Chapter 12: Is this money too easy to make?

Liang Sanmei frowned slightly. "Business? What kind of business? Is it that food you mentioned before?"

Shen Yu nodded. "Yes, selling drinks and snacks. I tried selling them for a whole day today, and business was quite good."

She lowered her voice and said to Liang Sanmei, "I can earn about fifty yuan a day. That's fifteen hundred a month. I should be able to earn back the three thousand yuan for the car in just two months."

This daily earnings figure was actually lower than it truly was, as Shen Yu was afraid of startling her mother-in-law.

Even so, the amount of fifty yuan a day was enough to make Liang Sanmei's eyes widen in shock. She let out a low gasp, "That... that much?"

This income was terrifying!

The villagers who had been hired to work in the Hong Kong-funded factories in the industrial zone had to work hard overtime, and even then, they only earned about a hundred yuan a month.

Yet, even with that hundred yuan salary, they were overjoyed.

Back then, people in the village had nearly come to blows just to fight for a chance to work in those industrial zone factories.

But now, Xiao Yu was telling her that she could earn fifty yuan in a single day!

That was fifteen hundred a month!

In just two months, Xiao Yu could earn back the three thousand yuan for the car!

My goodness! Was money really this easy to make?

Liang Sanmei glanced around and saw that Shi Zixuan, Shi Zirong, little Kang Kang, and little Shu Shu were all still standing near them.

The two little brats, Shi Zixuan and Shi Zirong, were even pricking up their ears to eavesdrop on the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Liang Sanmei's heart tightened.

She was terrified that if the children heard what they were saying, it might accidentally leak out.

She quickly waved her hand, telling Shi Zixuan and Shi Zirong to go inside the house to do their homework.

Shi Zixuan and Shi Zirong were somewhat reluctant to leave. "Grandma, it's still early. I'll do my homework in a bit."

Even though they were young, they really wanted to hear Auntie Xiao Yu talk about her money-making plan!

In the end, however, they were ruthlessly driven into the room by Liang Sanmei and had no choice but to take out their homework.

Once Liang Sanmei had arranged for the two brothers to come out, Shen Yu continued, "Mom, if I'm going to do business, I'll have to trouble you to help look after Kang Kang and Shu Shu in the future. I'll pay you a wage for it—a hundred yuan a month. Is that okay?"

Meeting Shen Yu's flattering smile, Liang Sanmei rolled her eyes at her. "I'm looking after my own grandchildren; why would I need your money? If you're busy, just go ahead and be busy. Just bring Kang Kang and Shu Shu to me every day, and I'll definitely help you look after them!"

Seeing that her mother-in-law had agreed so directly without even a moment's hesitation, Shen Yu was so moved that she nearly burst into tears.

"Mom, thank you! Thank you so much!"

This mother-in-law was truly wonderful!

Both she and her father-in-law were elders who gave everything for their children without ever asking for anything in return.

Of course, the younger generation would not take the elders' sacrifices for granted.

At their age, they had been busy for a lifetime; logically, they should be enjoying their golden years.

Yet now, they were still sacrificing their time and freedom to help raise their son's and daughter-in-law's children.

As the son and daughter-in-law, they had to be grateful for this sacrifice and show proper filial piety to the elders.

When the elders were willing to give all their energy and labor to the family, the younger generation should not only make sure they lived better lives but also make them feel that their sacrifices were worth it!

After finishing this conversation, Shen Yu thought of her eldest son being home alone and felt a bit anxious to get back.

As for her mother-in-law, it would likely take some time for her to process everything Shen Yu had said.

Shen Yu said to her mother-in-law with a smile, "Mom, Chenchen is home alone, so I'll take Kang Kang and Shu Shu back first. If you need anything, just come to the house to find me."

Liang Sanmei nodded. "Alright, take the kids back first. I'll come find you if something comes up."

"Then we're leaving. Kang Kang, Shu Shu, say bye-bye to Grandma."

Little Kang Kang and little Shu Shu waved at their grandmother with smiles, saying in their milky voices, "Bye-bye, Grandma~"

Liang Sanmei also waved at the children with a look of pure affection. "Bye-bye~"

She followed them out the door, watching Shen Yu's retreating figure as she led the two children away, and let out a soft sigh in her heart.

Since waking up from her serious illness, Xiao Yu had become like a sword drawn from its sheath—sharp, brilliant, and radiating a drive to move forward.

She didn't know if such a massive change was a good or a bad thing.

Elders always tended to overthink, but regardless, Liang Sanmei intended to do her utmost to help her.

If they, as the elders, didn't help, it would be far too difficult for a woman like Xiao Yu to raise three children on her own.

When Shen Yu returned home, she found that her eldest son had already started the rice, and it was almost done.

She didn't hold back her praise for Shi Zichen. "Chenchen, you're so great! Since you've steamed the rice, Mom can go straight to cooking the dishes."

Being praised, Shi Zichen grinned happily. "Mom, then I'll keep cooking the rice next time, and you can cook the dishes."

Shen Yu smiled back at him. "Alright, if we work together, we can eat even sooner."

Shi Zichen nodded vigorously. "Mhm, mhm~"

Shi Zikang also crowded over and said, "Mom, I want to help you cook too! I want to learn how to cook dishes. I love eating meat and vegetables the most."

Shen Yu looked at the little foodie in her house with a smile. She didn't want to discourage his initiative, so she replied warmly, "Alright, then Kang Kang can learn how to cook from your brother or Mom in the future. Once you've learned, you can cook for us, okay?"

Shi Zikang nodded hard and answered loudly, "Okay!"

Shen Yu patted their heads and said gently, "Chenchen, go do your homework for a bit. Kang Kang, play with your sister. Mom is going to cook now."

The brothers replied in unison, "Okay~"

Shen Yu went into the kitchen, closed the door, and took a grouper out of the pantry, preparing to steam it.

She also made braised pork ribs, which provided meat and a delicious sauce to mix with the rice.

Finally, she made a lightly spicy cucumber salad.

Although there were only three dishes, because Shen Yu's cooking was so excellent, the family of four ate heartily, unable to stop their chopsticks.

While eating, the second son kept praising her. "Mom, why is your cooking so delicious? You're amazing! I admire you so much~~~"

That long, drawn-out little voice made Shen Yu feel completely relaxed; she really wanted to pinch her precious son's cute little face.

But seeing that her second son was still eating, she restrained herself and didn't reach out.

Once she had raised these little ones a bit chubbier, they would surely be even more lovable.

(End of Chapter)