Chapter 401 The Closest Yet Most Distant Friend: Husband and Wife
Jin Zhenbao, who came from a privileged family and was lively by nature, returned home and started chattering away without being asked by Madam Jin.
“Mother, Mr. Li treated us to lunch today. We ate in a private room at a restaurant. There was a soup dish that was particularly delicious. I’d like to go with you next time.”
Jin Zhenbao washed her hands, then turned and grabbed the sleeve of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Jin family, leading her into the side hall.
After they sat down, Jin Zhenbao mysteriously approached Madam Jin. Madam Jin looked at Jin Zhenbao with a half-smile, then lowered her head helplessly, wanting to hear what secret Jin Zhenbao wanted to tell her.
“Mother, you don’t know how amazing Mr. Li is. After listening to what he said today, I suddenly realized the truth.”
Hearing this, Madam Jin chuckled inwardly: "You little thing, you've only grown old, but you haven't grown any smarts at all. What kind of sudden enlightenment could you possibly have?"
However, Madam Jin naturally wouldn't say these words aloud; instead, she pretended to be all ears.
“Mother, Mr. Li drew a picture, and now I know what that place looks like…”
"Mother, the teacher said that if we have a bronze mirror, we can get it ourselves to look at ourselves."
Madam Jin was shocked. She really didn't expect Li San Niang to be so bold as to not only say such things, but also draw a picture and tell people that they could see her!
Countless thoughts flashed through Madam Jin's mind. Finally, she pulled herself out of her thoughts and remembered the story of Li San Niang that she had heard from people on the street.
After thinking for a while and pausing, Madam Jin solemnly said to Jin Zhenbao, who had already started eating the pastries on the table, "Bao'er, although Mr. Li said so, you must not casually tell others about it."
I've only told my mother; I absolutely mustn't tell anyone else.
“Mother, I’m not stupid. How could I tell others about such a treasonous thing?”
The fact that Ms. Li was willing to tell us this shows that she genuinely considers us family. I wouldn't do something so foolish. I even dream of becoming a female doctor like Dr. Li someday.
Seeing that Jin Zhenbao knew what was important, Madam Jin was relieved.
"Wasn't it originally said that I would be a midwife and help people give birth?"
How could she possibly become a female doctor?
“Mother, Mr. Li’s disciple is also in the school, and he’s five years younger than me.”
If even such a young girl can do it, how could a mother who has raised such a clever child not be able to?
The teacher also said that if one studies well, it wouldn't be impossible to become a female doctor specializing in treating women's ailments in the future.
"Haha," Madam Jin laughed out loud, infected by Jin Zhenbao's confidence. "My son is clever; he will surely succeed!"
Didn't they say that Mr. Li assigned homework?
My son, you must study diligently and learn all of Mr. Li's skills.
After Li San Niang's midwife school opened its first class, the literacy school in the Women's Assistance Association also reopened.
Ping'er, the daughter of Lady Qiu who lived in the same alley as the Li family (who appeared in Chapter 327), got up early. The mother and daughter slept in the same bed. As soon as Ping'er moved, Lady Qiu felt it and was about to get up as well.
"Mother, lie down a little longer, I'll go boil some water."
Lady Qiu lay back down in bed. She was exhausted these past few days. If it weren't for her biological clock, which she was used to waking up early, she might not have been able to get up today.
Recently, Madam Qiu has been at the clothing workshop in the outer city, looking at the order for a batch of surgical gowns signed between the Women's Assistance Association and the Imperial Medical Bureau.
The mother and daughter ate the porridge and then shared a chicken before going out together.
Lady Qiu escorted Ping'er to the entrance of the Women's Assistance Association. After watching her go inside, she turned around and hailed a carriage to head to the outer city.
As soon as Ping'er entered, she greeted Li's mother and sister-in-law, and then took the initiative to fetch water to wipe the tables and chairs, and even put water on the stove.
After they had finished their work, Qin Niangzi and Chen Yanfu walked in one after the other.
"Ping'er, come and rest. I brought some snacks. Come and try them. How do they taste?"
Chen Yanfu has recently attended several classes at the school, and she and Qin Niangzi attend separately in the morning and afternoon.
Most of the people who come in the morning are young girls, mostly from the nearby streets, and some are young girls from the countryside who come to the city to sell goods and come in to listen to what's going on.
Because Qin Niangzi was more experienced, she taught the morning and afternoon sessions. Most of the attendees were older aunties and grandmothers, sometimes a dozen or so, sometimes only three or four.
At this point, Chen Yanfu took over. Unlike Qin Niangzi, she didn't teach all the commonly used characters, but rather things that could be used in daily life, such as personal names, fabric colors, accounting characters, or things like tables, beds, and chairs.
The teaching is slow; the goal is to eventually teach someone to write a text message.
Besides the steady development of the Women's Assistance Association's school, which made Li San Niang happy recently, she was also delighted that someone from Wuhoupu placed an order that earned her a lot of money.
"Since you, elder brother, facilitated this, we should share the profits with you."
Seeing that Brother Li was about to refuse, Li San Niang sat down and spoke to him gently, saying, "Although you ordered the muscle-relaxing powder from me, it's a long-term business. If it's just this once, I won't say anything."
If we can continue this business for a long time, it will be through your recommendation, and you will be the one to deliver the goods. You should share the profits with me, as you have also shared the risks with me.
Even between siblings like us, we need to settle this score.
Finally, it was Li's mother who spoke up, and Li's elder brother then signaled to Li's sister-in-law to put away the share of silver given by Li's third sister-in-law.
After Mr. Li said the party was over, everyone in the Li family returned to their respective courtyards.
Li Ersao sat on the bed, holding Xiao Wulang and coaxing him to sleep. She unconsciously patted Xiao Wulang with one hand, but in her heart she was wondering how much silver was in the bundle that Li Dasao had taken back.
The sound of Li Erxiong carrying hot water into the room startled Li Ersao, who was lost in thought.
Given Li Ersao's appearance, how could Li Erxiong, who had shared a bed with her for many years, not know what she was thinking?
However, Brother Li didn't bring up this topic. He wanted to see if Sister-in-law Li had learned her lesson from his harsh words last time and whether they could continue living together.
When their eyes met, Li Er's wife quickly whispered in defense, "I didn't want this money."
I know that has nothing to do with our family; it's not like we're doing it out of personal favors or taking any risks. Naturally, we won't get a share of that money.
What the couple said after they lay in bed is unknown.
But the situation was quite different for Brother Li.
"Third Sister is giving us a subsidy, I know that. We must keep a close eye on Eldest Brother and Second Brother in the future and ask them to take good care of Dewdrop."
As soon as Sister-in-law Li finished speaking, Brother Li nodded, "They are not heartless people, they will not forget their aunt and sister."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com