“Big sister-in-law, what you said is not quite right,” Ma Suyun took over the conversation, “Our Lihua is now working and earning a salary, how can she go and find someone who’s just a farmer?”
“But…”
Qian Chuncao wanted to say that selling buns can’t last forever, it’s not a secure job.
Right now, Qin Lihua is at home as a bachelorette, she can still earn a salary selling buns at the Bun Shop, but once she’s married, pregnant, and having kids, will her in-laws let her go to work?
Moreover, someone who sells buns for a private business, would urban folks even consider that respectable?
Who among them has the luck of Qin Juan?
Zhang Guilan, on the other hand, thought of a candidate, a member of their own circle, and immediately suggested him.
“Why don’t I play matchmaker for you? I think our Bun Shop’s Su Wensong is quite a good match; although he’s a bit older, he’s spirited and doesn’t look his age, and most importantly, he’s capable…”
“Don’t even go there, second sister-in-law, are you sure you’re not just pushing Lihua into a fire pit? The man you mentioned, isn’t he older than elder brother by no small margin? Lihua is your own niece.”
Zhang Guilan hadn’t finished speaking when she was interrupted by Ma Suyun.
Her face showed a hint of discomfort with this interjection.
It was true that Su Wensong was not young, but she genuinely felt him to be a decent person, one who seemed capable of taking care of others.
He was outstanding in his abilities, highly valued by his brother and sister-in-law, and his future development was sure to be promising.
He had just Granny Su at home, and Granny Su was a very nice person.
If Lihua were to marry him, she’d surely be going to a life of comfort.
Qian Chuncao wasn’t familiar with the people from the Bun Shop, at first she was quite interested when she heard Zhang Guilan talking about introducing a colleague to her daughter.
But now, hearing Ma Suyun’s words, she didn’t know who was right and involuntarily looked towards Lin Chuxia.
Lin Chuxia felt that Qin Lihua didn’t match up to Su Wensong, but who can be sure in matters of affection—a mutual singlehood, if Zhang Guilan truly wanted to make a match, she had no objections.
But now with Ma Suyun’s comments, she herself was a bit upset.
She merely said, “Lihua knows Su Wensong, do you have any opinions on this?”
Everyone’s gaze turned towards Qin Lihua again.
Qin Lihua didn’t know what to say at the moment, thinking of Su Wensong’s forthright and serious disposition, she slightly furrowed her brows, “I… I’m not sure, I’ve always seen Manager Su as an uncle.”
Well, that meant she wasn’t interested.
Zhang Guilan gave an embarrassed smile, and just then, Qin Jiang and his wife Xu Yun came over with their son Qin Jianye, moving past that topic.
Upon entering, Qin Jiang took a seat next to Qin Yang.
After Qin Jiang got married, he moved out to live independently—his yard was the farthest from the old Qin Family house, and also far from Qin Yang’s place.
This visit was just the second time the brothers had met.
Seeing that Qin Yang’s arm was no longer in a sling, he showed concern for his injury and, finding out it was nothing serious, let his son compete in arm-wrestling with Qin Yang.
Of course, Qin Yang won without any suspense.
Little Zhuangzhuang, seeing his cousin arm-wrestling with his uncle, also clamored to challenge Qin Yang.
With Niuniu cheering on the side, the atmosphere in the room quickly became lively.
Qin Wen watched as everyone rallied around Qin Yang, even though he himself also worked away from home and rarely interacted with these brothers, he now couldn’t get a word in.
Earlier, before Qin Yang had arrived, Qin Wu was also pulling at him to chat about all sorts of things.
His fourth brother, as always, loved to be the center of attention.
Noticing Qin Han on the side, Qin Wen raised his voice a notch.
“Second brother, I’ve heard that your Bun Shop is doing great business; working at the Hardware Company counter, I often hear my colleagues wanting to go there for buns. It’s gotten me curious to try them out too.”
Qin Han replied with a chuckle, “It’s not really my Bun Shop; it belongs to your fourth sister-in-law. But if you want to try, feel free to come over anytime, I’m there every day.”
Qin Wen immediately said, “Look how you talk, second brother. You and fourth brother are blood brothers, his wife’s shop is practically yours, no need to make such a clear distinction. I heard the fourth sister-in-law is so busy she can barely keep up with her several shops.”
This time, Qin Han just smiled without further explanation.
Brothers should clear accounts, and Qin Wen’s words clearly intended to stir discord between them.
He’s not articulate, knowing any response to Qin Wen would provoke further comments, he simply chose not to speak.
He knows very well what kind of person his brother’s wife is, so he doesn’t worry about her overthinking anything.
Seeing Qin Han fall silent, Qin Wen turned his gaze to Qin Wu.
He grinned, showing off his white teeth, looking carefree, “Wu, you and your wife are working at Fourth Sister-in-law’s shop, you definitely don’t earn as much as Second Brother and his wife, right?”
Qin Wu calmly said, “I don’t earn as much as Second Brother, he’s the manager, in charge of the entire shop. My job is a lot less demanding than his.”
“What’s the matter, Fourth Sister-in-law doesn’t trust you to manage things? Doesn’t she have two shops? I think it would be nice if each brother managed one shop, isn’t that good?”
A flicker of displeasure passed through Qin Wu’s eyes, but since it was the New Year, nobody showed it.
He still spoke with a smile, “I don’t have Second Brother’s abilities. If Fourth Sister-in-law let me manage things, that would be putting a square peg in a round hole. I’m doing fine as it is, standing by the window and selling things, much like your job.”
“You’re comparing yourself to me? My work is at the Hardware Company…”
“Don’t you also stand behind a counter selling things?” Qin Wu’s wife, Zhou Hongmei, had long been unable to stand Qin Wen’s words.
Her husband considered the fraternal bonds and couldn’t fall out with him.
But she, as his sister-in-law, speaking a few words isn’t a problem.
As soon as she spoke, Ma Suyun didn’t like hearing it.
“Selling things is not the same as selling things. My family’s Qin Wen just got a raise, now he makes 40 yuan a month. How much can you make selling buns?”
“Coincidentally, I also make 40 a month. Fourth Sister-in-law says I do well and even gives me bonuses. There are holiday allowances, and Qin Wu got commissions for getting business before New Year…”
It’s not nice to say such things, but when she belittle the Bun Shop, Zhou Hongmei disliked it.
“Bragging. What sort of business trips would a bun shop need,” Ma Suyun didn’t believe at all.
But whether she believed it or not, no one was going to explain it to her, and Zhou Hongmei couldn’t be bothered with her.
Anyway, those working for the Fourth Sister-in-law at the Bun Shop knew the situation.
Except for Qin Wen and his spouse, only Qin Jiang and his spouse at the gathering didn’t work for Fourth Sister-in-law. Their position was different from the others.
After more conversation and once everyone arrived, they began to visit houses in the village for New Year’s greetings.
In Qin Family Village, the Qin Family was a major household; wherever there was an elder in the family, they would pay a visit.
This tour lasted half the day, and after lunch at home, they visited a few more distant families in the afternoon.
Since their relation was somewhat distant, the daughters-in-law from Uncle’s family didn’t go in the afternoon, but Lin Chuxia, who was in her first year of marriage, went to all of them.
Zhang Guilan and Zhou Hongmei were there to accompany the new sister-in-law and also made the rounds.
Without outsiders, Zhou Hongmei was still thinking about the morning’s events.
“I used to think Qin Wen’s wife was just a bit arrogant, but now she’s getting even more…”, she struggled to describe, “Thankfully, we are only related as uncle’s wives,” no need for too much interaction and no financial ties.
Zhang Guilan also nodded, “Knowing she is like that, as long as we get by on the surface is fine.”
Lin Chuxia understood that this was a reminder for her. Mainly, Ma Suyun and Qin Wen were targeting her and Qin Yang, so she smiled to show she understood.
Meanwhile, Ma Suyun was still in Qin Liang’s courtyard; with Qian Chuncao tidying up the house, she pulled Qin Lihua aside.
“Auntie, what do you need to talk to me about?” Qin Lihua, seeing her act so mysteriously, followed her gaze around.
Ma Suyun lowered her voice, “Tell me the truth Auntie, how much does your Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle make in a month at the Bun Shop?”
She had been pondering this all day, assuming they were just volunteering for Lin Chuxia.
They were all relatives after all, how could they possibly be strict about wages?
But seeing Zhou Hongmei’s smug demeanor again made her uneasy.
Qin Lihua, not overthinking, replied, as Ma Suyun is a close aunt to her, a relation even closer than that with Second or Fifth Uncle, and she didn’t think salary was a secret.
“We all make a base salary of 40 working in the shop, Second Uncle is the manager, so he probably makes 20 more…”
“Base salary of 40? Is there more?” Ma Suyun’s voice rose nearly to a shriek.
Thinking how her own husband’s salary also just recently hit 40 yuan, she had been looking forward to bragging about it during the holiday, and now this little girl, Qin Lihua, is making 40 yuan a month?
“It wasn’t this much when we started, it increased last month. If you do well, there are bonuses. I got a 10 yuan bonus this month, Fourth Aunt is very good to the employees.”
This was something Qin Lihua and the shop staff were very satisfied with, and nobody spoke ill of Lin Chuxia.