Chapter 85 Sorry for the joke
The affirmation of family members is more effective than any panacea.
San Ya's worry about the troubles in the West Courtyard was completely put at ease, and she was full of energy.
The next day, Chen Kangbo went out early in the morning. Instead of going to the fields, he carried the piece of pork belly that Feng Lan bought yesterday and went straight to the best carpenter's shop in town.
He told the carpenter about his idea of making a small cart for his daughter to sell cold drinks. It should have a rack on top for pots and pans, and a small cabinet below for ice and charcoal. It should also be light and easy to push.
The carpenter was trying to ignore him at first, but when he saw the piece of fat and lean, greasy pork belly that Chen Kangbo placed on the table, his attitude immediately changed.
In this year of disaster, meat is much more valuable than copper coins and gold.
"No problem! I'll take this job! I promise to make it beautiful and easy for your daughter to use!"
Chen Kangbo prepared equipment for San Ya, while Feng Lan took Da Ya and Er Ya to help San Ya set up the small stall in front of the embroidery workshop.
A table and a few benches, simple but clean and tidy.
Sanya cooled the sour plum soup and mung bean paste with well water and poured them into a clean, coarse porcelain bowl. The bright red soup, paired with the emerald green bean paste, was refreshing even on a hot afternoon.
"Selling cold drinks! Fragrant and sweet sour plum soup, cool and refreshing mung bean soup! Don't miss it if you pass by!" San Ya shouted at the top of her voice, imitating the street vendors, without any stage fright.
The ladies coming in and out of the embroidery workshop, as well as the passers-by on the street, all gathered around curiously when they heard the sound.
"Little girl, how much is your sour plum soup?"
"Three cents a bowl! Auntie, I've been making this sour plum soup with black plums, hawthorns, and osmanthus for the whole morning. Please try it, I guarantee it tastes good!" San Ya deftly filled a bowl and handed it over.
The woman took a sip, and the heat instantly dissipated. The sweet and sour taste melted on the tip of her tongue, with a faint fragrance of osmanthus. It was indeed much better than what was sold elsewhere.
"It's delicious! It's really delicious! Give me another bowl so I can take it back for my husband to try!"
With the first person taking the lead, the rest of the business will be easier to do.
As bowl after bowl of cold drinks were sold, copper coins jingled into Sanya's money box. Her little face became rosy from being busy and excited, more beautiful than the morning glow in the sky.
After a few days, San Ya's stall became completely popular.
The cart customized by Chen Kangbo was also finished. The carpenter's craftsmanship was indeed excellent. The cart was exquisite and practical. When it was pushed to the street, many people stopped to watch, and it became a living signboard.
San Ya's life was fulfilling and promising, and Feng Lan felt at ease seeing this.
Today was the day to distribute dividends to the Second Concubine at the end of the month. The business at the embroidery workshop was booming, and this month's dividends were much higher than last month's.
Feng Lan wrapped the silver in red paper. Thinking that Daya was now the manager of the embroidery workshop, it was time for her to go out and see the world, she took her with her to the backyard of the county government office.
When they arrived, the second concubine was in the yard talking to a young man. The young man was about twenty years old, wearing a moon-white long gown, with a handsome face and elegant temperament. It was obvious that he came from a scholarly family.
"Sister Lan, Daya, you are here, please sit down."
When the second concubine saw them, she greeted them warmly.
"Aunt." Feng Lan and Daya bowed respectfully.
The second concubine smiled and introduced: "Let me introduce you, this is my nephew from my mother's side, Su Wenbin. Wenbin, this is the sister Feng Lan I often mentioned to you, the owner of Pingjiang Embroidery Workshop. This is her eldest daughter, Daya, who is now the head manager of the embroidery workshop!"
"Mr. Su." Feng Lan nodded neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Daya also bowed, her cheeks feeling slightly hot.
Su Wenbin's gaze paused noticeably when he saw Daya.
He stood up and bowed politely to Feng Lan and Daya. "Manager Feng, Miss Daya, I've long heard of your great names. Your aunt often praises you in front of me. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed worthy of the reputation you have earned."
He spoke slowly and calmly, which was very pleasant to listen to.
Feng Lan handed the dividend to the Second Concubine, who accepted it without even glancing at it. She took Feng Lan's hand and said, "Sister Lan, you are truly my lucky star. Wenbin came this time to give me an invitation for my mother's birthday. I was just worrying about what birthday gift to give, and then you came. Do you have any new and unique things in your embroidery workshop?"
"Just a few days ago, a new double-sided embroidery of a pine and crane prolonging life painting came out. I asked Daya to introduce it to you."
Feng Lan took the opportunity to pass the conversation to Daya.
Daya was a little reserved at first, but once she discussed the embroidery she was familiar with, she became confident and at ease. She spoke clearly and coherently, discussing the stitches and color schemes, the meaning, and the ingenuity of the embroiderer. Su Wenbin sat nearby, listening quietly.
He looked at the girl in front of him. She was wearing plain cloth and was not very old, but when she talked about business, there was a unique light flashing in her bright eyes.
This was completely different from the ladies he had met who only knew how to play the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting and were trapped in the melancholy of the inner chambers.
Before I knew it, it was lunchtime.
The Second Concubine warmly invited Feng Lan to dinner. Feng Lan wanted to decline, but the Second Concubine said, "It just so happens that I have some matters regarding the future development of the embroidery workshop that I want to discuss with you."
Having said that, Feng Lan could no longer refuse.
At the dinner table, Su Wenbin took advantage of a break between his aunt and Feng Lan's conversation to speak to Daya, "From what Miss Daya said just now, I can tell you she has quite a bit of insight into the management of the embroidery workshop. I'm sure she's a book lover, right?"
When Daya was asked this, her face turned red again and she answered in a low voice: "I... I haven't been to school much. I just learned a few words from my mother and I can do some accounting."
"That's quite remarkable," Su Wenbin exclaimed sincerely. "It's rare for an ordinary woman to be able to read and write. But the fact that she can put her knowledge into practice and manage such a large embroidery workshop is truly admirable."
These words made Daya feel as sweet as eating honey, and she lowered her head even lower.
The second concubine watched the interaction between the two, and her heart was as clear as a mirror. Her nephew was very picky. He was already twenty years old and still had no engagement. The family was almost worried to death. The look on his face today clearly showed that he had some intentions.
She put a piece of food into Su Wenbin's bowl with her chopsticks and said casually, "Wenbin, you are not a child anymore. Have you thought about your lifelong event when you go back this time? Your mother is looking forward to it every day!"
Su Wenbin's face also turned slightly red, but he still answered generously: "Aunt, marriage is a big matter. Although the parents' decision is important, my nephew hopes to find a woman who is compatible with me and can communicate with me."
When he said this, he glanced at Daya subtly.
Feng Lan was such a shrewd person, how could she not see the trick here? She was a little surprised, but she kept a straight face. She just picked up the teacup and drank it silently without saying anything.
After the meal, Su Wenbin saw Daya was about to leave with Feng Lan. Finally, he couldn't help but muster up the courage to step forward and asked, "I haven't asked for your name yet, young lady?"
Daya was caught off guard by his direct question and was completely stunned. She had been called "Daya" since she was a child, so there was no such thing as a "good name". Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she subconsciously hid behind Feng Lan, unable to utter a word.
Feng Lan saw this and smiled to Su Wenbin, saying, "Excuse me, Mr. Su. I'm shy."
After saying that, he took Daya and said goodbye to the second concubine and left.
Su Wenbin looked at Daya's hurriedly dodging back. Not only did he not feel offended, but he found it somewhat cute, and a smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.
On the way back to the embroidery workshop, Feng Lan looked at her eldest daughter who kept her head down and looked unhappy, and sighed in her heart.
"Daya, are you still thinking about what happened just now?" Feng Lan slowed down her pace and asked softly.
Daya was silent for a long while before she said in a barely audible voice, "Mom, am I... embarrassing you?"
"Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about."
Feng Lan stopped, turned around and looked at her seriously.
Daya's eyes suddenly turned red. She raised her head, her voice filled with grievance and inferiority: "He asked me what my name was... I... I don't have a name. Daya, Erya, Sanya... What kind of names are these? If I tell others, they will only make people laugh."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
