Chapter 56

She quickly understood the reason.

The children’s table was quickly emptied, and after eating, they ran outside to play. The men’s table had just started eating due to drinking, while the women’s table had already finished eating and were helping to clear the tables.

Once the tables were cleared, they all sat down again neatly, full of joy.

“Aile’s daughter-in-law, tell us more about what you just mentioned.”

It was Mrs. Lu who spoke first.

With the children playing outside, the courtyard was relatively quiet. The men at the other table also heard, and Shi Erlang turned to look. Seeing the women’s table was particularly lively, his wife’s eyes were shining. He asked, “What are you talking about?”

Others didn’t bother answering him; they were all looking at Sang Luo. His wife whispered to him, “Did you try the tofu on the table, the white and green ones? They are made by Aile’s daughter-in-law’s recipe. She’s asking if we would like to buy them.”

Shi Erlang suddenly became interested.

Sang Luo didn’t keep them in suspense and explained briefly about their previous experience of selling fairy tofu and vegetables in the county. She said, “There are two markets in the county, and you need to pay market taxes to enter. You can sell in the lanes of the county or in the markets of Sanli Village and surrounding villages. While tofu may not be affordable for everyday consumption at two cents each, occasionally someone might buy.”

“As for me, making fairy tofu before and now adding regular tofu, to be honest, the hardships of famine and the past few months have depleted my physical strength. Making these foods takes too much time, and I don’t want to travel back and forth twenty miles to the county every day to sell. This time, everyone contributed to building the house, and I don’t have much to repay everyone, so I thought of asking you if you’d like to take some tofu from me to sell, similar to Aunt Arita, as a means of livelihood.”

“We’re willing! Why wouldn’t we be!”

This time, even before the women could respond, the men eagerly agreed.

Only a fool would refuse such an opportunity for income.

In the countryside, besides farming, there weren’t many ways to earn money. Working odd jobs in the county was an option, but it wasn’t easy. There might not always be work available, and if one went into the city and couldn’t find work, they’d have to pay a penny as an entry fee.

After the households of Shi and Lu expressed their intentions, Sang Luo continued, “So, let me explain the terms from my end. The fairy tofu and regular tofu from me will cost you three cents for two pieces. When you sell them, it’ll be two cents each. For every two pieces sold, you’ll earn a penny, a profit margin of two and a half percent. It might not sound like much, but from my experience, they sell well. Previously, selling only fairy tofu in the county could earn around fifty to sixty pieces a day. Of course, my situation can only serve as a reference for you. Business success depends on individual effort, talent, and luck; I can’t guarantee that you’ll sell well.”

Everyone nodded in understanding. Mrs. Lu smiled, “We understand the logic.”

Sang Luo then explained that the fairy tofu could be sold for about a month, while regular tofu could be sold throughout the year. She said, “It’s quite labor-intensive, and I can’t supply much at the moment. So for now, I can only provide each of your households with a portion of the goods. Of course, if you think you can’t sell that much, you can ask for less to reduce the risk of food going bad in your hands. Just let me know the quantity the day before, and I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Shi Erlang, who had been somewhat apprehensive, nodded repeatedly, “That’s right. Let’s start steadily, try selling, and then gradually increase.”

Mrs. Gan asked, “Are there any other requirements?”

Sang Luo nodded, “Yes, Aunt Arita sells in the East Market, so we shouldn’t encroach on each other’s businesses. Therefore, if you take from me, you shouldn’t go to the East Market in the county. You can decide among yourselves who will go to the West Market or sell in the lanes. I won’t interfere, but it’s best not to be in the same location, as it will only lead to competition, and no one will benefit.”

“As for pricing, stick to my set prices. Don’t raise them arbitrarily; maintaining consistency in pricing is key to sustainable business. These are my main requirements.”

All three families agreed. They were already acquainted, and business shouldn’t ruin their relationships.

Mr. Lu said, “We’ll discuss it tonight and decide who will engage in this business. Once the busy farming season is over, we’ll organize this.”

With this matter settled, the men were eager to return home to discuss. The pace of eating noticeably quickened.

After they finished, the women helped to clear the tables and wash the dishes. Sang Luo looked at the remaining food. Because there were many guests, there wasn’t much left besides chicken, duck, and braised pork. She picked a few pieces and gave them to the other three families. “It’s too hot today, and the food won’t keep. Just take a few pieces to treat the kids.”

It wasn’t a gesture of goodwill; due to her past life’s experiences, she avoided leftover food, especially from previous meals.

So even if there was only one piece of money left on her, there were still two eggs at home, as well as soybeans, and plenty of vegetables sent by various households that hadn’t been used yet. She needed a small basket.

So she didn’t worry about food, and she divided it happily.

…

The lively atmosphere in the courtyard dispersed at the end of the day. At this time, every corner of the courtyard and kitchen had been tidied up by a group of people because Sang Luo had divided the remaining food among the households. Even the tables, benches, bowls, and plates were all carried back, and the courtyard was cleaned without her having to do anything with her two little ones.

Even that group of children helped to fix the fences of the vegetable garden outside.

Each household was busy with farm work, and Sang Luo was too busy today. The courtyard was also crowded and chaotic, so she didn’t go to pick the leaves of the fairy tree. Only the two liters of soybeans she bought during the day would suffice. She decided not to bother tonight and just take an early bath, rest, soak the soybeans before sleeping, and grind them into tofu early in the morning when the rooster crowed. Just in time, they could have fresh and hot tofu for breakfast.

On one side, a few sisters-in-law went to the backyard to feed the chickens and ducks, took a comfortable bath, and lay down early in bed to sleep.

On the other side, the Chen family was fine, but the Lu family and the Shi family were destined for a sleepless night.

The Shi family was excited, while the Lu family was distressed.

…

Wang Chunniang wiped her tears in the room.

“Mother is too biased. It was you and the sons who went to help Sang’s family build the house. It should have been me who went, right? But no, she insists on sending the younger sisters-in-law.”

Mr. Lu felt overwhelmed. Originally, he was quite happy, and his wife didn’t say anything when they were outside, but now that they were back in the room, she wouldn’t stop crying.

“Whether you go or the younger sisters-in-law go, isn’t it the same? It’s all about the family’s livelihood, and the money eventually ends up in Mother’s hands, right?”

Wang Chunniang was angry, “How can it be the same? That’s actual money in hand. Even if you sell a bunch of wild vegetables on the road, it’s still money. What can I get at home?”

Mother always wanted to save some private money, and Mr. Lu knew that, but it was difficult to save up. He chose to turn a blind eye, too lazy to say anything.

But now suddenly there was a job that brought money into the household every day, and his wife specifically assigned it to the younger sisters-in-law. Seeing the opportunity to touch money slip away from her, his wife didn’t dare to say anything outside, but once they returned home, she cried endlessly, making him feel troubled.

Mr. Lu didn’t support it, but he didn’t know how to calm her down.

After wiping her tears for a while, Wang Chunniang, seeing her husband remain silent, said, “Go talk to Mother, let me go instead. The second sisters-in-law doesn’t like to talk much, so where is she suitable for doing business? I don’t think she wants to go either.”

Mr. Lu shook his head, “I didn’t see that the second sisters-in-law didn’t want to go. She’s just worried she won’t do well. Aunt Tian doesn’t like to talk either, right? But isn’t she doing well? Our father asked before, she earns more than thirty wen a day. The second sisters-in-law sits in the weaving room every day. I think Mother’s arrangement is good. It also lets the second sisters-in-law go out and move around. Perhaps her mood will improve over time.”

At this point, Mr. Lu looked guilty, and his voice softened, “We’ve burdened the second sisters-in-law too much. You are the eldest sister-in-law. Don’t argue with the second sisters-in-law. Don’t argue about anything.”

Wang Chunniang was choked up, only able to wipe her tears and sulk in silence.

After crying for a long time, her eyes were swollen the next morning.

Mrs. Lu went into the kitchen, and in the dim light of the oil lamp, she could tell at a glance.

She didn’t say anything, waiting for her daughter-in-law to go out and fetch firewood. Then she said, “What’s the matter? Are you not happy about my decision to let your younger sisters-in-law sell tofu? You’re not happy staying at home to weave cloth?”

Wang Chunniang kept quiet.

Mrs. Lu said, “If you’re not satisfied, speak up. Whether it’s reasonable or not, I’ll listen. If it’s reasonable, I’ll go along with you. If it’s unreasonable, you’ll have to settle down without holding that grudge.” 

This one sentence seemed to touch a nerve in Wang Chunniang, or maybe she really felt wronged, and she finally spoke up.

“If you’re letting me speak my mind, then I’ll say it. Mother, this business opportunity was originally given by Sang’s family to my husband and the others who helped. My husband and my children helped, so shouldn’t it be me who goes? Moreover, considering the personality of the younger sisters-in-law, they are not as suitable as me. So I just can’t understand.”

Mrs. Lu glanced at her. “It’s not that you can’t understand, it’s that you’re not willing to accept it, right? Your husband and your children helped, so you should have the right to reap the benefits. Did you also say these things to Liu Niang before going to the feast yesterday?”

Wang Chunniang didn’t expect the old lady to know about this matter. Her face changed slightly, and she avoided turning her face away.

Mrs. Lu lightly scoffed, “Wang Chunniang, sometimes you have to have a conscience. Your husband? Your children? Where did Liu Niang’s husband go? Where did Erlang go?”

Wang Chunniang’s body trembled imperceptibly.

But Mrs. Lu wasn’t going to let her off. “Where did Erlang go? During the conscription, according to the rotation, it should have been your husband who went because of you crying, because of your tantrums, because you held the child and threatened to kill yourself. In the end, Erlang went in his brother’s place. Did Liu Niang readily let her husband go at that time? Did she not have a child? Ah Xu is only a year younger than a stone!”

“Mother,” Wang Chunniang’s lips trembled slightly, “My husband almost lost his life repairing the canal in the first winter. His body was ruined. Mother, I was afraid that his body would be ruined before he even reached the battlefield.”

Mrs. Lu’s eyes filled with bitterness when she mentioned her second son. She blinked away the bitterness in her eyes, glanced outside the kitchen, nodded, and said in a subdued voice, “Yes, you cherish your husband, you have your reasons. So Erlang went in place of his elder brother. Even though Liu Niang shed tears, she didn’t cause a scene.”

“Now that Erlang is gone, Liu Niang and Ah Xu have lost a husband and a father, becoming widows and orphans.”

“Wang Chunniang, how dare you! How dare you use your husband and son as an excuse! If Erlang hadn’t gone in place of his elder brother, would Liu Niang have lost her husband? Would Ah Xu have lost his father? Would he still be five years old without a brother or sister? How dare you?!”

Mrs. Lu’s final question, though subdued, was imposing, and it frightened Wang Chunniang. She trembled and took a half step back until she leaned against the stove before she could steady herself. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Mother, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t say those words to the second sister-in-law. I just complained to the eldest daughter-in-law. I didn’t know she would tell the second sister-in-law. For these years, the second sister-in-law has been blaming me, hardly saying a word to me, never giving me a good look. I never dared to say anything, Mother.”

Mrs. Lu chuckled at her, “What’s the matter if she doesn’t give you a good face? It’s only been a year, and Erlang’s bones aren’t even cold yet. Do you expect her to smile at you?”

“You didn’t say anything, so what else do you want to say? You’ve got a guilty conscience like no other.”

“Now that you’ve asked today, I might as well make it clear to you. If you hadn’t said those words to your sister-in-law yesterday, thinking about your temperament, perhaps I would have considered letting you continue with the tofu business. But since you said such things, don’t even think about it in the future.”

“If you say I’m biased, then I am. You have a husband and four sons, you don’t lack my little bit of affection. But I have to support your sister-in-law; after all, she only has Ah Xu now. If you still don’t understand or accept it, then spend more time weaving cloth in the future. Weave cloth quietly, think slowly. If you can’t figure it out in a day, then take a month. If a month isn’t enough, then take a year.”

Not far from the kitchen, Feng Liuniang didn’t go to fetch firewood. She stood there for a while, listening to her mother-in-law talk about men, hearing her mother-in-law defend every word, tears streaming down in clusters.

She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand, took a moment to compose herself, and then quietly went to fetch firewood.

Her mother-in-law was right. She still had Ah Xu; she couldn’t indulge in grief all the time. She had to stand up, for the sake of her child, she had to stand up.