CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ME?

After Lin Xiang did the math, even if they sold a hundred or so bowls every day, they would only make one or two yuan a day.

Plus, according to Lin Xiang, Lin Wu and Chunya helped out, so they should be paid wages too. Does that mean after a hard day’s work, they only earn a little over one yuan?

"So you’re all this busy every day, and you only make this much money. That’s hardly impressive. I thought your family was making a fortune."

Lin Xiang heard the jealousy almost overflowing and retorted unceremoniously, "It’s really not much, maybe less than thirty yuan a month. It’s tiring, sure, but at least there’s some income, so I don’t have to borrow fifty cents just to make ends meet."

Aunt Wu’s face turned red with anger, "Girl, are you calling me out?"

"No way! I just think that earning money through your own hard work, even if it’s not much, spending it feels secure. It’s a lot better than having to borrow money from this person or that person and getting into shouting matches when they refuse."

"You, you, you..." Aunt Wu pointed at Lin Xiang, struggling to get a coherent sentence out.

Because Lin Xiang was talking about things she’d actually done, even if she wasn’t named directly, who in the village didn’t know who was who?

Look down on the Lin Family’s spicy noodle business for only making one yuan in profit a day? Then don’t go around asking to borrow fifty cents!

Chunya looked at Aunt Wu’s flushed face, unable to resist covering her mouth and laughing.

Even though she stood right opposite Aunt Wu, Chunya’s actions were too obvious, making Aunt Wu immediately hone in on her.

"Chunya, following Sister Niu and selling spicy noodles all this time, you’ve not made money?"

"I’m just helping my sister, I’m not earning any money. Aunt Wu, last year when your sister-in-law from your mother’s side broke her leg and couldn’t work, you left your own work behind to take care of her. Did your mother’s family give you any grain or pay? At least they should’ve noted you for work points, right?"

Aunt Wu’s face turned from red to black.

"A sharp tongue like yours isn’t a good thing, be careful you won’t get married! Oh wait, you’ve already been called off, and now everyone around the commune knows about it. Who would dare to marry you?"

Aunt Wu finished speaking, looking at Chunya with satisfaction, hoping to see her get angry.

But the present Chunya was not the same as before. After spending time with Lin Xiang, she had picked up at least sixty percent of Lin Xiang’s sharp tongue and quick wit. That was more than enough to deal with the village’s clueless aunties.

"First of all, I wasn’t called off because we were never engaged in the first place. Aunt Wu, even if you want to spread gossip, at least get the facts straight. That way, when you tell others, you won’t be laughed at."

"Secondly, my parents said that even if I never marry, it’s fine because they’ll take care of me. So whether I marry or not, you don’t have to worry about it."

"If you have time to worry, worry more about your son Da Zhuang. He’s getting on in age and no matchmakers are coming around, likely because they know your family can’t even come up with fifty cents, let alone a bride price. They’re afraid of a hard life if they marry into your family."

After speaking loudly, Chunya muttered quietly, "And women these days aren’t stupid. With your knack for badmouthing others, it’s clear you’d be a difficult mother-in-law. Any sensible girl would be worried about marrying in and being mistreated. If you don’t work on your bad temper, your son Da Zhuang is bound to remain single!"

Aunt Wu was already fuming.

"I shouldn’t have come here today!"

The Lin family sisters, each one is more infuriating than the last!

But the most annoying one isn’t the blunt Chunya, it’s Lin Xiang, who led Chunya astray!

"If you don’t want to be here, just leave, no one’s really welcoming you anyway." Lin Xiang shrugged, "Dong Sheng, see her out!"

"Sure thing!" Dong Sheng didn’t care if Aunt Wu was an elder. Bullying his Sister Niu and then his own sister, as if the Lin family didn’t exist?

He forcibly escorted Aunt Wu out of the Lin Family house.

Aunt Wu thought to herself, I can’t handle your two sisters, but I can handle you, you little rascal!

Just as she was about to explode, a group of boys about Dong Sheng’s age stood behind him, glaring at her. Aunt Wu had no choice but to leave embarrassed.

Aunt Wu’s presence didn’t dampen Lin Xiang’s good spirits. She generously shared her experiences of selling sweet potato starch noodles with the villagers.

Mrs. Lin just sat listening quietly on the side, not interfering.

Lin Xiang had already explained to her that more people had been selling sweet potato noodles these days, though their business wasn’t as good as theirs, but it showed that street vending was becoming a trend and couldn’t be stopped.

The residents of Li Hua Team were relatively better off, although there were a few troublemakers, overall they were quite united.

But no matter how united, they weren’t family, and jealousy wasn’t uncommon. Rather than allowing people to covet and sabotage behind your back, it’s better to openly share. After all, in a month when the year ends, this business will be impossible anymore.

"Folks like my family who go to different communes for market fairs every day are the minority. Many people only do business when there’s a fair near their brigade. If you’re not afraid of hard work, you can join us during this time before the New Year."

"Even if you only make a few cents each day, by the end of the month, it’s several yuan. Isn’t that better than toiling away in the fields?"

Even if the family had lots of members each earning full work points, once they received the year’s dividend and grain, there was hardly any cash to go around.

It’s safe to say, families in Li Hua Team with ten yuan in savings were rare; you couldn’t find five households with that much if you searched the whole team.

"Sister Niu, should we sell spicy noodles too?"

Lin Xiang shook her head, "We’re already selling spicy noodles; if you join in, it won’t do any good for business. Also, the initial investment for selling spicy noodles is too high and the return is too slow, it’s not cost-effective."

"I remember Uncle Wang makes excellent twisted dough sticks. He could make some to sell at the market fair."

Making good twisted dough sticks requires skill, not everyone can make delicious ones.

Uncle Wang’s twisted dough sticks are a standout in Li Hua Team, "Sounds good to me! I’ll go and fry a few pounds later and start selling them tomorrow!"

"Doesn’t Uncle Zhao make ding ding candy and maltose? With the year end coming up, every family has some extra cash to spend a bit on snacks for their kids. You could make some maltose to sell at the fairs. It’s not about high prices, but with enough buyers, you’ll be able to make a decent income in a day."

"Aunt Chen, your flatbread is delicious. I suggest you add some fillings to it and turn it into stuffed pockets. Even if they don’t sell, bringing them home for your family to eat is still worthwhile."