No one had ever said that people think about problems from their own perspective.
After listening to Zhang Liunian’s words, she felt enlightened.
Yes! They only needed to care about each other’s thoughts and feelings, why should they care about so many other people’s thoughts?
If their in-laws really wouldn’t let them be self-employed, would they really have to comply?
Then who would pay their external debts?
So they couldn’t consider their in-laws’ thoughts, at least not on this matter.
“I think I understand.” Jiang Qingqing leaned against her man, finding the attitude towards her in-laws’ potential disapproval of their self-employment.
Zhang Liunian kissed the top of her head, smiling broadly. “Don’t be afraid, you have your man. Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up.”
“Yes, it’s so good to have you, Liunian.” Jiang Qingqing’s face was filled with sweetness upon hearing her man’s words.
“It’s good to have you too.” Zhang Liunian held his wife for a long time before reluctantly letting her go. “You get some good rest, I’m going to get busy.”
He had to ship goods in the afternoon, so Zhang Liunian had no time for a nap.
Jiang Qingqing watched his retreating back, then looked at her ever-growing belly. Finally, she could only think to herself, as soon as the baby was born, she could earn money to support the family with Zhang Liunian.
Meanwhile, at Zhang Liuhuo’s house next door, Wu Shuicao was ecstatic about the 8 yuan her husband had just earned.
“After deducting oil and salt, we have at least 5 yuan in profit from this 8 yuan. If we sell again this afternoon, it’ll be at least ten yuan a day.
That’s 300 yuan a month. My god, 300 yuan a day! We usually only save about 300 yuan a year, and that’s when we’re healthy and disaster-free.
But if we sell crayfish, we can earn that in a month.
We must continue this business, we absolutely must do it.” Wu Shuicao calculated the accounts and felt that being self-employed was incredibly profitable, instantly developing an infinite yearning for self-employment.
Lost in a sweet dream, Wu Shuicao didn’t notice how grim her husband and youngest son looked when they heard her say they could earn ten yuan a day.
But Zhang Liuhuo saw it and asked in confusion, “Dad, what happened? Why do you guys look unhappy?
Isn’t it a good thing that we sold all the crayfish we brought?”
Why did they have the expressions of people who had lost someone?
Zhang Wenjun saw that his eldest son had noticed them and put on a smile that was uglier than crying. “We might not have any business this afternoon.”
Zhang Liuhuo didn’t understand what he meant. They had just started selling, so why would they have no business?
Zhang Wenjun said bitterly, “This morning, we lowered the price as you suggested.
Some people came to buy out of curiosity, but after tasting ours, they said it was too bland, tasteless, and couldn’t compare to Zhang Liunian’s crayfish.
We were so angry that we couldn’t help but argue with them, almost coming to blows.
So all those workers said they would never buy our crayfish again next time.”
Therefore, if they went to sell there again in the afternoon, they might not be able to sell them.
“I’ve tried ours, and it’s not bland. Why are they saying our crayfish can’t compare to Zhang Liunian’s?” Zhang Liuhuo’s breathing became uneven. What he couldn’t stand the most was being compared to Zhang Liunian.
Even if it was their own crayfish, it wasn’t acceptable. Zhang Wenjun had this same trait, which was why he argued with the construction site workers.
“Liuhuo, ours and Zhang Liunian’s really do have a big difference, but it’s not that bad, is it?
Those workers were too much to say that about us.” Zhang Wenjun was the only one in the family who had tasted Zhang Liunian’s crayfish. He knew there was a significant difference in taste between the two.
But he couldn’t accept others thinking the same way, let alone saying it in front of him, which made it difficult for him to accept.
“Don’t mind them. As long as we can make money, we’ll do the same thing this afternoon.” Zhang Liuhuo was also angry, but his desire to make things difficult for Zhang Liunian was too strong. So strong that he didn’t want to consider too many things now.
“Alright, let’s try again.” If it really didn’t work out, they would have to find another way, Zhang Wenjun thought to himself.
Just then, Zhang Hao arrived, looking rather displeased. Zhang Qian was behind him.
Upon seeing Zhang Hao, Zhang Wenjun’s brow twitched. He thought to himself that this kid was too vengeful, reporting them so quickly.
“Comrade Zhang Hao, you’ve arrived. Please sit.” Despite feeling guilty, Zhang Wenjun forced himself to maintain composure.
Zhang Hao came to collect his bicycle and to offer them some advice.
“I’ve come to take the bicycle back,” Zhang Hao stated directly after sitting down.
Zhang Wenjun didn’t want to, but he didn’t say anything either. “Alright, take it back then!”
“There’s also one more thing. I heard from Xiao Qian that you’re also selling crayfish at the place where Liunian is setting up his stall. Is that true?” No one knew how hurt Zhang Hao was at this moment. Zhang Liunian was a good comrade in the eyes of him, the village head, and many villagers.
He worked hard and helped the villagers. He never expected to be dealt such a blow by his own kin so soon.
When asked about this matter, Zhang Liuhuo’s entire family fell into awkward silence.
Seeing this, Zhang Hao understood that it was indeed true. His gaze shifted to Zhang Wenjun. “You are Liunian’s third uncle. He has finally turned over a new leaf and plans to earn money through his own efforts to pay off his debts and support his family.
How could you do this? The world is so vast, why did you specifically choose to set up shop where he is?”
Zhang Hao knew that many people in the village were selling crayfish, but only Zhang Wenjun went to the place where Zhang Liunian was selling crayfish to compete with him.
His actions were truly more excessive than those who sold crayfish secretly.
“Why can’t we? Is there anyone who dictates that we can’t be where Zhang Liunian is?” Seeing that his father was speechless, Zhang Liuhuo spoke on his behalf.
Zhang Hao turned to look at Zhang Liuhuo, who was sitting on the bed, with an unreadable expression.
“There are no regulations, but our principles will speak, and our conscience will remind us. Liunian shared the fact that crayfish are edible not so that everyone could harm him.” Besides, the world is so big, why did they specifically choose Zhang Liunian’s location?
“We can do as we please. This has nothing to do with the village secretary, does it? You’re meddling too much.”
“I’m just reminding you. Whether you listen or not is up to you.” Zhang Hao saw that Zhang Liuhuo’s family was determined to do this. Feeling a bit annoyed, he didn’t stay any longer. He got up, took his son, and pushed the bicycle away.
Zhang Liunian was unaware of these events. He was busy dealing with orders for the food factory.
At four in the afternoon, Zhang Liunian, along with Du Ziteng and Zhang Qian, headed to Nancheng with the goods.
During this delivery, Zhang Liunian also encountered Fang Yan being pursued by a man with a slicked-back hairstyle.