Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

When Director Zhang's wife heard that they had come to deliver money, her eyes lit up instantly.

Her face was full of smiles as she clutched the envelope in her hand.

The substantial feel of the fabric made her grin from ear to ear.

"Sister Song, please have a seat. I'll pour you some tea right away." Director Zhang's wife raised her voice eight octaves, her joy barely contained.

He turned around, picked up the thermos to pour water, and warmly handed over the tea mug.

"If there's anything you need from Lao Zhang in the future, just let him know. Look at him, he's so busy every day, yet he only earns that meager salary."

Outsiders see our family as well-off, but actually, adding anything to our home is incredibly difficult, like pulling teeth. When we visit relatives and friends, we're always putting on a show of wealth, even if we're not rich enough.

Director Zhang kept poking her arm from the side.

Director Zhang's wife twisted her arm and glared at him.

Turning to Song Xianglan, he poured out his grievances:

"Sister, I'm telling the truth. My eldest son is twenty-two years old this year, and I've asked a matchmaker to help him find a wife."

When the woman heard about our living conditions—seven or eight people crammed into this small, dilapidated courtyard—she didn't even want to step inside.

Old Zhang was stubborn and insisted on finding someone of equal social standing.

But in this world, good girls all go for better opportunities, who wants to come to our house and suffer? And the less desirable girls, Old Zhang wouldn't even look at them."

Song Xianglan picked up the teacup and blew on the steam.

I took a sip.

"Every family has its own problems. But with this money, Director Zhang can buy a small courtyard outside Beijing."

In the next few days, take a few more relatives and friends to buy home appliances. On the one hand, they will be grateful to you, and on the other hand, you will also increase your income.

When our son gets married, he'll have a new house to live in, and you two won't have to squeeze under the same roof as your daughter-in-law. Out of sight, out of mind, and you'll avoid any conflicts.

Director Zhang's wife's lips twitched.

If they don't live with their daughter-in-law, who will take care of their family?

When she first married into the family, she served her in-laws tea, water, and washed their feet for over ten years, acting as their maid.

Now that she's the mother-in-law, there's no way she'll move out and live alone.

I'd rather buy a bigger house and live together.

"My husband Zhang will run around a bit more these next few days, trying to earn a little more money to buy a more spacious house."

Song Xianglan put down the teacup.

He stood up. "It's too late. I need to go back and do the accounting."

"Come visit sometime. I consider you my own sister." Director Zhang affectionately put his arm around hers.

Director Zhang and his wife escorted Song Xianglan all the way to the gate.

Watching her walk away.

Director Zhang's wife quickly closed the door, took the envelope, and went into the room.

I sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the envelope, and counted the money. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold the money.

"Old Zhang, you actually have over 1,900 yuan."

Director Zhang was also very surprised.

After watching his wife count three times, he calmed down.

"It's not just mine, my older brother also has a share."

"Why should we give them money?" Director Zhang's wife gathered the money in front of her. "I can't bear to give it to them."

"Most of them were introduced by my older brother. How many people do you think I know?" He took out five hundred yuan. "Give this to my older brother, and you keep the rest. We'll buy a house at the end of the year."

The woman was reluctant to part with it, so she took the lion's share.

He happily counted the money again before locking it in the cabinet and hiding the key.

Song Xianglan went to Zhao Shuanghua's house under the moonlight.

Zhao Shuanghua was still awake and came out to open the door, still wearing her clothes.

Song Xianglan shoved a manila envelope into his hand. "Shuanghua, check if the amount is correct."

Zhao Shuanghua clutched the envelope, her face flushed red.

He pushed the money back, saying, "Aunt Song, I'm ashamed to take this money. I'm truly sorry for what happened today. I never expected my boss's son-in-law to be such a scoundrel, causing you so much trouble."

"One thing at a time."

Song Xianglan forced the envelope into his pocket, saying, "I've seen all sorts of customers in my business."

Today's situation is considered good; Zhuogong has a few minor issues, but he was quick to pay.

Besides, his legs are his body, and his mouth is his face; what business is it of yours? He's a customer, so you have to put up with a bad comment. Think about it, it's not worth it.

Zhao Shuanghua wants to push it again.

Song Xianglan waved her hand, turned around and left, "Get some rest."

Zhao Shuanghua counted the money and then thought the leader's son-in-law was kind of cute.

Song Xianglan knocked on Wu Tianming's door again.

Aunt Wu opened the door and saw that it was Song Xianglan, so she pulled her into the house.

"Hey little sister, come in quickly. I've got some millet porridge on the stove, and two big meat buns specially saved for you. Running around doing business so late at night, even the strongest body can't take it."

"I know you must be hungry."

Song Xianglan handed over Wu Tianming's commission.

Aunt Wu took the money and quickly called Wu Tianming over to take it, "Sister, I've made some money from my stall these past few days."

I earned four yuan and fifty cents the day before yesterday, and more than five yuan yesterday.

At this rate, a few days' earnings can equal half a month's salary for someone else. I'll ask you for extra socks and undershirts to sell tomorrow morning.

"Okay, take more tomorrow morning."

Song Xianglan sat at the table, picked up her bowl and took a sip of hot millet porridge. "But once this batch of goods is sold out, I won't be ordering any more for the time being."

Aunt Wu was stunned.

"Why? Business in Beijing is so good; you're making easy money. Why are you quitting?"

"I have to go back to Qingyang." Song Xianglan took a bite of a meat bun, her mouth greasy. "There are still more than ten acres of land lying around back home."

She was thinking that if she were to start a home appliance business in Beijing, she would have to delegate the management to her subordinates.

This trip back will be a good opportunity to find out what Song Dong and his group are capable of.

Let's see who has the guts to settle down in Beijing.

Whoever stays here will get a share of the profits.

Aunt Wu sighed, her face full of regret, "What future can you have farming? You toil in the fields all year round, and you can't even earn a few pocket money."

Song Xianglan smiled:

"When you get old, you just want some peace and quiet. I love digging up some fruits and vegetables from the soil. The vegetable garden is lush and green in winter, and just looking at it makes me feel good."

Aunt Wu sliced ​​a salted duck egg and pushed it in front of Song Xianglan.

Her tone was tinged with envy, "Now that you mention it, I'm thinking of getting a piece of land to farm too. Even just a small plot, like a few acres, to grow some corn and tomatoes would be nice. It's a pity there aren't any conditions like that in the city."

"If you have the chance, you can come and stay in Qingyang for a few days."

Song Xianglan picked out the oily duck egg yolks, "There's plenty of sweet potatoes, peanuts, and corn, and more fruit than we can eat."

Aunt Wu nodded vigorously: "Okay. I'll definitely go and see it when I've saved up some savings."

After having a late-night snack.

Song Xianglan took her leave and returned to her room.

As I approached the door, I noticed that the door to the bachelor next door, which had been tightly shut, was slightly ajar.

The man came out carrying a basin to pour water.

Upon seeing Song Xianglan, he paused, nodded, and greeted her.

"Your house..."

He turned his head, his voice dry, "Aunt Tian has already told me that I should pay the rent directly to you from now on."

"Okay. Just bring it to me on the appointed day."

Song Xianglan opened the door and entered the house.

After putting down her bag, Song Xianglan poured hot water from the thermos and took off her shoes and socks to comfortably soak her feet.

The hot water reached above my ankles, and fatigue crept up my calves.

I've been working non-stop these past few days, just grabbing whatever I can get, and haven't even had a proper soup.

Song Xianglan touched her belly.

I've decided to go to the market early tomorrow morning to get some good food to nourish my body.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Song Xianglan carried her shopping basket and headed straight for the nearby vegetable market.

The variety of vegetables in Beijing's vegetable markets is limited.

Song Xianglan picked out a plump, fresh cabbage, gathered a few purple eggplants, and then turned to the butcher's stall to ask for a fresh pig's stomach.

Then I went to the live poultry stall and grabbed a black-footed chicken.

Back in the courtyard, Aunt Wu was lighting the stove in the yard.

Seeing the contents of Song Xianglan's basket, he wiped his hands and came closer. "Little sister, what a lavish meal this early in the morning! Did you buy pork tripe for soup or to cook other dishes?"

"Let's make a spleen-nourishing pork tripe and egg soup." Song Xianglan threw the pork tripe into the basin.

Pour in vinegar and flour, and knead vigorously.

Aunt Wu was completely confused: "Yangpi San? The name sounds like it's made of medicine."

"It's medicinal cuisine."

Song Xianglan worked tirelessly, washing the mucus inside and outside the pig's stomach until it was completely clean. "People with poor spleen and stomach, gastritis, or general weakness will benefit greatly from drinking this soup a few times."

Song Xianglan went into the house, took out a large bowl, cracked six eggs, and poured in the spleen-nourishing powder.

I added a few drops of clear yellow tea oil, sprinkled a pinch of salt, and stirred it well with chopsticks.

Aunt Wu stared intently at Song Xianglan's hand movements.

Next, Song Xianglan opened the cleaned pig's belly and poured all the egg liquid inside.

Use a needle and thread to sew the opening closed carefully.

Song Xianglan put the whole pig's stomach into a casserole and filled it with boiling water.

I added ginger slices, red dates, and lotus seeds.

Cover the pot.

Aunt Wu watched in disbelief, saying, "I've lived most of my life, and this is the first time I've ever seen medicine stuffed into a pig's stomach and stewed."

"Food therapy is better than medicine."

Song Xianglan washed her hands. "In my hometown, we rely on food for nourishment. Sister, could you please keep an eye on the stove for me? Don't let the fire get too high; just let it simmer slowly for two hours. I need to go to Cihuai Alley to deliver food to Chen Zui."

"I'll watch the fire for you, you hurry up and don't let the black monkey go hungry." Aunt Wu felt sorry for Chen Zui.

The poor eldest son ended up raising himself into a black monkey.

He also has to support the seven illegitimate children left behind by his father.

Song Xianglan first made scallion and egg pancakes at home, and then went to the street to buy soy milk and fried dough sticks.

Carrying a basket, I hurried to Locust Alley.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Chen Zui had already finished washing up and was applying mousse to his hair in front of the mirror.

The two ate breakfast.

Song Xianglan instructed, "Come home for lunch. I've made a spleen-nourishing powder, pork tripe, and egg soup."

"I'm craving something soupy. Godmother, you rest, I'm going out to attract customers. I need to clear out all the goods in this yard before I get back."

Chen Zui pulled a piece of cardboard from the corner of the wall.

Write the words "Original Import, In Stock, Free Invoice" in large characters with a calligraphy brush and hang it around your neck.

He swaggered out of the alley.

Less than half an hour later, the neighbors in the Locust Alley were mobilized.

"Give me that big color TV. My little daughter's family only has a black and white TV, I have to bring one for her today."

Sister Liu pointed at the rice cooker, "Sister, Old Zhang's wife is showing off everywhere, saying that this pot makes rice as soon as you plug it in. Give me one, and also a pressure cooker to stew big bones."

"Are there any washing machines left?"

Another young man, sweating profusely, squeezed in and said, "Give me a washing machine and an Atari game console."

Chen Zui: "Take it now and leave immediately, inspect the goods on the spot. No credit, no bargaining."

Song Xianglan counted money until her thumbs went numb.

Appliances were carried out of the yard one by one, and a frenzy of buying exploded in the yard.