Chapter 670: Teach One to Fish
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Qiuhua looked up and down at her G.o.dmother, who was still wearing tattered clothes during winter. The older woman did not even have a cotton coat.
Although Lin Qin had a cotton-padded, she put it aside to make a blanket for her great-grandchild after Jiang Nainai gave birth. She did not care about herself and wanted the soon-to-be-born child to stay warm.
Lin Qin tried her best to save as many resources as possible, but not for herself.
Shen Qiuhua felt terrible for her G.o.dmother when she saw what the older woman was wearing. Still, Shen Qiuhua understood her reasons and brought many more provisions for her G.o.dparents this time.
She also wanted to ensure Shen Zhishan and Jiang Nainai had everything they needed.
“Mother, try on the sweater to see if it fits.”
Lin Qin teared up as she said, ‘Qiuhua, you’ve done so much for us.”
“Why would you say that? You, Father, and Zhishan have been good to me.
Shouldn’t I repay your kindness now that I’m able to?”
Lin Qin felt warm and touched. She had treated Shen Qiuha well, but the latter had to move far away, only able to return once a year to visit.
The Blossom villagers typically sent their daughters away after marriage.
Therefore, families treated their daughters poorly. However, Lin Qin felt Shen Qiuhua would do better away from Blossom Village.
The Blossom villagers did not know Shen Qiuhua’s true ident.i.ty. Still, they praised her for being dutiful whenever she visited bearing gifts.
Lin Qin felt much warmer after putting on the sweater her G.o.ddaughter gifted her. The older woman had never worn such thick clothes before.
“How is it, Mother?”
Lin Qin nodded vigorously. “So, this is how warm a sweater feels to wear. It looks different from normal clothes but feels nice and warm.’
She did not feel cold while wearing the sweater. Moreover, it looked good on her. Although different from the clothes she typically wore, it helped to keep her warm during the winter.
Shen Qiuhua had knitted the sweater with thicker wool so her G.o.dparents could brave the cold better. She said, “This is a pair of pants you wear with the sweater. It’s longer and wraps around your legs.”
Su Binglan had designed the sweatpants to match this era’s clothing style. Furthermore, they wrapped around one’s legs and ankles.
Shen Qiuhua recalled her G.o.dmother’s inability to walk correctly, especially during the cold weather.
Lin Qin had saved all her money to make thicker clothes for Shen Qiuhua last time. The older woman was reluctant to wear them herself, but her legs barely stopped shivering because she wore such thin clothes.
But Lin Qin felt warm all over after wearing the sweater and sweatpants. After a while, she felt like she could sweat, even during winter. Lin Qin’s eyes widened at how amazing her new clothes were.
Soon after, Shen Qiuhua revealed two big baskets, saying, “We also made plenty of cakes for everyone. We brought rice cakes, sweet potato cakes, and peanut cakes. Binglan made all of them.
“She also made these smaller cakes last night. Try them—theyre delicious,” Shen Qiuhua handed a small cake to her G.o.dmother as she spoke.
Lin Qin had never seen such a thing before but bit into it without hesitation since her G.o.ddaughter gave it to her. Immediately after, she felt the cake melt in her mouth.
She barely used her teeth when biting into it. The cake was soft, fragrant, and sweet. “It’s so delicious! I’ve never had anything like it.”
When she cooked for the Shen family in the past, the head of the family would sometimes reward the servants with delicious food. Lin Qin had learned a lot about food after working for and eating with the family.
Still, she never tasted anything so delicious before. Before she knew it, she had already eaten another cake. However, she felt embarra.s.sed when she realized how much she had eaten in one go.
‘Why do I act like a child when I’m already so old? I should save some for the others.’
Lin Qin wanted to save some for her soon-to-be-born great-grandchild but did not know if she could keep the cakes for that long.
Shen Qiuhua said, “Mother, we brought plenty of other desserts you can keep for a long time. You and Father can eat them during weekdays. Please tell me if you need any more provisions next time. I’ll get someone to send them over.
Also, please spend the silver I gave you.”
Lin Qin said, “How can I take your money? Please take it back. After all, you have a big family to care for.”
Shen Qiuhua refused, “l have enough at home. Please, use the money I gave you. Don’t worry about me.”
Meanwhile, Sui Binglan walked toward the room with the prepared medicine and heard voices coming from inside the room. She knew Lin Qin would not spend the money Shen Qiuhua had given her.
Su Binglan could understand how Lin Qin felt. If the young lady could teach Lin Qin and the others some skills, they could make a living and improve their livelihoods.
‘It’s better to teach one to fish than to give one a fish. I’ll think of something to teach them so that they can make a living. Since Grandma and Grandma are older, they can’t do anything too physical.
‘Nainai’s pregnant, so I shouldn’t teach them anything too physical. It would be best to teach them something quick and easy to earn money.’
Many thoughts flashed through Su Binglan’s mind, but she felt it would be more troublesome to transport things from Su Teng Village. It would be good if she could get materials from the local area and teach the family something new.
However, Su Binglan felt like there was nothing around. Even if she gave them something to do with apricots, the fruits only grew when the weather was warm.
Su Binglan did not know what the family could do during the winter and even considered teaching them to make cakes. Then, they could open a small cake shop nearby. Even so, the family would have to work hard to knead the dough.
‘If only I can give them something less physically draining to do. Maybe they can do something homemade. I’ve taught Uncle Fengchen to make salted duck eggs and century eggs, so I can’t teach that to Grandma and Grandpa.’ While carefully considering her options, Su Binglan knocked on the door and entered to give Lin Qin the medicine.
“Grandma, rest on the brick bed. Once you sweat and eat, your body will have strength. I brought some ingredients to cook delicious food for you tonight.”
Lin Qin smiled and said,” All right. It’s nice to see how capable you are, Binglan. Still, you should let Zhishan cook for you instead of tiring yourself out like this.’
Su Binglan had offered to cook, and Lin Qin could not reject. However, the latter did not want to trouble her granddaughter. Instead, she asked Shen Zhishan to help.
“It’s no trouble, Grandma. Why aren’t Grandpa and Uncle home yet? It’s getting late. ”
Lin Qin sighed, “Your grandpa will return after he sells the firewood. Since
Quichuan and his wife work in town, they often can’t come home.”
Shen Qiuhua asked, “Mother, why did my sister-in-law decide to work in town? With her personality, she doesn’t seem like someone who would want to work there.’
“Your sister-in-law has been doing much better ever since Nainai got pregnant,” Lin Qin said..