Chapter 10: Deciding to Make Our Own Money

The old-fashioned 28-inch bicycle was surprisingly easy to ride. The large wheels allowed for long distances; two pedal strokes, and you were quite far.

Yu Miaomiao and Su Tang both found it novel and took turns riding.

Bicycles were more expensive than getting married these days, incredibly rare. And with two beautiful women riding it, the heads turned constantly.

Su Tang and Yu Miaomiao had been in this era for some time, enjoying a ride on a 1980s bicycle, feeling incredibly stylish.

“Miaomiao, let’s buy one when we have money.”

“Okay, let’s talk about it when we have money.”

A bicycle costing over one hundred yuan was like a poor college student dreaming of a Mercedes-Benz to them.

“It’s okay, even flatbread is delicious; let’s dream big first,” Su Tang said with a giggle. “The economy will open up soon; there will be many opportunities to make money. With our scripts, becoming rich women is absolutely no problem.”

Yu Miaomiao poured cold water on her enthusiasm: “First, we need capital.”

“Right, the more capital, the bigger the business, and the more we earn! Or, should we try some speculation and profiteering?” Su Tang asked.

Yu Miaomiao was startled by her bold idea: “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”

“I am. But I’m even more afraid of being divorced and penniless,” Su Tang said.

Yu Miaomiao fell silent.

Su Tang was the poorest student in their class, always worrying about tuition fees.

She finally landed a role, hoping to become a star. The result? A tragic time-travel experience.

Even poorer!

“Miaomiao, have you ever wondered where Mu Jingzhou’s brothers got so much money?” Su Tang asked.

Yu Miaomiao abruptly stopped the bicycle.

That’s right, Mu Jingzhou’s betrothal gift to Su Tang was eighty-eight yuan, plus fabric and other things, it exceeded one hundred. Yet, Mu Jingzhou still had more than thirty yuan left!

Mu Jingyun was even more unbelievable.

He spent over two hundred yuan on her dowry and could still casually give away five or ten yuan.

The work points earned in a year would only amount to about one hundred yuan at most, with most of it going to the family.

Where did they get all this money?

“Get it? If something happens to them, we’ll suffer too. Why don’t we start our own business? With money, who needs men?” Su Tang said with a sly smile.

Yu Miaomiao was also tempted, but she had always been the “model child” in her parents’ eyes, and never considered doing anything illegal.

After a moment of excitement, she calmed down: “Let me think about it.”

“No rush, take your time,” Su Tang said, knowing her friend was timid, and giggled.

Time was pressing, so the two went to the county town and went their separate ways to buy things. Su Tang bought meat and sugar as Mu Jingzhou instructed, while Yu Miaomiao went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy bedsheets.

So expensive! A 1.5-meter-wide bedsheet cost eight yuan!

Even a rich girl had moments of hesitation when spending money. She couldn’t help but think about Su Tang’s suggestion: make money!

Su Tang had never truly been rich; as long as she had enough to spend, she was happy.

She happily bought two pounds of meat, a package of peach cakes, and a package of Fuyong cakes.

Finally, she waited for Yu Miaomiao at the state-run restaurant.

They had to have a good meal today!

When she saw Yu Miaomiao only carrying a piece of cloth, she was stunned: “Where’s your stuff?”

“This…”

Yu Miaomiao was disheartened by the prices.

Su Tang, having asked about the price of bedsheets earlier, burst into laughter: “My rich young lady is also hesitant to spend money now?”

“Yeah.”

Yu Miaomiao sighed.

Things were too expensive, and they were too poor. They simply couldn’t bear to spend!

“Hee hee, it’s okay, I still have some.”

Su Tang laughed happily, though she hadn’t really splurged either. She only ordered a portion of braised pork and two bowls of rice.

They shared the braised pork and ate the white rice with relish.

“Miaomiao, you didn’t bring anything back for your parents’ house; your father will scold you. I’ll share some of mine with you.”

“Forget it, let’s just buy some! You’re right, you can’t save your way to riches in this era. Spend when you need to, and we’ll figure out how to earn more later!”

In the end, Yu Miaomiao bought two packages of Fuyong cakes.

Considering they couldn’t return the bicycle empty-handed, she also bought a small handful of fruit candies.

There was only one bicycle in Chahe Village, and people often borrowed it. But this was the first time Gao Ming’s wife received a return gift, and she was delighted: “Oh my, you two are so thoughtful, you even brought fruit candies…”

“My second sister-in-law bought them for the children, just for fun,” Su Tang, with her sweet appearance, smiled even sweeter.

Gao Ming’s wife couldn’t stop smiling: “You two sisters-in-law are both beautiful and generous. Feel free to borrow the bike whenever you need it.”

“Okay!”

Before leaving, Gao Ming’s wife gave them two large potatoes.

Back home, Li Lan was sitting in the yard, eyeing their things.

“Second sister-in-law bought candy? Oh, and third sister-in-law bought meat! Are we having it for lunch today?” Li Lan stared at the meat, her mouth watering.

Su Tang shook the meat in her hand and went back to her room: “Tonight. I’m going back to my parents’ house to eat meat tonight!”

Li Lan was even more envious: “You’re bringing meat back to your parents’ house? When I went back to my parents’ house, I only brought two pieces of rock sugar. A woman should stop thinking about her parents’ house after marriage, otherwise, she’ll be scolded.”

“Who would scold? I didn’t use the family’s money,” Su Tang rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you use your husband’s money when you went back to your parents’ house, sister-in-law?”

Li Lan: …

Indeed not.

The Mu family had many sons, and many girls were afraid of marrying into the family as the eldest daughter-in-law, worrying about having to spend money on their younger brothers and sisters later.

Mu Jingyuan said that his wife had it hard, and the betrothal gifts and return gifts were all given by his parents.

Of course, the return gift wasn’t just two pieces of rock sugar. She lied to them.

“Since it was the family’s money, we should indeed save it. After all, we can’t spend all the family’s earnings on you, sister-in-law. We bought these things with our husband’s money. We didn’t use a single cent of the family’s money,” Su Tang said.

Li Lan rolled her eyes: “Why are you acting so sweet like those city people? Shameless!”

“If you’re so concerned about your reputation, sister-in-law, why are you pregnant again?” Su Tang asked.

Li Lan’s face flushed, and she said angrily: “That’s not the same as some people, squeezing their husbands dry.”

“Newlyweds, of course, it’s fiery. Enjoying it at the beginning and the end… Sister-in-law, isn’t that how it is in your family?” Su Tang became increasingly shameless.

Yu Miaomiao had been thoroughly exhausted last night by Mu Jingyun’s passionate advances… The imagery was vivid, and her ears turned red.

Li Lan’s life was relatively dull and she didn’t understand. She asked blankly: “What do you mean?”

“Hee hee…”

Su Tang covered her mouth and exchanged a knowing glance with Yu Miaomiao, each returning to their room to put away their things.

It turned out that the men of this era only had strength, not much variety!

Where did their husbands learn their techniques?

Although Li Lan didn’t understand, seeing them laughing like that, she knew she was being looked down upon in certain aspects.

Blushing face and spitting: “Pah, pah, pah, shameless bitch!”