After listening to her daughter, Su Guiying agreed wholeheartedly: “Qingning makes a good point. The stall was doing so well and earning so much money—how can you just give it up like that? It’s no different from throwing money away.”
“Oh, right, that bag of things is still in the living room at home. Old Fourth, go get it yourself.” As she spoke, she handed him the house key.
Jiang Qingning nodded gently: “Fourth Uncle, these are peak days for stall business, especially with the Lantern Festival coming up in a few days. If we don’t earn this money, someone else will.”
Jiang Liye looked at Jiang Qingning’s earnest expression, then glanced down at the key in his hand. A few seconds later, he said: “You’re right. Why should we let others take this money for free?”
Now that he had come around, Jiang Qingning smiled slightly. “Fourth Uncle, then it’ll be up to you to handle the stall from now on. If you’re too busy, hire someone. Don’t you have a lot of friends?”
Jiang Liye laughed: “This work isn’t tiring at all—you just stand there. It’s no hardship. But you should take a larger share of the profits. The idea and the goods are all yours. I’ll just take twenty percent.”
Hearing this, Su Guiying hurriedly said: “That won’t do. From now on, Qingning won’t be able to go, and it’ll all depend on you to run the stall. It’s only because you’re Qingning’s fourth uncle that I feel comfortable letting her take a share of your earnings.”
The two of them went back and forth until Jiang Qingning weakly raised her hand: “Mom, Fourth Uncle, stop arguing.”
Raising her hand was still a bit of an effort, so she let it drop limply again.
“How about this: before the Lantern Festival, we split fifty-fifty. After the Lantern Festival, I’ll take twenty percent, and you take eighty percent, Fourth Uncle.” As soon as she finished, she couldn’t help but cough. “Cough… cough…”
Su Guiying hurried over to pat her gently on the back: “Don’t talk anymore. Rest quickly.”
Jiang Liye also stood up anxiously: “Qingning, are you alright?”
Su Guiying turned to look at Jiang Liye: “Old Fourth, let’s do as Qingning says. We’re family—no need to stand on ceremony.” As she spoke, she picked up the water cup from the bedside table. “Here, Qingning, drink some more water to soothe your throat.”
Jiang Liye made up his mind: “Alright, we’ll do as Qingning says. This time, I’ll consider it as an uncle benefiting from his niece. Qingning, don’t worry, I’ll run the stall properly and earn as much as I can.”
Jiang Qingning nodded in satisfaction. That was exactly what she wanted to hear.
After Jiang Liye left, Jiang Qingning said to Su Guiying: “Mom, you should go to work too. I’ll be fine here alone.”
Su Guiying replied: “It’s fine. I’ll stay here with you. I asked Aunt Fang to help me request leave from the team leader this morning.”
“But hasn’t the factory been strict about taking leave lately?”
“The team leader won’t mind if it’s for a child’s illness.” Su Guiying smiled, helping her lie down, and gently stroked her face. “Sleep a little longer. The most important thing for you now is to rest and recover.”
Jiang Qingning nodded softly. Lying in a hospital bed, there was nothing she could do. She needed to get better quickly.
…
By the time she woke up again, it was almost noon. Seeing that Jiang Qingning no longer had a fever, the doctor allowed her to go home to recuperate.
Su Guiying had originally planned to get food from the cafeteria to take home, but at the hospital entrance, she ran into Grandma Su, who was carrying a thermal lunchbox.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Su Guiying asked in surprise.
Grandma Su said: “I heard from your neighbor in the building this morning when I went grocery shopping. I made some pork rib soup to help Qingning recover.” She leaned over to look at Jiang Qingning, her heart aching. “Oh, our Qingning’s chin has gotten so pointy. You’ve really suffered.”
Jiang Qingning was already feeling much better. “Grandma, the doctor said I’m fine now. I just need to rest at home.”
Grandma Su took her hand and slowly walked home with her. “That’s right, we’ll rest at home. How can anyone rest properly in a hospital with all the coming and going?”
Su Guiying still went to the cafeteria to get some food to bring back, and she asked her mother to stay and eat with them.
“Guiying, your brother and sister-in-law are going to take Xiao Jie to your younger sister’s place the day after tomorrow. They said they’re going to celebrate their buying a car—setting off some firecrackers and all.”
In these times, buying a car was a major family event, just like buying a house, something worth celebrating with relatives and friends.
Grandma Su ladled a bowl of pork rib soup and placed it in front of Jiang Qingning. “That day is Saturday, and you’re off work, right? Perfect timing to go over together.”
Su Guiying, who was scooping rice, paused and said, “I promised Xiao Fang that I’d swap shifts with her the day after tomorrow. She has something to do that day and asked me to cover for her. Lifeng is working rotating shifts lately and can’t take time off either. We won’t be able to go that day. I’ll ask my older brother to buy the firecrackers for me and set them off together when he goes. I’ll give him the money in advance.”
Grandma Su sighed inwardly. She had actually hoped her two daughters would get closer, especially since her younger daughter was doing well. She secretly wished they could help each other more.
“Well, if work can’t be helped, there’s nothing to be done,” Grandma Su nodded, then added, “But it’s strange how the factory operates. Everyone says business gets worse every year, yet people are still working overtime every day.”
Su Guiying replied, “The tasks assigned from above are getting fewer, so the factory has to find ways to take on outside jobs. Naturally, the prices are lower.”
Grandma Su sighed, “Prices outside keep rising every day, but wages stay the same. When we were young, working at the factory was so relaxed. The leaders back then were more understanding—it was easy to take leave if something came up at home…”
Su Guiying picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it in Grandma Su’s bowl. “Things aren’t easy at the factory these days. Many factories outside have already shut down. It’s already good that our factory can still pay wages on time.”
Grandma Su shook her head helplessly, “Times are different now. Even what’s considered an iron rice bowl can just disappear. Who would have thought that ten years ago?”
After lunch, Grandma Su said to her daughter, “Guiying, you go to work this afternoon. I’ll stay here and take care of Qingning.”
Su Guiying thought for a moment and nodded, “Then I’ll trouble you.” Lately, the workload in her team had indeed been a bit heavy.
Grandma Su gently patted her shoulder, “Silly child, why be so formal with your own mother?”
After Su Guiying left for work, Grandma Su asked Jiang Qingning to rest in her room. She picked up the half-knitted sweater Su Guiying had left on the chair and prepared to continue knitting.
“Grandma, I can’t sleep. I’ll keep you company.”
“Alright then, let’s go into the room. You lie down on the bed—maybe you’ll fall asleep.”
“Okay, but Grandma, you have to lie next to me and keep me company.”
Grandma Su smiled and nodded, “Fine, we’ll lie together, grandmother and granddaughter.”
On Qingning’s small bed, Jiang Qingning lay against the wall on the inside, with Grandma Su on the outside, sitting up slightly against the headboard as she knitted.
“Grandma, are you going to Auntie’s place the day after tomorrow too?” Jiang Qingning asked, staring at the ceiling.
Grandma Su shook her head, “I’m not going. Just your uncle’s family of three will go. During the New Year period, it’s not usual for parents to visit their daughter and son-in-law’s home. Besides, your aunt still lives with her father-in-law. It’s not just her own family.”
Jiang Qingning turned and snuggled up to Grandma Su, looking up at her. “Grandma, I want to go too.”
“You want to go too?” Grandma Su looked down at her flushed face and said gently, “You just got sick. Rest well at home, and we can go play another time.”
Jiang Qingning shook Grandma Su’s arm, pleading, “Grandma, I think I’m already better. I want to go play. I want to ride in Auntie’s little car.”
Now that she was planning to start a business, there might be times in the future when she’d need to ask her aunt’s family for help. She needed to go and build a good relationship in advance.
Grandma Su tucked the blanket around her and smiled, “Then let me come see how you’re recovering tomorrow. If you’re doing well, I’ll ask your uncle to take you, okay?”
“Okay~”
“Good, now be a good girl and take your nap.”
“Alright.”
When Su Guiying returned home in the afternoon, Grandma Su had already cooked dinner. Since Jiang Lifeng wouldn’t be back until later, she and Jiang Qingning ate first.
By the time Jiang Lifeng got off work, it was already dark. Su Guiying got up to make noodles for him. “Mom came over to cook tonight, so Qingning and I have already eaten. I’ll make some noodles for you.”
Jiang Lifeng nodded. “Alright, has Mom gone back home yet?”
“She’s already left.”
Jiang Qingning hopped off the chair and walked over with a smile. “Dad, you’re back! Are you cold?”
Hearing his daughter’s voice, Jiang Lifeng instantly forgot the weariness of the day. He smiled and shook his head. “Not cold. Are you feeling better? Do you still have a fever?” As he spoke, he reached out to feel her forehead.
“No fever. The doctor said I just need to rest at home. I slept a lot today and don’t feel sick at all now.” Jiang Qingning pulled Jiang Lifeng over to sit on a chair. “Dad, take a rest.”
Jiang Lifeng chuckled. “Dad isn’t tired.”
As Su Guiying walked toward the kitchen, she heard hurried footsteps near the stairwell and curiously peeked out. She saw Jiang Liye bounding up the stairs two steps at a time, carrying a bag on his back. His excited footsteps echoed clearly in the quiet evening hallway.
“Old Fourth, why are you back so late? Have you eaten? I’m about to make noodles for your brother. Let me make you a bowl too.”
Jiang Liye grinned and nodded. “Great! Thanks, Sister-in-law.”
With that, he scurried toward the innermost room, pushed open the door, and said excitedly, “Qingning, I’m back! I’ve got good news!”
Jiang Lifeng quickly pointed behind him. “Hurry and close the door! Don’t let the cold air in.”
“Oh, right.” Jiang Liye turned and shut the door. “How’s Qingning feeling today? Still unwell?”
Jiang Qingning was much livelier now, showing none of the weakness from the morning. “I’m all better—not sick at all. Fourth Uncle, what’s the good news?”
Jiang Liye laughed heartily. “It’s about those Zhang brothers. They set up their stall again today, and then…”
“Wait, who are the Zhang brothers?” Jiang Lifeng asked curiously.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you about this yesterday, Big Brother.” Jiang Liye then recounted the events of the previous day.
“This morning, they showed up again. But not long after they opened, a few young men came over. Right away, they won money, forcing the Zhang brothers to move the money even farther back.”
Jiang Qingning was surprised. “Even farther back? Wouldn’t that make it obviously impossible to win?”
“Exactly! Even a fool could tell it was completely unwinnable.” Jiang Liye sat on the chair, took the cup of water Jiang Lifeng handed him, drank a sip, and continued. “So hardly anyone went to their stall all morning. The Zhang brothers moved the money back again, and then guess what happened?”
Jiang Lifeng urged impatiently, “What happened?”
Jiang Liye grinned. “In the afternoon, another group of young men showed up and headed straight for their stall.”
“Did they win money again?” Jiang Qingning guessed.
“Exactly!” Jiang Liye clapped his hands, laughing. “You should’ve seen Zhang Da’er’s face—it turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He tried to weasel out of paying again, but those young men didn’t argue or make a scene. They just said straight out: if they didn’t get the money, they’d call the police.”
Jiang Lifeng nodded approvingly. “Those young men did the right thing. If there’s a problem, go to the police. Old Fourth, you should learn from that. Next time, don’t think about fighting as soon as there’s trouble…”
Having grown up as the eldest, he was used to worrying and couldn’t help but nag.
“Ugh, Big Brother, why do you have to bring me into everything?” Jiang Liye sighed.
Jiang Lifeng smiled. “It’s because you’re usually so unreliable. Alright, go on. What happened after that?”
Jiang Liye took another sip of water and continued. “They had to pay up. Wow, and before those young men left, they even said they’d come back often—and that they had a whole group of friends too.”
“Still coming back? Then the money they earn in a day won’t even be enough to pay out to those guys.” Jiang Lifeng shook his head. “Oh, right, did they try winning at your stall?”