The head of the Mu family

Chapter 51 Da Mao's Inferiority Complex

The dishes Zhou Li ordered were similar to those Li Rongchuan ordered that day.

The four girls were at a loss when they saw this scene.

The waiters and maids' clothes were better than theirs.

Of the people in the room, only Zhou Li and Da Mao were dressed in brocade.

The waiter and the maid showed no sign of snobbery.

It was as if in their eyes, they were just beggars, but once they entered the private room to spend money, they were all VIPs.

He seemed oblivious to the four maids' helplessness, continuing to serve them with gentle warmth and kindness.

Zhou Li roughly knew that the four girls probably didn't know how to play cards, so when the waiter came to ask, he asked for a set of dice.

Dice are much simpler; some people in the village also gamble with dice during the Spring Festival.

Zhou Li not only took excellent care of Da Mao, but also looked after the other sisters.

Seeing that Mu Huaisheng's name was different from theirs, they didn't ask any questions and simply called him "little sister".

Seeing the "little sister" and that little boy, they didn't really need any help in this situation.

They don't need to be polite for long periods of time.

She addressed Da Mao as "Miss Liang" repeatedly, and others as "Second Miss Liang" and so on.

Mu Huaisheng secretly rejoiced:

Being a client is so much fun!

After playing all afternoon, Zhou Li wanted to treat everyone to breakfast and dinner before it got dark and then send them home.

Everyone said they were too full, so Zhou Li bought some snacks at the teahouse to take back with them.

When it came time to pay the bill, it cost six taels of silver.

The girls stood to one side, stunned and not daring to say a word.

Mu Huaisheng stepped forward and said politely:

"Brother Zhou, you've gone to so much trouble. Thank you so much for your efforts."

As she spoke, she performed a woman's curtsy.

While they were talking, Xiao Qianyan quickly tugged at each of their clothes.

"It's alright~ It's alright~"

"Your words are too formal, and besides, Miss Liang is such a wonderful woman, she deserves all this effort."

As she spoke, she stared at Da Mao, who became shy.

Mu Huaisheng sighed inwardly:

Ugh~ There's a sour, musty smell in the air~

Before it got dark, Zhou Li took them back to the silk shop.

Today's schedule was once again disrupted by the four girls' ideas.

Everyone is struggling with this:

A meal costs six taels of silver!

After Da Mao returned, he sullenly pulled Mu Huaisheng aside:

“Huaisheng, Young Master Zhou can spend six taels of silver on a single meal. How much silver does he earn in a year?”

I... I... I...

Da Mao thought about Zhou Li's clothes and manner of speaking, and his eyes reddened as he spoke.

Mu Huaisheng knew that Da Mao's confidence stemmed from comparing his income with that of his hometown after he started working hard to earn money.

Today, a senior manager of a state-owned enterprise with an urban household registration experienced a day that shattered her.

Here in Da Mao's place, it felt like I was back in the market, meeting the rich village boy again.

At that time, I experienced the feeling of not being good enough for someone.

This time seems different. Spending time with Zhou Gongzi twice was both enjoyable and felt completely different.

A sense of loss washed over Da Mao from head to toe.

Mu Huaisheng understood from this and began to build Da Mao's confidence—brainwashing!

"Sister, do you know that Zhou Li is the steward of the Li family?"

"I know, Uncle Liu mentioned it when we were looking at each other."

Mu Huaisheng planned to first shatter all her confidence, and then rebuild it.

“In the past two years, Zhou Li has received a salary of four or five hundred taels of silver each year, including wages and rewards from the Li Prefecture.”

Big Mao was about to break, and the four girls were stunned.

"But he had been a servant in the Li family since he was twelve years old."

"My monthly salary is only four hundred coins, and that doesn't even include my commission."

Da Mao raised her head, forgetting to shed tears, because this month's pay was much lower than what she was making now.

"He worked diligently in the Li family for ten years before achieving what he has today."

Of course, his salary would definitely increase along the way, but Mu Huaisheng omitted that.

Da Mao's eyes held a mixture of pity and admiration.

"Zhou Lijing and Uncle Liu have assessed you; he knows all about your situation."

I ask you, has he neglected you in the slightest?

"There was not the slightest bit of negligence~"

Da Mao finally realized he should respond instinctively.

"Besides, you've only just started working at the silk shop, and you're already earning two taels of silver a month on your own."

Are you planning to earn only two ounces a month for the rest of your life?

"You're still working hard to learn embroidery; Uncle Liu has heard the responsible aunt praise you several times."

"Of course not, I definitely won't!"

Da Mao's voice was firm.

"So, if you and Zhou Li can eventually get married..."

In the city, going through all the wedding rituals takes at least a year.

You are no longer Liang Damao, who can be carried back by a mule or a donkey cart!

Now you can buy a donkey yourself!

The you of the future...

Think about it yourself~

A renewed sense of confidence in love, tinged with light, returned to Da Mao's eyes.

"If you can't get along with Young Master Zhou."

If you work hard for a few more years, you'll only be able to look down on people like Zhou Li, such as Young Master Zhao, Young Master Li, and Young Master Sun.

"You're just in the prime of your life right now, and you've met someone you'll be worthy of after a few years of hard work."

"So, after you met Mr. Zhou, you stopped working hard?"

"Of course not, working and getting married are two different things."

"Then think about it, next year you'll start getting paid for your embroidery too."

You two are a good match; it will take about a year from engagement to marriage.

Will the gap between you and him still be so big next year?

Da Mao sat up straight, then suddenly seemed to remember something and slumped back down.

"But if it happens, our family, we, we won't even have a home anymore, we won't have any..."

Upon hearing this, Mu Huaisheng said:

The two had only met a few times and spent time together twice, but they were already starting to think about getting engaged and meeting each other's parents.

“We don’t have parents, but think about your current situation and how it was when you had parents.”

Think about it, those two people, would they be able to sit down with Zhou Li's parents and discuss your marriage?

Zhou Li is aware of your situation.

When we met, they said you were a distant relative of Uncle Liu.

If it really works out, then we'll ask Uncle Liu to step in.

This means your family was going to sell you, but Uncle Liu saw that you were honest and took pity on you because you were family, so he helped you sever ties with your parents.

For the wedding, Uncle Liu will also be invited to be a member of the bride's family.

Think about it, after you get married, you live your life the way you want.

"Given the Zhou family's circumstances, they should have simple servants to do menial tasks. If you establish yourself, what difficulty would there be in being the mistress of the house?"

Seeing that Da Mao remained silent, Er Ya's eyes gleamed.

San Ya and Si Ya seemed to be deep in thought, so Mu Huaisheng said goodbye to them and left.

Sure enough, the four of them were still in a daze even after Mu Huaisheng took Xiao Qianyan out.

On the way back to the Marquis's residence,

Will your older sister come to her senses?

Xiao Qianyan asked in confusion.

"It's still a bit difficult for now!"

But judging from her sister's struggling expression, she couldn't make a decision for the time being.

Zhou Li will probably go out after the Lantern Festival (January 15th of the lunar calendar).

Coincidentally, she's about to start learning embroidery this year.

She actually earned four or five taels of silver a month.

When she earns more money, her reaction to Zhou Li will likely be different.

Shen Huai reached out and patted Xiao Qianyan's head.

"In a few more months, her perspective will be completely different!"

You don't understand~ Little prodigy~

You're good at reading, but you'll understand these things as you grow older.