Lin Lan put the money away and closed the door behind her. She grabbed her sickle and back-basket from the woodshed, dropped Little Douzi off at the old lady's house, and then headed to Niu Bei Mountain to cut grass.
Just as she reached Old Chen's thatched hut, a cheerful Old Chen, looking full of life, called out to her. "Little Lin, I'll be heading home soon."
Lin Lan was happy for him too. "Congratulations, Uncle Chen! That's wonderful news!"
Old Chen thanked her, "Little Lin, thank you!"
Lin Lan quickly brushed it off. "Uncle Chen, let the past be the past. Things will only get better from here."
"Alright, we'll say no more about it." Old Chen took a fountain pen from his jacket pocket and handed it to Lin Lan. "Little Lin, this pen has been with me for over thirty years. I want you to have it as a memento."
Lin Lan accepted it with a smile. "Uncle Chen, come back and visit whenever you're free."
Old Chen smiled and nodded. "I will!"
