"Xiao Yue, do you really see it that way?" Tang Mingli's hesitant heart was somewhat moved when he saw how certain Tang Yue appeared.
"Yes." Tang Yue nodded, thinking that if her uncle really made money, then when their parents come to the county to do business, they would be more convinced as well.
Tang Yue's eyes whirled as she grinned, revealing her dimples, and said, "Uncle, you can first ask around to see if someone is selling, and, for the first batch of goods, don't buy too much, just try it out, right?"
Tang Yue said all she had to say, and Tang Mingli was very tempted. As for whether he would go for it, Tang Yue believed that after her uncle asked around, he would definitely do it.
The next day was the weekend, and Tang Yue spent the entire day in the library. She ate only steamed buns for lunch and dinner, which was the cheapest option. She also wanted to save up a little money to buy Xiao Jun a comic book.
Unfortunately, one can't do anything without money in hand.
What Tang Yue could do was to study hard and think of ways to earn her first bucket of gold.
After finishing his work at the restaurant, Tang Mingli, having some free time, began to inquire around places with a lot of people.
Tang Mingli also had a sharp mind. From the way he inquired about Wang Gui's matters, he was very smart.
In one week, not only did Tang Mingli figure out the cost of setting up a stall, but he even knew exactly how much the bus fare to the Provincial City was.
Early on, Tang Yue got the comic book she had purchased, and also brought back home the empty jar of pickled vegetables that Xu Zhenzhen had given her last weekend.
Although she didn't go home last weekend, Zhang Hualian still made pickled meat for her. Although there wasn't much meat, it was filled with Zhang Hualian's love for her daughter.
"Tang Yue, why has your handwriting changed?" asked Xu Zhenzhen curiously as she walked with Tang Yue towards the school gate.
This past week, Xu Zhenzhen inadvertently saw Tang Yue's homework, and she noticed how beautiful Tang Yue's writing had become. It was quite different from the handwriting of a primary school student.
"Maybe it's because I practiced with Xiao Jun during the summer vacation," Tang Yue answered coolly. For the past half month, she had spent very little time with Xu Zhenzhen, focusing on nothing but her studies with no time to spare.
But Xu Zhenzhen, after class, would either go out to play with her dorm mates, Tian Tian, and others, or go to the sports field to sunbathe.
"Really?" Xu Zhenzhen asked curiously, "Didn't you used to hate practicing writing?"
"People change," Tang Yue replied.
Xu Zhenzhen felt that Tang Yue had changed, but when asked how exactly, she couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Xiao Yue." Tang Mingli had been waiting at the school gate the whole time, and his face lit up with a smile when he saw Tang Yue.
"Uncle." A faint smile appeared on Tang Yue's face. Without asking, she knew what decision her uncle had made.
"Uncle, did you need something from me?" Tang Yue nudged Tang Mingli to the side, intentionally putting some distance between him and Xu Zhenzhen.
Tang Mingli whispered, "Xiao Yue, I've inquired about it. To set up a stall on the street next to the market, it costs US$ 15 a month. I want to go to the Provincial City to buy goods, but my judgment isn't great. Since you're a young lady, how about you come with me?"
"I'm going back this week." Tang Yue replied, the joy in her eyes impossible to hide as she asked, "Only US$ 15 for a whole month? The cost of this stall is really cheap."
"That's not cheap at all, if we don't sell anything in a day, that's 50 cents down the drain." Tang Mingli rolled his eyes, it seemed to him that in this girl's eyes, US$ 15 for a month's stall fee was still considered cheap.
"Uncle, but think about it, you make more than 50 cents on just one piece of clothing." Tang Yue glared at him and said, "I can go with you, uncle, but I don't have any money."
"Fine, I'll cover the travel expenses." Tang Mingli felt a bit of a pinch, but he thought if the clothes they bought weren't attractive and couldn't be sold, that would truly be a loss.
"Deal." Tang Yue smiled and gladly accepted, then turned to find Xu Zhenzhen nearby, saying, "Xu Zhenzhen, could you please tell my mom something for me? Just say I'm not coming home today, my uncle has got something for me to do."
"You didn't go back last week, and now you're not going back this week either?" Xu Zhenzhen replied reluctantly, Tang Yue's smiling face was somehow irritating to her.
Seeing Xu Zhenzhen's reluctance, and as luck would have it, Zou Xia was nearby, Tang Yue quickly approached and said, "Zou Xia, my uncle needs me for something, I won't be going back this week. Could you please pass a message to my mom?"
"Sure." Zou Xia agreed without even asking, saying, "I'll definitely tell your aunt on my way back home."
"And this too, please bring it back for me." Tang Yue took out a comic book from her backpack, adding, "This is for my younger brother, Tang Jun. He loves reading these, and I promised to bring it back for him."
"Sure." Zou Xia took the items from her.
"Thank you so much, Zou Xia." Tang Yue expressed her gratitude.
"No need." Zou Xia quickly gestured there was no need for thanks.
Xu Zhenzhen turned her head and walked away; she hadn't refused to help, but since Tang Yue didn't need her, that was that.
"Uncle, we should go as soon as possible. Let's leave tonight," Tang Yue said immediately.
Tang Mingli widened his eyes in surprise and asked, "If we go tonight, where will we stay?"
"At the bus station," Tang Yue said matter-of-factly. "It's not cold now, and besides, if we go today, we might even be able to rush back tomorrow morning. Then, I can help you sell things tomorrow afternoon and the day after."
"Alright, I'll go and ask for some time off from the boss." Tang Mingli wasn't one to hesitate; once he decided on doing something, he went through with it decidedly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken out US$ 500 just to make some money!
Half an hour later, Tang Mingli and Tang Yue were on the bus heading to the Provincial City.
"Tang Yue, don't wander off when we get to the city. Make sure you stay close to me," he cautioned.
"Don't even respond if strangers talk to you."
After boarding the bus, Tang Mingli began nervously instructing her. This little niece of his was his sister-in-law's precious child—if he brought her to the city and lost her, she'd likely chase him down with a kitchen knife.
"Uncle, I'm not three years old. Don't worry, I definitely won't get lost. It's you, uncle, who should be careful not to get sold," Tang Yue's lips twitched as she watched Tang Mingli fretting and couldn't help but chuckle.
Tang Mingli glared at her and said, "Tang Yue, I'm your uncle. I may be able to sell you, but I can't sell myself."
Tang Yue laughed softly and didn't speak again. The trip to the city would take three hours by car; there was a long wait ahead.
In Qianjin Village, when Zou Xia delivered the comic book and Tang Yue's message, Zhang Hualian had just returned from the vegetable garden, and she exclaimed in surprise, "What? Our Xiao Yue didn't come home again?"