GBP Chapter 63 How could I possibly do that? My third sister-in-law taught me so well.
Chapter 63 How could I possibly do that? My third sister-in-law taught me so well.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaoniu called out "Mother" and went to greet her.
After the mother and daughter met, Zheng Xiaohua led Zhou Xiaoniu and Gu Silang's group to join Lin Chang'er and the others.
Gu Silang was quick-witted. Upon meeting her, he said, "Third Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law Xiaohua also caught a turtle today!"
Remembering the old lady who sold scallions, Lin Chang'er hurriedly asked, "Did you find any turtle eggs?"
Zheng Xiaohua nodded hurriedly, "Yes, Silang said they were turtle eggs, so I dug the hole."
Lin Chang'er nodded. "Can you sell me your turtle eggs?"
The old lady helped her watch the stall for two days in a row; she should show her appreciation.
I originally bought some pastries today, but turtle eggs would be even better.
Zheng Xiaohua was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Of course, I'll bring it to you when we get back."
Lin Chang'er agreed, and the group went home together.
Zhou Hai was already waiting at the Gu family's house. Seeing that there were many things, he also helped to count them.
It was dark at the beach and there were many strangers around, so Lin Chang'er didn't make a fuss. When she got home and turned on the lights, the golden eel became even more dazzling.
Several children surrounded the bucket, their eyes wide open.
Gu Xiaoman smacked her lips, almost drooling. "It looks so delicious..." But her parents said that everything her aunt picked up was for selling.
Xiaoman could only have good food because her aunt earned money.
Gu Xiaoman wiped away her drool and comforted herself, "It looks good, but it doesn't taste good."
The little goldfish were seeing this for the first time and were extremely fascinated by it.
Although the adults also found it novel, they remained relatively calm. Gu Dalang, Gu Erlang, and Zhou Hai went to fetch well water to change the buckets for the clams, allowing them to spit out the sand.
Lin Chang'er and the other women were wiping the sea duck eggs, while the children came to help because they were enjoying watching.
Lin Chang'er also took the opportunity to review what they had learned that day with them.
When Zhou Hai, Gu Dalang, and Gu Erlang finished cleaning the clams and returned to the main room to help, Lin Chang'er happened to be checking Zhou Li's belongings.
Zhou Li was quick-witted. When he went to pick clams with Xiao Jinyu and the others in the evening, they reviewed their answers together, and he answered more naturally and smoothly than he had in the afternoon.
Zhou Hai sat to the side listening, his face full of satisfaction.
Next was Aunt Zhou. Aunt Zhou hadn't studied for very long, and she stumbled over and misremembered a sentence.
Afterwards, Aunt Zhou was a little embarrassed, but Lin Chang'er comforted her, "Auntie, today is only your first day of learning, you've already done very well. When you get back, you can memorize more with Brother Li."
Aunt Zhou nodded hurriedly, "These days are really good! Not only can Brother Li recognize words, but I can also learn from him."
With that thought in mind, Aunt Zhou moved her hands even more nimbly.
Zhou Hai was a little confused. Wasn't it supposed to be that Li Ge'er was going to learn to read? Why was his wife learning too?
Zhou Hai instantly felt a strong sense of crisis. This wouldn't do. He only knew some simple characters. Before long, his son and daughter-in-law would definitely surpass him. So, he also had to learn.
But he's busy during the day. Does he expect that brat Li Ge'er to teach him?
Zhou Hai thought for a moment, then nudged Gu Dalang, who was sitting next to him, with his elbow, "Dalang, do you study together during the day too?"
Gu Dalang nodded, "Yes, my third sister-in-law said that we should learn more characters and arithmetic so that we won't be cheated in the future without even knowing it."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Hai felt it made sense and said, "Teach me how to do it later? I'll help you plow the field."
Gu Dalang scratched his head, "Me? How could I do that? My third sister-in-law teaches so well! Even Xiaoman can learn it with her teaching! Uncle, why don't you and Aunt come to our house to learn together!"
Zhou Hai was in a dilemma. He wanted to, but the land at home wouldn't allow it!
Just as I was feeling down, a woman's voice came from the courtyard gate, "Third sister-in-law!"
Lin Chang'er recognized the voice as that of Xiao Hua's neighbor and got up to go out to greet her.
Then, Sister-in-law Xiaohua came in, carrying a large bowl in one hand and leading Zhou Xiaoniu by the other.
Upon reaching her, she handed the large bowl to Lin Chang'er, saying, "Third sister-in-law, I've sorted it out; it's all here."
Lin Chang'er took the bowl and counted, there were 7 in total. "I'll go get the silver for you!" Last time, the old lady gave her one qian of silver for 13 turtle eggs. She probably overcharged her. 7 eggs, 50 wen should be about right.
Unexpectedly, Sister-in-law Xiaohua stopped her, "Third sister-in-law, I don't want money, but could I ask you for another favor?"
Lin Chang'er paused, "What kind of help?"
Sister-in-law Xiaohua smiled shyly and said, "I can't read, I've never been to town, and I don't know how to make a living. Third sister-in-law, when you go to town tomorrow, could you help me sell the seafood and turtles I picked up tonight?"
Without waiting for Lin Chang'er to speak, he added, "Sell as many as you like, and we'll split the profits 50/50."
Lin Chang'er felt a mix of emotions after hearing her words. Women in this era were either raised in seclusion and confined to the inner quarters for their entire lives.
She might be born in the countryside, spend her whole life revolving around her husband and children, and the longest road she ever travels is probably the one from her parents' home to her husband's home when she gets married. The farthest she ever goes is also limited to her husband's home.
I originally took Xiaohua's wife to go beachcombing, but she doesn't offer after-sales service.
But considering they are both military wives, even though their two unfortunate husbands died before reaching the front lines, they can still be considered to have served in the military, right?
Lin Chang'er nodded. "I can help you take them to sell, and I don't want your money. But I need to tell you something in advance: for example, I sell sea duck eggs according to size. Different sizes will fetch different amounts of money."
Clams cost 4 coins per pound, but they're all regular customers, and since they're still wet, I always make sure to give them a generous amount on the scale.
Crabs are priced according to size, with live ones being more expensive than dead ones. As for your turtle, I can't say how much it will fetch. As for the money, I don't want it from you; keep it and live a good life with Xiao Niu.”
“This won’t do…” Sister-in-law Xiaohua quickly shook her head, “This won’t do…”
Lin Chang'er waved her hand, "I'll leave early tomorrow, so you can bring the things you want to sell over in a little while."
After saying that, he went back to his room and counted out 50 coins to give to Sister-in-law Xiaohua, but she naturally refused to accept them.
"Third sister-in-law, how can a few things the size of bird eggs be worth so much money? I won't accept it, I can't accept it, you're making me feel so ashamed..."
Lin Chang'er hated these back-and-forth things the most. Seeing that she wanted to return the copper coins, she frowned and said, "I'm not rich either. I won't give them to you for nothing. Giving you this amount means that these turtle eggs are worth this amount."
"Everyone's having a tough time, so don't refuse. Go get some meat for the kids later."
When Sister-in-law Xiaohua heard what she said, her eyes instantly reddened, and she pulled Zhou Xiaoniu to kneel down.
Lin Chang'er quickly pulled the mother and daughter back, "What are you doing? This is what you deserve. I'm just not taking advantage of you."
Sister-in-law Xiaohua wiped away her tears, "Third sister-in-law, you don't know, ever since Xiaoniu's father passed away, his grandparents have not cared about us, mother and son. The land we were allocated to us is uncultivable, so we weren't allocated any land at all. Xiaoniu's father's pension was only so much."
As a woman, I have to think about the future of my calf.
But today his eldest uncle comes, tomorrow his second uncle comes, and the day after tomorrow his grandparents come. The whole family is eyeing that two taels of money to buy his life.
"Not to mention I wouldn't dare spend those two taels of silver, even if I did, how long could it sustain my son and me?"