Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 52

Ying Su couldn’t help but poke him with her finger, smiling as she teased, “What’s wrong? Who bullied our little bun?”

The little bun pouted his lips. “Mommy…”

Just calling out “Mommy” made his eyes brim with tears, looking so terribly aggrieved.

Ying Su could never bear to see her little bun cry. She had only meant to tease him a bit, but now she panicked. She quickly pulled him onto her lap and coaxed softly, “Why are you crying? It’s all Mommy’s fault, I shouldn’t have teased you.”

The little bun wiped his tears, leaned against Ying Su’s chest, grabbed hold of her braid, and said with a wronged little face, “I don’t know either… When I saw Mommy give the silver to Auntie, I just wanted to cry. But Mommy said the silver should be given, I know that…” He sniffled.

It was only then that Ying Su realized just how much her son loved money.

Ying Su smiled and took out a bulging brocade pouch from her chest. She opened it in front of the little bun, revealing shiny silver ingots, and said with a smile, “Look, what’s this?”

The little bun’s eyes lit up instantly. He stared fixedly at the silver in Ying Su’s hand, his delicate, adorable little face looking utterly captivated. His pair of bright black eyes didn’t even blink. “Mommy, is this ours?”

Ying Su rubbed his little head. “Mommy already told you, money isn’t saved up, it’s earned! In the future, I’ll earn a lot, a lot of money, and you’ll never go hungry again.”

But the little bun’s attention was fully on the silver, and he didn’t even hear what Ying Su was saying, just nodding with a smile.

The next day, during breakfast, Ying Su brought up her plan to open a furniture shop in town, and mentioned that she wanted to invite Li Dalang and Liu Chuncao to help.

Li Dalang and Liu Chuncao both looked stunned and flattered, especially when they heard that Ying Su wanted Li Dalang to be the shopkeeper. It took him a while to come back to his senses, overjoyed. Li Dalang rubbed his hands, modestly declining, “This… how could that be! I don’t know many characters… how could I be a shopkeeper?”

Ying Su could tell he was just being polite, so she said, “I’m a woman, it’s not proper for me to show my face everywhere. Though making the wheelchair earned money, it also dragged you into trouble and cost you your work. You and I both have skills, so I thought opening a furniture shop would give us a solid livelihood.”

Liu Chuncao’s eyes sparkled, her smile so wide it nearly reached her ears. “See, I knew Cuihua was capable, already planning to open a shop! My husband and I will definitely help you watch over it.”

Ying Su smiled lightly. “It can’t just be said it’s mine. Let’s call it a partnership! I’ll provide the initial funds, but I’ll trouble you to watch the shop steadily. We’ll split the profits fifty-fifty.”

Hearing that, Liu Chuncao felt she had gained a huge bargain. She grinned even wider, so happy she couldn’t even speak.

Madam Li, however, tried to decline. “Cuihua, how could we take such advantage of you…”

Ying Su laughed. “Don’t say that. Over the years, Huzi and I have relied on your care. Now that Big Brother and Sister-in-law have lost their jobs, it’s partly because of me. Instead of looking for work elsewhere, why not just manage our own shop?”

Though Li Dalang had some flaws in character, at least he was someone she knew well. He wasn’t particularly cunning, nor did he have bad habits. She could trust him.

Previously, he had some resentment toward her for losing his job because of the wheelchair, but now it was all gone. Instead, he felt genuine admiration for Ying Su.

“Since it’s a furniture shop, what should we sell?” Li Dalang immediately focused on the business, already worrying about details. He added, “Although my craftsmanship isn’t as fine as yours, I can still handle the usual wooden goods sold in town.”

Ying Su smiled. “No rush. I already have ideas about what to sell. I’ll draw the designs later for you. For now, let’s first find a good storefront in town, then hire a few workers.”

“You’re going to town today to get the money from Manager Zeng, right? I’ll go with you. We can choose a shop while we’re there. I also know a few good young carpenters, I’ll ask if they’d like to work for us.” Li Dalang’s face was glowing with excitement, full of energy.

Liu Chuncao laughed. “I’ve got nothing to do at home anyway. I’ll go with you too, maybe I can help somehow!”

With that, the matter was settled.

Holding her embroidery, Li Jinfeng smiled enviously. “Cuihua, you’re getting more amazing by the day. In just a few days, we’ll have our own shop!”

“When the shop makes money, I’ll give you a generous dowry for your marriage!” Ying Su said with a smile.

Before Ying Su had crossed over, Li Jinfeng had already been betrothed. Her fiancé was from a village west of Dongjun Mountain. Though only a farmer, he was tall, strong, and hardworking.

He had only one elder sister, already married. His parents were honest and kind. Li Jinfeng wouldn’t be mistreated in that household. The wedding date was set for the tenth of the twelfth lunar month this winter.

After some cheerful chatter, Ying Su, Li Dalang, and Liu Chuncao set off in an ox cart for town.

First, Ying Su went to the pastry shop on Southeast Street owned by Manager Zeng. Since they had arranged to meet, Manager Zeng was already waiting there early in the morning. Seeing Ying Su arrive, he greeted her warmly and had his staff serve hot tea and pastries.

It was Li Dalang and Liu Chuncao’s first time inside such an elegant shop, and they couldn’t help but look around curiously.

Noticing how exquisite the pastries were, Liu Chuncao thought of bringing some back for Dazhuang to try. While Ying Su was talking with Manager Zeng, she quietly wrapped a few pieces in her handkerchief and slipped them into her sleeve.

Manager Zeng noticed with the corner of his eye, but his expression didn’t change at all.

Li Dalang saw it too, and gave Liu Chuncao a sharp nudge, silently scolding her for being so improper! Though just a farmer, he knew this kind of behavior was disgraceful in front of Manager Zeng.

Ying Su saw all of this but didn’t comment. She simply handed Manager Zeng a recipe she had written at home.

Manager Zeng took one look and couldn’t hide his admiration. Ying Su’s small regular script was beautiful, every step clearly explained, with detailed notes and reminders. The instructions were neat and easy to follow at a glance.

She had written especially carefully about the ovens and temperature.

There were also a few extra pages detailing the methods for hawthorn cake, hawthorn leather, candied hawthorn balls, and candied hawthorn skewers, without holding anything back.

Manager Zeng was overjoyed. With these recipes, he wanted to start making them immediately, so he could produce a batch of delicious treats before July arrived.