Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Heaven Favors the Simple-hearted, The Meaning of a Partner

After giving Gu Qinghuan three yuan and twenty cents, Chen Fengqin and her children still made a net profit of eighteen yuan today.

You have to realize, this was pure profit—no costs at all, just a bit of labor, and not even the backbreaking kind that earns you work points.

The three of them could work all day for work points and only get a little over twenty points. Even if each point was worth ten cents, that’s just two or three yuan, and they’d be exhausted by the end.

Catching loaches, on the other hand, isn’t tiring—it just tests your hand speed.

On their way home, the three of them couldn’t stop smiling, even happier than during the New Year. They were already planning to go out again that evening, hoping to catch more eels, since those fetch an even better price.

Chen Fengqin repeatedly warned her kids to keep this matter absolutely secret.

She knew Gu Qinghuan was looking out for them—after all, she hadn’t even told her own in-laws.

If word got out about selling loaches, not only would the business dry up, but Gu Qinghuan might never trust them again.

The kids understood the stakes and nodded earnestly, promising not to breathe a word.

If anyone asked, they’d just say they were catching loaches for their own dinner—after all, they hadn’t had meat in ages and were craving it!

Luckily, hardly anyone in Xujiatun knew about this, so there wasn’t much competition.

If they kept at it, maybe they could even save up enough for the eldest’s bride price.

The whole family was full of fighting spirit.

Gu Qinghuan barely had a moment’s rest that evening.

After seeing Chen Fengqin off, Zhu Chunlin showed up carrying two buckets.

No one knew where he’d been catching them, but it was like he’d stumbled on a nest—one whole bucket of eels, one of loaches.

With so many people and loose tongues at the educated youth compound, he didn’t dare bring the buckets home, so he’d hidden them in the woods outside and only came over after dark.

“Comrade Zhu, did you stumble on an eel nest or something? That’s a lot!”

It was pure luck—Chen Fengqin’s family had spent all day catching just one bucket, and here Zhu Chunlin had a whole bucket of eels by himself.

Heaven really does favor the simple-hearted.

“Hehe, I caught them by the riverbank. No one else ever bothers with these, and the bank is full of holes. Before I knew it, I’d caught this many!” Zhu Chunlin chuckled.

Gu Qinghuan weighed them as usual.

“This bucket of eels is twenty-two jin, the loaches are twenty jin, and there’s still half a bucket of loaches from yesterday, that’s fifteen jin.

Oh, I forgot to tell you the price yesterday—eels are a bit pricier, fifty cents a jin, loaches are cheaper, twenty-five cents a jin.

All together, that comes to nineteen yuan and seventy-five cents.”

“What?” Zhu Chunlin shouted in shock, startling the kids inside, who ran out asking, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

After Gu Qinghuan calmed them down, Zhu Chunlin finally came back to his senses.

Outside, Ji Linhai was also carrying a heavy load, planning to deliver it to Gu Qinghuan. Hearing the commotion, he thought she was in trouble and was about to rush in, but when he heard her soothing the kids, he realized everything was fine.

Not wanting anyone to know how close he was to Gu Qinghuan, he decided to wait behind the house until she was done.

“Sorry, did I scare the kids? It’s just… that price is so high! I never knew loaches could sell for so much,” Zhu Chunlin said, feeling like he’d missed out on a fortune.

“It’s due to some special reasons—don’t ask too much, just focus on making money.

Don’t bother with day labor for work points for now. You’d only get eight or nine points a day, which isn’t worth as much as catching eels.

If anyone asks, just say you’re making mud bricks for a new house—no one will question it.

Take advantage of this while you can, save up some money. The baby’s coming soon, and you’ll need it. Life will be easier for you and Shengnan,” Gu Qinghuan advised.

“Thank you, really. Thank you for thinking of us and giving us this opportunity.” Zhu Chunlin wasn’t ungrateful—he knew she was genuinely helping them, so he thanked her sincerely.

Gu Qinghuan counted out nineteen yuan and seventy-five cents and handed it over.

But Zhu Chunlin, simple as ever, only kept nine yuan seventy-five and handed back a ten-yuan note.

“We’ll split it fifty-fifty.”

Gu Qinghuan could only sigh and used the same argument she’d given Chen Fengqin, urging him to keep it.

“The buyers give me a kickback anyway—this belongs to you.”

“No way! We agreed to split it. If you don’t take it, Shengnan will scold me when I get home.”

Zhu Chunlin insisted, and since he couldn’t stuff it into her hands, he just left it on the ground, grabbed his buckets, and dashed off faster than a rabbit.

Shengnan had told him before he left—they had to split it evenly.

Gu Qinghuan had already given them so much; they couldn’t take advantage of her this time.

Gu Qinghuan was left speechless—this simpleton was stubborn, but Shengnan had really found herself a treasure, someone so obedient.

It was late and she didn’t feel like chasing after him. She’d just give the money back to Shengnan later, or use it to buy them some much-needed supplies.

Last time she visited the educated youth compound, she’d noticed they were short on a lot of things.

With that in mind, she put the money away, planning to keep a record of it.

No sooner had Zhu Chunlin left than the third visitor of the night arrived.

Ji Linhai came in carrying buckets—not just any buckets, but the biggest ones in the whole village.

Being sent down for labor reform wasn’t just for show—he always got the heaviest tasks. While others carried regular buckets, he carried the largest ones.

“These two buckets are from your mom’s side. What I caught today is still in the cowshed—I’ll bring it over later.

She said the tools you gave her worked great, and she caught a lot today.

I was going to check on her, but she’d already caught so much, so I brought it over first.

I’ll have to go back soon—judging by her enthusiasm, she probably won’t even want to sleep tonight,” Ji Linhai said helplessly.

What can you do when your partner’s got money on the brain?

Just go along with it!

Gu Qinghuan had brought batteries and tools for Zhong Zijun that morning—tools for catching loaches, which she’d bought from a vending machine, not knowing if they’d work.

Turns out they worked great—Zhong Zijun and her family caught two big buckets’ worth in a day.

Gu Qinghuan had planned to check in later, but Ji Linhai, her soon-to-be stepfather, had already thoughtfully delivered them.

That was perfect—saved her the trouble.

“Uncle Ji, thank you for your hard work!” To be honest, Ji Linhai was truly a good man, especially to Zhong Zijun—he was attentive to the core.

Maybe he’d never said “I love you,” but his actions spoke volumes.

Love is always hidden in the little details of life.

He noticed when Zhong Zijun’s hands were cracked and brought her clam cream, helped with chores whenever he could so she could rest, and always stood behind her, supporting her with actions. That’s worth more than a thousand “You’ve worked hard”s.

When someone understands your hardships, the burden automatically feels lighter.

What truly moves people isn’t sweet words or expensive gifts, but the unconscious care, the tenderness in their eyes, the invisible concern, a soul you can communicate with, and a peace that no one else can give.

Maybe heaven really does favor the simple-hearted. After a lifetime of naivety, Zhong Zijun finally found someone who truly cared for her.

Gu Qinghuan had never thought much about the importance of a partner—if it worked, great; if not, she’d live alone and be just as happy.

But in this moment, she suddenly understood what a partner meant.

You can live without children, but not without someone who understands and loves you.

After all, children are only with you for a part of your life—they grow up, have their own lives, and in the end, the only one who stays with you is your partner.

A good partner can halve the suffering in life.

As a daughter, Gu Qinghuan suddenly realized that once people grow up, they have their own lives and journeys, and there’s only so much she could do for Zhong Zijun—an occasional greeting, some money or supplies, but not much else.

How many children can stay by their parents’ side for a lifetime?

So, for Zhong Zijun to have a good partner was truly a blessing.

Gu Qinghuan was genuinely grateful to Ji Linhai for doing what she herself could not.

“It’s not hard work—your mom is worth it,” Ji Linhai said, his face flushing a little.

He wasn’t good with words, but he wanted his future stepdaughter to know that he didn’t mind doing these things—because Zhong Zijun was worth it. She was wonderful.

Gu Qinghuan was caught off guard by this unexpected show of affection—middle-aged as it was.

She didn’t even know how to respond.

Uncle Ji, did you have to be so direct?

Luckily, Ji Linhai left after saying that, only to return a few minutes later with two more buckets—these were his own catch.

The two of them discussed how they’d need to free up the buckets, otherwise there’d be nowhere to put tonight’s catch.

Gu Qinghuan rummaged around the house and finally found an old stone vat behind the eaves, covered in moss.

Both of them were strong, so they carried it into the yard, scrubbed it clean, and used it to hold the catch.

Business is business, friendship is friendship.

Ji Linhai wanted to weigh everything together and give all the money to Zhong Zijun, but Gu Qinghuan insisted on weighing them separately.

She knew Zhong Zijun wouldn’t take Ji Linhai’s money.

Zhong Zijun’s family of three had caught twenty-eight jin of loaches and twenty-five jin of eels, totaling nineteen yuan and fifty cents.

Ji Linhai, catching on his own, had fifteen jin of eels and twenty jin of loaches, totaling twelve yuan and fifty cents.

Gu Qinghuan gave Ji Linhai his share directly, and seeing her insistence, he accepted.

But like Zhu Chunlin, he thought the money should be split, since it was Gu Qinghuan’s channel.

With Ji Linhai, Gu Qinghuan was less guarded and told him directly she didn’t need the money—he should keep it.

Ji Linhai needed it more.

He understood, and after some back and forth, accepted ten yuan, saying the remaining two yuan fifty should be used to buy candy for the kids.

Gu Qinghuan used to be a straightforward person, but ever since coming to this era, she was always haggling over money, sometimes even lying about it. It was exhausting.

But what could she do? Everyone was poor. The only thing to do was help everyone make more money.

Ji Linhai took the money and quickly left—he still had to help Zhong Zijun. It was late, and he didn’t want her out in the fields alone.

With him there, Gu Qinghuan could rest easy."