Li Xiuli glanced at her daughter and son-in-law behind her and said, gritting her teeth, "I hope you can arrange for your cousin and cousin-in-law to work in the company as well. We are all family, and it will be easier to look out for each other. Your cousin-in-law is a high school graduate with knowledge!"
Hearing the woman's words, Chen Lishu frowned imperceptibly. She did not want the company to become a family business. While things were harmonious in the early stages, problems would inevitably surface later.
As they were relatives, some things couldn't be said too harshly, lest she find herself caught between a rock and a hard place. Chen Lishu pursed her lips and tactfully refused, "Auntie, this is just a small company I've just started. Where would there be suitable positions for my cousin and cousin-in-law? How about we see in a while? If suitable positions arise, I will give your cousin-in-law and cousin a heads-up."
Li Xiuli, not realizing Chen Lishu was refusing her, shamelessly said, "Waiting for a while longer and the yellow flowers will be cold. If there aren't any suitable positions, won't you create them? You can simply fire a couple of employees and have my cousin and cousin-in-law take their places. As long as my cousin and cousin-in-law have a job to earn a living, that's enough."
Listening to her righteous words, anyone would think the two families were very close. Chen Lishu pursed her lips and said calmly, "Auntie, you also know that my company just opened and secured a big project. Everyone has their own responsibilities, and the company can't function without anyone. If they don't join, they might drag the company down and damage its profits."
Seeing that Chen Lishu was unyielding, Li Xiuli's smile gradually faltered. She said with considerable resentment, "What's wrong with you, child? You're a big boss, why can't your brain work a little faster? Are you implying that my daughter and son-in-law are stupid and can't even fill the position of an ordinary employee? We are all relatives. I saw that your company had a difficult start, so I specifically asked my two children to help out."
As she spoke, Li Xiuli almost couldn't catch her breath and fainted. If her daughter Li Na hadn't been there to support her, she would have likely fallen to the ground by now.
Li Xiulan, seeing that the atmosphere was a bit off, with her sister on one side and her most cherished daughter-in-law on the other, found herself in a dilemma. After thinking for a moment, Li Xiulan decided to change the subject. "Lishu, doesn't kindergarten finish at four? It's already seven, why are you only picking up the children now? Did you encounter any problems on the way?"
Chen Lishu, sensing Li Xiulan's difficulty, retracted her sharp gaze and replied cooperatively, "We didn't encounter any major problems. We just bought a few clothes for the two children, so we came back a bit late."
"Buying clothes?" Li Xiuli's eyes flashed with a hint of jealousy upon hearing this, but she quickly hid it. She then said sarcastically, "When I came just now, I saw many children's clothes drying on the balcony. Haven't they finished wearing them yet, and you're buying more? Xiulan, don't blame me for not reminding you. Spending too lavishly means you can't save money. Even if you have a lot of money, it will eventually be squandered. You, as the mother-in-law, should manage it a bit!"
Li Xiulan was no stranger to Chen Lishu's extravagant spending. Having lived together for so many years, she was already accustomed to it. Moreover, she hadn't bought anything she shouldn't have this time; it was all for the children. Isn't money earned to be spent on children? Therefore, in the face of Li Xiuli's sarcasm, Li Xiulan calmly replied, "It's fine. She spends the money she earns as she wishes. Besides, children grow quickly, so buying more clothes is common. Oh, by the way, Lishu, I saw you taking a barrel of oil and a pot when you went out. Did you sell out of the grilled sausages you mentioned? How was the first day's performance? Did everything go smoothly?"
Li Xiulan's eyes held a hint of anticipation when she mentioned this matter. She had heard Chen Lishu talk about the grilled sausages and their specific preparation method earlier. It sounded relatively simple. If Chen Lishu were to return to her post, she planned to take over the grilled sausage business. This way, she wouldn't be too bored at home and could spend time with her two darling grandchildren, picking them up from school and dropping them off, thus sharing the young people's burden.
Chen Lishu casually replied, "We earned about twenty yuan today, and we were only out for an hour."
Unbeknownst to her, her casual remark immediately caught someone's attention. In just one hour, she earned more than ten days' wages for others! Li Xiuli wanted to ask what business they were in, but before she could speak, Li Xiulan eagerly went to the living room.
With the person who connected them through their relationship gone, Chen Lishu had no desire to talk to these greedy relatives, so she found an excuse and followed them out. Li Xiuli, watching the departing figures, straightened up and pointed towards the living room, lowering her voice, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and go see what kind of business it is that can earn so much money! With this money, our family won't have to worry about food and drink anymore! Those who looked down on us will have to kneel and beg for our forgiveness!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Na and her husband eagerly headed towards the living room.
----
"Lishu, I knew you could do anything you set your mind to. Here are the sausages I bought from the wholesale market today. Let's do our best again tomorrow!" Li Xiulan said, displaying her acquisitions.
Chen Lishu couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and speechlessness. She had initially made them for the children as a form of comfort, but now her mother-in-law was actually going to turn it into a real business?
Li Xiulan spoke again, "Oh, child, what size clothes did you buy for the children? They grow quite fast, so you should buy a size larger. If they're too small or just fit, we need to hurry and exchange them at the mall."
After speaking, Li Xiulan picked up the bag and took out the clothes. The moment she saw the size, she first frowned, then slapped her thigh and said frantically, "Oh my! These clothes fit them perfectly now, but they won't fit after a while. Let's hurry to the mall and exchange them. If we wait too long tomorrow, the store might not accept the return. We need to go quickly before the mall closes!"
"Mom." Seeing Li Xiulan eager to leave, Chen Lishu grabbed her arm and stopped her. "I specifically bought this size for the children to wear."
Li Xiulan turned to Chen Lishu in confusion and asked, "Why?"
Chen Lishu explained helplessly, "Isn't the reason we make money to give the children a better life? Clothes are consumables. Once they're worn this year, we'll buy new ones next year."