Upon hearing his daughter doubt his abilities, Lin Yuanmin immediately took offense: “Hey, what kind of talk is that? Your dad hasn’t reached the point of dementia yet. How could I forget? There’s just no space right now. If there were, I’d show you how it’s done.”
When Lin Fang was just starting middle school, Lin Yuanmin had grown mushrooms for a while, using the kitchen as a makeshift space. Now, Lin Yong and his family of three lived there, leaving no empty rooms in the yard. The family couldn’t afford to build a new house at the moment. If they could, Lin Yong, who had already split from the family, wouldn’t be living in the kitchen. He’d have built a new house on the approved plot, sparing everyone the cramped living situation and Yan Ping’s constant nitpicking.
Noticing his father was showing signs of becoming a stubborn old man, Lin Fang quickly flattered him to cheer him up: “Of course! My dad was a model worker back in the day. How could he forget what he learned? Let’s give it a try then.”
“You just said there’s no space. What sneaky idea are you cooking up now?” Knowing his daughter well, Lin Yuanmin sensed she had more to say.
Lin Fang suggested: “Our home might not have space, but the shop has an empty warehouse. It’d be a waste not to use it. Didn’t Second Brother say the shop would start selling diesel? Plus, our shop’s location is great—right by the secondary highway, where lots of trucks pass by. I was thinking, why not open a small diner next to the shop? Drivers stopping to refuel could take a break, have a hot meal. They’d be comfortable, and we’d make money.”
Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin exchanged glances but stayed silent. Lin Fang continued: “This wouldn’t cost much. We’ve got plenty of cabbage and radishes in the cellar, and we can grow our own mushrooms. Any surplus can be sold to restaurants in town. Mom can sprout beans, and we’ve got enough soybeans to make tofu. The leftover bean pulp can go to Eldest Sister-in-law’s brother—he raises pigs. When he sells pork, he can give us a discount. Every household in the village has sweet potato starch, so we can buy some. Mom’s stir-fried starch noodles are the best—that could be a signature dish.”
In rural northern areas during this time, fresh vegetables were scarce in winter, and greenhouse produce was too expensive for most. Few people grew mushrooms. Lin Yuanmin had learned mushroom cultivation when his workplace sent him for training. But after he returned, internal conflicts among the leadership rendered his skills useless there. Instead, they benefited his own family—after retirement, he made some money growing mushrooms.
Seeing her parents deep in thought, Lin Fang pressed on: “And Dad’s dumplings are amazing—he’s fast and makes them better than anyone. Mom’s seasoning skills are unmatched in the village. Together, you two are unbeatable.”
Lin Yuanmin chuckled: “Hey, daughter, you’ve summed up all our strengths! Not bad—your little brain works fast. Second Brother hasn’t even started selling diesel yet, and you’re already scheming.”
“Of course! Look who I take after.” She boasted while still managing to flatter.
Before she could revel in her triumph, Lin Yuanmin’s next words deflated her: “Fang, come here. Let me check if you’re running a fever or possessed. You never cared about family matters before. Did your illness change you? Are you really my Fang?”
“Mom—” She shifted focus, seeking help.
“You old fool! How can you say that about your own daughter? She’s just grown up and started caring about the family. Instead of praising her, you accuse her of being possessed? You’re the one who’s lost his mind, not wishing your own daughter well… blah blah blah…”
Watching Lin Fang grin with crescent eyes, Lin Yuanmin glared, slurped down the last of his rice soup, stuffed his steamed bun with vegetables, and stormed out while eating.
Dong Huixin wasn’t done: “Old fool, I’m not finished! Where are you going?”
Without turning back, Lin Yuanmin called out: “I’m going to discuss Fang’s idea with Erlinzi!” and vanished.
“Hahaha—”
“Smack!”
As her father fled, Lin Fang gloated until her mother rapped her knuckles on her head. Lin Fang quickly shut up, and Dong Huixin scolded playfully: “Little devil, using your mom as a shield.”
“Hehehe, but you don’t mind, do you? If you did, I couldn’t use you.”
Dong Huixin ignored that and stared intently at Lin Fang, who asked, puzzled: “Mom, what now?”
“Nothing. I think your dad might be right. Are you possessed? You really are different today.”
“Mom—!”
“Hehehe, no change. Still the same—tease you and you bristle.”
……
……
Mother and daughter chatted over their meal, enjoying themselves. After eating, Dong Huixin moved to clear the dishes, but Lin Fang stopped her: “Oh, leave it. Don’t risk dropping them—we don’t have many bowls left to break.”
Lin Fang’s coordination was off. Spoiled by her family, she rarely did chores, and when she tried, she usually made a mess. Embarrassed, she withdrew her hands and asked: “What day is it today?”
Dong Huixin cleared the table herself: “Friday. What, eager to go back to school?”
Lin Fang nodded, then shook her head: “Just asking. I’ve been asleep for days—lost track of time.” She wasn’t actually keen on returning yet.
Assuming her daughter was worried about missing school (she loved studying) but didn’t want to burden the family, Dong Huixin felt a pang: “If you want to go, I won’t stop you. Your dad can bike you there Sunday afternoon.”
The family had only one bicycle. Lin Tuo used it every morning before dawn to restock the shop, sometimes riding across the entire county to find unique goods for higher profits.
The next day was a big market day in the neighboring town. Many vendors would leave at midnight to secure good spots, and Second Brother would likely go too, needing the bike to haul goods back. Not wanting to inconvenience him, Lin Fang declined: “No need. I’ll ride with Rouqiu. That fatty owes us—Mom fed him enough. Time he paid some interest.”
Adding cold water to the pot for washing dishes, Dong Huixin chided: “Don’t be like that. Rouqiu ate here often, but he also gave us food. He even lent us money for your treatment. Don’t bully him anymore.”
“Fine, got it.”
Lin Fang’s tone was dismissive. Dong Huixin sighed and let it go.
The two had grown up together. Lin Fang was clever and mischievous; Rouqiu was simple, fond of food, and often her victim—yet they got along, quarreling one moment and inseparable the next. Now classmates, only Rouqiu dared to bike her to school; others feared liability if she got hurt (except Chen Dong’s daughter).
As they chatted, Dong Huixin washed dishes while Lin Fang skimmed her textbooks. Lin Yong entered carrying little Yuanyuan, setting the toddler loose on the kang. Sensing he had something to discuss, Lin Fang put her book aside to watch the baby.
Sure enough, after asking about her health, Lin Yong said: “Mom, I wanted to talk to you.”
His hesitation irked straightforward Dong Huixin: “Out with it! Since when do you hem and haw like a girl?”
Chastised, Lin Yong spoke plainly: “Yan Ping and I talked about Fang’s idea. It’s a good one—winter’s idle time, and sewing clothes could bring in money. But she won’t have time for Yuanyuan. Could you watch him?”
Dong Huixin pressed: “She refused earlier when Fang suggested altering clothes. Why the change?”
Lin Yong softened: “Mom, you know Yan Ping—she just says things in the heat of the moment.”
Relenting, Dong Huixin sighed: “It’s not that I won’t help. Fang proposed opening a diner by the shop. Your dad and I think it’s doable—he’s discussing it with your brother now. If it happens, someone’ll need to mind the place, leaving no time for Yuanyuan.”
Lin Yong was surprised: “A diner? How many villagers eat out? Will there be business?”
Lin Fang countered: “We’re not counting on villagers. It’s the passing trucks—our shop’s location is perfect. Business won’t be bad.”
Lin Yong remained skeptical: “But there are towns five miles west and eight miles east with more options. Why stop here?”
Lin Fang nodded: “You’re right, but things are changing. Second Brother’s set to be the sole diesel seller within thirty miles. We can leverage that. Winter’s slack time—any profit helps.” She reiterated her plan.
After hearing her out, Lin Yong conceded: “You’ve got a point. This highway serves mining trucks hauling coal and ore. Drivers have money. If the food’s good, word could spread, and the diner might take off.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage