Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 210 Knowing What's Good and Bad
After dinner that afternoon, Fang Mingche called Lao Zhou's house and asked his brother to come pick him up.

Fang Minghua sounded a little excited on the phone, "We closed after noon. We sold a total of 98 bowls today and made a little over four yuan."

If his second brother hadn't made him offer a 20% discount on his first day, he could have earned more than ten yuan. But it's alright, the price will be back to normal tomorrow.

After noon, there were very few customers. The main problem was that they still had a lot of preparation work to do; they had almost used up the meat sauce and wontons they had made earlier. They hadn't dared to stock up too much at first, fearing they wouldn't be able to sell it all.

Moreover, it's better to prepare fresh wontons.

Fang Mingche said, "That's good. Today, the neighbors who came to support your business bought at most thirty or forty bowls. That means you sold more than sixty bowls. But brother, you need to figure out what the profit margin is. You only start to make a profit after selling that number. You also need to factor in rent, utilities, food costs, and your two labor costs."

He originally suggested offering a 10% discount for another week to increase brand awareness. Even good wine needs advertising. But his older brother refused. He didn't mention it again after that.

Hearing Fang Mingche's somewhat discouraging words, Fang Minghua and Fang Jian, who were listening to the broadcast next to Fang Mingche, were both stunned.

Fang Minghua went back and told Yuan Shufen and his parents, "The second son asked me to calculate the daily profit line."

Mr. Fang said, “That makes sense. You’re calculating that if you sell at the original price, you’ll make 11 cents per bowl of noodles. But you only make a profit if you sell past the break-even point. If you don’t sell, you’ll lose money! Besides, business is always best on opening day. Since you refused the discount for the first few days, you should be prepared that business might not be as good starting tomorrow. Today the shop was very lively from the beginning, and we also had a 20% discount. Chinese people are always happy to get a good deal. So many customers who wanted to eat or try the noodles came in directly. Tomorrow, without so many people patronizing the shop, it will be very quiet at first.”

Seeing that his eldest son and daughter-in-law looked a little unwell, he paused and then said, "Of course, those who enjoyed the meal today are very likely to come back. However, three mao a bowl of noodles is actually not cheap relative to the average income these days."

Yuan Shufen said, "Dad, we used a lot of meat."

Mr. Fang said frankly, "People are still frugal these days. Most people won't spend too much on breakfast. They prefer to eat at home. Even if they want to eat out, these days, small businesses are encouraged, and there are quite a few noodle shops like yours. Those who dare to rent a shop to open a restaurant are usually quite skilled. Why would people walk a few extra steps to eat here?"

In the early stages, when it's crucial to build up customer traffic, the eldest son is unwilling to offer discounts of 27 or 36 cents to sell for a few more days, aiming for high volume and low profit. That means there will likely be fewer customers tomorrow.

Rather than running a stall with hardly any customers, it's better to earn less money initially but make more noise and buzz.

If you say he doesn't listen to advice, then he listens when you suggest he open a noodle shop. He only listens to half of what you say, so even the second son is too lazy to say anything more.

Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen looked at each other in surprise. Business was already very good at the beginning of the day!
Mr. Fang didn't say anything more; he wouldn't know to turn back until he hit a brick wall.

The next day, business was indeed much slower. They sold only about thirty bowls of noodles and wontons that morning. The meat sauce could be saved for tomorrow, as could the dried noodles. But they had enough for eighteen bowls of wontons left over from the thirty bowls they made.

If left out for too long, the skin will dry out. Even if they went to a restaurant, they wouldn't want to eat something that had obviously been sitting out for several hours or even overnight.

Now, besides their family of four, only two other people who stayed in the capital to work as drivers live in the small courtyard. They are already looking for a place to move out. They can't possibly finish all the food they have to cook at home.

Seeing that it was almost noon, Fang Minghua closed the gauze covering the wontons, put the lid on the small steamer, and headed straight for the courtyard. There were many travel agency employees there, and lunch and dinner were provided.

Han Mei, the office director, also oversees logistics. She said, "Brother Fang, I can only calculate the cost price for you, and at most add some labor costs. I can't calculate it based on how much your shop sells for. After all, we have a cook. If you want wontons, just have them make them for you. It's my duty to control the cost of ingredients."

Fang Minghua had no choice but to say, "Alright, we'll do it your way."

That way, at least we won't lose that money.

Han Mei then called over the cook, who estimated the amount. She then gave him the money.

"Brother Fang, the tour guide and driver won't be back for lunch. However, we should be able to finish eighteen servings of wontons in two meals today, which shouldn't be a problem. But we can't eat them all the time, right?"

I noticed a few people chose to eat wontons for lunch. The leftovers can be put in the refrigerator; they'll last longer than left out.

Fang Minghua understood what she meant and accepted it today. But she worried that people might not want to eat it tomorrow, so she shouldn't send any more tomorrow.

"Ok, I see."

For lunch, Mr. and Mrs. Fang chose to eat wontons, and then Fang Mingche, Lin Yan, Fang Min, Fang Jian, Fang Fang, Yan Yan, and Kang Kang ate them. That finished nine bowls.

If even our own people aren't eating, how can we expect others to help?

Mr. Fang said, "They switched to domestic sales the very next day."

Fang Mingche laughed, "It wasn't exported before either. Eat up, eat up, sister-in-law's wontons are pretty good. The meat portion is really generous. How many did you sell today?"

Fang's mother had asked her eldest son about it earlier, and now she said, "They said they sold more than thirty bowls in total."

Fang Mingche said, "That's not bad. It means that most of the customers yesterday were satisfied with the taste, ingredients, and service. So, what's the profit margin you calculated for the number of bowls?"

Mr. Fang scoffed, "He can't even calculate it properly! I had to use an abacus to calculate it for him. Without a discount, it's forty-five bowls. With a discount, it's sixty bowls. If we don't count their wages today, we'll break even."

Lin Yan said, "That's really good. No wonder Dad chose to sell breakfast for them; my sister-in-law's cooking skills are truly exceptional."

Kang Kang also said, "My mom's wontons are delicious."

Seeing everyone eating, Changchang, sitting in his high chair, also said, "I'll eat—"

This baby chair was made by Song Quan himself at home using bamboo after he went to Friendship Store to observe what people were selling there. Old Song said that Fang Mingche had helped him a lot in the past two years, so he wanted to give back a little.

I must say, it's actually quite useful. Wherever you want to go, you can just fold it up and carry it. It's also stable when you put it down and sit. Old Song really has a keen eye; he's learned the essence of what's what.

Lin Yan then asked Fang Min to cook two plain dumplings and gave him the wallets around them to eat.

Changchang pointed to the remaining middle piece, "Meat—"

Lin Yan said, "You little rascal, you even know this is meat. Mom, can we give this to him?"

Fang's mother looked at it and said, "This should be similar to minced meat. Let's feed him less of it. Feed the skin and meat separately, because he's getting bigger and might choke."

Fang Min nodded and did as instructed, "Okay."

Seeing her little cousin eating with relish, Fang Fang smiled and asked, "Changchang, is it delicious?"

Changchang nodded, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

When they returned home in the afternoon, Fang's father said to Fang Minghua, "Starting tomorrow, you will be in charge of the food expenses in our courtyard. Your brother will provide accommodation for us old folks, and you will be responsible for the food. Isn't that fair? Your two cousins ​​have already found a room to rent and are moving out. Fang Jian and his two brothers will also move back in."

After saying that, she whispered, "I haven't even told you to include the rent in the second son's account yet. Not counting the rent for the two of us, your family of five lives in four rooms. That's at least fifteen yuan a month. Logically, you should pay that, since the second son also paid for the house. 8500 yuan, not cheap! And there are three kids. Mingche paid the high rent of 600 yuan for the first year. Do you expect him to pay again for the second year?"

Without some pressure, people do business as they please. After all, even if they lose money, the financial burden isn't too great. They're only thinking about making money for themselves, not about offering a discount to attract customers. Is doing business really that simple, just multiplication?

"Dad, we haven't broken even yet!" Fang Minghua said.

"So, I didn't ask you to pay rent. The high tuition fees aren't until next September. Or, if you two feel the pressure, why don't you just buy train tickets and go back, leaving the elderly and young with the second child?"

Fang Minghua said, "We're not that shameless! We sold more than thirty bowls today, and things will gradually get better."

Mr. Fang said, “That’s not necessarily true. A noodle or wonton shop might open up in these alleys any time. You have the first-mover advantage now, and Shufen is very skilled. What you should be thinking about now is how to attract more customers and turn them into repeat customers.”

He took out his abacus and showed them the calculations: without a discount, he would need to serve more than thirty bowls to break even; with a discount, he would need to serve fifty bowls. He no longer bothered to calculate their wages.

But if you sell sixty bowls at a discount, wouldn't you make extra profit on the ten bowls?
"You two are both hardworking people, preferring to make small profits but increase sales. Why do people give out consolation prizes when they're playing a ring toss game? It's to make customers feel better and encourage them to come back. It's the same principle when you sell noodles. A 10% discount will make customers feel much better. If someone wants to eat out in the morning, they have many other options. Isn't it more economical to eat steamed buns, mantou, porridge, soy milk, fried dough sticks, or 'Capital's Fighting Spirit' (a type of noodle dish) than noodles or wontons?"

He explained things to the couple meticulously, and finally convinced them to offer a 10% discount starting tomorrow.

Mr. Fang's calligraphy was excellent. He asked Yuan Shufen to find a piece of red paper and spread it out so that she could write down "Grand Opening Special Offer: 10% Off Everything".

Business was noticeably better on the third day. After taking inventory at noon, they had sold sixty-six bowls. They cooked the extra two bowls of wontons themselves. Excluding labor costs, they earned a little over two yuan that day.

Fang Minghua said, "Sigh, it would be better if Mingfa went to play ring toss."

Yuan Shufen said, "Mingche didn't charge him for the stall rent, and he wasn't even allowed to give gifts. We've already paid the rent for the shop. But everyone who ate there said it was delicious, which has given me a lot more confidence. Business should get better and better. I think Mingche didn't finish what he was saying the day before yesterday. Let's go pick up the three kids today and ask him about it."

My brother-in-law is quite capable these days; he wouldn't easily offer advice to just anyone. But before he could finish speaking, the child's father rejected the suggestion of a 10% discount.

She'll go and say something conciliatory today, and ask for further suggestions.

They went back and asked Fang's mother where her brother-in-law's family lived in the Overseas Chinese Apartment and how to get there by public transport.

Fang's mother said, "I'm afraid you'll be too upset if you go. Let's get the preparations done for tomorrow first. Shouldn't we get the chili oil ready?"

Yuan Shufen nodded and went to the kitchen to get busy.

Stimulated by this, she remembered Kang Kang mentioning that her uncle's television was in color and much larger.

After the couple finished all the preparations in the afternoon, they went to the Overseas Chinese Apartment with Fang's mother.

Fang's mother was a registered visitor, meaning she could be let in without asking the homeowner. She went in directly with her eldest son and daughter-in-law.

Fang's mother still had the key to the front door, given to her by Fang Mingche. However, after greeting her, she rang the doorbell before entering. She took out the key and was about to open the door when she thought for a moment and rang the doorbell again.

Fang Min had just come over and looked through the peephole; the front door was already open from the outside.

"Seventh Aunt, Sixth Uncle, Sixth Aunt—" Fang Min made way for them.

Changchang toddled over on her short legs, hugged her leg, and looked outside, calling out, "Grandma—"

Then she looked at Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen, "Auntie, Mother—"

Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen stared blankly at the furnishings in the room. They had only ever seen houses like this in movies, the kind where big capitalists lived. No wonder their mother had said she was afraid it would be too much for them to bear.

I had only heard that Mingche and Ayan were renting a place with their child, but I never imagined it was such a nice place.

Yuan Shufen bent down and picked Changchang up. "Changchang is such a good girl. Didn't you go downstairs for a walk?"

"Let's go," Changchang said happily.

Fang Min had already gone to get a cup and pour water. "I just got back. If I don't go downstairs a few times a day, it won't get dark."

Yuan Shufen drank some water, then got up and went inside to pack her children's things. She packed her two sons' things first, since Fang Fang and Yan Yan shared a room, and she was afraid of taking the wrong items.

"Changchang, which room do your two older brothers live in?"

Changchang went over and led the way for her, saying, "Here."

Fang Minghua couldn't help but look around several rooms, visiting all of them except for his brother's and his brother's wife's bedroom before finally sitting down on the sofa.

"Mom, do the things in this house belong to the landlord?"

"What are you thinking, landlord? It was all bought by Ayan."

"Wow, buying all these appliances and furniture must cost tens of thousands of yuan." Appliances are notoriously expensive these days, and the better ones are mostly imported.

"Yes. Otherwise, how do you think they incurred that debt of 180,000? It was for buying these things, as well as the house, furniture, and appliances in the courtyard house. The courtyard house is for entertaining guests, so we won't go into that. But we had to buy the best here as well."

Fang Minghua stroked his chin. He had previously thought his second son's 180,000 yuan debt was exaggerated. But now it seemed it really was; he genuinely owed that much. They were far too generous and daring to incur such a large debt!
"How dare they owe so much?"

"They say they believe in their ability to earn money and want to consume in advance. They go to university and study abroad, which makes their consumption habits the same as foreigners."

She naturally heard about advance consumption from her son and daughter-in-law. An elderly overseas Chinese man who spoke Chinese had moved into the courtyard house before, and she'd heard about this kind of consumption mentality among foreigners from conversations with him.

The man also told her that her son and daughter-in-law were both capable people. Moreover, since the debts and assets were evenly distributed, there was really no need to worry too much.

That's what they say, but how can a mother not worry at all? If something goes wrong and they can't pay back the money, even selling the whole family wouldn't be enough.

Fang Minghua looked at the apples in the fruit plate; Fang Min had just washed them and brought them out. They still had water droplets on them, looking glistening and lovely.

He picked it up and took a big bite. Mmm, delicious. The second son must be living the life of a god.

Fang Mingche and Lin Yan returned one after the other, followed by the four children being picked up by Master He. Lin Yan said, "Mom, my older brother, and sister-in-law are here. I'll call Dad and ask him to come over for dinner after work."

Originally, everyone was supposed to go together, but now we'll just call my father-in-law over. He can also help them drive the car over.

Yuan Shufen then mentioned that they had come to pick up their child, and they couldn't just leave everything to their uncle and aunt.

Lin Yan said, "They're all quite obedient. When you have free time, brother and sister-in-law, you can bring the kids over often. There's a really good mutton soup place nearby, how about we go there tonight?"

Fang Mingche nodded, "Okay." The fellow villagers and relatives who came to stay were all taken care of, and finally only his own family was left.

Yuan Shufen sat down next to Fang Minghua. "Mingche, we sold 66 bowls today with a 10% discount. Do you have any suggestions for your brother and sister-in-law? You're a successful businessman, after all."

Fang Mingche laughed, realizing he knew what was good for him.

However, he didn't offer too many suggestions. Instead, he said, "Sister-in-law, why don't you organize a customer appreciation event? If someone eats ten bowls of noodles or wontons, you get one free. Whether they come back to eat ten bowls at once or twice, you get one free. If someone comes and eats ten bowls, you'll earn more than you would have to pay for one. Besides, the more people you have, the more popular you'll become."

Yuan Shufen and Fang Minghua looked at each other and said, "Okay!"

Yuan Shufen's noodles were already delicious, Fang Minghua's service was becoming increasingly attentive, and they also employed a series of promotional techniques. By the end of the month, their business was already quite good.

In November, we made about eighty yuan in twenty days (including the wages of two people).

The couple beamed with joy; earning four yuan a day was a first for them. Besides, Mingfa's ring toss game was popular for a while, but competitors quickly emerged, and the profits dropped significantly; now they earn at most three yuan a day.

Well, this development is finally a bit more reassuring.

Mr. Fang stretched out his hand directly, "Food expenses. You two ate at the noodle shop, but the two elders and three children ate in the courtyard."

After those fellow villagers moved out, they stopped cooking in the small courtyard.

Fang Minghua said, "What you're eating is the work meal. It's just my mother and three children for twenty days!"

He reluctantly gave her thirty yuan. They eat meat every day; it wouldn't be right to give too little. However, since he would cover her food expenses, she wouldn't have to pay rent.

Fang Mingche didn't refuse the thirty yuan; a small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment! Besides, considering only the cost price, it was indeed about the same.

With fifty yuan left, Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen were quite satisfied. It was much more profitable than farming!

By December, business was booming, and Fang Minghua was finding it difficult to manage on his own. His real intention was to ask his mother to come and help, since the old lady didn't have much work to do each day.

But Fang Mingche had told him early on that if he was too busy, he should hire someone. Besides, the old lady didn't have much work to do because she ate in the courtyard house and had a washing machine for laundry. All of this was done by Fang Mingche.

If he were to make his mother, who prefers to avoid trouble, do the chores for him without paying her, the second son would likely be very upset.

So, they decided to hire someone to avoid giving the second son something to say. They asked Fang's father to write down the job requirements and benefits and posted them on the wall.

After finishing the job and returning, Fang Minghua couldn't help but say to Yuan Shufen, "It's so cold! In early December in the capital, it's almost as cold as the coldest days of winter in Sichuan."

They had already put on their thickest clothes.

A few days ago, Comrade Wang brought each of the elderly couple a military overcoat. He said they didn't have enough for their own family, so he was giving them to them. They must be very warm. However, he only brought them to the elderly couple because of the second son's kindness. If they wanted them, they would be shameless.

The two discussed buying cotton to add to their cotton-padded jackets, and also to fluff up the cotton in their old jackets.

Fang's mother said, "The down jacket's lining is very warm. When my parents and Kang Kang came to visit in the winter before, Ayan bought them for us. Why don't you ask Ayan how much they cost and where she bought them?"

She collected the fleece herself and made a vest for Fang Jian. It wasn't pretty, but it was warm. Over the past six months, she had also raised quite a few chickens and ducks, and collected even more. She could add sleeves to Fang Jian's vest. But it wouldn't be enough to make another one for an adult; she should be able to make one for Fang Fang.

When asked, Lin Yan replied, "It costs around twenty or thirty yuan apiece. These are hard to buy; I only managed to get them through Comrade Wang at a down jacket factory in Shanghai."

Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen exchanged a glance. It's so expensive! They should just buy a few yuan's worth of cotton to fluff it.

Fang Mingche said, "Business is picking up, isn't it? Since Fang Jian and Fang Fang have their own homemade products, why don't you two each get one? When you have some spare cash later, just give the money to Ayan. Especially since you two get up at six in the morning to open the shop, it's freezing cold then. And since it's your first time in the capital, you'll get sick and medicine will be even more expensive."

Fang Minghua said, "You mean, you want us to consume in advance too?"

"Why not? Don't just save money when you have it. These are necessities; you should buy them when you need them."

Fang Minghua and Yuan Shufen were still reluctant to part with it, as it would cost them fifty or sixty yuan in total.

Fang's mother wanted to suggest giving them the two military overcoats, but Fang's father stopped her with a look. Once they were alone, she asked, "Why not? Mingche probably wouldn't have chosen this gift."

Mr. Fang said, “I’ve looked at them. These two are a bit different from what Mingche wore in previous years. Mingche’s were obtained through a student of his who was in the army. They were what soldiers wore. The two that Xiao Wang gave us are probably his grandfather’s. It’s not quite appropriate for the eldest son to wear an officer’s overcoat while working as a waiter. As for the ones given to us, we’ll wear them ourselves. It doesn’t matter whether he had the second son pay for the down jacket or he bought cotton to make it thicker.”

In the end, Fang Minghua and his wife decided to use cotton to make it thicker. As long as the elderly and young in the family weren't cold, that was fine. They could wear short, thick cotton-padded coats to work more easily and move around more. Besides, how cold could it be while sitting by the stove?
As for the job postings that were put up, people came very quickly.

The first person to arrive was Mingfa. "It's getting cold, and my business is getting worse and worse. So I just started selling fried rice in the winter. But I also want to find some work during the day."

He used the one or two hundred yuan he won from ring toss to buy an old tricycle and set up a stall. He sold his wares at the Dashilan night market, earning a meager living. Making two or three yuan a night wasn't a big problem. The other stall owners quite liked to patronize his stall.

But he figured he could definitely make use of the daytime too. He saw that Fang Minghua and his wife were looking for helpers at their noodle shop, paying 24 yuan a month. So he volunteered.

"These are our own people, so I feel safe using them." Yuan Shufen said, "Then don't be late this morning."

"Don't worry, my fried rice stall closes at nine o'clock at night."

Unexpectedly, Xie Ting arrived just as things were settled.

"Brother Fang, Sister Fang, you're looking for helpers, right? Do you think I'm suitable?"

Yuan Shufen and Fang Minghua exchanged a glance. "Aren't you supposed to be taking care of Aunt Gao? Besides, I heard your sister is pregnant too."

Xie Ting whispered, "My sister has been paranoid since she got pregnant, and she wants to kick me out."

Yuan Shufen said, "Little sister, this is unfortunate. We just finished hiring someone. It's Mingfa from our clan, the one who played ring toss in Dashilan. We're a small business, so we really don't need many people. See if you can find any other suitable jobs."

When they got home, they told Mingfa about their decision, and also about Xie Ting.

Fang's mother raised an eyebrow, "Suspicious and paranoid?"

As they were talking, they saw Fang Mingche and Lin Yan enter the small side courtyard.

"You two came back for something?"

As for visiting the elderly, we all eat lunch and dinner together in the courtyard every day. There's no need for us to make a special trip to their home.

Fang Mingche said, "Zhu Dahai and Hu Yong called us over. We also heard that Xiao Xie is pregnant, and Ayan said she wanted to come and see her."

They were wearing their down jacket linings underneath, with leather jackets and wool coats on top, looking quite dashing, especially compared to their brother and sister-in-law who were wearing thick cotton-padded coats.

The two elders, on the other hand, looked much more impressive than their eldest son and daughter-in-law, since Lin Yan was the one who bought their clothes and accessories.

When the topic of Xiao Xie's pregnancy came up, Yuan Shufen recalled what had just happened. She recounted Xie Ting's job search and what she had said.

Lin Yan said, "Xie Ping said before that Xie Ting kept trying to please Aunt Gao and Gao Xiang at home, but she was increasingly disregarding her, her older sister."

Fang Mingche said directly, "Does she want to take her place?"

"Who knows?"

"Don't meddle in other people's business! It's between two sisters, don't interfere."

Lin Yan said, "It was Xie Ping who realized something was wrong and brought it up with me. How can a girl that age not know how to avoid suspicion? Xie Ping herself said she wanted to introduce her to someone, since sending him back would definitely be used by their father to exchange for betrothal gifts. Later, I don't know how they communicated, but nothing came of it. However, Xie Ping asked me before if I knew any good boys, and I said I didn't have any suitable ones. With her sister like this, how could I introduce a good boy to her?"

In her opinion, Xie Ting has a really big problem. You don't want to go back to your hometown and want to find someone in the capital. That's normal. Who, after seeing the world, would still want to go back?
Then don't be so attentive to your brother-in-law. It's best for a sister-in-law and brother-in-law to avoid each other. They're both seventeen or eighteen years old! Now Gao Xiang has to avoid them at every turn.

Now, something has happened that has made Xie Ping even tell her to go back.

However, whether for public or private reasons, she should go and see Xie Ping.

"Don't worry, I won't interfere in other people's family affairs."

Yan Yan had originally planned to go with her mother, but after hearing what the adults said, it seemed that Aunt Xie and her sister had a conflict. So she decided not to go.

Fang Fang was boiling water in the small kitchen. Seeing them come in, she put a few more raw sweet potatoes into the stove and covered them with straw ash. Then she came out, calling out, "Uncle, Aunt—"

Kang Kang was already waiting to eat roasted sweet potatoes, so he came out to call for help.

Fang Mingche and Lin Yan nodded to the siblings. Then they said to Fang Chang, "Go play with your big sister in the kitchen, it's warm inside."

Yan Yan led him inside. She heard that sweet potatoes had been buried and they would be ready to eat soon. The little guy grinned happily.

Yan Yan said to him, "All you do is fart!"

Changchang said, "Release!"

Kang Kang patted him on the shoulder, "Yeah, just say what you want to say, and spit it out. What's the big deal?"

Lin Yan said from outside, "Mom and Dad, Mingche and I are going to go see Xiao Xie."

Fang's mother nodded, "Go ahead, you should go and take a look."

Lin Yan took the milk powder, malted milk powder, and canned yellow peaches from Fang Min, and went with Fang Mingche to the adjacent courtyard. They each took two portions, one for Xie Ping and one for Aunt Gao.

Fang Min then went into the kitchen as well.

Fang Minghua asked Fang Jian to help them with the accounts. Fang Jian came out to say hello and then went inside to use the abacus. At this moment, only a few children were in the kitchen.

Next door, Fang Mingche and Lin Yan placed their things on the octagonal table.

Aunt Gao seemed to be talking to Gao Xiang, but when she saw them, she managed a smile. "Xiao Fang and Xiao Lin are here."

"Yes, Auntie."

Lin Yan exchanged a few pleasantries before entering Xie Ping's room, where she noticed Xie Ping was still somewhat sulking. She didn't see Xie Ting; she was probably in her room next door.

"Why are you angry? Don't take it to heart. Your health is the most important thing!"

Xie Ping said, "I saw Gao Xiang and my sister hugging. I told Xie Ting to pack up and go home for the New Year as soon as possible, but my mother-in-law said I was making trouble for no reason."

Lin Yan said, "There are still forty or fifty days until the New Year, and you're pregnant again. Aunt Gao is doing better, but she can barely take care of herself. It's a bit strange to send her back now. Besides, there are so many things to do at home, who will do them? As for you saying you saw Gao Xiang and her hugging, let me ask you, do you trust Gao Xiang at all?"

Xie Ping hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"That's right. You know yourself that seeing isn't always believing. Maybe Xie Ting was about to fall, and he instinctively caught her. And that's how you saw it. Was he facing you or with his back to you?"

"Turn your back to me."

"And what about your sister?"

"She was facing me. Do you think she might have done it on purpose?"

Lin Yan didn't say much, "Since you didn't react before, you really can't live without her now. At this critical moment, even if you wanted to get rid of her and replace her with someone else, it's not that easy. Also, she went to Mingche's brother and sister-in-law's noodle shop to work as a helper, saying that you were being paranoid and wanted to get rid of her."

(End of this chapter)