"Mom, it’s freezing cold and the ground is slippery. Don’t keep running back and forth; I don’t lack anything here." Lin Wan said, holding Shen Qing’s arm and guiding her to sit inside for a bit to warm up. "Mom won’t sit; I have to work today and need to hurry to the office. Be careful, especially with the ice this morning, understand?" Shen Qing urged Lin Wan while walking out. "Has your mother-in-law come back yet?" "Not yet, but she should arrive in the next couple of days." Only then did Shen Qing nod reassuringly, already planning to visit her daughter-in-law more often in the coming days. After seeing her mother-in-law off, Lin Wan returned home to organize the net bag her mother-in-law brought her. Besides some dried fruits, there were also two packs of brown sugar and two containers of malted milk. Lijuan had brought her specialties, including sliced cake and sticky bean buns. All were things to eat. Her mother-in-law’s family left all the best stuff for her; how could she not feel their genuine care for her and her husband? Lin Wan had a feeling of gratitude in her heart. Even though Han Yi appeared unconcerned and indifferent, she knew deep down her husband hoped his mother was living happily. That night, when he had a high fever, he unknowingly called out for mom a couple of times in his daze. Lin Wan grabbed a few handfuls of dried fruits and placed them in her pocket. She left home and took the bus to the store. Brother Huang also resumed his business today, bringing a modest haul of fish, shrimp, and clams. "Not many vendors are open at this time; most formally open around the twentieth. I guessed your store would be open, so I came to check," he said. This time is different from the future when business is so competitive; people’s lives are less hectic now. Some factories even start working only by the twentieth. "Lucky for Brother Huang to come; we had some customers yesterday, though business is slow and doesn’t require much," she noted. "It’s how it usually is this time of year; I know." Huang Dashan chuckled, having gained some experience over the past year of business and knowing that trade is sluggish now. The lake is still frozen, so he hasn’t caught much fish and shrimp. "Sis, this year our village is setting up some greenhouse for planting out-of-season vegetables, saying summer crops can be grown in winter." Lin Wan raised her eyebrows and smiled, "That’s good news, Brother Huang." In the North, it seemed like people started greenhouse cultivation in the early ’80s, leading many to prosper. "Greenhouses are expensive; completing one costs almost a thousand yuan. They say when spring comes and the ice thaws, work will begin. Our villagers don’t know much about this and are observing. We know Lin Wan has broad knowledge; we just want to ask if planting off-season vegetables can make money." "If done right, it will definitely make money. Brother Huang, you know how cold it gets here in winter, and there’s hardly any vegetables. If you can bring me greens and cucumbers now, I’d be willing to pay a yuan for a pound," Lin Wan explained encouragingly. "Really? Will vegetables sell for that much? Would people buy?" Huang Dashan doubted yet was eager to understand. "I would surely buy if available. Of course, that’s just my opinion. If Brother Huang wants to pursue it, you can ask those regular vegetable wholesalers at the market, or even people passing by on the street. See if they’re willing to buy. If eight out of ten say they will, then this business is bound to work." Although asking wasn’t necessary, some would surely be interested to buy. Lin Wan suggested a market survey method to give Brother Huang a better understanding. "That’s a good method; I’ll go inquire at the market right away," he said. Huang Dashan left quickly. Today, the store has somewhat improved compared to yesterday, but the money earned these days still isn’t enough to cover wages. If the revenues break even within the first month of opening, it would be impressive. In the evening, the homeroom teacher called her separately to the office after the first class. She said that Lin Wan’s clothing designs for the end of the term were very impressive. "The director at the Third Garment Factory in the city likes them and wants to buy the rights to your designed clothes. I’m asking if you’re willing?" Lin Wan’s left eyelid twitched, thinking she truly hit a stroke of luck at the start of the year, and money was coming her way. "Of course, that’s fine. I wonder how much the factory is prepared to offer?" "Two hundred yuan. It’s the highest price the teacher could negotiate for; they won’t give more." The homeroom teacher kindly showed her two fingers with a smile. At this moment, Lin Wan’s mouth almost grinned all the way up to her ears, "Thank you, teacher." Lin Wan nodded quickly; of course, she agreed. That end-of-term design was utterly typical in the future, just something she casually sketched. Who would have thought someone would take notice? If this is the case, she could produce dozens of different drawings monthly, each worth two hundred. Wouldn’t she be hitting the jackpot? Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽 Leaving the office, Lin Wan remained excited for quite some time. It was only when school was over that evening she finally calmed down. After bidding farewell to Su Ling and Yin Peibai, she was about to walk home when unexpectedly her brother arrived on a tricycle. "Brother, you’re back? When did you arrive?" "Just got home a while ago," Lin Yinghui tidied up the bedding on the tricycle and quickly helped his sister on board, "I was thinking of going to your compound to call you, but I received a call from your husband, saying you were not at home, so he urged me to come fetch you." Lin Yinghui chuckled as he spoke, shaking his head. In front of Han Yi, he always felt like a younger brother; Han Yi seemed to be the older, more authoritative one. "...Oh, looks like Han Yi didn’t fool me last night. "Brother, why did you and mom get back so late?" Her brother’s school was due to start in a couple of days. "At home...we were building the house, discussing things with Uncle Zhang, which delayed us by two days." Lin Yinghui didn’t plan to tell his sister about family matters, so she wouldn’t worry. When they got home, Mom prepared a three-person portion of noodle soup and was already waiting for them. Seeing Liang Hongmei, Lin Wan cuddled her coyly and lingered for a while. "Alright, alright, stop snuggling. You’re not a little kid anymore." Liang Hongmei tapped her daughter’s forehead helplessly. "Are you hungry? Hurry and eat. Your brother and I haven’t properly drunk a hot soup on the way. Getting home is not easy; I’m worn out." "Hungry, definitely hungry." She had long missed Mom’s flavors. Seeing his mom and sister joyful, Lin Yinghui felt his heart at ease. Mom and brother’s return assured not only Lin Wan but also Han Yi in the military. This time, her brother brought her many fruits from their place — papayas, bananas, and tangerines — which Lin Wan crazily wanted. She gobbled up three bananas after dinner. The next day, around ten in the morning, the three decided to go to the bathhouse to wash away the dust from the journey. Bathhouses nearby required bath tickets, and Liang Hongmei always stored up ten or more tickets in winter. Liang Hongmei prepared clothes, soap, and shampoo, taking three tickets costing two cents and six each into the bathhouse. Once inside, the steam enveloped them warmly; the coal stove burned fiercely. Bathhouses at this time had pools. Less equipped ones had just one large pool; better ones had both a large and small pool. This one had a large and a small pool. However, Lin Wan disliked pools for being unclean and never went in. When she and Mom came, they always used a shower. Seagull shampoo and bee flower conditioner were her favorites. Liang Hongmei worried she might slip, so she thoughtfully brought her a stool. When they came out, her brother was already waiting outside. His school hadn’t started yet, so after getting home, he went directly to the winery. Liang Hongmei’s school classes had ended. She didn’t need to work in the afternoon. Mom wouldn’t let her run to the shop in such cold weather. Now, Lin Wan became quite leisurely. On the twentieth, Lin Wan took a string of firecrackers to the South Street store. At home, there were only scarves left in stock. Lin Wan wasn’t in a rush to sell them. This time, she walked over, bringing a dozen or so scarves; the store couldn’t open without displaying some goods. When Lin Wan arrived, it wasn’t only her family setting off firecrackers; the whole street was crackling with them. Wei Jian Country even set off a large string across the whole street for prosperity. The merchants cleared their doors, kickstarting a year’s business. "Doctor, what’s going on with me?" Ye Qing anxiously asked the physician beside her, holding her test report in a small hospital in S City. "You’re already over a month pregnant, correct? This is your first child, isn’t it? You must be careful in the future." The doctor’s words hit Ye Qing, her heart racing. Pregnant? Who...is the father of this child? "...Doctor, when did I conceive? Could it be pinpointed to a specific day?"