Widow Zhang's noodles were indeed delicious. If it weren't for the fact that she hadn't eaten yet, Ye Cheng could have finished both bowls.
While eating, Ye Cheng asked Widow Zhang to report on the recent income from crayfish. He hadn't paid much attention to it before and didn't really know the specific income situation.
As soon as Widow Zhang heard that Ye Cheng wanted to hear a report, she immediately scurried inside, took out a small notebook, and began to explain the report to Ye Cheng point by point.
Widow Zhang kept a very detailed record, noting down every single income item.
Currently, the daily supply of crayfish is around 100 jin (50 catties), and the daily income is around 1,000 yuan. After deducting the cost of the crayfish (120 yuan), the cost of seasonings and oil, the cost of pots, pans and other miscellaneous expenses, and the loss of dead crayfish, the net profit per day is about 600 yuan.
This month's income is 5,400 yuan. According to the profit-sharing arrangement, the Chen brothers will get 30%, which is 5,400 yuan a month, equivalent to 2,700 yuan per person per month. This is definitely a high income nowadays.
It's worth noting that even as a mid-level manager in a large corporation, Wu Bin, the class monitor, only earns a little over 3,000 yuan.
As for the others, Widow Zhang, Aunt Qian, and Jiang Yunxiang each earn around 1800 a month.
Ye Cheng really couldn't understand why the Chen brothers betrayed him even though he had given them such a high income, all because of their surname.
It seems that some things can't be achieved with money alone; you still need to have your own trusted confidants.
Ye Cheng looked at Widow Zhang, whose eyes held a hint of expectation. Ye Cheng knew that she hoped to gain his approval.
He smiled and patted Widow Zhang on the shoulder.
"Auntie, you did a great job and were very careful. It's a good thing you were here, otherwise this business would not have been able to go through."
A simple compliment stunned Widow Zhang, and then, for some reason, she burst into tears.
This startled Ye Cheng.
Don't do that! I'm just eating noodles at your place, and you're crying and sobbing. People will think I did something to you.
"Auntie, Auntie, why are you crying? I was just praising you." Ye Cheng was a little at a loss, not knowing how to comfort her.
"Ah Cheng, you, don't worry about me, I'm just a little agitated, I..." Widow Zhang suddenly broke down as she spoke, turned around and went into the room to cry.
The sobs gradually escalated from suppressed crying to unrestrained wailing, leaving Ye Cheng looking utterly helpless.
Xiao Liang looked at Ye Cheng, who looked at the child innocently. "Well, you saw it, right? I didn't scold your mother."
"Hmph!" Xiao Liang snorted coldly, then turned around and went inside to comfort Widow Zhang.
Damn it!
And they still hold a grudge?
Ye Cheng seemed to recall certain famous scenes: someone helps raise a child, and then the child comes back not only ungrateful but also kills the stepfather.
Damn it, later generations have said that you shouldn't marry a divorced woman with a son.
No, Xiao Liang needs to be properly disciplined in the future. I'm here to do good deeds, not to stir up hatred.
"Auntie, Auntie, it'll be fine if you cry a little to vent." Ye Cheng stood in the hall, rubbing his hands. It wouldn't be appropriate to go in, and it wouldn't be appropriate to leave her crying like this.
I should have just had rice for lunch today, why did I have to eat noodles?
After Ye Cheng offered a couple of words of comfort, the crying inside the house subsided, and Widow Zhang came out with red eyes.
"Auntie, if you keep doing this, I won't dare to come anymore," Ye Cheng said with a wry smile.
"No, Auntie, what are you afraid of not coming?" Widow Zhang wiped away her tears and quickly pulled Ye Cheng to sit down.
"Acheng, I just got a little emotional. I've never been very capable in my life, my husband died young, and I survive in the village by relying on the charity of other families. To support this family, I've resorted to all sorts of tantrums and begging... I..."
Widow Zhang couldn't help but sob softly again as she recounted her past hardships. Ye Cheng could only sit on the side, as he was truly not good at comforting women.
Fortunately, Widow Zhang only lost control of her emotions for a moment and quickly recovered. "Acheng, don't worry, those two bastards from the Chen family will definitely die a horrible death. As long as I'm here, I'll definitely keep an eye on the crayfish for you. No one will be able to take the recipe from me, and no one will be able to take advantage of the situation."
"Auntie may not have any other skills, but don't worry, I'll definitely remember the money."
Widow Zhang spoke with great passion, giving the Chen brothers, Zhang Fu and Chen Zhangfu, a thorough scolding.
Ye Cheng, in his later years, encountered many people, some in high positions, others struggling at the bottom of society. There's an old saying that goes:
The most righteous are often the lowly butchers.
If people truly know how to be grateful, those who will remember you are mostly from the lower classes.
If you treat them well, they will feel it and reciprocate sincerely.
Once you get to the higher levels, and they're dressed in suits and shirts, you really don't know who's a god and who's a devil. If you're nice to them, you might not get gratitude in return, but rather betrayal.
I thought there wouldn't be so much trouble in the village, but now it seems I need to find a few trusted confidants.
"Auntie, don't worry, things will be good from now on. We'll expand the crayfish business, then open a farmhouse restaurant, and make it bigger and stronger. Then everyone in the village will greet you with smiles, and no one will dare to laugh at Xiao Liang when he goes out." Ye Cheng began to paint a rosy picture for Widow Zhang.
Sigh, it has to be said that sometimes making empty promises is quite effective. Widow Zhang's eyes sparkled as she listened, and she began to fantasize about her wonderful future.
Noodles are delicious, but they have one problem – eating too many can cause dizziness from carbohydrates.
After leaving Widow Zhang's place, Ye Cheng went straight home to take a nap.
Go to sleep first, and don't worry about the birds flying overhead.
I woke up at 4 pm and my stomach didn't feel empty at all. Damn it, noodles are still the most satisfying.
I was planning to visit my older brother, but someone unexpectedly showed up at the door.
It was Duan Chunsheng who arrived, accompanied by Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng.
Duan Yong is alright; I see him often these days. But I haven't seen Yuan Jiansheng for a long time.
"Second brother, are you not busy?" Duan Chunsheng greeted him.
"I just woke up, what's there to be busy about? Uncle Duan, you're here so I'm not busy."
"Brother Cheng."
"Brother Cheng."
Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng greeted Ye Cheng. Duan Yong greeted him more naturally, while Yuan Jiansheng was a little timid.
"Come, sit down, Uncle Duan, is there something you need?" Ye Cheng asked the three of them to sit down.
"It's nothing major, I just thought you definitely can't use those two Chen boys anymore. What do you think of Duan Yong and the others?" Duan Chunsheng was still the same straightforward person, saying whatever came to mind. Ye Cheng liked this about him; he was honest.
Ye Cheng understood Duan Chunsheng's meaning: he wanted Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng to replace the Chen brothers and help him with the work.
To be honest, Ye Cheng really needs people right now.
Duan Yong is fine. After getting to know him over this period of time, he seems like a good person. And most importantly, with his father around, Ye Cheng can rest assured.
However, to be honest, Yuan Jiansheng hadn't had much contact with him and wasn't really that comfortable with it.
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