Su Xueli stroked her hair tenderly and said, "Yan Yan, listen to me. From now on, love yourself and take care of yourself. You've suffered too much."
Yan Yan's tears welled up as she told Su Xue Li the truth, "After I earned these ten-odd yuan to buy things for my family, my mother took the rest, leaving me only with the initial capital... Xue Li, these past two market days, in this cold weather, I couldn't bear to buy a hot steamed bun. I only gave my younger brother two mao (0.2 yuan) to buy something to eat, and I ate a cold bun when I was hungry."
Su Xueli recalled a famous saying from later generations: "As long as you can endure hardship, there will be endless hardship."
She held Yan Yan's shoulders, stared into her eyes, and said, "Yan Yan, from now on, listen to me. Keep the money you earn for yourself. If your parents ask for it, just tell them you don't want them to prepare a dowry for you, and that you should buy your own. Then, every time you go to the market, buy whatever you want to eat. Eating dry bread and drinking cold water in the dead of winter will ruin your stomach, you silly girl!"
Yan Yan nodded, "Yes, my stomach has been upset these past few days. From now on, I'll just buy a hot steamed bun and ask people for some hot water. But if I don't give the money to my parents, they'll scold me to death."
Su Xueli said, "If they scold you, you can say something. You can use the money you earn to buy your own dowry. You'll be right no matter where you go."
Yan Yan wiped away her tears and said, "Next time I come back from the market, I won't give my mother any money, just try it..."
Su Xueli taught her: "Yanyan, you must be tough. Even if you give the money to your mother, they won't prepare a decent dowry for you. You might as well save the money. With money, you have nothing to fear."
In her past life, Yan Yan's marriage was truly shabby. Her husband's family didn't offer a single penny of dowry, and her parents didn't contribute a single cent. She didn't have any of the three essential items that other girls had, and she was ridiculed by her husband's family until she died.
After saying that, Su Xueli took out a dollar and handed it to her, "Yanyan, this is for the face cream."
Yan Yan immediately pushed it back, "Xue Li, this is a gift for you, I don't want your money."
Su Xueli said seriously, "Yanyan, your business is just starting out, this is me supporting you, you must accept it."
Yan Yan said, "Xue Li, this is a token of my appreciation; I'm not selling you any goods."
Su Xueli said, "This is to support your business, it's necessary, we'll talk about it later."
Yan Yan finally couldn't refuse and had to accept it.
Su Xueli picked up a walnut and said, "Come on, let's crack some walnuts and eat them. Yan Yan, have some pastries too. This is my room, so please eat whatever you like, don't be shy."
Yan Yan said enviously, "You're so lucky."
The two were eating walnuts and chatting when Cao Maizi pushed the door open and came in, smiling as she said, "Xueli, I stewed cabbage, vermicelli, and pork. Ask your sister if she has any dietary restrictions. Your dad also wants to stir-fry some cured pork. Should we add chili peppers?"
Yan Yan hurriedly got up and said in a flustered voice, "Auntie, I'm leaving now. I won't eat here. Thank you so much."
Cao Maizi said, "Oh, you silly girl, how can you leave after the food is cooked? You should at least have a hot meal. If you leave now, you'll be slapping my Xue Li in the face."
Su Xueli hugged Yan Yan and said with a smile, "Yan Yan, are you going home hungry in this cold weather? It's not like my in-laws are so poor they can't afford to feed you."
Then she said to Cao Maizi, "Mom, Yan Yan's stomach isn't feeling well, so please put less chili in."
"Oh, what distinguished guests have arrived? And they're picky eaters!" Wei Mingyue's sarcastic voice rang out.
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