Chapter 18

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Yu Niang chased after her as Lin Ran cleaned up the compound. When she saw that Lin Ran had already started cleaning up the courtyard, she immediately said, “Ran, stop doing it. Come back with me.”

“No, Auntie. I’ll live here from now on.”

“How can that be? Your uncle will definitely be angry when he finds out that you’re not living with us. Be good and go back with me and stop making me worry.”

“It’s okay, Auntie. When Uncle comes back, I’ll talk to him. He definitely won’t blame you.” Lin Ran smiled. She knew that Yu Niang did not really want her to go back, but she was afraid that Lin Yuan would be angry.

Speaking of which, this uncle of hers, always treated her very well. In the past, when her parents were around, Lin Yuan would often send things to her family and occasionally buy her snacks.

When her parents passed away, Lin Yuan helped her with the funeral arrangements. After the funeral, he brought her home and told her that from now on, this would be her home and not to be sad. He would dote on her like a daughter in the future.

Thanks to Lin Yuan’s words, the host slowly recovered from her parents’ death.

Of course, the original owner of the body was also a well-behaved person. She often helped with work at Lin Yuan’s house. Ever since she moved over, she did almost all the work at home. She washed, cooked, and cleaned. When work in the fields got too busy, she would also help.

Compared to her, Lin Xue was far inferior. She clearly did not have the life of a young lady, but she insisted on treating herself as a young lady. She did not do anything at home and even let Lin Ran wash her clothes.

Since the contrast was too obvious, Lin Yuan’s family naturally preferred the obedient, sensible, and diligent Lin Ran. They often told Lin Xue to learn from Lin Ran.

They liked Lin Ran, so they kept comparing Lin Ran to Lin Xue, but it ironically made Lin Ran lose her life.

When Yu Niang heard Lin Ran’s words, she could tell that Lin Ran really did not want to go back, so she did not persuade Lin Ran anymore. Instead, she helped Lin Ran tidy up the courtyard.

Lin Ming could not convince Lin Xue, so he planned to visit Lin Ran first. However, when he walked into the courtyard and found his mother and Lin Ran cleaning up, he was stunned.

He did not expect his mother to help clean up the courtyard instead of persuading Lin Ran to go back.

“Mother, Ran!” Lin Ming shouted. Yu Niang and Lin Ran stopped what they were doing and glanced at him. Yu Niang felt a little guilty and did not dare to make eye contact with her son. Lin Ran, on the other hand, did not take anything to heart. She smiled and greeted, “Since you’re here, help me pack up. The sooner I pack up, the sooner I can move over.”

“Ran, are you really going to live here?”

“What are you saying? This is my home. If I don’t live here, where should I live?”

Lin Ming looked at her and did not speak for a long time. For some reason, he seemed to hear some mockery in Lin Ran’s words. These words also made him understand that Lin Ran would not go back with them.

After thinking it through, he did not stay idle and joined in the cleaning up.

Lin Yuan had been working at the docks in town. Sometimes, he would have to leave town with the boats, so he could not go home every day. However, he would go home every half a month. While bringing back his salary, he would also bring some snacks for the children.

Today was the day he came back with the ship. This trip was very smooth, and the boss had earned a lot of money, so he happily gave them a few days’ leave and let them go home to rest.

Lin Yuan bought a few pieces of calligraphy paper for his son, his daughter’s favorite osmanthus cake, embroidery thread for his wife, and a hairpin for Lin Ran.