Throughout the morning, He Xiaoya was restless, even lacking enthusiasm while sweeping the floor.
She was worried.
Having spent so much money, if she couldn't sell the goods and incurred a loss, then...
"Big sister-in-law, we're back!"
Wang Xiao Si barged into the house, carrying three and a half pounds of pork as if he were a flying general.
"How did it go? Did you sell everything?"
"We sold out long ago!" Wang Xiao Si said gleefully. "Big sister-in-law, guess how much money we made?"
"Tell me quickly! I've been anxious!"
"325 wen!"
He Xiaoya felt as though her heart was about to burst.
If they could earn this much every day, they would never have to endure hardship again. Her family would no longer look down on Da Zhuang, and they wouldn't even prevent her from returning to her parents' home.
Thinking of this, He Xiaoya couldn't help but feel her nose tingle and her eyes well up with tears.
"Big sister-in-law," Wang Xiao Si asked, "why are you crying?"
"It's nothing." He Xiaoya wiped her tears. "Where are our mothers?"
"They're coming behind us. They'll be here soon." Wang Xiao Si handed her the pork. "Mother said we'll have braised pork for dinner tonight."
He Xiaoya's tears threatened to fall again.
Ordinary families might only buy a piece like this for the New Year...
Since the day Er Dan's marriage was called off, Mother had changed. Although she was still a bit cold, she hadn't scolded He Xiaoya again. She even provided good food and found a way to earn so much money.
As a daughter-in-law, she had to be filial and take care of the family.
Before long, Li Yao and the others arrived home.
After a quick lunch, the family resumed their busy work.
With so many items today, they had to divide them into two pots for braising. But everyone was motivated because they could earn money, and they finished everything before it got dark.
"I'll make the braised pork," Li Yao took a short break and said, "Xiao Ya, come and learn."
"Okay, Mother."
She washed the meat with warm water, cut it into small cubes, blanched them in boiling water, and then drained them.
She heated the pot, poured in oil, and stir-fried the meat until the surface turned golden. When that happened, she added water, salt, ginger slices, shallots, star anise, cinnamon, a little sugar for flavor, and soy sauce for color. She brought it to a boil over high heat and then simmered it for forty minutes.
When she lifted the lid, a rich aroma wafted out.
The tender meat was reddish, shiny, and trembling. Its color was bright red, and it melted in the mouth.
He Xiaoya stared in awe.
In all her years, she had never seen braised pork cooked so fragrantly and beautifully!
Having earned some money and having braised pork, the family enjoyed a joyful dinner.
...
After dinner, Da Zhuang pulled the handcart and arrived at the old house.
"Grandma, I've returned the handcart."
"Why? Don't need it anymore?" Wang Xue Shi asked.
"Is there a need to ask?" Wang San'er immediately chimed in, reveling in her misfortune. "Business isn't that easy. They must not have sold anything and incurred a loss."
"Phew! A dog's mouth can't speak ivory. Always negative!" Wang Xue Shi glared at her. "I'm just telling the truth..."
Wang Xue Shi gave Da Zhuang a sigh as she said it.
Although she often clashed with her eldest daughter-in-law and criticized her for not knowing her place, deep down she still hoped that the business would succeed. But now even the cart had been returned, indicating that they probably couldn't sell it.
"Let her suffer a little loss, so she won't be restless all the time," Grandma Wang said. "Da Zhuang, if you really run out of food, I still have some buckwheat flour here. Take it back and sustain yourselves for a few days."
"That's not the case, Grandma," Da Zhuang quickly explained. "We sold everything today!"
"What?" Grandma Wang was taken aback. "Everything was sold?"
"Yes! I returned the cart because we bought a new one."
"Well... did you make any money?"
"We did."
Grandma Wang cursed herself for asking such a redundant question. That shrewd daughter-in-law of Da Zhuang's, she could even squeeze out a half penny from a stone. Wasn't she capable of making a profitable deal?
"Good, as long as you made money. It means I can keep my food." Grandma Wang softened her heart but maintained a stern tone. "Go back and tell your mother that she shouldn't think she's something just because she has a few sons. She spends money recklessly all the time! Save it for Wang Er to marry a wife! And also, stop sending things to her family!!!"
"Okay."
Shen Shi, who was chopping grass nearby, felt a sourness in her heart as she listened. "Oh, look at you, a selfish person. Even though your sister-in-law made so much money, it's still her family's. She won't give you a penny..."
"Are you asking for a fight today?" Grandma Wang's temper flared up when she heard that. "She has to raise four sons on her own. What should she give me? You talk nicely all the time, but how many pennies have you given me?"
Shen Shi could only shut her mouth obediently, but she felt indignant inside.
Didn't her husband give all his earnings to the family?
"By the way, Grandma," Da Zhuang took out ten copper coins, "my mother said this is for the cart."
"Why take it and then return the money? Is there really so much money to spare?"
"My mother said it must be given, otherwise it will be difficult to borrow next time."
Upon hearing his words, Grandma Wang's heart warmed slightly. This eldest daughter-in-law of hers finally learned to take care of things.
"Alright, I'll accept it."
But she couldn't help but feel that this eldest daughter-in-law had changed a bit.
In the past, she wouldn't even give ten coins, let alone this generous. But Grandma Wang still happily accepted the money and glared fiercely at Shen Shi.
Learn from her, that's what filial piety is!
...
In the following days, Li Yao continued to accompany them at the stall.
After closing up every day, she had the kids count the money and do the bookkeeping themselves.
Wang Er had learned some arithmetic, so he had no trouble with calculations. Da Zhuang and Wang San'er, under his guidance, could barely handle simple calculations, but they struggled with larger numbers.
What surprised Li Yao was Wang Xiao Si.
Despite being the youngest and never having been exposed to arithmetic before, he learned quickly. After a few days, he could even do some basic multiplication. He would probably become a clever little devil in the future.
As for Da Zhuang and Wang San'er, it was evident that they didn't have a talent for studying, so Li Yao would make arrangements based on the situation.
"Mother, we earned 750 wen today, 15 wen more than yesterday."
"Record it in the account book."
"I've already written it down."
Keeping accounts was Li Yao's new task for Wang Er.
Every day's income, the cost of purchases, and all other expenses, no matter how trivial, were meticulously recorded on paper.
It's easy to see how much money is left at home now.
After a few days, they had already made a net profit of 3,000 wen.
Although it couldn't compare to digging herbs, this was a steady stream of income, and the best part was that Da Zhuang and the others could handle it, so Li Yao didn't need to worry too much.
With the income, the whole family got a taste of success and worked enthusiastically from early morning till late at night.
But on the sixth day, the number of customers suddenly decreased significantly, and by midday, there were still around 30 bowls left unsold.
"We still have so many left, what should we do?"
"If only we had made less today."
Da Zhuang was so anxious that sweat was dripping from his forehead, but he couldn't come up with a good solution.
If they left it until tomorrow, the taste would deteriorate.
Li Yao, on the other hand, was not worried.
The novelty had worn off, and it was a year of famine, so a decrease in customer flow was inevitable.
She had anticipated this situation and already had a plan in place.
"Let's change the location," Li Yao suggested. "While it's not too late, let's move to the entrance of the academy."
Wang Er's heart skipped a beat.
Going to the academy meant there might be a chance of running into Xiaoya's uncle.
And also his classmates and the scholars?
Thinking about the humiliation he had suffered at their hands in the past, Wang Er resisted with all his might, unable to lift his feet.
Seeing his change in expression, Li Yao knew exactly what was going on, but she didn't ask further.
As a young boy, he had to face such things bravely on his own.