Chapter 288: Heart Skipped a Beat
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Erying and Li Sanzhu could not regain their senses for a long while. Suddenly, Li Erying said excitedly, “I didn’t mishear what Third Brother Su said just now, Grandma! Two silver taels monthly is a lot of money!”
Although she was only ten, she understood everything the others talked about. It was also because she had to mature early since her parents passed.
Old Madam Li looked at her granddaughter’s reaction and smiled. She knew what Li Erying heard had finally lifted the heavy burden in her heart. Old Madam Li said, “Yes, you didn’t mishear. Your big brother will work hard soon and earn a monthly salary. Our family’s conditions will improve now.
“Still, you must remember that this is what your big brother will earn. Since we have Dazhuang with us, our days will be better. It would be best if you also remembered Dazhuang’s favor.
“You and Sanzhu must also work hard to live better lives, Erying. Then, when you grow up, people will consider hiring you when they need people for work.
Everyone knows each other’s families in this village.”
Old Madam Li could not help but worry about the brotherhood between Su Wenwu and Li Dazhuang. She was also worried about Li Erying and Li Sanzhu. Therefore, she reminded them of these things from time to time.
She had thought of finding a wife for Li Dazhuang in the past but did not mind if the girl’s family was poor as long as her eldest grandson could live a good life.
However, she started thinking of finding a good girl from a good family. Then Li Dazhuang’s wife would treat his siblings well. After all, she only wanted her family to live in harmony.
Li Dazhuang said, “Grandma, I will let you control the money I earn. It will still be our family’s.”
He had never thought of splitting his family up. Naturally, he would care for his younger siblings. The main reason was that his siblings and grandmother could only rely on him since his parents had passed away. Their relationship was what kept them together.
Old Madam Li knew her eldest grandson’s character well and felt relieved.
A few days later, the hotpot restaurant was about to open as Su Zhengde’s team had completed the renovation. Su Binglan arrived at the restaurant in advance to check things out.
She even put out advertisements as before, telling Lin Zheng to find many beggars around town to help. Even Su Fengzhi promoted the hotpot restaurant to his customers as he served them his barbecued lamb skewers.
Su Wenzhe returned the favor by promoting Su Fengzhi’s skewers to his customers in the tofu shop.
The townsfolk quickly learned that a hotpot restaurant would open on the west side of town and that it was a new way of eating. Everyone looked forward to it. Many went to see the restaurant even before it opened.
The restaurant was massive, with signboards saying “Su’s Hotpot” on both the upper and lower floors. However, the doors were still closed, and everyone wondered what it looked like inside.
The more they wondered, the more curious they became.
Previously, Su Binglan had ordered clothes for many people. She went to the town’s clothing store to check it out and discovered it was not too big. It was a store run by a mother and daughter.
Although the store was not big, it had a good reputation. Therefore, Su Binglan chose to order some clothes from there. The lady boss, Miss Jiang, noticed that Su Binglan had arrived.
She hurriedly greeted Su Binglan with a smile, “Miss Binglan, You’re here.
Come in and take a seat. Xiaocheng, quickly pour a cup of water for Miss Binglan. ”
A sixteen-year-old slender girl poured a cup of water and walked out, handing it to Su Binglan. “Here, Miss Binglan. Have some water.”
Jiang Xiaocheng was two years older than Su Binglan. She felt very impressed with Su Binglan after hearing about her.
Miss Jiang removed a few sets of clothes from a closet, saying, “Miss Su, these are the clothes you ordered. I made it with the words ‘Su’s Hotpot’ embroidered on them. What do you think?”
Su Binglan took the uniforms and looked at them. Miss Jiang had made them with coarse cloth, and they had no patterns. The only thing on them was the apparent embroidered words. Still, the words looked immaculate.
“Yes, these are perfect.”
Miss Jiang said smilingly, “I’m delighted as long as you think so.”
She dared not treat Su Binglan as a little girl. Everyone in town knew about the dessert shop, haggis soup shop, and barbecue stall and that Su Binglan had pioneered them.
People used to call it Su’s Tofu in the past, but its name had changed to “haggis soup shop.” The townsfolk even heard the Su family would open a tofu factory soon.
Of course, Su Binglan had also ordered twenty sets of uniforms for the factory. Miss Jiang and her daughter worked through multiple nights to make them, and they were ready in just a few days.
Jiang Xiaocheng had initially opened the clothing store with her mother, but
Miss Jiang was the center of attention as many said terrible things about her. Since that was the case, Miss Jiang had low self-esteem. However, she realized how well women could live after meeting Su Binglan.
She once chatted with Su Binglan for a while, and Su Binglan advised her that she should not worry about what others say. Miss Jiang thought about that sentence and knew it was reasonable. Therefore, she straightened her attitude and got over it.
Su Binglan looked at Jiang Xiaocheng and could not help but encourage her, “It’s perfect for girls to have skills like this since women can support themselves without relying on others. No matter what others say, don’t let them affect your decisions as long as you know what’s right.”
She knew this era was unlike modern times, where women were equal and not looked down upon. Su Binglan intended to change the old ways of thinking about women.
However, she was powerless now, even though she had the heart to do it. Still, it was better to earn money first.
Jiang Xiaocheng looked at Su Binglan and understood what she meant. “Thank you, Miss Su.”
Su Binglan waved her hand and paid for the uniforms. Miss Jiang and her daughter were stunned as they benefited from what Su Binglan had said just now.
Su Binglan took the uniforms to the dessert shop to check on things there. The dessert shop’s business continued to boom since she had made all kinds of pastries.
Lin Zheng, Li Shi, and Zhou Shan were in charge of running the shop. Even though they were swamped, the trio still worked hard. They were ecstatic when they saw their boss.
Lin Zheng showed Su Binglan the account book he had kept up to date. “Master, look, this is what you taught us. I’ve used the method you taught me to record the accounts. It’s so efficient!”
Su Binglan had taught Lin Zheng and the others how to read numbers. Afterward, she taught the trio how to keep accounts. Lin Zheng was brilliant and learned quickly.
“Master, it’s great that you taught us how to read numbers. My father praised your method when I went home to teach him about it. My family’s accountant also started using this method. He even said he could quickly finish his work by using your method, ” Lin Zheng excitedly told his master about these things.
Su Binglan flipped through the account book and said, “You’re doing well. You’re no longer having trouble keeping records, huh?”
Li Shi and Zhou Shan were slower when learning, but the duo still studied hard every day.
Lin Zheng was thrilled that his master had praised him. He said, “Oh right, your hotpot restaurant is about to open, Master. Should we send people to help?”
Su Binglan replied, “There’s no need. I’ve already hired people for that, so you three can still keep an eye on the dessert shop. It’s best if you see and learn as much as possible. I’ll need you guys when I open more restaurants in the future.’
She had prepared to train the trio to become managers, after all.
“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Boss.’
Su Binglan gave the trio some instructions before leaving. She had just exited Su’s Desserts when she suddenly saw a figure not far from the door. The person held a horse while standing there and looking over.
Su Binglan’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him..
