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Su Zhi shared about their work making flower ornaments as headbands, but she carefully avoided mentioning the intricacies of their knot weaving work. She was adept at crafting flower ornaments, a skill she had mastered, but disclosing details about weaving knots would only lead to unnecessary complications. While she was willing to share about headbands, she was cautious about revealing all their sources of income, especially considering the demanding nature of the Shen family members compared to Shugen’s wife and the others. Su Zhi didn’t want to invite trouble by revealing too much.
“Fourth Sister, can you really make money with these headbands?” Shen Zhu asked in astonishment. She had seen these headbands before, worn by several girls. She had heard they were sold for just two wen each, made of fabric. While she found them attractive, she believed they couldn’t compare to the elegance of her silver hairpin and gilded hairpin. As a result, she had never considered purchasing one, let alone inquiring further.
The Shen family members were aware that Wang Shi, Li Shi, and Su Zhi were selling headbands, but they were surprised to learn how profitable it was, especially seeing the significant earnings made by Li Shi in just a few days. They realized that others must have made similar profits as well.
Su Zhi nodded and explained, “It’s been profitable, but these headpieces don’t wear out easily. That’s why we have a limited local market, and once people buy them, they usually don’t need more. After selling to most people, sales tend to slow down. Additionally, with others entering the market, competition has increased, making it harder for us to make as much money. After the New Year, we plan to stop selling them, and even if we continue, the sales will likely decrease.”
Shen Zhang Shi had initially been pleased about the headpiece business’s profitability, considering it as a potential income source for the family. However, her enthusiasm quickly waned upon hearing that the business was not sustainable in the long term, leading to disappointment.
Shen Zhu, on the other hand, wasn’t as disappointed. She had never held the headpiece business in high regard and wasn’t banking on it for wealth. However, she did acknowledge that Second Sister-in-law had managed to earn significant money at a crucial time, right after the decision to separate the households. Had this happened before the separation, the earnings might have been shared with the main family.
“Second Sister-in-law, I heard you’ve sold headpieces at several markets, is that true?” Shen Zhu asked, seemingly curious.
Li Shi’s expression changed slightly. She realized that when they started selling headpieces, it was before the family separated, and the money earned during that time could be considered shared with the main family.
Sun Shi, recalling the situation, chimed in with a smile, “I remember you attended several markets. I recall Big Sister and Second Sister-in-law working at Shugen’s place when the family hadn’t split yet. So, that money should belong to the main family. By the way, Big Sister, Second Sister-in-law made so much money. Shouldn’t you have made a similar amount? Why do you only bring back a small portion each time? Could it be that you also have hidden private funds?”
Wang Shi’s heart skipped a beat. She had been so focused on clearing Li Shi’s name that she had forgotten she had also been working alongside her!
Su Zhi didn’t wait for Wang Shi to respond. She intervened, saying, “Third Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t unjustly accuse Big Sister. Jumping to conclusions based on partial information isn’t wise. Just like earlier, you assumed the money belonged to Second Sister-in-law’s private funds and rushed to report it, without considering that it was earned post-separation. Now, you’re presuming Big Sister must have earned as much as Second Sister-in-law and accusing her of hiding funds. Making unfounded speculations like this can cause discord in the family, hurt our parents, and sow seeds of suspicion among siblings, potentially leading to chaos.”
Sun Shi retorted, “I’m not making baseless guesses. Shen Zhu already pointed out that Second Sister-in-law earned this money before the separation, indicating it should belong to the main family. Assuming it’s her private fund. Since Big Sister and Second Sister-in-law worked together, and Big Sister is just as capable, she must have earned a similar amount of money. If Second Sister-in-law has this much, so should Big Sister. If Second Sister-in-law’s funds are private, then Big Sister must be hiding funds too, especially since she never mentioned the separation. How is that a baseless guess?”
Li Shi and Wang Shi looked to Su Zhi, hoping she would come up with a convincing explanation to avoid losing their money and being branded as hiding private funds.
Su Zhi clarified, “I devised the headbands idea and taught both Big Sister and Second Sister-in-law how to make them. I paid them for their work, and I believe they must have handed over all the earnings to our parents. They haven’t hidden any private funds.”
Shen Zhang Shi nodded, confirming, “Yes, both of them hand over their earnings to me daily.”
Shen Zhu inquired, “But, Second Sister-in-law, why does Second Sister have so much money?”
Su Zhi explained, “That’s because when Second Sister-in-law separated from the main family. I noticed she’ll be moving out after the New Year, either buying or building a house, but she didn’t have the funds. Wanting to assist my Second brother and Second Sister-in-law, I observed the beautiful headpieces she crafted. I encouraged her to create more varieties. For each new design she created, I allowed her to work on that design exclusively. This resulted in her earning more money.”
Li Shi and Wang Shi admired Su Zhi’s intelligence, finding her reasoning sound.
Sun Shi, still hesitant, asked, “If you let Second Sister-in-law create new headpiece designs for exclusive work, can’t Big Sister do the same? You wouldn’t want them earning different amounts, would you? Big Sister, you must have earned a good sum of money too, right?”
Wang Shi sternly replied, “I went to help with the work. If we all gathered to work together, what would that result in? Fourth Sister-in-law was assisting Second Sister-in-law, and I didn’t need to assist anyone. Moreover, I don’t have the creativity to come up with new headpiece designs! If you can think of them, go ahead and make them yourself!”
Sun Shi fell silent upon hearing this exchange.
Su Zhi intervened, saying, “Third Sister-in-law, please don’t doubt Big Sister. She only received her earnings, just like the other sisters-in-law. Be cautious about spreading rumors outside. If you imply they’ve all struck it rich, it could lead to misunderstandings among their families and even escalate into disputes. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that.”
Although Shen Zhang Shi harbored some doubts, Su Zhi’s explanation was flawless, leaving her no choice but to trust her words.
“Ziping’s wife, you must refrain from spreading rumors outside. If I hear any gossip about headpiece profits circulating, I will have to have a word with you,” Shen Zhang Shi warned.
Reluctantly, Sun Shi nodded in agreement, contemplating the money that had now gone to the second branch. She couldn’t help but wonder if the main branch also had some money hidden away.
Shen Ziju, standing nearby, suggested, “Today is the New Year. Let’s set this matter aside for now. Let’s all enjoy a harmonious reunion meal together.”
Shen Zhu also chimed in with a smile, “Ziju is right. I’m hungry. Let’s have our meal.”
Shen Youfu’s expression softened slightly as he remarked, “Everyone should go do what they need to do. If you cause any more unhappiness during this holiday, you’ll be out.”
The group acquiesced and began heading outside.
Shen Youfu and Shen Zhang Shi went into the inner room, settling on the heated brick bed. Shen Youfu lit a cigarette, his expression somber, feeling that the recent events had disrupted his mood.
“Husband, don’t be upset. Getting angry over such trivial matters isn’t worth it. After all, they are our own sons, our own grandchildren. At least the issue didn’t become public. Let’s address it promptly and prevent any major disturbances,” Shen Zhang Shi comforted Shen Youfu.
Shen Zhang Shi comforted Shen Youfu and then sighed herself, expressing her concerns, “What worries me is Zi’an’s Wife. She’s quite cunning. No wonder Zi’an is tightly under her control now and no longer on the same page with us. If it weren’t for her, Zi’an wouldn’t have had to leave. We could have been a happy family. Just imagine how good that would have been. Now, even though Zi’an has wealth, he’s being held tightly. He wouldn’t even give a ginseng whisker to Ziju. It’s not how he used to be.”
Shen Youfu grunted. The memory of Su Zhi’s sharp retorts from earlier still irked him. Despite the rumors of her being a fortunate daughter-in-law, he saw her as nothing but a troublemaker for the Shen family.
Seeing Shen Youfu’s agreement, Shen Zhang Shi continued, “I didn’t want Zi’an to separate from us deep down. Although he’s not my biological son, I watched him grow up from a small child to a fine young man. I care for him deeply. It hurts me that he had to be separated just because of his wife. It weighs heavily on my heart.”
Shen Youfu looked at Shen Zhang Shi and noticed that although she was no longer the same charming young girl from before, her grace and warmth remained. Her gentle demeanor softened his sullen expression.
“Don’t be distressed. It’s his fate. He’s doing well now, and he should remember your kindness,” Shen Youfu reassured her.
Shen Zhang Shi smiled at Shen Youfu and replied, “As long as Zi’an is doing well, I find peace. I just hope his wife doesn’t distance him from us. I regret separating the second branch. At that time, circumstances demanded it, but now my heart feels empty, always yearning to bring them back. I even considered using the private funds issue to stir things up and possibly reunite us. But Zi’an’s wife foiled that plan. It truly hurts my heart.”
Observing the disappearance of the smile on Shen Zhang Shi’s face, Shen Youfu suggested, “This daughter-in-law of the fourth branch has been quite troublesome. Given the chance, we should discipline her and make her understand obedience. As for the second branch, don’t worry about them. It might be better to have them separated. Today, I’ve been thinking, perhaps it’s best to just go ahead and have them all live separately.”
Shen Zhang Shi was taken aback, wondering about Shen Youfu’s sudden decision to separate them all.