At that time, real estate prices in the city were very cheap, and if the economy allowed, Fang Pingying planned to buy several more units. In a few more years, the prices wouldn’t just double, but could increase manifold. It would be foolish not to earn this money.
Fang Pingying planned to observe for a while; if the business remained stable, she would go look at houses by the end of the month. She would first buy one nearby that she could live in herself. That way, when Luo Zhiyong came over on weekends, he could stay in his own place, and it would be convenient for her to have a house to stay as she traveled between two places.
Sitting on her own bed warming her feet, Fang Xiu saw Fang Pingying’s face filled with smiles as she did her accounting and asked curiously, "Big sister, how exactly do you calculate the money earned in the store? You said it’s a partnership with Uncle Zeng, why doesn’t Uncle Zeng handle anything, not even the accounting books?"
"Just focus on your own work, why ask so many questions?" Fang Pingying didn’t like how Fang Xiu always seemed keen to find out how much money she could make.
Actually, Fang Xiu worked quite well, being meticulous. If she promised to do something, she could do it well, plus having read some books, she could clearly calculate the accounts in the store, better than Luo Honglan in this regard.
However, the worst thing was, she was too self-interested, always trying to find out exactly how much money Fang Pingying could make in a month.
It felt like, if she knew Fang Pingying made a lot, she could benefit from it.
Fang Pingying glanced at her coldly, "Besides, no matter who opens the store, the salary will always be paid to you. Asking too many questions is pointless. Look at Honglan, she never asks about these things and just focuses on her work."
Fang Xiu always thought Luo Honglan was dull and somewhat looked down on her. She glanced at Luo Honglan and disdainfully curled her lips, "With Honglan’s foolish behavior, it’s good she works in your store. If she worked elsewhere, even if they didn’t pay her salary, just provided her food, she would agree."
"That’s not a bad thing, at least she can support herself." Now that Luo Honglan had seen more of the world outside, she was more confident. She looked at Fang Xiu and whispered back, "Still better than you and the second brother who did nothing, and used to depend on our elder brother sending money home to survive."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiu glared at Luo Honglan and cursed, "You wench, seeing yourself earning some money, you’ve grown bold, even daring to mock me?"
"What she said is simply the truth, not mockery. You two indeed relied on your elder brother to live," Fang Pingying looked at her, her tone chilly.
"Not anymore, now we handle our own issues, you haven’t helped us financially at all." Remembering the recent ordeal with Luo Zhiming, and how they got no financial aid from Fang Pingying, Fang Xiu felt annoyed.
"That’s how it should be. The issues you create are yours to bear," Fang Pingying said and then carefully did the accounting of the past few days to ensure she didn’t end up financially short.
"Moreover, is it really true that I didn’t help? When our parents came here, all the lodging and food expenses, did you pay anything at all? It was all money given by our Zhiming. Over those few days, expenses definitely were tens of dollars. If I didn’t have to spend that, I had plans to take that money back home, so the family could have a bountiful year."
"Just calculating these petty accounts..." Fang Xiu had nothing to say, muttering under her breath.
Excited upon hearing Fang Pingying mentioning the New Year, Luo Honglan eagerly asked, "Sister-in-law, can I go home for New Year?"
"Yes, after we sell the last batch of desserts before New Year here, we’ll take a holiday," Fang Pingying looked at her. "You miss home?"
Luo Honglan nodded and shared her plans with Fang Pingying, "Sister-in-law, my sister is getting married during the New Year. Shouldn’t I buy her something as a gift? I saw some watches in the street yesterday, and I thought of getting her an affordable one."
Fang Xiu’s eyes widened as soon as she heard it, and she exclaimed loudly, "A watch? Even the cheapest one must cost around sixty to seventy yuan."
Luo Honglan nodded, "Yes, about that, the one I asked about was seventy-five."
Fang Xiu’s face darkened, and she pointed at Luo Honglan and scolded, "You foolish girl, aren’t you being too biased? When you and Zhiyong got married, you didn’t talk about giving me anything, and now you want to buy a watch for your sister?"
"When you and Zhiyong got married, I hadn’t started earning money yet. Besides, didn’t mom buy everything for you both at that time? You had everything," Luo Honglan said, her mood dropping. "Now, my eldest sister is getting married, and mom has given all the money to Zhiyong, definitely leaving nothing for my sister. I feel she would be too pitiable marrying into the Zhang family all alone."
"Pitiable? She is living with them now, and they don’t mind her having no dowry," Fang Xiu said with a tone that seemed to take pleasure in misfortune.
Although Fang Pingying also felt that Luo Cuilan didn’t deserve pity, she couldn’t sow discord between sisters, so she let it be, "Honglan, if you want to buy it, buy it. When your elder brother comes back, we’ll go out with you to look for something cheap and good."
After almost half a month since the shop opened, Luo Zhiyong returned from his task outside, originally it was supposed to be just half a month, but it ended up being nearly a month.
When Luo Zhiyong arrived at the shop, Fang Pingying and others were just about to close. Luo Honglan, who was sharp-eyed, spotted Luo Zhiyong from a distance and shouted loudly, "Sister-in-law, my elder brother is back!"
"Where?" Luo Zhiyong hadn’t returned on time. Although Fang Pingying had inquired at his unit and confirmed that he was alright, she couldn’t help but worry.
Seeing Luo Zhiyong walking from the snowy distance, Fang Pingying finally felt relieved and waved at him.
Luo Zhiyong also smiled and waved back, quickly walking over to Fang Pingying’s side.
Fang Pingying brushed the snow off his body, smilingly said, "Why did it take you so long to come back? I was afraid you got injured on a task or something."
"It’s okay, the task was a bit challenging, and it took some extra time." Luo Zhiyong took Fang Pingying’s hand in his, warmed it with his breath, then looked around the shop, and smiled, "The shop looks great, you’ve all worked hard these days."
Fang Pingying didn’t reply, but Luo Honglan smiled back, "It’s not hard, just helping the customers with goods and weighing stuff, much easier than staying at home."
"That’s good, work well under your sister-in-law, and I won’t have to worry about you," Luo Zhiyong said with a smile, patting Luo Honglan on the head, then turning to Fang Pingying, "Let’s go back to the manor tonight, it has been a long time since I last went there."
Since Luo Zhiyong had left, Fang Pingying had not been back to the house in the manor and missed it. Additionally, considering Luo Zhiyong might have to go to work tomorrow, she nodded in agreement, "Okay, I’ll pack up, and we can head back."
Fang Pingying instructed Fang Xiu and Luo Honglan to watch the shop, stating she might not come over from the manor in the next few days.
Afterward, she left with Luo Zhiyong for the manor. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we invite you to vote and recommend on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)