Song Erhai had disappeared again; instead, Zhang Shi and Song Sanya arrived.
Seeing that so many people had gathered around, and that even Li Guixiang hadn't gotten away with it, they dared not say anything more.
They quickly helped Li Guixiang up from the ground and returned to the old house.
Before they had gone far, Song Ning called out, "Dear uncles and aunts, our family has recently started a little business. As you all know, it's not easy to make a living these days. But since we're not here, there's no one to watch the house, and things are likely to be stolen. In the future, when we're not around, we hope you can help keep an eye on things. If anyone discovers a thief, I'll give him two coins."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Such a good thing?
"Don't worry, Er Ya, we'll keep an eye on things for you from now on!" someone in the crowd shouted first, and everyone echoed, afraid that Song Ning would change her mind.
"Then thank you very much, uncles and aunts."
The sun had already set before everyone left, and the family went back inside.
It was getting late, so the family ate dinner first.
Tonight's dinner is stir-fried greens, wild vegetable pancakes, and a bowl of soup.
During the meal, Song Ning told Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan about her idea: "Father, Mother, I want to go to the south to take a look when we sell cold noodles tomorrow."
Liu Yuelan paused: "Aren't we selling quite well here at the market? Why do we need to go south?"
“I’ve thought about it. We can split into two groups. Parents can stay here at the market, and I’ll go south.”
The two men exchanged a glance: "How can you manage on your own? Besides, your father and I don't know how either. What if we make a mistake in the calculations!"
"Don't worry, Mother. I'm thinking of finding someone else to go with me."
The two thought for a while without speaking, probably considering whether they could make it work. Neither of them had ever thought about separating from Song Ning.
Song Ning smiled and said, "Father, Mother, we've been gone for two days now. You'll definitely be able to manage."
Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan are just not used to doing business. These past two days, it has been Song Ning who has been shouting to attract customers. At first, they couldn't open their mouths, but later they would also shout a few words along with him.
Once you take that first step, there won't be any problems afterward.
Now Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan truly believed Song Ning's words. They had been somewhat worried, but hearing their daughter say this put their minds at ease.
Shocked, I found it surprisingly feasible.
"As for who to go with, how about Aunt Zhao? We've already hired Uncle Da Niu's oxcart, and Aunt Zhao doesn't have much to do during the day, so she can come with me. Uncle Da Niu earns six coins a day, and Aunt Zhao earns five coins a day, or six coins when things get busy."
People doing hard labor in town earn about fifteen coins a day, while those doing easier jobs earn ten coins. Some women's jobs earn about five cents a day, and the wages they pay are already quite reasonable.
After dinner, the family started counting the money again. Yesterday, they made more than a hundred liangpi (cold skin noodles). Excluding the samples, they calculated it as one hundred servings, at three coins per serving, so one hundred servings would cost three hundred coins. After deducting the cost, they still had more than two hundred and fifty coins.
The whole family's eyes were practically slits with laughter; it proved that the business was viable.
It was getting late, and the family stayed up all night making cold noodles. Song Dahai lit a torch, and with that little light, the family worked until the wee hours.
In all that busyness, I forgot to go see Aunt Zhao. Luckily, I won't be leaving too early tomorrow.
The next morning, as soon as Song Ning woke up, she heard people talking in the courtyard.
It was Liu Yuelan and Aunt Zhao.
Song Ning opened the door and went out. Aunt Zhao asked with a smile, "Is Er Ya up?"
Song Ning greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Auntie."
Aunt Zhao was in a good mood, so she started talking more: "Your mother told me that I should go to town with you. You can rest assured that I can do the work."
Liu Yuelan was afraid that Aunt Zhao would leave early in the morning, so she got up early to knock on the door. When Aunt Zhao heard that there was such a good thing, she agreed without saying a word.
Li Daniu's family consists of three people: his son, Li Xingwang, works in town and is not yet married; the couple usually have nothing to do at home.
My son is getting older and it's time for him to get married. If she could go out and earn money, he would find a wife soon.
“Okay, then Auntie will come with me today.”
Hearing Song Ning's affirmative answer, Aunt Zhao was relieved.
Aunt Zhao's family took good care of Song Dahai and his wife. When they first moved in, they wouldn't have been able to survive without Li Daniu.
She knew about the Song family's business dealings. Er Ya used to be such a terrible person that she sometimes couldn't stand it. But now Er Ya has changed; she's become more sensible and capable.
Now, in the Song family's business, the one who truly makes the decisions is Song Erya.
Aunt Zhao knew a bit about food, so she went home to wash her hands and trim her nails before preparing the food, making sure it wasn't unclean.
The two families were already quite familiar with each other, and Song Ning only thought of her because she trusted Aunt Zhao. However, some things still needed to be clarified to avoid any unpleasantness in the future.
How much cold noodles they sell each day and how much money they make are private matters that they cannot discuss with outsiders.
Aunt Zhao is very shrewd, just like Li Daniu; she knows what should and shouldn't be said.
In the past two days, many people have asked Li Dani about Song Ning and his business dealings, but Li Dani is tight-lipped, only saying that he was in charge of driving the carriage and knew nothing else.
"Don't worry about that. I know what I can and can't say."
With the matter settled, and seeing that there was still plenty of time before departure, Song Ning and Liu Yuelan did a few more things.
After having breakfast, and after a short delay, everyone finally set off.
Aunt Zhao went to do business today. When she got home in the morning, she changed her clothes and combed her hair neatly, looking much more energetic.
From Nanshan Village, it was closer to the market in the north of the town. Li Daniu drove the oxcart to take Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan to the market first, and then drove the cart south to a place with more people.
The southern part of the town is mostly shops, and further south there is a post station. There are many construction sites nearby, and quite a few people.
When Song Ning and his group arrived, it was just before midnight, and the workers were coming out one after another.
Hurry up and unload the things. Li Daniu didn't leave either; he stayed to help.
Once the stall was set up, Song Ning started calling out, "Liangpi (cold skin noodles) for sale! Cool and refreshing liangpi, free samples available!"
I heard that the inns here provide food, but it's just cold, hard, coarse steamed buns that cost two coins each. There's nothing else; you can only make do with some hot water.
It's hot now, and people are so busy they don't even have time to drink water. As soon as they came out, they heard someone shouting that they were selling cold noodles, and soon a crowd gathered around.
"I heard there's a place selling liangpi (cold skin noodles) over at the market. A bowl of it is so refreshing and cools you down in the summer heat, but it's too far away for us to reach," a man called out.
Song Ning smiled and said, "Yes, that's the one. We're selling here today."
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