1990, Reborn as a Beachcomber, From Rascal to Brilliant Guy

"One puppy isn't enough! What about your sister? What about your brother?"

When Lin Shuisheng saw his eldest son looking over, he immediately put down the teacup he was holding.

"Then...then you need three?"

Lin Chunjiao held up three fingers, cautiously seeking her father's opinion.

"No, I want four, and Daddy wants some too."

Lin Shuisheng shook his head, looking serious.

"ah?!"

Lin Chunjiao's eyes widened, her little face looking somewhat dazed.

Then, she turned to look at Yu Shulan, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Grandma, can Big Yellow have that many puppies?"

"Haha! Even Grandma doesn't know yet; we'll only find out after it's born."

When Yu Shulan saw Lin Chunjiao's worried expression, she was immediately amused.

"oh!"

Lin Chunjiao lowered her head, wondering what she would do if she didn't have so many puppies.

After a while, she looked up at Lin Shuisheng, her little face slightly tense.

"Dad, if Dahuang hadn't... hadn't had so many puppies, could I... could I help my sister raise them for now?"

"Sure! You can raise the puppy and take care of your little sister at the same time."

Lin Shuisheng nodded readily and then gave his eldest son a task.

This is a good opportunity to cultivate Lin Chunjiao's sense of responsibility and hands-on skills.

Having been reborn into this life, besides wanting to give his family a good life, his biggest dream is to retire early and live a carefree life with his wife.

The more capable your eldest son is, the sooner he can retire, right?

"Okay, okay!"

Lin Chunjiao had no idea what awaited her in the future, but she was so happy that her eyes turned into crescent moons with laughter.

Now, she no longer has to worry about Dahuang not having enough offspring.

"Third Brother, Third Brother, look what we brought back!"

Not long after, Lin Shuixian's voice suddenly came from outside the gate.

Lin Shuisheng looked up and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Hey! Where did you pick this watermelon?"

"Where else could this have been picked? From our own vegetable garden!"

Lin Shuixian rolled her eyes, stepped over the threshold, and put the large watermelon she was holding on the ground.

Following behind were Su Meilan, the eldest sister-in-law, and Huang Suzhen, the old lady, each carrying a basket.

The basket was filled with bright red and green tomatoes, green and white cucumbers, bright purple eggplants, emerald green bitter melons, and green and yellow pumpkins—a vibrant array of colors that made it very eye-catching.

"Bang bang bang!"

Lin Shuisheng stepped forward, squatted down, and gently patted the large watermelon. Hearing the crisp sound, he immediately nodded.

"Hmm, it's a good melon!"

Then, he frowned slightly, "It's just that this melon is too hot from being in the sun. We don't have any ice at home, so we'll have to soak it in the well overnight..."

"Hey, Third Brother, we don't have ice at home, but the shop has some!"

Lin Shuixian moved closer to Lin Shuisheng and blinked.

"Shopkeeper?"

Lin Shuisheng was slightly taken aback and didn't react for a moment.

After a while, he remembered that there was a supply and marketing station in the neighboring Houqi Village. It not only sold daily necessities such as tobacco, alcohol, sugar, and soy sauce, but also some candies, cookies, alcoholic beverages, popsicles, and ice cream.

Every summer, the styrofoam box filled with crushed ice and covered with an old cotton-padded coat at the store entrance is a treasure chest for cooling off in the eyes of adults and children.

Among them, the most popular items were popsicles that cost two or three cents each, and orange-flavored soda that cost five cents a bottle.

If you could take a sip of this, it would be an absolutely exhilarating experience.

Thinking of this, he immediately understood his younger sister Lin Shuixian's little scheme, and glared at her somewhat irritably.

"Are you trying to make ice? You clearly just want to drink soda!"

"Oh! Third Brother, look at me, I got up early this morning to boil water and kill a chicken for you. I've done my part, so please, buy me a bottle of soda!"

Lin Shuixian grabbed Lin Shuisheng's arm and shook it hard, looking pitiful.

"Didn't you only get a little over twenty yuan yesterday? If you want a drink, why don't you go buy it yourself?"

Lin Shuisheng glanced at Lin Shuixian and retorted somewhat irritably.

"How can that be the same? I'm saving that money for my dowry."

Lin Shuixian glared at him and retorted with an air of righteous indignation.

Then, seeing that Lin Shuisheng didn't say anything, she immediately started shaking Lin Shuisheng's arm repeatedly.

"Hey! Third Brother, don't be so stingy! A bottle of soda only costs 5 cents, it's nothing to you!"

"Okay, okay, I'll give you the money. Go buy ten bottles of beer and ten bottles of soda, and get some ice while you're at it."

Lin Shuisheng was so annoyed that he had no choice but to reluctantly take out 20 yuan and hand it over.

"Third Brother, you're so generous! I absolutely adore you!"

When Lin Shuixian saw the money, her eyes lit up. She kissed Lin Shuisheng on the cheek, grabbed the money, and ran away in a flash.

"This mother and son are such grown-ups, yet they still spit on people's faces all the time!"

Lin Shuisheng stood up abruptly and wiped his cheeks with some disgust.

"hehe!"

Seeing him like this, Su Meilan and Huang Suzhen, who were arranging fruits and vegetables nearby, couldn't help but laugh.

"Grandma, why did you pick so many tomatoes and cucumbers?"

Lin Shuisheng glanced at the fruits and vegetables that had been divided into two piles, walked over, picked up a cucumber, wiped it with his clothes, and took a big bite.

In an instant, a fresh and rich cucumber scent rushed into his mind, making him squint his eyes in enjoyment.

To be honest, the cucumbers his grandma grows are really delicious, with an amazing flavor, completely natural.

Unlike twenty or thirty years from now, when every vegetable and fruit you eat will be a mouthful of cutting-edge technology.

"Grandma said it's not easy for your mother-in-law to come all this way, so pick more for her to take back."

Before the old lady could speak, Su Meilan chuckled and replied.

"No, Grandma, what are you thinking? My mother-in-law's family are farmers; why would they need your vegetables and fruits?"

Lin Shuisheng took a bite of cucumber and looked at the old lady with some confusion.

"It's alright, no matter what, it's the thought that counts!"

The old lady chuckled as she answered, picking out the best-looking fruits and vegetables.

"That's true!"

Lin Shuisheng paused slightly upon hearing the old lady's words, then silently nodded in agreement.

Years later, he had almost forgotten that this was when human warmth was at its strongest.

Whenever relatives come to visit, we always pick out some of the better items from our own possessions, regardless of their value, and let them take some home with them.

Unlike the next two or three decades, when things weren't good or expensive, they were considered somewhat unpresentable, and everything was measured in terms of money.