Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei said in a serious tone, "Our boss said that making these stools is labor-intensive, requires a lot of materials, and is very costly, with very low profit margins. Apart from the one cent he pays us as commission, we don't make much money from the remaining nine cents."

Therefore, he plans to stop making the wooden stools after assembling them, and start making and selling tables instead.

Zhao Fengying was extremely disappointed.

A wooden stool costs only one yuan and is not heavy. Some people might buy one to replace a cheap, well-made one, but a table is a different story.

It would cost more than ten yuan in the store, which was a major household purchase that required careful consideration when workers' monthly wages were only a few dozen yuan.

Moreover, if a table breaks, most people will either find someone skilled in carpentry or repair it themselves so that it can continue to be used for many years.

But still unwilling to give up, he asked, "Did your boss say how much the table will cost?"

"I said, it'll cost at least fifteen yuan."

Xu Bei had just finished speaking.

The old lady and Xu Dahong, who were already frustrated because they saw a lucrative job but couldn't do it due to its high entry requirements, started slapping their thighs and complaining even more.

"What kind of table is this? Selling it for fifteen yuan? They might as well rob people!"

"Yeah, that's way too expensive! I don't believe people here will accept it! And you guys definitely won't make any commission!"

As Xu Dahong continued, a hint of schadenfreude crept into his voice.

Zhao Fengying was already upset about not being able to sell the wooden stools, and seeing her sister-in-law's reaction, she immediately retorted, "That's not necessarily true. The New Year is coming soon; what if someone wants to buy a new table?"

Xu Bei didn't tell his mother about this beforehand because he wanted the most authentic reaction to make the whole performance go smoothly. Now that he has basically achieved his goal, he can't allow Xu Dahong to be so smug.

"Yes, that situation still exists. And our boss also said that we'll get a 1.5 yuan commission on the tables."

When Zhao Fengying heard this, she was surprised to hear that they were offering such a large commission.

If one of them is sold, it's equivalent to selling fifteen stools.

It's not impossible to sell it.

In an instant, my mood brightened and became beautiful again.

"Let's see what the table looks like once your boss finishes making it. Anyway, the workmanship and quality of the stools are better than average, and the table won't be much worse. Maybe someone will take a liking to it."

The old lady and Xu Dahong were in a terrible mood; they were absolutely furious.

In particular, she could tolerate Xu Bei's help for a while when she needed his help, but now she doesn't even need to pretend anymore.

"Second brother! Look at my sister-in-law and your son, they don't treat us like family at all!"

They said the boss didn't agree to me selling stools, and didn't even try to help me. Now that they're talking about selling tables, wow, they're so excited! They don't even think about how hard life is for us in the countryside! It's truly disheartening!

"Yes, even I, an old lady, have to say something. Even if this table is too expensive, we dare not use the light."

"How many more days can that stool sell? Let Da Hong take one and try his luck. If it sells, we can make a little profit."

Xu Dashan wasn't too optimistic about selling the tables, but the carpenter owner must have his own ideas and plans, and as a family member who would earn a commission, he couldn't say anything, so he silently smoked.

However, faced with his sister and mother's aggrieved back-and-forth, he, as the head of the family, could not remain silent.

"Yeah, we can still sell them for a few more days, right? Let Da Hong take a stool and try selling them. If she sells one, it'll be considered part of your sales! Let her earn a little money too!"

Zhao Fengying didn't want to agree from the bottom of her heart, but she was caught in a dilemma when faced with her husband and mother-in-law.

Xu Bei no longer had so many concerns.

Besides, he had long seen through the old lady and Xu Dahong's true colors. All this acting was just to manipulate and punish them, so how could he agree to it?

"That won't do! They're cracking down on speculation right now, and several people have already been arrested."

Our boss clearly disagreed, yet he secretly sold it to strangers. What if my aunt gets caught? How are we supposed to explain that to our boss?

Also, my aunt and her family came to our house with the letters of introduction. If they also implicate my mother, my sister, and me in selling stools, wouldn't our whole family be wiped out?

Not only us, but also, Dad, your workers' jobs might be affected!

In the 80s, state-owned enterprises had certain requirements for the personal character and social relationships of their employees.

Because a family member was arrested for speculation and profiteering, it caused a very bad impact. Or, if relevant authorities come to investigate, the leader may talk to the person and give them criticism and education.

While it might not lead to dismissal, it could affect their reputation within the company and their future promotion prospects.

Therefore, Xu Dashan dared not insist any further after hearing Xu Bei's words.

"Da Hong, what your nephew said makes sense. After all, you came here from the countryside with a letter of introduction to visit relatives. You should calm down. It's not worth taking so much risk for that little commission. How about your second brother gives you two yuan for pocket money? That's equivalent to selling twenty stools."

Although the old lady favored her youngest daughter the most, her second son's job as a factory worker was also something she valued most and couldn't afford to see any mistakes. So she gave up trying to persuade him.

"Your second brother is right, then we'll..."

Xu Dahong interrupted the old lady with a ferocious expression, "What do you mean, 'right'? Don't listen to Xu Bei's bluff! I don't believe that selling a stool can get you arrested! Even if they arrest me, I won't implicate you, okay?!"

Xu Bei gave a cold laugh and was about to speak when Xu Dashan became even more eager than him.

"Da Hong, why are you so stubborn! If you really get caught, do you think you can just not confess?"

They'll find us eventually if they follow the clues! All these years, your second brother has treated you well, hasn't he? He's given you money and things whenever you asked, and never failed you! You can't come all this way to cheat your second brother!

Xu Dahong screamed irrationally, "How come I've never had any problems? If I had been able to find a partner and get married here instead of marrying that Liu Manzhu, wouldn't I be in this situation where I can't even sell a stool now!"

"It's all your fault! Especially you, Zhao Fengying, don't think I don't know, you're just up to no good, you can't stand to see me doing well! No wonder you have no parents, and of your three sons, only one survived—you killed them all!"

This wasn't the first time Zhao Fengying had been singled out and blamed by her sister-in-law.

But when it comes to parents who have been dead for many years and two sons who died young, the situation is different. With both old and new grudges combined, it's impossible to tolerate such behavior.

She immediately cursed in a tearful voice, "Xu Dahong, why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror? If you were even a little bit good-looking, you wouldn't have been rejected by so many young men from the forest area!"

If you ask me, you're already incredibly lucky to have married Liu Manzhu. Two years of marriage and still no children, and he hasn't dumped you. Instead of being grateful, you're complaining!