“Your eldest uncle built two new rooms, didn’t he? At first, he couldn’t afford tiles, so he just thatched them with straw. Then someone offered five taels of silver, and your uncle married off Xueniang.”

“How could they afford such a lavish dowry?” Ding Xiaohe wondered inwardly. In their impoverished circles, dowries were usually just one or two taels. This family had splurged five taels—had they married into some wealthy clan?

Father Ding sighed. “They sent your Xueniang off to an even more remote, poverty-stricken mountain hollow. Word is their son isn’t quite right in the head. That’s why they paid so much.”

Ding Xiahe froze. If the son were mentally disabled, then his Xueniang’s life would be ruined. How could this happen?

“Your eldest uncle’s family coveted those five taels. They took the silver and bought tiles to roof their new house. Now they have the only blue-tiled house in the village. Your eldest uncle walks around without even looking at his feet.”

Ding Xiahe sighed deeply. If his sister Xueniang had been braver back then, she might have followed her cousin Lin to the county seat instead of marrying some simpleton.

He knew his uncle was greedy. When his cousin offered the silver for the business registration, his uncle snatched it up immediately. Even without those tiles, his uncle’s daughters and gers wouldn’t have married into good families—his uncle only cared about who offered the most silver.

Ding Xiaohe felt a chill in his heart. “Father, you wouldn’t just marry me and Xiaosui off to anyone, would you?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Even if you two hadn’t followed Master Lin, the families I found for you might be poor, but they’re capable of making a living. I wouldn’t just marry you off to anyone.”

Ding Xiaohe nodded. “Father, when I come of age in a few years, you needn’t worry about me. I don’t want to marry just anyone. I want to be like Cousin Lin—he’s a ger and he runs his own shop. I’m no less capable. You wouldn’t believe it, but the shop manager is also a ger, only two years older than me. I’d rather not marry at all than marry carelessly. I can support myself.”

Father Ding nodded. “You’ve always been headstrong, Second. Father won’t stand in your way of pursuing your dreams. I only hope you all find happiness.”

After their conversation, everyone retired to their rooms. Tomorrow, the whole family plans to go to town to buy meat and flour for the New Year and to buy fabric to make a pair of tiger-head shoes for each child.

A horse-drawn carriage stood at the entrance of the alley, conspicuous in the remote village. Early risers spotted it at first light. Ding Xiaohe and Ding Xiaosui had gone with their wealthy relatives to the county seat. Everyone in their little village knew—the county seat! No one from their village had ever been there before.

The Dings had truly struck gold with their wealthy relatives. The eldest son built two tiled-roof houses, while the second son’s family, though still struggling, managed to clothe everyone in winter coats this year.

Once the poorest families in the village, they’d sometimes lack enough clothes for everyone. When someone had business outside, they’d wear the available garments, while children without clothes stayed hidden indoors, often mocked by the villagers. Now, with the eldest Ding having built the village’s only tiled-roof house, he’d surely drawn envy from many.

Eldest Uncle Ding heard early that a carriage had stopped at his second brother’s lane entrance. Thinking Lin Yu had returned, he hurried toward the old courtyard with his hands tucked in his sleeves—next year’s ten taels of silver were due.

Eldest Uncle Ding began calling before reaching the gate: “Yu-ger, Yu-ger, you’re here!”

Ding Ershu came out. “Big Brother’s here—Yu-ger has not come.”

“Then who is it? Whose carriage is that?”

“It’s bringing my second and third children back. They’ll be leaving soon.” Ding Ershu didn’t beat around the bush. “Yu-ger asked my second son to bring you the silver. I’ll get it for you.”

Ding Dajiu had been making daily trips to the old courtyard these past days, just to see if Ding Xiaohe and the others had returned. If they were back, then Lin Yu must be back too, and he could go ask Lin Yu for the silver. He never expected it to be brought back for him like this. Ding Dajiu was overcome with joy.

Ding Ershu handed him the silver, and Ding Dajiu quickly tucked it into his chest. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now.”

With the silver in hand, Eldest Uncle Ding dashed home like a thief. This silver had come far too easily—ten taels a year, and all he had to do was lend his name. It was like manna from heaven.

The coachman had stayed overnight at Second Uncle Ding’s place and was returning to the county seat today. Second Uncle Ding offered some copper coins to have the young man take his family into town on the way. The lad declined—he’d stayed the night and eaten two meals there. Since it was on the way anyway, he readily agreed.

The youngest sister jumped up with glee, “We get to ride in a carriage! We get to ride in a carriage~”

Not only had she never ridden in a carriage before, but neither had Second Uncle Ding or Ding Fulang. In fact, they’d barely ever ridden in a mule cart. Today, thanks to Lin Yu’s generosity, their entire family would get to experience a carriage ride.

The family dressed neatly and boarded the carriage. The youngest sister was thrilled, peering out through the curtain as the driver guided the carriage toward town.

It was already the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, just before the New Year. Many villagers were heading to town to buy supplies for the festivities, making the carriage a conspicuous sight on the road.

“Hey, whose carriage is that? Looks like it’s from our village.”

“I just saw Ding Ershu’s youngest son sitting up there.”

“The Dings are something else now. They’ve got a rich relative in the family. They’ve got silver now.”

The Ding family of six rode in the carriage with great style. The youngest daughter remarked, “Father, this carriage is so comfortable!”

“Indeed, it is. This is Father’s first time riding in a carriage, too.”

“Ding Ershu, heading to town? Wow, your family’s prospered—you’ve got a carriage now!” someone called out as they approached the carriage.

“Not at all! My nephew sent it to bring Second and Third back. The carriage was heading to the county seat anyway, so he gave us a ride. We couldn’t possibly afford a carriage ourselves.”

Even though Second Uncle Ding hadn’t hired the carriage, just getting to ride in it was enviable. Who could blame them for envying someone with such a wealthy relative?

With the carriage, the journey flew by. They arrived in town early. Second Uncle Ding and his family stepped down from the carriage. Watching it drive away, he felt reluctant to part with it. Sitting in that carriage was so comfortable—even in the dead of winter, he didn’t feel cold. Just getting to ride in it once had left him thoroughly satisfied.

Their youngest sister had never been to town before. The bustling market instantly captivated her. If the town was this splendid, what must the county seat be like?

Xiaohe led his little sister by the hand. The streets were packed—he had to keep her safe from the crowd.

The Ding family didn’t waste any time. First, they visited the fabric shop and bought some red cloth. This was for making tiger-head shoes as a gift for Lin Yu—they couldn’t forget that after buying it.

After buying the fabric, the whole family finally began strolling through town. Now that Ding Xiaohe had silver in hand, he bought his little sister some malt sugar and red hair ribbons.

Father Ding also gritted his teeth and bought a chicken and a piece of meat. “This year, our family will eat something nice.”

The whole family returned home in high spirits after their shopping spree.

This New Year, Lin Yu and the others didn’t go back. After Shi Xiaoliu and the other two left, only their family of four, including Xu Nainai, remained at home. Wei Qingshan chopped the meat filling, and Lin Yu seasoned it. Meanwhile, Zhao Yueniang and Xu Nainai were busy making dumplings. Wei Qingshan watched over Tuan-ger.

Tuan-ger, now older, loved running around outside. Today was New Year’s Eve, and the streets were bustling with festive activity. Tuan-ger tugged at Wei Qingshan’s sleeve, wanting to go out to play. “Dad, let’s go out and play.”

“But what about your little dad?”

Tuan-ger immediately grabbed Lin Yu’s hand, too. “Little daddy’s coming too~”

Wei Qingshan looked at Lin Yu. “Want to go out for a walk together?”

“Sure.” With all the excitement outside, Lin Yu also wanted to go see. This was their first New Year in the county seat, and the festivities here were even livelier than in the town.

“Wait a moment, Tuan-ger. Father will put cloaks on you and your little father.”

Tuan-ger nodded eagerly, “Father, hurry up.”

Wei Qingshan took a cloak and draped it over Lin Yu, then put one on Tuan-ger as well. He bent down and picked up Tuan-ger. “Let’s go, everyone.”

“Let’s go~”

Wei Qingshan let Tuan-ger sit on his arm while holding Lin Yu’s hand with his other. The family of five set off to explore the market.

Wei Qingshan didn’t dare take Lin Yu into the crowded market itself. They just strolled along the streets, though even these sidewalks were packed. Wei Qingshan shielded Lin Yu as they walked in the inner lane. Lin Yu felt a bit embarrassed. “It’s okay, I’m careful.”

A stall selling candied hawthorn appeared ahead. Tuan-ger had spotted it long ago. “Daddy, candied hawthorn!”

Tuan-ger’s words came out a bit slurred, making Lin Yu chuckle. “Ask your daddy to buy you some candied hawthorn.”

“Let’s go. Daddy’s going to buy Tuan-ger some candied hawthorn.”

Wei Qingshan let Tuanger choose his own, then picked one for Lin Yu too. His fulang loved candied hawthorn too. After buying the treats, they continued strolling.

Wei Qingshan had already bought everything needed for the family’s New Year celebrations. Today’s outing was simply to take his fulang and their ger out for a stroll.

This wasn’t even the liveliest market, yet it was already bustling. Street stalls lined the roadside, selling hair ribbons and hair ties, children’s toys, and rows of bright red couplets hung on strings, waiting to be bought.

Even though it was only New Year’s Eve, lanterns were already being sold on the streets. Wei Qingshan led the two boys over. Lin Yu assumed they were buying one for Tuan-ger. Though the Lantern Festival hadn’t arrived yet, Tuan-ger could play with it tonight.

“Which one does Tuan-ger like?”

Tuan-ger looked around. “Daddy, I want the little rabbit~”

The vendor handed Tuan-ger a small rabbit lantern. It was exquisitely crafted—a red-eyed rabbit crouching slightly, adorned with colorful patterns that looked quite lovely.

Wei Qingshan picked out a red carp lantern for Lin Yu. “For my fulang.”

Lin Yu paused, startled. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d picked out a lantern for the New Year—it must have been when he was seven or eight, celebrating with his mother.

After Wei Qingshan paid, each held one lantern. Lin Yu had finished his candied hawthorn and now held the carp lantern. It was beautifully crafted, painted with red scales, and suspended by thin strings. When Lin Yu moved it, the fish’s tail swayed.

Lin Yu held the lantern in wonder, yet didn’t want to seem childish. When Wei Qingshan wasn’t looking, he gently swayed the lantern’s handle. The fish lantern came to life, its tail undulating as if it were truly alive.

Lin Yu was thoroughly delighted; his face lit up with a childlike smile. Wei Qingshan couldn’t help but notice, though he feared his young fulang might feel embarrassed.