Chapter 179 - 179 Business Idea
179 Business Idea
Su Wenchi was like the sun whenever he smiled, different from his parents, Su Fengzhi and Madam Liu. When he entered the house, the sight of Su Fengmao and Su Binglan shocked him.
Madam Liu hurriedly said, “Wenchi, your second uncle and cousin are here.”
Su Wenchi collected his thoughts and said, “H-Hello, Uncle Fengmao. Hello, Binglan.” He looked at Su Binglan with sparkly eyes. She was his cousin, after all, and he had not seen her for a long time.
Su Fengmao saw Su Wenchi walking over and approached him to pat his shoulder. “What a good child you are.”
His third brother and sister-in-law had taught their two children well. Su Wenlin was calm and sensible, while Su Wenchi was warm and bright.
Still, Su Wenchi was an optimistic child because he was like the sun, bringing joy to everyone. Otherwise, the atmosphere among his family would not have been so depressing if his brother’s personality had changed after returning.
Su Binglan greeted her cousin, “Hello, Second Cousin.”
Since Su Fengmao’s siblings had their own families, Su Binglan addressed Su Wenchi according to the order of each elder. Su Wenchi was Su Fengzhi’s second son, so Su Binglan called him “Second Brother.”
Su Wenchi smiled so widely that his mouth opened when he heard Su Binglan call him “Second Cousin.” Sure enough, it felt different when his younger cousin called him that. He had a younger sister, after all.
Madam Liu said smilingly, “Why are you in a daze, child? Your cousin and Fengmao even sent you food last time.”
She noticed her son looking at Su Binglan with a silly smile. Still, Su Binglan did not laugh at Su Wenchi.
Su Wenchi heard his mother’s voice and snapped back to reality. He also realized how silly he just looked as he rubbed the back of his head. He said, “Hehe. P-Please, sit, cousin. The desserts and potato pancakes you sent over last time were delicious.”
Su Binglan thought her cousin had an excellent personality. He was an optimistic and cheerful youth. She said smilingly, “It’s good that you liked them. I’ll get someone to send more over soon.”
However, Madam Liu hurriedly said, “Don’t spoil him, Binglan. He can’t eat all that for free. You must hire him so he can help you sell your dishes to earn his own money. Wenchi, your cousin has already taken such good care of us. Don’t be so greedy.”
Su Binglan said, “It’s okay, Aunt Liu. We don’t spend much money on those dishes anyway. We’ll just use some of our dough to make you guys some snacks.”
Madam Liu looked at her niece as if she was a rare sight. She looked at her considerate niece, who spoke so warmly, with great admiration.
Su Wenchi was still in shock, but he only reacted to what had happened just now. He looked at his parents and realized how different they seemed from the usual. His mother smiled and talked a lot, while his father was energetic.
‘I’m not hallucinating, right?’
Su Wenchi rubbed his eyes hard because he thought he had imagined things. His heart ached when he looked at his parents. He wondered how long it had been since he saw his mother smile.
Previously, his family’s living conditions were good because his father was out earning money while his mother always smiled. However, everything changed when his father returned from overseas.
His father was always discouraged, and his mother would always discretely wipe her tears away. Once, Su Wenchi overheard his parents talking and discovered that his father had developed some nose and throat conditions, which affected his cooking.
It was no wonder his father was so demotivated. He did not even want to cook for the villagers, even though they asked kindly. Su Fengzhi only used his savings to purchase a few sheep and thought of raising them to earn money.
Still, sheep were not easy to sell, so one could imagine how much of a blow it would be to Su Fengzhi if he could not cook, smell, or taste. Su Fengzhi’s dispirited expression made his wife anxious.
After that, Su Wenchi understood he needed to pretend he did not overhear his parents. He tried to be cheerful and wanted to provide a better life for his parents through his efforts.
Therefore, Su Wenchi had always been cheerful because he wanted to set a good example so his parents would feel better. Nonetheless, he did not expect to see his parents so happy again so soon.
He wondered if it were because of his second uncle and cousin. It did make sense, after all, since Su Binglan was the family’s lucky star. Su Wenchi could not help but be happy when he saw his cousin.
Su Fengmao said, “Your father should tell you the good news.”
Although he could not wait to tell it to his nephew, he thought it was best to let Su Fengzhi tell Su Wenchi himself.
“What good news?” Su Wenchi looked at his father with anticipation.
Su Fengzhi got down from the brick bed and approached his son. He was teary-eyed when he looked at his son. He said, “I never realized how tall you’ve gotten over the past few years. You’re even taller than me now, Wenchi.”
Su Wenchi sniffled. “Y-Yes, I have, Father. I can stand tall so you and mother won’t have to work so hard.”
His family knew the hardships he had faced over these three years.
Su Binglan witnessed the touching scene before her and felt depressed. She could understand how they felt. Fortunately, her third uncle was okay now.
Su Fengzhi nodded. He was a tough man that always held back his tears. “I know these past few years have been hard on you. I’ll be better soon and make it up to you. Your second uncle asked me to tell you the good news, so here it is. My nose and throat are finally better. I can cook to earn money again.”
Su Wenchi was shocked when he heard the news. “W-What?” He said in disbelief.
Madam Liu added, “You remember your father having a bad throat and nose, right? Binglan just cured and prescribed him medicine, so his throat will recover soon.”
Madam Liu was usually quiet because she was an introverted person. However, she was thrilled now and willing to speak more.
Su Wenchi understood what his parents said and bolted upright. “I-Is that true, Father?”
Su Fengchi nodded. “Yes, it is.”
Su Fengchi even pinched himself a few times to make sure he was not dreaming or hallucinating.
“That’s great!” Su Wenchi happily hugged his father. Then he looked at his cousin happily and said, “Thank you so much, cousin!”
He wanted to hug Su Binglan, but he was afraid he would crush her. He also thought of holding her hand, but he had not washed his hands since he returned from the sheep pen, so he awkwardly wiped his hands on his clothes.
Su Binglan looked at her second cousin and took the initiative to hug him instead. “You and your family’s conditions will improve now, Second Cousin. You can live a better life with your parents now.”
“Y-Yes.” Su Wenchi felt his heart beating faster and was full of hope, which was great.
Meanwhile, Su Fengmao was laughing joyfully on the sidelines.
Su Binglan noticed their excitement and said, “Uncle Fengzhi, I have a business idea. Do you want to hear it?”
Su Fengzhi heard his niece’s words and quickly told his wife to move the table down from the brick bed. “Come and sit with me. Let’s talk.”