145 Don’t Overdo It, I Can Let Bygones Be Bygones

It turned out that gangsters saw that Madam He was a new face in the marketplace. When the former saw their tofu business was very good, they wanted to wreck it.

Unfortunately for them, they encountered the village chief.

The village chief had seen Madam He before. He knew that she was from Lengshui Village. After chasing away the gangsters, he asked her about Zhao Chuchu.

In the end, he discovered that Zhao Chuchu had asked her to make these tofu to sell. When the gangsters heard this, they scampered back to apologize and beg for Madam He’s forgiveness. They pleaded with her not to tell Zhao Chuchu.

“Chuchu, your name is even more useful than the government. Those thugs and hooligans fear your name. They also said that they would not do such things in the future. If anyone else causes us trouble, they asked me to find them, and they would help me settle the issue,” said Madam He with a smile.

Zhao Chuchu commented, “At least they know what they should do. Otherwise, they would be forfeiting their legs. Sister-in-law, do you think you can carry on this tofu business?”

Madam He smiled radiantly and exclaimed, “Of course, we can. Even if they just bought the tofu as a novelty and we won’t reach this level of business again, we can make do if we can sell half of this amount. Thank you, Chuchu.”

“I can only help you out this much. The rest will depend on your own efforts.”

Zhao Meilan chipped in, “Father, Mother, Sister Chuchu managed to negotiate a huge deal today. Visitor’s Aroma, a major tavern in town, asked us to deliver tofu to them every day in the future. They want ten trays of white tofu and 50 catties each of tofu puffs and soft tofu. We charged them three cents more than we did in the village.”

“Is… is this true?”

Zhao Guitang and Madam He were so shocked by this news that their mouths were wide open.

“It is. I was listening beside her. Sister Chuchu is really incredible. She even discussed many conditions with the manager,” said Zhao Meilan. She looked at Zhao Chuchu with a worshipful look and said, “Sister Chuchu, weren’t you afraid of the manager?”

“Huh? What was there to be afraid of? He is not some man-eating monster with three heads and six arms. Meilan, you must remember. There must be a suitable amount of give and take when doing business. However, you must draw the line somewhere. You cannot let the other party seize the initiative completely,” instructed Zhao Chuchu.

Zhao Meilan nodded. She agreed with what Zhao Chuchu said. She replied, “I understand.”

“Uncle Guitang will not be able to deliver the tofu. I suggest that you let Uncle Niu do it. Manager Lin will pay him 30 cents daily,” said Zhao Chuchu as she recalled this matter.

Niu Tongsheng was definitely on her side now. She would naturally give him and his family benefits.

“We will do as you say,” the three of them replied. They had no objections.

“Hmm. I’ll leave you to your work. I will head over to the chief’s house to inform them of this matter. From now on, you will make tofu on your own. I still have more than 2000 catties of soybeans at my place. Take as much as you need. I will put you on credit first. You can pay me back when the money comes in.”

Madam He’s eyes turned red. She could not help but choke up as she said, “Chuchu, I really do not know how to thank you.”

“Just focus on making tofu well. Don’t forget that a portion of the profit is owed to me.”

“Yes, we will definitely do our best.”

They had missed spring planting. Initially, they were in despair. Now, they had this tofu business. Their days seemed more hopeful.

“Then I will take my leave.”

Zhao Chuchu went to the chief’s house and informed them of the tofu business arrangement. Niu An agreed without a second thought.

She explained, “How you deliver the tofu is up to your arrangement. A journey to and fro will take at least half a day. However, 30 cents will add up to almost one Tael of silver a month. I feel that the price is reasonable.”

Niu An replied, “This is much better than short-term work. It is at least consistent. My brother will do it if I do not have the time.”

They did not split up their money. It was all handed over to the family. It did not matter who did the job.

Madam Kong was naturally also keen on this arrangement.

“Chuchu, you are always looking out for us. To think that we treated you like that before…”

“Grandma, you don’t need to say such things. I do not hold grudges. As long as you did not go overboard, I can let bygones be bygones. Of course, don’t expect me to forgive behavior like that of the Zhao clan and Niu Ziming.”

Madam Kong felt embarrassed as she said, “You are a good child.”

“You don’t need to feel anxious. We will see how Meilan’s family’s tofu business goes. If it works out, I will teach your family to make something else.”

“Chuchu, you aren’t joking, are you?”

“I am not. If you are well off, the village will prosper as well.”

“You are right.”

Madam Kong nodded her head in agreement.

In truth, they admired that Zhao Chuchu taught Zhao Guitang’s family how to make tofu.

Now that Zhao Chuchu said she would teach them to make other things, Madam Kong was eager for that day to arrive.

…

The next day, the Hu clan sent someone over.

Zhao Chuchu was also at Zhao Guitang’s house at that time. However, she excused herself and stayed inside the kitchen, not interfering in their affairs.

As Zhao Chuchu predicted, the people from the Hu clan were reasonable.

They apologized on behalf of Hu Yiming to Zhao Guitang and his wife for tainting the good name of Zhao Meilan. On top of that, they offered to compensate for Zhao Meilan’s loss. However, they did not force her to marry Hu Yiming because of this matter.

Mr. Hu said to Zhao Guitang earnestly, “Yiming ended up in his current state because of our carelessness. I am aware that the Zhao clan is not willing to let Meijuan marry him. Nobody wants their daughter to marry someone like Yiming. This is understandable.”

He continued, “Even though Yiming is 15 years old now, his mind is that of a child. If you are not interested in marrying Meilan off to Yiming, no one can force you to do so. We are at fault for not educating Yiming well. Feel free to make any demands.”

Zhao Guitang had never experienced dealing with polite, scholarly people.

He could only look at Madam He. He hoped that she would say something.

When Madam He saw Mr. Hu being so sincere and that he had come in person to apologize solemnly, she could not bring herself to criticize them.

After all, it would be unkind to turn away someone who had come to apologize.

“As you have mentioned, Yiming thinks like a child. We will let this slide,” Madam He replied. She had been observing Hu Yi Ming’s parents silently.

The Hu clan was a wealthy family, yet Mr. and Mrs. Hu showed no signs of disrespect when dealing with them. Instead, they were amiable.

Madam He was even considering marrying off her daughter to Hu Yiming. If Zhao Meilan married Hu Yiming, she would most likely be treated fairly, right?

“Yiming has been asking for his Sister Meilan. If you agree to marry Meilan off to our family, I guarantee that we will treat her like one of our own,” Mrs. Hu said while looking at Zhao Meilan. With a gentle voice, she added, “Parents are always a little selfish. We try within our means to please our child.”

In other words, the Hu clan was here intending to secure this marriage engagement.

If the Zhao clan were reluctant to proceed with the marriage engagement, they would compensate Zhao Meilan. However, it would be perfect for them if the Zhao clan agreed to proceed with it.

“I’m still young. We can still wait for another two years,” Zhao Meilan said while blushing.

Even though Hu Yiming was childlike, he would always save some delicious snacks for her.

Moreover, Sister Chuchu mentioned that Hu Yiming was a nice guy.

Madam He could see Zhao Meilan wavering.

However, she would not readily agree to Mrs. Hu’s suggestion. Otherwise, it would seem like she was eager to marry her daughter off to Hu Yiming.

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