She asked directly, "What exactly do you want to do with me? We're not close enough to have tea and chat, or for me to hire you to do my work."

Cheng was a little embarrassed, nervously clutching her collar. "I heard that you own a clothing shop in the city, sister?"

Hong Erniang paused for a moment before nodding.

"I wonder if your clothing shop is hiring at the end of the year? What do you think of me?"

Without a second thought, Hong Erniang refused, "No need, it's just a small shop, I can manage it all by myself."

After saying that, Hong Erniang fled in panic, fearing that Cheng Shi, that persistent pest, would stick to her again.

Honestly, how can this person's skin be thicker than a city wall? She's lived half her life and has never seen such a shameless person.

Cheng stood there, watching Hong Erniang's retreating figure, her heart filled with bitter hatred.

If even someone as dull as my sister-in-law can work in a clothing store, why can't she?

With her abilities, she's definitely more perceptive and capable than her sister-in-law, that blockhead.

I just don't know which clothing store my sister-in-law works at. Why don't she go and try her luck at the clothing store? Maybe she'll find something suitable?

Thinking of another way out, Madam Cheng breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Her mother-in-law didn't know she had lost her job, and her staying home for several nights in a row aroused the old woman's suspicion.

Cheng lied and said that the shop wasn't busy lately, and that he could come back at night and go during the day.

But her mother-in-law is very shrewd, and she doesn't know if the matter has been exposed.

It seems I need to find a new job as soon as possible.

After He Tiantian's family moved to their new home, their living and dining conditions improved dramatically.

Everyone worked even harder in the shop, and usually they would close up shop at the time set by He Tiantian.

But recently, firstly, business has been good, and secondly, everyone sees so many customers and wants to earn more for the shop.

They still get a fixed monthly wage, but everyone is willing to work overtime, which deeply moves He Tiantian.

She thought to herself that when the year-end holiday came, she would definitely give everyone a big red envelope.

That night, after closing the shop, everyone walked back to their residences.

On the wide street, there were only a few scattered people.

Most of the vendors who set up stalls during the day had already packed up. Only a few stalls remained, where the vendors were still looking around boredly.

On the way, He Shitou chatted enthusiastically with Zhao Xiaohe about his experience of setting up a stall.

It turns out that the marketing strategy they used to set up a stall at the entrance of the academy these past few days has been incredibly popular.

Adhering to the principle of small profits but quick turnover, they now produce two to three times more roasted sweet potatoes and tea eggs every day than before.

And there's also the dock area, where the customer who sampled the food last time brought a whole boatload of people to patronize their stall.

There must be at least a hundred people on a merchant's ship.

For the first time, Zhao Xiaohe and He Shitou felt that the oven and stove they had built were too small.

Many customers missed out on the meal that day, so they've been going to the shop very early every morning to prepare it for the past few days.

It's all so that I can roast more sweet potatoes and boil more tea eggs.

At this point, He Shitou suddenly reminded her, "Sister, there aren't many sweet potatoes and eggs left in the warehouse. I've been thinking about it, how about we go back to the village and buy some?"

"Those families with surplus grain are willing to sell it for some money at the end of the year."

He Tiantian readily agreed, "That's a good idea. When your brother Dahai comes tomorrow, talk to him about it. Ask him to pass on a message and have Dad help you buy some in the village."

"Okay."

He Shitou was very excited, and he had already set the price.

Sweet potatoes are purchased at three coins per pound, and eggs remain at the same price as before, one coin each.

This way, even after deducting costs, he can still make a little profit.

Mrs. Chen was very pleased to see that her son was becoming easier to raise and manage.

Now that Shi Tou can earn money on his own, the family's life is no longer as hard as before, which is great.

This Stone is almost of marriageable age, and he'll be a year older after the New Year. But so far, she hasn't seen him fall for any girl.

Could it be that this child's brain is as hard as stone, and he just won't get it?

As an elderly mother, Mrs. Chen was somewhat worried about her son's marriage.

She couldn't help but ask, "Shitou, your business is doing so well now. Shouldn't you start thinking about marriage? Have you taken a fancy to any girl?"

He Shitou blushed deeply at the question, while Zhao Xiaohe looked at him with a mischievous grin.

See? See? The worst thing about growing up is being pressured to get married. It's so annoying.

He Tiantian was also taken aback by her mother's sudden question, but then she thought that Shitou would be fourteen by the New Year.

In those days, boys were expected to get married and start families by the age of fifteen. Thinking about it that way, Chen's pressure to marry seemed quite reasonable.

He Shitou didn't know how to answer, and Zhao Yanniang urged, "Yes, Shitou, if you have a girl you like, you must tell us."

"Your aunt and other relatives are all here today, and we'll act as matchmakers for you. We guarantee your wedding will be handled perfectly."

Adults are most interested in their children's major life events.

Once this topic comes up, the conversation goes on and on, like an old woman's foot-binding cloth—long, tedious, and unpleasant.

He Tiantian walked at the front, keeping herself out of the situation.

He Shitou was left to receive the "marriage urging" from his aunt, his wife, and his own mother.

But as the conversation went, it veered off course.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!