"Aunt Xiao, are you leaving?" Wen Qing asked in surprise.

Aunt Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, I came here today to complete the property transfer procedures with you. I'll leave after that."

"Where are you going?"

Aunt Xiao smiled: "Go home and farm."

"You won't make clothes anymore?" Wen Qing asked.

Aunt Xiao gave a bitter smile: "The shop is gone, the sewing machine is gone, how can I make clothes?" Then Aunt Xiao said optimistically: "Fortunately, my son's life was saved, which makes me happier than anything else."

Wen Qing remained silent for a while.

Aunt Xiao turned around, picked up a quilt from behind the curtain, rolled it up, and stuffed it into a rough burlap sack.

Seeing that it was difficult for her to carry the things by herself, Yao Shiling quickly stepped forward to help support the burlap sack, saying, "Aunt Xiao, you don't need to be in such a hurry to move things."

Aunt Xiao smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Wen, I've troubled you and Wen Qing enough already. It's really inappropriate for my old, broken belongings to take up your space."

"No way."

As soon as Yao Shiling finished speaking, Wen Qing suddenly asked, "Aunt Xiao, do you still want to have clothes made?"

Aunt Xiao was taken aback. Of course she thought about it. She turned to look at Wen Qing.

Wen Qing said, "Aunt Xiao, would you like to stay and continue running Aunt Xiao's tailor shop?"

Aunt Xiao, holding a rolled-up quilt, slowly stood up: "But this shop is already yours, what's the point of me worrying about it?"

“If you help me keep it in check, and one day you save up six hundred yuan, you can buy the shop back, how about that?” Wen Qing asked.

Aunt Xiao was completely stunned, and stammered, "But, but, I can't save up six hundred yuan..." Six hundred yuan is not a small amount.

“You can do it,” Wen Qing said.

Aunt Xiao stared blankly at Wen Qing, completely baffled by his meaning.

Wen Qing said, "Aunt Xiao, you should know that as the living standards of people in the county town gradually improve, more and more people are making clothes, and our business is getting better and better. Six hundred yuan is not a problem."

"but……"

Wen Qing interrupted, "Aunt Xiao, I'd like to ask you to help me manage Aunt Xiao's tailor shop. You can still get three cents for every pair of shoes you sell. Apart from shoes, all profits from fabrics, clothes, needles and thread, etc., will be split 40/60 between you and me."

40/60?

Aunt Xiao stood there in shock. How could Wen Qing offer such generous treatment? Someone like her would only need ten or twenty yuan a month. A 40/60 split was too much of a favor. Wen Qing and Yao Shiling had sold their cow to save her son's life, which was already enough for her family to be grateful for. She couldn't be ungrateful.

"Wen Qing, this won't do. If you need help, just give me ten or twenty yuan a month. I absolutely cannot accept any profit sharing," Aunt Xiao refused repeatedly.

Wen Qing said, "Aunt Xiao, please listen to me. I'm going to Nanzhou in a little over a month. My mom can only come here to help during the off-season, so only you can manage this shop. If you agree to this, you'll be doing me a huge favor. You wouldn't want Aunt Xiao's tailor shop to close down, would you?"

"What are you going to Nanzhou for?" Aunt Xiao asked.

“My older sister is going to high school!” Wen Peng chimed in from the side.

Aunt Xiao turned her head and saw that Wen Peng was holding a slightly worn book with two large characters written on the cover: "History".

"Do you really want to go to school?" Aunt Xiao asked.

Wen Qing nodded: "Yes, I want to learn more knowledge and apply it to draw and make more beautiful clothes."

When Wen Qing spoke these words, her voice was steady, but Aunt Xiao could clearly feel her determination and the penetrating power of her ideals. She was deeply moved. She had long seen that Wen Qing was extraordinary, both in her handling of affairs and her abilities. Now that she was even more willing to learn, she would surely shine even brighter in the future. Wen Qing deserved better educational resources.

With that thought in mind, Aunt Xiao made her decision. Once Wen Qing started school, she wouldn't have time to earn money. As her benefactor, she shouldn't forget her benefactor after receiving a favor. She would take over Aunt Xiao's tailor shop, and the money she earned could pay Wen Qing's tuition. If she didn't take over the shop, Aunt Xiao's tailor shop would inevitably have to close, and then whether Wen Qing could pay her tuition would be a problem.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xiao did not hesitate any longer and boldly replied, "Okay, Wen Qing, don't worry, I'll take care of the tailor shop. I will definitely make money for you. As for the split, whether it's 40% or 60% or whatever, even if you only give me ten or twenty yuan a month, that's fine too."

Yao Shiling couldn't hide her joy upon hearing this. She had just been thinking how a waste it would be to close the shop if Wen Qing went to school, but now she had a solution!

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Xiao." She felt relieved. Aunt Xiao was willing to accept this request, which meant that the Wen family's living conditions would improve in the future, and she could also earn money through Aunt Xiao's tailor shop while at school.

After Wen Qing and Aunt Xiao discussed it, Aunt Xiao hurriedly took Wen Qing to the local police station with a pile of documents and certificates. In less than an hour, the transfer of ownership was completed.

Aunt Xiao paid off Wen Qing's debt with the house. Aunt Xiao felt relieved. She had plenty of houses in her hometown. As long as she could continue making clothes and have an income every month, she was quite happy.

Wen Qing held a property deed that read: No. 125, Huaning Street, Xincheng County, Nanzhou City, owner: Wen Qing.

Head of household: Wen Qing.

Wen Qing tried to remain calm, but she was still excited. She had a house and a shop; she could do what she wanted, help those she wanted to help, and be a woman completely different from her previous life.

"Wen Qing, thank you," Aunt Xiao said.

Wen Qing looked at Aunt Xiao and said, "I'll keep this deed for now. If you want it back someday, you can buy it for six hundred yuan."

"Yes." Aunt Xiao nodded, touched, and almost burst into tears.

“Let’s go back to the shop. Mom and Pengpeng are still waiting there,” Wen Qing said.

Aunt Xiao: "Okay."

The two quickly returned to Aunt Xiao's tailor shop.

Since Aunt Xiao's son has almost recovered from his illness, Aunt Xiao plans to start working at Aunt Xiao's tailor shop tomorrow. Wen Qing couldn't dissuade her, so she had no choice but to hand over the keys to her.

After Aunt Xiao returned to the hospital first, Wen Qing, Yao Shiling, and Wen Peng headed towards Shuiwan Village in the evening.

"Big sister, will that house in the county town be ours in the future?" Wen Peng asked.

“Yes,” Wen Qing said with a smile.

"Very good!"

Yao Shiling quickly said, "Xiao Wenpeng, don't go around spreading rumors." You know, there are so many eyes watching in Shuiwan Village; gossip can kill people.

"I know I can't flaunt my wealth," Wen Peng said, covering his mouth.

Wen Qing burst out laughing: "Showing off your wealth? Our family is so poor that one house has eight holes that leak when it rains."

Wen Peng laughed.

Yao Shiling explained, "That's how mud houses are. The roof is made of straw. The straw has to be replaced once a year, otherwise it will leak. It just so happens that Aunt Xiao came back these past two days, so I don't have to go to the county town. Wen Liang is also at home, so Wen Liang and I tied up the straw and replaced the old straw in your house first."

"Okay," Wen Qing replied.

The family of three chatted as they walked along the dirt road toward Shuiwan Village.

As soon as she got home, she saw Wen Liang sitting by the door picking bean sprouts. Wen Qing then remembered that the beans she planted at home had sprouted. During the process of planting beans, it is impossible for each bean to be evenly distributed on the ground. Many beans sprout in groups of three, four, five or six. In order to have a good harvest next year, it is necessary to remove the excess bean sprouts and leave the last one or two bean sprouts so that they can grow into bean stalks and bear beans.

So every year when the beans sprout, everyone goes to collect bean sprouts, which they then stir-fry or add to noodles.

However, tonight Yao Shiling chopped up the bean sprouts, sprinkled them with oil, salt, chili and other seasonings, and mixed them with coarse flour to make steamed potstickers.

While eating bean sprout pancakes, Wen Qing flipped through her political science book, thinking to herself that it was alright, she could understand politics and history.

After finishing her meal, Wen Qing started making shoes again. Along the way, she would sketch out good shoe designs in her sketchbook.

As usual, I didn't go to bed until late at night.

The next morning, Wen Qing woke up late.

Yao Shiling steamed some white flour buns for her to take to the shop. She carried a cloth bag and took a shortcut, bypassing the east end of the village and going to the west end, the place where the neighbors especially liked to cool off.

As usual, when she appeared, many people greeted her warmly, and when she left, people pointed and whispered behind her back.

"Wen Qing went to the county town again!"

"Look at what she wears every day, she's so vain."

"And the way she combs her hair. Look at all the girls in the village, they all wear two braids, or two big braids if they're a bit longer. But she wears a single braid. It looks awful."

"..."

Wen Qing heard these words, but instead of being angry, she smiled. Suddenly, she thought of an idea, a way to make Tang Quan Garment Factory sell its new clothes quickly. After walking on the dirt road, she smiled at her neighbors under the shade of the trees, and then walked quickly toward the county town.

Upon arriving in the county town, she went straight to Aunt Xiao's tailor shop. Before even entering the shop, she saw the Big Head Shoes Car parked in front of it.

"Wen Qing's here for work," the shoe repairman greeted her.

"Good morning, sir," Wen Qing said before entering Aunt Xiao's tailor shop.

Wen Qing entered Aunt Xiao's tailor shop and, sure enough, saw Tang Quan inside.

"Wen Qing, you've arrived. Mr. Tang has been waiting for you for a long time," Aunt Xiao said with a smile.

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Uncle Tang, you're here so early."

Tang Quan said, "The early bird catches the worm, let's go look at the clothes."

“Okay.” Wen Qing readily agreed. After saying goodbye to Aunt Xiao, she got into Tang Quan’s car and went directly to Tang Quan Garment Factory in Nanzhou City.

As soon as she arrived at the garment factory gate, she saw a truck parked there, unloading and loading goods. Amidst the bustling crowd, she spotted someone she desperately wanted to avoid: Ji Yanjun.

Ji Yanjun was standing by the car, smoking with his head down, occasionally looking up to remind others to handle it gently. As he was speaking, he turned his head and saw Wen Qing. He was stunned for a moment, then threw his cigarette on the ground, stomped it out, and walked over.