Chapter 847: Reconciliation

Editor: Henyee Translations

The second merchant was selling fireworks and firecrackers. He approached Chu Qingzhi with a smile, “Miss Chu, with the New Year approaching, everyone will surely want to set off fireworks. My fireworks are particularly cheap. Would you consider them?”

Setting off fireworks and firecrackers in winter could easily lead to fires. What if they ended up burning down the workshop? Who would be responsible?

However, it was indeed a tradition to set off fireworks on the day of ancestor worship at the end of the year.

Chu Qingzhi responded, “We won’t sell fireworks in the general store, but I do need some. Please deliver them to me.”

Finding a new opportunity, the merchant’s smile widened, “How many do you need, miss? I’ll arrange the delivery right away.”

After a brief negotiation, the merchant left happily.

Among the group of small merchants, Chu Qingzhi spoke with each of them. Some negotiations were successful, others not; those who succeeded left with joy, while the unsuccessful ones left in disappointment. Such is the nature of business.

Chu Qingzhi returned to the store to continue helping out.

Zheng Guixiang, Fan Limei, Cao Zhilan, two granddaughters, and some villagers from Li’s village were making their way to Chu’s village along the stone-paved road.

A villager complimented, “Guixiang Auntie, you’re lucky to have such a good daughter who married well. Now they’ve even opened a general store.”

Zheng Guixiang couldn’t help but feel a bit smug, “Well, it’s also because they’re diligent. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be enjoying these good days.”

Fan Limei and Cao Zhilan, basking in the villagers’ praises, felt a mix of pride and slight bitterness. Though Qingyu and her family were prospering, they hadn’t gained much personally due to the lack of closeness.

Fortunately, Li Chunfeng and Li Chunzhou, through their own efforts, had managed to stay on in the training program and were now learning brewing under Hong YuJun. Chu Qingzhi had provided a special ingredient that enhanced the wine’s flavor and aroma, a secret to anyone else. Even using the same methods, others couldn’t replicate the wine’s unique taste.

Additionally, a contract had been signed by everyone in the workshop, prohibiting them from replicating any of the workshop’s products if they left. Any breach would result in heavy compensation and possible imprisonment.

This contract had caused Qingyu’s maternal family to be more cautious, curbing any thoughts of taking advantage.

Another villager asked, “Could you ask Qingyu to give us a discount when we buy something?”

They had heard about the store’s cheaper salt and came specifically to buy it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have traveled the considerable distance from Li’s village to Chu’s village, even with the newly built bridge taking half an hour to cross.

Zheng Guixiang assured with a smile, “I’ll definitely talk to her.”

The villagers, unaware of the tension between the two families, thanked her in advance.

As they arrived at Chu’s village, the general store was still bustling with customers.

By the twelfth lunar month, villagers had more free time and gathered to chat.

Li Qingyu, greeting customers at the entrance, spotted Zheng Guixiang and was somewhat surprised, “Mother, and my two sisters-in-law.”

The children called out, “Third Aunt.”

“Here.” Zheng Guixiang handed each child a candy, “Take this.”

Despite any past grievances, the children were still her brothers’ offspring, who had treated her well before her marriage. Besides, adults shouldn’t hold grudges against children, so Li Qingyu didn’t mind their months-long absence.

The children happily thanked their third aunt, “Thank you, Third Aunt.”

“There are stools over there. Go take a seat.”

“Okay.”

Recognizing the people from Li’s village, Li Qingyu knew they came to shop and warmly invited them, “Feel free to choose whatever you like inside, and you can pay at the counter near the entrance.”

A villager held Li Qingyu’s hand, smiling, “Qingyu, you’ll give us a discount, right?”

Li Qingyu nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a discount. The more you buy, the more you save.”

The villagers smiled broadly, “Then we thank you in advance.”

Li Qingyu replied with a smile, “No need for thanks.”

Fan Limei and Cao Zhilan approached Li Qingyu. Fan Limei, somewhat awkwardly, said, “Qingyu, congratulations on the opening of your store.”

Accepting the good wishes, Li Qingyu responded, “Thank you, big sister.”

Cao Zhilan offered Li Qingyu a large piece of sticky rice cake, “This is specially for you. We were wrong in the past; please don’t hold it against us. We won’t do it again.”

For their son’s future, neither dared to cause trouble anymore.

Li Qingyu was surprised; her usually stingy second sister-in-law was giving her something.

She gently pushed Cao Zhilan’s hand back, “Keep it for yourselves. We lack nothing at home.”

Cao Zhilan insisted, “I know you don’t need it, but it’s our gesture. Qingyu, you’re not still upset about the past, are you?”

Zheng Guixiang intervened, taking the sticky rice cake and placing it in Li Qingyu’s hand, “Qingyu, just accept it. We were wrong before. Let’s consider this an apology.”

Li Qingyu finally accepted the gift, marking a reconciliation between the families, “Mother, let’s leave the past behind and get along well from now on.”

Zheng Guixiang agreed, “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”

Fan Limei and Cao Zhilan sighed in relief, regretting not lending money to Qingyu’s family when they had the chance. If only regrets could turn back time…

…

Chu Rong approached the entrance of the general store and waved to Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, come here for a moment.”

“Coming.” Chu Qingzhi walked to the small square outside the store, “Dad, what’s up?”

Chu Rong, filled with a sense of accomplishment, announced, “The roads in our territory have been completed. Take a look.”

Completing the work ahead of schedule, Chu Qingzhi said, “Dad, take the accounting books and other records to Wang Yuanping for review. I’ll go inspect the work.”

Chu Rong nodded, promising, “I’ll personally deliver them to him later.”

Chu Qingzhi called out Fu Bao and rode off. Tian Xiaoqiu ran after her, “Fifth cousin, can I come with you?”

Now following Chu Qingzhi, Tian Xiaoqiu was allowed to join.

Chu Qingzhi paused, “Can you ride a horse?”

“I can now.” Tian Xiaoqiu said proudly.

Chu Qingzhi hasn’t been working on new products lately, as the previous four were still rolling out. With no rush, Tian Xiaoqiu focused on learning various skills.

Seeing Chu Qingzhi as a role model, Tian Xiaoqiu was extremely serious about learning and had already mastered several skills.

Chu Qingzhi summoned another horse for Tian Xiaoqiu, “Let’s go then.”

Tian Xiaoqiu, a bit short in stature, cleverly led her horse next to a stone and used it to boost herself onto the horse with ease, “Fifth cousin, let’s go.”

Chu Qingzhi showed a hint of admiration, “Be careful, falling off a horse can cause serious injuries.”

“Yes, Fifth Cousin.” Tian Xiaoqiu gripped the reins tightly, her small feet secured in the stirrups, not daring to relax for a moment.

As the sunset’s glow bathed the countryside, the two rode off into the distance.