A complex mix of emotions welled up in Meng Zhao's heart. She had been an orphan since childhood, and the warmth of parental love was something she could never reach. She knew that these two people were not her parents and that they did not love her, but she was still deeply moved when she saw their unconditional and selfless support.
She secretly resolved to cherish this hard-won relationship, eliminate any potential risks, and give these two characters, who could be considered antagonists in the story, a happy ending.
"Father and Mother, I want to set up a stall at the dock in the north of the city to sell some food." Seeing how supportive her parents were, Meng Zhao took the opportunity to express her idea.
Upon hearing this, Meng's father's eyes widened, and he cried out loudly, "What did you say? Zhao Zhao, when did you learn to cook? My poor Zhao Zhao, you've never cooked in fifteen years at home, and you've started cooking in just a few months at the Shen family! Zhao Zhao, you've really suffered. It's all my fault, it's all my fault."
Meng's mother hurriedly stepped forward, tightly grasped Meng Zhao's hand, and said with tears in her eyes, "Zhao Zhao, if you don't have money, just ask your mother for it. I'll give it to you. Why go through all this trouble?"
Seeing her parents' strong reaction, Meng Zhao felt both touched and helpless. She quickly grabbed their hands and kept explaining that she hadn't suffered and that she really wanted to earn money herself. Only then did they reluctantly agree to let her go into business.
He even planned to pay for her to rent a shop in the north of the city, but Meng Zhao strongly dissuaded him from doing so.
If Meng Zhao were to transmigrate into the body of a wealthy merchant's daughter, she naturally wouldn't refuse. However, Meng's parents earned their living through the hard work of slaughtering and selling pigs. Although they had some savings compared to farmers, renting an extra shop for her would still be a huge burden.
Moreover, if business is bad after renting a shop, the consequences will be more serious. It's better to start from a small stall, which requires less investment and allows you to accumulate experience.
Meng Zhao chatted with them for a while longer and then arranged a meeting with his father for tomorrow.
She was unfamiliar with the area and didn't know how to rent a stall, while Meng Dashan had many friends and connections here. If he took Meng Zhao to negotiate, things would probably go much more smoothly.
When Meng Zhao returned to the village, his parents were reluctant to let him go. His mother cut two catties of pork and asked Meng Zhao to take it back with him. She also told Meng Zhao to come and get meat whenever he wanted and not to worry about the money.
Fearing that his identity would be exposed, Meng Zhao did not dare to refuse too much and readily accepted their gifts, intending to repay them slowly in the future.
On the way back, Meng Zhao passed by a pastry shop and, remembering the pastries he had eaten at the Meng family's house, went in to take a look.
She had considered selling pastries before, but if she sold them at a food stall, she would inevitably not get a good price. Moreover, the shops in the county were all decades-old establishments, and competing with them would probably not be an easy task.
I bought a bag of glutinous rice cakes when I left, and it really hurt my wallet.
A single glutinous rice cake costs two coins, and a whole pack cost more than forty coins. The pastries that Meng's parents took out earlier looked much more exquisite than the glutinous rice cakes in their hands, so they must have cost even more.
Moreover, the money I'm spending now is all from the original owner's parents, so it seems I need to hurry up and make more money.
When they arrived home, Gu's mother and two children were there. Gu's mother had already ordered two truckloads of bricks, which cost exactly 200 coins. She would bring them over when her two cousins came over the next day.
Meng Zhao took out the snacks and put them on the table, then called the two children over.
Upon hearing the call, Shen Qingyu skipped and hopped out of the house. Shen Qingze lagged a few steps behind, but his face showed no sign of reluctance.
Once the two children reached Meng Zhao, she opened the packaging, took out two fragrant glutinous rice cakes, and handed them to the two children.
Shen Qingyu's eyes lit up as she looked at the pastry in her hand. "Sister-in-law, is this glutinous rice cake?"
Seeing this, Meng Zhao slowly squatted down, gazing tenderly at the adorable little girl in front of him. "It's glutinous rice cake. Has Qingyu eaten it before?"
"Yes, Father bought it before." The little girl nodded emphatically, then lowered her head, her eyes filled with sadness. "But I haven't eaten it in so long, Qingyu has forgotten what it tastes like."
Touching on the girl's sore spot, Meng Zhao didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only make empty promises, "When your sister-in-law and mother start earning money, Qingyu can buy you whatever you want to eat."
The little girl's eyes lit up again, and she said with her big eyes, "Thank you, sister-in-law! You're so kind! You should have some too." As she spoke, she handed the glutinous rice cake in her hand to Meng Zhao.
Meng Zhao smiled and pushed her hand back, "Sister-in-law has already eaten. This is for you, but you can only eat one piece a day. Don't let eating pastries interfere with your meals."
Shen Qingyu nodded seriously in agreement before putting the white glutinous rice cake into her mouth and taking a small sip.
So sweet, so delicious, just like the ones my dad used to buy.
Meng Zhao glanced at Shen Qingze, who was standing there in a daze, and gently raised his chin at him, his expression gentle, indicating that he should eat too.
After receiving Meng Zhao's affirmation, Shen Qingze no longer hesitated and took a bite.
My sister-in-law is right. She has really changed. Not only does she stop swearing, but she also speaks very gently and even gives him snacks.
Seeing the two children eating glutinous rice cakes, Meng Zhao took another piece, walked over to Gu Shi who was busy on the side, and handed it to Gu Shi, saying, "Mother, you should eat some too."
Madam Gu quickly declined, "No need, no need, Zhaozhao, you and the children can eat it. Mother doesn't like sweets."
Perhaps some people are born with a dislike for sweets, but Meng Zhao didn't think that Gu Shi really disliked them. She insisted on holding the pastries to Gu Shi's lips, looking like she wouldn't leave until she ate them.
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