lin Fang called after her, “Auntie, if you have questions, just ask Fifth Brother directly. As your elder, he’ll answer anything.” *How odd—Auntie’s usually so straightforward. Why so awkward today?*

Meanwhile, the “Fifth Brother” in question was helping the eldest son with work. Lin Wu had once declared that since an official career was out of reach, he’d return after earning his credentials to care for his parents and learn business from his father. He’d even boasted about surpassing his father and vowed to one day reclaim Liangping Town, toppling those who’d wronged him.

While praising their son’s ambition, the eldest son and Li Cuimei couldn’t help but grieve—Lin Wu’s heart had clearly been wounded.