Chapter 164 Making Shoes
Yao Shula took Xiaotian to the Yao family's old house.
This was Xiaotian's request. A week ago, Xiaotian came to Grandma Yao and asked her to make two pairs of shoes.
"One pair for Grandpa, and one pair for Grandpa on the other side!"
Grandpa's birthday is next month, and it's going to be a big celebration. I want to give him a gift as a birthday present.
"Grandpa will definitely be there that day, so let's get him another pair as an early gift," Xiao Tiantian said to Grandma Yao.
Upon hearing this, Grandma Yao immediately took on the task without hesitation.
Today, Xiaotian asked Yao Shula to bring him here so that he could give Grandma Yao the money to make shoes.
"During this period, the two of us earned a total of seventy-six yuan selling popsicles."
They kept six yuan as principal, and split the rest between the two of them.
They each gave me thirty-five yuan, and then the two of them bought me and Shuxin a red scarf each, and bought two bottles of wine and two cartons of cigarettes for my uncle's family.
I also bought you malted milk powder and tea snacks.
"Now they're asking you to make shoes again. They're so young, they can earn money, but they can also spend it!" Yao Shula told Grandma Yao about Xiaotian and Yao Shuli.
Grandma Yao was so happy she couldn't stop smiling.
"That's a good child! He knows how to earn money and how to spend it! You've raised him well!" Grandma Yao said with a smile.
Little Tiantian laughed as she leaned closer to Grandma Yao.
"Grandma, here's ten yuan! It's for making your shoes. If it's not enough, I'll make up the difference when we distribute the money next month."
As Xiaotian spoke, he stuffed the rolled-up money into Grandma Yao's pocket.
Grandma Yao was a little surprised.
"Ten yuan! That's a bit too much. Grandma didn't spend that much money making these two pairs of cloth shoes. Take half of it back!" Grandma Yao said with a smile.
Little Tian shook her head violently.
"It's not much, but Grandma put a lot of thought into making it, so it's definitely worth the money."
Grandpa finds the shoes he buys outside uncomfortable, but Grandma made these according to my instructions, so they're definitely different.
"If there are too many, then... let's make two more pairs of insoles!" Xiao Tiantian said hurriedly.
Grandma Yao looked at Xiao Tiantian with a smile.
What a wonderful child! I wish he were my own child, so clever and good-looking.
And most importantly, she's meticulous!
He said that his grandfather lost two toes due to frostbite when he climbed a snow-capped mountain. Since he couldn't buy comfortable shoes outside, he always had them made.
My grandfather has high insteps, so regular shoes would constrict his feet, so the shoes needed to be made with higher insteps.
"Grandma has already made it for you, according to the size you specified."
Remember, this shallow one is for your grandfather. I made sure it wouldn't rub against your grandfather's injured toes.
These aren't low-cut shoes; they belong to your maternal grandfather. I raised the instep a little.
Shoes with multiple layers of soles become more comfortable and will also stretch out over time.
I've also prepared insoles for you. Just put on an insole when they're too big.
However, these shoes are better worn when the weather is not cold. When it gets colder, Grandma will make cotton shoes for your grandpa and maternal grandpa according to the size you gave us.
"These are all our heartfelt wishes for Tian Tian, aren't they?" Grandma Yao said, smiling at little Tian Tian.
Little Tian nodded vigorously.
Yes, we'll make cotton shoes in winter.
"Grandma's cooking is great, and she's even better! Grandma, I'm so lucky. First, I met such a wonderful older sister, and now I've met such a wonderful grandma." Little Tiantian showered everyone with compliments.
Grandma Yao couldn't stop smiling.
"Who wouldn't like you! You're so sensible and obedient, everyone would like you."
"By the way, did you buy anything for your father?" Grandma Yao asked with a smile.
Xiao Tiantian nodded immediately.
"I bought it! I'll definitely remember to buy things for Dad."
"What did you buy?" Grandma Yao asked curiously.
"Two pairs of nylon socks cost me fifty cents!" Xiao Tiantian held up his hand.
Grandma Yao...
Alright! It's the thought that counts, not the gift! How can you measure the affection between father and son by price?
This at least proves that Tian Tian still cares about her father.
"That's good, as long as the thought is there!"
Shura, when did Tiantian leave? When Chunnian came back that day, she said she had prepared snacks for Tiantian to eat on the way.
"We'll have to wait until his dad's not busy before he can take Tiantian back!" Grandma Yao asked Yao Shula in a low voice.
Yao Shula quickly shook her head.
"His father isn't going back, saying he's too busy with work to leave."
His brother will come to pick him up. They'll probably arrive in Yun County on the 6th, return to Shanghai on the 7th, and stay in Shanghai for about a week before coming back.
"When I come back, I'll be ready to start primary school," Yao Shula said with a smile.
Grandma Yao was a shrewd person; as soon as she heard Yao Shula say this, she immediately understood that there must be something going on.
"Okay! Once we start school, we won't be able to play like this every day."
"You have to take good care of the child since they're entrusting him to you. Tiantian will most likely go to university someday, so you'll have to keep a close eye on him," Grandma Yao whispered.
Yao Shula nodded.
"Grandma, I know."
By the way, my third sister-in-law must be busy at the restaurant every day now! I heard from my cousin Yamin that the restaurant she runs with her parents is doing very well.
"It's always packed with distinguished guests." Yao Shula changed the subject.
Grandma Yao smiled and nodded.
"Absolutely! Business is booming! Xiaochun goes there early every morning and doesn't come back until nine or ten o'clock at night."
They earn a lot.
I made money in the first month. I bought a pair of shoes for your aunt and a pack of cigarettes for your uncle.
He even secretly slipped me ten yuan; looks like he's making a lot of money.
Haven't you noticed how much your aunt has been walking on air these past few days?
She's incredibly diligent in taking care of the children and doing housework every day.
When Xiaochun came back in the evening, your aunt asked her if she wanted to eat something else.
Look, this daughter-in-law is earning more money, and even her mother-in-law's expression has changed.
Didn't your aunt keep saying that it was bad for Xiaochun to quit her formal job? Now it's completely different.
She said that Chun Nian made money by setting up a stall and doing business, and Xiao Chun also made money by running a restaurant. She said that nowadays, those who earn a fixed salary are not as good as those who do business.
She grumbles about these things every day, which infuriates her other three daughters-in-law. Grandma Yao and Yao Shula were talking about the situation at the Yao family's old house.
Yao Shula was amused when she heard this.
"I hope they don't start arguing again!"
"No, I'm here. They can't even start arguing."
"Since Xiaochun started working at the restaurant, she's become increasingly eloquent and articulate. Handling matters between sisters-in-law is a piece of cake for her," Grandma Yao said proudly.
Upon hearing this, Yao Shula decided to take her family members, including the younger ones, to Zhong Xiaochun's restaurant for a meal.
...
On August 5th, Lei Jingwu and Gu Changqing arrived in Yun County again.
They arrived at night, in a small truck loaded with quite a bit of stuff...
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