Grandma He asked Shen Xuezhul, “Xiaoshan, are you paying my daughter-in-law fifty wen a day for helping with the cured meat?”

Shen Xuezhul shook her head. “I can’t say.”

“Did I say too much?”

“You’re giving her forty wen a day, right?”

Shen Xuezhul shook her head again. “No.”

Grandma He realized she probably wouldn’t get anything from Shen Xuezhul, so she stopped asking.

“Fine, if you won’t tell me, I’ll just go back,” Grandma He said, and with that, she took Laibao’s hand and left.

As soon as Grandma He left, Aunt Jiang leaned closer to Shen Xuezhul. “Xiaoshan, why did you have Zhang Er’s wife help you with the cured meat?”

Shen Xuezhul told the truth. “I signed a contract with the tavern in town. They want me to deliver 100 pounds of cured meat every day.”

“I can’t make 100 pounds of cured meat by myself, so I asked Zhang Er’s wife to help.”

Aunt Jiang was shocked when she heard this.

“So, the cured meat you’re making is for the tavern? Xiaoshan, you’re amazing, you’re selling it to the tavern!”

“My eldest daughter-in-law is usually just idle at home, so I had her come over and help you with the cured meat. I’ll pay her 30 wen a day.”

Shen Xuezhul had enough help with Aunt Yao and Zhang Er’s wife, so she replied, “I’ve already asked Aunt Yao to help. With both Zhang Er’s wife and Aunt Yao, I have enough people.”

Aunt Jiang asked again, “Why only ask them to help?”

Shen Xuezhul, of course, couldn’t tell her the real reason.

“They live closer.”

Aunt Jiang thought for a moment and said, “But Zhang Er’s wife still has to take care of Laibao. She doesn’t have that much time to help you with the cured meat, does she?”

“My eldest daughter-in-law is different. My grandson is nine, and my granddaughter is seven. They don’t need much attention from my daughter-in-law, so she has plenty of time to help with the cured meat.”

“Why don’t you let Zhang Er’s wife stop helping? If Laibao cries, she’ll have to take him to play, and she won’t be able to focus on making the cured meat.”

Aunt Jiang was Zhang Er’s mother, so Shen Xuezhul didn’t want to be too blunt with her.

Shen Xuezhul smiled. “Grandma Jiang, if Laibao cries, Xiaomai and Xiaoli can play with him and keep him calm. I’ve already discussed this with Zhang Er’s wife.”

“Right now, Zhang Er’s wife doesn’t really need to watch Laibao much anymore. When Laibao takes a nap, Zhang Er can help put him to sleep, and Grandma He helps wash his clothes.”

Upon hearing Shen Xuezhul’s explanation, Aunt Jiang sighed, “Ah… I’m too late. If I had known you were selling the cured meat to the tavern, I would have sent my daughter-in-law to help you too.”

“Well, it’s fine. I’m going back to eat.”

……

After lunch, Shen Xuezhul started making the cured meat.

At this time, Aunt Yao arrived, followed by Song Guimiao and Tian Zhixiang.

“Big Sis, your kitchen smells so good!” Tian Zhixiang said, sniffing the air as the scent of the spices filled the room.

Shen Xuezhul glanced at her but didn’t say anything.

“I heard you’re making cured meat and selling it to the tavern in town,” Song Guimiao said as she looked around the kitchen.

Shen Xuezhul gave a brief hum in response, not wanting to talk to her.

Aunt Yao, who also didn’t like talking to Song Guimiao, was silently displeased. Song Guimiao often said unpleasant things.

At that moment, Zhang Er’s wife entered the kitchen.

Song Guimiao looked at Shen Xuezhul and asked, “Is she here to help with the cured meat too?”

Shen Xuezhul looked at her but didn’t respond.

By not responding, she made her point clear.

Song Guimiao snorted, “You’re letting them help you with the cured meat, but you didn’t ask your second sister-in-law to help?”

“I heard you’re paying them for their work? What a waste!”