Crossing Over to Yamada Love

Mo Lan understood that the reason Madam Ma was embarrassed was because someone had just come to her door saying that she had treated her first child badly, using cattail fluff to make cotton clothes for the child, and then came to her asking if she knew how to fluff cattail fluff. It would be strange if she was still smiling happily.

"Auntie, don't misunderstand. What I mean is, I need some cattail grass and I'd like to ask you to help me make some. I'll pay you for the work." Mo Lan quickly explained her purpose, afraid that if she hesitated any longer, the other woman would lose face and kick her out.

Hearing Mo Lan's words, Ma's face softened, and she smiled again: "What money? We're all neighbors, why would I need money to help you? Lan Lan, just tell me what you want to do, and I'll do it for you."

Hearing Ma's generous words, Mo Lan smiled. Anyone can say polite words, but if she really didn't give her the money, Ma would probably get angry.

"Auntie, don't be shy. I need a lot. I need the cattail fluff, the best kind. I'll take as much as you can get. We'll charge by weight. Auntie, think of a price. As long as it's not outrageous, we'll settle this." Mo Lan looked at Ma Shi and explained clearly to her.

Mrs. Ma was secretly delighted; this was practically a free business opportunity! It would be foolish not to take it. The only question was, what would be a suitable price per pound?

"Lanlan, do you want it this year, or every year thereafter?" After thinking for a moment, Ma decided to ask.

"As long as Auntie has it, I'll take it anytime, no time limit. I can do this business for as long as I want," Mo Lan said with a smile. Only when the bait is tempting enough will others willingly take the bait.

"Anytime is fine? That means we can do this for a lifetime! This is a long-term business," Ma said casually, then started thinking. The cattails were unclaimed; they had plenty. They were easy to grow, reproduced quickly, and they could have as much as they wanted. The cattail fluff was also heavy; they could collect a considerable amount in a day. This required no investment; it was free money. Such good fortune didn't come often. She couldn't quote too high a price; if it was, people wouldn't want it, and that wouldn't be worth it.

"Lanlan, cotton is expensive, but cattail is cheap. I've finished picking the cattail fluff and will deliver it to your family. How about two coins per pound?" Ma asked Molan cautiously.

Mo Lan didn't answer immediately, but lowered her head and pondered. The price wasn't expensive, but she hadn't achieved her goal yet. If she agreed now, wouldn't she have come all this way for nothing? She should hold out for a while and let her get anxious before making a decision.

Seeing that Mo Lan only kept her head down and didn't speak, Ma Shi became anxious. She thought to herself, "That's right, no wonder this girl isn't saying anything. Anyone can take unclaimed property. If I just open my mouth and ask for two coins a pound, she definitely won't agree."

"Lanlan, how about three coins for two jin? If Lanlan doesn't think it's okay, just tell me the price so we can discuss it." Madam Ma began to smile ingratiatingly at Molan.

Mo Lan smiled faintly and said softly, "Actually, two coins a pound isn't impossible, it's just..."

"What is it? Lanlan, just tell me. Don't rush me, Auntie." Ma was anxious when she saw Molan stop halfway through her sentence.

“When I came here, someone asked me what I was doing. I said I came to my aunt’s house to get some cattail fluff. Then they told me, ‘…’” Mo Lan stopped again, looking at Ma Shi as if she was having trouble saying it.

"What are they saying? Lanlan, you can't listen to what others say. You know what kind of person your aunt is. Your aunt isn't the person they're talking about." Madam Ma's face darkened; it must be because those two children had been gossiping about her among the villagers. These villagers, really, aren't they just making trouble for no reason? It's none of their business to meddle in our affairs. What's it to them? Why do they have to interfere?

“Auntie, I’m not one to gossip. I don’t believe anything people say. You’re so kind and gentle, how could you possibly be the cruel stepmother they’re talking about? How could you possibly treat your firstborn child badly? I don’t believe any of that. I can tell you’re a good person the moment I see you.” Mo Lan seemed to think highly of Madam Ma and didn’t believe what others said.

"Lanlan is so good at talking. Auntie is not as good as you say. But Lanlan's judgment is really accurate. No wonder her family runs such a big shop. Her eye for people is impeccable." Ma praised Molan, but in her heart she hated those who spread rumors.

“Auntie, although I don’t believe those gossips, you know that there are only so many people in our village. Nothing can be kept secret. When I asked you to help me get cattail fluff, some people couldn’t stand it and had opinions. They would wonder why they could use hers and not mine.”

"If someone has a problem, they'll start to overthink and talk nonsense. If they say that we hired someone to get cattail fluff but ended up with a wicked stepmother who treats the children from our previous marriage badly, not only will your reputation be ruined, but our whole family will be implicated. I'm a little scared. It's not because of the money. Please don't misunderstand, Auntie," Mo Lan explained to Madam Ma.

As soon as Mo Lan finished speaking, San Lang continued, "Sister, let's forget about it. My brother is taking the imperial examination this year, and I also need to study at the academy. It would be a loss if our reputation were to be affected. Why don't we look for another school?"

Mo Lan looked up at San Lang with satisfaction. This kid was quite clever and knew how to cooperate with her.

"Third Brother is right. I was too naive. It doesn't matter whether we make money or not, we can't let it tarnish your reputation. Let's go back and discuss this matter again." Mo Lan said, getting up to leave.

"No, Lanlan, please sit down, please sit down. Auntie has something else to say." Seeing that things were about to fall apart, Madam Ma hurriedly grabbed Molan and pulled her back onto the kang (heated brick bed).

"Auntie, I'm so sorry. I didn't think this through and came here without warning. Please don't take offense. I'll come to you again if I need anything else. I'm really sorry this time." Mo Lan hurriedly apologized, looking very embarrassed.

"Don't be offended, don't be offended. Lanlan has her own difficulties, how could your aunt blame you? Your aunt is not an impolite person. Lanlan, sit for a while and listen to your rambling, listen to your aunt's difficulties, and Lanlan will think about it." Madam Ma pulled Molan and began to explain.

“People say I’m wicked, that I mistreat the children left behind by my first husband, but they have no idea what I’m going through. Being a stepmother is hard; no matter how well you do, no one will appreciate it or be grateful. Since I married into this family, I have elderly parents to care for and young children to raise, and money has to be spent as soon as the door opens. Everyone says the Liu family is well-off, but even the best family can’t feed so many people. I cry every day just looking at the rice jar. I have to smile at people when I go out, but who knows my suffering?” Madam Ma stopped smiling as she spoke, took out her handkerchief, and began to wipe away her tears.

"Auntie, please don't cry. I didn't know you had it so hard," Mo Lan said, looking genuinely sorry for Madam Ma.

“People say that half-grown boys can eat their fathers out of house and home. With so many kids in the family, how can we possibly have enough food? They say I feed the older kids chicken and pig feed, but honestly, it’s all fine cornmeal. In years of drought and famine, we couldn’t even get enough to eat. How can that be considered chicken and pig feed? I eat that myself too. I’m afraid there won’t be enough for the two kids, so I don’t dare eat too much. And they still say I’m not good to the older kids. I’m so heartless!” Madam Ma said, wiping away tears as she spoke, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice.

“Auntie, you’re having a really tough time. I really want to help you out, but I’m afraid people will talk about it. What should I do?” Mo Lan frowned, looking troubled.

"Isn't Lanlan just afraid people will say I'm not good to the first child and ruin my reputation? Don't worry, Lanlan, as long as you give me this job, the family will be better off, and the child will be able to eat well and wear warm clothes. I promise no one will say anything. Is that alright?" Madam Ma assured Molan.

"This?" Mo Lan seemed troubled and hesitated without speaking.

"Lanlan, please have pity on your aunt, have pity on those kids. I promise you, if Goushengzi and Erxiaozi ever feel that I treat them badly again, and if there are any rumors in the village, I'll give this job to someone else and won't let you do it. Will that put your mind at ease? Please agree, Lanlan, and have pity on those kids." Ma Shi tried to win them over by appealing to their emotions and making promises.

"Sister, why don't you agree to Aunt's request? Aunt is in a difficult position too. If Aunt has more money, she can feed Gou Shengzi and the others better. Anyway, we see Gou Shengzi often, so we can tell whether he's good or not just by looking at him and asking him. I trust Aunt's words. Sister, please agree!" Sanlang pleaded on behalf of Madam Ma.

Mo Lan glanced at San Lang and said, "Alright, I agree. But when we get back, you'll have to take responsibility for me. Say good things for me and Auntie. Don't let Mother scold us."

"Yes, I'll definitely help you, sister." Sanlang nodded heavily. He was also very happy to see that Molan had agreed.

"Thank you, Lanlan, thank you so much, Sanlang. Auntie thanks you both. Auntie will definitely do a good job, I promise. Lanlan, don't worry, you can leave it to me." Madam Ma hurriedly thanked the two of them. Lanlan finally agreed, and her heart was finally at ease.

After seeing Mo Lan off, Madam Ma sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and pondered carefully. She understood Mo Lan's intention: to use this business to get Madam Ma to treat Gou Shengzi and Gou Shengzi better. Madam Ma's face darkened for a moment, then returned to normal. Whatever Mo Lan's reason, as long as she made money, that was fine. As for the two children, she could just let them eat at the table from now on. If she treated them well, they wouldn't gossip, and she could continue to make money while gaining a reputation for being virtuous. Why not?

When it got dark and the two brothers, Gou Shengzi and his brother, returned home, they felt a chill run down their spines when they saw their mother's smiling face. What trick was she planning to use to punish them now? Were they going to suffer again?

Mother told them to sit at the table and eat. Had they misheard? They ate their meal nervously. Mother said they were a family and would eat at the same table from now on. She also said she would treat them well, give them new clothes, and stop glaring at them and punishing them.

The two could hardly believe it. How could their mother have changed so much? She had become so good. Was it God making it up to them?