Chapter 4

When Lin Tian was ready to return home, Lin Dawei reminded her again: “About going to the capital, you should inform the brigade leader in advance. Also, tell him about selling the house, he’ll need to help you with the paperwork.”
Lin Tian didn’t argue, simply nodding.
Watching his second daughter leave, Lin Dawei felt uncertain and asked his wife, “Lamei, don’t you think Er-ya seems a bit different?”
Zhang Lamei, smiling, whispered, “You’re overthinking. Er-ya was timid before, but now she’s going to be a mother, of course she’s changed.”
Lin Dawei said no more and went to rest.
In the afternoon, after waking from her nap, Lin Tian went to the brigade to explain her plans to go to the capital and sell the house.
Early the next morning, a sister-in-law from the village, whom Lin Tian didn’t know very well, arrived at her house.
Her surname was Xu, in her early thirties, and everyone called her Sister-in-law Xiulan.
When Lin Tian opened the door, Xu Xiulan’s eyes lit up. No matter their personalities, the Lin family’s looks were one in a million. Especially this second daughter, she was stunningly attractive.
She wore a blue shirt with black pants, and her hair was braided in a style Lin Tian couldn’t quite place, simple yet elegant. A completely ordinary outfit looked dazzling on her.
Xu Xiulan had seen Lin Tian before, but the girl always kept her head down. Seeing her properly now, it was no wonder she had married Chu Ci.
Only the Lin family knew the true story of Lin Tian and Chu Ci’s marriage. The villagers assumed Chu Ci had married her because of her looks.
Lin Tian struggled to recall who this elder sister-in-law was from the original owner’s memories.
Sister-in-law Xiulan had two sons and a daughter. Although she had moved out after her children were born, she still lived with the elderly parents. Not to mention, her eldest brother’s household also had many children, more people than space. Lin Tian realized why she had come: aside from her own house, there was probably no other reason.
Smiling, she said, “Sister-in-law Xiulan, come in and have a seat.”
Xu Xiulan smiled brightly and followed Lin Tian inside.
Lin Tian poured her a cup of sweetened water and placed it in front of her. Xu Xiulan sipped it, feeling even better. She didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly with a smile, “Sweet girl, I heard you’re planning to sell this house?”
Sure enough, she came for the house. Lin Tian’s smile grew even brighter.
In her previous life, Lin Tian had been used to negotiating business with kindness to generate goodwill, and that habit hadn’t changed. She said, “Yes, Sister-in-law, I am selling the house. Did you come today because you’re interested in buying it?”
Xu Xiulan indeed intended to buy a house. Her husband was the youngest in his family, with an older brother above him. The family was preparing to divide their property, and hearing that this house was for sale, she had persuaded her husband to buy it.
Her husband was a carpenter and could save up some money himself. So when she heard the news, she had been eager to come.
“Yes, there are too many people at home. We were planning to buy a house for our son to get married. How were you planning to sell this house?” Xu Xiulan was straightforward, no beating around the bush.
Lin Tian liked people like that, but since this was important, she put away her joking mood. She answered honestly: “Sister-in-law, I won’t hide anything. These two rooms aren’t small, and there’s a big courtyard, you could even grow some vegetables and save money. One price, three hundred yuan, and I’ll leave all the big furniture for you. We haven’t had much contact before, but today it seems we have a connection. If you sincerely want to buy it, I’m sincerely selling.”
The price was fair, not to mention the furniture. Xu Xiulan, wanting to buy, had no objections.
“Alright, I won’t bargain. But I’m not sure if the family has that much money right now. I’ll go home, discuss with them, and give you an answer tomorrow.”
Lin Tian agreed. They went over which pieces of furniture she would leave for Xu Xiulan, and then she sent her off. The smaller items could be sold elsewhere.
Since her family lived so close, Lin Tian thought it better to let them have some small benefits and avoid complications.
Fortunately, Xu Xiulan was decisive. Early the next morning, she and her husband came. They had obviously agreed in advance and didn’t haggle.
Lin Tian’s house really wasn’t expensive; it could even be said they were getting a great deal.
The process went smoothly, Lin Tian got the money, and the house transfer was immediately completed at the brigade.
Lin Tian still had to stay two or three more days to pack, so they agreed she would hand over the keys the day before she left.
After selling the house, Lin Tian naturally had to inform her family. She had also asked the brigade leader to handle the train tickets, though it would take two days to get them.
She arrived at the Lin family home, where only Zhang Lamei was at home, watering the vegetables in the courtyard.
“Mom,” Lin Tian called, then went inside.
Zhang Lamei, no longer so strict, put down her watering can and followed. If her second daughter was home, it meant she had something important to say.
Sure enough, Lin Tian sat down and slowly said, “Mom, I sold the house and furniture for three hundred yuan. I left some bedding, the kettle, and miscellaneous pots and pans for you and Dad. If I had money for the ticket, the house would’ve been left for you.”
She sighed and frowned. “It’s all because I felt sorry for my husband and let him take all the family money back then. Now I can only leave some small things. Don’t worry, Mom. Once I go to the capital and have money, I’ll send things back for you, I’ll be a dutiful daughter.”
Hearing this, Zhang Lamei felt both happy and slightly scolding. “Er-ya, it’s good that you care about your parents. But your brother’s situation is the priority, you must keep that in mind.”
Lin Tian smirked inwardly but smiled outwardly. “Mom, don’t worry. I know you care about me. My in-laws can’t be relied on like you.”
Satisfied, Zhang Lamei thought of the daughter’s belongings and grain, then asked, “When are you planning to bring these things from your house? Er-ya, have you decided when to leave?”
Lin Tian replied, “Tomorrow. I won’t be going back anymore. I’ll stay here for the next couple of days, then leave once the tickets arrive. Dad said I need to get to Chu Ci early.”
She feigned innocence, appearing obedient.
“Alright then.” Taking the daughter’s things, Zhang Lamei didn’t hesitate to agree.
When Lin Dawei returned, Lin Yang also came home from somewhere, holding a fish. Lin Tian’s eyes lit up, she had been craving fish soup for a while.
Lin Dawei saw this too, and Lin Tian immediately explained what she had done today. He only said, “Got it.”
The meal had been prepared beforehand, so Zhang Lamei waited for them to return before cooking the rest.
Seeing Lin Yang bring a fish, she beamed. “Ah, this fish is good. Let it sit for a couple more days and you can have fish meat, too.”
Lin Tian was pleased, she had wanted fish soup tonight.
Lin Yang was a bit reluctant, only having spent the afternoon catching the fish because he wanted it. “Mom, I want to eat the fish tonight. Make it for me.”
Zhang Lamei hesitated, and Lin Tian stepped in. “Yes, Mom. He’s still growing, he needs proper nourishment. My cooking has been good lately, so let me make the fish. You can taste my skills.”
Persuaded, Zhang Lamei prepared to clean the fish. She had intended for Lin Tian to do it, but Lin Tian turned pale at the sight of the fish. Zhang Lamei didn’t push her daughter too hard.
Lin Tian didn’t idle either. She stood aside, directing: “Mom, cut the fish head for the soup, and slice the rest to cook with the pickled vegetables.”
Zhang Lamei’s knife skills were precise; the slices were thin and neat.
Lin Tian marinated the fish slices and head with seasoning, scallions, and ginger. She wanted to add a bit of wine, but her father refused, fearing waste, so she let it go.
Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Lamei started the fire. Lin Tian poured oil, fried an egg first, then used the remaining oil to sear the fish head on both sides until golden. She added two slices of ginger and water. Once it boiled, she added sliced radish. When the radish was nearly done, she added the fried egg, key to enhancing the soup’s flavor.
Slowly, the kitchen filled with the aroma of fish soup. Lin Yang couldn’t help but comment from the doorway: “Second sister, your cooking has improved so much, it smells amazing.”
Lin Tian chuckled inwardly, after all, she had been a chef in several chain restaurants.
Outwardly, she remained polite: “It’s the fresh fish you brought today that makes it so good.”
Lin Yang smiled, eagerly waiting to eat.
The fish soup would take a bit longer, so Zhang Lamei raised the fire on the other stove.
Lin Tian heated oil, added the prepared pickled vegetables, chili, and seasonings, stir-frying until fragrant. Then she poured in a bowl of fish soup and added the fish slices.
Soon, the pickled-fish dish was ready.
The aroma of the pickled-fish dish was even more intense than the fish soup. Lin Yang almost salivated at the smell.
It was time to eat, and Lin Yang excitedly let out a cheer. As soon as the dish was served, he couldn’t wait to take a bite. The fish had surprisingly little fishy smell; at first, the tangy and spicy flavors filled his mouth, then the fragrance of the fish slices followed, making him want to eat more and more.
Accompanying the pickled fish, Lin Yang even had an extra bowl of rice that evening, and Lin Dawei found the meal more enjoyable than usual.
Compared to the two of them, Zhang Lamei and Lin Tian preferred drinking the fish soup. Lin Tian, being pregnant, couldn’t eat the pickled fish, but she did eat plenty of the radish from the soup. The soft, tender white radish released a rich, sweet flavor with every bite. And the fish soup itself, though not simmered for long, warmed her stomach and lifted her spirits considerably.
Lin Tian couldn’t help but miss the capital even more, after all, her first restaurant had been opened there.