"Xiao Lan, let me introduce you. Mr. Mei is my godfather, and this is my godmother Liang Qian. Godfather and godmother, this is Shi Lan, Ning Jiangâs wife from Ning Group."
"Oh, that young man Ning Jiang is married now, huh? Not bad at all. Theyâve got good taste, picking such wonderful wives." Mei Shuqingâs former subordinate must have known him well.
"Mei Junâs, Mr. Mei, Aunt Liang," Shi Lan knew of Lin Wan and Mei Junâs deep connection, but she hadnât expected this kind of relationship.
"By the way, godmother, Xiao Lan is planning to rent a house now."
Liang Qian smiled, "Thatâs great! We can rent our courtyard to Ning Jiangâs wife. Ning Jiangâs at military school now, so how can he be at ease with her alone outside? You two seem to get along well. Xiao Lan can stay in our courtyard, and you can support each other."
"Thatâs what I was thinking too, godmother." Han Yi wasnât in the army and wouldnât usually go over, so she wouldnât see Shi Lan much in the future.
But now, if she lives nearby, that would be perfect.
"Mei Junâs, Mr. Mei, Aunt Liang, thank you so much."
"No need to thank us. Ning was practically raised by me, almost like a son. You can stay in the house without paying rent."
"Well, how can that be right? If Mei Jun insists on no rent, I wonât stay. Iâd rather look for another place."
Liang Qian handed the child to Liang Hongmei on the side and pulled Shi Lan aside, saying, "Donât listen to your Uncle Meiâs nonsense. Come, Iâll take you to see the house."
Shi Lan laughed and nodded, asking Lin Wan to come along and take a look.
The courtyard was large, with both front and back yards. The houses here were all like this, not only having a front yard but a back yard too.
Last time Lin Yinghui had built the wall, heâd conveniently sealed one side with cement and placed some glass bottle shards on top to prevent intruders.
It was quite safe, even if she lived alone, it wouldnât be a worry.
"Aunt Liang, how much does this courtyard cost?" She originally thought just renting one with a yard would be enough, enough to store seven or eight barrels.
She hadnât planned to do a big business, just selling some pickled vegetables, earning a little money.
"Not much, ten bucks a month should do it."
"Ten bucks?" Shi Lan frowned.
Liang Qian thought she found it expensive and quickly said, "Five bucks would work too, just a nominal amount for Aunt Liang. Ning Jiang often came to my house for meals. That kidâs good. You can relax and settle down. You young couple should live well. Donât bear any difficulties alone. Feel free to report to the army."
Liang Qian knew Shi Lan wouldnât want to live there for free, and even if she stayed, sheâd feel uneasy. A small amount would be suitable.
"No, no, Aunt Liang misunderstood. I meant you were asking for too little. For a courtyard like yours, it would at least be sixteen or seventeen bucks outside. Arenât you losing out? How can I take advantage of you? Here, let me give you sixteen."
"Youâre really sincere, dear. Aunt said ten bucks, so ten bucks it is. Just live here. We planned to rent it out anyway; a house with regular inhabitants ages more slowly. Now itâs perfect. Renting to you puts us at ease, and you can help manage the house. Itâs perfect."
"Xiao Lan, godmotherâs right, ten bucks it is. Godfather and godmother especially love your homemade sauce, just leave a big jar for them later."
"Ah, Aunt likes it? Then Iâll often send some to Mr. Mei and Aunt Liang."
"Did you make the mushroom sauce?" Liang Qian was surprised too.
"Yes, Iâm renting a house this time to start selling my sauce. Aunt Liang, when I make sauce at home, I wonât make a mess in the house. Iâll place the finished sauce in the courtyard."
"How can that be, the house has space. The shed built on the back wall can store it. Used to store firewood but never fully. Itâs a big space, perfect for your use."
"Thank you, Aunt Liang."
"No need to thank me, there are kettles, pots, bowls at home. I was going to give them to Xiao Wanâs family, but now Iâll leave them for you. Saves you from repurchasing. Donât worry, neither Uncle Mei nor I have illnesses. Itâs clean."
"And the military quilts taken by your Uncle Mei from the squad when we first arrived are new too. You can use them."
"Aunt Liang, I hit the jackpot today. Just move in with my bag, and itâs such a deal," Shi Lan couldnât help but joke happily.
Liang Qian laughed heartily, "You certainly lucked out."
"Luckily you came today; otherwise, such a good thing wouldnât have landed on you," Lin Wan said happily for Shi Lan.
Also pleased for herself, she finally has someone to chat with in the future.
Liang Qian introduced Shi Lan to the house and gave her the keys.
Shi Lan immediately gave Liang Qian five monthsâ rent.
Liang Qian said future rent could be directly given to Xiao Wan. Asking her to save money for buying clothes and milk.
At noon, the armyâs car arrived, and it took godfather and godmother away directly.
Mom went straight to the store. Brother rode his bike to the factory.
Leaving Shi Lan holding Little Star and walking around godmotherâs courtyard "Xiao Lan, when are you moving back in?"
"In the next few days, I think. Aunt Liang has left everything complete; there really isnât much to move, just bring my clothes. Figure out how to transport my barrels filled with sauce over."
"Want me to find someone to help?" Moving stuff, Lin Wan immediately thought of Brother Huangâs tractor.
"No need. Ah Jiang specifically mentioned before he left to report any difficulties to the squad leaders."
"Alright then, Iâll wait for you."
Shi Lan didnât stay much longer and took the afternoon bus back to the army.
...
Not long after sending Shi Lan off, mother-in-law arrived riding her bike.
Itâs Saturday, no need for work. She had just helped her son sell popcorn at the cinema entrance, and he wasnât busy anymore, so she came to help Lin Wan with the child.
Not seeing her little granddaughter for a few days, she and Old Hu deeply missed her.
"Xiao Wan, why not let me take the child home? Iâll bring her back tomorrow afternoon. We have formula at home. Mom will look after her; you can rest well."
"Mom, no need. Little Star is very good. I donât feel tired."
"How can you not be tired? With children, sleep wonât be complete for at least two years. Little Star doesnât recognize people yet. Mom will take care of her for a day; you rest and sleep well. Women look different after having children. Listen, mom will mind her for a day."
Seeing Little Star behave well in her mother-in-lawâs arms, Lin Wan didnât refuse.
Packed a bag of Little Starâs things, rode the bike, and took her mother-in-law home.
Lin Wan worried, went downstairs to buy some vegetables and meat for her mother-in-law.
"Go back, your Uncle Hu will return soon. Xiao Dung will come back tonight; the three of us can manage well."
"Mom, Iâm going then. If the child cries a lot, you must call me."
"Donât worry, I will. If really canât manage, sheâll be sent back to you."
Lin Wan played with the child briefly and left reassured.
Returning home, it was just past four oâclock. She intended to clean up the house but touching the bed made her unwilling to get up.
Slept in a daze until brother cooked and called her.
Not seeing a child in the room, Lin Yinghui first thought was someone had stolen the child "Xiao Wan! Xiao Wan! Whereâs the child? Little Star is missing, get up!"
"Ah... Brother!"
The bewildered Lin Wan, upon hearing Little Star was gone, frantically looked around.
Indeed, the child was not there. Lin Wan was instantly fear-stricken, legs weakened.
"Brother, whereâs Little Star?"
Seeing his sisterâs pale face, Lin Yinghui frowned and said, "Gone, get up quick, call the police."
Both instinctively thought the child was stolen.
Lin Wan propped herself off the bed, wobbling on weak legs, panicking, and burst into tears.
"Ah... Brother, Iâve lost Little Star, what do we do?"
For the first time in two lives, experiencing such, losing the child, how would she live?
"Stop crying, finding the child is important. When was the last time you saw her?"
Lin Wan stood up, running out with Lin Yinghui, crying while wiping tears, "This afternoon, I saw..."
Saying this, Lin Wan suddenly laughed.
The frightened Lin Yinghui thought his sister couldnât bear the loss and went silly, quickly stepping forward to pat Lin Wanâs face, "Xiao Wan, Xiao Wan? Lin Wan, donât scare brother."
"Brother... the child wasnât lost, my mother-in-law took her this afternoon." Lin Wan wiped her tears, chuckling.
Lin Yinghui was obviously still confused "Little sister, are you alright?"