Eat My Childless Life: The Little Fisher Girl is Poor and Fierce

Chapter 20 The Little Goldfish Wants to Learn Arithmetic

It's a goldfish. Lin Chang'er propped herself up on her arms and sat up. "What's wrong?"

The little goldfish took two steps and stepped over the threshold to come in.

Lin Chang'er then saw clearly that the little guy was carrying a wooden basin in his hand, which looked quite heavy, but he walked very steadily.

When he got closer, he placed the wooden basin in front of the bed. "Mother walked a lot today. Soaking your feet will make you feel better."

Lin Chang'er: "..." Isn't this child a little too sensible?

Seeing that she didn't speak, the little one looked at her again, "Mother?"

Lin Chang'er then came to her senses and nodded.

A slight smile appeared on the little goldfish's usually serious face. "I'll help Mom."

He reached out to help Lin Chang'er take off her socks, which startled her. She was too embarrassed to let a child "serve" her.

Lin Chang'er quickly stopped her, pointing to the little stool beside her, "Go sit down and play."

The little guy said "Oh," and obediently sat down on the stool, placing his little hands neatly on his knees, but a hint of inexplicable disappointment flashed in his eyes.

I hesitated, wondering whether I should tell my mother what I was thinking, and if I did, would she agree?

Lin Chang'er took off her socks and soaked her feet. The little guy must have tested the water temperature, which was just right.

The warm water reached above my ankles, causing my pores to open up, relieving my fatigue, and making me feel much more relaxed.

Lin Chang'er looked approvingly at her thoughtful adopted son, not missing the change in the little guy's expression.

Noticing the conflict on his face, Lin Chang'er cut to the chase, "Something on your mind?"

The little goldfish was taken aback, its big eyes widening as if it were surprised that its thoughts had been read.

Lin Chang'er raised her chin at him, "Tell me!"

The little goldfish tucked its neatly placed hands into its pockets and said in a low voice, "Mom, can you teach me arithmetic? If I learn it, I can help you with the accounts."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'er blinked. She had been busy these past two days and hadn't had time to think about this, but the little guy had reminded her.

Five-year-old children are at the age of enlightenment; in modern times, they would be starting kindergarten.

But given the family's current situation, it's clear they can't afford to support someone who is studying.

But not studying is unacceptable. I don't expect to achieve great things in the future, but at least I can't be blind to the world.

Given the current circumstances, I can start by teaching them to read and arithmetic. When the time is right, I can send them to school. If conditions permit in the future, I can also establish a school in Linshui Village.

The little goldfish had no idea what she was thinking. Seeing her silence, he naturally assumed she was unhappy, but he didn't want to give up.

He continued, "Mother, if you teach me arithmetic, I'll go with you to sell duck eggs. I'll carry the eggs for you on the way, and when we get to the market, I'll help you collect the money..."

"You're only five years old..." How can you carry a basket on your back?

Furthermore, due to malnutrition, his development was far below what it should be at his age, and his small frame was not much taller than the basket on his back.

Of course, as a conscientious entrepreneur, Lin Chang'er would never use child labor.

"I can do it." The little goldfish jumped up, eager to prove herself to her. Without thinking, she picked up the little stool with one hand and grabbed one of its legs with the other.

Immediately, a crisp sound of wood breaking echoed in the air. When Lin Chang'er looked over again, Xiao Wuzi had already separated from the family.

Lin Chang'er: "..." Innate superhuman strength?

Lin Chang'er looked at the broken stool in the little guy's hand and said, "There's no need for that."

Although it was a bit old, it was still usable, which made the already poor family even worse off.

The little goldfish didn't speak, but just stared at her with its big eyes.

Lin Chang'er cleared her throat. "Does your father know about your abilities?"

The little goldfish nodded. "Dad said no one else can know, so apart from Dad and Mom, Little Deer doesn't know either."

Lin Chang'er sighed and said earnestly, "Your father is right. Before you are able to protect yourself and the people you care about, don't expose your abilities."

Having talent is a good thing, but possessing a treasure is a crime. He is only five years old. If someone with ulterior motives finds out about him, it may very well turn into a disaster.

"I will teach you to read and write, and I will send you to school when I have the opportunity. But you must remember what I said today: learn to hide your talents before you are strong enough."

Besides, learning to read and do arithmetic is a long-term process. Your younger siblings and your fourth uncle will all be learning together. If you learn well and quickly, you need to help them, understand?

The little goldfish nodded eagerly. Lin Chang'er pondered for a moment and then said, "However, I will have to come up with a plan later."

There are four children in the family; teaching one is the same as teaching all four.

If it comes to arithmetic, it's best if the whole family learns together, so that even without her, they won't be unable to calculate the accounts and get ripped off.

But adults have their own chores during the day, and whether they are willing to learn is another matter; it needs to be considered.

"I'll listen to Mother." The little goldfish didn't think too much about it; his eyes were bright, as if the future had become bright.

After a short while, he whispered again, "But Mother will get tired doing so much work by herself. Can I ask my uncle to make a small basket to help Mother carry the duck eggs?"

Seeing his eagerness to help her, Lin Chang'er smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to your uncle. Starting tomorrow, you should get up earlier and come to the market with me."

"Mom, rest. I'll go tell Uncle now and come back to get the water later."

The little goldfish grinned and hurried off to find Gu Dalang. He didn't even have time to put down the little stool that had been separated from the family. He ran to the door in a flash before remembering that he had stopped and turned to Lin Chang'er with a somewhat helpless smile.

Lin Chang'er said, "Keep it. I'll explain to your grandmother and the others later."

"Thank you, Mother!" Little Goldfish put down his things and happily went to find his uncle.

Lin Chang'er watched the little guy's back and felt a pang of emotion. It was a good thing that he was eager to learn and improve, and she was willing to teach him. But how far he could go depended on his own destiny.

After soaking her feet, Lin Chang'er went out to pour water and then went back to take a nap.

Lin Chang'er was awakened from her sleep by feeling several gazes fixed on her.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw three small figures sitting in a row in front of the bed.

Little Goldfish and Gu Xiaolu sat on either side, while the smallest one, Gu Xiaoman, sat in the middle.

Upon seeing her open her eyes, the little goldfish and Gu Xiaolu happily called out, "Mother!"

Gu Xiaoman pointed to the small basket that Gu Dalang had hastily made for her at her feet and grinned at her, "Auntie, let's collect duck eggs."

With all the utensils ready, Lin Chang'er couldn't help but chuckle. "It's still early. Your aunt promised your fourth uncle that we'd fry small fish today. Let's go fry some first, and your aunt will take you later."

The main reason is that people coming and going during the day are more likely to attract attention. The village is only so big, and if word spreads from one to ten, then from ten to a hundred, then everyone will know.

She was hoping that her family could continue the business of collecting duck eggs for a while longer!

After all, the daily output is limited, and the more people who know about it, the less they can collect.

Of course, the dolls wouldn't have thought of this level.

Hearing her agree, Gu Xiaoman giggled, "Auntie is the best."

"Mom, my brother and I are going too. Uncle made us little baskets too." Afraid of being left behind, Gu Xiaolu hurriedly said.

Looking at the expectant eyes of the twins, Lin Chang'er nodded, "Okay, they can all go, but now, shall we go fry some small fish first?"

"Great!" The three little ones had achieved their goal and were even getting to eat fish. They jumped and danced with joy, and Lin Chang'er followed them.

Lin Chang'er was leading a few little ones to the kitchen when a noise came from the doorway.

"We told you to come and apologize, but what kind of rule is it to leave your things at the door? Now you know you have no shame, where were you before?"

The head of the household said, "Our village temple is too small to tolerate bullies who prey on the weak."

If you still can't come up with a proper attitude this time, don't blame us for not showing any consideration for our fellow villagers!