Chapter 68: Run a Small Business

Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Shu Yu had something to say to the old lady, and Lu Sanzhu’s presence here was really an eyesore.

She handed him two buns. Lu Sanzhu seemed afraid that she would take them back, so he immediately turned and ran away with the buns.

After he was gone, the old lady said, “Everything has its weakness, huh? It’s rare for Sanzhu to be so obedient.”

Shu Yu poured her a glass of water and asked Dahu and Sanya to eat slowly. Then, he said, “Third uncle doesn’t have any other good points, but he’s really good at reading the atmosphere.”

The old lady smiled and finished the bun in her hand.

She hadn’t eaten a meat bun in a long time, and she couldn’t hold back just now.

Shu Yu handed her another one, but the old lady waved her hand, “Enough, I’m done. Erya, you just said you have something to discuss with me. What is it?”

“I want to ask, what is our main source of income?”

Source of income? The old lady was dazed for a moment.

She paused for a moment before she said, “You’re talking about how our family makes money, right?”

Shu Yu nodded, and the old lady did not hide it from her, “Our family had seven or eight mu of land before, but we’ve sold a few mu over the years. Especially after your father’s leg was broken, he needed a lot of money to treat his leg. Now, we only have three mu of land left.”

The old lady and Madam Ruan took care of the three mu of land.

“Other than land, your mother and I do some needlework to support the family. Your father’s leg isn’t in a good state, so he can’t walk, which is why he stays at home. He used to be an apprentice for a few years and knew a little carpentry. He usually makes some small wooden pieces to sell, but he can’t go up the mountain to get wood, so he can only buy it. As a result, he doesn’t earn much. In addition, he can’t sit for too long, or his legs will go numb and it’ll be more troublesome, which will naturally slow down his pace of work.”

Shu Yu understood. Although the Lu family had three mu of land, it was probably not enough for them to sustain themselves.

The rest of the income was from sewing and selling small wooden items. They didn’t earn much, yet they had to pay for the family’s living expenses, Lu Erbai’s medical expenses, and even the travel expenses in search of her back when she had been missing.

The old lady’s face was full of misery after she finished.

They were confident that as long as Lu Erbai’s leg was cured, their future days would get better and better. However, she had also heard from Doctor Xu that even if his leg recovered, it would not be as flexible as before.

There were only a few laborers in the family. Their days would probably not improve much.

Shu Yu pondered for a moment and said, “Grandma, have you ever thought about renting out those few mu of land and starting our own small business?”

“Small business?” The old lady was stunned and shook her head, “No, your mother and I don’t have any skills. We only know how to farm. It’s not easy to run a small business too. Besides, this requires capital, and we can’t even take out a hundred copper coins.”

“How can you not have any skills? Aren’t you and mother very good at needlework?”

“I can just sew and mend some clothes. Your mother’s needlework is good but compared to the embroiderers in the city, the gap is huge. She can mend the ordinary handkerchiefs and fans, but she can’t do any more than that.”

The old lady waved her hands, thinking that Shu Yu’s thoughts were a little naive.

However, Shu Yu said, “That’s not important. It doesn’t matter if mum’s embroidery skills can’t compare to the professionals, but I’ve seen her sewing skills. She’s very skilled and her needlework is beautiful. Just this point is enough.”