“Fourth Sister, how about going out to play?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Little sister, if one day I’m given away to someone else, would you still remember Fourth Sister?”
Ah, Lin Fangxin sighed—it really was as she had guessed.
After Lin Xia returned from the Zhou family, Tongshi took Lin Meng to her daughter’s home. Li Cuihong and her husband were busy with the restaurant and had no time to care for her. Lin Juan was entirely focused on learning needlework and would rather not be disturbed. The eldest brother and Li Cuimei had their own business to manage, along with the large-scale construction of Tongshi’s new house, so they likely didn’t have much time to think about it either. As for Lin Wen, he had never been close to girls—except, of course, his own little sister, the tiny Lin Fang. As for Lin Wu, he spent the most time with Lin Xia, but he was a few months younger than her. Apart from playing, what could you expect from a child barely five years old? Only Lin Fang, this pseudo-child with nothing better to do, would pay attention to another child.
Perhaps Lin Xia felt that no one cared about her anymore, that no one wanted her. However, her reaction was the complete opposite of Lin Cui’e’s at the time. Lin Cui’e clung tightly to her elder sister-in-law, while Lin Xia, like a little snail, withdrew into her shell, pushing everyone away and refusing to engage with anyone. Why didn’t Lin Xia reject Lin Fang? Maybe in her eyes, Lin Fang was just a toddler who could barely walk steadily—too young to understand or abandon her.
“Giggle, Fourth Sister, why would you think that? Mother said that Fourth Sister is the youngest child of Second Uncle and Aunt Hong, the apple of their eye, and the treasure of Second Grandmother. How could they ever give you away?” Oh, Mother, please don’t expose me! As a little child, if I don’t use you as a shield, I really have no authority to say such things.
“Really? Did Aunt really say that?” The little girl’s eyes sparkled with hope.
“Yes,” Lin Fang nodded vigorously, her small face full of seriousness. “Mother also said that Aunt Hong and Second Uncle are very busy, working hard to earn more money so they can save up a big dowry for Third Sister and Fourth Sister.”
“I don’t want a dowry. I want my mother.” The joy faded from the little girl’s eyes, replaced by rolling tears.
After Lin Xia wiped her tears, Lin Fang brought it up again: “Fourth Sister, how about going out to play? Fang’er wants to play with Fourth Sister outside.”
First, coax her out of this room, then guide her step by step.
“No. If Fang’er is bored, you can go play by yourself. Fourth Sister hasn’t finished writing today’s characters yet.”
Ah, Rome wasn’t built in a day. A little girl’s psychological issues couldn’t be solved by a toddler’s few words. Lin Fang sighed helplessly and didn’t want to stay in Lin Xia’s room any longer—it was too quiet. Wobbling on her short legs, she made her way to the door. Nanny Liu scooped her up and carried her out, inwardly relieved. Leaving two little girls alone in the room had made her uneasy. Recently, Fourth Miss’s temper had become strange, and without Sixth Miss’s permission, she hadn’t dared to enter.
“Nanny Liu, take me to Mother. Fang’er misses Mother.”
Perhaps influenced by Lin Xia, Lin Fang suddenly really wanted to see Li Cuimei.
Sixth Miss was getting chubbier by the day. Nanny Liu adjusted her hold and chuckled, “Alright, this old servant will take Sixth Miss to see Madam right away.” She found it amusing—such a child, missing her mother after just a short while apart.
“Young Master Qi, my nephew is the only son in the family. It’s not suitable for him to join the military.”
“I was too presumptuous. Please forgive me, Madam. If Young Master Zhang truly wishes to join the military, he could inquire with General Li in the capital.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Qi.”
Huh? Was Heipi trying to get Eldest Cousin to enlist? That guy really had an eye for talent. If Eldest Cousin wore armor, he’d surely look mighty impressive. Hehe. But why was Mother speaking so politely? Heipi was just a kid—why take his words so seriously? Wasn’t General Li the legendary maternal uncle? Why would Heipi mention him?
Qi Biao followed Lin Wen out and happened to meet Lin Fang’s curious gaze. He froze. In this little girl’s eyes, he had seen disdain, indifference, fear, and avoidance—but never curiosity like this. Ignoring the fleshy bumps on her face, those beautiful big eyes were full of inquiry. How could a girl not even two years old have such an adult-like gaze? Could she really be as clever as Lin Wen boasted, a little prodigy? But no matter how smart a child was, she was still less than two.
Just as he tried to look closer, Lin Fang buried her face in Nanny Liu’s shoulder. All he could see now was the back of her head, with its little upturned braid and curly hair.
Nanny Liu noticed Qi Biao, who usually wore a cold expression, staring intently at Sixth Miss. Seeing the little girl hide in her shoulder, she assumed Qi Biao had frightened her and quickly curtsied to divert his attention. “This old servant greets Young Master Qi.”
Before Qi Biao could respond, Lin Wen reached out and took Lin Fang from Nanny Liu, smiling as he teased his sister. “Fang’er, come, Second Brother will carry you. What did you do at home today? Did you go running with Fifth Brother again?”
“Second Brother, Fang’er hasn’t played with Fifth Brother today. Fifth Brother is untying knots for Fang’er.”
Her voice was sweet and crisp, making Lin Wen’s smile widen. He carried her toward Lin Wu’s room. “Oh? Fang’er learned a new knot today? Second Brother wants to see.”
“Second Brother, Fang’er wants to see Mother.” No way was she going—she’d just end up being teased.
“Alright then. Nanny Liu will take you to Mother, and Second Brother will go study. Okay?”
“Mm.”
Lin Fang didn’t exchange another glance with Qi Biao before entering the room.
Seeing Zhang Xiangfa and Xiaohua in their matching blue outfits, Lin Fang giggled. They looked like they were wearing couple’s outfits! Apart from the slight differences in style to distinguish men’s and women’s clothing, the embroidered flowers were in the same spot, and the colors were nearly identical. Mother was so creative.
“Eldest Cousin and Cousin-in-law look so handsome! The clothes are so pretty.” Too bad their dark skin tones diminished the effect.
“Hehehe.”
Lin Fang blinked her big eyes, looking from one to the other. Were these two idiots? All they did was giggle—couldn’t they say anything?
Li Cuilan took Lin Fang from Nanny Liu and pinched her little nose. “You little rascal. What you really mean is to praise your mother’s skill, don’t you?”
After lunch, Li Cuilan said she wanted to stay with her third sister for a day to chat. Li Cuilian left first. From start to finish, Li Cuilian hadn’t visited Lin Xia or asked about her once. It was unclear whether she was afraid of stirring up painful memories or simply didn’t care about Lin Xia. Lin Fang had no idea what Li Cuilian had said to Lin Xia during her stay at the Zhou family, but she knew that whenever Li Cuilian was mentioned, Lin Xia’s face would twist with discomfort.
In any case, Lin Fang no longer liked Li Cuilian. She caused trouble but refused to take responsibility—utterly unreliable.
It was fine for Eldest Aunt to stay, but Zhang Xiangfa and his wife had to return. This year’s greenhouse was larger, and Zhang Tieshuan couldn’t manage it alone. Before they left, Li Cuimei reminded them, “Xiangfa, when Young Master Qi suggested you enlist earlier, you seemed tempted. If you’re serious, Third Aunt can write to your maternal uncle and ask about this Young Master Qi. Who is he, really? How could a child casually mention recommendations? Don’t make any decisions on your own.”
Zhang Xiangfa nodded. “I understand, Third Aunt.”
Lin Fang napped every afternoon. This was the only time of day Li Cuimei could spend alone with her daughter, coaxing her to sleep. Half-asleep, Lin Fang asked, “Mother, does Aunt Hong not want Fourth Sister anymore?”
“Hm? Why would you ask that, Fang’er?”
“Today, when Fang’er asked Fourth Sister to play, she said she’d be given away to someone else. Fourth Sister cried so sadly.”
Li Cuimei’s expression turned grave. “What else did Fourth Sister say?”
“She wouldn’t come out to play with Fang’er.”
Li Cuimei wanted to ask more, but Lin Fang’s breathing had already steadied—she wasn’t pretending. She’d truly fallen asleep. She’d forced herself to stay awake long enough to say those few words, afraid that if she waited until she was fully awake, her mother would be too busy to take a little child’s words seriously.
After tucking her daughter in and confirming she was sound asleep, Li Cuimei stepped outside to question Nanny Liu in detail about Lin Fang and Lin Xia’s interactions that day. Nanny Liu had stayed outside the room the entire time, guarding the door, and had heard every word exchanged between the two girls. She recounted everything faithfully.
“It was my oversight.”
She sent Nanny Liu to the restaurant to relay a message to Li Cuihong, while she herself went to Lin Xia’s room.
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