Chapter 22: I Agree to Help Make Cured Meat

“Do you need to buy anything else?” Zhao Laoer asked.

“No, let’s head back home now,” Shen Xuezhhu replied.

With that, the ox cart started moving.

…

Qingtang Village

As soon as Zhao Laoer drove the ox cart into the village, some villagers came up to them.

“Xiaoshan’s wife bought another cartload of stuff, looks like she’s making a fortune!”

Shen Xuezhhu smiled helplessly.

“Why did you buy such big pots again?”

“You bought two big bamboo baskets too? You must have money!”

Shen Xuezhhu noticed they didn’t seem to have bad intentions, so she didn’t respond.

The cart stopped at the entrance of the old Lu family courtyard, and Shen Xuezhhu saw Aunt Yao sitting outside her house, sewing clothes.

Aunt Yao noticed the many things on the cart and became curious. She set aside her sewing and walked over.

“Xiaoshan’s wife, what are you buying all these things for?”

“To make cured meat and sell it.”

Aunt Yao was a bit shocked when she heard this.

No one in the village had ever made cured meat to sell.

One reason was that people feared they wouldn’t be able to sell it.

Another was the high cost of making cured meat.

She had never heard Shen Xuezhhu mention she was going to make cured meat, and it was the first time she’d seen her buying so many things for it.

“Making cured meat… if it’s good, it’s fine, but if it’s not tasty, it won’t sell. It’s a tough business.”

Shen Xuezhhu understood Aunt Yao’s concern.

“Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ve already found a market for it, and I won’t have to sell it on the streets.”

Aunt Yao couldn’t believe it. “If you’re not selling it on the streets, where will you sell it?”

“I’m selling it to the restaurant. I’ve already signed a contract with them to deliver 100 jin of cured meat every day.”

“This… this… it’s unbelievable! Xiaoshan’s wife, you’re really amazing! You’re even working with a restaurant!”

Shen Xuezhhu smiled humbly, “Aunt, it’s nothing. I just want to make some money.”

After saying this, Shen Xuezhhu opened the lock on the courtyard gate and fully opened the door.

Aunt Yao saw that Shen Xuezhhu was about to start moving things and offered to help. She thought she could move a few things—it wasn’t easy for a woman to manage with two children.

“I’ll help you move the things.”

Shen Xuezhhu didn’t hear Aunt Yao’s offer. She ran to open the door to the main room.

As she opened the door and turned around, she saw Aunt Yao was already helping her move things.

“Aunt, you really don’t need to trouble yourself with moving things.”

“It’s no trouble. We’re neighbors. Zhao Laoer is helping too.”

“Then thank you, Aunt Yao,” Shen Xuezhhu said, feeling grateful.

…

Once all the things from the cart were moved, Shen Xuezhhu handed Zhao Laoer thirty wen. At first, he didn’t want to accept it.

Shen Xuezhhu explained that she had gone to many shops in town today, and the cart had traveled quite a bit. Last time, she’d done the same.

“If you don’t take the thirty wen today, I’ll feel embarrassed to ask you to help with the cart next time.”

Zhao Laoer finally accepted the thirty wen.

After he left, Shen Xuezhhu began to talk with Aunt Yao.

“Aunt, don’t rush back home. I need to discuss something with you.”

Then, Shen Xuezhhu asked Lu Xiaoyue to bring a pot of tea from the kitchen.

Aunt Yao turned her head to look at Shen Xuezhhu.

“Xiaoshan’s wife, what do you want to talk to me about?”

“Let’s sit in the main room and talk.”

Aunt Yao followed Shen Xuezhhu into the main room.

Shen Xuezhhu took the pot of tea from Lu Xiaoyue and placed it on the dining table.

She then took a clean teacup and filled it with some tea.

After setting the teapot down, she brought the cup of tea to Aunt Yao.

Her movements were smooth and efficient.