Chapter 336: Chapter 323: Selfishness

Translator: 549690339

Still, since this was something Zhuang Qingning wanted to do, Mrs. Cao felt that even if it was a little more busy and tiring, they should take on this task. Furthermore, the tofu business usually does well before meals, so they could sell the hot and sour glass noodles during meal times. Even if it becomes busier, as long as they were diligent, it was definitely doable.

Mrs. Cao, after thinking about it, suppressed what she initially wanted to say and discussed with Zhuang Qingning about where to place the stove, where to set up the counter for selling, where to put seasonings and other logistical details, such as the size of the pot and bowls to use.

After discussing for a while, they both had a general idea about the plan. Zhang Qiuying brought over a pot of tea, and they sat down to rest.

“How is Uncle Xiang Rong’s leg injury, and how are Aunt Deng and others?” Zhuang Qingning asked.

“Almost fully recovered, he can already walk normally but can’t run or do any strenuous work. These days, he has been weaving baskets at home, occasionally going out to cut some mugwort to exchange for money, so there’s no need for him to run around.” Mrs. Cao replied with a smile.

“My mother’s health is also better. She said that after the summer, she feels a lot more comfortable than in the spring. Yesterday, when we went home, she was talking about how as the autumn approaches and weather cools down, we would soon be able to start making fried chop rice cake again.”

“She also insisted that she would bring you the first batch of fried chop rice cake of the autumn as a good luck charm.”

“Aunt Deng still remembers me.” Zhuang Qingning smiled slightly.

“Of course, she often brings you up. She repeatedly expressed her desire to come to town, but she is worried about leaving my husband alone at home. I also fear that the weather is too hot and that she might get a heatstroke from the journey. So, I suggested waiting for a cooler day before she comes.” Mrs. Cao explained with a smile.

“I miss Aunt Deng too.” Zhuang Qingning said, “In my opinion, even though we may have to wait a few more days before we can start selling hot and sour glass noodles, setting up a new stall is not an easy task, so it’s best to start preparing early.”

“Perhaps, we can ask Uncle Xiang Rong and Aunt Deng to move here earlier, which would allow you to settle down sooner.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Cao was momentarily stunned before she finally responded, “Miss Zhuang, are you implying…”

“Yes.” Zhuang Qingning nodded and said with a smile, “I thought that if we start selling hot and sour glass noodles, the two of you, you and Qiuying, might not be able to handle it all. This work isn’t strenuous, so Uncle Xiang Rong can do it too. If the two of them work together, it might be easier. Moreover, if we could also move Aunt Deng and Qiuyue here, we could look after each other.” “When it comes to the shop, it would be easier for you all if you lived together. That way, you won’t be distracted and can take care of the shop whenever necessary. Plus, having people around at night would give me peace of mind. As for the rooms in the backyard, there should be enough space for everyone. We just need to tidy up and purchase the necessary items.”

“However, this is just my idea. We’d still need to see what Uncle Xiang Rong thinks, and whether he’d be willing to do this work.”

Mrs. Cao, clutching her sleeve, didn’t know what to say.

While Zhuang Qingning had said she was only doing this for her own interest and the business, Mrs. Cao knew that Zhuang Qingning was primarily doing these things for the sake of her family.

Since Zhang Xiangrong injured his leg and couldn’t do heavy labor or find a good job, even if he did find an acceptable job, it would probably be the type that would only allow him to come home once every ten days or so. Mrs. Liu was getting on in years and Zhang Qiuyue was young, so she really didn’t feel assured leaving them alone at home.

But Zhuang Qingning proposed letting Zhang Xiangrong work in the shop, which was equivalent to finding him a fantastic job. The couple could help each other, and Mrs. Liu and Zhang Qiuyue could live here too. The whole family could be together all the time. They wouldn’t have to travel back and forth and since the fields had already been sold off, they wouldn’t need to worry about tending to the crops either.

Because of this, Zhuang Qingning’s proposal was perfect for Mrs. Cao’s family.

“Miss Zhuang, I really don’t know how to thank you.” Mrs. Cao was so moved that her lips were trembling. Her eyes misted over with unshed tears as she clutched Zhuang Qingning’s sleeve, her voice choked with emotion, “Meeting you was a blessing for our whole family…”

“Please, Mrs. Cao, don’t say that.”

Zhuang Qingning gently patted Mrs. Cao’s hand and said, “I also have selfish motives in this. I wanted to expand the business, but I don’t have enough staff. After some consideration, I only trust you and your family. That’s why I thought of this.”

“If your whole family lived here, it would be easier to manage the shop, and you guys wouldn’t have to worry too much either…”

In summary, everything was primarily for the good of the shop.

Her bigger selfish reason was to expand the business scale, allowing her to accumulate more hardworking value as soon as possible and quickly pay off the debt she owed someone, so she wouldn’t always feel weighed down. From this perspective, she was also benefiting herself by supposedly helping others, and she was always uncomfortable receiving gratitude.

“I understand, I understand.” Mrs. Cao kept nodding, “I understand what you mean.”

Expressing gratitude so often could make Zhuang Qingning feel awkward. Mrs. Cao understood this and stopped saying such things. Instead, she kept her gratitude silently in her heart and said to Zhuang Qingning, “When I go home tonight, I will talk to my husband and my mother about this. They can start packing up as soon as possible to move here earlier, and get the hot and sour glass noodle business up and running sooner.”

Gathering belongings to move the whole family to a new home was not an easy task. With various small things to sort out and pack, and transportation by bullock cart, it would take at least several days.

“That’s fine. I still need some time to arrange everything for the glass noodles business anyway. Mrs. Cao, take your time to pack your things. Look around the backyard, see what needs to be added, what needs to be bought, what should be replaced. Pick whatever you like.” Zhuang Qingning said.

“Alright, I got it.” Mrs. Cao hurriedly nodded in agreement.

They chatted for a while longer about future plans for selling hot and sour glass noodles. Seizing a break in customers at the tofu shop, Zhuang Qingning stepped out and headed for the small alley.

Headed towards Mrs. Deng’s house.

In the sweltering weather, Aunt Deng felt somewhat bored at home. She sat under a date tree with a cattail leaf fan, counting the number of date fruits growing on the tree.

“Twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight…”

“No, no, no, I believe I counted this one before…where was I up to again?”

Mrs. Deng thought about it for a while but couldn’t remember how far she got in her count. In the end, she shook her head while fanning herself with the cattail leaf fan and started again.

“Aunt Deng.” Zhuang Qingning called out from the entrance.

“Miss Zhuang.” Seeing that it was Zhuang Qingning, Mrs. Deng quickly got up from her wicker chair and brought over a bench. “Come, come, come sit. It’s been a while since I last saw you..”