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

As soon as Song Xianglan finished speaking, Song Dong darted back into the kitchen.

A short while later, there was another knock on the gate.

Wang Zhi and his mother stood at the door, leaning on their canes and peering inside.

Is Lanlan here?

Song Xianglan went over and opened the door. "Come in and sit down."

Wang Zhi and his mother didn't enter the yard; they stood outside the threshold and hurriedly asked, "Is Zhihe here with you?"

"Just left."

"Where did he go?" The old lady kicked her feet in frustration. "I told him to hurry to the county to help Xiaofang move her things. There's a ton of stuff to wrap up after the shop is sold. He's getting married and doesn't even think about coming back to show his support."

Song Xianglan pointed in the direction of the village road.

"They haven't gone far. Send someone to chase after them."

The old lady leaned on her cane, and her old legs moved swiftly.

He turned around and shouted into the road:

"Zhiliang, go after your brother. Tell him to hurry up and go to the county to find Xiaofang. That girl is so busy she's practically running around, and all he does at home is loaf around instead of helping out."

An old man with four children to support—if he's not diligent, even his fiancée will leave him. Without ambition and drive, and being completely lazy and incompetent, where can he possibly succeed?

Wang Zhiliang had just returned from the greenhouse.

I heard his mother shouting.

He took off chasing after it.

The old lady was afraid that her son would remain a bachelor, and always felt that her son was not good enough for Lin Fang in any way.

If it weren't for the fact that the ugly girl was showing promise, she wouldn't have dared to speak up.

Just a few minutes.

Wang Zhihe was dragged back from the village entrance by his brother.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"What is it?" The old lady tapped his calf with her cane. "Xiao Fang is cleaning up the shop in the county, aren't you going to help?"

She transferred the shop, so she had to move her things, settle accounts, and give up her responsibilities. Do you think she has three heads and six arms? She's as stupid as a pig; even a dog would be smarter than her.

Wang Zhihe winced as he was knocked on the head. "If you hadn't called me, I would have been almost in town."

He ran a long way.

He could also hear his mother shouting from behind, "When we get to the county, treat Lin Fang to a good meal. Don't be so stingy like a miser."

Lin Fang stood at the shop entrance, holding a bunch of keys in her hand.

The shop is small, only about twenty square meters in total, but it is the first thing that truly belongs to her after she climbed out of the mud pit.

The tables and chairs in the store have been moved out.

The pots and pans on the stove were also cleaned up.

There's a stain on the wall, yellowed from cooking fumes, that I've tried to wipe off several times but can't.

Every time I see that mark, I'm reminded of how chaotic and disorganized I was when I first opened the shop.

One person cuts vegetables, cooks, serves dishes, collects money, washes dishes, and is busy until midnight. He goes home and falls asleep immediately, but gets up before dawn the next day to go to the market to buy goods.

Life was tough.

But every day is fulfilling for me.

"Xiao Fang".

Lin Fang snapped out of her daze and put the keys in her pocket.

"Have you moved everything?"

"All moved." Nie Erhua placed the cardboard boxes on the steps by the door, dusted her hands off, and asked, "Are you really going to go back to the village to make them?"

"Let's go back to the village and set up a stall first. Wang Zhihe said he has a piece of land by the roadside where he can build a shop."

Tang Juhua put down the cloth bag and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

"So what are you planning to sell?"

"First, make oyster omelet, rice in a clay pot, and braised pork rice dumplings. Then, serve some fish ball soup and oyster meat soup. We'll add other dishes once things are settled."

Lin Fang asked:

Have you ever thought about selling some snacks?

Tang Juhua was stunned for a moment.

Lin Fang walked over and sat down on the steps, patting the seat next to her.

"Let me tell you the truth. Our village is different now than before. Aunt Song's factory is open, the greenhouses are being used, and more and more people are coming and going to work."

The factory workers alone can generate a lot of business. If you want to do it, you can definitely succeed.

Tang Juhua sat down next to her.

"What can I do? My skills aren't as good as yours."

"Who said that? You're so good at frying sweet potatoes, taro, and vegetable cakes." Lin Fang counted on her fingers, "You can just set up a fried food stall."

Sweet potatoes, taro, meatballs, braised pork in vinegar—you can fry almost anything. It's simple and doesn't require much capital. Just set up a tricycle on the roadside and you're good to go.

Tang Juhua's eyes lit up, but she was still hesitant to speak.

"I'm afraid they won't sell."

Lin Fang chuckled, "The last time I gave the guests your fried pork with vinegar, it was all gone in half an hour."

Tang Juhua blushed after being told off, and she also thought about starting her own small business.

"Then... shall I give it a try?"

"Two horizontal lines and one vertical line, just do it." Lin Fang patted her on the shoulder.

Nie Erhua stood to the side, remaining silent the entire time.

Lin Fang looked up at her. "Second Sister Hua, you do the same."

Nie Erhua's lips moved slightly.

"Can I...can I make taro balls?"

"Of course! Taro balls made with sweet potato starch and taro are filled with meat, steamed, and then topped with crushed peanuts and sweet chili sauce, served with a bowl of lean meat soup."

Tang Juhua chimed in, "Erhua, don't hesitate. Your skills are just as good as anyone else's. Start by setting up a stall with a tricycle. Once you've saved up some money, you can rent a shop."

The three women faced the future without confusion, only with anticipation.

Nie Erhua hesitated for a moment:

"But I don't even have a place to live."

"Rent a house," Tang Juhua blurted out. "It's not expensive to rent a house in the village. If you don't mind, you can rent one from my place."

The empty room behind my house has been unoccupied for a while; you can tidy it up and move in. You can decide on the rent, a few dollars a month is fine.

Lin Fang echoed:

"Erhua, if you find Juhua's place inconvenient, there are other empty houses in the village. I'll ask around for you. Let's settle people down first, and we can deal with other things later."

Nie Erhua raised her head.

He glanced at Lin Fang, then at Tang Juhua.

She clenched her fist.

"I...I'll go back and think about it."

Lin Fang didn't urge her anymore.

Sometimes pushing things too hard can be counterproductive.

She knew Nie Erhua's personality well; she was already tempted, but she was just one step away from giving up.

Tang Juhua stood up and patted the dust off her bottom.

"What are you thinking? Go back and pack your things and move there. How much money can you make working for others in the county every day? It's not like you don't have any skills."

Nie Erhua was taken aback by what she said.

The corners of her mouth finally curved into a smile.

"Okay. I'll take another look."

Lin Fang took two envelopes out of her pocket, handing one to Tang Juhua and the other to Nie Erhua.

"This month's salary and bonus. You've all worked hard for me for so long."

Tang Juhua took the envelope and felt its thickness.

"So many?"

"The overtime pay owed to you is included in this. Here you go."

Nie Erhua's hands trembled slightly when she took the envelope.

She pressed the envelope to her chest and whispered a thank you.

Lin Fang went back and pulled down the iron gate of the shop, locking it with a click.

This is a small shop.

A stove, two rows of tables and chairs, and a wall stained yellow by cooking fumes.

It was in this place that she realized she could earn money and live a respectable life.

Lin Fang took a deep breath and removed her hand from the door.

Just as I was about to turn around.

A shout came from behind.

"Xiao Fang".

Lin Fang turned around.

Wang Zhihe jumped off his bicycle, which was leaning precariously to the side of the road, and strode over.

Lin Fang suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

Although the two were already engaged, she was still not used to facing Wang Zhihe face to face.

Back when we lived in the village, our two houses were not far apart.

When Wang Zhihe was a child, he would play with Song Xiangdong every day.

The boys ran all over the village, and not only did they cause trouble in Xiaoquan Brigade, they also went to cause trouble in the neighboring brigades.

At that time, she felt that this person was full of energy.

Like a stubborn ox.

Later, they all grew up and went through a period of not-so-great days.

When we meet again.

Life may have worn down the ox's horns, but its bones remain.

"Why are you here?" Lin Fang put her hands in her pockets.

"My mom sent me," Wang Zhihe said, catching his breath and wiping the sweat from his forehead. "She said you're busy here and asked me to come and lend a hand."

He glanced at the shop entrance; the iron gate was already locked.

"All moved?"

"All moved."

"Let's go eat first."

Lin Fang glanced at him. "What do you want to eat?"

"There's a Peranakan restaurant near the Overseas Chinese Farm. I heard my godmother used to eat there often. I've never been, so I'll take you to try it today."

Lin Fang hesitated for a moment. "Let's go home early."

"We'll head back after we finish eating."

Wang Zhihe bent down to straighten the bicycle, and Chong Linfang raised her chin.

"Come on up, I'll show you."

Lin Fang glanced at the back seat of the old-fashioned bicycle, hesitated for two seconds, and then sat down sideways.

She called Tang Juhua and Nie Erhua to go together.

Both of them shook their heads. "Let us pack our things, and you can go back to the rented house to take your things after you finish eating."

Lin Fang and Wang Zhihe left.

Tang Juhua nudged Nie Erhua with her elbow.

"See? A man is taking you out to eat on his bike, isn't that nice?"

Nie Erhua rolled her eyes; she didn't like men.

The Peranakan restaurant near the Overseas Chinese Farm has been open for quite some time.

The shop is small, with two frangipani trees planted at the entrance.

Although it doesn't bloom, the branches with only a few leaves stand very tall.

The shop's decor has a Southeast Asian style, with wooden tables and chairs polished to a shine and several Batik floral fabrics hanging on the walls.

The best spot is by the window, where you can see the orchards of the overseas Chinese farm outside.

When Wang Zhihe pushed the door open and went in.

There were already seven or eight tables occupied in the restaurant.

He glanced around and found that there was still an empty table by the window.

He pulled out a chair for Lin Fang to sit down first, and then sat down opposite her.

The waiter handed over the menu.

Wang Zhihe opened it and ran his finger across it.

"One serving of coconut curry chicken, please."

Sambal glutinous rice rolls.

"Orchid Rice".

"Coconut milk pandan cake".

"Stink bean pork".

"Onion Squid".

The waiter was writing down half of it when he looked up at him.

There were only two people at this table, and they ordered six dishes.

Wang Zhihe added, "Two orchid-flavored drinks. And a bowl of soup."

Lin Fang watched him order food rapidly from across the table and couldn't help but say:

"We ordered too much."

"It's okay, we can take the leftovers home." Wang Zhihe closed the menu and handed it to the waiter, then turned and smiled. "This is my first time here, so I don't know what it tastes like. I might as well order a little more to try."

"What is this Su Dong?"

"Squid. Stir-fried with onions."

How did you know?

"I did my homework beforehand," Wang Zhihe said, his ears turning slightly red.

Lin Fang's lips twitched, but she didn't reply.

Her gaze swept over the table next to her, and she paused for a moment.

A man and a woman were sitting at the next table. The man was wearing a gray jacket and his hair was slicked back. The woman had short hair, a square face, and was wearing a dark blue sweater.

The man's mouth never stopped.

"You women just love these fancy things. This stuff is only good for looking at; it doesn't taste as good as braised pork knuckle or red-braised pork belly."