“Kevin, what do you think we can sell when we get to Guangning?” Mrs. Sullivan asked worriedly. The family wasn’t exactly destitute, but there wasn’t much of value at home either.

“Mother, the homespun cloth you and Little Lucy weave is fine and dense—I think that will do. Plus, those shoe soles, and we can tidy up the old clothes at home as well.”

“We have to sell all of that? How are we supposed to live?”

“Hahaha.” Kevin Bolton couldn’t help but laugh, which tugged at the wound under his ribs, making him grimace in pain.

“Mother, once we open up this path, we’ll have money in the future, and everything can be replaced with new things.”

Little sister Emily Bolton clung to the doorframe, poking out her small head. Hearing about getting new things, she was the happiest.

“I want a hair ribbon! A red one, just like Cui Feng next door! Just one is enough, I’ll use it sparingly.”

Seeing the little girl’s earnest expression, Kevin Bolton couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness, and said grandly, “Forget just a hair ribbon—when we have money, your brother promises to dress you up like a fairy!”

“Really? Second brother, you’re the best!” The little girl jumped up and down with joy.

The worry on Mrs. Sullivan’s face eased a lot. “Ah, as long as we can get through this safely, I’ll be happy.”

Frank Johnson also smiled and said, “Brother Kevin, we still have quite a bit of leather at home. Do you want to take it along too?”

“Of course.” Kevin Bolton smiled. “But it has to be good quality. Don’t be fooled by the high prices at the horse market—the Tartars have even more and better furs, and with the shrewdness of Central Plains merchants, they’ll definitely try to bargain us down. Bringing junk is just a waste of effort.”

“Mm, Brother Kevin is right! But we really don’t have much good leather left.”

“That’s easy. Take the worn leather and go to each household to trade for homespun cloth, old clothes, even pots and pans if they’re sturdy and useful. I bet we can sell them for a good price!”

Thomas Johnson lowered his head and thought for a while, then said, “Sister-in-law, I think we should go with second nephew’s idea. The child is educated and sensible, and thinks more thoroughly than we do.”

Mrs. Sullivan could only nod. Thomas Johnson smiled and said, “Second nephew, get some rest. We’ll go tidy up and swap out the leather.”

Kevin Bolton also said, “Uncle Johnson, move quickly. We’ll set off in three days.”

“Three days? Will your injury be okay?”

Kevin Bolton gave a wry smile. “It has to be, whether it is or not. It’s our first time going, and who knows what trouble we’ll run into. If we can’t get back on time, Charles Walker will surely take advantage!”

“Mm, you’re right. We’ll go now!”

The three men turned and left. By this time, Little Lucy had finished boiling the medicine. Kevin Bolton was truly exhausted; after drinking the medicine, he fell into a deep sleep.

Cock-a-doodle-doo… cock-a-doodle-doo…

The rooster crowed loudly. Little Lucy rubbed her sleepy eyes. Suddenly, the girl felt something was off. She turned over and saw that someone was still sleeping soundly on the other side of the pillow, breathing softly and rhythmically—it was Kevin Bolton!

“Ah!”

The girl sat up in fright. How did she end up in Brother Kevin’s room, actually sleeping with him? A flush spread from her cheeks to her fair neck, and her heart was pounding as if it would leap out of her chest. She vaguely remembered hearing people talk about…

She hurriedly looked down and saw that her floral cotton jacket had come off, exposing one pink shoulder, and even her red little dudou was showing.

Seeing her disheveled state, the girl couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Could it be that, muddle-headed, she…? No bridal sedan, no wedding dress, no drums or gongs—nothing at all. How people would laugh!

After feeling wronged for a long while, there was also a strange feeling in her heart. Ever since she was bought, she knew that this boy, about her age, would become her sky, that she would take care of him, listen to him, and… The girl quietly turned her head. She didn’t know what force drove her, but she instinctively grabbed Kevin Bolton’s big hand.

“Brother Kevin, I’m yours now. You have to cherish Little Lucy!”

“Mm, don’t worry, I will!”

Little Lucy smiled dreamily and murmured, “Brother Kevin, you’re so good. Even in your sleep, you know what I want…”

Wait, something’s not right… Suddenly, she looked up and saw a pair of bright black eyes staring at her. In an instant, all the blood in her body rushed to her face, and she almost fainted!

“Little Lucy, what were you just saying?”

“N-nothing, I’m going to make breakfast!” The girl scrambled to get out of bed.

Kevin Bolton grabbed her small hand and laughed, “What’s the rush? Mother and the others are still asleep. Come, lie down next to me and let’s have a good talk!”

The girl blushed, burying her little head in her chest.

Looking at her innocent expression, Kevin Bolton couldn’t help but laugh again. “Little Lucy, were you just thinking something naughty?”

“N-no!”

“Hehehe, you little rascal, you’re so sneaky. I bet your face is hot enough to fry an egg right now!”

Frightened, the girl tried to pull her hand away, and sure enough, her face was burning. She was about to cry again.

“Hehe, Lucy, don’t worry. Nothing happened yesterday.”

“Really?”

Kevin Bolton smiled helplessly. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to right now.”