Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 125 Accounting
The next morning, the entire Hong family set off again to set up their stall in town.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the town market is becoming more and more lively, and many people who went out to work are returning home.

Many people went straight to Huang Yuezhen's stall as soon as they got off the bus, and her business never stopped.

The 5,000 yuan worth of goods that were originally ordered were sold out in less than ten days.

Later, Huang Yuezhen contacted Gao Lei and bought a lot of goods on credit, selling them until the 28th day of the Lunar New Year before closing up shop.

During this period, the whole family has been busy with business and everyone has lost a lot of weight, but their energy and spirits are excellent.

Huang Yuezhen, together with Hong Shaoyang and Lin E, counted the money they had earned during this period. After deducting the money they had to repay to Lin Qin and Gao Lei for the goods, they were left with more than eight thousand.

Lin E and Hong Shaoyang were both dumbfounded.

"Mom! Pinch me, is this real?"

Huang Yuezhen herself felt it was unreal and immediately pinched Hong Shaoyang.

Hong Shaoyang cried out in pain.

The three of them woke up as if from a dream.

Lin E immediately said, "Since there are still a few days until the New Year, Yuezhen, you and Shaoyang go to the city to pay back the money you owe. Don't stay until the New Year. Also, meet up with Weimin and come back together later."

In rural areas, it is taboo to leave debts over the New Year.

Huang Yuezhen immediately agreed.

The mother and son were very careful when they went out with a large sum of money. In order to avoid attracting attention, Lin E specially found a large woven bag that she treasured at home. She put the money in a burlap sack at the bottom and placed the vegetables she grew and the slaughtered chickens and ducks on top.

As soon as the food was loaded into the car, a strong fishy smell hit the air, and no one wanted to look at it again, so they all turned their heads to the window.

We arrived in the city safely.

The mother and son went to Nanyu first.

Huang Yuezhen has lived here for a year and is already used to it.

Hong Shaoyang was different. It was his first time in the city, and he was shocked by everything he saw. When he saw the houses and stadium on Nanyu Island, he was speechless with amazement.

Huang Yuezhen put the things down first, then took out the money in front of Lin Qin and Lin Yi, counted out five thousand and gave it to Lin Qin, saying, "I still need to take Shaoyang to Boss Gao's place to pay back the money we owe, and buy some things. We'll go back to the village together when Weimin comes back."

"Uncle, my mother-in-law said she'll come to the city to wish you a Happy New Year."

Lin Yi's eyes widened in surprise. "If my older sister is coming, I'd better prepare properly. What does she like to eat?"

Huang Yuezhen shook her head. "My mother-in-law had a hard life back then. She ate whatever she could get her hands on. She was happy as long as she could have some meat. Uncle, there's no need to prepare anything too complicated."

Lin Yi carefully wrote down Huang Yuezhen's words, then turned to whisper to Lin Qin.

Just then, the baby inside started crying, so Lin Yi quickly went inside to check on the child.

Huang Yuezhen led Hong Shaoyang to Gao Lei's place to repay the money, get to know him, and inquire about next year's goods.

Wu Agui has been doing very well with Gao Lei these past few months, earning a lot of money, and his speech and actions have become much more open and honest.

Knowing that Huang Yuezhen was Chen Wenjun's relative, he didn't dare to be careless and carefully explained the plans for next year: "Our boss plans to go to Guangdong Province to get goods after the Lantern Festival. This time, we'll be getting spring clothes. You can tell me what you need. Anyway, our boss mainly does business with your families in the clothing sector."

It wasn't that Gao Lei didn't want to focus on clothing, but rather that electronics were more profitable, and he had connections there. If he wanted to do both, he'd need another business, which wasn't impossible, but simply not currently feasible. Huang Yuezhen was extremely grateful and spoke her mind freely, chatting with Wu Agui for half an hour before leaving.

Hong Shaoyang witnessed Huang Yuezhen negotiating with others and benefited greatly from it.

After leaving Gao Lei's warehouse, the mother and son still had some money left, so they went to the city's department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives for a stroll. The items in the department stores were too expensive for them to afford, and the supply and marketing cooperatives were not as popular as before, but they were still very crowded.

The two bought some things that they couldn't buy in the countryside and then left.

For New Year's goods, you'll find more options at the newly opened food stores near Friendship Square.

When the two finished shopping and hurried back, Hong Shaoyang's hands were already full of things.

He exclaimed, "Mom, this city is so bustling! And my second cousin's family is really rich! This has truly broadened my horizons!"

Huang Yuezhen covered her mouth and chuckled, "That's what Mom thought too. I used to think I could just work with your second cousin and uncle. But now that our family has made money, I have more ideas. Son, listen to Mom. After the New Year, I'll continue to work in the city. You can stay in our hometown and set up your stall. You can set up your stall for half a day and then help your grandma with some chores for the other half."

"Keep half of what you earn, and give the other half to your grandma. We'll use it to build you a house when you get married. We'll build a two-story house, just like your aunt's, okay?"

Hong Shaoyang nodded vigorously, "Mom, I'll do whatever you say!"

Huang Yuezhen smiled brightly, feeling increasingly hopeful for the future.

The two stayed in Nanyu until Lunar New Year's Eve.

Early in the morning, Hong Weimin returned with Chen Wenjun's tin boat, and on the way, he also went to the market to help sell fish, asking Chen Wenjun to make another trip to Nangang to load goods.

Hong Weimin was busy until noon before he returned to Nanyu and met up with Huang Yuezhen and Hong Shaoyang.

The family of three was preparing to take the 1 p.m. bus back home.

Lin Qin offered them the New Year's gifts she had prepared in advance, saying, "You've worked hard this year, cousin and cousin-in-law. This is just a small token of our appreciation, you can't refuse it."

Hong Weimin said helplessly, "Cousin, Boss Lü gave me two boxes of seafood as New Year's gifts. I don't really need any seafood here. It would be a waste if I took it back and couldn't finish it."

Lin Qin shook her head, "It's different. I gave you dried seafood, which can be stored, and a box of oranges. You probably don't have those where you are! The other things are candies, melon seeds, and snacks, which are for the children."

Unable to persuade Lin Qin, Hong Weimin had no choice but to take all the belongings with him.

The family returned to the village around four o'clock.

During the Lunar New Year, the village was decorated in red, with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. Some children even secretly set off firecrackers, making the New Year spirit very strong.

The three of them carried their belongings home.

Lin E hadn't seen her son for a year. Her eyes welled up with tears as she hugged him, but her face was full of joy. "You've lost weight and gotten darker! Haven't you been eating well outside?"

Hong Weimin laughed heartily, “Mom, why don’t you say I’m strong and energetic? The sun is scorching at the beach. I was wearing a straw hat, but I couldn’t beat the sea breeze! During the Spring Festival, Boss Lü gave me two boxes of seafood, one box of ribbonfish and one box of razor clams. Wenjun also prepared other seafood for me, packing a little of each.”

My cousin gave me dried seafood and other things; they're all here.

As soon as the items were placed over there, Lin E's attention was immediately diverted.

Hong Weimin turned and went to the kitchen to get hot water for a bath.

Huang Yuezhen went back to her room to do the accounting. By the time Hong Weimin came out after taking a shower, Huang Yuezhen had finished the calculations. She looked up at him and said, "Your monthly salary is forty-five. Even if you didn't eat for a year, you should have brought back five hundred and forty yuan. After deducting some expenses, you should have less than five hundred and forty yuan. But you have a thousand two hundred here! Where did it come from?"

(End of this chapter)