Chen Niang took out his key and opened the door. The yard was also a mess. The three of them tidied up quickly. They didn't have much stuff, so they were ready to leave when there was a commotion at the door. Someone had arrived.
'Clang, clang, clang...'
"Open the door, you little brat..."
"Go open the door, I'll watch over Xiao Jiu'er."
Chen Niang nodded, opened the door, and quickly backed away. The person at the door lost their balance and almost fell.
“Little Niang, where have you been all this time? Come home with me now. Poor thing, your parents are gone. From now on, treat your aunt as your own mother.”
A plump woman with a face covered in white powder wiped her tearless eyes with a handkerchief, while reaching out to pull the aged wine, a strange smile playing on her lips.
Chen Niang stepped aside, glanced at the woman with disdain, and looked at the middle-aged man with a mustache next to her.
“You don’t need to bother with my sister and me. Please leave my house. Also, you took my things, didn’t you? Return them as they were, and I won’t pursue the charge of trespassing and theft.”
"What? You've got some nerve! You dare to report me to the authorities? I'll teach you a lesson!" Chen San lunged forward to grab Chen Niang's collar.
With a sweeping kick, Chen San fell to the ground.
"Ouch, it hurts so much! My bones feel like they're going to break! Ouch..."
The plump woman was stunned for a moment, then pursed her lips. She hadn't expected Chen San to be so useless. She went over and helped the man up, no longer bothering to pretend.
"You little brats, do you think you can run away today? Come back with us obediently, or I'll take action."
"Hmph, can't you understand human language? I said, return my things, or I'll make you regret it."
Chen Niang was young, and his words lacked any real force. The couple burst into laughter, completely unconcerned.
Chen San rubbed his bottom, thinking it must have been a coincidence. What strength could such a small child have? He glared at Chen Niang and said, "Come here and behave, or I won't beat you."
The plump woman walked over to Xiao Jiu'er and said, "Xiao Jiu'er, come here. Auntie will take you home and I'll cook you some eggs."
Unable to bear it any longer, Chen Niang went straight up to meet him, throwing a left hook and a right hook. Being shorter, he landed a punch on Chen San's stomach. Chen San suddenly bent over and delivered a side kick, sending Chen San flying. He crashed into the courtyard wall and couldn't get up.
The fat woman was startled and ran towards the door. Chen Niang grabbed her hem and threw her against the wall, where she collided with Chen San. Neither of them could get up.
"The things you took are worth ten taels of silver. Leave the silver and you can get out."
Chen Niang looked at the two who kept shouting and kicked Chen San with his foot.
Chen San looked at the young boy and felt timid. He took out some silver, struggled to his feet, and helped the fat woman toward the courtyard gate.
Chen Niang looked at the silver in his hand, a surge of joy welling up inside him. He had done it; no one could bully them anymore. And all of this was thanks to Sister Li. He looked at Xiao Li and handed her the silver.
"Sister Li, here you go. I will earn more money for you in the future."
Xiao Li pushed it back and then touched Xiao Jiu'er's little tuft of hair.
"Your sister has plenty of money, keep it and buy whatever you want."
Chen Niang then put the silver into his pocket. Chen Niang and his sister then took the two kinds of pastries to their neighbor's house. After returning, the three of them locked the door and drove the oxcart back to the village. Because of this delay, it was almost dinnertime when they got home.
As soon as Xiaoli entered the courtyard, she felt something was different. The courtyard was quiet, but there were clearly people inside the house, and a fragrant aroma wafted from the main room.
As she entered the main room, she saw a table full of dishes, and her parents and brother were all smiling at her.
Happy birthday!
Xiao Li was completely stunned. Today was her birthday?
Everyone brought out gifts, and even Xiao Jiu'er gave Xiao Li her most beautifully embroidered handkerchief.
Xiao Li was moved to tears. No one had ever celebrated her birthday before. She used to envy others who had the company and blessings of family and friends. She never expected that this would happen in this world.
"Thank you! Thank you everyone, thank you Dad, Mom, brother, Chenniang, and Xiaojiu'er..."
"Silly child, why are you crying? Today is your birthday, we should be happy."
Yun Yuniang held Xiaoli in her arms and wiped away her tears.
"My birthday is my day of suffering. Mother, today is your day of hardship, you are the one who has suffered the most." Xiao Li hugged her mother and said from the bottom of her heart.
"It's so kind of my darling to be so considerate. Mother's suffering is worth it, no matter how much it is." Yun Yu's mother felt very comforted. Mo Qingshan also looked at the two of them with heartache, thinking that her daughter was right. These were indeed her mother's days of suffering.
"Alright, everyone, let's eat quickly, or the food will get cold and won't taste good." Yun Yuniang looked at Mo Qingshan with embarrassment and gave him a reproachful glare.
Mo Qingshan chuckled, and everyone sat down to enjoy their delicious dinner.
~~~
As the weather gradually warms up, the family's chicken farm is taking shape, and the chickens are slowly starting to lay eggs. The whole family is busy collecting eggs every day, tired but happy.
Mo Qingshan had already made arrangements with the restaurants in town to sell the eggs to them, and to sell the eggs at a low price to them even when the chickens stopped laying eggs. So he went to town to deliver the goods every few days, and now the funds were back.
As the supply of eggs increased, the demand at the restaurants became saturated, and they had to find another sales channel. Yun Yuniang then thought of opening a shop in town.
Xiao Li has been thinking about opening a shop recently. She finally managed to rent a shop in the east of the city, but she hasn't found a suitable manager. She also needs someone of her own in town to look after the shop so that she can feel at ease.
Because Chen Niang frequently went to town to look for shops, he noticed that Xiao Li wanted to find a shopkeeper, so he recommended someone to her—his neighbor who had taken good care of him and his sister in the past and should be trustworthy.
Xiaoli thought it was worth a try, so she decided to go and meet him.
As soon as Xiaoli entered Wang Gui's house, she found it pleasing to the eye; the yard was clean and tidy. On the left were some vegetables, and on the right was a jujube tree that looked quite old.
Wang Gui and his wife Liu came out to greet the distinguished guest. Since Chen Niang had already mentioned it, they did not look down on Xiao Li because of her young age.
"Please come in, young lady, and have some tea to quench your thirst."
Wang Gui used to be the manager of a food shop, but he resigned due to some conflicts. Now he does odd jobs at home to earn some money for his family.
This young girl is quite young, but she has an extraordinary air about her; he has a good eye for such things.
Xiao Li followed her host into the main room and sat down. Liu Shi served her a cup of tea and a few snacks.
Xiao Li picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then directly stated her purpose.
"Uncle Wang, Chen Niang should have already told you. I've rented a shop in the east of the city, specializing in food. I need to hire a manager. The monthly salary is tentatively set at three taels, and will be increased depending on sales. What do you think?"
Wang Gui smiled and said, "It's my honor that you're willing to hire me. Xiao Niang told me that I'm ready to start work anytime."
Mrs. Liu was all smiles, her face full of gratitude.
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