Chapter 873: Running a Small Business

Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingyan was eating when she suddenly felt something was amiss. She looked around with puzzlement in her eyes, then approached Tang Jinghong.

She glanced at the young man who was having a lively conversation with Tang Jinghong and asked, “Jinghong brother, have you seen my fifth sister?”

Tang Jinghong paused for a moment, his gaze briefly flickering towards the young man, and said, “I haven’t seen your fifth sister.”

Chu Qingyan became a bit anxious, “Then we should quickly look for her. What will my fifth sister eat after the feast?”

“Why don’t you go ahead and eat, and if your fifth sister hasn’t had her meal by then, I’ll make something just for her, okay?” Qingzhi is right beside him; where else could he find another Qingzhi?

Chu Qingyan looked around again, still not reassured, “Maybe we should really look for her?”

The young man, barely holding back a smile, said, “No need to look for her; she’s gone back to her room. She’s a bit tired and resting, so let’s not disturb her.”

Chu Qingyan looked at the young man, blinking somewhat sheepishly, “Really?”

The young man nodded, “Really, go ahead and eat. Your mother has saved some food for her.”

After hesitating for a moment, Chu Qingyan decided to let her fifth sister rest for now and would bring her some food later, “Oh, then I’ll go back.”

The young man smiled, “Go ahead.”

Tang Jinghong looked at the young man and intentionally said, “Eat a bit more, then go back and rest.”

The young man slightly raised his eyebrows, “Thank you for caring so much about me.”

Tang Jinghong served the young man a bowl of soup, placing it in front of him with a gentle tone, “Drink this.”

Chu Xuhua and Chu Xujin, who were sitting at the same table, kept looking at the two. The young man was handsome and attractive, but weren’t he and Jinghong brother getting a bit too close?

Trying to suppress his amusement while eating, the young man thought if he spent any more time with Jinghong, rumors might start that Jinghong liked men.

After quickly finishing his meal, the young man took his leave.

Heading towards the village entrance, the young man stood in the darkness, performing a hand seal. With a flash of spiritual light, he transformed back into Chu Qingzhi.

Eating at the wedding feast and having to play two roles, no one was more exhausted than her.

Stepping out from the darkness, Chu Qingzhi walked back into the village.

Just taking a few steps, she saw Tang Jinghong coming towards the village entrance. Seeing her, he quickened his pace, “I was worried you might be cold, so I brought you a cloak.”

He draped the white cloak with its fluffy collar over Chu Qingzhi, highlighting her delicate and fair skin even more, making her look increasingly beautiful.

Tang Jinghong gazed down at Chu Qingzhi, his eyes filled with a hint of adoration, “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

Actually giving her a compliment, Chu Qingzhi smiled, “I’ll introduce you to even more beauties later.”

Tang Jinghong reached out to touch Chu Qingzhi’s head, slightly helpless, “No need, no matter who I see, you are the most beautiful in my heart.”

Chu Qingzhi held Tang Jinghong’s hand, “Let’s go home.”

The two walked side by side back into the village, their tall, straight figures in perfect harmony under the moonlight, one in white and the other in black.

…

At the charitable hall.

Unknowingly, several days passed, and the year’s end was drawing nearer.

Zhang Lingmei and a few children approached Elder Zhang with small buckets, saying, “Grandfather, we’d like to water the vegetable garden, may we?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Elder Zhang nodded, “Yes, but don’t step on the vegetables. Water them gently.”

Zhang Lingmei nodded, “Understood, grandfather.”

Elder Zhang watched the children head to the vegetable garden, then continued making furniture. He was currently working on tables that would serve as dining tables once the charitable hall was set up.

Elder Zhang’s craftsmanship was quite good; the tables he made were sturdy and didn’t wobble. They could be sold if taken to market.

The vegetables in the garden had sprouted, looking from afar like a green cloth laid on the ground.

The children fetched water from the well in the courtyard of the charitable hall and took it to water the garden.

The children had grown accustomed to these tasks, working efficiently and quickly watering the entire vegetable garden.

When Chu Qingzhi arrived, she saw the children gathered around the edge of the vegetable garden, intently watching the plants.

All the children, big and small, were there.

Chu Qingzhi was puzzled, “What are you all looking at?”

Hearing Chu Qingzhi’s voice, the children turned their heads in unison, beaming with bright smiles, “Sister, you’re here.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “I came to see you.” Handing over the sugar cakes she brought to Zhang Lingmei, she said, “Share these with your brothers and sisters.”

Zhang Lingmei sweetly thanked her, “Thank you, sister.”

Xia Dongming approached Chu Qingzhi, “Sister, we were all watching the vegetable sprouts. We come to the vegetable garden every day to watch for a while.”

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Why do you watch them?”

Xia Dongming said with curiosity, “To see how they grow.”

Indeed, the world of children is full of exploration. Chu Qingzhi said, “These vegetables won’t be ready to eat until next year; you don’t need to watch them every day. By the way, would you like to do a small business to earn some money?”

All the children’s eyes lit up, forgetting about the snacks and crowding around Chu Qingzhi, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhang Lingmei swallowed and looked at Chu Qingzhi with intense longing, “Sister, can you really teach us how to make money?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Yes, as long as you’re willing to work.”

Zhang Lingmei eagerly said, “We’re willing. We’re ready to endure hardship, no matter how hard, just to make money.”

Chu Qingzhi was impressed by Zhang Lingmei, “Alright, I’ll buy the materials and come back to teach you.”

The children eagerly watched Chu Qingzhi leave.

Zhang Lingmei ran to Elder Zhang, excitedly shouting, “Grandfather, grandfather, sister is going to teach us how to run a small business. We can make money!”

Elder Zhang couldn’t believe it, “Really?”

Zhang Lingmei nodded vigorously, filled with excitement, “Really, sister has gone to buy materials. She’ll be back soon to teach us.”

Elder Zhang advised, “Sister has been so good to you. You must learn well. When you’re successful, you must repay her.”

Zhang Lingmei promised, “Don’t worry, grandfather, we all will.”

Elder Zhang was deeply moved, knowing that with Chu Qingzhi’s support, the dozens of abandoned individuals at the charitable hall finally had a way to improve their lives.

Not long after, Chu Qingzhi returned with a variety of colorful strings. She planned to teach the children how to make knots, inspired by the jade pendants she saw worn by passersby.

Knots could be used in girls’ hair accessories, and wearing the right knot could be very beautiful.

They could be made into animal shapes, like butterflies, dragonflies, small birds, etc., which could then be embedded into hairpins as decorations.

They could also be made into shapes of flowers and plants, like chrysanthemums, peonies, and seasonal flowers, which could be used to decorate clothing and be suitable for many occasions.

Furthermore, they could be crafted into shoes, small clothes, small trousers, and used as ornaments. They would be cute and very attractive.

Some parts might need pigskin glue for bonding, but using a little bit of it, hidden inside the knots, wouldn’t affect the appearance.

Without delay, she began.