The moment Wang Qingtong heard the Old Master’s supportive words, he grew instantly excited. “Thank you, Grandfather, I will certainly study diligently.” The Old Master nodded, affectionately stroking Wang Qingtong’s head. Meanwhile, Wang Youliang and Mrs.

Tian were utterly astonished. Neither of them had expected the Old Master to be so supportive of this matter, even offering the money set aside for his own coffin to help their son open a shop. Wang Youliang felt a sting of resentment.

He recalled how hesitant the Old Master had been when he himself wanted to open a shop back then; it took endless persuasion before he finally agreed. Yet now, the Old Master had only just learned of this, and he agreed so readily, offering his full support—it was hard for Wang Youliang not to feel bitter. Mrs.

Tian was also deeply dissatisfied. She thought the Old Master was being foolish. Wouldn't it be better for the boy to study and achieve scholarly success?

Why support him in opening a shop? Could a mere shop bring the same prospects as scholarship? Even if the Old Master took out his coffin money, it wouldn't change the fact that studying was superior to running a business!

Moreover, if the Old Master was truly going to use that money, it would have been better spent funding Qingtong’s education! Mrs. Tian was filled with resentment.

If it were the eldest or second son who wanted to open a shop, she wouldn't object; in fact, she would support them, as neither of those two stood a chance at scholarly pursuits now. Only the youngest son was different; he held the hope of striving for that success. However, Mrs.

Tian knew that once the Old Master became stubborn, no one could dissuade him, so she could only curse him inwardly for interfering and ruining her son’s future. With the Old Master’s backing, no one else in the household dared to object. Thus, Wang Qingtong was immediately filled with renewed vigor.

Regardless of the hour, he rushed over to Wang Youfu’s house to voice his desire to work as a handyman at the mill. The entire Wang Youfu family, except for Wang Qingchen and Caiyun, were quite surprised by Wang Qingtong’s sudden proposition to start doing odd jobs at their mill. After all, the eldest branch had the means to send their child to school and certainly held high hopes for him.

Now, the boy didn't want to study but wished to come work at their family's business? They wondered how furious and disappointed Wang Youliang and Mrs. Tian would be!

Wang Youfu coughed lightly, asking doubtfully, “Qingtong, why is it that you no longer wish to study and prefer to do odd jobs?” “Second Uncle, I truly cannot absorb the lessons anymore. You can ask Qingchen; I can’t understand what the tutor says, and I can’t focus on the books. I’m simply not cut out for studying.

So, I’ve decided to quit studying and do something else instead,” Wang Qingtong replied. “But even if you can’t study well, there are many other paths available. Why not learn a trade or something?

Isn't that better than doing odd jobs?” Wang Youfu advised. Wang Qingtong looked a bit sheepish. “Second Uncle, there’s something I haven’t told you.

I want to work at your mill as a handyman because I also want to learn how to run a shop. Once I have experience, I hope to open one myself someday.” Wang Youfu then understood. If Wang Qingtong genuinely intended this, it showed he had a decent temperament and understood the importance of being grounded—much better than his father.

He certainly felt obligated to offer some help. However, before doing so, he needed to clarify one thing. “Qingtong, do your parents know about you wanting to work as a handyman?” Wang Youfu inquired.

Wang Qingtong nodded. “Yes, they both know.” Wang Youfu found this somewhat unbelievable and confirmed again, “And your father and mother both agreed?” Wang Qingtong nodded once more. “Well, they didn't agree at first, but then my Grandfather agreed, so they dared not refuse.” Wang Youfu was first puzzled as to why the Old Master would agree to this, but then he realized; perhaps seeing that the boy had a good nature, the Old Master wanted to support him just this once.

So, Wang Youfu nodded. “Fine. Qinghua will guide you from now on.” Wang Qingtong hadn't expected such an easy success.

He exclaimed excitedly, “Thank you, Second Uncle, thank you, Brother Qinghua.” Even Wang Qingchen couldn't help but marvel that Wang Qingtong had finally succeeded this time! However, the Wang Youfu family did not linger on this matter for long. After all, it was already the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and there was still much to do.

It was a blessing that the Wang Youfu family had moved into the new house recently, meaning they didn't need to undertake a complete deep clean of the entire residence, but even so, there was no shortage of tasks. Furthermore, the family's new clothes were only completely finished by Mrs. Yang on this very day.

The next day, Mrs. Yang began preparing the New Year gifts for various relatives. Thanks to their family running the mill, they had no shortage of fine white flour or polished rice; they simply took what they needed from the mill.

But other items still required purchasing. Because the family’s life had been difficult previously, the New Year gifts sent to the Old Residence always consisted of a few catties of rice plus one catty of white sugar. This year, with the family much better off, sending such meager gifts would be inappropriate and risk being accused of unfilial conduct.

Yet, Mrs. Yang was unsure what to send. “Husband, what do you think we should send to Father and Mother?” Mrs.

Yang asked Wang Youfu as he entered. Wang Youfu pondered for a moment. “Send five catties of white rice, five catties of white flour, and then add two catties of wine.” Mrs.

Yang nodded upon hearing this. “And what about gifts for Old Man Luo’s family, his third aunt’s brother’s family, and Tutor Qingchen? What should we send them?” Wang Youfu replied, “Five catties of white rice, one catty of white sugar, plus two catties of wine!” Mrs.

Yang nodded, then started calculating the necessary purchases. “Is there anything else the house is lacking? I’ll go to Zhenshan to buy it,” Wang Youfu asked.

“We haven’t bought any wine at all, and we don’t have enough white sugar. We also need to buy firecrackers and couplets. Furthermore, we have no fresh fish; all the meat we have is cured, so we need to bring back some fresh meat for dumplings…” Mrs.

Yang listed item by item. “Mm, I’ll go into town now to buy them.” Wang Youfu went to harness the ox cart. They had bought this cart when the new house was built, thinking that with the New Year approaching, there would be many uses for an ox cart—a thought that proved correct.

Since the New Year was fast approaching, many vendors were out in town, making it very lively. Wang Qingchen and Caiyun thus decided to accompany him into town. Wang Youfu thought for a moment and agreed.

Upon reaching town, due to the large crowds, Wang Youfu had to leave the ox cart in someone’s care before taking Wang Qingchen and Caiyun to start their shopping. The first things they saw were the stalls selling New Year couplets. Wang Qingchen held Caiyun’s hand tightly, afraid she might wander off.

He glanced sideways; some of the couplets displayed were familiar from his previous life, while others were not. Then he noticed Wang Youfu stopping at one particular stall. “Oh, my good sir, you’re looking to buy couplets, aren’t you?

Not to brag, but the couplets at my stall are the most comprehensive; no other stall in this town has as wide a selection as mine,” the vendor greeted them enthusiastically. Wang Qingchen was somewhat intrigued. He looked down at the couplets on this stall; indeed, there were many he hadn’t seen at the previous stalls, and those he had seen earlier were also present here.

It seemed the vendor wasn't entirely exaggerating. Wang Youfu was illiterate, so he didn't know what the characters on the couplets read. He had to ask the vendor.

The vendor was shrewd; realizing Wang Youfu couldn't read, after reciting a couplet, he would also tell Wang Youfu which door it was suitable for. Watching from the side, Wang Qingchen couldn't help but marvel at how adept this man was at business. Their new house had quite a few rooms, so they needed to buy quite a few sets of couplets.

Seeing that they were big customers, the vendor immediately became even more enthusiastic, proactively lowering the price from seven wen per set to six wen per set. Wang Youfu was quite satisfied with this discount and did not bargain further. After buying the couplets, the three walked a short distance further and encountered a vendor selling tanghulu (candied hawthorns).

The moment Caiyun saw the sweet-and-sour treats, she could almost taste the tartness and sweetness, and her mouth began to water. She shyly took a small breath inward. Wang Qingchen, being close by, naturally heard her and noticed Caiyun’s eyes lingering on the candied fruit.

Smiling, he patted her head. “Caiyun wants some tanghulu?” Caiyun looked up at Wang Qingchen, then shook her head. “No, Second Brother, let’s go!” Seeing Caiyun being so considerate, Wang Qingchen felt even more unable to deny her.

He called out to Wang Youfu, who was walking ahead, “Father, wait a moment, Caiyun and I are going to buy something.” Wang Youfu, who was ahead, stopped and turned back with a slight look of confusion, but thankfully, he didn't ask any questions. Wang Qingchen then led Caiyun to the tanghulu vendor. “One skewer of candied hawthorns, please.” The vendor turned around, saw they were two small children, and noted their somewhat humble clothing.

He hesitated slightly. “This candied hawthorn is five wen a skewer. Are you sure?” Caiyun immediately objected upon hearing this.

“Last time, Mother bought me tanghulu for only three wen a skewer! Why is yours five wen?” The vendor heard this and guessed that since the girl’s parents bought her such treats, their family conditions might be decent. He laughed heartily.

“Haha… Little girl, it’s almost New Year now, so the price is naturally different!” “Give me one skewer!” Wang Qingchen said, pulling five wen from his pocket. Caiyun, however, tugged at Wang Qingchen’s sleeve. “Second Brother, maybe we shouldn't buy it.

Five wen could buy two steamed buns with meat filling and one plain steamed bun.” Wang Qingchen smiled and patted her head. “It’s barely once a year for the New Year. If you want something, we shouldn’t be too frugal.” The tanghulu vendor overheard this and laughed.

“Haha… You little one speaks the truth!” Wang Qingchen handed the five wen to the vendor and picked out what he thought was the best skewer to give to Caiyun.

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