On the way back, Lin Lan and Yang Liying noticed that more people were greeting them.
Yang Liying sighed. "The news about my family buying a shop has probably been spread by the carpenters and masons."
"Let them talk! I can't be bothered with all this gossip anymore."
The words reminded Lin Lan of the old saying: 'When you're poor, no one asks after you even in a bustling city; when you're rich, distant relatives seek you out in the remote mountains.' 'It's just the way of the world,' she mused. 'People avoid the poor, but they'll greet the wealthy from a mile away. Everyone loves to add flowers to a fine brocade, but few will deliver charcoal in a snowstorm.'
When they reached Lin Lan's house, Yang Liying and her husband said their goodbyes and left.
Brother Yong handed a mesh bag to Lin Yuezhen. Inside were two jars of canned goods, a bag of White Rabbit candies, and some fruit.
Lin Yuezhen blushed and signed, "You're being too kind."
