After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 28

The door creaked open, and a neat woman wearing a coarse cloth apron poked her head out. Upon seeing that it was Wang, her face immediately lit up with a smile: “It’s Sister Lin! Come on in, it’s chilly outside!”

Wang waved her hand and stood at the door without moving: “No need, no need, don’t bother. I just came to ask some questions, and I’ll leave after I’m done.”

“What is it? Tell me,” Aunt Guihua said readily.

Wang didn’t mince words: “Do you have any extra scallions and cilantro in your garden? If so, I’d like to buy some.”

Aunt Guihua was taken aback, then scolded, “Look at you, that’s so unfair! Who doesn’t grow a little bit of this in their garden? I’ll just pick some for you, why would I ask you for money?”

“This time it’s a lot, a considerable amount,” Wang explained. “Let’s agree on the price first. I can’t just take your money for nothing, and we might need it often in the future.”

“Oh?” Aunt Guihua was genuinely surprised. “Sister Lin, are you cooking this? You can eat so much?”

Wang sighed, but there was a hint of pride on her face: “It’s all because my little ones are so capable! They thought we were struggling financially, so they came up with the idea of ​​setting up a soup stall in town. Now, we’re running out of scallions and cilantro, so I’ve come out to look for something to do.”

Aunt Guihua’s eyes lit up when she heard this: “Oh my! Your child is really amazing! This idea… must have come from Sang’er? Tsk tsk, I knew it! Your Sang’er is really capable, quick-witted, and a real expert at managing a household! Whoever marries her will truly be blessed by their ancestors!”

Wang was pleased, but she modestly said, “Oh, it’s just a small thing, the kids messing around.”

“Where is your stall located? I’d like to join in the fun sometime and try Sang’s cooking!” Aunt Guihua asked curiously.

“Over there at the dock in town,” Wang replied.

“The dock?” Aunt Guihua’s voice rose slightly, full of surprise. “That’s a great place! It’s true that it’s a mixed bag, but the flow of people is top-notch! How did you manage to set up a stall there? Did you meet some benefactor? Did you get a great opportunity?” She lowered her voice, “My sister’s nephew works in town, and he said that the dock is strictly managed. There are only a few restaurants nearby, but I’ve never seen anyone set up a stall there!”

Wang’s heart skipped a beat, and she realized that the place Zhou Han had found for her was far more difficult to come by than she had imagined.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and tried her best to remain calm on the surface: “Maybe… the regulations are a bit lax now? We just happened to be there. Anyway, let’s not talk about that. Your scallions and cilantro…”

Aunt Guihua slapped her forehead: “Look at my memory! There’s plenty! Come on, Sister Lin, come with me to the garden, pick whatever you like!”

The two went to the small vegetable garden behind the house and quickly picked a lot of fresh scallions and tender cilantro.

Wang insisted on counting out six coins and stuffing them into Aunt Guihua’s hand. Aunt Guihua couldn’t refuse, and finally accepted them with a big smile, saying repeatedly, “Sister Lin, if you need any more, just come and get them anytime!”

Wang nodded and walked home carrying the heavy basket.

Along the way, Wang’s mind raced. Aunt Guihua’s words echoed in her ears: “The dock area is so sought-after? That boy Zhou Han found such a prime location for them without a word, and even the managers give him face? It seems he’s not just strong, he really has some skills and connections.”

Sangsang is indeed a sharp-eyed girl. Perhaps I, as her mother, should try to trust her daughter’s judgment. That child has been decisive since she was little, and she has her own plans. She seems to be even more insightful in judging people and things than her mother.

———

When I got home, I saw several children sitting around the kang table as soon as I entered the door. They were Lin Bai, Lin Song and Lin Miao.

Eight-year-old Lin Miao held a piece of candied fruit, savoring each small bite, her eyes crinkling into crescents: “So sweet!”

Eleven-year-old Lin Song, his mouth bulging, boasted indistinctly, “This…this is called Yunpian cake! It’s soft and fragrant! A hundred times better than the brown rice cake in town!”

Fourteen-year-old Lin Bo was a little more composed, but he also held a piece of sesame candy, looking at it carefully, and said to his younger siblings, “Eat slowly, don’t choke. The snacks that Brother Zhou bought are probably not cheap.”

Lin Miao looked up at him and asked, “Big brother, will Brother Zhou be my brother-in-law from now on? Will he often buy us delicious food?”

Lin Song immediately chimed in, “Of course! I think Brother Zhou is a really good person! You’ll definitely make the right choice marrying him!”

Lin Bai gently tapped Lin Song’s head: “Even food can’t shut you up!” But there was a smile in his eyes.

Seeing the children so happy and excited over a simple snack, and remembering how poor her family used to be, struggling to even have enough to eat, let alone such delicate treats, Wang felt a pang of sadness.

And this delicious treat, which she tasted for the first time, was bought by the “future son-in-law” she had previously looked down upon. Thinking about it, the resentment she had towards Zhou Han seemed to soften a bit because of the sweet taste.

When the children saw Ms. Wang come in, they were like startled little sparrows, hurriedly trying to hide the snacks and dried fruit behind their backs, their movements flustered yet adorable.

Wang found it amusing and deliberately put on a stern face: “You dared to bring them back, are you afraid I’ll scold you?”

Lin Bai awkwardly called out “Mother”.

Wang waved her hand dismissively: “Eat up, eat up. You’re making me feel like a stepmother, not even letting you touch a snack.”

The children breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her tone soften. Lin Bai tentatively asked, “Mother, you…aren’t angry anymore?”

Wang snorted, but her tone softened considerably: “A bunch of little brats who betray their own people!”

Upon hearing this, everyone knew she was truly no longer angry, and their faces immediately lit up with smiles.

“Eat quickly, and then get back to work! We still have to set up our stall tomorrow!” Wang urged.

“Okay! We’ll go right away!” the children replied in unison, their voices filled with joy.

Watching the children’s joyful figures disappear into the distance, Wang smiled helplessly yet indulgently behind them.