Da Zhang shi took over the conversation. "Mother, the second daughter-in-law's issues are minor. We all know what kind of person she is, so we shouldn't dwell on it. I think Zhen Zhen is right. If we really drive her away, not to mention whether she can live well back at the Zhang family's place, our A Lin's life will be difficult. Which child doesn't want to be with their mother?"
"You!" Grandma Lin chided, "You're the only one with a kind heart. The second daughter-in-law has often provoked you, yet you're still speaking up for her."
"Mother, I have my own selfish reasons. The second sister-in-law's minor flaws are harmless, and I can tolerate them. What if we get a different sister-in-law who is always competitive and strong-willed? Then my life would be difficult. Please don't be angry, Mother. Let her reflect for a couple of days," Da Zhang shi said. "As for dividing the family, I'm against it. If nothing else, when winter comes, how will we handle the pickled cabbage business?"
Qi Zhen Zhen also chimed in with a few words, and Grandma Lin finally calmed down.
As they exited the main house, Da Zhang shi pulled Qi Zhen Zhen into the upstairs room.
"Does my eldest aunt have something to say?"
"I want to ask Zhen Zhen for a favor," Da Zhang shi said, looking a bit hesitant to speak.
"Eldest aunt, just say what you need to. Zhen Zhen is listening," Qi Zhen Zhen said, proactively inviting Da Zhang shi to sit on the edge of the heated brick bed.
Seeing Qi Zhen Zhen's demeanor, Da Zhang shi felt more at ease and began, "I've been in the Lin family for so many years, and I've seen second brother marry Shenzi. I understand his personality very well. He seems to have no strong opinions, but he's very stubborn. Once he's decided on something, you can't pull him back. Today he brought up the matter of dividing the family, and I fear no amount of persuasion will work. The Zhang family is instigating the division, and I know their intentions clearly. They want to divide the pickled cabbage business into two, with the first and second branches each getting a share. Then their Zhang family can benefit. It's not that I'm petty, but the Zhang family's character is not good. They will inevitably cause a lot of trouble, and your second aunt has always favored her own family..."
"Eldest aunt means that if they insist on dividing the family, you want me to speak up about the ownership of the pickled cabbage business, right?" Qi Zhen Zhen immediately grasped Da Zhang shi's objective.
Da Zhang shi nodded. "Exactly. Second brother, when he talks about dividing the family, he definitely doesn't have the pickled cabbage business in mind. But your second aunt might. If we make this point clear, your second aunt will definitely be unwilling to divide the family. Then, my mother-in-law and I can seize the opportunity to set some rules, and she should become much more settled."
This was indeed a good plan, one that would extinguish Xiao Zhang shi's hopes and solve the problem at its root.
"Alright, I'll do as eldest aunt says," Qi Zhen Zhen agreed readily.
"Zhen Zhen, do you think I'm being too petty by doing this?" Da Zhang shi asked, sounding a bit apprehensive.
Qi Zhen Zhen understood Da Zhang shi's concern. The other day, when Song Mingyue visited, everyone in the Lin family, except for Grandma and Grandpa Lin, was very reserved around her. Qi Zhen Zhen had a clear understanding of the reason: the vested interests between the two families. Grandpa and Grandma Lin valued their kinship, while the others valued their financial interests.
"Eldest aunt, my mother, my younger brother, and I have a very difficult life. Our maternal family was convicted, leaving only my mother. Later, she became a concubine to a noble, which seemed glorious, but in reality, it was not as good as it seemed. Otherwise, how could the three of us end up in Xinghua Village? Having seen the warmth and coldness of human relationships, we yearn for family affection. Since the day we recognized each other as relatives, our family has considered the Lin family as our true maternal family, as a family we can rely on," Qi Zhen Zhen said sincerely. "When we are family, we should speak frankly. If we discuss things openly, where does the notion of being petty come from?"
Da Zhang shi was a perceptive person, and Qi Zhen Zhen believed she would understand her words.
As expected, Da Zhang shi was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I was wrong before. I've wronged you three. From now on, our family will be your reliance. We are one family."
Qi Zhen Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. She had a good impression of Da Zhang shi and knew that once someone like Da Zhang shi committed to something, it was with genuine sincerity. As for Xiao Zhang shi, such a person was inherently driven by self-interest. However, she was not decisive or resolute, and wouldn't do anything harmful for the sake of profit. Dealing with such a person was quite simple.
Early the next morning, someone knocked on the Lin family's door.
It was the group of children they had met by the sea yesterday. They were in pairs, pushing wheelbarrows, with two bamboo baskets on each barrow. There were five wheelbarrows in total.
The leader was the older child from yesterday, and it was evident that he was a bit reserved.
Da Zhang shi and Qi Zhen Zhen came out together. Seeing the baskets full of shells and conches, they were a bit bewildered, not knowing what was happening. Yesterday, because the Zhang family had visited, Qi Zhen Zhen hadn't mentioned her intention to buy shells to Grandma Lin and Da Zhang shi upon her return.
"Eldest aunt, these are what I asked them to deliver. These shells are quite pretty..." Qi Zhen Zhen said with a smile.
"You child, even if they're pretty, you can't buy them basket by basket. Besides, if you like any, you can ask your two younger brothers to go to the seaside and pick them. Why buy them?" Da Zhang shi interrupted Qi Zhen Zhen, chiding her.
Her tone was that of an elder towards a younger person, which Qi Zhen Zhen found very comforting.
The children delivering the shells looked nervous upon hearing Da Zhang shi's words. Did this sister not want them anymore?
"Eldest aunt, if we really let the two younger brothers pick them, they would be exhausted and still wouldn't be able to gather enough."
After speaking, Qi Zhen Zhen explained her reason for wanting the shells. Da Zhang shi said "Oh," and gestured for the children delivering the shells to bring the baskets down. She then carefully inspected the shells to ensure there were no damages or attempts to pass off inferior goods.
"Sister and Aunt, please rest assured. We picked these shells one by one, and they are all good," said the older child at the front. "We discussed it at home, and selling the shells by the piece is not practical. We'll sell them by the basket. Is eighty wen per basket acceptable?"
As he spoke, Qi Zhen Zhen had already examined the items and found no flaws.
Ten baskets, eight hundred wen. But this was far from enough.
Qi Zhen Zhen took out a small silver ingot weighing one liang. "I need a lot more. Can you get them? If you can, keep getting them. Eight hundred wen is for the payment, and the remaining two hundred wen is a deposit. I will need a lot more."
The children stared at Qi Zhen Zhen, wide-eyed and disbelieving. They had been selling conches by the sea, which were large and vibrantly colored, making them easier to sell. Few people would buy such small shells. Now, not only was someone buying them, but they wanted to buy even more. What was the difference between this and picking up money?