"What's this?"

He squatted down and untied the ropes binding him.

Under the oilcloth is an old-fashioned sewing machine with a black body and gold patterns. Although some paint has chipped off, it is well preserved overall.

"oops!"

Wang Xiulan exclaimed in surprise and quickly walked over.

"Isn't this part of my dowry? I thought I'd sold it a long time ago!"

Su Jianguo touched his nose somewhat awkwardly.

"Things were tough back then, and I did consider selling them... but then I found another way, so I put them away."

Wang Xiulan's hand gently stroked the smooth surface of the sewing machine, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"So many years have passed..."

Su Yufen got off the stool and curiously came over.

"Mom, is this sewing machine still usable?"

"Of course."

Wang Xiulan's tone suddenly became proud.

"This is a 'Butterfly' brand from Shanghai. It was the most valuable item in my dowry. Your grandmother saved up her cloth coupons for three years to buy it."

Su Yuzhen also dropped her broom and ran over.

"Wow, this antique must be worth a lot of money now, right?"

Wang Xiulan immediately glanced at her youngest daughter warily.

"Don't even think about it, this is meant to be passed down through generations."

"Tch, who cares?"

Su Yuzhen pursed her lips, but couldn't help glancing at the shiny sewing machine a few more times.

Su Jianguo patted the dust off his hands.

"Alright, let's get back to work. Yuzhen, sweep that corner clean. Yufen, after you're done cleaning the windows, go help Mom; I'll move all the big items out."

The family got busy again.

The sun gradually rose higher.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Su Yufen's forehead, but she worked with exceptional enthusiasm.

Around noon.

The warehouse has finally been completely renovated.

The floor was swept clean, the cobwebs on the walls and ceiling were gone, the windowpanes were sparkling clean, and the sunlight shone in unobstructed, making the whole space much brighter.

"It's finally over."

Su Yuzhen plopped down on the threshold and fanned herself with her hand.

"I'm exhausted."

Su Jianguo stood at the door, looking with satisfaction at the completely emptied warehouse.

"That's good. This afternoon I'll go to the village to order a stone mill and find a few people to build a stove."

He turned to Wang Xiulan.

"You and Yufen go to the grain station and check out the beans. Buy a few dozen jin to try."

Wang Xiulan nodded.

"Okay, I'll teach Yufen how to pick beans."

"I want to go too!"

Su Yuzhen suddenly jumped up.

"Anyway, I have nothing to do at home."

Su Jianguo frowned.

"What are you doing? You're just making things worse."

"I'll go help Mom carry her things."

Su Yuzhen blinked, looking completely innocent.

"Dozens of kilograms of beans are so heavy."

Wang Xiulan glanced at her husband, then at her eldest daughter's expectant eyes, and sighed.

"Let her go; it'll be good for her to learn."

Su Jianguo nodded reluctantly.

"Alright then, but Yuzhen, you have to be good and not run around."

"Okay!"

Su Yuzhen happily agreed and ran inside to change her clothes.

After lunch, Su Jianguo rode his bicycle to the village.

Wang Xiulan walked to the grain station with her two daughters.

The sun was very hot today, but Su Yufen was in an exceptionally good mood.

"Mom, what should I pay attention to when making tofu?"

She took her mother's arm and said.

Wang Xiulan smiled.

"There's a lot to learn. First, let's talk about choosing beans. You need to select plump, golden-yellow beans that don't have wormholes or are too old..."

Su Yuzhen followed behind, kicking small pebbles on the roadside out of boredom.

"Sis, why are you taking this so seriously? Anyone can make tofu."

"What do you know?"

Wang Xiulan turned around and glared at her youngest daughter.

"To run a business, you have to be meticulous. Even with the same beans, different techniques can result in vastly different tofu."

Su Yufen nodded earnestly.

"Mom is right. If I want to run the tofu shop well, I have to learn it from scratch."

The three of them arrived at the grain station as they talked.

This is a red brick bungalow with a wooden sign that reads "Third Grain Station of Xicheng District" hanging at the door. Several elderly people were sitting in the shade of a tree outside the door, and they all cast curious glances at Wang Xiulan and her daughter.

"Sister Wang, are you here to buy grain?"

An elderly woman with her hair covered by a headscarf greeted him.

Wang Xiulan nodded with a smile.

"Yes, my daughter wants to open a tofu shop, so she's here to buy some beans."

"Oh, this is great news!"

The old lady's eyes lit up.

"It will be much more convenient for us neighbors to buy tofu from now on."

Su Yufen smiled shyly and followed her mother into the grain station.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the distinctive aroma of grains.

A middle-aged man was standing behind the counter, using an abacus.

"Comrade, I'd like to buy soybeans."

Wang Xiulan stepped forward.

The middle-aged man looked up.

How much do you want?

"Give me fifty jin first."