Xie Dajiang was the elder brother, let alone asking Xie Sui to repay the money. Even if he didn't, an elder brother looking out for his sibling would only earn him praise from outsiders for being generous and a good older brother.
But Wang Qiuju not only demanded the money back, but also asked for one yuan in interest. Oh, that was stingy and inhumane.
Of course, it was right to repay debts. Even brothers should keep accounts clear, so Zhao Xiue had always felt guilty and didn't retort no matter how her sister-in-law taunted her.
Someone with a thicker skin might have argued back, "I just won't repay it. I can't borrow any more anyway, what can you do?"
Shameless people always took advantage.
Zhao Xiue said, "No, Mother has been living with the eldest brother's family, and we haven't given her any elderly care money. Let's buy some meat for Mother. I'm going back now. There's still a lot to do at home. Little Sui's business is hard-earned money."
Wang Qiuju was speechless. When did this sister-in-law become so eloquent?
Not only Wang Qiuju was surprised, but the villagers were also very surprised. Xie Sui's mother had actually greeted her just now?
It was truly a miracle, as if the sun had risen from the west. She used to slink along the walls, afraid of being discovered, because Xie Sui was a disappointment, making her parents ashamed to be seen, fearing people would complain or demand repayment.
Now that Xie Sui had turned over a new leaf, Zhao Xiue was eager to chat with the villagers and boast about her son. Why would she hide?
Xie Sui didn't know his mother had such a hobby. He was making candied walnuts at home.
He brought back a bag of walnuts. They were nutritious, but eating them raw had a bitter taste, and most people didn't like them.
Xie Sui shelled all the walnuts, blanched them for two minutes to remove the bitterness, then added sugar and a little water to the pot to make syrup. He then poured in the walnuts, coated them thoroughly with syrup, and then heated oil in another pan. After thirty minutes of stir-frying in the oil, the walnuts turned amber and could be taken out.
While still hot, he sprinkled in white sesame seeds and stirred them evenly. Once the walnuts cooled, they became crisp and sweet candied walnuts, looking very appetizing.
"Wanwan, try some."
Xie Sui offered it to Lin Wanwan's mouth, but she glared at him and took it herself before eating it. She didn't let Xie Sui feed her, thinking about her father-in-law being at home.
After one bite, she fell in love with the taste. The fragrance of sesame and walnuts mingled with the sweetness of white sugar, making them crisp and delicious.
"Delicious, but it uses too much sugar."
So many walnuts had used a pound of sugar.
"To make something delicious, sugar and oil are essential. If it's delicious, it's not a waste. Eat more. I'll make lunch and go sell canned goods this afternoon."
With the elders at home, Xie Sui prepared a lavish meal: braised pork, pork belly braised with cabbage, stir-fried wild vegetables, a tofu soup, and steamed rice.
Zhao Xiue said with concern, "This rice is eighty cents a pound. Even eating noodles would be good. Who can afford rice?"
Xie Dahe also said with a grim face, "From now on, we'll eat steamed buns. We Northerners eat what?"
Xie Sui winked at Doudou and said, "Doudou, Dingding likes to eat it, so we'll have it occasionally. Braised pork is best with rice, so let's not do it again."
Doudou felt wronged. He liked to eat it, but he didn't ask for it to be made. They shouldn't blame the child just because he was young. It was always the child who wanted to eat. Why didn't he say he wanted to eat it himself?
Xie Sui patted his pocket and showed five dimes. Dingding immediately understood, put meat on his grandparents' plates, and said sweetly, "Grandpa, Grandma, eat meat. Dad's braised pork is the best.
My brother and I will also earn money to buy meat and rice for Grandpa and Grandma."
The elders immediately smiled, "Good, my grandson can earn money. Grandma will eat. When you grow up, you'll be more successful than your dad."
Xie Sui said, "Of course. Didn't you see who gave birth to me? Is it my wife?"
Lin Wanwan remained silent, as if anyone was more successful than him.
But in front of the elders, she saved Xie Sui face and didn't retort.
"Wanwan is smart. The children take after their mother. This is all thanks to Wanwan. It's Wanwan's credit. Here, wife, have some meat."
Zhao Xiue said with satisfaction, "Isn't that true? You must treat Wanwan well and don't mess around."
"Wanwan, if he dares to bully you in the future, tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you."
Lin Wanwan gave a perfunctory smile, "Okay, thank you, Mom."
In her heart, she was indifferent. If you could have controlled them, your mother and two sons wouldn't have suffered for so many years.
They ate dinner harmoniously. Zhang Wenfeng arrived with the mule cart, "Brother Xie, I'm here."
The family helped load the canned goods. There were two hundred bottles this time. Peaches were in season and so many were delivered. Lin Wanwan was worried, wondering if they could sell them all.
Zhang Wenfeng was also worried. The villagers were also watching. Xie Sui was the first to try something new. If he could sell so many canned goods, could their family also do this business?
As a result, when Xie Sui returned in the evening, the canned goods had indeed not all been sold. Only forty were sold, and more than half were left.
"Xie Sui, they weren't sold out?"
"Yes, it's not like food that people eat every day. It's normal not to sell them all. No one eats canned goods as their main meal."
Xie Sui had a good attitude and said with a smile.
"Then what should we do? If they spoil, won't we lose money?"
"It's okay. Business is like this, with losses and profits. You can't only see the thief eating meat and not the thief being beaten."
"Don't be discouraged. There's a large market at the end of the month, and we can sell another batch. If not, we can take a break."
"I know, thank you for your concern."
There were two large markets in the town every month, which were the liveliest times. Usually, there weren't many people. The town's population was limited and couldn't consume many canned goods.
The Xie family was bustling at this time because the scorpion catchers had come to deliver their catch. Lin Wanwan dared not touch them and felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. Girls were afraid of such things.
Xie Dahe helped weigh them. There were over twenty catties. The settlement cost almost fifty yuan. Xie Dahe was worried about being stuck with them and sat by the door smoking his pipe, waiting for Xie Sui to return.
When he saw that so many canned goods were left, his face darkened even more, "What should we do? Haven't we even earned back the principal? It would be better to farm. Farming doesn't lose money."
"Dad, it's okay, I'll figure something out.
Wenfeng, let's go to the county town early tomorrow morning to see my eldest sister and Huzhi."
"Okay, Brother Xie. Since the canned goods weren't sold out, don't give me today's wages. I've earned quite a bit in the past few days."
Xie Sui sighed. People at this time were very simple. He had met countless people in his previous life who called him "brother" but stabbed him in the back. Not taking advantage was considered a loss, and very few people considered his well-being.
"It's okay, it's not a shortage of your money. Take it. It'll be easier for your father. Come early tomorrow."
"Alright. Brother Xie, if you're short on money, tell me, and I'll lend you some."
Lin Wanwan prepared dinner: yellow corn buns, stir-fried shredded potatoes, bean sprouts, and millet porridge. The simple home-cooked meal was very comforting.
"The canned goods can only last for three days at most. Do they all have to be thrown away?"
Lin Wanwan was the most composed. She had expected this outcome. Those who had been educated were different. They had tried something new and wouldn't keep buying it.