Chapter 1006: Chapter 1004: Jinguan’s Business Talent
Old Granny Zhang asked, “Eldest Brother, why did Jinpan go to school while Jinguan didn’t?”
Wang Yongfu looked helpless, “That little rascal, why didn’t we send him? On the first day, he broke the teacher’s inkstone, on the second day, he dirtied the teacher’s book, and on the third day, he tore the teacher’s clothes! By the fourth day, the teacher returned the tuition and refused to take him as a student! He said he was afraid if Jinguan went to school for two more days, his life might be in danger!”
“He doesn’t like studying at all, forcing him to go to school is like sentencing him to death. Every morning, we have to break a stick to get him out the door. I’ve thought it over, Jinguan probably isn’t cut out for school, so I decided to let him learn how to use the scales with us. He’s picking it up quite quickly!”
Talking about this, Wang Yongfu rembered Jinhoo and couldn’t help but sigh.
Wang Yongzhu saw Wang Yongfu like this and quickly said, “Speaking of the children, there’s news from Jinhoo.”
At this, Wang Yongfu excitedly raised his head, “Really? Where is he now? Is he doing well?”
Wang Yongzhu comforted him, “I asked soone to inquire, and the person who brought the ssage said he’s doing quite well, following Boss Zhang’s convoy. He’s now in the west, and in half a year, he’ll be coming back with the trading caravan. I heard everyone in the caravan thinks highly of him, despite the tough work.”
“He’s still young now; after two years of experience with the caravan, in the future, he might beco a great shopkeeper! Eldest Brother, rest assured!”
As long as he heard Jinhoo was safe, Wang Yongfu felt relieved, and the big man’s eyes were red, “He’s doing well, that’s all that matters, that’s all…”
Beside him, Jindou comforted, “Dad, Second Brother may be enduring hardships outside now, but he’ll achieve great things in the future!”
Wang Yongfu wiped his eyes, nodded without speaking.
Seeing Wang Yongfu like this, Wang Yonggui had to speak, “Mom, Brother-in-law, Youngest Sister, have you had a good ti in the city these past few days? I see you even brought back a maid? To serve our mother?”
Just as they were speaking, Liu Xiaoqiao and the others had prepared the al. In the scorching heat and while mourning, they couldn’t eat at. It was just so greens, eggs, and tofu, very simple.
Liu Xiaoqiao and the Three Sisters-in-law laid out the al and ca to invite them, overhearing these words at the door.
Old Granny Zhang caught onto this topic and was energized, “Indeed! Your brother-in-law and sister are so filial to ! I got sick in the city, and it worried your brother-in-law and sister sick. Your brother-in-law had to study, and your sister couldn’t manage alone, so she specially bought two maids to serve ! Just this ti coming back, soone had to stay in the city house, so we didn’t bring them back.”
The Wang Family brothers still sighed, thinking the Younger Sister and Brother-in-law were wealthy enough to buy maids to serve their mother.
It was Liu Xiaoqiao who reacted first, “Mom, when did you get sick? Why didn’t you send a ssage back to us? Wouldn’t it be easier for Third Sister-in-law and to serve you?”
The Three Wang Brothers then realized, “Mom? What illness did you have? Are you okay now?”
“Mom, sit down properly, are you alright? Do your legs hurt? Dizzy?”
…
“Everyone shut up for your old mother!” Old Granny Zhang’s head was pounding from the noise.
She silently reminded herself three tis not to get angry with her own bunch of blockheads, otherwise, if she died of rage, these blockheads wouldn’t even know what got her mad.
Wang Yongzhu hurriedly said, “Mom’s been too exhausted over the years. She grieved when Dad passed, and all the bottled-up discomfort ca out, it was quite dangerous. Fortunately, Mom was lucky, Young Master Lee happened to be in the county and introduced an Imperial Physician who had retired to the Capital City, who then promptly saved her. Even so, Mom had to rest for quite a while to recuperate.”
“At that ti, it was urgent, Brother Song and I couldn’t leave, so we had to employ two maids to help. Later, when Mom stabilized, I thought about how busy it was at ho, and if we sent a ssage, how could any of you leave? With everything at ho, the business and the fields, who could you entrust it to?”
“We were in the city, it’s indeed more convenient. Spend so Silver, and you can find help! That’s why we didn’t send a ssage back.”
What Wang Yongzhu said was true; if they had sent a ssage back, out of filial piety, the Three Brothers would probably have to co. Even if they didn’t, the two Sisters-in-law would.
Liu Xiaoqiao could manage, she and Wang Yongping were just a couple, but as for Lady Jiang’s side, the child was still young, how could they abandon them? Bringing the kids to the city, space is tight, and they might need soone else to take care of the kids.
So, they simply kept it secret to avoid worrying them.
Wang Yongfu wanted to say a bit more but opened his mouth, and Old Granny Zhang impatiently spoke up, “Your old mother is fine now, why grumble? Your sister was considerate to you, be content! Has the al been prepared?”
Liu Xiaoqiao snapped back to reality, “Yes, Mom, Brother-in-law, Youngest Sister, co eat!”
The al was prepared in the Fourth House’s kitchen and laid out in the Fourth House’s side room.
The children ca back right as the al was being served, Jinguan was clutching his box, refusing everyone but himself to touch it.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu, he ca closer, opened the box to show off, “Old Aunt, look—”
Wang Yongzhu glanced down and only half a box of candies remained, while the other half contained bits of fresh little mushrooms.
“Where did you get these?” Wang Yongzhu asked.
Before Jinguan could speak, Jinhua jumped in to say, “Jinguan traded for them, he said if you want candies, you have to bring sothing to trade. We thought about it, there really isn’t much good stuff in the mountain these days, but after a bit of rain the past two days, a batch of little pearl mushrooms sprang up. Though they’re small, they’re fragrant. They’re hard to find, each family can only gather a couple here and there.”
“Jinguan said these little pearl mushrooms are delicious, he traded them back for Grandma and Old Aunt, and brought back quite a few.”
Jinguan glared at Jinhua, “You’re the one with the long mouth! It’s not like I don’t have my own mouth?”
Then he took all the mushrooms out of the box, while Jinhua pouting didn’t rest, grabbing a big bowl and filling it with the little pearl mushrooms.
Liu Xiaoqiao noticed, chuckling, “These are precious, this big bowl is quite a find, perfect for a soup. Mom, you sit tight and let make a soup, otherwise, they’ll spoil by the afternoon.”
She said, taking the bowl, and went to the stove to work.
Wang Yongzhu patted Jinguan’s head, “Jinguan is growing up now, you even know how to trade candies for goods! So, what about the remaining candies?”
“Trade again tomorrow? I’ve already collected deposits; people who ate my candies today must bring sothing tomorrow! Candy can’t be eaten for free! Everyone agreed, tomorrow I’ll trade for tasty treats for Old Aunt!” Jinguan tried hard to puff out his chest.
Turns out he’s a little wheeler-dealer!
Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but want to laugh. Jinguan, this child, had quite a few bad habits before, but surprisingly, he had improved considerably over the past month or two.
“Jinguan makes think of Jinhoo, he used to do the sa, swapping candy crumbs for things——” Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but sigh in reminiscence. Despite appearances, the children from the first house, except Jindou, seed to have quite a talent for business.
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