Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 387

Da'e herself didn't have that much capital, and besides, the shop really didn't need that many people, so there was no need to hire any more. But if she refused, what would her relatives say about her? After all, she had already hired her own wife and her aunt, but she wasn't going to hire anyone else, which was a bit unreasonable.

But if we agree to let all those people work, the shop won't have enough revenue to support a group of people. Besides, the shop doesn't lack people at all, and the money earned might not even be enough to support the employees.

Zhou Chunwen thought about it a lot and finally decided not to bring it up, so as not to bother the goose.

Zhao Da'e, oblivious to Zhou Chunwen's inner thoughts, walked up to Qi Bin and Cheng Jinxiao, intending to give them money.

Fearing they might refuse first, she spoke directly, "Uncle Qi, Auntie, you'll be staying for a month before you get your wages. During this time, you'll need to live and spend money, like buying food. So you don't need to be so polite with me about this twenty yuan."

Qi Bin and Cheng Jinxiao exchanged a glance, both feeling helpless, but in the end they accepted the money.

As for Cheng Jinxiang, she did not accept the money, after all, she was the mother of the goose and felt embarrassed to accept it.

It's normal for her to come and help out since her daughter runs a shop. After all, she can't provide her daughter with material assistance, but she can still contribute some physical strength.

Cheng Jinxiao plans to stay in the staff dormitory permanently and not go back to Dongtaizi Village. Now that the shop has opened, she has promised Da'e that she would stay and help sell clothes in the shop, and she wants to keep her word.

Cheng Jinxiang wanted to offer a few more words of advice, "These days, Da'e has been going to the county town every day. You can come to the county town with Da'e so you can see your mother every day and spend more time with her. Besides, I've seen the staff dormitory. The beds are so small. It's not as comfortable as the heated kang bed at home."

Cheng Jinxiao shook her head helplessly and explained, "Second sister, I know what you mean, but I don't want to go back to the Cheng family home. After all, the Cheng family home is my sister-in-law's and brother's home. I feel really uncomfortable living there. The staff dormitory is small, but it has all kinds of furniture, so it doesn't affect my daily life. Besides, I'm the only one living there right now, and I feel much more comfortable living there."

"As for Mom, I can rest assured with you and sister-in-law here. You will take good care of her. Tell her that although I am working in the county now, I will visit her from time to time."

Cheng Jinxiao didn't want to live a life of dependence on others anymore; she preferred the feeling of living in her own little room, earned through her own efforts.

Seeing that her persuasion was ineffective, Cheng Jinxiang sighed and stopped trying. It was a good thing that her younger sister had her own opinions and choices; at least she, as the second sister, wouldn't have to worry about her younger sister's future all the time.

The group took Xiangzi's car back to Dongtaizi Village. These days, Zhao Da'e planned to stay with Cheng's mother. Firstly, Master Chai was about to build a new house in the countryside, and it would be convenient to sleep with her mother and talk about building the new house. Secondly, her aunt had moved to the county town, and she thought her aunt wouldn't say anything if she stayed at Cheng's house. Besides, she also wanted to see her grandmother more often and take care of her.

Zhao Da'e knew very well that her grandmother probably didn't have much time left.

After getting off the bus and parting ways with her older cousin Zhou Chunwen, Cheng Jinxiang couldn't help but say to Zhao Da'e, "My dear daughter, you just opened a shop, right? Look, your older cousin isn't young anymore, she should find a job. How about letting Chunwen work in your shop?"

Cheng Jinxiang had watched Zhou Chunwen grow up since she was a child. Today, Zhou Chunwen hesitated to speak several times, and Cheng Jinxiang could tell that the child wanted to stay in the shop and help with the work. Since they were all family, Cheng Jinxiang thought of speaking up for Zhou Chunwen.

The reason she spoke to Zhao Da'e privately, instead of telling the two of them, was because she was afraid that if she did, Da'e would disagree, which would be awkward.

Moreover, Chunwen is a quick and hardworking girl who can do her job very well without supervision. She is also meticulous. It's better to have her help out in the shop than to hire an outsider. After all, it's better to keep the money-making opportunities within the family. It's better to keep the profits within the family.

After hearing this, Zhao Da'e sighed, "Mom, I've considered all of these things. It's just that the shop has only just started operating, and everything costs money. Right now, two people are enough for the shop. Later, when I have more money, I will expand the shop and hire more people to work. I will definitely invite my older cousin to work as an employee, and I'll pay her a salary. Don't worry, even if I make money, I will think about helping my family get rich."

As for the Zhao family... let's just forget about them.

"By the way, Mom, I talked to Master Chai today. He will bring three workers to help build the new house tomorrow. The workers will probably finish laying the foundation tomorrow. As for the food, I've already arranged with Master Chai and the others that our family will cover the food expenses. Also, I bought the liquor I promised Master Chai in town a while ago and it's in the Zhao family's storage room. Mom, please remember to bring a few bottles to entertain the masters."

Zhao Da'e was talking about some precautions. Tomorrow she would be going to the shops in the county town. The county town had only just opened for business, so she, as the boss, could feel more at ease for the first few days.

Cheng Jinxiang's gaze softened, and she rubbed Zhao Da'e's head, then chuckled, "I know, Da'e, now you're in charge. You make all the decisions, and you're ordering me around."

Zhao Da'e made a face at Cheng Jinxiang, put his hands on his hips and said proudly, "From now on, I'll earn money for this family, and Mom and my sister can enjoy their retirement."

Cheng Jinxiang chuckled upon hearing this, "Your little sister is only a few months old, and you're already telling her to enjoy a life of leisure."

To be fair, Cheng Jinxiang is very proud to have such a daughter.

The next day arrived quickly. Zhao Da'e first went to Wang Shi to show his filial piety and told his grandmother many interesting things.

"Grandma, the shop opened in town yesterday. You have no idea how many customers came. But we encountered some minor difficulties. I was planning to hold a small fashion show, you know! A fashion show is where lots of pretty ladies wear clothes and pose, showing people how the clothes look on them, which helps sell clothes better. My staff had already found five models, but in the end, due to some reason, only two models showed up!"

Zhao Da'e kept nagging in Wang's ear, and Wang listened quietly. She leaned against the headboard, using a pillow under her waist for comfort.

"But who am I? I figured out a solution in no time! I dragged my aunt, mom, and older cousin along to be models, hehehe. At first they were hesitant, but then they all came to my aid. Alas! It's just a pity I didn't have a camera to capture this moment, otherwise you could see how my aunt, mom, and older cousin looked in their beautiful clothes!"

"You know what, they look absolutely stunning in their clothes! My aunt is wearing a Hong Kong and Macau style dress, with a headband and lipstick. Every move she makes exudes confidence and style. She doesn't look divorced at all; she looks like a powerful businesswoman!"

"Mom wore a floral dress, looking gentle and charming, carrying a small bag and wearing flat shoes. She was pretty, but her skin was a bit sallow from doing hard labor at the Zhao family's house a few years ago. However, after giving birth to Xiaojuan and taking good care of herself during her postpartum period, and even after I, her granddaughter, started earning money, Mom stopped doing any hard labor. Her complexion improved, and when she wore a dress, she was a beautiful sight to behold. Mom also said that she loved to dress up when she was young, but she didn't have much money and could only afford one pretty dress. However, after marrying my dad, she lived a hard life, and she became much more haggard."

Zhao Da'e sighed as he spoke, explaining that in his previous life, his mother had died of depression because his younger sister had been abducted.

In this life, she was reborn. With her help, her younger sister not only avoided being kidnapped but also found a way to make money. Everything was thriving, and life was getting better and better. She would never let her mother suffer again, nor would she let her mother or her mother be bullied by anyone.

Moved by her words, Madam Wang said with remorse, "I'm so sorry to your mother. I didn't trust the Zhao family's character and married your mother off to their second son. I thought Zhao Tiesheng was honest and family-oriented, and I assumed he would take good care of your mother. But he turned out to be a coward, causing your mother so much suffering for no reason, letting Wang Guixiang humiliate my daughter. It's a pity I'm bedridden now. If I were stronger, I could get out of bed and fight Wang Guixiang, and teach her a lesson for bullying my daughter!"

Unfortunately, these were just fantasies. Wang knew her health was failing and that she probably didn't have much time left. She even had difficulty standing up now, so what she was talking about was probably just something she was doing in her dreams.

Zhao Da'e grasped Wang's hand and said, "Grandma, I'm still here. When Grandma was about to give my little sister away, I stood up and caused Grandma to be arrested by the police and taken to that fence. She stayed there for quite a few days before being released. And that time when Grandma accused me of stealing money, not only did she fail to frame me, but she was also taken to the fence and stayed there for a while longer. Now Grandma can't do anything bad to me or Mom at all. If Grandma tries anything bad, she'll definitely be taken to the fence to reflect on her actions again."

Hearing this, Wang's face lit up with a smile, and the pent-up frustration in her heart dissipated a little. She patted Zhao Da'e's little hand and said with emotion, "Da'e, you are your mother's little lucky star. With you, things at home are getting better and better."

Her biggest wish now is for her children to have a good life.

Zhao Da'e chuckled and then continued telling Wang Shi about other things.

"Grandma, I haven't finished yet, there's also my older cousin! You have no idea how nervous she was during those first few hours of catwalk rehearsals. She was afraid of being watched, afraid of not doing anything well, and even her body was trembling with fear. But her outfit was really stunning, a denim jumpsuit, a pink short-sleeved shirt, and her hair tied in pigtails. She looked cool and trendy, so beautiful. My mom, my aunt, and I were cheering her on from the side, but she was still scared. Later, another girl brought over a pair of sunglasses and had her wear them. That way, the world in front of her was darker, which made her feel more at ease without having to see other people's expressions, and she could perform better during the catwalk."

"Look, my older cousin overcame her fear and got better and better. She went from being timid at the beginning to being natural now. She is not timid when communicating with strangers. My older cousin has really changed a lot."

"Grandma plans to open more shops when she has more money. Then she'll bring her older cousin to work in her shops. The work will be easier and she'll earn more money. Grandma, Auntie was busy in the shop all day yesterday and has also moved to the county town. She's been working very hard these days. Grandma guesses it's because she's been paid. I always pay the people around me when they work, about ten yuan a person."

Zhao Da'e spoke with great pride, even tilting his head back, which was quite comical.

As Wang listened to Zhao Da'e's rambling, she sometimes felt uneasy because of the twists and turns in what Zhao Da'e was talking about, and sometimes she felt gratified when she heard Zhao Da'e come up with a solution or even when things went smoothly.

"That's great. Everyone is doing well. Jinxiao has a job and a place to live, so she doesn't have to worry about her future."

Zhao Da'e laughed happily, grasped Wang's hand, patted his little chest, and promised, "Grandma, don't worry, I've got this family covered! When I make a lot of money in the future, I'll make everyone rich, build a big house for my uncles, aunts, and little aunts to live in, so that everyone in the village will be envious. I'll also build a big yard for Grandma, where we can grow vegetables and flowers, and live a very leisurely life!"

Listening to Zhao Da'e's grand ideals, Wang was both excited and gratified, and said "good" three times in a row!

"As expected of my granddaughter! Big Goose, you are the lucky star of the Cheng family! The Zhao family is blind. If the Zhao family doesn't want you in the future, my Cheng family will. I'll call you uncle and aunt to protect you! Even if I'm not feeling well, I'll get out of bed and beat them up!"

In Wang's eyes, Zhao Da'e was obedient and well-behaved. He could earn money to help his family share the burden and was always thinking about making money for his family. He was a good child who knew how to repay kindness. But the Zhao family did not cherish such a child.

Especially after learning that Wang Guixiang from the Zhao family often beats and scolds the child, and that Zhang Cuilan bosses the child around and hits him with branches if he doesn't listen.

Thinking of this, Wang felt a pang of heartache. Her beloved grandson! How could he have encountered such a family!

Zhao Da'e hugged Wang Shi, both amused and exasperated. "Grandma, don't think so much. They can't bully me now. My good days are yet to come. The way the Zhao family treated me is their loss. Let's not talk about those spoilsport people anymore. Life is getting better and better, and we will live a better and better life."

Wang felt sorry for Zhao Da'e's maturity. The child was only seven years old, yet she was saying comforting words to her. She was already learning to earn money at such a young age. If Zhao Tiesheng were a little more assertive, Jinxiang and Da'e's lives would be much better.