But Lin He was genuinely short on funds right now, so she planned to let Boss Wen cover all the initial setup costs for the shop first. The understanding was that once the plush toy shop started making money, she would repay him. However, she suspected the first few months would yield little profit; managing to break even after covering the shop acquisition, renovation costs, labor, and materials would be a success in itself.

Considering the large sums needed just for securing and decorating the premises, Lin He knew exactly how much money they had left at home. That money had to cover hiring a tutor, winter expenses, and the necessary outlays come springtime. She feared very little would remain.

When Lin He first received her monthly earnings, the coins felt heavy, but they were spent alarmingly fast. Ah, money was hard to earn and easy to spend, no matter where you were.

Sometimes Lin He mused on the strangeness of human life. In her previous existence, those who worked tirelessly in the city yearned for the idyllic, pastoral life—to wake with the sun and rest when it set.

Yet, now that she actually lived this quiet, rural existence, she found herself constantly gravitating back toward the frantic pace of her former urban life. Perhaps humans were simply built this way: forever dissatisfied with their current circumstances.

Lin He shook her head, laughing at herself, and pushed these thoughts aside. Whenever she looked at her current home and her family, a deep sense of contentment flooded her heart.

Xiaobao and Sanya had changed the most dramatically. When Lin He first arrived, both Sanya and Xiaobao were listless, their hair pale and their faces thin and drawn. Their small frames were fragile. Now, they had filled out; their cheeks were rosy and plump. Xiaobao, especially, was beginning to develop a round belly, and his little body was growing sturdier by the day.

Mother and Father also looked much more spirited than before; their complexions were no longer sallow but held a healthy flush. Even Dabao, after only a month back, seemed much healthier. Seeing these changes, Lin He felt every effort was worthwhile.

Though life wasn't exactly prosperous now, it was night and day compared to when she first arrived. They would take things slow; every undertaking required steady, measured steps.

The next day, Lin Erniu went out to inquire if there were any local, unattached Xiucai available to hire as a tutor. In this era, scholars who had passed the Xiucai examination but hadn't advanced further often took up teaching positions.

Meanwhile, Lin He and Madam Huang cleared out Xiaobao’s room. There wasn't much to move, as everything remained in place. The main task was preparing the teacher’s bedding. They had some leftover cotton batting and fabric, so Madam Huang quilted a thick blanket, which they placed under the bed. They also tucked some dry straw beneath that.

In truth, most common households here simply used straw for padding; having a quilted blanket wasn't standard. But since Lin He insisted on a warmer, padded layer for better comfort, they prepared one for the tutor, matching the upgrades made to every bed in the house. The blanket itself came from Xiaobao’s store—he had never used it, and the cotton inside was newly purchased this year, making it very warm.

As preparations were underway for hiring the tutor, Madam Zhao arrived. Seeing Madam Huang and Lin He clearing the room, she asked what they were doing. Madam Huang explained the situation truthfully.

Unexpectedly, Madam Zhao launched into a furious tirade at Madam Huang: "Do you have too much money to spend? Hiring a tutor! I think you don't know your own place. Do you imagine hiring a teacher costs nothing? Everything requires coin! Oh, my poor child, cursed to have married such an improvident wife! The little money earned is going to be squandered by this spendthrift woman. How is my son supposed to live?"

Lin He was startled by her grandmother’s sudden outburst. Since Madam Zhao had returned, Lin He thought she was tolerable in every respect, save for her dislike of her daughter-in-law, and hadn't done anything overtly terrible. Hearing her lash out at her mother without reason today was an eye-opener; it confirmed that Madam Zhao was indeed unreasonable.

Madam Huang merely lowered her head under Madam Zhao’s barrage. After a long pause, she spoke softly, "Your son’s father agreed. Dabao is getting older; he passed the age for school long ago. We have several children here, and Xiaojun and Xiaoshan are also growing up. It’s better to hire a tutor to teach them; the children can learn more characters."

Hearing this, Madam Zhao shrieked even louder. "When did your family become rich enough to support two outsiders? Supporting outsiders isn't enough; now you want to hire a tutor for their children! I see you won't stop until you’ve ruined this household. What difference does it make if the child doesn't know characters? Erniu never knew characters and grew up just fine. Education is something people like us cannot afford!"

Lin He realized her grandmother strongly objected to their housing Old Man Qin and his grandson—treating the old man as an outsider living under their son's roof, while she and Old Man Lin received less consideration. Fortunately, Old Man Qin wasn't home today; it was market day, and he had gone to the town with Erniu. If he were here, hearing this would have been deeply distressing.

Madam Huang glanced at Madam Zhao before continuing in a low voice, "Old Man Qin earns his own keep; we aren't supporting him. He and his grandson are genuinely pitiful. You and your husband have your own house, too."

Lin He thought her mother, usually mild-mannered, argued logically but became timid and inarticulate when facing her grandmother, often making things worse the more she spoke.

As expected, Madam Zhao immediately jumped up. "We have our own house; you don't need to worry about us! If Old Man Qin works, are you implying that we old folks don't work and expect you to support us? You pity others, but what did we gain after raising our son?"

With that, she plopped down onto the ground, clearly intending a sit-in protest until Madam Huang conceded. Lin He blinked, then rushed to Madam Zhao's side, calling out sweetly, "Grandmother, please get up quickly! The ground is cold; you’ll catch a chill, and I’ll be heartbroken! You are my own flesh-and-blood grandmother! Old Man Qin only helps us feed the cattle; how could he be closer than you?"

Seeing her granddaughter speaking to her so sweetly, with wide eyes, red lips, and white teeth, Madam Zhao’s anger softened slightly. She stopped wailing but remained seated. Madam Huang, after standing awkwardly for a moment and noticing villagers peeking in from outside, walked over to her mother-in-law and gently urged, "Mother, please stand up first. It’s all my fault. How about this: we'll wait until Erniu returns to discuss these matters with you, and whatever you say goes?"

Madam Zhao felt she had regained some measure of dignity, and since the weather was turning cold, sitting on the ground was indeed becoming chilly. She only managed a grunt before standing up, though her expression remained displeased.

After a moment, Madam Zhao persisted, "You mentioned letting Xiaoshan study together just now—is that true?"

Madam Huang was momentarily startled by the sudden change in topic, fearing another argument was brewing. Hearing the actual question, she replied, "Yes, Mother. Look, Dabao is already so old; he won't take to farming or learn anything else. His father intended to send him to school, but currently, no academy is enrolling. Since we also have so many children here, and Xiaoshan and... are also of an age to learn, we plan to hire a tutor for a few months. When spring arrives next year, we’ll send Dabao to the proper academy."