"Yes, we've had quite a few things happening at home recently, and Big Brother has been helping out. Now that the household matters are mostly sorted, I've come over," Lin He replied with a smile.

Lin He watched Uncle Wen signal for her to continue. "It's like this, Uncle Wen. Last winter, the academy wasn't taking new students, so our family hired a tutor to teach Big Brother at home. This year, I want Big Brother to attend the town academy, and in the afternoons, he can work over at He Cai Wa Wa. He can rest there in the evenings."

Uncle Wen had heard Lin He mention these things before. "That sounds wonderful. Big Bao can be here often now, and it will be easier for him to run back and inform you if anything comes up. You don't need to worry about the academy; I'll take him tomorrow. As for He Cai Wa Wa, we kept a house specifically reserved for you all. Big Bao just needs to move his things over. But what would be suitable for Big Bao to do at He Cai Wa Wa?"

Lin He laughed. "Uncle Wen, my brother knows absolutely nothing yet. Having him start as a shop assistant would be just fine. Let him learn step by step. When he is working, please don't treat him like a nephew; be particularly strict with him. Make sure he genuinely learns something solid."

"Besides, he is here to learn, not to enjoy comfort. Only by starting from the bottom can he truly learn things, and everything he learns will be his own. Later, if the family decides to open a shop ourselves, he will already be familiar with the operations."

Uncle Wen agreed that this was the correct reasoning. If both Lin He and Big Bao shared this mindset, it was ideal. To manage a shop well, one must personally handle every task and grasp every facet comprehensively; starting at the lowest rung is the best approach.

Uncle Wen took Lin He and Big Bao over to He Cai Wa Wa. First, they had a junior shop assistant show them a few empty rooms so they could choose one themselves. There were several vacant rooms behind the shop.

Lin He recalled Uncle Wen mentioning that the shop currently had four employees: one manager, one accountant, and the remaining two were shop assistants who handled whatever needed doing day-to-day. The manager lived in town, so he didn't reside there.

Behind the shop, two rooms on one side were used to store goods, and another held miscellaneous items. The two shop assistants shared one room, while the accountant had his own. Approximately four more rooms at the back remained empty.

Lin He looked around the back rooms and helped Big Bao select one that was relatively quiet, which would be better for his studies. Since the size and layout of the rooms were quite similar, there wasn't much difference to consider.

The room wasn't large, and it didn't contain many possessions. It was swept every few days, so it wasn't dirty and didn't require much cleaning. There was some basic furniture inside; it was perfectly adequate for Big Bao alone. Lin He helped him tidy up, made the bed with the bedding he brought, placed his clothes in a small cabinet nearby, and then they left.

Uncle Wen was still in the shop, waiting for them to emerge so he could introduce the staff and tell Big Bao what his duties would be. The shop manager’s surname was Zhang, and everyone simply called him 'Manager Zhang.' He wore a plain blue long gown, and his facial features were sharply defined, giving him a somewhat stern appearance. When Big Bao greeted him, he merely nodded before walking away.

The accountant’s surname was Yu, whom everyone addressed as 'Uncle Yu.' He also had the simple attire of a scholar. Uncle Wen mentioned he had once been a Xiucai (scholar who passed the county-level examination) and had taught before. He had been married once, but his wife died during a difficult childbirth, and he never remarried. Lin He wasn't sure how Uncle Wen persuaded a Xiucai to become the accountant, but the man was quite personable.

The names of the two shop assistants were easy to remember: one was named Zhuzi and the other Yutou. They both looked quite young, around fourteen or fifteen years old, very quick-witted, and diligent. Lin He and Big Bao had visited He Cai Wa Wa occasionally before, so they knew Big Bao and Lin He were the other owners of the establishment, which commanded great respect from them.

Big Bao paid his respects to each of them individually, and Lin He also greeted everyone, asking them to look after Big Bao. She then prepared to return home, making sure to tell Uncle Wen that she would send over some medicinal paste in a few days.

As Lin He was leaving, Big Bao escorted her to the edge of the town. Old Man Qin's ox cart was waiting at the town entrance. Seeing Lin He and the others approach, he turned the cart around.

Lin He looked at her elder brother and spoke softly. "Big Brother, everyone in this shop has their own skills. I trust that the people Uncle Wen hired won't be subpar. You must humbly learn from them. When you aren't studying, stay in the shop and learn as much as you can. Absolutely do not act superior just because you are an owner; do not let them become alienated from you. I will teach you my accounting methods, but for now, do not use them. Humbly learn the bookkeeping methods from Uncle Yu, the accountant."

"Because my way of keeping accounts is different from Uncle Yu's, when you are learning the work in the shop, you must use his way of doing things. Do not think his methods are inferior; everyone works differently. You must learn to conceal your sharpness and embrace humility, do you understand?"

"Also, treat them to a meal occasionally in the evenings. The money allocated for you should be spent when necessary, and this applies to the academy too, but don't emulate those profligate young masters who squander money recklessly."

Big Bao nodded, and seeing that he had understood, Lin He told him to return to the shop. Watching Big Bao's receding back, Lin He felt a pang of sadness, much like a mother watching her son grow up and leave home.

Indeed, having been in this era for so long, Lin He was closest to Big Bao. He often followed her running errands, and she had many secrets that only he knew, yet he never pried, which made her feel at ease.

Big Bao was honest and guileless, his heart as pure as a child's. Now that he was in town, beginning his own journey of growth, Lin He worried for him, but it was truly time for him to go out and gain experience. Sentimentality was unavoidable.

Big Bao was eleven this year. A boy of eleven is no longer just a child; he needs to start bearing some responsibility. Only when she could no longer see Big Bao's back did Lin He climb onto Old Man Qin's ox cart to head home.

As he drove the cart, Old Man Qin asked Lin He, "He'er, if you’re reluctant to part with Big Bao, why send him to town? Wouldn't it be just as good at home? Big Bao seemed very unwilling to leave you too."

Lin He had certainly noticed Big Bao's reluctance. "I know, but Big Brother is quite grown now. There are some household affairs in the future that he will need to manage, and he should see more of the world in town."

Old Man Qin nodded. While he couldn't fully grasp Lin He's reasoning, he knew that whatever Lin He decided for Big Bao must be for his benefit. Having been with Lin He’s family for over half a year, Old Man Qin was aware of some of their affairs. Although Lin He was young, she made most of the major decisions for the family; this little girl should not be underestimated.