Thank you to those good comrades for the tips and votes. －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ During the first lunar month, everyone was relatively free, and the weather was a bit chilly. At home, only Er Niu would venture out to wander around. Mother Huang, along with Lin He and the others, mostly stayed inside. Da Bao could also stay home until after the New Year celebrations before heading back to the schoolhouse.

Perhaps because Da Bao wasn't constantly by Mother Huang's side, she placed exceptional importance on him; Mother Huang was especially joyful when Da Bao was home. And so, as early as the eighth day of the first month, Mother Huang had already started making clothes for Da Bao, saying they would be perfect for the coming spring. Additionally, she prepared a good amount of cured meat, preserved vegetables, eggs, duck eggs, and several small snacks, intending for Da Bao to take them when he left for the town. Thus, Mother Huang had been quite busy from before the New Year right through the first month. Lin He smiled and remarked, "Mother, don't be so anxious.

Big Brother isn't heading to the town for several more days. You've prepared all these things so early, and there are so many of them—anyone would think Big Brother was traveling to a distant land. He can return once a month." Mother Huang replied, "Look at what you're saying. There are many relatives visiting during the first month, one after another. I must seize the spare moments to finish all this.

Then Da Bao can take it. For this grand New Year, once Da Bao leaves for town, some of these things can be shared with the people in the shop, as thanks for their care." Before Mother Huang had even finished speaking, a call echoed from outside: "Sister-in-law, are you home? Oh, the whole family is here. Already starting embroidery work in the New Year! I've just come over for a casual visit." Mother Huang and Lin He looked up to see it was none other than that Second Maternal Cousin-in-Law.

Saying she was just visiting probably meant she was here to inquire about hiring a long-term laborer. Both Lin He and Mother Huang knew this, but with Er Niu currently absent, this Second Maternal Cousin-in-Law was a troublesome person—truly a headache. As expected, the Cousin-in-Law arrived, carrying a basket holding some eggs and a few packets of pastries. She entered and immediately handed the basket to Mother Huang, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, these are eggs laid by our own chickens. My boy insisted on eating them, and I wouldn't even let him have them.

I saved these for quite some time before gathering this much. I brought them over, thinking your family is large and would surely need such things. Look, these few were just gathered from the coop this morning; they are very fresh." Mother Huang smiled and accepted the basket, placing it on the small table in the courtyard. She also smiled and said, "Look here, Second Sister-in-law, why be so polite? I absolutely cannot accept these eggs.

Take them back for your boy to eat later. We have plenty ourselves. You should just come in and sit for a while; bringing gifts, really." The Cousin-in-Law ignored Mother Huang's words and, seeing Da Bao sitting to one side, remarked, "This must be your Da Bao. He’s grown so tall; I haven't seen him in quite some time. I hear he works in the town.

He must be earning quite a bit of silver this past month, eh? Your family is truly blessed, Sister-in-law. First, you have the fish pond, then managing the fields for others, and frequently sending things to sell in town. You must be earning a considerable sum of silver annually, right?" Lin He felt particularly irritated by the Cousin-in-Law's comments. Why was she calculating how much other people's families earned?

Counting every single source of income—it was maddening. Mother Huang offered no reply, merely offering a perfunctory smile. Seeing Mother Huang remain silent, the Cousin-in-Law pressed on, "Sister-in-law, when will the long-term laborers start work? I need to prepare for my man. I actually came over today specifically to ask if my husband could stay overnight.

You know, my home isn't far from yours, so you could even save a room." Both Lin He and Mother Huang felt a bit bewildered by the Cousin-in-Law's tone. It sounded as if someone had already agreed to hire her husband, yet no one in the family had consented—they had only said they would consider it. Why was she showing up today not for an answer, but to negotiate terms? Mother Huang said, "Second Sister-in-law, we only mentioned checking with the Boss; we never said we would definitely hire him. It's still the first month, and we haven't had the chance to ask yet.

We can't make that decision ourselves." The Second Maternal Cousin-in-Law laughed dismissively. "Sister-in-law, although the fields belong to others, deciding who to hire is still up to your family, isn't it? If you say ten people is too few and you need one more, the merchants in town will surely agree. Does that even need asking? Besides, our families are kin, being brothers.

Naturally, you should hire someone from our side. If you don't hire your own relatives but hire outsiders, people might say your family disregards kinship." "Second Sister-in-law, listen to yourself. What I'm saying is true; we truly cannot decide this. The contract stipulates a certain number of long-term laborers, and we already have enough people hired. One more person means one more share of everything, and the annual wages alone will increase by no small amount.

If we hire extra, who will cover that extra expense?" Mother Huang saw that the Cousin-in-Law’s words were becoming unpleasant, and she stopped smiling, her tone growing stern. The Cousin-in-Law’s expression soured, revealing her true nature. She stated, "Sister-in-law, you are behaving improperly. My husband coming to work isn't asking you for free wages. If you won't even help with this small favor, how can we be considered kin?

Moreover, even if there's one extra person, it's not your money, but someone else's. Why worry about others while refusing to look after your own kin?" Seeing the Cousin-in-Law was being uncompromising, Mother Huang also spoke directly. "Second Sister-in-law, how am I being improper? Since our Er Niu agreed to help manage these affairs, he must certainly consider the interests of the employer. If the positions are filled, they are filled.

I think our Er Niu won't even bother to ask anymore. Tell Second Cousin-in-law to find work elsewhere. We cannot help with this favor." "Oh, the Er Niu family has become so remarkable! You think you've allied yourself with the big merchants in town, and now your eyes are fixed on the heavens. You look down on people.

But you are just taking someone else's money to do their work. Anyone who doesn't know the situation might think you are the proprietor!" the Second Maternal Cousin-in-Law said sarcastically, her voice dripping with malice. Before Mother Huang could reply, Da Bao stood up and spoke. "Cousin-in-law, please don't be so excessive in your words. Let me tell you clearly now: setting aside whether the East Owner is willing to hire more people, even if they were hiring, they would not hire Second Cousin-in-law.

Have you even managed your own fields properly? In the entire village, everyone farms someone else's land, but yours are always the most haphazardly managed. Think about why that is. You claim you want to be a long-term laborer only because you covet the silver the East Owner offers. If you came, you wouldn't work diligently.

My father won't go and vouch for you either. Take your things and go back." Da Bao’s speech was firm yet entirely reasonable, which actually startled Mother Huang and Lin He. Da Bao was truly impressive this time. Lin He was extremely satisfied with Da Bao’s performance; the family needed someone like him—someone firm and assertive. If he also possessed inherent talent, the family could truly rely on him.