Chapter 445: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 445: Partnering with the Men in Black (5)
Ever since this family became prosperous, there had been no shortage of troubles. Although they had managed to avoid most of them smoothly, it was still quite distressing.
Hearing this, Mo Yan could only smile wryly, unsure of what to say. She quickly changed the subject, "Auntie, now that you're managing your household affairs, have you ever thought about moving out?"
Since they had cut off contact with Old Mo's family but not with eldest uncle family, living together was convenient in some ways but inconvenient in others. If aunt Wu family could move out, it would solve some of these issues.
Wu shi sighed and said with bitterness, "Don't laugh at me, Yan'er. Aunt Tang dreams of moving out, even if life becomes tougher. With the way things are at home now, we're a laughingstock in the village. It doesn't matter much to me at my age, but Tie Tou and Eldest daughter are of marriageable age. If they don't move out, who would want to marry a girl from such a troubled family? Which family's son would willingly marry into this mess?"
Looking at Mo Yan, she hesitated before asking, "Yan'er, you're clever. Can you think of a way for Aunt Tang to earn some money?" Afraid Mo Yan might misunderstand, she hurriedly added, "Aunt Tang doesn't have any special skills and isn't greedy for big profits. A couple of taels a year would be enough for her."
If she could earn some money too, along with her eldest son's monthly wage of seven hundred wen, they could build a simple adobe house in a year. If she worked a bit harder and earned a bit more, maybe they could find a daughter-in-law by the end of the year. If she continued to work hard next year, she could prepare a better dowry for Eldest daughter and find her a good husband. If all this could happen, she would be able to wake up from her dreams smiling!
Mo Yan felt extremely touched listening to this. Indeed, parents around the world were mostly like this—no matter how tough or exhausting it was, as long as their children were well, they would have no complaints. So she said, "Auntie, let me think about it."
Wu shi was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Take your time, take your time. Aunt Tang isn't in a hurry, not at all."
Mo Yan smiled and asked her to enjoy some snacks to pass the time, while her mind raced to come up with ideas. After thinking it through, she believed setting up a small stall in the city or renting a small shop to sell local delicacies was a good idea.
People living in the capital were mostly well-off, and many didn't cook breakfast at home but instead ate out. Stalls selling noodles or shops selling buns generally did well. Though not big earners, after deducting living expenses, they could save ten or so taels in a year.
Moreover, setting up a stall on the street had low costs. As long as they paid a small stall rental fee and management fee to the yamen, it wouldn't be a problem. It was not troublesome to operate and manage. The only downside was that it required hard work from dawn to dusk.
Mo Yan shared her thoughts, but Wu shi shook her head, saying, "Yan'er, it's a good idea, but Aunt Tang doesn't have any cooking skills. She can't make tasty food. The wild vegetable buns and rough rice cakes she used to make didn't taste that great. Even if she sells what she can make, it won't attract customers compared to others."
Mo Yan thought it would be a big problem, but she laughed when she heard that, saying, "Aunt Tang, you don't need to worry about that. I have several recipes for cooking, and I'll teach you after the New Year."
In her previous life, she spent most of her free time studying cooking. Even if she didn't learn all the local snacks, she knew most of the common ones. By casually teaching a few, it would be enough for Aunt Tang to run a snack business.
"No, that won't work!" Wu shi immediately refused without hesitation, "That's your skill. It might be useful in the future. You have to keep it for yourself."
Mo Yan understood her meaning and felt even more convinced that she hadn't misjudged Wu shi. She patiently persuaded her, "Auntie, it's just a few cooking recipes. It's not a big deal. I never thought about earning money from it. With the rice shop supporting us now, there's no harm in teaching you. Maybe you can expand and improve upon it in your hands!"
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