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

Lin Qin encouraged her confidently, "If you work hard, you'll have everything you need."

She only knew a little about Zhao Xiaohong and didn't dare to say too much. She first taught her some ways to process seafood, then looked at Ye Wenwen and asked about breakfast.

Ye Wenwen quickly lifted the basket of flour that had almost risen. "Xiao Hong and I discussed it, and we'll start preparing steamed buns and dumplings for the kids for breakfast from now on, along with some soy milk or something. It's easy to make, and the kids like to eat it."

Xiaohong happens to be particularly good at making pasta dishes. So, she first prepared the dough, then added some chopped green onions to make steamed buns. There wasn't time to grind soybeans this year, so she skipped the soy milk and made lean pork soup instead. She'll have steamed buns with lean pork soup for breakfast.

Lunch was the same as yesterday: seafood noodles. For afternoon snack, we had sweet white fungus porridge.

This recipe is acceptable. After thinking for a moment, Lin Qin made a suggestion, "You can also make steamed egg custard, lean meat porridge, oyster vermicelli soup, noodle soup, milk with steamed buns, etc. These are all suitable for making snacks."

As for milk, as far as I know, many people in the rural suburbs raise water buffalo, and you can get a discount if you buy in bulk. A pound of undiluted milk is enough for two or three children, even though we'll definitely need to add some water when we boil it ourselves. All things considered, it's not expensive at all, and it's very nutritious.

Ye Wenwen was indeed persuaded, while Zhao Xiaohong had no objections except for looking at Lin Qin with admiration.

Over the next few days, Lin Qin not only taught classes but also taught Zhao Xiaohong cooking skills, and Zhao Xiaohong treated her with the respect due to her master.

Her help turned into a boon for Guoqing.

Seeing that the daycare center was about to have a short holiday, Zhao Xiaohong seemed cheerful and didn't seem to have any particular plans. So Lin Qin asked, "Are you planning to play or make money during the National Day holiday?"

Zhao Xiaohong's eyes lit up immediately, "I want to make money! I want to make money!"

Lin Qin smiled and gave her a suggestion, "You're good at making noodles, so why don't you set up a stall at Friendship Square during the National Day holiday to sell noodles, steamed buns, dumplings, shrimp cakes, oyster cakes, vegetable cakes, and sweet potato cakes? Try selling them all. Even if you don't make any money, you won't lose any. Why don't you give it a try?"

After spending time together, she discovered that Zhao Xiaohong was a down-to-earth and hardworking girl who never complained about her hardships and always thought about how to make a living.

She admired this kind of girl and naturally wanted to help her out.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaohong was tempted, but she hesitated, "Where can I buy those ingredients?"

She never bought seafood because she didn't have any money in her pocket, and she wasn't in charge of the finances when she lived with her older siblings. She had never even been to the market.

Lin Qin looked at her amusedly, "Looking for me? My family may not have much else, but we certainly don't lack seafood. I'll give you the same price I offer the daycare center. Just go to Wenjun Seafood Wholesale Store, mention my name, and say you want river shrimp and oysters. They'll make sure they get everything you need."

Buy some other vegetables from any old lady at the market, just to try it out. It's just a matter of a stove, a pot, and a few basins. Wouldn't you be happy if you made money? If you're really unsure, I'll come help you on the first day.”

Since Lin Qin had already said so much, Zhao Xiaohong naturally wouldn't refuse anymore.

When she got back, she told her older brothers, second brothers, and third sisters about setting up a stall.

Zhao Weiguo, the eldest brother of the Zhao family, had been working on the construction site and hadn't taken any long holidays. When he heard Zhao Xiaohong's suggestion, he instinctively frowned. "Fourth sister, I don't object if you want to try it, but I can't help you. If you're short of capital, I can give you some."

Zhao Xiaohong shook her head repeatedly, her face flushed, "I received my salary last month, that money is enough, I don't need yours, brother."

When the second brother, Zhao Weijia, arrived in the city, he borrowed money to buy a second-hand tricycle, which he used specifically to transport passengers.

"Fourth Sister, there are a lot of people going out during the National Day holiday, and I have to pick up customers, so I can't help you." Zhao Weijia looked helpless. He hadn't finished paying off the money he borrowed and was under a lot of pressure due to the debt.

My third sister, Zhao Xiaoqing, washes dishes at a restaurant for 30 yuan a month, without a day off all year round, and can't help me with anything.

Zhao Xiaohong knew about her older siblings' situation and didn't expect them to lend a hand. She just told them so that everyone would be aware of the situation.

The first day of the National Day holiday.

Zhao Xiaohong went to Wenjun Seafood Wholesale Store early in the morning. It was only a little past five o'clock, but the seafood wholesale store was already packed with people, and the business was booming.

She, a young girl, couldn't squeeze past those grown men, and could only anxiously look out from the outside. A few elderly men and women came out for a stroll and saw Zhao Xiaohong standing in front of the seafood restaurant for a long time without moving, so they immediately went up to ask, "Young lady, what are you doing?"

Zhao Xiaohong shyly explained her purpose.

The experienced group of people immediately discerned whether Zhao Xiaohong was telling the truth or lying.

The old woman immediately grabbed her arm, saying, "Come on! I'll lead you inside."

With the old woman leading the way, Zhao Xiaohong successfully reached Lin Shaojun.

"Shaojun! This girl said she wanted to buy seafood, but she walked around outside several times without daring to come in. Why don't you ask her what she wants?"

Lin Shaojun nodded hurriedly, looking at Zhao Xiaohong, "What do you want?"

Zhao Xiaohong's face flushed red, and she stammered, "It was Sister Lin Qin who asked me to come here to buy river shrimp and oysters. I cook at the daycare center."

Lin Shaojun suddenly realized, "Zhao Xiaohong, right?"

Zhao Xiaohong nodded vigorously.

Lin Shaojun turned around and handed her two bags of oysters and one bag of river shrimp. "Everything is here, four catties of each. I've put it on the tab, and you can settle the bill with Sister Qin later."

Zhao Xiaohong quickly left the seafood restaurant carrying her things.

After returning home, I immediately went to the nearby vegetable market and bought carrots, cabbage, scallions, garlic, and ten pounds of sweet potatoes.

I bought the flour and sweet potato starch in advance, and all that's left is to make the batter before I can set up my stall.

When she was almost done, Zhao Weijia rode his tricycle to help her transport her things to Friendship Square.

This time she set up two small coal stoves, one specifically for steaming buns and mantou, and the other for frying things.

With everything almost ready, Zhao Wei couldn't help but worry when he saw no one in sight. "Fourth Sister, do you think we can sell all this today?"

Zhao Xiaohong wasn't sure either, but she didn't dare to show her fear. "Second brother, you go ahead and do your work. I'll try first. If I can't sell them, I'll take them back and eat them ourselves."

Zhao Weijia was filled with worry. Seeing that it was getting late, he knew he couldn't stay any longer and had to leave.

Not long after Zhao Wei left, people came over, drawn by the aroma.

Seeing the freshly made shrimp cakes and oyster cakes, I immediately bought one of each.

Zhao Xiaohong quickly packed the food for them, smiling sincerely, "Please come again if you like it."

The other person ate one oyster pancake in a few bites, and then, wanting more, bought four more.

Passersby nearby saw this and came over to join in the fun.

Even early in the morning, there are still quite a few people eating steamed buns and mantou.

Incidentally, Zhao Xiaohong also sold more than half of her steamed buns and mantou.

Lin Qin arrived at Friendship Square close to ten in the morning. Seeing Zhao Xiaohong surrounded by customers from afar, she couldn't help but smile. After parking her bicycle, she squeezed into the crowd. "How is it?" (End of Chapter)