The three of them were eating and drinking at home, waiting to go out in the afternoon.
Lin Wan accounted at home and saw a nearly one thousand yuan income.
Lin Wan pulled out two big bills and gave each of them one, "These are your rewards, take them."
Lijuan declined, but Hu Dong happily grabbed the money and said with a grin, "Saozi, my sister doesn’t want it, but I do. Whenever Saozi is doing anything, feel free to call me. I am not afraid of hard work."
"Xiao Dong, how can you take money from Saozi? Put it down." Lijuan angrily snatched the money from Hu Dong’s hand and reprimanded.
"...But Saozi gave it." Hu Dong pouted and looked wistfully at the money in Lijuan’s hand, not daring to ask for it again.
"Even if Saozi gives it to you, you can’t take it. We’re helping Saozi as family, not specifically for the money."
"Why shouldn’t you take it? You’ve been following me around dealing with money issues, this is your salary, not a freebie." Lin Wan handed Hu Dong another big bill, "Keep it, if in the future I make clothes again, I’ll ask for your help. This is your salary. Hope you don’t think it’s too little."
"Saozi, really giving a salary? That’s great, it’s much more than I earn carrying bricks all day, and it’s less tiring." Hu Dong happily took the money back and hid it like a treasure.
"You carry bricks? Xiao Dong, when did you start doing that?" Lijuan asked curiously. Her brother was always playful, never at home. When did he start doing such tiring work?
"These days during summer vacation. Sometimes I earn fifty cents a day, sometimes one yuan. I’ve saved over ten yuan. I haven’t told grandma because I’m afraid they’ll take my money."
"You used to go out and play by carrying bricks for them?"
"Yes." Hu Dong nodded sincerely, feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of Saozi and his sister, scratched his neck awkwardly, "I didn’t have money, I wanted to save some for spending."
"Haha, that’s quite good, knowing how to earn money at such a young age, you’ll definitely succeed in the future." Lin Wan didn’t expect the usually playful boy to be so motivated.
Lijuan was even more surprised; she always thought her brother was still a child.
"Saozi, after selling these clothes, are you planning to continue selling more? Please call me when you do. I’ll be your assistant."
"I’m starting school soon. I’ll be making some clothes sometimes; you’re about to enter high school, so study hard and focus. Save earning money for after graduation."
Hu Dong’s spirits dropped upon hearing that.
Lin Wan smiled, "However, it’ll get cold soon, and I usually knit sweaters in winter, so Lijuan can join me in knitting then."
"Really, Saozi?" Lijuan was delighted upon hearing this, as she was thinking of ways to earn some money to help the family.
Lin Wan nodded, "Once I finish dealing with these, I’ll teach you. You should have plenty of time at university, so knit during your free time. Then, you can buy yarn and knit yourself. Once finished, you can sell them."
"Thank you, Saozi." Lijuan happily shook Lin Wan’s hand.
"I want to learn too."
"You’re a boy, learn something other than knitting. Study well instead. If you’re really eager to earn money, I can give you a tip."
"Saozi, quickly tell me!"
Lin Wan chuckled and looked at him slyly, teasingly holding back, "I’ll tell you once you rank in the top ten in grade in your monthly exams after school starts."
Lin Wan’s words caused Hu Dong to furrow his brows while Lijuan laughed heartily.
Around four in the afternoon, the three of them pushed their cart and went out. There wasn’t much left to sell, so Lin Wan took them to a factory first, a cotton mill in the west of the city. They ran into Su Ling there, who worked at the factory, and she saw Lin Wan selling clothes. She even dragged a few colleagues to buy a piece each.
Originally, Lin Wan was thinking of visiting the neighborhood, but unexpectedly, they didn’t have enough to sell. They packed up early, and Lin Wan took them past a hot pot restaurant, treating them to a good night market meal.
After dinner, Lin Wan greeted Mom, and the three of them headed back home together. Before leaving, Lin Wan also packed some crayfish for Mom and Uncle Hu to taste.