"Nian’an, what are you doing buying so much soybeans? Even if you wanted tofu, you wouldn’t need this much," Ji Ying looked at the soybeans they brought back, estimating at least a dozen or more pounds!
"We’re not making tofu, of course. I’m going to use them to grow bean sprouts and then make money," Xu Nianhua said cheerfully. Upon returning home, the first thing she did was grab a big handful of soybeans to try it out.
In her previous life, she had established her own business. Her severely disfigured face, always hidden behind a mask, later underwent plastic surgery when she had the money. Though her face became presentable, it was still a bit ugly.
The Gu Family had driven themselves to ruin, and with her added push, her enemies were gone.
Xu Nianhua then devoted herself to charitable efforts, traveling from place to place, mostly to impoverished, backward mountain areas.
This method of growing bean sprouts was something she learned by chance from an old lady. Sometimes when she was home, she would grow them herself, and it was always successful.
Thus, with this method in mind, Xu Nianhua went ahead and bought twenty pounds of soybeans.
Growing bean sprouts is simple. The old lady had also taught her the method, and every time, the bean sprouts she grew were especially good.
"Nianhua, I know you want to make money for school, but can these bean sprouts really be sold for money?"
Ji Ying hesitantly asked Xu Nianhua, "There are people selling bean sprouts in the county, can you really make money off this?"
"There are so many people in the county, why can’t it make money?" Xu Nianhua washed the soybeans, found a basin, and soaked them directly.
"Mom, don’t worry, these bean sprouts will definitely make money," she assured.
Xu Nianhua confidently said as if she was just short of thumping her chest to guarantee it.
That night, Xu Qinghe came home. Xu Nianhua pestered Xu Qinghe to make a large wooden barrel, then inside, she had him install dividing boards one layer up from another, similar to the small compartments used in a steaming basket, so that when the beans were spread on top, they wouldn’t hold water and could be easily watered.
Xu Nianhua, worried Xu Qinghe might not understand, even drew a rough sketch for him.
Xu Qinghe had been a carpenter for half his life now. Although his daughter’s sketch was simple, once she explained it to him, he understood immediately what she wanted to do. He said, "Nianhua, what have you come up with now? Why did you think of using this to grow bean sprouts?"
Xu Nianhua tilted her head and replied, "It must be because Dad has raised me so well, making me so smart."
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Ji Ying and Xu Qinghe discussed this bean sprout selling business.
"It’s fine, if she wants to do it, let her do it. I’m used to woodworking, just consider it making a little toy for her," Xu Qinghe pondered, deciding to start it tomorrow.
The next day, Xu Nianhua sold out of the mung bean jelly early and saw someone selling candied hawthorns.
"You wait, I’ll buy it for you."
Considering candied hawthorns were not sold every day, Xu Nian’an specially bought two strings.
"Jiaojiao, your mom really treats you well, buying you a new set of clothes too, which look really nice," Liu Mei said enviously, gazing at the new gingham dress on Xu Jiaojiao, which stood out prominently in the crowd with its green and floral design.
"That’s right, my mom even said that when my second brother gets into university, she’ll buy me clothes again," Xu Jiaojiao said proudly.
Her sweet-talking always made her grandmother and mother very happy. Whether her big brother was getting married or her second brother was entering university, she always managed to get new clothes.