The very next morning, before dawn, Old Mrs. Huang woke Lin He and Sanya, careful not to disturb Xiaobao, lest a fresh round of wailing ensue. Sanya and Lin He moved with practiced quietness, ensuring Xiaobao slept on. They took Da Bao’s winter clothes and several dozen large coins from the old woman, bundled the cloth dolls they had made the day before into a sack, and headed for the ox cart at the village entrance.

By the time they reached the entrance, several other people were already waiting for the cart, apparently heading to the neighboring town as well. Among them was a man with a small child. Upon seeing them approach, the child shouted, “Er Ya, San Ya, are you two going to town too?”

San Ya replied, “Er Gouzi, you’re up early too.”

Lin He realized this must be Er Gouzi, the very person who had collided with her and caused her head injury. Er Gouzi was quite a cute sight, perhaps about six years old, robust and healthy-looking, with rosy cheeks. His clothes were visibly better than theirs, though still worn, they lacked any visible patches. The man leading him turned and greeted them, “Er Ya, San Ya, heading to town so early?”

San Ya called out, “Uncle Li.” Lin He followed suit, saying, “The weather is too cold; we are going to the next town to deliver winter clothes to Elder Brother.” Uncle Li, aware that their elder brother was apprenticed in the next town, nodded in understanding.

San Ya and Er Gouzi began a hushed conversation nearby. “Er Gouzi, why haven’t I seen you visit our house lately? Your mother said you went to your maternal grandmother’s, right? Was it fun there? Why did you stay so long?”

Er Gouzi replied, “Yeah, my grandma’s place was great! My mother came to fetch me several times, but Grandma wouldn't let me go back. Mother also said I should stay with my youngest maternal uncle to learn more characters. Now I know so many characters!”

Er Gouzi boasted as he spoke, and seeing the envy in San Ya’s eyes, his childish vanity was satisfied. He then added, “When you’re free, I’ll come over and teach you and Xiaobao.” San Ya nodded.

Lin He knew that Er Gouzi’s family was relatively well-off in their village. They owned several mu of less-than-fertile land, meaning they didn't need to rent from a landlord and their annual harvest was more than enough for the three of them, with plenty left over. Furthermore, Uncle Li was a skilled carpenter. During the off-season, he could also take on woodworking jobs for money. Er Gouzi’s maternal grandmother’s family was also doing quite well; apparently, one of Er Gouzi’s maternal uncles was a Xiucai scholar. Having a scholar in the family in this era was extraordinary, lending an air of respect even to the married daughters. On top of that, Uncle Li and Aunt Xu were good-hearted people with excellent standing in the village. Every year, Aunt Xu would give Lin He’s family considerable assistance.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, an ox cart appeared in the distance. Uncle Li paid the carter four wen, informing him there were four passengers in total. Lin He offered her money to repay him, but Uncle Li absolutely refused to take it, smiling as he patted Lin He’s head. “You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? When we get to town, buy some steamed buns. You’re just a child; don’t let yourself go hungry.”

Er Gouzi chimed in beside them, “San Ya, take these two wen and buy some candy later. My dad has plenty of money!”

Uncle Li gently tapped Er Gouzi’s head, saying, “You little rascal,” though the rebuke was laced with deep affection. Lin He felt too embarrassed to push further and tucked the copper coins away, resolving to repay them someday when the chance arose. The ox cart held a total of eight people; Lin He did not recognize the others.

The cart lurched and swayed for almost an hour. Lin He found the ride truly unbearable; her bones felt like they were rattling loose. Just as she thought she couldn't take much more, she heard the carter announce, “We’re here.” Uncle Li carefully helped the children down from the cart and escorted them all the way to the street where Da Bao’s blacksmith shop was located. After pointing out the exact location of the shop, he took Er Gouzi and left.

Lin He and San Ya walked forward until they spotted a blacksmith shop in the distance. Inside, a small child, dwarfed by the large, leather-like apron used for smithing, swung an iron hammer almost as thick as his own arm down onto a glowing piece of red-hot iron, blow after heavy blow. After just a few strikes, a man in his thirties called out, “Stinky brat, bring me a cup of water!”

The child immediately dropped the hammer and scurried to fetch water. As he handed the water to the man, he accidentally splashed a little out. The middle-aged man instantly leaped up, grabbing the child by the ear, “How can you be so useless? You can’t do anything right!” The child merely stood there with his head bowed, too afraid to utter a word.

Several apprentices, perhaps in their early teens, were eating at a nearby table inside the shop. Lin He focused her gaze and realized with a jolt that the child whose ear was being pulled by the middle-aged man was none other than her ten-year-old elder brother, Da Bao! Lin He instantly felt a stinging in her nose, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. They knew Da Bao couldn't have an easy time at the blacksmith shop, but they never expected him to be doing such heavy work. The great iron hammer itself looked terrifying; if it accidentally struck someone, it would cause severe injury, if not death. Moreover, blacksmithing was certainly not work suited for a ten-year-old boy.

San Ya called out, “Elder Brother!”

Da Bao immediately looked up, scanning around until he finally spotted his two younger sisters standing there, sacks on their backs. He instantly forgot that his master was still admonishing him and ran over, grinning widely, “Er Ya, San Ya, what brings you here?” Lin He held back her tears, nodding silently.

San Ya, however, pouted, “Elder Brother, your master is so mean! He’s even hitting you.”

Da Bao laughed and said, “No, I just wasn't careful for a moment; Master was just teaching me.”

After a brief pause, Lin He finally steeled her resolve. Today, she absolutely had to take Da Bao home; he could not stay here working any longer. If they returned, they would simply have to tighten their belts and eat less, but they wouldn't starve. Da Bao was so small, and he was being abused physically and mentally here—it was unacceptable. With this thought, Lin He spoke to Da Bao, “Elder Brother, we’re not doing this anymore. Our family is much better off this winter than in previous years. I can do embroidery to earn money, and Father has also found work. It’s just too hard for you here.”

Da Bao smiled, saying, “It’s not hard. As long as the family can eat their fill, Elder Brother is fine.”

Lin He insisted, “Elder Brother, no. You must come back with me today.” Da Bao looked slightly surprised by the firm look in Lin He’s eyes. Before he could speak, Lin He had already taken his arm and walked into the shop, addressing the middle-aged man, “You must be the owner of this blacksmith shop. My brother is quitting. Please calculate his wages; we are leaving today.”

Da Bao was about to speak, but Lin He shot him a look, silencing him. Da Bao’s mouth drooped, but he remained quiet. The blacksmith master stared at the girl, who looked less than eight years old, and said, “Da Bao begged me to take him as an apprentice, insisting I teach him blacksmithing. Now you say he’s quitting? I know the situation of your family; if I hadn't taken pity on Da Bao, I wouldn't have accepted him in the first place. Don’t expect him to come crawling back in a few days.”

Lin He gave him a sharp, withering glare. “I said he’s quitting, so he’s quitting. Don’t talk nonsense. Calculate his wages; my brother is packing up to leave now.”

The middle-aged man paused. The look in the little girl’s eyes seemed ready to devour him—it was certainly not the gaze of a typical child. He hadn't expected the seemingly honest Da Bao to have such a fierce sister. But no matter how fierce she was, she was still just a child. He said curtly, “Da Bao hasn't completed a full month yet; there are no wages.”