Chapter 360 - Discussing

After agreeing, Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao entered first.

Chen Hu and Madam Qian also returned home.

Su Xiaolu was practicing martial arts in the courtyard. Her moves were sharp and the sound of the sword was heard.

Seeing Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao return, Su Xiaolu put away her sword. She ran to Madam Zhao’s side with a red face and held her hand as she called out, “Mother.”

Madam Zhao smiled. “Where’s your sister?”

Su Xiaolu replied with a smile, “Sister is in the kitchen. She stewed the fish stock she brought back from Furongzhou today. It smells delicious.”

As Su Xiaolu spoke, she sniffed the fragrance in the air and asked Madam Zhao mischievously if it smelled good.

Madam Zhao tapped the tip of Su Xiaolu’s nose. “Glutton.”

Su Xiaoling’s culinary skills were naturally top-notch.

Su Sanlang looked at the lively Su Xiaolu and smiled gently. They returned to the main room together.

Su Xiaolu massaged Madam Zhao’s shoulders and Su Sanlang’s back. Then, Chen Hu and his family came over.

Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu carried a basket filled with side dishes.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao got up and smiled for them to sit.

Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu greeted each other familiarly and went to the kitchen. Chen Xing followed immediately.

Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi followed.

Chen Daniu asked Su Xiaolu, “Xiaolu, do you know what happened? When I saw my parents coming back just now, their expressions had changed. They packed up and asked us to come over. It seems like they have important news to announce.”

Chen Erniu and the others looked at Su Xiaolu.

Su Xiaolu waved her hand and said, “I don’t know either, but we should know soon.”

It was already past 3 pm. It wouldn’t be long before Big Brother and the others returned.

Chen Daniu smiled and said, “That’s true. Father and Mother asked us to help Xiaoling cook. Let’s not worry about anything else for now. Let’s do what Father and Mother instructed us to do first.”

If the two families wanted to eat together, the food would definitely not be enough. It was only enough when they cooked an extra portion for her family.

When they arrived at the kitchen, Su Xiaoling was drying the meat and chopping it up to fill the tender tofu. She was a little surprised to see them. “Daniu, Erniu, you’re here.”

Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu smiled. Chen Daniu went to wash her hands and came to help. After Chen Erniu washed her hands, she packed the things in the basket.

Su Xiaolu, Chen Shi and Chen Xing were here to see if there was anything to eat.

Coincidentally, there was a fried crispy meat pie. Su Xiaoling handed it to Su Xiaolu and said, “Xiaolu, bring your two brothers to eat it to fill their stomachs.”

Su Xiaolu smiled and nodded. “Okay, thank you, sis.”

Chen Shi and Chen Xing also thanked her with the sweetest smiles. “Thank you, Sister Xiaoling.”

The few of them sat on the stove and shared the fried crispy meat pies.

Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu quickly cooperated with Su Xiaoling and stir-fried the vegetables.

Su Xiaoling only cooked.

The two families often met, so there was no need to mention their tacit cooperation.

Su Sanlang, Chen Hu, and the others in the front hall were also discussing and analyzing.

However, after analyzing for a while, the results of their analysis were the same as what Shopkeeper Niu had said.

This matter was true. 10,000 taels of silver was not something that could be taken out casually. If he was lying, what was he trying to do with so many banknotes?

Chen Hu scratched his head and said, “Brother, Sister-in-law, we can’t figure this out, but no matter what choice we make in the end, my wife and I will listen to you. Even without wealth, we’re already living very well now. We’re satisfied.”

Madam Qian smiled gently and nodded. She echoed, “We’re already satisfied.”

How could they not be satisfied with their current lives? The couple was not ambitious to begin with. Now that their two daughters had a good home, and Chen Shi and Chen Xing were also obedient, there was really nothing to be dissatisfied about.

As for the daily hard work, it was nothing. They had never felt bitter and were very satisfied.

Su Sanlang smiled and said, “We’re also satisfied at this moment, but with such a good opportunity in front of us, it’s a pity to miss it. What we’re mainly worried about now is its authenticity.”

Madam Zhao nodded.

It was a good thing, but it was the capital after all. She still felt vaguely uneasy.

This important decision concerned two families at once. They could not be careless.

Chen Hu looked at Su Sanlang and said, “Brother, no matter what decision you make in the end, we will listen to you.”

Madam Qian nodded. She and Chen Hu had already made up their minds.

Be it when this business was first set up or after so many years, she and Chen Hu were mainly led by Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao.

The couple deeply understood that they could not control this. Without Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao, what Madam Qian knew was just ordinary vegetables at home.

Now that they had come this far, they still firmly believed that they just had to follow in Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao’s footsteps.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao had never let down Chen Hu and Madam Qian’s trust, and this time was no exception.

“Alright, no matter how far we can go, our two families will shoulder it together.”

Su Sanlang said firmly.

Then they all smiled.

Not long after, Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng returned from school.

This time, they could take a break on the 15th to prepare to set off for the Spring Quarter Examinations. Seeing that the Chen family was all here, Su Chong and the others acutely sensed that something might have happened.

They didn’t mention it, so Su Chong and the others patiently didn’t ask and ate first.

After dinner, Chen Hu and Madam Qian immediately helped clean up the dishes. Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao cleaned up together.

Su Chong looked at Su Xiaolu and the others and asked, “Xiaoling, Daniu, Erniu, do you know what’s going on?”

They all shook their heads.

Su Chong said calmly, “There’s no hurry. We’ll know soon.”

Su Hua turned to ask Chen Shi, “Brother Shi, have you improved in your studies recently?”

Chen Shi was going to be nine years old this year and had already started studying. He also liked to practice martial arts and was a little poor in his studies. When Su Hua was at home, she would focus on teaching him.

Chen Shi revealed a bitter expression. “Second Brother, I… I…”

Chen Xing raised her hand and complained, “Second Brother, my third brother always goes to practice martial arts. He doesn’t study properly at all. Hurry up and punish him.”

Chen Shi was vexed. “Xiao Xing—you’re despicable.”

Su Hua’s expression was serious. “Brother Shi, we’re going to the capital in a few days. There’s a period of time when I can’t keep an eye on your homework. In the next few days, you have to write the first fifty words of the Thousand Character Classic twenty times for me to check and memorize them. Even if you like to practice martial arts, you can’t neglect your literature studies, understand?”

Chen Shi nodded. “Second Brother is right. I know my mistake and will definitely correct it.”

Su Hua nodded. He had to teach Chen Shi and Chen Xing well. They were the most reliable people in the future. They were men, and the burden on their shoulders was heavy. They would protect the women in the family in the future. Therefore, Su Hua never slacked off in his studies.

They had started learning the Thousand Character Classic. The Thousand Character Classic had a deep meaning. After familiarizing themselves with it, they could understand a lot of principles. Therefore, ever since Chen Shi started studying, he had also let Chen Shi memorize the Thousand Character Classic.