Xu Mengyao rushed forward, hugged Grandma Huang's arm tightly, and said coquettishly: "Grandma, my elder sister and I have been working so hard outside. We have missed you for a long time. When I slept outside on the first day, I missed home so much."
Grandma Huang carefully examined the two sisters' faces and said with concern, "Wow, you've indeed lost a lot of weight. Look at your faces, they've become smaller. I just made you some meat buns. You won't leave tomorrow, right? Rest at home for a few days and I'll take good care of your bodies."
When Xu Mengyao heard that there were meat buns to eat, her eyes immediately lit up. She lay down on the small bed in the main room, stretched her body and hummed with satisfaction:
"I won't leave. There's no place like home." She continued, "Since grandma misses me so much, I'll come back every time I go to Pengcheng to buy goods, and let my eldest brother stay in the city every day."
After hearing this, Huang Nai feigned anger and glared at her: "You little girl, stop being so cunning with your grandma. Which of you grandmas doesn't want to come back? You all have to take turns coming back."
"Okay, I know that grandma always says I'm good, but deep down, my brother is the most important to her." Xu Mengyao deliberately quarreled with Grandma Huang, trying to make her laugh.
Huang Nai was so angry that she was about to laugh and cry. Xu Mengyao nimbly dodged Huang Nai's "attack".
Huang Wenrong saw this and quickly put down what he was holding. He smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Wenjuan, you're really getting bolder and bolder. If it were my old temper, you would have been beaten a long time ago."
"That's right, you ungrateful little bastard, just wait, I'll bring you some buns." Grandma Huang scolded as she walked out of the main room. Although her movements were reproachful, her tone was full of love.
The two sisters laughed heartily in the house, and the laughter filled the whole house, instantly dispelling the fatigue of returning home, and the warmth of home once again enveloped their hearts.
After dinner, Huang Nai slowly walked out from the inner room, holding a tin box that looked larger than a twelve-inch tablet, and gently placed it on the table.
"Grandma, where did you buy this metal box? It doesn't look very good." Xu Mengyao asked curiously, with a gleam of inquiry in her eyes.
Grandma Huang calmly opened the lock on the iron box, revealing the space inside. "This is not bought," she explained softly:
"I think the piggy bank in your room is too small. How much can it hold? I asked your father to have someone weld this one, specifically for storing your savings. Look at the lock, it's very sturdy. You can safely put your money here from now on."
Xu Mengyao smiled awkwardly. Her grandma really loved her. Such a big box could hold at least hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Then, Grandma Huang took out a stack of money and a detailed bill from the box and handed them to her.
"Look, these are all Hu Zi's accounts from the past few days. I can't understand them, but I know how much he spent every day. The popcorn business hasn't been good lately, so I've made less money. You won't deduct my wages, will you?"
Xu Mengyao looked at her grandmother's slightly worried eyes, feeling both amused and helpless, and could only comfort her:
"Grandma, don't worry, this is perfectly normal. Business always has its peak and off-seasons, and with the summer heat, popcorn isn't as popular as cold drinks. Even if I don't make any money, I won't deduct your wages. Besides, you specially prepared such a large iron box for me, how can I not be grateful? However, I'm always running around, and this box is hard to carry, so I'll leave it to you. When you return home, you can lock up all your treasures in it, where they'll be safe and secure."
After hearing this, Grandma Huang nodded happily and said, "That's fine. I'll put all the junk in there later." There was a hint of humor and warmth in her words.
Inside the main hall, warm yellow light gently cast a shadow on every smiling face. Xu Mengyao handed the bill to Huang Wenrong, asking her to check the figures. She took out another piece of paper and began to write and draw, seemingly planning something. Nearby, Grandma Huang, needle and thread in hand, carefully mended a small cloth bag, occasionally looking up, her eyes filled with loving care.
The conversation between the three was intermittent, but the air was filled with the warmth of home. They were doing their own things quietly until Huang's father stepped into the house. Seeing the warm atmosphere of the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren made him feel comfortable.
He said with a smile on his face: "You are finally back. A few days ago, your grandma was frowning all day long. Look how happy she is today." His words were full of joy for his family's return.
Everyone greeted each other with laughter. The eldest sister got up to heat up the food for Huang's father, while Xu Mengyao carefully moved the items on the table and Grandma Huang's "iron treasure box" back into the house.
After Huang's father finished his meal, Xu Mengyao took out the blueprint she had just drawn and said to him seriously, "Dad, please help me look at this blueprint and find someone to make two of these clothes hangers according to this blueprint. Also, the previous rack cart is not enough, so we need to buy another one."
Father Huang took the blueprint and examined it carefully. He smiled and nodded, saying, "It's just a few iron rods welded together. It's easy to do."
"Yes, but it has to be made of hollow iron pipes, which is both light and stable," Xu Mengyao added.
"No problem," Huang's father agreed. "I'll find someone to weld it for you tomorrow. The hanger will be ready soon, but the trolley may take two or three days."
"No rush, no rush." Xu Mengyao replied, "My elder sister and I will be setting up a stall in the mining area these days, so we have plenty of time."
The next morning, Brother Hu arrived promptly to pick up the popcorn and hand over the money he earned from the previous night's sales. As soon as he saw Xu Mengyao, an awkward smile appeared on his face. "Girl, popcorn hasn't been selling well lately. I was just about to talk to you about this. How about you give me a bit less for this wage?"
It was clear that Brother Hu was just as worried about the decline in business as Grandma Huang. She smiled and said, "Brother Hu, don't feel bad. Wages are only going up, not down. How about this? We won't be selling popcorn during the day anymore. Would you mind setting up a stall with us and helping out?"
When Brother Hu heard this, a bright smile immediately appeared on his face: "Sure! I can do anything, as long as there is work to do."
The three of them arrived at the workers' village with their goods packed in, and found a shady spot to set up their stall. Huang Nai had prepared the popcorn for them early in the morning, and after Tiger Brother skillfully helped them set up the stall, he took the popcorn and went to the cinema entrance to sell it.
The female employees who had come to buy vases before gathered around them as soon as they saw them setting up their stall, and greeted them with smiles: "Hey, haven't seen you two out for a few days?"
Xu Mengyao smiled brightly and responded in a loud voice: "We bought a lot of new goods in the south. Sister, come here and pick the new styles first!" Her words were like a magnet, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
The female employee took a closer look at the stall and her eyes lit up: "Wow, I've never seen this new style before!" She squatted down excitedly and began to try them on herself one by one, while Xu Mengyao and her elder sister gave her suggestions and matching advice at the right time.
Other old customers also rushed over and couldn't help but exclaim at the sight of the new goods: "I knew you two would have something good when you arrived. Luckily, I have a sharp eye. Quick, help me find a size that I can wear!"
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