“Lin Fang, Grandpa is sorry for you. If it weren’t for my insistence on making you my granddaughter-in-law, you wouldn’t have met such a tragic end. Now, that unfilial wretch and that wicked woman have both become vegetables—what poetic justice. And your mother-in-law, with only this one son, exhausted all avenues seeking medical help to no avail. In desperation, she knelt before Buddha, only to have her soul taken away, leaving her motionless and speechless, like a fool.”
The old man seemed drained of strength as he slumped into a chair. Only then did Lin Fang see how gaunt he had become compared to when she was alive. Once a man who refused to acknowledge his age, he now leaned heavily on his cane, gasping for breath.
After a pause, the old man continued, “Such shame! Those two shameless creatures were found completely naked—they’ve disgraced the Zhou family utterly. When the police investigated, I learned that wretched boy only married you to secure that twenty percent stake in the company. Lin Fang, Grandpa wronged you. You were an ethereal being, untouched by worldly desires, but I selfishly admired your intelligence and greedily wanted you as a confidante. Once, I privately told my assistant that if you joined our family, I’d gladly give you twenty percent. Somehow that unfilial wretch heard and actually pursued you.”
Suddenly striking the floor violently with his cane, the old man cried bitterly, “Retribution! All because of my momentary whim, you lost your life. When the scandal broke, Zhou family stocks plummeted. All that remains is this mansion in your name and that library of books. If I hadn’t sorted through your belongings and found your diary, I’d never have known you were murdered by that mother-son pair. Lin Fang, foolish child, what should Grandpa do now?”
“Fang’er, Fang’er, wake up!” Her mother’s voice called repeatedly. Lin Fang awoke from the dream still sobbing, tears streaming down her face.
“Fang’er, did you have a nightmare?”
“Mother, wu wu wu…”
“Fang’er, if you speak of a dream, it won’t come true. Pleasant dreams are fine, but if it’s a nightmare, tell Mother so it won’t happen.”
Amidst her crying, Lin Fang gradually regained clarity. How could she possibly tell her mother this dream? Instead, she said between sobs, “Mother… Fang’er dreamed that Father and Mother thought Fang’er ugly and didn’t want me anymore. Even Brother didn’t like me. Fang’er was so sad.”
“Haha, silly child,” Li Cuimei sighed in relief. “Your father, mother and brother could never love you enough—how could we ever abandon you?”
Outside, dawn was breaking. Unable to sleep more, Lin Fang got up with her mother and noticed the kitchen light on. Peering in, she saw her aunt and uncle busy at work—her aunt tending the fire while her uncle stir-fried in the wok.
“Mmm, smells delicious! Are we having stir-fried shrimp for breakfast?” The little foodie’s nose was sharp.
“It’s still early—why not sleep more?” Li Cuilan pulled Lin Fang onto her lap, letting her granddaughter lean against her. “Your uncle caught some large shrimp last night. We’re drying and grinding them into powder—it makes excellent seasoning to enhance flavors in cooking or can be mixed into rice. Especially good for children. Take some home today to share with your siblings. Our Fang’er will grow up strong and healthy.”
Lin Fang actually knew this well—shrimp were extremely nutritious, containing several times more protein than fish, eggs or milk. Rich in potassium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals plus vitamin A and aminophylline, they’re easily digested. Shrimp shells are calcium-rich, helping prevent osteoporosis when consumed regularly. Shrimp roe, high in protein with intense umami flavor, has excellent yang-boosting properties, ideal for those with kidney deficiency.
Wow, her aunt and uncle were so clever! Grinding shrimp into powder not only made digestion easier but also improved nutrient absorption. Plus, it was shrimp spawning season—the powder must be incredibly fragrant. Oh, mustn’t embarrass herself—mustn’t drool!
To save face, Lin Fang changed the subject: “That’s wonderful! But what about Fifth Cousin? Won’t she get any?”
“Just like your mother—always worrying! Your cousin isn’t leaving yet—do you think she’ll miss out?”
“True, Fifth Cousin is so lucky to enjoy such delicious food here every day.”
“Haha, Fang’er, if you keep talking like this, what’s left for your aunt to say?”
Over several days, Lin Fang had grown familiar with Zhang Tieshuan. She realized he wasn’t actually taciturn—just extremely sparing with words around strangers.
Lin Fang sighed—being alive was wonderful. Whatever the future held, simply living was joy enough.
Zhang Tieshuan escorted Lin Fang, her mother and Huiyuan back to the village. After informing his father-in-law that Li Yinwei would stay longer but was well, he returned home. Huiyuan left on his own before reaching the village. Lin Fang mused that the old monk should change his Dharma name to “Self-Departing” to match his willful nature.
Over ten days, Granny Tong had sheared all thirty of her sheep clean. After removing the gamey smell, she spun the wool into yarn. Seeing Li Cuimei return, she repeatedly reminded: “The first set of knitted undergarments must be mine. To spin this wool, I turned away patients—showed them the yarn instead, telling them Cui’s Knitting Workshop would soon produce woolen knitwear, with me as fitting model. If this doesn’t happen, I’ll be too ashamed to show my face.”
Li Cuimei smiled wryly: “Aunt, it’s just experimental knitting, yet you’ve already announced it to everyone. What if it fails?”
“How could it?” Lin Fang pouted. “This was Fang’er’s idea—does Mother doubt me?”
“Alright, alright, our capable Fang’er will surely succeed.” Li Cuimei humored her, privately amused—the elder acting childishly stubborn, the child speaking like an adult yet behaving like… well, a child.
Lin Cui’e pleaded: “Elder Sister-in-law, it’s been so long since I’ve been home. With the competition approaching, I’d like to return with you to practice—to consult you anytime. May I?”
Li Cuimei nodded, then asked: “If just for practice, wouldn’t Teacher Guo be better? I learned from her myself. Over the years, with so many distractions, my embroidery stagnated while she focused solely on it. Though aging and sewing less now, she still surpasses me.”
Lin Cui’e murmured: “Elder Sister-in-law… it’s not just for practice. I want to be with you.” The longing in her voice was palpable.
“Go, all of you,” Granny Tong waved dismissively. “Everyone says they’ll keep me company, but their words don’t match their hearts. Cuihong worried about her restaurant within days—I sent her back to town. Second Son stayed longer but holed up in the workshop, expecting his old mother to cook and clean for him—sent him back to his wife after two days. Now Cui’e abandons her aunt for her sister-in-law. Fine! I’ll keep company with my sheep.”
Li Cuimei laughed: “Haha, Aunt, in the end it’s always our fault. But who stubbornly clings to this old house, refusing to live with her children in town?”
Granny Tong shook her head: “What’s good about crowded towns? The village is freer—I can see patients or not as I please. Living with youngsters means listening to their rules all day—who could bear that?”
Lin Fang parroted the phrase: “Second Grandma, if you say everything, what’s left for Mother to say?”
“Haha! Ten days apart and Fang’er’s skin hasn’t thickened, but her tongue’s grown sharper! Let Second Grandma check—did your aunt feed you knives?” Granny Tong pretended to examine Lin Fang’s lips.
Li Cuimei joined the jest: “No knives, but plenty of pincers.”
Lin Fang blinked: “Mother, when did I eat pincers?”
“Remember those tiny crabs your aunt fried for you and Fifth Cousin? Did you eat their claws?”
“Aunt! Who’s eating crabs? Did you save any for Xia’er?”
Ugh—why did Fourth Sister return at precisely this moment? Of all times, when food was mentioned! Lin Fang quickly offered: “Fourth Sister, Fang’er brought back shrimp powder! Dried and ground into fine powder—incredibly fragrant and sweet. So delicious!”
After more banter, Lin Xia had her maid first inform Old Tian at the central courtyard to prepare the carriage for Madam and the young misses’ return to town, then summon Xiaoqin’s and Xiaogeng’s wives from the fields. Liu Ma had returned to town days earlier—grateful for Madam’s kindness granting her and granddaughter-in-law leave, she couldn’t overstep by leaving the household to the master and Fifth Young Master.
After the elder son’s family moved to town, Li Gen also relocated from the central courtyard to Li Cuimei’s dowry land. Granny Tong stopped renting out the central quarters, having Old Tian and his wife move back for company. With Li Cuihong busy at her restaurant and indifferent to their dozen acres, and Granny Tong preferring sheep to crops, the Tians managed everything. This arrangement also reassured the younger generation—though healthy, Granny Tong was aging and needed companionship.
Only after Xiaoqin’s and Xiaogeng’s wives paid respects did Lin Fang remember her personal maids: “Second Grandma, where are Qian’er and Xian’er? Why haven’t I seen them since returning? Did they misbehave and run off to play?”
Granny Tong said: “With the shepherd, naturally they’re tending sheep. Have you heard any bleating since you returned?”
Oh, right. A thought struck Lin Fang: “Second Grandma, is Old Tian’s cottage still there?”
“You little schemer! What are you plotting now?”
Annoying—how did Second Grandma know she had ideas before she spoke? Lin Fang had intended subtlety but now had to be direct: “Old Tian’s cottage is at the village edge, near the fields. Wouldn’t it be perfect for raising sheep? Convenient and doesn’t disturb neighbors.”
Li Cuimei remained silent, thoughtful. Granny Tong asked curiously: “Why raise sheep? Just for wool? If you truly want mass-produced woolens, even a thousand sheep wouldn’t suffice—better to purchase.”
“Hehe, Second Grandma, Fang’er wants lamb bone soup. Would thirty sheep last me all winter and spring?”
Lin Cui’e wondered: “Even if you want lamb soup, why not buy it? Why raise them yourself?”
“Hehe, that’s a secret.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage