Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 92

Da Lu courteously saw Ying Su out the door, plastering his face with a flattering smile and saying all sorts of nice words. He only turned back into the gambling house once she had left. He had smiled so much today that his face nearly stiffened, but it was worth it! 

Ever since he had witnessed how Ying Su dealt with Liu Huang’s men, Da Lu had secretly been thankful. He had smashed her shop, yet she hadn’t broken his arms and legs in return, this was nothing short of heavenly mercy.

When Ying Su returned home, it was already dark. She first went to Madam Li’s house to fetch Huzi, and then immediately began cooking.

Since money wasn’t as tight now, Ying Su had stocked up plenty of food at home. With the little bun in the middle of a growth spurt, she believed nutrition had to keep up.

In the kitchen, Ying Su busied herself, while Huzi hovered around her. As she washed vegetables, she asked,

“Have you finished the assignments your teacher gave you?”

Huzi replied gloomily, “I did.”

Ying Su nodded and continued her work.

From behind, Huzi called softly, “Mommy…”

Ying Su placed the vegetables into the pot, quickly ducked under the stove to feed in some firewood, and asked, “What is it? Do you have something to tell me?”

Huzi’s little face puffed up, his lips pressed into a straight line. He stayed silent for a long while.

Sensing something was wrong, Ying Su turned her head and saw her little bun’s face all scrunched up in anger. Concerned, she asked, “What’s wrong? Who bullied my precious son? Whoever made my son unhappy, I’ll make sure to teach them a lesson!”

Only then did a faint smile tug at Huzi’s lips, but it quickly vanished. His small face turned serious.

“Mommy, you haven’t been coming home properly these days. Uncle and Aunt said you’re not at the shop either. Where have you been going?”

Such a serious question made Ying Su laugh despite herself. “Baby, what else would I be doing? Just looking around to see if there’s a way to earn more money.”

Huzi didn’t believe her. “Mommy, you’re lying!” Tears spilled down his cheeks.

This startled Ying Su. Dropping her cooking, she quickly pulled him into her arms and soothed him. “What’s this? Why are you crying all of a sudden? I really have been looking for ways to make money. I’m planning to buy a restaurant in a while.”

Nestled in her embrace, Huzi’s dark eyes shimmered with tears. “Is what you said true, Mommy?”

“Of course it’s true. Who told you otherwise?”

Huzi shook his head. He wouldn’t tell Mommy. Tomorrow at school, he would definitely teach a lesson to those kids who secretly badmouthed her!

The truth was, Huzi had heard his classmates whisper that Ying Su was never home because she was out meeting some wild man. Because of this, Huzi had already gotten into several fights at school. Though young and small, he fought ruthlessly, and no child his age dared mess with him.

Whenever he fought, he made sure to protect his face. And since he always dressed and cleaned himself, Ying Su never noticed his injuries. Even older kids rarely dared provoke him because of his ferocity.

Once Huzi finally calmed down, the fire in the stove had already died out. Ying Su had to start the fire again. While cooking, she told him,

“You and I are the closest people in the world. Don’t bother with what others say, and don’t care what they think. None of that matters. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my son.”

Huzi nodded earnestly. “Mommy, I understand.”

After dinner and washing up, Ying Su told him stories until he fell asleep, only then stopping.

Several days passed. One morning, Ying Su woke up early and went with Li Dalang and his wife to their shop in town.

Ever since she had handed over the design sketches, they had been rushing to finish the work. They had already produced several pieces. Meanwhile, the rival shop across the street had sold out of the previous batch of identical furniture and had shown no further movement.

Still, Li Dalang and his wife were worried. The spy within their shop hadn’t been caught yet. If, when they opened, the rival shop rolled out another batch of identical furniture, it would be a disaster.

But Ying Su remained calm and unhurried. Seeing this, the couple could do nothing but wait anxiously.

For the past few days, Ying Su had been experimenting at home. She remembered how to make glass, but gathering the right materials had taken time. She had carefully calculated the exact quantities needed and packed both glass and mirrors to bring to Wang Ba.

Before she left the shop, Liu Chuncao couldn’t hold back anymore and asked,

“The spy in our shop still hasn’t been caught. And this new batch of furniture you had us rush through, Dalang and I think it feels incomplete. Cuihua, do you really have a plan? When can we finally open?”

Every day the shop stayed closed was another day of loss. The money they’d earned last month was nearly all gone covering expenses. If business didn’t start soon, she really couldn’t sit still anymore.

Ying Su nodded. “Don’t worry about the shop. Just focus on producing the furniture I drew. That’s all you need to do.” The corners of her lips curled in a confident smile. “Very soon, our shop will open.”

Hearing this was like swallowing a calming pill for Liu Chuncao. She immediately beamed.

“Alright then, I won’t worry anymore.”

Ying Su left and headed straight to Wang Ba’s gambling house.

The moment she entered, she noticed the place was far livelier. Every table in the hall was packed, gamblers buzzing in discussion.

“This is the new game the gambling house introduced. Did you get it yet?”

“I found out two days ago! I’ve played several rounds already. Way more fun than just guessing big or small.”

“Yeah, yeah! How does Master Ba come up with such clever games?”

“Hmph, Master Ba has gambled across the north and south and never once lost. Of course he’s different from us!”

“If I could have even half of Master Ba’s skills, I could die with a smile!”

“Pfft, you? Master Ba’s gambling skills aren’t something just anyone can dream of!”

Ying Su’s lips curved slightly. She hadn’t expected Wang Ba to hold such prestige among these gamblers.

The last time she left, Wang Ba had already instructed his men that if she came, she must be treated with the utmost respect.

One sharp-eyed attendant spotted her and hurried over.

“Young miss, you’re here! Please, come inside. Our Master Ba is upstairs! Shall I take you up?”

Ying Su nodded. “Thank you.”

The attendant led her upstairs to the second room on the right. Knocking on the door, he announced, “Master Ba, Miss Cuihua is here!”

Inside, Wang Ba, who was gambling with others, burst into hearty laughter at the words and called loudly, “Well, don’t just stand there, hurry and invite my sister in!”