Divorce with three kids? I'll build a house and eat meat, driving my in-laws crazy.

Chapter 27: Absolutely Unscrupulous

It was an IOU that stated that Li Ruru owed Chen Liangjia 42 taels of silver.

Recalling Chen Liang's previous attitude towards her, Li Ruru no longer doubted the authenticity of the IOU.

No wonder, she owes so much money and hasn't paid it back, who would give her a friendly look?

only……

Li Ruru frowned, as a series of past events flashed through her mind.

Er Ya has been frail and sickly since childhood, and has spent a lot of money on medical treatment over the years.

Every time she went to see a doctor, Zhao would offer to pay for it herself, which moved the original owner deeply. For many years, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to serving the Chen family.

The Chen family did not split up; all the money they earned was handed over to the Zhao family.

The original owner was busy with various household chores every day, and at night she would sit in front of the oil lamp to embroider handkerchiefs and make straw sandals.

She felt guilty because her daughter's illness had cost the family money, and she always wanted to earn more. She also wanted her mother-in-law to treat Er Ya better and not to beat or scold her so often.

The original owner worked tirelessly to earn a lot of money for the Chen family, but Zhao Shi actually did such a shameless thing.

Zhao has never paid Chen Liang any money over the years; instead, she has written an IOU in Li Ruru's name.

This is utterly outrageous!
Li Ruru bit her lip in resentment. She had left three chickens for the Chen family today; she should have burned that wretched place down.

She held back for a long time before managing to refrain from getting up and beating up Zhao Shi.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Sanya couldn't read, but she was a little scared when she saw her mother's pale face.

My mother used to be like this; her face would turn pale at night, and she would secretly cry.

Sanya didn't know if her mother was crying because her father hadn't come home, or because weaving straw sandals was too hard.

She touched Li Ruru's face helplessly, "Mother, don't cry! Father is bad, Sanya doesn't want Father, she only wants Mother."

Li Ruru was taken aback and quickly put the note away.

"Mom is alright. Mom can earn a lot of money every day now. We will have meat to eat every day from now on. Don't cry, Mom is happy."

Li Ruru pulled Sanya into her arms, secretly planning that once the konjac business stabilized, she would definitely go to Chen Liang to repay the money.

Zhao is a heartless woman, but Chen Liang did nothing wrong, so she can't refuse to pay him back.

The mother and her daughters lay down quietly. She patted Er Ya's back and asked, "Er Ya, is your cough any better these past two days?"

Er Ya had just shaken her head when she started coughing.

Er Ya often coughs and has a runny nose at night, and sometimes she even gets a fever.

Chen Liang kept saying it was because she caught a cold, but she gets like this even in the summer.

Li Ruru believes that Er Ya's illness is caused by malnutrition.

If she gains weight and her immunity improves, she will naturally get better.

Li Ruru brought her a cup of hot water. "Er Ya, have some water."

Er Ya obediently gulped down a glass of water. Li Ruru then instructed, "Eat more meat in the future, and you won't get sick if you gain weight."

"Really?" Er Ya asked in surprise.

She knew that because of her illness, her mother had suffered a lot of hardship from her grandmother.

On one occasion, she overheard her grandmother and grandfather talking about throwing her up in the mountains to be eaten by wolves.

Later, her uncle said that he would raise her a little longer before selling her, and sure enough, she was sold soon after. It was her mother who saved her.

"Of course, why would your mother lie to you?"

Li Ruru extinguished the oil lamp and said to Daya and Sanya, "You two too, Mother will only like you if you get a little fatter."

The three girls nodded in the darkness, silently vowing to help their mother earn more money, eat more meat, grow fat, and not cause their mother any worry.

After a good night's sleep, Li Ruru's mother and the other three got up early the next morning, quickly washed up, and went out.

They arrived early today; there were still many empty stalls at the market.

Li Ruru remained in her original position; the customers who ate here yesterday might very well come back today.

They might even bring friends or family to eat here.

If people can't find their stall, won't they lose 3 coins?
"Good morning, Auntie." Li Ruru greeted the plump aunt selling sesame cakes next to her politely.

The plump aunt nodded to her, "Young lady, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Would you like some sesame cakes?" Li Ruru waved her hand, "No need, we'll eat after we sell these."

I brought a lot of konjac tofu today, so she hired an oxcart to deliver it to me for 20 coins.

She carried four large buckets of konjac in two trips using a shoulder pole, but there simply wasn't enough time.

If we let Daya or Erya pick them, we're afraid they'll break their small bodies.

After thinking it over, I think it's better to let others earn this money.

Li Ruru set up her stall, and Daya and Erya returned as well.

Daya bought several new bowls and chopsticks. "Mom, I also picked some lotus leaves."

Li Ruru's eyes lit up, "If we put lotus leaves in the bowl, we won't have to wash the dishes."

Just like modern plastic bags, you can simply rinse them with water, saving a lot of time.

Er Ya handed over the brown sugar, red dates, and peanuts she was holding, saying, "Mom, this brown sugar is so expensive, it costs 30 coins per pound."

It's more expensive than them taking an oxcart.

I've already spent 50 coins before even opening for business, not even counting the cost of bowls, chopsticks, red dates, and peanuts.

Li Ruru glanced at Daya subconsciously. Daya was working quietly without making a sound.

Li Ruru then started hawking her wares at the top of her lungs.

Soon, some people were attracted over. Some of them had eaten konjac tofu yesterday and asked for a bowl today.

Some of the things I missed yesterday, I didn't hesitate to spend 3 coins today.

Some people were attracted by the grayish-brown substance, which looked unappetizing and possibly even poisonous, yet others ate it with obvious satisfaction.

They then took out 3 coins and ordered a bowl.

It's only 3 coins, not expensive at all. It's a good opportunity to try something new and have something to talk about with others. It's worth it.

Those who initially just wanted to try it out were pleasantly surprised after eating it and kept praising it.

"Delicious, this konjac tofu is really delicious."

"It also contains brown sugar and red dates. It looks delicious and is really sweet."

Brown sugar is a precious commodity; most families can't afford to eat it regularly and only get to enjoy it during festivals like Chinese New Year.

Where else can you find such a good deal: you can buy a bowl of konjac tofu for just 3 coins and get brown sugar in it?

Suddenly, more people wanted sweet flavors. Li Ruru was in charge of cutting konjac tofu, while Daya prepared the ingredients and handed them to the customers.

Er Ya collected the money and gave change, while San Ya ate a bowl of konjac tofu with a satisfied expression.

Many people saw that Sanya was eating so happily that they couldn't help but stop and ask for a bowl.

After finishing a bowl of sweet food, Sanya patted her stomach and asked timidly, "Mother, can I... have another bowl?"

Grandma said the little girl should eat less so she wouldn't steal her cousins' food.

But she remembered that her mother had told her to eat more meat yesterday so that she would get fat.

If we can eat more meat, can we eat more konjac tofu?
"Here you go." Li Ruru handed Sanya a bowl of spicy and sour konjac tofu. "Sanya eats really well."

Sanya's dark, grape-like eyes sparkled with excitement as she took the bowl and began to slurp down her food.

Passersby who saw this scene all took out their money and ordered a bowl of hot and sour konjac tofu.

I had just eaten a bowl of sweet konjac tofu, and now I couldn't resist ordering another bowl.

One bowl of konjac tofu isn't enough to fill me up, and besides, that girl's appetite is too tempting.

Li Ruru's konjac tofu was soon reduced to less than half a bucket.

Just then, a man with a mole on his face and hair growing from the mole suddenly ran over.

The man with the mole immediately started cursing: "Don't you have any conscience doing business like this? Others sell for 2 coins, you sell for 3 coins. You're making dirty money. You're heartless."

Li Ruru stopped cutting konjac tofu and asked politely, "Brother, which shop sells it for 2 coins?"

The man with the mole pointed to a spot not far away, "There it is, they only charge 2 coins!"

(End of this chapter)