Chapter 38 Three-Seven Division

The next day, before dawn, the brother and sister set off.

They found the black market with practiced ease, and as soon as they set up their stall, people gathered around.

"Is this pickled vegetable? How much is a jar? How does it taste?"

Liu Zhixia immediately opened a jar and handed over a bamboo skewer: "Comrade, you can try it, it's five cents a jar."

"Then I won't be polite!" The man took the bamboo skewer and tasted it.

The people around him were all staring at him: "How is it?"

The customer nodded repeatedly: "It tastes so much better than mine! Give me a jar!"

Liu Zhixia was overjoyed and quickly nudged the dazed Liu Xiangyang: "Brother, get the goods!"

Liu Xiangyang quickly handed over a can, and Liu Zhixia promptly accepted the money.

Seeing this, others also came over to try the food, but most of them were just there to watch and get a free meal; not many actually bought any.

With the sample can almost empty and only a few cans sold, Liu Xiangyang became anxious.

He pulled Liu Zhixia aside and whispered, "Little sister, too many people are just eating and not buying. How about we stop giving out samples?"

Liu Zhixia shook her head: "Brother, that's how business is. If you don't buy today, you might want to eat it tomorrow. The most important thing for us right now is to build a reputation and let everyone know what our pickled vegetables taste like."

Liu Xiangyang nodded as if he understood, but could only watch those who were freeloading with a pained expression, while still managing to force a smile.

Seeing that the bamboo skewers were almost used up, Liu Zhixia said to Liu Xiangyang, "When we run out of bamboo skewers, let's pack up and go."

“Okay!” Liu Xiangyang nodded immediately.

Once he used the last bamboo skewer, he packed up his stall at lightning speed.

After discussing it, the two realized they had actually sold quite a lot.

One can of samples was almost empty, but fifteen cans were sold!

I made a profit of seven yuan and fifty cents!

Liu Xiangyang stared wide-eyed.

Liu Zhixia said, "Let's go buy some more glass jars, so we can bring more next time."

"Okay!" Liu Xiangyang nodded excitedly.

The two bought the jars and quickened their pace back to the village, just in time for lunch at home.

At the dinner table, Liu Xiangyang excitedly recounted the events of the day.

Upon hearing that they had earned seven yuan and fifty cents, the whole family forgot to eat and stared at Liu Zhixia in shock.

Liu Zhixia said proudly to Zhang Xiuying, "Mom, I think we can make more kinds of pickled vegetables. Now that the farm work is finished, can you help me make them?"

Without hesitation, Zhang Xiuying replied, "Okay! But do you have that many dishes?"

"Yes! Don't worry, there's plenty!"

At this moment, Shen Hongmei excitedly shouted, "Little sister, we agreed on a 30/70 split!"

“I know, I’ll give the money to my older brother after I finish eating.”

Shen Hongmei's smile froze for a moment: "Just give it to me, your older brother doesn't handle money."

Liu Xiangyang glanced nervously at his mother, then said guiltily to his wife, "Honey, we've been together for so long, and you haven't saved a single penny. How about... I take over managing the money?"

Shen Hongmei's face immediately fell: "What do you mean I didn't save any money? It's because your little sister took all our money!"

"Ha," Zhang Xiuying sneered, "Shen Hongmei, do you really think I'm senile? I've known for a long time that you've been stealing money for shopping to support your family! You haven't even saved enough for Da Bao's schooling all these years, and you're blaming it on Lao San?"

Her eyes flashed sharply: "I told you before, if you two can't manage your money, then hand it all over to me! I'll keep track of your expenses, and you can come back for more when you need it!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongmei gritted her teeth and said defiantly, "Fine, then give the money to Xiangyang."

Giving the money to my husband is better than handing it over to my mother-in-law.

Although there was a slight unpleasantness, Shen Hongmei was overjoyed when Liu Zhixia handed two yuan and twenty-five cents to Liu Xiangyang.

This is much more money than she could make by secretly buying things in the dark!

Liu Zhixia took out another five yuan and handed it to Zhang Xiuying.

"Mother, take this money to pay off our debts."

Zhang Xiuying quickly waved her hand: "No need! This is between your father and me. Keep this money for your dowry!"

Without saying a word, Liu Zhixia stuffed the money into Zhang Xiuying's hand.

“Mom, this money was borrowed to pay for Grandma’s medical treatment. We must pay it back as soon as we have the money. Grandma loved me the most when she was alive, so it is only right that I help pay off the debt with the money I earn.”

“But before that…” Zhang Xiuying almost let slip the truth in her anxiety, her eyes filled with panic.

Shen Hongmei curled her lips and fanned the flames from the side: "Yes, Mother, Little Sister is right. Our family is in debt, but Little Sister is holding money in her hands. How disheartening it is for the neighbors to see this!"

She had her calculations crystal clear: once Liu Zhixia paid off the debt, all the money her parents earned afterwards would belong to the family. The second son wasn't home, and the fourth son wasn't married, so wouldn't the money ultimately end up in the eldest son's family's hands?

Zhang Xiuying looked to Liu Shouren for help; neither she nor her husband wanted to accept the money. If they did, it would mean that Liu Zhixia would have to pay off all the family's debts by herself.

Seeing the worried looks on the elderly couple's faces, Liu Zhixia continued, "Everyone's having a tough time right now, and the people who lent us money are also short on cash. Paying back this money will make things a little easier for them. Besides, shouldn't you two be thinking about how to save money for your fourth son's wedding?"

At this moment, Liu Xiangyang stepped forward and took out his two yuan.

“Father, Mother, my little sister is right. We will continue to do business and make money, but we can’t let the debts linger. I don’t have as much as my little sister, so you can take these two dollars.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongmei's eyes widened, and she hurriedly grabbed him: "Are you crazy? We only earn this much, if we take it all away, we'll starve!"

Liu Xiangyang glared at her fiercely: "Are you starving from eating and drinking at home? We're all family. As the eldest brother, I haven't helped with the debt repayment. Now that we have money, it's my duty to help!"

Shen Hongmei said with a mournful face, "Then Da Bao is studying..."

“You can start school next year! You’re not that old now. Wasn’t the fourth child eight or nine when he started school?”

Zhang Xiuying had an idea. She took the money from the two children and returned two yuan to Liu Zhixia.

"Alright, this time the debt will be paid by you two siblings."

She turned to Shen Hongmei and said, word by word, "My husband and I will keep a record of the money. When our third son gets married, we will return this money to him as part of his dowry. As for our eldest son, we will also return the money to you when we have it in the future."

Liu Xiangyang blushed: "Mom, it's just two yuan..."

"Alright!" Zhang Xiuying interrupted him. "Your father and I will go pay back the money. I'll say it was earned by the second son. No one is allowed to brag about the third son's business!"

As soon as the couple left, the courtyard fell silent.

Shen Hongmei, with a sullen face, said irritably, "It was clearly you two who put in the money and effort, but all the credit went to the second son!"

Liu Xiangyang glanced at Liu Zhixia in astonishment, then impatiently yelled at Chen Hongmei, "We're all family, why are you arguing about these things? Aren't you ashamed enough already?"

Seeing that Shen Hongmei was about to cause trouble again, Liu Xiangyang grabbed her and dragged her into the house.

In the courtyard, Liu Zhixia and Liu Xuejun looked at each other in bewilderment.

Liu Xuejun muttered, "This is the first time I've ever seen my brother so angry."