Chapter Ten: Mutual Exchange of Benefits

Aunt Wu quickly regained her composure and laughed, "You clever girl, you are quite smart, aren't you? It's nothing, really. Even if you did have eggs at home, you shouldn't let her take three just like that! It was only right for me to help you out just now."

"Aunt Wu, actually, I have another favor to ask of you. Please, you must accept these three eggs," Lin Sangqian said sincerely.

"Well..." Aunt Wu hesitated for a moment before tucking the three eggs into her bosom. Even in her own household, it was rare to have eggs more than a few times a month. Since Lin Sangqian insisted on giving her three, she would accept them.

But she would never just take them for nothing, like Li Fulan.

"Sangqian, what is it? Just tell Auntie anything you need."

"I'd like to ask for a few white handkerchiefs and some needles and thread," Lin Sangqian replied.

She had intended to use some of their food to trade for these things at Aunt Wu's house, because, as she recalled, Aunt Wu was a kind woman who had always treated the original Lin Sangqian well.

"Is that all? Don't worry, I'll get them for you right now," Aunt Wu said, bustling off toward her house. Lin Sangqian hurriedly called Liao Shuxia to follow, and together they went to retrieve the sewing supplies.

At Aunt Wu's house, she rummaged around and produced several white handkerchiefs, placing them in Lin Sangqian's hands. "These have never been used. Take as many as you need."

"Thank you, Aunt Wu," Lin Sangqian replied with a sweet smile, which left Aunt Wu momentarily stunned.

She remembered that the old Lin Sangqian always kept her head down, rarely smiled, and seemed gloomy all day long. Even when bullied, she never fought back. But today, not only had she refused to let Li Fulan take their eggs, but that recent smile of hers was truly lovely.

"Aunt Wu?" Lin Sangqian's voice brought her back to the present.

"You also need needles and thread, right? What colors do you want?" Aunt Wu asked.

Lin Sangqian, not knowing much about such things, let Liao Shuxia choose. After picking several colors, the two thanked Aunt Wu and took their leave.

"With these, I can embroider a few handkerchiefs to sell," Liao Shuxia said happily. "It's just a pity about the three eggs—hurts a little to lose them."

"There's always give and take," Lin Sangqian replied, unconcerned. "Rather than owing someone a favor, it's better to exchange benefits."

"True, and we managed to put Li Fulan in her place too. That felt good," Liao Shuxia agreed.

As they passed by the river, they saw several women washing clothes. Among them was Fang, Aunt Wu's sister-in-law.

Fang had just finished washing and was about to stand up when her foot suddenly slipped. She was about to fall into the river and started to scream, but then she felt a hand grab her.

It was Lin Sangqian.

Once Fang regained her balance, Lin Sangqian let go and said, "Be careful."

"Th-thank you," Fang stammered, still shaken.

"It's nothing," Lin Sangqian replied with a smile, then left with Liao Shuxia.

Watching their departing figures, one of the women commented, "The third Lin family's wife and her daughter seem different lately, don't they?"

"Yes, but I can't quite say how..."

Back home, Liao Shuxia immediately began embroidering handkerchiefs.

Meanwhile, Lin Hongda was practicing taekwondo in the yard. He could feel that his body was in poor condition from years of heavy drinking. He would have to train hard to get healthy again, so he could better protect his family.

Lin Sangqian, meanwhile, opened her system space again and saw her points had increased to thirteen.

"Three points for giving Aunt Wu the eggs; five points for saving Fang," she noted happily. Apparently, the system wasn't overly strict about rewarding good deeds.

After a moment's thought, she purchased a bundle of chives, a pound of white flour, and five eggs.

Once Liao Shuxia finished embroidering the handkerchiefs, Lin Sangqian planned to make chive and egg pancakes to sell alongside them.

She was carrying the supplies into the kitchen when she saw Lin Hongda sitting in the yard, coughing. She quickly set the things down and hurried over, asking with concern, "Dad, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Lin Hongda replied, coughing twice more and waving his hand. "Ugh, it's all the fault of my old self—drinking day in and day out! I only did a little taekwondo and now I'm exhausted."

"Let me see."

Lin Sangqian took his wrist and felt his pulse. As a top modern medical expert, she was well-versed in both Chinese and Western medicine. After checking his pulse, she frowned slightly.

As expected, excessive drinking had taken its toll. Simply nourishing the body with good food wouldn't be enough; he would need proper medicine. But there were no medicines in her system space, and the family had no money.

They would have to wait until she and Liao Shuxia sold their goods.

Fortunately, his body was still relatively young, so the damage wasn't irreparable.

"Daughter, am I all right?" Lin Hongda asked anxiously.

"You're fine!" Lin Sangqian smiled, patting his shoulder. "With your daughter here, what do you have to worry about?"

"That's true! All right, I'll rest a bit and then get back to training!"

Lin Sangqian didn't stop him; after all, exercise was important.

That evening, Lin Sangqian made several fragrant scallion pancakes. After the family of three finished dinner, they went to bed early.

Liao Shuxia was diligent and quick with her needlework, so in just a day and a half she had completed five handkerchiefs.

When Lin Sangqian inspected them, she saw one with mandarin ducks, another with koi and lotus leaves. Each pattern was exquisite. If it weren't for the need for money, she would have liked to keep one for herself.

"Mom, you're amazing!" Lin Sangqian exclaimed excitedly. "These will definitely sell!"

"Of course," Liao Shuxia replied proudly. "Our family's livelihood depends on this, so I had to do my best."

"Tomorrow morning I'll make some chive and egg pancakes, and together with these handkerchiefs, we'll take them to town to sell!"

"I'm coming too," Lin Hongda said, poking his head in. "I'll go with you both. There are a lot of people in town, and you two aren't familiar with the place. I don't want anyone taking advantage of you."

He didn't have much else to offer, but he was strong and skilled. Naturally, he would be responsible for their safety.

Lin Sangqian agreed; she also wanted to visit the restaurant to check on her three brothers.

With their plan settled, the family went to bed early.

The next morning, Lin Sangqian got up and went straight to the kitchen to make pancakes.

She prepared the filling first—cooking the eggs, chopping the chives, then adding oyster sauce, thirteen-spice powder, and salt, mixing it all together.

Meanwhile, Liao Shuxia had already prepared the dough, dividing it into small portions.

Lin Sangqian flattened each piece, placed the filling at one end, folded and sealed it, so each one looked like a little bun.

After making thirteen of them, she brushed oil in the pan, lit the fire, heated the oil, and pressed the little "buns" flat in the pan. Soon, they turned into golden chive and egg pancakes.