Inside, the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law quickly ca to an agreent and, laughing and chatting, carried out so items.
"Oh, Second Aunt Yang, what brings you here?" Bai Hehua said with surprise on her face.
Second Aunt Yang’s expression was sowhat indifferent. "I ca to tell you not to bother preparing anything."
"How could we not? Look, it’s all ready. Please take it, and co to visit more often." Bai Hehua handed the netted bag to her.
Lowering her head for a glance, Second Aunt Yang imdiately noticed the brightly colored wrapping paper. It must be the wafer cookies they just ntioned. Her expression relaxed a little, and a small smile appeared. "Why have you taken so many things? I didn’t bring much."
"What’s there to be polite about, Second Aunt? These were also brought by Minmin to show respect to you. Please take them. These are quite aromatic when you eat them. You should try them when you get ho."
"Okay, then I won’t be shy. To tell you the truth, this is the first ti I’ve even seen such rare goods." After exchanging pleasantries, Second Aunt Yang’s eyes wandered, "Do you have any extra caral candy at ho?"
"Second Sister, I brought five jin for you to take ho, they’re in the bag, on the very bottom layer. This New Year’s, I was thinking there wouldn’t be much need for gift-giving, but since our family can make these, my husband and I decided to prepare fifty jin to specifically gift to relatives and friends—Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and my maternal relatives. We planned about five jin per family. Everything is already allocated, not much left. We just kept a little at ho to serve guests when they co by."
"Did Sister-in-law give so to the Yu Family this morning?"
"Yes, I packed a jin for them."
"Oh, Sister-in-law, you’re usually so clued-up, how co you missed out today?"
"What’s wrong? Is that inappropriate?" Zhang Minghua looked at her, confused.
Second Aunt Yang spoke, "Of course, it’s inappropriate. Who are the Yu Family? They’re town folks. That’s the Yu Family’s son, and he has lots of colleagues at his restaurant. Such a small amount of candy, how can it be enough to share? Tell you what, bring another two jin back, and I’ll help you give it to them."
Zhang Minghua finally understood her aning, and the smile on her face faded. "Second Sister, what are you talking about? We’re hardly relatives with the Yu Family. The little bit of stuff we gave was in exchange for the gifts they brought over. If we were to force ourselves on them like this, wouldn’t that belittle our Yingzi?"
"Sister-in-law, that’s not what I an. I’m saying, this is also to give Yingzi so face. Everyone knows Yingzi can make candy, right? This also lets them know that it’s Yingzi’s craftmanship, and it shows our family’s generosity. This way, they’ll think more highly of us." Second Aunt Yang pondered in her heart, unsure whether what the three won had said was true or false.
Zhang Minghua rolled her eyes, "What on earth are you trying to say?"
"Sister-in-law, not that I, as her aunt, want to say anything, but whatever happens with them, even if nothing cos of it, we haven’t wasted anything. But if it works out, Yingzi will hold her head even higher in the future... Forget it; I won’t say more. I have to hurry back now. Just give a few more jin of candy. I also need to go to the Cooperative Society in town to get so stuff; it’s on the way to the Yu Family’s place." Second Aunt Yang waved her hand, looking impatient.
Zhang Minghua laughed in exasperation. What kind of reasoning was this? She repeated herself patiently, "Second Sister, as I’ve already said, I’ve organized everything else; there’s no extra left. If anyone else wants so, they’ll just have to wait until after the New Year when we make more."
Second Aunt Yang glared. "Can’t you just make it as if it’s mine?"
"Yours is already here, isn’t it? These five jin are enough for whatever you need, whether it’s for gifting or for your own consumption."
"Sister-in-law, then how about this: I’ll pay Yingzi to make it for ; is that okay?"
"So tell , what do you need that much candy for?"
"Can I not give it away? The five jin are only enough for around here, and I was thinking of bringing so to Xiao Yun as well. She’s in town with lots of colleagues and friends; let Yingzi make ten jin for , I’ll foot the bill."
"It’s not about the money, Second Aunt. Look, we were hoping to rest and visit relatives during the New Year’s. Now you want us to make candy too; how could Yingzi possibly manage?" Bai Hehua said.
Second Aunt Yang glared at her. "It’s not like I’m asking you to make it. Why so many words? Fine, enough, I won’t talk with you anymore. I’ll go talk to Yingzi. Being her aunt, why can’t I ask her to do sothing? She can’t refuse, can she?"
"Second Sister, you don’t need to ask. At most, I can do this: I’ll give you three more jin. Over the holidays, Yingzi has been making candy for non-stop. She’s finally finished with the New Year’s candy and deserves a break. Now you’re calling on her again, not even giving the child a chance to breathe. I’ll shift Minmin’s portion to you. If really not enough, you can buy so from the Cooperative Society in the anti." Zhang Minghua’s attitude was firm.
After listening, Second Aunt Yang’s heart sank with a thud. Was Yingzi really unable to make the candy? It didn’t make sense; why would she turn down the opportunity to make money?
All she could do was nod her head reluctantly, "I’ve never seen anyone so caring for their child that they’d push away money. Then go ahead and bring those three jin, and get a nicer bag for it. I’ll take it to Xiao Yun when I go to town."
Bai Hehua, reluctant to part with the candy, turned around and packed another three jin for Second Aunt Yang.
Second Aunt Yang grabbed a piece and put it in her mouth, savoring it while inquiring, "This really is delicious. I’ve seen it for sale in Cooperative Societies in the county town, and it’s so expensive now, selling for as much as pork. How much do you guys sell it for?"
"We only make a few cents profit per piece, just enough to buy at twice a month to enjoy." Bai Hehua quickly responded.
Second Aunt Yang gave her a roll of the eyes, "Peihua’s wife, stop playing coy. It’s not like I’m borrowing money from you. Do you need to guard it so closely?"
"Second Aunt, it’s the truth. You know what my father is like—how could he just na any price?"
Second Aunt Yang thought of her eldest brother’s character and admitted it made sense, "Ah, what a pity. If soone helped drive the price up and increase our profit margin, couldn’t our family be living a life of luxury by now?"
Bai Hehua shook her head, "I really wouldn’t know. That’s sothing for my parents to decide."
Second Aunt Yang rolled her eyes at her again, thinking to herself that if Bai Hehua were that honest, it would be nice.
Reviews
All reviews (0)