Chapter 11

“My pickled cucumbers are different from others—great value for money! Once you try them, I guarantee you’ll want more. Not only do they aid digestion and boost appetite, but they also enhance beauty and complexion. Right now, I’m just starting to sell them, so people haven’t recognized their value yet, which is why they’re cheap. Once they become popular, you might not even be able to buy them!”  

Zhu Tianfang’s eyes widened. After just a few days of helping Chuanchuan learn to read, Su Qianqian was already this good at making things up?  

She quietly moved a bit to the side, worried she might get caught up in the fallout if Su Qianqian got scolded.  

“What about men? Does it do anything for them?” A middle-aged man, who had tasted the cucumbers and found them good, asked. Su Qianqian glanced at his watch and could tell he wasn’t short on money.  

“They aid digestion and boost appetite, of course! You can try it and see for yourself. It’s also suitable for the elderly, and if there’s a pregnant woman in the family struggling with morning sickness, these are perfect.”  

“Alright, I’ll take a jar to try.” The middle-aged man immediately handed over two yuan for a jar.  

“Thank you! I promise you’ll want more next time.” Su Qianqian smiled as she handed him the jar of pickled cucumbers and tucked the two yuan into her pocket.  

Zhu Tianfang was stunned. Someone actually bought it? Are they just gullible?  

“Does it really enhance beauty?” A young girl in a Western-style dress, clearly from a wealthy family, stepped forward, her face full of curiosity.  

“It does. But you’re so young, it might not be noticeable yet,” Su Qianqian said honestly. Young girls were already brimming with collagen and didn’t need beauty enhancements.  

“No worries. I’ll take a jar.” The young girl cheerfully handed over two yuan and bought one.  

Now there was only one jar left. The older woman from earlier hesitated for a long moment before finally gritting her teeth. She pulled out one yuan and a few ration coupons. “Can I use coupons to make up the difference? I have sugar coupons here.”  

“Sure, here you go.”  

With the sugar coupons, she could buy white sugar—perfect!  

In no time, all three jars of pickled cucumbers were sold, earning Su Qianqian five yuan and two sugar coupons. Zhu Tianfang was completely dumbfounded, feeling like her entire worldview had been overturned.  

“Want to buy some vegetables? These are freshly picked from our own farm—look how vibrant and fresh they are. They’re very affordable.” Su Qianqian then directed the customers to buy the vegetables in front of Zhu Tianfang. Since the price was low, they sold out quickly.  

Finally, Zhu Tianfang snapped out of her daze and quickly dragged Su Qianqian away.  

“Mom, what’s the rush?” Su Qianqian asked after being pulled along for quite a distance.  

“I’m worried someone might hit you! You’re charging two yuan for a jar of pickled cucumbers?!” Zhu Tianfang was still in shock.  

“They’re worth it, trust me. No one’s going to hit me,” Su Qianqian replied confidently.  

She had added a small amount of spirit spring water to the cucumbers, which, though not much, still had benefits. Plus, the flavor was exceptional. She was certain there would be repeat customers.  

“Mom, let’s go to the state-run restaurant and grab something to eat.”  

Zhu Tianfang shook her head vigorously. “The restaurant is too expensive! I brought some dry food. Let’s eat that and head home. Don’t waste money.”  

“We just made some money! I spent quite a bit of the family’s funds before, so let me have a chance to show my appreciation.”  

“I’m old and don’t need such things. Why don’t we go to the supply and marketing cooperative instead and buy some treats to bring back for the kids?” Zhu Tianfang insisted firmly, and Su Qianqian couldn’t argue further. She figured the five yuan could indeed be better used elsewhere. She’d treat the Cheng family to a proper meal once she earned more money.  

After all, in Tianshui Village, some families only earned just over a hundred yuan a year. People were careful about every expense, ensuring money was only spent where it mattered most.  

At the supply and marketing cooperative, Su Qianqian used the sugar coupons to buy white sugar, along with some hair clips, hair ties, candies, and pastries.  

She wanted to buy malted milk essence, too. It was a luxury item in those days, highly sought after, but it cost 40 yuan for a box. She’d have to save up for it.  

Meanwhile, Zhu Tianfang watched her buy things with a heart full of pain. It was all money—money!  

But the money was earned by Erbao’s mom herself, and Zhu Tianfang couldn’t stop her. She could only clasp her hands tightly together to hold back her disapproval.

“Mom, I used the family’s cucumbers and some seasonings to make this. Here’s 50 cents—you have to take it.” Su Qianqian firmly pushed the money into Zhu Tianfang’s hand. “If you leave it with me, it might be spent before you know it.”

Hearing this, Zhu Tianfang quickly tucked the money into her inner pocket.

As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law walked home, they encountered a tractor. It happened to belong to the Tianshui Village. The driver first noticed Zhu Tianfang and asked, “Aunt Tianfang, need a ride?”

However, the moment he spotted Su Qianqian beside her, his expression became awkward and uneasy.

“No need, we’ll walk back,” Zhu Tianfang declined. The tractor driver immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then sped off, spraying them both with exhaust fumes.

Cough, cough—this tractor stinks!

The original owner of Su Qianqian’s body was clearly not well-liked in the Tianshui Village.

By the time they walked back home, Su Qianqian was thoroughly exhausted. In her previous life, she had never walked so far. Fortunately, the original owner had a strong body, and muscle memory helped her through. Otherwise, she might have collapsed halfway.

As soon as they entered the house, she noticed something was off. Sitting there was her biological mother and a visibly uneasy Wu Yuexiang.

“Mom, sister-in-law, you’re back! Have some water first.” Wu Yuexiang quickly brought over two bowls of water for them and whispered to Zhu Tianfang, “They’ve been here for a while. Should I call Dasong back?”

“Let’s wait and see,” Zhu Tianfang replied, curious to observe how Su Qianqian would handle her maternal family. She still didn’t fully believe the things Su Qianqian had said before.

Su Qianqian, unable to bring herself to call her biological mother “Mom,” simply asked, “Why are you here? Is something wrong?”

Her mother scrutinized her, noticed she was carrying several good items, and immediately broke into a smile. She then beckoned, “Come out for a moment. I need to talk to you.”

After putting down her things, Su Qianqian followed her mother outside. Zhu Tianfang motioned for Wu Yuexiang to eavesdrop.

“Been shopping at the supply and marketing cooperative?”  

“Yes.”

Her mother affectionately took her hand and said, “Your younger brother is about to get married soon. Do you have any money you can spare? Lend us some.”

As expected, she was here to ask for money.

“I don’t have any,” Su Qianqian replied, shaking her head.

“Ask your mother-in-law then! You’ve given their family three children, and with your husband gone who-knows-where, they surely owe you money!” Her mother patted her hand, as if this was the most reasonable suggestion in the world.

Su Qianqian pulled her hand away. “Last time, you and Zhou Cuiqin tried to extort money from me. I was very unhappy about that.”

“Who said it was extortion? It was your in-laws’ money, not yours! You’re being so dense about this!” Her mother acted like this logic was perfectly sound.

“??” Su Qianqian was stunned by how shamelessly it was all said.

Ignoring her objections, her mother continued, “Anyway, we need 20 yuan. Figure it out. And bring me the things you just bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.”

“I can’t help you. You’ll have to figure it out yourselves.” She wasn’t going to give another cent to her maternal family, especially since they were nothing but ingrates.

“I know you’re still upset about the incident where you got hurt. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you in the future. Don’t be stubborn now. Just prepare the 20 yuan soon,” her mother said soothingly.

Then, as if something occurred to her, she added, “By the way, didn’t you plan to send Sanya away? Why keep so many daughters around? Keeping Daya is enough. Sanya should be sent away. Give her to me, and I’ll handle it. I’ll take her with me today.”