Just as Yun Tangyin finished registering the grain coupons that Fu Yuanshan had thrown at her, she saw Jiang Jianhua standing at the gate of the courtyard, clutching the key, his face flushed as if he had just been crying.
"Sister-in-law, here's the key to the vault." Jiang Jianhua shoved the key into her hand, his fingertips still trembling. "I've corrected the ledgers. Check if there's anything missing."
Yun Tangyin took the key, weighed it in her hand, and then glanced at the ledger: "Second sister-in-law, you're quick to make changes."
She suddenly stopped and pointed with her fingertip, "What's this about giving away three pounds of eggs to the neighbor? Why isn't the neighbor's surname written? Which neighbor? If Mom asks, I won't be able to answer."
Jiang Jianhua's face froze instantly: "It's... it's Aunt Wang from next door. She came to borrow soy sauce before, and I gave it to her on the spur of the moment."
"Oh? Aunt Wang?" Yun Tangyin closed the ledger, her smile meaningful. "If Second Sister-in-law can't remember, I'll go ask this Aunt Wang this afternoon?"
Jiang Jianhua hurriedly waved his hand: "No need, no need! I'll pay the difference!"
She gave him the money, clutched the hem of her clothes, turned and left as if a wolf was chasing her.
Yun Tangyin smiled as she watched her retreating figure. Just as she hung the key on the hook on the wall, she saw her sister-in-law Yu Xia standing at the door with a bamboo basket in her hand, steam rising from the basket.
They didn't seem to be just passing by; they looked like they came specifically to find Yun Tangyin.
"Yinyin, are you busy?" Yu Xia smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and placed the basket on the table: "I just steamed some brown sugar buns for you to have a little something to eat and try something new."
Judging from Yu Xia's reaction, she wasn't there when Jiang Jianhua started making a scene...
Yun Tangyin guessed her purpose, took the basket, smelled the aroma of brown sugar steamed buns, and smiled: "Sister-in-law, you are so thoughtful."
"What's the big deal?" Yu Xia sat down next to her, glancing at the keys on the wall before quickly looking away. "I just saw my second sister-in-law leave with red eyes. Did she upset you again?"
"It's nothing, just revising the ledger." Yun Tangyin picked up a steamed bun and broke it in half. "If you have nothing else to do, sister-in-law, why don't you take a look at this ledger for me? You've been here longer than me, so you must know more about it than I do."
Yu Xia's eyes lit up, and she quickly came over: "I don't know anything about account books, I'm just helping you read the numbers."
She pointed to the page with the fabric details: "The price of this Dacron fabric is the same as the listed price at the supply and marketing cooperative, but the cooperative has a new regulation this year that officers' families get a two-cent discount per foot of fabric."
Yun Tangyin raised an eyebrow: "Sister-in-law, you even know this?"
"I made clothes for Yuanzheng a while ago, and I went to the supply and marketing cooperative several times."
At this point, Yu Xia sighed: "Jiang Jianhua always likes to buy things through acquaintances, saying he can get a discount, but he always gets ripped off. Unlike you, Yinyin, you look like you know how to manage money."
She paused, then suddenly lowered her voice: "Actually, I've wanted to advise her for a long time, but she always says I'm an outsider. Now that you're in charge of the accounts, you're Acheng's wife, and you're family with us."
Yun Tangyin took a bite of her steamed bun and slowly raised the corners of her mouth: "Sister-in-law, please speak your mind."
Yu Xia rubbed her hands together, her face flushing: "Well... I'm thinking of changing jobs. I heard the military might be transferring people recently. Do you think you could ask Acheng to help me inquire?"
"Sister-in-law, weren't you doing quite well at the workshop?" Yun Tangyin asked knowingly.
"It's good, but I'm worried about not being able to take good care of my family since I'm always working night shifts." Yu Xia's eyes reddened, and she looked embarrassed.
"If it were a technical position, I could work day shifts and earn an extra two dollars. I know that requires connections, and if it's difficult..."
“It’s not difficult,” Yun Tangyin interrupted her, her eyes and brows full of smiles.
Yu Xia looked up abruptly, her eyes sparkling: "Really? That's wonderful! I'll start preparing tonight and see what I need. Just let me know..."
"But there's something I need to tell my sister-in-law." Yun Tangyin wiped her hands: "My second sister-in-law said her younger brother, Jiang Zhicheng, is coming to the Northeast. You know, she's been in charge of the household before. If he really comes, do you think I should take charge or not?"
Yu Xia's smile faded slightly: "Jiang Zhicheng? I've heard of him, he's quite arrogant."
“I’m not afraid of his arrogance, I’m afraid of him interfering in the Fu family’s affairs.” Yun Tangyin looked at her: “Sister-in-law, give me some advice. Should I prepare more food so that people won’t say the Fu family is stingy, or should I just ignore it?”
Yu Xia immediately understood: "You mean they want you to pay them money?"
She pursed her lips, looking indignant: "That's all Jiang Jianhua is good for. She even tried to use the cured meat my family sent last time as a gift."
"So I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on things, sister-in-law." Yun Tangyin handed her the remaining half of the steamed bun: "I'm thinking of having you keep track of the household purchases from now on, if you have time..."
"I'm free, I'm free!" Yu Xia quickly replied, "I'm also free at home, so it's only right that I run errands for you!"
She knew in her heart that Yun Tangyin wanted to recruit her as one of her own, and that she would definitely receive many benefits from the family in the future.
Just then, Fu Yucheng pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Yu Xia, he nodded slightly: "Sister-in-law is here?"
"I just brought some steamed buns to my sister-in-law." Yu Xia got up to leave. "You guys are busy, I'm going back to cook."
He turned back at the door and said, "If Yinyin needs to do any shopping, just call me anytime!"
Yun Tangyin watched her light and quick retreating figure and smiled at Fu Yucheng: "Sister-in-law is a sensible person."
Fu Yucheng walked over and put his arm around her waist, his eyes and brows full of smiles: "But you, you've only just started managing the accounts and you've already got an assistant, how clever of you?"
“If Mom scolds me, I’ll just say my sister-in-law can steam buns.” Yun Tangyin tilted her head back and pecked his chin. “Besides, Yu Xia is keeping an eye on Jiang Jianhua for me, so we can relax. Didn’t you see the look in her eyes when she was talking about Jiang Zhicheng? She’s been disliking those two siblings for a long time.”
Fu Yucheng chuckled softly, "You're still the best."
Then she changed the subject again: "If you've been wronged, remember to tell me, your second sister-in-law..."
Yun Tangyin waved her hand: "She's busy making clothes for Mom to please her right now."
Yun Tangyin leaned against him, her fingertips tracing the back of his hand: "Once she and Fu Yuanshan have raised enough money to invite Jiang Zhicheng, we'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy a couple more pounds of meat, so they'll know who's really in charge of the household."
Just then, Jiang Jianhua's voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Is your wife home? I've corrected the account books! There won't be any problems now!"
Yun Tangyin winked at Fu Yucheng: "Speak of the devil and he appears."
She called out, "Yes, come in."
When Jiang Jianhua pushed the door open, he was still clutching the account book in his hand. Seeing that Yu Xia had just left, his eyes flickered: "Did my sister-in-law just come by?"
"I delivered a basket of brown sugar steamed buns." Yun Tangyin took the ledger, opened it, and saw that the two characters "Aunt Wang" were crookedly filled in. She smiled: "Second sister-in-law's handwriting is really beautiful."
Jiang Jianhua's face instantly turned red. He stood there, clutching the hem of his clothes, as if he had something to say.
Yun Tangyin asked knowingly, "Is there anything else, Second Sister-in-law?"
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