Chapter 171: We Two Sisters-in-Law Are Blessed by Our Younger Sister-in-Law
Dragon Lake Street.
A small shop, though modest in size, is packed with various agricultural products. Even though today isn't a market day, customers still come and go. It's clear that the shop's business is thriving, with a steady and loyal customer base.
At this moment, the shop is being tended by Zhang Xiuping's eldest and second sisters-in-law.
"Hello, do you need anything else?"
"Sure, that'll be 2.64."
"Here's 2.70, and six cents in change."
"Take care, and come back next time!"
"…"
After seeing the customer off, Zhang Ersao couldn't help but sigh, "Sister-in-law, when I was a girl, what I admired most were the female sales clerks working at the supply and marketing cooperatives. They worked without having to endure the sun or wind, earned a decent salary just by selling things, and I heard they even had many hidden benefits. Back then, my biggest dream was to work at a supply and marketing cooperative and become a sales clerk."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang chuckled and said, "That wasn't just your dream. Which girl in the village didn't want to be a sales clerk?"
Mrs. Zhang nodded and smiled, "True, being a sales clerk was so respectable, and the pay was good. But alas, it was just a dream. With our family background and lack of education, it was absolutely impossible for us to become sales clerks at a supply and marketing cooperative."
Mrs. Zhang had to agree. In those days, without a few years of education and no family connections, becoming a sales clerk—one of the eight major employees—was nothing more than a fantasy, an unattainable dream.
"There was no hope when we were girls, let alone after getting married!"
At this point, Zhang Ersao changed her tone and said with a smile, "But who would've thought that now we're not only sales clerks but also seen as boss ladies in others' eyes? It really proves the saying—life is full of surprises!"
Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "We owe all of this to our sister-in-law!"
Mrs. Zhang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, we two sisters-in-law are truly blessed by our sister-in-law. If it weren't for her help, we'd still be farming and raising kids in the village. How could we be sitting here, making money so easily like we are now?"
Mrs. Zhang said, "Now that Ah Ping is pregnant, we should take some time to go visit her."
Mrs. Zhang replied, "I was thinking the same thing. Why don't we discuss it with our father-in-law and mother-in-law when we go back for dinner this afternoon? We can take some time to visit Ah Ping together. After all, as long as it's not a market day, it's fine to close the shop for a day."
Mrs. Zhang hummed in agreement, "Okay, I'll bring this up with our parents-in-law when we get home this afternoon."
Just as they were chatting, another customer walked in, so the two stopped their conversation and warmly greeted the guest.
…
In the afternoon, brothers Zhang Shouguo and Zhang Shoumin rode their bicycles back to the shop, loaded with agricultural products they had purchased from remote mountain villages.
Since the shop opened, the division of labor has been clear: the Zhang brothers are responsible for sourcing goods from the countryside, while their wives handle the sales.
As for their father and two younger brothers, they farm the fields at home in their spare time and come out to help sell and deliver goods on market days.
Their mothers help take care of the children at home.
After putting away the goods, it was getting late, so the two brothers closed the shop, each took their wife, and happily headed home for dinner.
When they arrived home, their mother had already prepared dinner and was waiting for them.
Seeing the two large bowls of golden fried pork on the table, Mrs. Zhang Da and Mrs. Zhang Er couldn't help but exchange glances, surprised.
They had been married into the Zhang family for several years and knew their mother-in-law's habits well.
Not to mention the difficult times in the past, even since the shop started making money this year, their mother-in-law had remained relatively frugal when it came to food. She usually bought about one pound of meat at a time, enough for the family to enjoy but not enough to eat to their heart's content.
Of course, now that they were making money, there were some changes. In the past, they might buy meat once a month, but now they bought it at least once a week. Still, there was a difference.
Today, the two large bowls of meat looked to weigh about three or four pounds, which was why Mrs. Zhang Da and Mrs. Zhang Er were so surprised.
Mrs. Zhang couldn't help but ask, "Mom, why did you buy so much meat today? Is there something to celebrate?"
Mother Zhang smiled and said, "I didn't buy this meat. It was brought by the children's uncle."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang Da and Mrs. Zhang Er suddenly understood. No wonder there was so much meat on the table today—it turned out their brother-in-law had visited.
Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "What a coincidence. Earlier today at the shop, I discussed with my eldest sister-in-law about taking some time to visit Ah Ping together!"
Mrs. Zhang nodded and said, "We were thinking of going as a family. What do you think, Mom and Dad?"
Hearing this, the brothers Zhang Shouguo and Zhang Shoujun felt relieved. Their family's current prosperity was all thanks to their younger sister. Now that their wives were taking the initiative to visit her, they, as brothers, were naturally pleased.
Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang were also happy that their daughters-in-law had this intention.
Mother Zhang smiled and said, "That's really a coincidence. Your brother-in-law came today to invite our family to a banquet at their house the day after tomorrow."
Mrs. Zhang asked, "Mom, what kind of banquet are we attending?"
Thinking of the news her son-in-law had shared, Mother Zhang exclaimed, "Xiuping's brother-in-law, who's in high school, was admitted to BJ University this year!"
At these words, everyone except Mr. Zhang, who already knew the details, was shocked. They might not have known how prestigious BJ University was, but being admitted to any university was already impressive to them.
What's more, being admitted to a university in the capital was even more remarkable.
Mother Zhang had expected her sons and daughters-in-law to be surprised. She then relayed the news her son-in-law had told her, concluding, "Here's my plan. Tomorrow morning, my husband and I will take Xiaojun, Xiaoshan, and the children to Xiuping's house. You two have bicycles, so wait until the shop closes in the afternoon and then ride over with your wives. What do you think?"
Zhang Shouguo nodded and said, "Mom, your arrangement is good. This way, it won't affect our business tomorrow. We'll only need to close the shop for one day the day after tomorrow."
The others also agreed with this arrangement.
Mother Zhang said happily, "Then it's settled. Our in-laws have invited the county troupe to perform a play. I'll stay with the children for a few more days this time and come back after the play is over. When you return, you can manage your meals on your own."
(End of this chapter)