As the New Year approached, Wang Youliang and Mrs. Huang tallied the profits from the food stall over the past few months. The stall had yielded thirteen or fourteen taels—a figure that sent a thrill through Wang Youliang. It felt like the greatest success he had achieved in his entire life.

Mrs. Huang was equally delighted, as her hard work was certainly woven into those earnings, even though it was technically Wang Youliang’s shop.

Wang Youliang turned to glance at Mrs. Huang, who was smiling faintly. He thought of how tirelessly she had labored these past months, solely focused on helping him build a solid livelihood, evidenced by how much thinner she looked now compared to before. This was something Mrs. Tian could never manage; Mrs. Tian would never offer such silent support or quiet encouragement, only complaint. If only Mrs. Tian could be like Mrs. Huang...

Mrs. Huang looked up just as Wang Youliang was staring at her and asked with a hint of confusion, "What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"

"Uh, nothing," Wang Youliang shifted his gaze, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "It's just that you’ve been helping me rise before dawn and work past dusk these last few months; I haven't even properly thanked you yet!"

Hearing this, Mrs. Huang laughed. "Thank me for what? If anyone should be thanking, it should be me. If you hadn't helped me, Cheng'er still wouldn't be able to attend school!"

"No, no, that's different. Compared to your help to me, it’s not worth mentioning. Do you know, I tried opening a stall before? When I told my family I wanted to start a business, they were all against it, saying I lacked experience. I had to beg my father for a long time before he finally agreed. But, just as they predicted, I wasn't cut out to run a shop, and before long, I’d lost half of the family's money. Even though my family didn’t openly criticize me, I knew they blamed me. I never had anyone in my family who supported and encouraged me like you do. If I had someone like you helping me when I first tried, perhaps I would have succeeded back then?" Wang Youliang sighed thoughtfully.

Mrs. Huang hadn't realized Wang Youliang had tried running a business before. Based on her understanding of the former Wang Youliang, it was hard to imagine. She considered for a moment. "I’m hardly some miracle worker. This shop succeeded because your initial idea was excellent, and you worked hard this time—success was inevitable. If I were truly as capable as you say, I could run a shop myself! The reason you failed before, I suspect, is that you weren't as dedicated this time."

Wang Youliang pondered this; it seemed true. When he opened that first shop, he hadn't exerted himself nearly as much. Back then, he felt his mere presence ensured success, so he hadn't scrutinized or thoughtfully planned many details. Now, he wondered if the outcome would have been different had he been just as diligent and practical then.

Mrs. Huang noticed Wang Youliang lost in thought and smiled. "What’s past is past. Thinking about it now won’t help. It’s better to focus on the success of the current shop!"

"You’re right; dwelling on the past is useless. As long as we manage the current shop well, that’s what matters." Wang Youliang acknowledged the futility of regret. "By the way, with the New Year coming up, I'll keep half of these past few months' earnings for you, and I’ll take the rest back to the family. You can save yours for Cheng’er's tuition next year, and use the rest for New Year’s provisions."

"Half? That’s so much!" Mrs. Huang exclaimed, startled. She had expected some money, but not this amount. "This—this is too generous!"

"It’s fine, take it. My family back home doesn't actually need that much money. My eldest son’s family is already settled independently, and my parents won't let the second son's family go wanting. As for the youngest, he earns his own wages now and will likely open his own shop eventually. So this money will be far more useful to you than to me. Please, accept it!" Wang Youliang stated sincerely.

It had to be said: in the past, given Wang Youliang’s nature, he would never have willingly given away money like this. Now, whether it was gratitude for Mrs. Huang's help or a newfound clarity in his heart, something that would have been impossible before now happened.

Mrs. Huang thought of her son; he had recently confided in her his desire to participate in the upcoming children’s examinations. Without funds, what would her son do? With that thought, Mrs. Huang stopped demurring and accepted the money. "Fine, then I will keep this."

At the old Wang residence, the family members held varying thoughts upon seeing the large sum of silver Wang Youliang brought home. The Old Master and Old Madam were the most gratified; their son truly had proven himself capable. Though it came late, as long as he worked steadily, a later success was still welcome.

"Heh heh, the Eldest has made us proud!" the Old Master chuckled.

"Of course! I always said my Eldest Son was a good one. See now? Look at how much money my Eldest has earned!" the Old Madam teased, beaming.

Mrs. Tian chimed in, unwilling to be outdone. "Indeed, indeed. It’s all thanks to Father and Mother’s constant guidance that the master of the house has achieved this much."

Mrs. Tian had been furious these past few days with her second son and daughter-in-law. She had been plotting how to discipline the daughter-in-law, but the girl had barricaded herself in her room, citing recuperation, refusing to come out, thwarting every one of Mrs. Tian’s schemes. Naturally, Mrs. Tian was incandescent with rage.

But things were different now. The master had earned so much money from outside. Even if it was brought home, the Old Master and Madam surely wouldn't keep it; it would ultimately fall into her hands, as she was the one managing the household affairs!

Thus, a delighted Mrs. Tian decided to temporarily set aside her anger toward her "unfilial" second son and daughter-in-law, and instead begin plotting how to privately absorb this entire sum for herself.

Mrs. Tian’s flattering words were music to the Old Master and Old Madam’s ears. Their son’s success was indeed a testament to their good upbringing. However, thinking something privately versus hearing it voiced aloud were different matters. Mrs. Tian was clever enough to choose her words perfectly, so the elderly couple forgot her recent grievances and deemed their eldest daughter-in-law quite agreeable after all.

But just as Mrs. Tian was congratulating herself on having once again ingratiated herself with the elders, a statement from the Old Master nearly caused her to faint from shock.

The Old Master spoke slowly. "Eldest Son, what I am about to say might not strictly be my place, but now that you are successful and can earn so much money on your own, I feel compelled to speak a few words."

Wang Youliang nodded. "Father, please speak."

"The thing is, I’ve been thinking. Previously, Qingshan and his wife moved out separately. At the time, the family didn’t have much money, so they didn't receive much silver. Now that you are successful and have earned this much, shouldn't you allocate a portion to them? He is, after all, your own flesh and blood! Furthermore, that couple has a small child to raise; their burden is not light!" the Old Master explained.

When Mrs. Tian heard that money was to be distributed, especially for the sake of raising that adopted child, she immediately objected. She was notoriously tight-fisted. She rushed to interject, "But they moved out, didn't they? If we give them money, what will Qingyun and Qingyun’s wife think? And Qingtong—he is also your son, the master of his own house!"

The Old Master conceded that her point had some merit. If money was only given to the eldest son, the other two might grow resentful. After considering it, the Old Master announced, "Eldest Son, your wife has a point. If you only give to one of your three sons, Qingyun and Qingtong might take offense. How about this: consider the hardships you endured this year for your sons. Distribute this year’s earnings among all three sons! Qingshan’s family needs it, especially since he has no trade yet and a child to support. Qingyun also has a child, and his wife has been unwell recently; some silver for them will allow her to recover properly. As for Qingtong, he has always wanted to start his own business—consider this seed money from you, his father! As for the immediate household, my wife and I will cover the expenses for the New Year festivities!"

The Old Madam agreed that this solution was excellent. "Your father speaks wisely. A father works hard and earns money—it’s all for his sons! Giving it to them now is the same thing."

Wang Youliang’s original intent in earning the money was not for the main household; he had only brought back half anyway. Since he earned it, he hadn't planned how to allocate it; he rarely used money, as he spent most of his time in the town and seldom returned. Therefore, Wang Youliang didn’t care how the money was distributed. He simply nodded, "Father, you decide. I have no objections. The money was brought home for the family’s use; using it for the sons is the same thing."

The Old Master and Old Madam were deeply comforted by this. Their eldest son had truly changed; he was no longer clutching his money so tightly.

Mrs. Tian, however, was far from comforted. She wished she could slap her own mouth shut. Why had she brought up the potential dissatisfaction of the second and third sons? If they had followed the Old Master’s initial proposal, only a portion would have been given away. Now, the entire sum was forfeit. Mrs. Tian was filled with agonizing regret.

As if sensing Mrs. Tian's internal distress, the Old Master delivered another blow. He turned to her and said, "Eldest Daughter-in-law, go call Qingshan’s couple and Qingyun’s couple over. Let the money be divided quickly so they can use it sooner."

As if that wasn't enough, the Old Madam chimed in, "Yes, hurry up and call them. Now that their father is successful, they too can enjoy some good fortune, can't they?"