The effects of Wang Qingchen's potent medicine were indeed quite noticeable. As expected, Wang Qinghua began to waver after hearing it.

Although Wang Qinghua had been reasoned with by Wang Youfu previously, a lingering thought still remained in his heart. In his mind, all the property and businesses the family currently possessed were earned by his younger brother, Wang Qingchen. Furthermore, opening this new shop had been Wang Qingchen's idea from the start, meaning it truly belonged to his brother; how could he possibly interfere? Besides, he knew absolutely nothing about running a business, and his tongue was often slow; he would surely mess up his brother’s plans.

Wang Qinghua had always been immensely proud of his younger brother—not just for earning this family fortune at such a young age, but also for his brilliance in academics, which held the potential to bring honor to their ancestors in the future. As for himself, all he had managed to do as he grew older was follow their father to learn farming. Wang Qinghua was very self-aware, and after recognizing the gap between himself and his brother, he had long ago decided to simply be a farmer like his father, reasoning that farming could still support the family.

But what Wang Qingchen had just said was correct: once his wife married into the family, surely he wouldn't want her to live a hard life? While subsistence could be scraped from the earth, the life would undoubtedly be difficult. Thinking of this, Wang Qinghua hesitated—or perhaps, he felt a stirring of desire. Perhaps he, too, could succeed at running a shop?

Once an idea takes root in the mind, it begins to expand uncontrollably; even with strenuous suppression, it will inevitably seep out through the cracks. This was precisely Wang Qinghua's situation. The moment he realized he harbored the desire to open a shop, he started desperately trying to suppress it. He constantly told himself he shouldn't think this way; the shop belonged to his brother, not him. But how could he possibly crush a thought just because he willed it?

Wang Qingchen watched Wang Qinghua’s brows, which would smooth out and then furrow again, knowing his elder brother was caught in an internal tug-of-war.

Wang Qingchen chuckled inwardly; as long as he started hesitating, things would become manageable. So, Wang Qingchen shifted gears and began playing the card of familial affection. “Big Brother, regarding opening this shop, consider that Father still has to look after the fields, so he can’t leave. Mother, as a woman, is even less able. And then there's me—can you truly bear to watch me give up my chance to study just to manage a shop?”

“This… Qingchen, Big Brother didn’t mean that. How could Big Brother wish for you to stop studying? It’s just that…” Wang Qinghua struggled to articulate his thoughts.

Wang Qingchen suppressed a smile. “Just what, Big Brother? In our family, you’re the only one who can open this shop, wouldn't you agree?”

Wang Youfu cleared his throat from the side. “Qinghua, your brother is right. You are the only one in the family who can manage this venture. Once it earns money, our family’s life will surely improve, won’t it? Moreover, you are about to marry; you will be an adult soon, and it is time for you to gain some experience.”

With Wang Qingchen and Wang Youfu speaking like this, Wang Qinghua found even less reason to refuse. However, he still knew nothing about running a business—what was he to do? So Wang Qinghua asked, “But I’ve never done this before. What should I do about running the shop?”

Seeing that Wang Qinghua was softening, Wang Qingchen laughed. “You don't need to worry about that. We may not know how, but we have relatives who do!”

The family looked at each other in confusion. Relatives? Did they have any relatives who knew how to run a shop?

Seeing that no one had guessed, Wang Qingchen had to explain himself. “Oh, isn't Third Aunt’s maternal uncle a perfect candidate? He already runs several shops!”

Wang Youfu slapped his thigh. “Yes, why didn’t I think of that? We can discuss this with Third Aunt and see if she can arrange for Qinghua to apprentice under her brother. We’re just planning to open a mill; it shouldn't be as complicated as the shops they run.”

Madam Yang also smiled. “That settles it. I’ll speak to Third Aunt about this tomorrow.”

The next day, Madam Yang intended to bring up the matter with Zhang Shi, who was staying to help them, but she hesitated for a long time, unsure how to begin. As it turned out, Zhang Shi noticed Madam Yang seemed preoccupied and asked if something was troubling her.

When Zhang Shi brought it up herself, Madam Yang decided not to hide anything and explained their plan to open a mill.

“This is good news! Why do you look so troubled?” Zhang Shi laughed.

“Third Aunt, we farmers, the head of the household is one who toils in the fields. Who among us knows how to run a shop? That is where our difficulty lies. So, Third Aunt, may I ask you a favor?” Madam Yang said.

“Ah? Ask me a favor? I’m just a married woman, I don’t know how to run shops either!” Zhang Shi replied, looking troubled.

“Ah? No, no… Third Aunt, you misunderstood me. What I wanted to ask is, could you possibly ask your mother’s brother to teach Qinghua how to run a shop? Your husband and I were thinking of having Qinghua go learn at your brother’s shop. We know this is perhaps too much to ask, but we have no other recourse!” Madam Yang clarified.

Hearing this, Zhang Shi patted her chest. “Oh, so you wanted my brother to mentor him? You scared me; I thought you wanted me to teach him! What’s embarrassing about that? I’ll go ask him tomorrow.”

When Madam Yang heard Zhang Shi agree, she smiled. “Thank you so much, Third Aunt.”

“Hey, we’re family, why are you being so polite?” Zhang Shi waved her hand dismissively.

Indeed, Zhang Shi went to her maternal home the very next day to arrange the matter. Wang Youfu’s family all knew Zhang Shi was going to inquire on their behalf, so they waited anxiously for her return.

Zhang Shi returned toward evening and headed straight to Wang Youfu’s house. She had rushed out, and upon arriving, she exclaimed she was parched.

Madam Yang quickly went to pour her water. Zhang Shi drank two full cups before she felt less thirsty, and then she got to the main point.

“It’s settled. My brother agreed to it. However, my brother also said that while he agreed to teach Qinghua, some things cannot be learned merely by being taught; it will depend on his own aptitude,” Zhang Shi reported.

“It’s wonderful that he agreed,” Wang Youfu said happily. As for whether he would be taught thoroughly or not, it was truly as Zhang Shi’s brother suggested—it depended on the individual’s understanding, which had little to do with the teacher.

Wang Qinghua was also very pleased. “Thank you, Third Aunt. I promise I will study hard.”

“You certainly must study well. Also, be ready to go early tomorrow morning to the general store located east of the Xiangman Lou in town; that’s my brother’s shop. Go there and stick close to him to learn, understood?” Zhang Shi instructed.

Wang Qinghua nodded. “Yes, I understand, Third Aunt.”

Although Wang Qinghua had agreed, he felt a mix of excitement and trepidation, which resulted in him tossing and turning sleeplessly in bed that night. Wang Qingchen, who had been asleep beside him, was awakened by the disturbance.

When Wang Qingchen returned from school, he had heard his family discuss that Wang Qinghua would be leaving the next day to apprentice at Zhang Shi’s maternal uncle’s shop. Thus, he understood why his elder brother was too restless to sleep due to excitement. However, understanding didn’t negate the fact that his precious sleep was being disturbed.

“Big Brother, go to sleep now. You have an early start tomorrow!” Wang Qingchen said, seeing that Wang Qinghua still couldn't settle down.

Wang Qinghua had assumed Wang Qingchen was fast asleep, so hearing his voice suddenly startled him.

Wang Qinghua felt a bit embarrassed. “Qingchen, did I wake you?”

Wang Qingchen didn't answer directly but instead asked, “Big Brother, are you still thinking about going to Third Aunt’s brother’s shop tomorrow?”

Wang Qinghua nodded, then realized that in the darkness, Wang Qingchen couldn't see him, so he added, “Yes, I’m afraid I won’t learn well. And I’m a bit slow with my words.”

Perhaps because it was dark and he couldn't see who he was speaking to, Wang Qinghua voiced his concerns quite openly.

“Big Brother, you’re mistaken there. Running a shop has little to do with being slow-tongued. Besides, I don’t think you’re slow-tongued at all?” You are just too honest, he thought, but he didn't say that last part aloud, knowing that even if he did, Wang Qinghua wouldn’t change.

“Alas, I worry I won’t learn it well, and then the shop won't do well, and losing money would be disastrous,” Wang Qinghua continued.

“If we lose money, we lose it. Just consider it paying for a lesson,” Wang Qingchen intended to say paying tuition, but recalling that was a phrase from his past life, he substituted the wording as it formed on his tongue.

Wang Qinghua was surprised that his younger brother could be so casual about money. But he himself couldn't be like that. Ever since he understood things, his family had instilled in him the importance of cherishing every coin. Moreover, their life hadn't been wealthy back then, so he had learned the value of money early on, developing a habit of not spending carelessly—or, in other words, being quite concerned about money. It was easy to imagine how much guilt and regret he would feel if they lost money!

Wang Qingchen thought for a moment and continued, “Big Brother, actually, think about it: everyone in this world makes mistakes, and not just one. But if we stopped doing things just because we might make a mistake, would anyone dare to act? Besides, how old are you now? Even if you make mistakes, you still have decades ahead of you to correct them. As long as you don’t repeat the mistake later, that error was worth making—at least you won't make the same mistake again.”

Wang Qingchen paused, then added, “Take your current fear of not learning well, for instance. When you go to learn at Third Aunt’s brother’s shop, even if you make mistakes, it doesn’t matter. The more mistakes you make now, the fewer you will make later, and the better the shop will run in the future, don't you agree?” (To be continued.)