Chapter 283: In Full Swing
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Old Madam Li referred to Su Wenwu as Su San. She felt she was not in a good mental state these days and feared she would not make it through the winter. She had been holding on because she wanted to settle her two grandchildren first.
After all, what would happen to them if she left? Therefore, Old Madam Li always thought of ways to help her grandchildren. She knew the Su family members were good people, so it would be a good way out if Li Dazhuang could work for them.
Moreover, Old Madam Li knew the Su family’s lives would only continue improving.
Li Dazhuang felt confused and said, “Wenwu and I haven’t played together for many years, Grandma. Are you sure it’s all right for me to ask him for work?”
Li Dazhuang was carefree when his parents were still around. They would let him go out and play with his friends at that time, and he got along with Su Wenwu best then.
But when Li Dazhuang’s parents passed, he had no choice but to support his family. Hence, he could no longer play with Su Wenwu as he had to work hard every day. Simultaneously, he also felt inferior, so he did not look for Su Wenwu.
Old Madam Su sighed and said, “Go and see him. You can do your best to help if Su San needs it. It’s good to be his helper and run errands for him. Still, the autumn harvest has ended, and you don’t have much to do at home. Why don’t you go and find something to do?”
Li Dazhuang looked at his grandmother’s old appearance and nodded. “Okay, Grandma.”
He knew Old Madam Li was doing this for his good, but she had her own ideas.
She knew her grandson valued friendship and loyalty if he worked alongside Su Wenwu, even if Li Dazhuang suddenly felt like that.
After all, she wished the Su family could take care of Li Dazhuang. The family would have a better life if Li Dazhuang could work under Su Wenwu.
Li Erying was a sensible person who could work. Unfortunately, she was only ten years old, and no one would hire her to help with anything. Also, she had a younger brother that relied on her and Li Dazhuang.
Old Madam Li could not help but sigh with that thought in mind.
After dinner, Li Dazhuang went to look for Su Wenwu because he knew the Su family was busy during the day. The Su family would probably only have free time during the night.
Li Dazhuang stood at the Su family’s house entrance. The door and house were massive. He wanted to knock on the door bolt, but he was hesitant.
He felt embarrassed to face the Su family, so he went home. He thought of looking for Su Wenwu the following morning instead.
Meanwhile, in the other households, many remembered Su Fengmao’s words and could not wait to talk about the factory when they got home. Everyone was excited when they heard about the factory.
Wang Quan gave his mother the five coins he earned when he got home. Then he talked about the factory.
His mother widened her eyes in excitement and said, “R-Really? Are they only hiring women from the village?
Wang Quan said, “Of course. I heard that from Su Fengmao himself.”
“This is perfect! Your wife and I are hard workers, so can we work at the factory? But who will cook? Who will feed the pigs, chicken, and ducks while your wife and I work at the factory?”
Every household in Su Teng Village raised chickens and ducks, but few had pigs because they were expensive.
Wang Quan’s father had severely injured his waist in the past and could no longer do heavy work. He heard his wife’s question and said, “I’ll learn to cook. Feeding the livestock won’t tire me out, so don’t worry. You and our daughter-in-law can go and work at the factory.”
After all, if the two women worked at the factory, they could earn ten copper coins daily.
Wang Quan’s mother, Mrs. Li, looked at her second son, who was about to turn fifteen. Initially, she had thought of marrying him off after the New Year, but it seemed better if he could start a family now.
“What do you think, Wang Cheng? Mother wants you to get married.”
Wang Cheng’s face was a bit thin. He lowered his head and said, “I’ll listen to what Mother says.” He knew his parents only wanted the best for him.
His father said, “Can we afford to pay the dowry now? We should at least offer one silver tael, considering our family’s condition. We must find a good wife for Weng Chen.”
Indeed, the dowry was a little more expensive.
Mrs. Li said, “Our village is different from the others now. We have a tofu factory, and we can get it for cheap. Who knows if there might be more good things like these in the future?
“That’s why girls will be willing to move to our village. Besides, our village’s conditions are better than other villages. Have you seen the other villages? Some even freeze to death there. That hasn’t happened in our village in the past few years.”
Everyone thought about what Mrs. Li said and agreed it was the case. Su Teng Village was united, and their village chief was a good person. Granduncle Su always prioritized his villagers.
Wang Cheng said, “I heard Su Fengzhi’s family makes their own charcoal. If that’s the case, he’ll sell them cheaper in the future. By then, no one will freeze to death during the winter.”
Wang Quan echoed, “Second Brother is right. Our village also has bricks, and isn’t Su Zhengde forming more construction teams? He also prioritizes our village members when choosing his construction team.”
Mrs. Li said smilingly, “Our Village has more benefits than others. Many more girls will be willing to move here in the future.”
Many families were discussing this matter. Although some did not work in the fields, they had also heard about the tofu factory.
“The Su family will hire people to work at their factory soon. I know they’ll choose our family to work for them.”
“Fortunately, we’ve worked hard for them. The Su family should’ve noticed us.” “It’s good that they’re hiring women this time.”
“They might not choose us, but we must at least try. The tofu factory looks big, so the Su family will probably hire more people.”
“We hope the Su family’s business will continue to grow. Then our village will benefit from it.
Some women also helped Su Fengchen cook grilled chicken and roast duck and could earn a few coins daily.
When they heard about the tofu factory, some said, “Since we already have jobs, we can let others work at the factory.”
“Still, the factory is an excellent opportunity for the villagers.”
“That’s right. We can earn money every day since we help Su Fengchen. Our families’ lives are better now, and we can afford better food for our children.’
Meanwhile, the Su family ate at home as usual. The heated platform was hot and big enough for the whole family to sit on. Everyone chatted as they ate.
Su Fengmao said excitedly, “The workers have planted soybeans on all fifty acres of our land. We can make more tofu in the factory once the soybeans mature.”
Su Wenzhe smiled. “I told many visitors that we are opening a tofu factory soon and we’ll have many products. When the time comes, everyone will come to our village to buy tofu.”
Liu Yinyin added, “Oh right, Drunken Cloud’s manager came to us after hearing the news. Mr. Wang said he wants to cooperate with us by using our tofu products. He said he would send them to other places too. It seems he’ll order a lot of tofu from us..
