Mrs. Huang chuckled, "Dabao, you're exaggerating things. Someone would even pay forty or fifty taels for that? If it were me, I wouldn't want it. The thing is pretty to look at, true, but you can't eat it. I'd rather use that money to buy more grain."

Lin He heard their exchange and burst out laughing. "Mother, we grew up poor, so of course, we can't grasp the minds of rich people. They have no concept of money; they just see it as something to buy things and enjoy life with. As long as they are happy, money isn't an issue."

Dabao chimed in, following Lin He’s lead, "Yes, what Sister says is right. Look at Uncle Wen’s shop, CaiDie Xuan. The items there are frighteningly expensive, yet people stream in from morning till night. There are always customers. They have nearly a dozen shop assistants alone, not counting the bookkeepers and the manager. They are busy every single day."

Er Niu, hearing Lin He and the others, found himself believing it. Having only a few meager acres of land, he was already quite content. It seemed the rich and the poor truly lived in different worlds. However, Er Niu had never been an ambitious man; he just felt that the life they had now was already quite good.

The family chatted in the courtyard until the sky had darkened imperceptibly. They washed up and retired for the night. Dabao had been home for two days and was due back in town. He rose early the next morning, and Lin He decided to accompany him. She too rose with the dawn, but this time, she did not ask Xiaojun to go; instead, she had Old Man Qin drive them.

When they arrived at CaiDie Xuan, Uncle Wen was waiting. He mentioned that he had figured Dabao would return soon, and that He'er would surely follow, so he had waited at the shop. Lin He laughed playfully, "Uncle Wen, your foresight is truly uncanny, knowing I would arrive at this very moment."

Uncle Wen smiled and led Lin He and Dabao into a side room in the back courtyard. He began to discuss the matter of opening a branch store in the county seat. He explained that opening a branch involved redefining many aspects of their business, which was precisely why he needed Lin He to make this trip into town.

Uncle Wen stated, "Opening a branch in the county capital means the pricing for goods there is much higher than in our town. That’s why I needed you here; all these dolls must have their prices re-assessed."

Lin He knew little about the affairs of the county seat, yet she genuinely wanted to see it for herself. Having been here for so long, she’d never had the chance to venture out. The farthest she had ever been was this Tianxin Town. She had no idea what the county capital was actually like.

She replied, "Uncle Wen, you don't need to discuss these things with me. Let things remain as they were before; I won't meddle. You handle it as you see fit. I am not familiar with these matters. I will still deliver the new dolls to you punctually every month, and you can route them over to the county location."

Uncle Wen laughed, "You little sprite, such a clever girl! You push all these messy details onto me, and you just sit back and collect the silver. How convenient for you."

Lin He knew Uncle Wen was teasing her, and she responded playfully, "Isn't it that the capable must work harder? Uncle Wen is a capable man, so of course, he should take on more tasks. Besides, Uncle Wen, I am just a young girl who knows nothing; shouldn't you take on a bit more?"

Uncle Wen roared with laughter and tapped Lin He’s head. "You little girl, your tongue is certainly quick. Very well, I shall set about arranging it. Once things are sorted, we can discuss the specifics."

Lin He nodded, smiling, and stated that the funds for the branch store should be deducted from the accounts just like last time; she would only divide the profits after the initial costs were covered.

Finishing that, she continued to Uncle Wen, "Uncle Wen, which county did you mention, and where is it? Is it far from here? If it’s not too far, after the shop opens, I would truly like to go and take a look. As old as I am, the farthest I’ve been is this town. I want to see what’s outside; surely it must be much livelier out there."

Uncle Wen smiled, noting that Lin He still possessed a childlike heart. He said, "The county is called Taiping County, and the journey from here is quite long. By carriage alone, it takes two days, and we’ll need to stay at an inn overnight. If you decide to go, you must prepare yourself; the road is arduous. If you are set on it, before the shop opens, you and Dabao can accompany me. It will be easier to look after each other on the road, and you can inspect the shop location as well. Otherwise, you won't even know where your own establishment is."

Lin He thought Uncle Wen’s suggestion was quite excellent. Going with him would certainly be far better, as she didn't know the way. She asked when they would leave. Uncle Wen replied, "I must leave tomorrow; things are waiting for me over there. Nothing has been secured for the shop yet; it’s rather urgent. Can your family manage without you for a few days, He'er?"

Lin He considered it for a moment and decided a few days away was manageable. She answered, "Yes, that works. Then Dabao and I will return home to prepare, and we can be here at CaiDie Xuan first thing tomorrow morning, alright?"

Uncle Wen smiled, "Yes, but don't rush over before dawn. We will certainly eat breakfast before setting off. I won't even be awake that early."

Lin He felt a touch embarrassed. "Understood, Uncle Wen. We will come after we’ve had breakfast."

After settling these plans with Uncle Wen, she went with Dabao to HeCai Dolls. Lin He waited at the shop while Dabao went to ask the master for leave. She also spoke with the shop manager, confirming arrangements, and then returned with He'er, planning for both of them to come tomorrow.

Once Dabao had finished his errands, he followed Lin He home. Back at home, Lin He told Mrs. Huang and Er Niu that she and Dabao would be heading to the county for a few days. Mrs. Huang and Er Niu were immediately worried and tried to stop them. Mrs. Huang said, "How old are you two? The journey to the county is long, and you have to stay in inns along the way. There are many bad people on the road; what if you get tricked?"

Lin He felt her mother was treating them like small children to scare them. She laughed and said, "Mother, we are grown now, don't worry. Besides, we are traveling with Uncle Wen. What more is there to be concerned about? Uncle Wen travels outside often; you don't need to worry. Moreover, opening a branch is for our own business; I can’t possibly ignore it completely, I have to go see."

Mrs. Huang remained uneasy. Her He'er, though clever and sensible, had never traveled far from home, never spent a night away. This trip would last several days; how could she not worry?

Er Niu, being a man, thought with a broader perspective. He said, "Wife, let them go. It’s only for a few days, and going with Uncle Wen, nothing will happen. It’s good for the children to see the world now that they are growing up."

Hearing her own husband agree, Mrs. Huang stopped her firm opposition but insisted, "But why must you leave tomorrow? It’s so sudden; I haven't prepared anything for them yet—food, clothes, everything needs to be ready."

Lin He smiled reassuringly at Mrs. Huang. "Mother, it's only a few days. What is there to prepare? We have our own clothes. We don't need to pack food; there will surely be inns along the way, and we will eat there. There's no need to bring anything."

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