Chapter 137: 139: Making a Good Profit
Chapter 137: Chapter 139: Making a Good Profit
Scrapping together meals, often going without proper clothing, such was his life.
The little girl was lucky to have dug up a centuries-old ginseng. Otherwise, where would this money come from? Was it stolen or robbed? Or did it fall from the sky in a dream, or was it blown over by the wind?
How can such a clever child have such a foolish father? It’s fortunate she didn’t take after her father, or else she might have been a fool her whole life.
Tang Zhinian was stunned by Chen Zhong’s blunt comments and returned home in a daze.
Tang Yuxin took over caring for Sisi, who immediately warmed to Tang Zhinian. At her young age, she knew that her lamb puppet was bought for her by this uncle. Without him, she wouldn’t have her lamb puppet and thus wouldn’t have milk to drink.
With enough milk now, she wouldn’t starve any more. Even her mother was always smiling.
“Sisi,” Tang Zhinian was overcome with paternal affection, “you look just like my daughter Yuxin.”
Tang Yuxin touched her own face.
Father, where do you see the resemblance? I clearly don’t look anything like her. How could I?
I am so dark and she is so white, especially nourished by the lamb’s milk, she is getting whiter and whiter while I look like a little black coal.
Tang Zhinian pinched Sisi’s cheek, thought for a while. Seeing Sisi’s still thin face and his daughter sitting on the side, he braced himself and gritted his teeth.
“Zhijun, Let’s go buy bricks tomorrow, get the greenhouse ready first. Let’s work hard this year and make a good amount of money.
“Sisi should also start eating better.”
He might not worry about himself, but when it comes to children, he was always concerned.
It turned out to be true that one should fuss over their own children. Before, whether Sisi lived or died was none of his business, but now she is his younger brother’s daughter, who in the future would be expected to take care of him in his old age. Therefore, his main worry now is whether this little girl can be raised well.
Initially, he didn’t want to use the money his daughter obtained from selling the ginseng, but considering the scarcity of money in the family, if they want to improve the lives of the two children, they can’t afford to be so cautious.
“Alright, brother. I understand.”
Tang Zhijun rolled up his sleeves, prepared to work hard.
He didn’t fear hard work; he had plenty of strength. As long as it meant raising his daughter to be a little healthier, he was willing to do anything.
The next day, the two brothers set out to buy the bricks and glass. They brought along a few biscuits and water bottles with them to avoid spending money outside.
Sisi stood at the doorway, tiptoed to get a better look, then turned and clung to her mother’s leg.
“Mommy, when will daddy and uncle be back?”
Zhang Xiangcao stroked her daughter’s little head, “They will be back by nightfall.”
Noting the brothers’ affection and care for Sisi, Zhang Xiangcao kept their kindness in mind, vowing that she would always be good to Tang Zhinian’s family in the future and would respect Tang Zhinian as much as her husband would respect him.
“Sister, sister…”
Sisi ran over to Tang Yuxin with her little legs. Tang Yuxin bent down, holding Sisi’s small hand.
“What’s up?”
Sisi grinned from ear to ear.
“Sister, would you teach Sisi how to write?”
“Sure,” Tang Yuxin was happy to play teacher for Sisi. Sisi was a good girl, very clever. Possibly because she had been relying on her mother since she was little, she was somewhat timid.
This aspect was very similar to herself in her previous life.
Regardless, Sisi is much luckier than she was. At least, Sisi does not have a mother who takes advantage of her own daughter.
Sisi’s image was interrupted by the return of the Tang brothers from the city, carrying plastic paper and new bamboo poles. They also arranged for bricks and cement to be delivered. They arrived back home by nightfall. Despite running errands all day, the brothers still had the greenhouse on their minds.
No one in the village had seen such a greenhouse before. The idea originated from visiting a neighboring village. Built entirely of brick and reinforced with steel and cement, it was sturdy, warm, and understandably expensive.
This greenhouse was perfectly suited for growing tomatoes and cucumbers. The brothers planned to cultivate the land throughout the winter in order to make a good profit by the New Year.
The next day before dawn, the two brothers went to the field, which had been measured precisely to plan for the greenhouse and the open spaces. The fastest items to arrive were the bricks and cement, and the brothers promptly began work.
Whenever they encountered difficulties, Tang Zhijun would ride his tricycle to the neighboring village for guidance. Being a good-looking man, and having a way with words, he quickly picked up what he needed to know. Before long, the greenhouse was taking shape. Although they were busy constructing the greenhouse, they didn’t forget that Tang Zhijun’s marriage was fast approaching.
As time went by, the weather gradually became colder.
A month later, the greenhouse was erected. It was built with cement, reinforced with steel, and the finest bamboo poles. It was very sturdy. The stove was installed and while it hadn’t been lit, the temperature inside the greenhouse was already high.
The seeds were sown. Now that they had time, they could proceed with Tang Zhijun’s wedding. Otherwise, it would look bad if Zhang Xiangcao continued to cook and care for the children – some might start to gossip.
Zhang Xiangcao delicately touched the red cotton jacket hanging on the head of the bed. It was the best piece of clothing she had worn for years. It was specifically bought for her by Tang Zhijun when he went to the city. The fabric felt so fine and soft against her fingertips and the callouses on her hands seemed to scrape against the fabric.
She pressed the cotton jacket against her face and at that moment, a sour sensation filled her nose.
“Mom…” Sisi ran over and hugged Zhang Xiangcao’s leg.
Zhang Xiangcao put down the cotton jacket and picked up Sisi.
“Sisi, good girl, you must remember to show filial respect to your father and uncle, understand?”
“Yes,” Sisi affirmed with a firm nod. It was unclear whether she understood fully, but from a young age, she had been instilled with this principle.
When she grew older, she needed to show filial respect to her father and uncle.
The ninth was Tang Zhijun’s wedding day. He was grinning like a fool, laughing at every person he came across. It was the happiest day of his life, because he was getting married.