Chapter 606: Warm and Inviting
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“That’s the winery, embroidery, and noodle shop I opened. There’s also a tofu factory in the village. You can live in peace here. Even if Xiaoxun isn’t interested in performing in my play, she can work at the embroidery shop.
“A month’s salary plus bonus will be about two silver taels. You can live well with your grandmother with that, right, Xiaoxun?”
Old Madam Yang and her granddaughter were in disbelief when they heard how much they could earn by working at the embroidery shop. Of course, they might not believe it if anyone else said it, but since it was their benefactor, they did not doubt her.
Yang Xiaoxun’s heart burned passionately. She knew she could live a good life with her grandmother if she worked hard. She felt alive again, especially since Su Binglan had cured her face.
Yang Xiaoxun saw her reflection in a puddle of water and felt she looked better than ever. However, she no longer cared about her appearance after what she had experienced. She only wanted to live a good life with her grandmother.
“l want to learn how to perform and do it well.” Yang Xiaoxun knew how much her benefactor, Su Binglan, had helped her. After all, the latter had healed her grandmother’s leg, and Yang Xiaoxun wanted to repay Su Binglan.
“You can also make a decent living if you learn to perform well. You’ll get higher pay than working at the embroidery shop. You’ll receive a fee for every play you’re in.”
Yang Xiaoxun was stunned. She did not know she could earn money from performing in plays. She only wanted to return her benefactor’s favor.
“Study hard, and your days will improve,” Su Binglan said.
Yang Xiaoxun nodded thoughtfully. ‘Yes.”
Everyone knew Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an had returned immediately after the two appeared in the village.
“Miss Su, you’re back!”
“Miss Su, welcome home!”
The villagers shouted excitedly and spread the news. They were overjoyed to see the young couple’s return.
“Sob, sob. Miss Su has returned! We can finally rest assured.”
“Thank goodness Miss Su returned safely. 1 don’t know what we would do if something happened to her?”
“You’re right.”
Su Binglan was the villagers’ primary source of income. It was all thanks to her that they could live well now. The villagers would not be able to receive monthly pay and bonuses without her businesses.
Most villagers became more willing to buy New Year’s goods. Not only that, they were also more willing to buy delicious and nutritious food on weekdays.
In the past, eggs were as precious as gold, and the villagers could not bear to eat them so casually. However, things had changed, and they were more willing to eat eggs and even use white flour for cooking.
The villagers also felt dignified and respected wherever they went. Whenever they went New Year’s shopping in the past, they were always tight on money and could not bear to buy too many things.
The villagers also knew about the war and that Su Binglan had gone to the prefecture to help. During that time, the Su Teng Villagers were terrified that the war would reach them.
After all, they finally had more stable lives now. Fortunately, everything was fine after the war ended, and everyone sighed in relief. Although the war ended over half a month ago, Su Binglan had yet to return, making the villagers anxious and worried.
They often went to the Su family’s home to ask if Su Binglan had returned. The Su family felt touched by everyone’s concern for Su Binglan. The family knew the villagers were just as worried about Su Binglan as they were.
Still, Shen Qiuhua always comforted everyone, saying, “Binglan will be okay. Don’t worry.”
She knew her daughter was okay because the latter often sent her eagle to deliver messages to the Su family. Everyone knew Su Binglan was okay and heaved a sigh of relief.
However, they could not help but grow uneasy whenever they thought about how Su Binglan had yet to return. Now that they saw her entering the village, they could finally relax.
Meanwhile, the winery, embroidery shop, and tofu factory continued to
operate. Of course, Su Fengchen and Miao Zhizhi’s store only grew more popular. Therefore, more people started working there.
Everyone was willing to go shopping after receiving their wages, which boosted the town and village’s economy.
The people who opened shops and stall owners earned a decent living, making them more willing to spend money. As a result, the festive atmosphere in Tenghe Town and Su Teng Village was incomparable.
Old Madam Yang and her granddaughter watched the scene unfold in a daze. It turned out everyone loved their benefactor. In addition, the duo felt happy just looking at the villagers’ reactions to Su Binglan’s return.
Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao heard of their daughter’s return and ran out of the tofu factory.
“Binglan, you’re finally home! Jin’an, you’ve been gone for too long!’
“Have you lost weight, my dear daughter? What about you, Jin’an? Didn’t you lose weight?”
The corner of Su Binglan’s mouth twitched. She wanted to say she was still the same weight as when she left. But perhaps, in the eyes of parents, they felt their child had suffered needlessly.
Even so, Su Binglan had eaten and slept well during her time at the border, so her weight never changed.
Su Wenxiu was teaching his apprentices at home when he heard his sister had returned. He hurriedly ran out of the house to greet her. Even the thirty apprentices were ecstatic and could not help but want to run out.
Su Binglan thought their number of apprentices was too small since the war broke out, so she told Su Wenxiu to recruit more people. He now had thirty-six apprentices under his wing.
When Su Wenxiu announced he would enroll more apprentices, the surrounding villages quickly sent their children to sign up. Both boys and girls fought to get a spot as an apprentice.
With so many people signing up, Su Wenxiu did not have to stress as much as before, cracking his head to select students. Even so, many young boys and girls queued up to learn from him.
“Everyone missed you, Sister! Also, the teaching materials you compiled for me were constructive. The apprentices learned very quickly, thanks to you.”
In the meantime, Su Wenwu had been expanding the hotpot business and was out of town. Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin were also busy helping to look after the noodle shop. Nonetheless, the couple was delighted to do it.
“The noodle shop’s business is booming. Everyone comes to buy our instant and dry chili noodles.”
Everyone busily reported everything they had done during Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an’s absence, and the two listened attentively.
Old Madam Yang and Yang Xiaoxun could feel the difference in the atmosphere compared to their village and Su Teng Village. The atmosphere here was lovely, and everyone looked so enthusiastic.
The two were still in a daze as they remained seated in the carriage when Su Binglan asked them to come down. Finally, they returned to their senses.
Then Su Binglan introduced Old Madam Yang and Yang Xiaoxun to her parents and Su Wenxiu.
Shen Qiuhua’s heart ached for Yang Xiaoxun. She held the latter’s hand and said, “From now on, you can treat this place as your home. The people of Su Teng Village are kind-hearted, and no one will speak ill of you. Everyone here works together and lives harmoniously.”
The villagers looked at the grandmother and granddaughter duo and knew Su Binglan had brought them to the village. Hence, everyone was friendly and welcoming to the two.
Initially, Old Madam Yang and Yang Xiaoxun were nervous about coming to Su Teng Village. However, they sighed in relief when they felt everyone’s wa_rm and inviting attitude.
Su Binglan told her parents to bring the duo to Chief Su l s house to settle them permanently in Su Teng Village. However, the village had no empty houses because of how popular the village had become.
Many others had tried settling down in Su Teng Village, while some had to rent houses. Since that was the case, Su Binglan could only let Old Madam Yang and her granddaughter stay in the female dormitory behind the embroidery shop..