Chapter 186: Partner

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Su Xiu was extremely excited. “Big Sister, are you really putting me in charge of the household budget?” It was a big deal. Many women had to live under the thumbs of their mothers-in-law after marriage. Divorce was one of the only ways they could regain autonomy or control over things like their household’s finances.

Su Xiu trusted her eldest sister, for she was the head of their family and could do as she said.

“Yes!” Su Wen nodded. She hesitated but quickly braced herself, saying, “You’ll need to improve your cooking. Use your head more and clarify anything you are unsure of with me.”

Initially, Su Wen feared Su Xiu would be angry if she spoke too bluntly. She did not expect her to be so motivated instead.

“I will, I definitely will.” Although she had already decided to find a live-in son-in-law at home like her eldest sister, learning to cook well would always serve her in good stead.

It would be embarrassing if a big girl like her did not know how to cook properly.

“That’s good; I’m glad.” Su Wen did not know whether to laugh or cry. She got up and took out the handkerchiefs from a box. Inside it was all the money they possessed. The notes and coins amounted to 208 yuan, which was not much. Fortunately, Hengyang gave her that special ticket, while Liu Chun gave her a bicycle.

Otherwise, they would not have had any money left.

She was still too poor! They had little meat, oil, rice, or noodles at home. Su Wen’s mouth twitched. How was she supposed to buy good vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce with how they had left?

Life was hard enough. She was not about to suffer the indignity of being unable to eat whatever she wanted.

208 yuan may have seemed like a fair sum, but they needed to set aside 200 yuan to obtain a storefront from the county’s Agricultural and Finished Goods Trading Market.

Therefore, this money could not be touched.

No matter how wretched their circumstances, she had to keep this floating sum. She definitely could not miss this opportunity. As long as she managed to get a storefront, they would earn a decent income in the future, even if they just collected rent by leasing it out. Su Wen hoped to earn more money to purchase more storefronts, if possible.

She would seize the opportunity and profit where there was profit to be had from the market.

“We’re still too poor…” Su Wen mumbled as she handed five yuan to Su Xiu. “This is for you to buy daily necessities. It isn’t much, but we’ll have to make do for now. I still have some use for the other 200 yuan. In the future, the family will have two accounts. You’ll be responsible for the basic accounting. That includes living expenses, clothing, food, accommodation, etc.”

“You don’t need to be too frugal with your budgeting. You have to think bigger.

We’ll move to the big city one day, so you mustn’t limit your sights to our small village.”

Su Wen’s words caused the three sisters to tremble in excitement.

“Money is meant to be spent, so spend it when you must. I can only give you this five yuan for now,” Su Wen appeared somewhat apologetic as she continued, “You’ll get more in the future. As long as the expenses are within reason and are accounted for, you can do as you see fit.”

“Should I create a ledger for our accounts?” Su Xiu asked.

“Yes, that’s why I bought all those notebooks. Take one and use it for our accounts.”

“Okay!’ Su Xiu nodded, brimming with confidence. “Right. Should I continue making steamed cakes?”

“Yes, you may, but you can’t make too many; you won’t be able to handle everything by yourself. Su Qing and I won’t be free to help you…” Su Wen paused mid-sentence. She frowned and fell into deep thought. After a while, she said, “I have a suggestion.”

“I’m listening.”

“You asked He Yulan to help you with those steamed cakes before – I think it’s a good idea. He Yulan is a good person, and she would be a good helper.”

“But…” Su Xiu hesitated. “Is that a good idea? What if…”

“It’s fine.” Su Wen knew what was on Su Xiu’s mind. She knew plenty of cases whereby business partners would turn on each other for profit. There were many cases where one party gobbled up the whole business without leaving anything for the other. While Su Wen had said He Yulan was a good person, it did not necessarily mean she trusted her. The sale of steamed cakes was not a long-term career in Su Wen’s eyes, so they would not lose much even if she betrayed them.

It was just a small business that was profitable now. She did not plan to continue it for long.

Su Wen had suggested He Yulan because she genuinely believed she was a decent person with sufficient connections to those around her. He Yulan’s husband and three brothers shared a good relationship, with her mother-in-law being someone Su Wen considered fairly smart. It would do them good to rope their family into the business.

He Yulan would be a good partner..

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