At the end of the month, Huang's father went to work the night shift as usual. Huang's mother waved, motioning Xu Mengyao to come into the house. There was a hint of anticipation in her voice: "Juan, come here, help me calculate this month's bills."
Huang's mother had learned to read and write in a village literacy class when she was young, and after a few years of studying with her eldest daughter, although she wasn't well educated, she was well-equipped to handle the daily accounting needs. Her small notebook was densely packed with records of her daily income and expenditure, her handwriting neat and clear.
Xu Mengyao took the notebook and quickly glanced through it. Huang's mother steamed about 150 steamed buns and steamed bread every day, of which she would keep 40 for herself and sell the rest.
Flower rolls cost five cents each, and steamed bread cost two cents each. This means that Huang's mother could earn nearly four yuan a day, and a total of 115 yuan a month, which is much higher than Huang's father's salary.
The grains used to sell noodles are all from the wheat harvest at home, which is more than 1,000 kilograms of wheat. My aunt and uncle gave me 200 kilograms of cornmeal, and together with the coarse grains at home, there are 600 to 700 kilograms.
The green onions in the steamed buns were grown by Huang's mother herself, and the coal briquettes were bought by Huang's father, which means that the 115 yuan is Huang's mother's pure profit.
But the family's food supply wasn't endless. Xu Mengyao picked up a pen and began to carefully calculate the cost: "Mom, do you know how many steamed buns you can make from one pound of coarse grains, and how many steamed buns you can make from one pound of white flour?"
"Well, I estimate that I can make ten steamed buns. As for steamed buns, I can make 12 or 13 since my dough rises well." Huang's mother replied with a smile.
"Let's say we have ten steamed buns and 12 flower rolls. The price of flour is 18.5 cents per pound now. The cost of making 55 flower rolls a day is 85 cents, which is 25.5 yuan a month. The price of coarse grains is 12 cents per pound. The cost of making steamed buns a day is 66 cents, which is 19 yuan a month. The cost is 45.3, and the net profit is 69.7." Xu Mengyao said happily.
"Wow, there are so many. If I work harder, I can earn as much as your dad." Huang's mother exclaimed.
Xu Mengyao smiled and nodded. "Mom, that being said, our monthly grain supply is only 194 kilograms. We have to use 303 kilograms a month now. Once the stored grain is sold, the monthly supply will not be enough, and we will have to spend money to buy grain. Plus, coal briquettes cost two or three yuan a month, so we have to take all this into consideration."
Huang's mother thought for a moment and said, "It's okay. Your father buys all the rationed grain every month. Together with the leftover grain from our wheat harvest, it should last us for nearly two years. If I make more in the future, we won't have to spend extra money on grain. Your father has to go back to visit your grandmother every month anyway, so just have him buy some from the farm when he gets there."
"Mom, it has to be you. You can make money and save money at the same time." Xu Mengyao gave Huang's mother a thumbs up.
Huang's mother happily held her hand and said, "Juan'er, I have to thank you very much. If it weren't for your advice, I wouldn't be able to make so much money."
After saying that, she opened the handkerchief, counted out forty yuan from it and put it into Xu Mengyao's hand.
"This is the money you gave me before, including the bonus from the exam and the money from selling sweet potatoes. I remember it all. The rest is a reward for you. I will give you ten yuan every month from now on. Without you, our family can't even think of selling things."
Xu Mengyao looked at the money in her hand, feeling both happy and worried: "Mom, you gave me so much money, what if Dad finds out?"
Although she really wanted the money, she hadn't thought about it much since arriving six months ago. It always slipped through her fingers briefly before slipping away. Without some start-up capital, how could she possibly start a small business? But she was also afraid of causing trouble for Huang's mother.
Huang's mother patted the back of her hand and said, "It's okay. I didn't tell your father about the 100 yuan your aunt and aunt gave me. Besides, I can make money now, and I keep all the money I earn. Tomorrow at noon after school, I will take the four of you to the big store to buy things!"
Xu Mengyao finally felt relieved. She looked at Huang's mother gratefully and said, "Thank you, mother!"
Then happily share the good news with your brothers and sisters.
The family had decided last night to go to the big store after school this afternoon. As soon as the bell rang, the four Huang siblings rushed out of the classroom like four unbridled ponies. Huang's mother was already waiting outside the school gate, and the family laughed and talked happily on their way to the store.
At the large store, amidst the dazzling array of goods, Huang Wenrong chose a unique sponge magnet pencil case with Snow White printed on it, while Huang Wenxia opted for a mechanical pencil and a beautiful diary. Both sisters, beaming, held their treasures. However, Huang Wenbin was different; he only asked for five yuan and planned to go out and play.
Xu Mengyao knew full well that her eldest brother had been going out early and coming back late these past few days, extremely excited. Today, he didn't buy anything but just wanted money. He must have gone out to play his favorite game again. The siblings looked at each other and tacitly chose not to reveal this secret.
Xu Mengyao picked out a small square iron box with a lock from among the many fancy piggy banks, intending to use it to protect her own small treasury.
After shopping, the family went home contentedly and had a simple lunch. Huang's mother told them, "I bought some spareribs this morning, but I didn't have time to stew them at noon. Come back early after school this afternoon and don't play outside. I'll make you some sparerib pancakes."
After school, Xu Mengyao waited for Huang Wenrong at the stairs, ready to go home together to enjoy delicious stewed pork ribs. However, as time passed, Huang Wenrong still didn't show up. Xu Mengyao began to feel anxious, worried that Huang Wenrong was in trouble.
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