"Yes." Xu Nianji nodded affirmatively, confirming they hadn’t misunderstood him when he said, "Uncle, we’ve discussed it. Xiaofeng is also working in the timber yard, isn’t he? Though growing bean sprouts is tough, it’s at least his own business, and the money is better than what the timber yard pays."
"But..." Xiong Xihua didn’t quite understand. Such a good business, why weren’t they keeping it to themselves? Why teach Xiaofeng?
Though they hadn’t inquired meticulously, they knew that the sprout business was doing well. Earning money was certain; it was just a question of how much.
"I’m going to learn to drive. Soon I’ll be delivering goods everywhere and I’m afraid I won’t have time to sell bean sprouts." Xu Nianji didn’t hide it.
After discussing it with Xu Yuchun, Xiong Xihua readily agreed, her words filled with gratitude toward Xu Nianji.
"The whole Qinghe family, they are all grateful people," Xiong Xihua remarked emotionally.
Xu Yuchun sighed and said, "Yes, if only my uncle had treated Qinghe and his family a bit better, things wouldn’t have gotten so tense like they are now."
Initially, Xu Yuchun had only helped Xu Qinghe a few times, yet Xu Qinghe always kept him in mind, thinking of their family first whenever something good came up.
In his opinion, Uncle Zhong would definitely regret it in the future.
In the village, news spread the fastest. Within a few days, the news that Xu Feng was learning to grow bean sprouts from Xu Nianji had spread.
When Xu Zhong heard this news, he sat in silence under the eaves, quietly smoking.
"Old man, tell me, would Xu Qinghe and his family really be such ingrates, thinking only of others with such a great opportunity and not their own family?" Liu Sanmei felt so regretful inside. Had she known this would happen, she would have never agreed to separate the families.
Xu Zhong took a puff on his cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and retorted, "Do you want Zhihao to sell bean sprouts, or would you like Zhiyuan to do it?"
Liu Sanmei’s words trailed off mid-sentence.
Zhihao was a workshop manager at a canning factory, and Zhiyuan was a college student. How could they possibly go and sell bean sprouts?
"Well, there are still my maternal relatives," Liu Sanmei’s voice grew weaker. After all, she was just a stepmother, and her relationship with Xu Qinghe wasn’t good.
Xu Zhong glanced at her, choosing not to twist the knife in her heart. Xu Qinghe, unless blind, knew exactly how she treated his family in the past. Since she hadn’t treated Xu Qinghe well, why would his family return evil with good and consider Liu Sanmei’s maternal relatives when something good came up?
How could she be so shameless?
"What’s that look for?" Liu Sanmei, noticing Xu Zhong’s expression, felt like all her unkind acts were being brought up again. She said unhappily, "I treated Qinghe that way with your consent, didn’t I? And what’s wrong with treating my own son well?"
"I at least raised Qinghe and even got him a wife," Liu Sanmei argued, feeling that her role as a stepmother wasn’t too shabby.
"Ji Ying was someone Qinghe married on his own merits," Xu Zhong reminded her. Xu Qinghe, obviously older but got married later than his younger brother Xu Qingjiang. If it weren’t for his son’s own abilities, who knows, he might still be bachelor.
Liu Sanmei, as if stepping on a sore spot, instantly stood up, pointing at Xu Zhong ready to start a quarrel.
"Zhiyuan is about to go to university soon, have you prepared the money?" Xu Zhong changed the subject, immediately deflating Liu Sanmei like a pin pricked balloon. She said irritably, "Of course, it’s prepared."