Wang Qinghua finished distributing the goods he had bought for everyone, and the focus shifted to dividing the profits below.

Initially, Madam Yang had considered letting the money spent on the purchases be covered by the household funds, given how much silver Wang Qinghua had spent on his relatives, and suggested simply splitting the money in the cash box in half.

However, Wang Qinghua refused Madam Yang's proposal, stating plainly that he bought things for his family precisely because he was earning money now; if the cost of those purchases was counted as the family's expense rather than his own, what would be the point? Wang Youfu strongly agreed with Wang Qinghua.

Thus, following Wang Qinghua's wishes, and factoring in the five taels Wang Qinghua had already taken out, the total earnings amounted to eleven taels and one hundred twenty-six wen.

Divided in half, one share would be five taels and five hundred sixty-three wen.

Since Wang Qinghua had already claimed five taels upfront, the remaining share for him was only five hundred sixty-three wen.

Wang Qinghua accepted his rightful share of the earnings and then took out a small pouch Madam Yang had made for him previously, carefully tucking all the money inside.

Madam Yang looked at the extra five-plus taels in the house and exclaimed excitedly, "It's only been a month and a half, and the mill is earning this much—that's wonderful!" Wang Youfu countered, "How can you expect it to always earn this much? You must remember, the reason we earned so much this time is because the New Year is approaching; which household wouldn't be stocking up on white rice and white flour? In normal times, we certainly wouldn't earn this much." "Ah? Then...

what should we do?" Madam Yang sounded slightly worried. "Mother, you don't need to worry.

The business at our mill should still be decent even during normal times.

Think about it, how can people live without rice and flour?" Wang Qingchen said. "Right, right, how can people live without rice and flour?" Madam Yang chuckled. "Oh, yes, have the wages for the mill workers been paid yet?" Wang Youfu suddenly inquired. "Mhm, they've all been settled, and everyone also received a bonus of five jin of white rice, five jin of white flour, plus one jin of white sugar," Wang Qinghua replied.

Wang Youfu nodded, then asked again, "And are the things in the shop all packed away? The doors and windows must be securely locked; it would be terrible if thieves broke in." "Yes, everything is put away.

I checked all the doors and windows myself, and Uncle Liu’s family lives in the courtyard behind the shop, so he can also help keep an eye on things while the mill is closed," Wang Qinghua explained.

Uncle Liu was the oldest among the hired hands at the shop, and his entire family resided in the rear courtyard. "Good, you've done well," Wang Youfu praised; at least everything necessary had been considered and seen to.

Wang Qinghua smiled bashfully.

Just as the Wang Youfu household was discussing matters concerning the mill, the old residence was filled with noise and clamor.

The cause was Wang Qingtong telling Wang Youliang and Madam Tian that he no longer wished to attend the academy and instead wanted to work as a general helper at Wang Youfu's shop. "What? You said you want to work as a general helper at your Second Uncle's shop?" Wang Youliang was shocked upon hearing Wang Qingtong's idea.

He knew that Wang Qingtong had previously entertained thoughts of opening a shop, but running one's own business was vastly different from being a mere helper.

Could it be that the money promised to his son earlier wasn't given, causing the boy's mind to suffer a blow? "Yes, Father.

I don't want to study anymore.

Since I don't like studying anyway, I'd rather find some work to do first!" Wang Qingtong stated. "You...

you actually said you don't want to study? You...

you ungrateful brat! Do you have any idea how much silver it cost the family to send you to school—several taels! And look at you, saying you don't want to go to school anymore, you’re trying to make me furious! I'll teach you a lesson today!" Wang Youliang looked around wildly, searching for a suitable stick or club.

Wang Qingtong pleaded urgently, "Father, I mean it, I truly don't want to study anymore, and I can't absorb anything from it.

I don't understand what the tutor says; wouldn't continuing my studies just be a waste of the family's money?" Madam Tian was also displeased with her son's words.

How could he abandon proper schooling to become a helper? Was he possessed? However, seeing Wang Youliang about to administer a severe beating, Madam Tian quickly moved to intercede. "Husband, don't get angry first.

The child is ignorant and doesn't know what's good for him; we must teach him patiently.

We need to explain the reasoning to him.

If you just beat him, he won't even know what he did wrong! Calm down first, let's talk to him properly," Madam Tian advised.

Then, Madam Tian turned to Wang Qingtong, who stood to the side, saying, "Qingtong, you are still young and don't understand.

Studying is such a good thing; in the future, you could pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to the ancestors! By then, how much wealth could you not obtain? Why do you need to earn money right now? Rest assured, the family can still support you." Wang Qingtong sighed helplessly, "Mother, you still haven't given up on the idea of me passing the examinations and bringing glory to our ancestors? You don't know—I cannot understand a single thing the tutor says, and I fall asleep just looking at the books.

With talent like mine, how could I possibly pass the exams? I simply don't have that destiny!" "You..." Madam Tian felt the urge to flare up at her son, but realizing that if she also got angry, Wang Youliang would certainly give him a severe beating, she restrained herself. "You've only just started studying; your temperament hasn't settled yet.

It will be fine once you mature a little." Wang Qingtong felt even more helpless. "Mother, how many times do I have to tell you for you to understand? I am not cut out for academics.

Hoping for me to pass the examinations—maybe Qingchen could achieve that, but I absolutely cannot.

Besides, what's wrong with wanting to work as a helper? I don't plan to be a helper for my entire life.

I want to learn how to run a shop from Brother Qinghua.

Once I've learned enough and saved sufficient capital, I will open my own shop." When Madam Tian heard Wang Qingtong say this, especially the implication that Wang Qingchen was quite good at his studies while her own son couldn't focus, and then hearing him mention learning shop management from Wang Qinghua, she instantly found a target for her frustrations: "Tell me, did your Second Uncle stir you up to become a helper? They truly have shrewd calculations—their son opens a shop, and they want my son to be a mere helper.

What are their true intentions?" "Mother, why would you say that? These are all my own ideas; I haven't even spoken to Second Uncle's family about it yet.

Furthermore, perhaps they won't even be willing to take me in if I apply to work at Second Uncle's mill!" Wang Qingtong argued.

Madam Tian pointed at Wang Qingtong and burst out angrily, "You...

you are trying to anger me to death! Qingchen is a year younger than you, yet he can earn so much silver, and he studies well.

And you? Forget about how much money you earn, you can't even study properly, and all you think about is becoming a helper.

Tell me, what future prospects do you have?" Wang Qingtong was deeply struck by his mother's words.

He hadn't expected his own mother to speak of him this way.

He instantly wilted like a defeated young rooster, losing all fighting spirit, lowering his head in silence.

Wang Youliang, seeing Wang Qingtong's state, mistook it for silent defiance.

His anger flared, and he finally found something suitable to use as a club, immediately administering a thorough beating to Wang Qingtong.

Wang Qingtong remained silent, simply standing there and letting Wang Youliang strike him.

Madam Tian, whether out of sheer anger or a desire for her son to learn a lesson, did not step in to stop the beating for a time.

Finally, the Old Master in the room heard the commotion and came out to restrain Wang Youliang from hitting his son further.

The Old Master looked at the listless Wang Qingtong and felt puzzled.

Among the children in the house, Wang Qingtong was usually the most lively and active, unlike his two older brothers who were more reserved.

What was wrong with him today that he looked so dejected? So, the Old Master asked for the whole story.

However, what surprised everyone was that after hearing Wang Qingtong’s thoughts, the Old Master did not share the common sentiment that studying was superior to opening a shop.

Instead, he thought Wang Qingtong’s idea was quite good.

This greatly excited Wang Qingtong; besides Wang Qingchen, he finally had another person who supported him.

The Old Master had recently been pondering whether his eldest son's disposition was his own fault and if it could be corrected.

He concluded that his eldest son had lacked the virtue of being grounded and practical since childhood, always being restless, constantly hoping that money would fall from the sky.

Coupled with his own unintentional misguidance later on, it cultivated a habit in his son of expecting others to help him and an unwillingness to see others fare better than himself.

The Old Master never expected to accidentally discover Wang Qingtong’s down-to-earth and pragmatic nature today.

The Old Master fully understood Wang Qingtong’s reasoning: he realized he wasn't gifted in academics, and further study would only drain the family's money, so he wished to open a shop.

But since he lacked experience and capital now, he could only accumulate knowledge by working as a helper.

Once he had sufficient experience, he would then open his own establishment.

The Old Master couldn't help but marvel at what excellent character his grandson possessed.

Then, his thoughts suddenly drifted to the matter of the eldest son opening a shop back then.

He recalled that when the eldest son opened his business, the family was not yet divided.

It was the Old Master who decided, against the wishes of the second and third branches, to allocate half the family's silver to the eldest son.

The result? Not a single wen was recovered.

If only the eldest son had been more grounded back then, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

Thinking of this, the Old Master looked at Wang Qingtong again and called him over, "Good child, thinking this way is commendable." Wang Youliang and Madam Tian immediately objected upon hearing the Old Master's words, "Father! How can you say that!" The Old Master rebuked Wang Youliang, "I think the child's idea is excellent.

The fact that he recognizes he isn't suited for study and that continuing would just waste money is very good.

Now, he also understands that things must be done step-by-step, taking solid footing—that is not easy to grasp! And you? You are about to be a grandfather, yet you don't understand this principle.

If I were you, I would be too ashamed to even show my face, let alone beat your son." The Old Master then turned to Wang Qingtong, "Qingtong, your idea is wonderful.

Your grandfather gives you his word today: as long as you learn the trade successfully, if your capital falls short later, I will scrape together your start-up funds, even if it means using my burial savings."