I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 22 Call Me Little Mother

"Hehe, okay, if you need any help at home, just go down to the big locust tree in the village and you'll find us."

"Okay, if I need anything, I'll definitely come to you." See, the tailor has come, hasn't he?

As they were talking, the Gu family members had already hurriedly left in a disheveled state.

Lin Peisheng watched the Gu family members walk away, then handed the jade pendant to Dongfang Jin: "You're really generous. Are you trying to ruin your family's life?"

One tael of silver, a thousand coins—this girl just gave it away like that, she really doesn't know how to manage money.

Fifteen coins for a bushel of coarse grains, eighteen for a pound of rice, this child…

Seeing the pained look on his face, Dongfang Jin said, "Uncle Village Head, that's called intelligence. Anything that can be done with money isn't a problem."

As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. I didn't even have to lift a finger, and the things came back to me.

She thought to herself that with her small frame, she couldn't possibly search a strong person for anything, and she couldn't out-rob them either.

It's just a matter of letting onlookers watch the show for free, costing only a tael of silver. Look, the effect is quite good.

The wages of avarice is death!

Lin Peisheng was convinced by her: "Alright, come to my house when you're all packed up, and I'll register your family's household registration."

"Okay, we'll go after we're done packing."

Just as the Lin family of four left, Aunt Gu and Gu Chunsheng ran over, covered in sweat: "Chenglin's family, are you alright?"

Gu Chenglin shook his head: "Fourth Aunt is fine."

Aunt Gu looked at Gu Chenglin with a disappointed expression: "Can't you stand up for yourself in the future? Do you have to let them devour you until there's nothing left?"

"If Xiao Jin gets bullied away by them again, who will stay with you? Look how pitiful these two kids are, how can you be so heartless?"

Dongfang Jin watched as Aunt Gu, with red eyes, punched Gu Chenglin with her hand, and the sound of her voice reminded her of her mother.

When her family first learned that she was going to open a nursing home, that's how her mother spoke to her.

They said she didn't know anything, had never done anything before, and that those elderly people were all very precious; if she didn't take good care of one of them and something happened, she would be ruined...

Dongfang Jin pulled herself back to reality, walked over, and pulled Aunt Gu away: "Aunt Gu, don't talk to him. What can he do? He has a filial duty to uphold."

He's the eldest son; whatever he says is wrong. Don't worry, I'll take care of things from now on. I'm not afraid of them. They may be ruthless, but I'll be even more ruthless.

"Good child, I'm relieved to hear you say that."

Chenglin is a child with a hard life, and his personality is just like his father's, a quiet and reserved person.

"But he's a good man. You'll have to support this family from now on," Aunt Gu said earnestly.

She thought to herself, if it weren't for Gu Chenglin saving her two sons from the river that summer, she wouldn't know what would become of her now.

From that moment on, she vowed to do everything in her power to protect the child, but sometimes she felt powerless to do so.

"Okay, don't worry, I'll take care of this family from now on."

"It's good that you're alright. We'll be going now. We're still picking corn in the field. Xiao Jin, if you need anything, just come to my house."

"okay."

Gu Chenglin said to the man beside him, "Chunsheng, drive the oxcart back."

"Wait a minute," Dongfang Jin said, handing the meat in her hand to Aunt Gu.

Aunt Gu's face immediately turned cold: "Xiao Jin, what are you doing?"

"Fourth Aunt, consider this a gift from Chenglin and me to your family, please don't refuse."

We just separated our family, and these two children have just returned. I'm also new to the village and don't know anything. Our family will have to rely on you from now on.

There's really not much meat here. If you refuse again, I'll think you're looking down on us.

"You, you child, why are you talking so much? How am I supposed to take this?" Aunt Gu looked at the piece of meat, which must have weighed at least three pounds.

Gu Chenglin said sullenly, "Fourth Aunt, take it. It's good for Fourth Uncle and the children to replenish their energy."

"This?" Aunt Gu hesitated. The family had indeed not seen meat for some time.

“Auntie, please take it. We’ll take good care of Brother Lin’s family from now on,” Gu Chunsheng said.

"I'll take this, but there can't be a next time."

Seeing that she had taken it, Dongfang Jin smiled and said, "Okay."

This fourth aunt is quite nice; I might need her help in the future, so I must be adept at handling interpersonal relationships.

Thinking of the pile of money in the small space, she knew she wasn't short of money, and besides, she could earn more.

Putting everything else aside, with the equipment we have, we could find a short video of an ancient method and create something that could be passed down from ancient times.

Putting aside everything else, she could make fine salt from those large salt grains in the grocery store, but she couldn't do that.

In ancient times, it was best to avoid salt, as it could mean execution.

Without a strong foundation and real power, it's best for her to keep a low profile.

Thinking about the changes in Lin Lizheng's family, it seems that it's time for her to find a reliable support for her dilapidated home.

Isn't it better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone?

She wanted to find a family business to pass down to all those who had helped Gu Chenglin.

It's better to teach someone how to fish than to give them a fish; that's the only way to ensure long-term success.

However, the Tang family's house and land need to be bought first, and this matter will probably have to rely on Lin, the village head.

Dongfang Jin looked at the two children who were still huddled to one side: "Shitou, take your sister to change into new clothes. I'll go cook. After we eat, we'll go to the village head's house."

Gu Chenglin said coldly, "I'll do it."

Dongfang Jin thought of the food: "Can you even eat the food you made? Don't waste food. If you have nothing better to do, go and scrub those vats."

Gu Chenglin looked at her for a while and then said, "Okay."

Stone timidly pulled his younger sister out, saying, "Little sister can dress herself. I'll... I'll light the fire for you."

Dongfang Jin agreed when she heard him say that. She realized that this child wouldn't feel comfortable if he didn't do some work. Thinking it was pitiful, she glared at Gu Chenglin and walked towards the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Dongfang Jin lit two stoves quickly. With all that commotion, dinnertime was already past; they'd just grab something quick and cook a proper meal later.

She wasn't sure if this stove was unique to their area; it was the first time she'd ever seen one like it.

Two burners, two pots, one large and one small, are joined together in the middle near the chimney area, forming a triangle. The two burners share one outlet, which saves quite a bit of time.

Dongfang Jin put the flatbread and roast chicken in the middle pot to keep them warm. In one pot, she stir-fried pork belly and cabbage, and in another pot, she made a loofah and egg soup.

The fire was lit by stones, and as soon as the dish was cooked, everyone exclaimed, "It smells delicious!"

"Eat more if it smells good. It's past lunchtime now, so let's just have a quick bite. Your aunt will make braised pork and steamed rice for you tonight."

Gu Chenglin appeared at the kitchen doorway at some point: "Shitou, call her 'Little Mother'."

Shi Tou glanced at his father and called out to Dongfang Jin, "Little Mother."

Dongfang Jin turned and glared at Gu Chenglin, shouting, "Call me 'Auntie'! 'Little Mother' doesn't sound nice!"

"Little sister! Little sister my foot, that sounds like an insult."

Stone was startled by her action and almost started a fire.

Looking at Gu Chenglin, who seemed somewhat at a loss, he said, "Father..."

Gu Chenglin looked at Dongfang Jin and said, "You are my wife, so it's only right that the children call you 'mother'."