CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: ASPIRATION

Never mind what expression Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei had, even Gu Xiaoqing was so happy that you couldn’t tell her eyes and eyebrows apart.

The whole family was so thrilled that they couldn’t tell North from South.

Gu Ruhai foolishly looked at Li Xuemei and said, "The kids’ mom, is this really eighteen yuan and fifty cents?"

Li Xuemei fiercely pinched a piece of tender flesh on Gu Ruhai’s arm, causing him to wince in pain. Li Xuemei nodded, "It’s real, their dad. Look at how you hurt; that means it’s real."

Gu Ruhai chuckled as he squatted on the doorstep and began to roll a cigarette. How could he not take a puff to satisfy his heart?

Gu Xiaoqing put the money away and said, "Mom and Dad, this first day’s earnings shouldn’t be counted as what we made; let’s consider it capital. Although today wasn’t well-prepared, I estimate there will still be plenty of people each day. We need to prepare more, at least five pounds of meat filling. We still have chives at home, so let’s use what we have, but we’ve run out of the flour gran brought from home. Mom, in a bit, you should go buy some from others’ places. These need to be prepared."

Li Xuemei nodded; the child made sense, but preparing such a large amount of meat filling made Li Xuemei a bit anxious.

These five pounds of meat filling.

"What if we can’t sell them?"

Still worried.

Gu Xiaoqing laughed, "Mom, it’s fine. Didn’t you see how many people didn’t get to buy today? In these initial days, people will find it novel, but after a week, we can’t prepare like this anymore. After all, our filling is relatively simple, and there are no other varieties; people can’t rely on this for every meal every day.

The demand might not be as good, but don’t worry; besides the tap water factory, there’s a school, a supply and marketing cooperative nearby, and a big market every three days, all of which are sources of customers. Not to mention the match factory and the food factory nearby; they’re hidden sources of customers.

If we do a good job, we’re not afraid of poor business; we want repeat customers. As long as it’s clean and tasty, people will come back to buy."

Gu Xiaoqing comforted Li Xuemei, which was also Gu Xiaoqing’s thought. However, Gu Xiaoqing was planning that once business stabilized, to find a shopfront near the food factory. After all, for food business in winter, being outside in the cold is undesirable for both customers and ourselves.

If we have a shop, Gu Xiaoqing is planning to bring out some other food ideas in her head, not worried about having no business.

Of course, if the shop could be opened in the city, that’s Gu Xiaoqing’s idea, but for now, it’s better to focus on the present.

This was already a groundbreaking move.

Enough to terrify Mom and Dad.

Li Xuemei nodded, the daughter’s words made sense. Listening to Gu Xiaoqing speak so logically, Li Xuemei suddenly realized that going to school indeed taught a real skill, and it strengthened Li Xuemei’s determination to support both Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie through school.

As for Gu Xiaoying, there was no choice; the family had already delayed. But these two little ones, they must be supported through school no matter what.

There’s a notable difference between the educated and the uneducated. Look at Gu Xiaoqing’s clever mind; it doesn’t even seem like our own child.

But that look, that temper, that tone, clearly is our child, so it must be that Gu Xiaoqing became clever through studying.

These skills must have come from the books.

If Gu Xiaoqing knew her mom’s thought, she’d probably laugh out loud.

However, this was also the primary reason for the Gu Family’s change, because from this point on, Li Xuemei was firmly committed to the idea that the children must study, regardless of how much Uncle and the grandparents persuade, Li Xuemei wouldn’t budge.

In Li Xuemei’s heart, educated people meant having money, meant having ability.

Look at our Gu Xiaoqing, once she starts thinking, the family immediately has a way to earn money. That was the reason why Li Xuemei firmly believed in it.

"Okay, then we’ll follow Xiaoqing’s plan. After all, Gu Xiaoqing is the head of our family."

Li Xuemei deliberately said it out loud, meant for Gu Ruhai to hear.

Mainly fearing that if Gu Ruhai was moved, he might think of pleasing his parents and grandparents again.

If that happened, the business might just end up ruined.

Gu Xiaoqing understood her mom’s concern, looked at the money in hand, and said, "Mom and Dad, I’ll assign the tasks for the family from now on. Mom and Dad, you’ll be responsible for making dumplings. Sister, you’re responsible for collecting money. Our family can’t buy on credit, this small business cannot afford credit. Whoever comes must pay. Of course, this doesn’t apply to our grandparents; they are Dad’s parents, whom we should respect, but regarding money, Sister, you must guard it well. How much is sold each day, at night you must report to me.

I’ll settle accounts daily, just like today. After all, if we can make ten yuan a day, that’s three hundred yuan a month. If it continues for a year, by next year we might be able to build a big tile house.

When Xiao Jie grows up, there won’t be any worries about getting a wife, won’t it, Mom and Dad?"

This was Gu Xiaoqing’s preemptive strategy.

This was out of fear the grandparents would have plans upon seeing the family’s good business again.

Even if the grandparents didn’t, wasn’t there a greedy Uncle eyeing eagerly?

One misstep, he might cause trouble and intervene.

Introducing Xiao Jie as a central family priority ahead of time, surely Mom and Dad would think more of it.

After all, who’s family doesn’t want to leave an inheritance for future generations?

Gu Ruhai was essentially a genuine old farmer; building a house and getting married were top priorities.

No one could be more important than this.

So Gu Xiaoqing made things clear ahead of time.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei both nodded, their hearts warmed.

If in a year, we could put up a five-room big tile house like Uncle’s, just the thought of it filled them with warmth, their blood excitedly coursing through their bodies, wishing the year would hurry by.

Life seemed to have suddenly gained a promising future, with all the light and hope waiting for them ahead.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei suddenly felt ten years younger, with many of the wrinkles on their faces smoothed out, their eyes and brows filled with happy smiles, optimistic smiles, that gleamed with hopes for life.

This is life.

Gu Xiaoqing really understood Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei’s feelings just right, not to mention anything else, just the thought of building a house, it was of major importance for rural people, especially for someone like Gu Ruhai who lived his whole life with only a small broken house, it was a monumental matter.

Of course, at that moment, Gu Xiaoqing suddenly remembered she hadn’t yet gone to Uncle’s house to ask for money.

Absolutely cannot delay.

While the whole village was watching the fun, there might still be hope of getting the money if acted upon quickly. If too late, Uncle might come up with excuses to avoid paying.