CHAPTER 176: CHAPTER 176 THE ABILITY TO MAKE MONEY (1ST UPDATE)

To be honest, when Mu Zhenzhen speaks, she really knows what she’s talking about.

Even Mu Shuangshuang was almost persuaded by her.

Old Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu didn’t look very happy, especially Old Mrs. Mu.

After all, daughters-in-law aren’t as dear as one’s own daughters. Her courtesy to Mrs. Jin was only for the sake of their eldest son’s face.

Now, the eldest son’s travel expenses aren’t fully gathered, and the household chores aren’t finished. It’s not right to keep expecting Mrs. Jin to support them.

"Mother, every day Dan Dan’s father drinks a cup of tea I brew. If he doesn’t have it, he’s uneasy about his studies all day."

Mrs. Jin wasn’t stupid either. Her delicate skin would turn into tree bark if she worked under the sun all day.

Even if her man became a scholar and held a high office, people would still mock her for her lowly past if she walked outside.

Speaking of Mu Dade, Old Mrs. Mu hesitated. Her son’s matters are significant. If a cup of tea affects him, what should they do?

Mu Shuangshuang’s eyes were fixed on the adults’ table, and after hearing Mrs. Jin’s words, she couldn’t help but snicker.

Was Mu Dade being used as a shield like a sword granted by the emperor?

No way, no window!

"Aunt, now is the busy time at home. Everyone is trying their hardest to finish the work quickly, while you, you’re thinking of slacking off.

Uncle’s tea time isn’t as strict as you say. Just come back at set times to brew him a cup of tea and go back to the fields. Wouldn’t that solve everything?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s mocking words hit the others’ ears just perfectly.

No one wants to work hard while someone else eats meat. If Mu Dade eats their meat and drinks their blood, his wife should pay the price.

"Shuang’s words make sense! Sister-in-law, stop being lazy. Everyone knows you do the least work at home. Even mom and dad aren’t as comfortable as you. It’s about time for you to contribute."

Mu Danian’s words thoroughly dispelled Old Mrs. Mu’s worries.

Old Mrs. Mu always regarded herself as the head of the family. Mr. Mu dealt with things outside, while she managed everything inside.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, starting tomorrow, you’ll work in the fields, beginning with pulling up seedlings.

You are allowed to return twice in the morning to brew tea for the eldest and then resume work. Each stay cannot exceed the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

"Mother, I..." Mrs. Jin wanted to say something, but Old Mrs. Mu’s glaring eyes scared her into silence.

The decision for Mrs. Jin to work in the fields was set by Old Mrs. Mu.

Mrs. Jin’s face was already ashen, and Mu Dandan and Mu Yingying were on the verge of tears. But they dared not speak out, for the old lady was fearsome.

Mu Shuangshuang’s lips curled slightly. That’s more like it. Sharing the hardships. Surely, in a day or two, Mrs. Jin will turn as dark as an African under the sun.

...

...

After dinner, Mu Shuangshuang walked out of the main house and circled to the empty lot beside her room. This empty plot could hardly be called "empty" anymore, as the frame of a house was already in place.

Mu Shuangshuang carefully counted the remaining pieces of wood. It looked like in two or three days, they could put up a roof, and then the family kitchen would be ready.

Once there’s a kitchen and a proper stove is built, it would be about time not to eat at Old Mu Family’s place anymore.

"Shuangshuang, your dad wants you to teach him how to make straw fans. The sulfur has been fuming the whole night, so it’s time for the next step. He’s getting impatient."

Mu Dashan was focused on recuperating and not having much to do. Plus, the medicine Mu Shuangshuang brewed was so bitter it was unbearable.

He wanted to occupy himself, distract his attention, to not focus too much on the bitter taste of the medicine.

"Alright, it’s perfect timing to test the results ourselves, but mom needs to prepare a stove first."

After the straw fans were fumed, they needed to be roasted on the stove, then the leaves pressed flat.

"Okay, you wait a moment."

Yu Si Niang headed to Old Mu Family’s kitchen, and when she returned, she had a charcoal stove in her hands.

Mu Shuangshuang carried the stove to Mu Dashan’s room, picked up the fumed straw fan, and moved it back and forth over the stove.

"Dad, Mom, watch closely. When roasting the straw fan, you must keep the surface flat, without leaving too many wrinkles."

Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang listened attentively. They had never seen a straw fan before, and with their daughter making it, they dared not be careless.

Finding a wooden board, Mu Shuangshuang pressed it on the fan surface, smoothing it out. Afterward, she took out a knife to trim off the protruding stalks.

The process of making a straw fan was truly straightforward. At least after one round, Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan could replicate it.

And given that they typically had more hands-on experience than Mu Shuangshuang, their crafted fans looked even better than Mu Shuangshuang’s.

"I’ve finished pressing, Shuangshuang, what’s next?" Yu Si Niang’s face was filled with unconcealable excitement, as working together as a family was immensely gratifying.

"Next comes the stitching. Mom’s sewing skills are great; I’m sure the fan will look beautiful."

As everything was prepared beforehand, when Mu Shuangshuang fetched three half-meter long bamboo slats to wrap the fan, Yu Si Niang wasn’t as curious anymore.

With simple guidance from Mu Shuangshuang, she started sewing, and within a quarter of an hour, she finished one fan.

Mu Shuangshuang finished the final step of trimming the handle, and the fan was complete.

The round fan, played with by Yu Si Niang in her hands, stared blankly at Mu Shuangshuang, as if not knowing how to use it.

When Mu Shuangshuang picked up the fan and waved it a few times, Yu Si Niang’s dumbfounded expression shifted to surprise.

"Oh, this fan produces such a strong, cool breeze. Shuangshuang’s dad, try it!"

"Really, let me try it."

Mu Dashan took the straw fan from Yu Si Niang and fanned himself a few times. The cool breeze hit him directly, instantly making the stuffy room feel not hot at all, but rather refreshing.

"This really is a good thing. If everyone had one, wouldn’t summer heat be no issue? Good daughter, you’re amazing. How did you come up with this idea?" Mu Dashan said excitedly.

He always knew when his daughter said he could earn money sitting on the bed, she wasn’t lying.

With the method his daughter taught for making fans, he could make at least thirty a day.

Even if sold for a penny each, it would be enough to support the family.

"It just came to my mind randomly. Mom, Dad, if I take the straw fans to town for sale, do you think people will buy them?"

"Of course, what Shuangshuang made is so useful. If we found it, we’d definitely buy one." Yu Si Niang laughed cheerfully.

"Then I’m assured. Mom, Dad, let’s make as many as we can. In a few days, I’ll take them to town to test the waters. We might be able to sell a fan for four or five pennies."

ps: Seeking recommendation votes~