Brittany took a bucket to Sam to get water. There was no firewood at home, so she took Chris to the back of the village to pick up some firewood.
She stuffed the firewood into the stove and lit a fire to boil water. Brittany instructed Chris, "From now on, go to the side of the mountain and pick up some firewood every day to boil water."
"But don't run into the mountains. Be careful of wild beasts."
"You can't carry the water. You can ask Mai to help you carry it. If she doesn't, you can ask your elder cousin to help you. If he doesn't help either, you can think of a way, and get less water at a time."
"In this weather, you have to take a shower and wash your hair at most every other day. Otherwise, your body will stink, get it?"
Chris lowered his head. "Got it."
Sam came in with a bucket of water. Without disturbing the siblings, he poured the water into the water tank and left.
Brittany continued, "From now on, you still have to learn how to cook. Mia is already sixteen. She might get married one day. By then, who are you counting on?"
"Also, if Mother wants to sell the land, go and tell uncles. They won't let her sell it."
Chris nodded.
Chris continued, "I took some of the books at home. Don't let Mia or Mother sell the rest. You hide them and read more when you have nothing to do. It's always good for reading."
Chris suddenly started crying." Brittany, please don't leave. Mother and Mia don't care about me. No one will mend my torn clothes."
Brittany sighed. "I had no choice."
She wanted to leave the Rivers family and not return to her parents' home. She wanted to open a medicine shop by herself. Anyway, the medicine was ready-made and she could earn some money to support herself.
However, there were still two problems in leaving. One was the lack of money.
She really didn't have a single cent on hand, but this problem was easy to solve. She had a medicine storeroom, so it was easy for her to sell something and gather some silver.
Another problem was the household registration.
Her household registration was now in the Rivers family.
The ancient times were not like the modern times. The movement of the population was very strictly controlled. When you went out, you had to take your household registration to the government to get a travel pass. Otherwise, not only would you not be able to stay in other places, but you might also be arrested by the government.
Even if the authorities didn't arrest you, a little girl alone would definitely be targeted by human traffickers.
God knows where she would be sold to.
Therefore, she could only think of a way to break away from the Rivers family and have her own household registration as a widow. That way, she could live a peaceful life alone.
It was just that this matter was not easy, so she had to think about it carefully.
Brittany collected her thoughts and said to Chris, "Go and get the clothes and the needlework. I will mend it for you."
Chris ran out quickly.
Brittany saw Sam come in with another bucket of water. She stood up and looked at the water tank. "That's enough."
"Thank you. You must be tired. Go and rest."
Sam nodded. "Then I'll go sit in the courtyard for a while."
He walked to the kitchen door and stopped as if he didn't know whether to advance or retreat.
Brittany walked behind him and looked outside. She saw Mia standing outside in a pink dress with her eyebrows drawn.
Mia's design was completely clear. Brittany rolled her eyes and returned to the stove to continue cooking.
Outside, Mia twisted her handkerchief and said shyly and timidly, "Sam, you, come with me for a moment. I have something to say to you."