Chapter 88 Money is a girl's courage
Shi Xiaoai did not answer Cheng Lin immediately, but looked at Wang Xiaofeng.
She said, "Xiaofeng, I want to ask if you have any plans for the future?"
Seeing Wang Xiaofeng's bewildered expression, she explained, "I promised Aunt Liu before that I wouldn't tell anyone about you helping me with my work here, so I've only had you in charge of making pancakes. This way, you'll be working most of the time at home, and even if you occasionally help out at the tea stall, I can find an excuse to get away with it.
But next I’m going to launch a new product, and I’m planning to move the pancake-making job to the tea stall, so I want to ask about your plans.
If you don't mind, you can come work with me at the tea stall. If you mind, then you and Cheng Lin can switch jobs. You will be responsible for the business at the school gate, and he can help me.
"I don't mind, sister. I'll follow you to work at the tea stall." Wang Xiaofeng answered without hesitation, her tone very firm.
Shi Xiaoai waved her hand and said, "Don't rush to answer this question. Go back and discuss it with Aunt Liu and Uncle Wang first, and tell me the result tomorrow morning. This is not a trivial matter, Xiaofeng, you should treat it seriously."
Although Shi Xiaoai believed that her business would grow bigger and better in the future, she also knew the pressure she would face at this stage if Wang Xiaofeng decided to do business with her.
This matter really needs to be communicated with my family in advance, otherwise there will definitely be complaints in the future.
She admired Wang Xiaofeng's abilities, but choosing the right partner was crucial in a business partnership. She didn't want to end up in a mess because of hiring issues.
Hearing her say this, Wang Xiaofeng immediately stood up and said, "Sister, I will definitely follow you. No one can stop me. I'm going home now to tell my parents. I'll be back soon. Wait for my reply."
After saying that, she stood up and left, her movements were extremely decisive.
Shi Xiaoai hadn't expected her to react so strongly, and she didn't even have time to tell her, "Go home and talk properly!"
The man left without looking back.
Looking at Wang Xiaofeng's back, Cheng Lin was also surprised.
He turned to look at Shi Xiaoai and asked doubtfully, "Sister-in-law, is there anything wrong with working with you?"
Shi Xiaoai sighed and said in a mature tone, "You don't understand."
Cheng Lin scratched his head and said nothing more. He really didn't understand.
In the compound where their family lived in Beijing, there were indeed no people doing small businesses, but there were many people doing "business" through various relationships.
He heard that many people made a lot of money by reselling various coupons. When his group of childhood friends occasionally talked about it, their tone was full of envy.
So in Cheng Lin's concept, he never thought that doing business was something shameful and needed to be hidden.
Shi Xiaoai originally wanted to explain tomorrow's arrangements to the two of them, but because of Wang Xiaofeng's sudden departure, she couldn't say anything else for the time being.
She thought about it and could only change the subject.
"Cheng Lin, I haven't had time to ask you yet, what are your plans for the next step?"
Without waiting for Cheng Lin to answer, Shi Xiaoai waved her hand and said, "Don't even mention setting up a stall with me. Do you have any other plans besides setting up a stall? I mean long-term."
“Just setting up a stall?”
Cheng Lin looked confused: "I just want to follow you and my brother. It's okay to set up a stall or do something else. As long as I can support Kaikai and me, anything is fine."
Because she had already expected this answer, Shi Xiaoai was not surprised, but expressed her thoughts directly.
"You can follow me if you want, but if you work with me you have to follow my instructions. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" Cheng Lin agreed readily.
"Okay, then I'll borrow a set of junior high school textbooks tomorrow, and you can start studying with Kaikai and the others every night. You can study on your own first, and come and ask me if you don't understand. I don't have high expectations for you. I just hope you can get into a technical secondary school when you take the night school entrance exam in August."
Since deciding to keep his two younger brothers, Cheng Yang started choosing a suitable school for Kaikai.
It’s just that it’s the middle of the semester now, and key primary schools are unwilling to accept transfer students, and they don’t want to go to poor schools.
The couple discussed and decided to let Kaikai stay at home for half a year, with Shi Xiaoai helping him study on his own, and then he would take the entrance exam in September next year.
When Kaikai was at home, he was in the second grade of primary school. At this age, he only learns a little, so as long as he pays attention at home, there will be no problem of catching up.
So now Cheng Lin would come over at night and find some work to do in the kitchen, but Kaikai completely stopped him from coming.
Shi Xiaoai stipulated that he, Mingxi and Mingrui had to finish the homework assigned by her before they could do anything else.
Hearing that he would have to study like his brother in the future, Cheng Lin's eyes widened in shock, and then he cried out miserably: "Ah? Why? I don't want to! I don't want to go to school!"
Shi Xiaoai squinted at him and asked, "Who said they would follow my instructions?"
Cheng Lin: "Apart from studying, I can do anything!"
As he spoke, he moved the stool in front of Shi Xiaoai, tugged at her sleeve, and shook her vigorously as if she were his own brother, coquettishly saying, "Sister-in-law, you're the best, please forgive me. I don't know anything I learned in junior high school anymore. I've forgotten everything. I don't want to learn. Why should I learn it? I'm not planning on getting a job. I just want to start a business with you. I'll follow you forever. You don't need a diploma to do business!"
Shi Xiaoai wouldn't fall for his tricks.
She slapped the little thing's hand away with a look of disgust and sneered, "Who are you looking down on? Who told you that you don't need a diploma to do business with me? You're dreaming!"
Don't begrudge me this small business. I'm sure it will get bigger and bigger! I'll definitely hire more and more people.
In the future, I won’t accept people without skills, and I certainly won’t accept people without education. Who knows, one day I might not even accept college graduates!
Hearing her say this, Cheng Lin pursed his lips.
He didn't dare to refute, but just pulled Shi Xiaoai's sleeve and shook it hard, but his expression was full of disbelief.
That expression - it was obvious that Shi Xiaoai was bragging.
It is normal for Cheng Lin to have such thoughts. After all, college students are all in high demand nowadays.
You can directly enter the government after graduation, and no matter how many good units you line up for, you can’t get one!
Would such a person come to a tea stall to do business?
Cheng Lin didn't even dare to think about that scene.
Shi Xiaoai saw his doubts but did not explain.
There is no way to explain this!
She could only continue, "Everything else is negotiable, but this one is not. You have to go to school. And this isn't just for you. Everyone in our family has to go to school. The three of them have to go, your brother has to go, and I have to go too. So of course, don't even think about running away."
Let's go take the night college entrance exam together in August. I'm sure I'll pass. If you don't, don't work with me anymore. Just study at home. We'll talk about other things when you pass."
"I won't! I won't do it! I can't pass the exam!" Cheng Lin protested desperately again.
"You have to do it even if you don't want to! Listen to your sister-in-law on this matter. If you dare not obey, you will be beaten to death!"
Cheng Yang was about to come over to help after finishing his work, but before he even reached the door, he heard what his wife said.
Hearing Cheng Lin screaming in the house, he pushed the door open and walked in, immediately scolding him.
After saying that, he slapped Cheng Lin on the head.
Cheng Lin, who was being filmed, let out a cry and dared not resist anymore.
After dealing with his brother, Cheng Yang turned to look at his wife: "Just do as you say. If this thing doesn't obey, just beat it! Just leave it with a breath, don't worry about anything else!"
Cheng Lin: “…” Feeling wronged and helpless.
"Yeah!" Shi Xiaoai suppressed her laughter and nodded vigorously, then cast a smug glance at Cheng Lin, whose face was full of despair.
In a previous life, Xiao Ai graduated from C9 University and even went abroad to study for a dual degree. He spent most of his life floundering in the ocean of knowledge. But before he could even reach shore, he was gone.
Such an experience made it impossible for her to bear having a 17-year-old out-of-school boy at home!
Even if it was caused by historical reasons, she still felt that Cheng Lin must continue his studies.
Of course, it is a bit unrealistic to let Cheng Lin go to school now, and he can't keep up.
But you have to continue learning even if you are not in school.
She specifically asked someone and found out that night colleges are very popular now, and they offer a wide range of majors, targeting a wide range of people.
Not only those with high school education can study here, but also those with junior high school education can study here.
So, she had to send Cheng Lin over there for a few years of re-education.
As for herself, Shi Xiaoai wants to study law, and if she has the energy, she also wants to take the accounting exam.
These are things that you must master in the future when your career develops.
While Shi Xiaoai was discussing her future with her husband and younger brother, Aunt Liu's family across the street was also having a heated discussion about her daughter's future.
"I don't agree!" Aunt Liu was the first to express her attitude.
"Your father and I have agreed that after he finishes this month, he will discuss early retirement with his employer and give you his job. Even if the conditions at the coal yard are poor, it's still a formal unit. It's definitely better than following others in business!"
"What am I going to do in the coal yard? To haul coal for other people like my dad? I won't do that! I can't even pull that coal cart!"
"I don't necessarily think you'll be asked to pull a coal cart. There are so many young men in the yard! I remember that the girls who take over the shift usually stay in the yard to work, counting numbers and so on. Are they the ones in charge?"
Aunt Liu said this and gave the man a light kick.
Uncle Wang moved aside after being kicked by her, but did not respond to her.
It wasn't until he realized his wife was really anxious that he finally said, "I'll talk to the director tomorrow and see if he can think of a way to keep you working in the field."
Wang Xiaofeng didn't believe her parents' promise at all!
She knew that her mother was saying all kinds of nice things at the moment, mixing truth with lies, with only one purpose, which was to get her to find a decent job.
Her father didn't lie, but he wouldn't refute what her mother said.
She could only express her attitude again: "Dad, don't go tomorrow. It's useless to go. Our family doesn't have that much money for you to give gifts, and people won't like the things we give away. You don't have to lie to me. The work in the coal yard is also one carrot, one pit. If you retire, the person who takes over your position will definitely do your original job.
Even the leaders’ children can’t find a job as a countant, let alone a family like ours.”
"Besides," she looked up at her mother, "Mom, don't you know how my dad's legs and waist got damaged? Are you willing to let me ruin my body like my dad before I even get old? I'm your own daughter, and you don't care about me at all? Are you willing to let me pull such a heavy coal cart and be covered in dust and dirt every day without any girlish look?"
Her words hurt Aunt Liu's heart, and the old lady burst into tears.
She immediately burst into tears: "Your parents are incompetent! I don't want this to happen either."
Wang Xiaofeng wiped her mother's face with a handkerchief and said, "Mom, don't cry. Do you have the ability to not look at this? What does it mean to have ability? Does my sister Xiao Ai have the ability?
A lesbian who raised two children on her own, who could stand up and fight with Shi Laoer's family, who could earn money to support her family, and who could even afford to build a house...
Is she quite capable?
She is such a capable person and she chose to do business, why can't I do the same?"
"You and little Abby? Aren't you still unmarried?" Aunt Liu said anxiously.
"If you follow me and start a business, who will respect you and who will date you in the future?"
"Is it okay for me to not be in business? I stay at home every day, not making a penny, and even have to ask you two for money to buy toilet paper. Isn't that shameful? Is it okay for someone to date me?"
"Isn't that asking you to take over your father's job..."
"And then you'll get eighteen dollars and twenty-five cents a month, work yourself to death every day, and make yourself sick early?" Wang Xiaofeng interrupted her mother without any hesitation.
Aunt Liu stopped talking.
Wang Xiaofeng did not continue to dwell on this topic. She turned around and went back to her room, and soon came back with a small wooden box.
Aunt Liu and her husband both knew that this was the box where their daughter kept her private money.
Because she was their eldest daughter, both of them doted on her. Even though they knew that their daughter had made money, they never asked her how much she had, let alone asked her for it.
So I was a little surprised to see her take out the cash box.
Wang Xiaofeng pushed the things on the table aside, then opened the box and poured out all the money inside.
With a rustling sound, small piles of banknotes of various denominations piled up on the table, forming a small mountain, mixed with silver coins.
Because Wang Xiaofeng's commission is calculated on a per-point basis, most of the wages she receives every day are in small-denomination bills.
In addition, she didn't deposit the money in the bank, so it was really shocking to see more than 60 yuan poured out like that.
At least Aunt Liu and Uncle Wang were shocked.
Wang Xiaofeng said, "This is a total of 68.24 yuan. This is what I earned in the past 20 days following Sister Xiao Ai, and this doesn't include today's income. In addition, because of house construction in the past few days, I baked fewer pancakes, so my income is lower than usual.
If calculated based on a normal income, I can earn about 100 yuan a month following Sister Xiao Ai."
The old couple were stunned by their daughter’s words.
They knew that their daughter made a lot of money following Xiao Ai, but knowing and seeing are two different concepts.
Besides, they don’t know that much!
Seeing them like this, Wang Xiaofeng continued, "Mom, I don't think you're right. In fact, compared to what kind of job I have, in my current situation, how much money I make from this job is more important."
Aunt Liu fell into deep thought.
She suddenly remembered what Xiao Ai said to her that day.
Xiao Ai said, "Girls are confident only when they have money. Money is a girl's courage."
At that time, she just thought that this was a good thing, but she didn't really understand it.
But now, she looked at her daughter——
Doesn’t this give you courage immediately?
Dare to fight against yourself.
She actually knew in her heart that her daughter didn't want to work in the coal yard, partly because the salary was low and partly because she felt it was embarrassing.
After all, she is a good girl, who would be willing to let her lower her status to pull coal?
The daughter didn't say anything because she didn't want to upset her husband, but how could she hide her thoughts from her mother?
Aunt Liu herself couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer that, but what could she do?
No matter how bad the coal yard is, it is still a formal job, with a guaranteed income, and the government will provide pension in the future.
How can doing business be a long-term thing?
Isn’t Xiao Ai doing business secretly, and is it still registered under the name of the office?
Besides, how can Xiao Ai and Xiao Feng be the same?
Xiao Ai is married! And her husband is so capable.
Even if the business fails in the future, Xiao Ai has a way out, but when that day really comes, what will happen to her daughter?
Wang Xiaofeng saw her mother's worry, so she immediately used her trump card.
She said, "Mom, I'll work for Sister Xiao Ai first. If I can do it for a long time, that would be great. If I can't do it in the end, at least I can still make some money.
Putting aside other things, if I had a few hundred yuan, it wouldn't be difficult to buy a workstation, right? Nowadays, a female worker in a textile factory can buy a workstation for around four or five hundred yuan. A textile factory is definitely better than a coal yard, right?
And if I really went to the coal yard, with a salary of less than 20 yuan a month, how many years would it take me to save enough money to transfer to another job?"
Aunt Liu suddenly raised her head, feeling as if her daughter had opened up a new way of thinking for her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
