“Aunt, please have a cup of tea first. You’ve worked hard helping with the moving.”

In Aunt Yao’s eyes, Shen Xuezhuzhi was being very polite.

She smiled and said, “Oh, not at all.”

Shen Xuezhu also poured herself a cup of tea.

She took a sip and said, “Aunt, I have an idea.”

“Don’t I have to deliver 100 pounds of bacon to the town’s restaurant every day?”

Aunt Yao nodded.

Shen Xuezhu continued, “I can’t do 100 pounds of bacon by myself in one day.”

“What should we do?” Aunt Yao asked worriedly.

“So, I’d like to ask you and Second Sister-in-law Zhang to help make the bacon. I’ll pay you for your work.”

“I… I’m clumsy and slow. I can’t do it well, and if I mess it up, I won’t be able to pay for it…”

Shen Xuezhu knew that Aunt Yao lacked confidence in herself.

“I’ll show you step by step. After doing it once or twice, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s really simple.”

Aunt Yao still had concerns.

“What if I mess it up?”

“You don’t need to compensate. We’ll just eat it ourselves.”

“If I mess it up, I’ll feel embarrassed.”

“Aunt, if it goes wrong, don’t feel guilty. Even if we mess up, it will just be once or twice.”

With Shen Xuezhu’s reassurance, Aunt Yao felt half at ease.

“Alright, I… I’ll agree to help make the bacon.”

Finally, Aunt Yao was persuaded, and Shen Xuezhu poured her some more tea.

“Then please come with me to find Second Sister-in-law Zhang now.”

Aunt Yao nodded.

…

At Zhang’s house.

This was the first time Second Sister-in-law Zhang saw Shen Xuezhu and Aunt Yao coming together to her home.

She had a calm temperament and didn’t directly ask why they came together.

She just watched them curiously.

Shen Xuezhu spoke, “Second Sister-in-law Zhang, I have something to discuss with you.”

Grandma He, who was sitting on a bench, asked, “Xiaoshan’s daughter-in-law, what’s the matter with our Second Daughter-in-law?”

Second Sister-in-law Zhang moved two benches and gave one to Shen Xuezhu and one to Aunt Yao.

Shen Xuezhu thanked her and then responded to Grandma He’s question.

“I made a deal with the restaurant in the town today…”

Before Shen Xuezhu could finish her sentence, Grandma He raised her voice, “Xiaoshan’s daughter-in-law, is that true?”

“It’s true, absolutely!”

Grandma He suddenly stood up, “So you came to talk to our Second Daughter-in-law because…”

“I want Second Sister-in-law Zhang to help make the bacon! I’ll pay her every day!”

“I’ve signed a contract with the restaurant in the town to deliver 100 pounds of bacon to them every day.”

Grandma He clapped her hands together, “That’s great! Money every day!”

She rushed over to Second Sister-in-law Zhang, “Second Sister-in-law, hurry and agree!”

Second Sister-in-law Zhang looked at Shen Xuezhu, “I have something to say.”

Grandma He patted her on the back, “Agree first, then talk!”

Second Sister-in-law Zhang sighed, “I agree.”

She had no choice but to agree. Otherwise, her mother-in-law would scold her so badly she couldn’t eat.

She walked over to Shen Xuezhu’s side, “I just want to say, I’m slow at doing things, and I have to take care of the child. What if I can’t help you make 100 pounds of bacon in a day?”

Grandma He chimed in, “Can’t you be a bit faster? Don’t you want to earn money?”

“Aren’t I helping you with the child?”

Second Sister-in-law Zhang sighed again, “Mother, you only play with him.”

“I’m the one who gives him a bath, washes his clothes, puts him to sleep, and stays with him when he’s sick.”

“What about Aunt Yao? She takes care of two kids by herself and has agreed to help make the bacon. You’re just taking care of one! Why can’t you do it?”