"Xiao Yue, mom has something she wants to ask you." Zhang Hualian had been looking forward to Tang Yue’s return; she and her husband Tang Zhengde had discussed for a long time at home but couldn’t e up with any good ideas.
What could Zhang Huafeng do if he es to the county?
If he were to open a store, what kind of store should it be? Moreover, starting a business would require money, and there’s no guarantee of making a profit.
There were many things to consider, and unlike Tang Zhengde, Zhang Huafeng did not have a good skill like cooking.
They as a couple had thought about it for a long time and still couldn’t figure out what kind of business they could do.
"Mom, what’s the matter?" Tang Yue sipped her water, looking curiously at Zhang Hualian’s anxious demeanor. "Did something happen at home?"
There shouldn’t be any issues. She hadn’t heard of any problems at home.
"No, it’s about your uncle." Zhang Hualian felt a bit embarrassed to speak up; their daughter was still a student, and yet they were beginning to ask her about making money.
"What happened to Uncle?" Tang Yue placed the homework she had brought back into her room, trying hard to remember if there was any incident involving her uncle in her previous life, other than the accident that took away Zhang Qiang’s leg, there wasn’t any...
Logically speaking, the accident that happened to Zhang Qiang was when he was in his twenties, so there were still many years to go.
"It’s just that your aunt dislikes that your uncle doesn’t earn much. Your uncle, on the other hand, is thinking about whether he could do something in the county. I was thinking, if he were to start a business, wouldn’t he earn more money?" After Zhang Hualian started speaking, the rest of the words came out more smoothly.
"You see, running a business is better than working for someone else," said Zhang Hualian earnestly, looking at Tang Yue with anticipation, "Xiao Yue, what do you think, if we were to let your uncle start a business, what kind of business should it be?"
Tang Yue: ...
Mom, do you really think starting a business is as easy as planting cabbages, that it can be done anywhere?
At the end of the eighties, it was indeed easier to start a business than in later times, but it still required insight and perseverance. Besides, Uncle... doesn’t seem to have any skills like Dad who can cook, or like little uncle who has a sharp tongue and can see the bigger picture.
Uncle, being honest and simple-minded, doesn’t seem to be cut out for business.
Hmm, to put it accurately, he probably isn’t good at businesses that require clever thinking, but if it’s a straightforward business, he could still manage.
But what to do?
Tang Yue pondered and couldn’t e up with anything for the time being. She asked, "Mom, if you really let Uncle e to the county, wouldn’t Aunt be alone at home taking care of the kids? Grandma is getting on in years and spends all day with you; would that be okay?"
She knew all too well what kind of person her aunt was. If Uncle didn’t e home, what would happen if Grandma was bullied?
"This..." Zhang Hualian belatedly realized and reflected on it; the character of this sister-in-law of hers wasn’t very pleasant.
"Mom, don’t rush this, let me think it over," Tang Yue said soothingly.
For dinner, Zhang Hualian prepared a very lavish meal and even specifically invited the couple from next door, Tang Mingli and Wei Jiajia.
Nowadays, the couple Tang Mingli and Wei Jiajia were as sweet as honey. During the day, Wei Jiajia also went to the factory to help, and in the evenings, they sometimes ate together, and sometimes they let the young couple eat by themselves.
"Sister-in-law, allow me to help you," Wei Jiajia offered to help in the kitchen as soon as she entered the house.
"No need, dinner will be ready soon," Zhang Hualian smiled warmly as she looked at Wei Jiajia standing together with Tang Mingli; they matched each other very well.
A square table was a bit cramped with people sitting around it. On the table were five dishes and one soup, steaming hot, which, set against the family’s smiles, created an exceptionally warm and beautiful atmosphere.
"Little uncle, with little aunt now in your life, it seems like you’ve gained quite a bit of weight," Tang Yue said with a smile. The happiness radiating from Tang Mingli filled her with envy.
Once disillusioned with love, she now looked at their sweet interactions and couldn’t help but feel envious.
In her mind, the image of Mo Siyu would occasionally surface.
What would it be like if she were really with Mo Siyu?
"Really?" Tang Mingli seriously felt his waist and stomach, as if he had gained a slight bit of weight.
"It’s good to be a bit plump," Wei Jiajia said with a smile.
Tang Mingli grinned and responded, "Jiajia, don’t worry, I’ll only gain a little bit, not any more than that."
The way Tang Mingli was seemingly afraid of Wei Jiajia’s disapproval made everyone burst into laughter.
Tang Jun spoke up hastily, "Little uncle, little aunt won’t mind, but we will. I don’t want to introduce you to people by saying my uncle is as fat as a pig."
"Tang Jun!" Tang Mingli glared at him and threw a chestnut at him, saying annoyed, "I’ve only gained a little weight. What you’re saying is an exaggeration; how can I be as fat as a pig!"
"Ahem." Tang Yue cleared her throat, barely suppressing her laughter.
Wei Jiajia looked helplessly at Tang Mingli, "Mingli, Tang Jun is still a kid. If you get angry at what she says, where is that uncle’s magnanimity?"
"Jiajia, see, I’ve only gained a little bit of weight, nowhere near the exaggeration Tang Jun is making," said Tang Mingli, his anxious demeanor making the room unable to resist bursting into laughter once again.
Even after Tang Mingli and Wei Jiajia left, and Tang Yue was about to go to bed, a sudden burst of inspiration flashed through her mind.
She quickly said, "Mom, I’ve got an idea for what they could do."
"Who?"
Zhang Hualian looked at Tang Yue in confusion, not understanding the sudden context.
"I mean uncle," Tang Yue said, more and more convinced by her idea, "Mom, think about it. Uncle is currently working at the forestry station, auntie stays at home, and Zhang Qiang goes to school in town. What if auntie opened a clothing store in town, selling the factory’s clothes? She could probably make a good profit."
"As for uncle, he could open a Southern Goods Store nearby," Tang Yue contemplated further and said, "Uncle is too rigid; a Southern Goods Store doesn’t require much creativity, and the prices don’t fluctuate much. I think it’s most suitable."
"Look mom, if uncle and auntie both start their businesses, even if their shops aren’t next to each other, they can be together every day and keep an eye on Zhang Qiang. Isn’t that nice?"
"Grandma could stay at home and cook or do other things, and if auntie has something to keep her busy, she naturally won’t pick on grandma’s matters."
The more Tang Yue thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
After a long silence, Zhang Hualian asked, "Xiao Yue, it’s a good idea, but where will the money e from?"
"Mom, for the clothing store, we just need to rent a space. We can take the clothes first and pay for them later," Tang Yue analyzed. "As for the Southern Goods Store, the cost of stocking up shouldn’t be that high. Auntie’s family, I remember, is quite wealthy. They should be able to afford it."
Zhang Hualian thought it over and found it very feasible and tempting. If Zhang Huafeng and Liu Cuihong both had their own business, and mother could cook at home, there would be no need to put up with Liu Cuihong’s temper.
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