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

Chapter 12 Going to the county seat

Dongfang Jin's eyes widened when she heard his words: "Are you going to do it or am I? Besides, who can make special clothes for them in a day?"

And what about the house? We have nothing. Shouldn't we buy some things? You'll take me to the county tomorrow to buy some, including your clothes."

This family can't live like this; they must change their situation as soon as possible.

Gu Chenglin was puzzled to see that she was angry again; this person seemed to enjoy getting angry. "I don't need to buy any of mine."

He could still wear the clothes he was wearing, and besides, he was still injured. He didn't want her to wash his clothes, afraid that she would get tired.

Dongfang Jin immediately bristled, pointing at Gu Chenglin's tattered clothes and angrily saying, "You stink! Don't you have any self-awareness? Don't worry, I have money."

There's no need to buy anything. Look at this outfit, it's worn so much it's practically patina. What are you doing? Treating it like an antique? Doesn't it smell awful?

Seeing that she was angry again, Gu Chenglin softened his tone and said, "Okay."

Seeing how obedient he was, Dongfang Jin's anger immediately subsided by half: "It's getting cold, and this house is no good either. It definitely won't be habitable in winter. If there's a heavy snowfall, this house will collapse."

We'll buy a plot of land for the house, a big one, so we can build a big, bright house all at once.

The children are older now and can't always sleep with you, especially this girl; she needs her own room. Don't worry, I have money.

Gu Chenglin nodded: "Okay."

That makes sense, but we'll have to wait; it's not possible now.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t leaving? And you’ve severed ties with your family? Buy some more land, buy a lot more. Land is the foundation for you all, preferably large tracts. Don’t worry, I have money.”

She almost let slip that in ancient times, houses and land were the foundation of a family, and that houses and land could be passed down through generations.

And shouldn't we prepare a dowry for this little girl? Hmm! Let her take a look first.

Gu Chenglin was amused by her bold and generous manner, and the frustration he had felt all day instantly dissipated.

The two children looked at Dongfang Jin like she was an idiot. She really dared to say she was rich? How much could she possibly have? If she were rich, would she be able to keep up with their father?

Little Stone looked at his father, then at his stepmother Dongfang Jin, sighed, and silently shook his head.

He said, "If his dad were normal, who would want to be with him?"

Dongfang Jin was still thinking about her plans and didn't notice the pity and sympathy in Shi Tou's eyes when he looked at her.

Gu Chenglin was captivated by the sight, but he said nothing, though he was secretly delighted.

The more he looked at Dongfang Jin, the more he liked her, and he longed to hold her in his arms.

……

After Gu Chenglin finished bathing the two children, he took them to his bedroom.

Upon seeing the completely renovated room, a smile finally appeared on his gloomy face. He turned to look at the room next door, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

Now that you've caught my eye and taken up residence in my heart, divorce? Forget about it.

The girl exclaimed happily, "Wow! A new blanket! Brother, we have a new blanket now!"

Listening from the other side, Dongfang Jin felt a pang of sadness in her heart. This child was so easily satisfied.

Thinking of her when she was little, at this age... I don't want to think about it anymore. As long as I'm not gone, I'll make sure they eat well and give them as much as I can, as a way of repaying Gu Chenglin for taking them in.

……

Stone didn't speak, but his hands carefully touched the new quilt and mattress.

He hadn't had a new quilt in years. He remembered the first time he had a new quilt was when his father came back from his corvée labor service.

But before he could use his new quilt for long, it was snatched away by his third aunt as soon as his father left.

Not long after, his second aunt, third aunt, and younger aunt took all of their belongings, and his mother didn't dare to say a word.

Until his younger sister was born, they eventually ran out of room to sleep, and his mother took him and his sister to live in the woodshed.

Later... Grandma and my second and third uncles took them to Grandpa's house...

At first, Grandpa treated them well, but ever since he started having an affair with a young widow in the village, he and his sister started sleeping in the woodshed together again...

"Go to sleep, you'll feel better."

Upon hearing this, Shi Tou could no longer contain himself and burst into tears, throwing himself into Gu Chenglin's arms.

When the girl saw her brother crying, she came over from the bed, hugged him, and cried too.

Dongfang Jin felt her heart breaking as she listened to their cries; these two children were suffering such unfair treatment at such a young age.

How did they survive? And what about their mother? Since she's alive, why doesn't she come looking for her children?

Aunt Gu said that the girl was less than a year old when she jumped into the river.

She slept very restlessly that night, dreaming of herself from childhood to adulthood, as well as the scenes of the accident, and the original owner's tragic life, all switching back and forth like fast-forward.

She opened her eyes when she heard a rooster crow.

Hearing the commotion outside, she knew that Gu Chenglin had gotten up. Little did she know that Gu Chenglin, too, hadn't slept well all night, reminiscing about his life.

Dongfang Jin got up and came out, noticing that it was still quite dark outside.

A gentle morning breeze swept by, taking away the tranquility of last night and ushering in a fresh and pleasant atmosphere.

A thin mist swirled around the mountainside, and a gentle autumn breeze carried a chill that sent a shiver down her spine. Luckily, she was wearing thermal underwear underneath, or she would have caught a cold.

Seeing Gu Chenglin struggling to fetch water, she strode over and snatched the rope from his hand: "Why are you up so early?"

Gu Chenglin steadied himself, his eyes flickering: "It's getting late, Aunt Si's family has already gone to work in the fields."

"How did you know?" Dongfang Jin asked as she brought the water up.

It's fortunate that she knows how to do these tasks; otherwise, she really wouldn't know how to explain this guy, who isn't afraid of falling into a well.

Gu Chenglin pointed down the mountain: "My fourth uncle's land is over there down the mountain. I went to his house to borrow an oxcart and came out with them. His corn ripens early."

When are we going to the county?

"We'll be leaving soon. My fourth aunt said it's market day in the county today, and we need to get there early to buy things."

Dongfang Jin struggled to carry the bucket of water to the kitchen door: "Okay, are you taking the children with you?"

"No, I've already told them I'll bring them next time. We bought a lot of things today, it's inconvenient to bring them along."

"Row."

Gu Chenglin reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, saying, "There are some vegetable dumplings made by Fourth Aunt in the pot. Have some, and then we'll leave."

Dongfang Jin didn't mind his actions: "Okay."

After she finished washing up, she went to the kitchen, opened the pot lid, and saw the so-called vegetable dumplings.

She found it hard to swallow, so she took one and threw it into her spatial storage, then took out a sandwich and ate it whole.

The pale blue sky was dotted with white clouds, and sunlight filtered through the light mist, gently illuminating the earth and awakening everything with its golden rays.