153 The Heart Ironing
Su Xuexuan did not know how to use the bag.
‘S-So, this is a schoolbag?’
Su Binglan approached the boy and taught him how to put it on.
After Su Xuexuan put the bag on his back, a surprised expression appeared on his face. Then he smiled shyly and said, “This schoolbag is nice and easy to carry, Aunt Binglan. Thank you so much!”
Meanwhile, Su Xuehai sat quietly on the sidelines. His widened eyes revealed a sense of envy, but he was very obedient. Although his aunt had said that the schoolbag beside him was his, the adults did not react, so Su Xuehai did not move to take his schoolbag.
Su Binglan noticed the little one’s expression and felt her nephew was too quiet and shy. She picked up the cartoon mouse patterned bag and approached Su Xuehai. She said, “Here, this bag is for you, so let’s see how it looks on your back. Do you like it?”
“Y-Yes, I do.” Su Xuehai nodded even though he had not worn the schoolbag yet. His adorable appearance amused everyone.
…
Shortly after, Su Binglan, Luo Jin’an, Su Wenzhe, Liu Yinyin, and the two little ones prepared to leave.
Since Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin did not need to set up a stall, they did not need to bring a cart this time. Instead, they would carry a shoulder pole with two large boxes of tofu on both ends.
The group prepared to leave, but Su Binglan remembered that Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai were still kids, so after some thought, she decided to rent an oxcart.
Sitting on the oxcart, Su Binglan thought of something and said, “Big Brother, I think it would be better if we bought an ox.”
Su Wenzhe thought his sister wanted to buy an ox for him and his family, but he knew Su Binglan had done too much for them. He could not bear to let his sister spend any more money.
“Sister, Yinyin and I aren’t that delicate. We’re used to carrying heavy loads. Also, Xuexuan and Xuehai are mature enough. Consider this an exercise for us. We won’t get tired.”
The villagers would not delicately raise their children and felt it was customary for children to work, not to mention walk.
“You shouldn’t spoil Xuexuan and Xuehai. I don’t want them to feel entitled,” Su Wenzhe said severely.
Su Binglan did not want her two nephews to walk back and forth since they were so young. She knew it would be much more convenient to have an oxcart, especially when it snowed.
She glanced at Luo Jin’an and said, “I don’t want my husband to walk back and forth, so I’ve decided to buy an ox. We can use it to plow the land when the farmers are busy and also transport things around when the farmers are not busy. Besides, our family has shops, and we must go to town daily. It would be more convenient for us to own an oxcart.”
Su Wenzhe and his wife thought that Su Binglan made sense. They wanted to own an ox, but it cost too much, so they only thought of saving as much money as possible.
Su Wenzhe said, “Yinyin and I can earn seven to eight silver taels daily. She and I can pay for the ox if we earn a few more days. I won’t allow you to spend any more money for us.”
Previously, Su Wenzhe insisted on evenly splitting the tofu shop’s earnings with his sister. He knew the shop belonged to Su Binglan, but she gave it to him, even though she was the one who spent the money on the shop’s renovation. Nonetheless, Su Wenzhe was not an unreasonable person.
Still, Su Binglan disagreed. In the end, both parties insisted on their opinions, and Su Binglan helplessly accepted a 30-70 split, with her taking 30% of the tofu shop’s earnings.
Su Binglan knew that everyone in her family was aware of how much she had sacrificed for them. Moreover, they were understanding and caring toward her. She felt a warmth in her heart.
“Big Brother, you guys have already said that you will listen to whatever I say regarding family matters. Since that’s the case, I will spend my money to buy us an oxcart.”