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Lin Yuan watched him with amusement as she continued to keep busy, mentally noting how nice it would be to have some ham.

This thought suddenly made her realize that winter was approaching, and once it came, they could make cured meat.

It wasn’t just curing meat; they could also make cured ham, chicken, and fish!

The thought of more delicious foods she could prepare made the corners of Lin Yuan’s lips unconsciously curl up.

After finishing the pocket pancakes, Lin Yuan also made a spicy potato shred dish and cold mixed cilantro, combining meat and vegetables for a truly abundant meal that evening.

Lin Wei was inside the house, learning embroidery with Lady Liu, while Xiao Linshuang had been called out by Xiao Shitou to catch shrimp in the small puddles.

With Third Auntie and Xiao He watching over her, she wasn’t worried.

After all, since Lin Dashuan’s incident, she had kept the little girl close at home for several days.

Now that there were people to supervise, she let her go out and play.

Lin Yuan also understood that it wasn’t good to always keep her confined at home.

Plus, Xiao Linshuang was quite clever; when Lin Dashuan had taken her away, she’d had the presence of mind to kick off one of her shoes to leave a trail for them.

If it weren’t for that shoe, they’d have wasted much more time searching for the right path.

As for Xiao He, whether it was because no one was hitting or scolding her anymore, or because the food at Sister Gui Zhi’s house was really good, she had grown a bit plumper in just a few days.

Her spirits had also improved a lot, and she now knew to greet people politely, wearing a smile more often on her face.

Lin Yuan was truly happy from the bottom of her heart, as neither Lin Dashuan nor Lady Ma were unattractive people, and Xiao He had inherited her parents’ good genes, possessing an exceptionally delicate little face.

Coupled with her efficient and diligent work, as well as her increasingly sweet tongue that always seemed to turn up at the corners when she spoke, she made a very pleasant impression on others.

Many who saw her commented on how much more radiant she had become.

Just as the Lin Yuan sisters had finished setting the table, Third Auntie arrived, bringing Xiao Shitou and Xiao He, along with Xiao Linshuang.

Lin Yuan, carrying the cold mixed cilantro and seeing everyone at the door, smiled and waved them over, "Perfect timing, we’re about to eat. Come on in!"

Xiao Shitou having dined at Lin Yuan’s house before, wasn’t shy and quickly extricated himself from his grandmother’s grasp, hopping and skipping after Xiao Linshuang, eagerly positioning the stools and setting the tableware.

Xiao He, being older, had also eaten at Lin Yuan’s house but still felt somewhat embarrassed; she smiled shyly and shook her head.

Lin Yuan pursed her lips, handed the dish to Lin Wei, then quickly stepped to the doorway and took Xiao He’s hand, "Xiao He, come and join us. Haven’t you always said you love the food I make? Come on, I’ve made a new dish today."

After that, she turned to Third Auntie, "Auntie, please come too. It’ll save you the trouble of going back to cook."

Third Auntie laughed and waved her hand, "Your Brother Ershuan and Sister Gui Zhi will be back soon, and I need to cook for them, so I’ll pass. Xiao He, you stay. With you here to watch over your brother, Grandma can rest easy."

Third Auntie clearly saw the longing in Xiao He’s eyes and, with a chuckle, patted her hand, deliberately entrusting her with the task of looking after her brother, thus leaving her without an excuse to refuse.

Sure enough, after hesitating for a long while, Xiao He finally nodded, "Mmm, Grandma, don’t worry, I will take good care of my little brother."

Lin Yuan firmly grasped Xiao He’s hand, pulling her into the house. She could see that ever since Xiao He had entered Lin Ershuan’s household, with guidance and intentional nurturing from Sister Gui Zhi and Third Auntie, the child had undergone such a significant transformation.

Thus, she was also willing to help change Xiao He’s character, to make her more and more confident and socially comfortable.