"Chunxiao, how did you decide on this delivery? Tell us." Yan Dashan squatted down and looked at her. "We're not sure whether to go or not in this heavy rain."
Chunxiao looked at them and said, "We definitely can't go in rain like this. No matter how tightly we cover ourselves, we'll get wet. If it rains like this morning, or even lighter, we can go. I happen to have about 200 kilograms of charcoal at home, but I'm afraid the three of us can't carry it. I've tried, and the most I can carry is about 50 kilograms for such a long distance."
Yan Dashan suddenly laughed, "You underestimate a man's strength. 150 pounds is nothing for me and your second brother together."
"You think everyone is like your scholar? I don't think he can even carry 50 kilograms."
"What are you asking him to do, good brother?" Chunxiao glared at Dahe. "Okay, then tomorrow, depending on how hard the rain gets, the three of us will go. I only have two backpacks here, so bring two larger ones from home tomorrow. Otherwise, I'm afraid the 70-plus kilograms won't fit. Also, it'd be best to pad the sides with straw mats to prevent them from getting wet. I don't have many straw mats left."
"Okay, then when do we leave?"
"Let's go earlier, as soon as we can see the view. If we go later, I'm afraid the villagers will see us and ask questions."
After the general arrangements were made, the three of them watched her burn charcoal, unable to make out what she was doing, and left. As they left, Zhou gave Yan Bingfa the gray cloth and half a bag of cotton, asking him to take them back to his daughter-in-law.
"You have nowhere to dry your clothes. These shoes need to be dried today."
"Mom, move the table in the main room and make a fire over there. We have charcoal at home, so we can grill with it."
"I'd be crazy to use charcoal for grilling. Charcoal is so expensive." Zhou went to the kitchen and got a pile of firewood. "Are these also going to be burned as charcoal?" If so, she would have to use it sparingly.
"Those can be cooked, but they're light and won't last long. I'm afraid selling them to others will ruin my reputation, so I'd better keep them for cooking."
"Since it's not for burning charcoal, I'm relieved to use it. I didn't expect this firewood is so particular." She got some dry stalks from the straw shed. "I'll dry your shoes first. They're waiting to be used. If you're cold, come and sit down."
"Mom, since my brothers are leaving tomorrow, I'm thinking of buying some cotton and two more pots. I'll put one in the kitchen, and I'll put a stand on the other to use as a charcoal stove when it's cold."
"You make money, you have the final say."
Chunxiao hadn't expected Zhou to respond so readily. She smiled and said, "Don't call me a spendthrift!"
"Mother said that before because she didn't know your ability and was worried that you would live a miserable life without money. Now that I know you can make money, I will do as you say and do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Why bother with so much?"
For the first time, Chunxiao felt that her mother was actually very open-minded.
"Before, I thought that if I protected you, even if your sister-in-law and the others were unhappy, it wouldn't cause any big problems with me keeping them in check. The worst that could happen is that they'd hear some harsh words over time. I didn't expect you to be such a hard-working person and not give me any trouble at all. I'm really happy today."
"My sister-in-law and the others are all fine. I'm watching them."
"This is the same principle as the saying that there are no filial sons by the bedside of a long-term patient. Your sister-in-law and her husband are good people, but over time, if you always rely on them and they don't get any benefits, they will slowly complain and quarrel. Forget it, it seems that these things don't exist anymore. You should take advantage of this opportunity to save more money. Enjoyment is enjoyment, but future security is the most important thing. Who knows when something unexpected will happen."
Chun Xiao nodded, "I know, don't worry."
"We haven't lived together for a few years. You've changed a lot. You have a plan in mind. I finally feel a little more at ease."
Zhou was drying her shoes and clothes, and the mother and son chatted casually. When it was dark, Chunxiao finally finished her job of tending the stove. She washed her hands and went to the kitchen to cook. Zhou was originally going to cook, but Chunxiao said she wanted to make her own dumpling soup, so she didn't leave.
While eating, Zhou looked at the bowl full of thin noodles, and her eyes felt inexplicably sore.
Chunxiao saw that she was holding the bowl but not eating, "Mom, what's wrong? Is it not tasty? Next time, bring a few eggs from home. It's better with eggs."
"You're so extravagant, eating noodles and adding eggs. I'm already satisfied if I can eat it twice a year." Zhou ate the dumpling soup in her bowl with satisfaction. "I see there's more food in your cabinet. Did you buy more?"
"Yes, I bought another 20 kilograms of rice. I'll buy some every time I go to town. Mom, we shouldn't be too frugal in the future. The children are growing up, so they should eat well."
"You really don't know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are because you don't run the household. You think I don't want to feed them well, but do you know how much rice these seven people need to eat every day? At least three catties, which is 90 catties a month. Rice sells for 11 wen a catty and buys for 15 wen a catty. 90 catties would cost almost one tael of silver. That would cost more than ten carts a year. Which family can afford that?"
"Mom, didn't you say you wouldn't settle accounts?" Chunxiao teased her deliberately when she saw she was so excited.
"Mother may not be very detailed, but she probably knows this. You may not feel it by yourself, but it's a big problem to feed a group of people."
It was dark when the two of them finished their meal. It gets dark early in the winter, and even earlier on rainy days. Chunxiao lit an oil lamp and joined the team of people baking.
"Do you want to watch your charcoal stove tonight?"
"No need, just stay here until tomorrow afternoon, as long as there are no accidents."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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