Yang Peiying still disagreed.
Chen Guizhi, looking at her enthusiastic daughter, unhappily said, "Why are you dragging Yingzi into this? It’s not as simple as you think. I’ve heard that dealing with people in businesses outside requires some know-how. You know nothing, so stop talking nonsense. Besides, how can a girl like Yingzi handle such things? I think it’s better for you to look for a suitable job in your factory, talk to Sister Liu, and let Yingzi join there. It’s better there as it’s indoors, and she can get her salary on time, which is much better. Yingzi, don’t listen to Sister Yixiang; she’s just impulsive and unreliable."
Yang Peimin just smiled and said, "Actually, Yixiang has made a good point. Although it’s a bit tiring having to make and sell, if you work diligently, you can earn even more than what Yixiang earns at her job. Yingzi is shy; she can’t bring herself to do such things. Mother is also right, a girl has a tender face, and she needs more toughening up."
Yang Peiying nodded her head.
After lunch, Yang Peimin called Yang Peiying into her room and asked about the discussion they had at the table, "Yingzi, what do you think? Now that Lele’s grandma is here, you have more free time. You only help us with three meals a day. Even if I pay you, it’s still not enough for you. I think you should find a job—a job outside."
Yang Peiying shook her head, "Sister, there are still many things to do at home, and Auntie cannot handle them alone. She has to take care of Lele and manage the groceries and cooking. She can’t do it all. I’d better help out at home."
Yang Peiming said, "I’m nearby the school, and I can come home to help out if it gets too much. If necessary, we can hire someone to help too. But the main concern is you. Staying at home all day isn’t the solution. You don’t know the outside world, you don’t know how to interact with others or pick up on the undertones in their conversations."
Listening, Yang Peiying lowered her head with embarrassment, "I... Can I really do it? I don’t know how to do anything; which factory would hire me?"
Yang Peimin laughed and patted her shoulder, "Silly girl, didn’t someone just compliment you? They said you cook delicious meals."
"But, I’m so clumsy; the restaurants outside won’t want me."
"It’s not because you’re clumsy but because you don’t have connections; with no one backing you up, it’s indeed hard to get into those places. But for private settings, where people usually cook themselves, have you considered going into a tailoring shop to learn sewing? That’s not so hard, and since you know a bit, you could probably learn pretty fast. Give yourself some credit."
Yang Peiying again shook her head, "I... I can’t do that; I’m only good at sewing clothes and knitting. I’m slow with my hands and feet, and mother always scolds me for being clumsy. When others make three pieces, I only make one. No one will hire me."
Yang Peimin sighed, her younger sister was really too honest.
"Forget it then. You might as well try what Li Yue suggested, going out to set up a stall. Yingzi, you’re shaking your head, but it’s a great opportunity to build your courage. You’re too timid; how can that work? If you’re scared, I’ll have Yixiang join you at first, and I can join you whenever I’m free. Let me tell you, opportunities come to those who take them. Don’t think of anything else; just taking that first step is enough."
Under Yang Peimin’s assertive influence, Yang Peiying eventually nodded her head.
When they came out to tell everyone, everyone was surprised.
The happiest was Shen Yixiang, "That’s great, Yingzi! Now it’s time to play to your strengths. Once you realize how popular your products are, you’ll see how amazing you are!"
Yang Peiying, influenced by her, smiled and blushed slightly, nodding her head.
Li Yue’s eyes shone brightly like a thousand-watt bulb as she nodded along.
Yang Peimin finally reacted, "Well, well, so you encouraged Yingzi to set up a stall for a reason. You’re doing this for your own ’stomach temple’!"
Li Yue humbly said, "Two birds with one stone, two birds with one stone. It’s all good, Yi— I will definitely bring some classmates to support your business."
Chen Guizhi, however, was somewhat worried, glancing at her daughter-in-law and softly said, "That, Peimin, Yingzi doing business outside your school, won’t it affect you? I’m afraid your classmates might talk behind your back." Although nowadays people don’t talk much about seizing opportunities by tricky means, most still look down on such people. If her classmates knew her sister-in-law was setting up a stall outside the school, who knows how they would laugh at her.
Yang Peimin comforted her, "It’s fine, we’re not stealing or robbing. If we care about what others think, we won’t be able to do anything... Our house is nearby. We’ll prepare everything at home and just load it into pots and push it out in a cart, portioned correctly. When it’s busy, we’ll let them queue... We’ll just start with one meal, let’s begin with lunch. After that time, we’ll head back. Actually, Yingzi will do just like usual, going out to buy groceries and cooking at home; only the quantity will be larger. She’s got the hang of this and is competent. School food really isn’t tasty; we’ll set an affordable price with tastier meals. I think many people would love to buy our food."
As she spoke, everyone’s eyes sparkled.
Even Chen Guizhi stopped fretting over being gossiped about.
Everyone then discussed dishes and tools for a while until it was time for Yang Peimin and Li Yue to attend their classes. Discussions paused as Yang, Li Yue, and others went to school and work, leaving only Yingzi and Chen Guizhi with the child at home.
Lele had just had his milk and fallen asleep, and Chen Guizhi went to nap alongside him.
Yang Peiying, not used to napping, took out the accounting book to calculate the grocery money for the day. She counted several times but couldn’t focus, still preoccupied with the earlier discussion, feeling both nervous and faintly excited.
She admired Shen Yixiang, who was so vibrant and confident, and her sister’s natural boldness... In fact, she envied most of the girls around her, who had their own goals and plans, living rich and comfortable lives step by step.
But she was slow and clumsy, unable to grasp things while studying that seemed as if worms burrowing through her brain, making her feel dizzy... She was also slow at work and had to memorize things multiple times compared to others... Everyone called her slow... If only, like her sister said, she could successfully run that stall, that would be so wonderful; surely, she could achieve it step by step.
As she was pondering, a knock sounded from outside.