Chapter 153: Returning Home to Visit Relatives

As soon as they stepped into the oil pressing workshop, Second Lady Liu’s face darkened. She told Zhuzi to sit behind the counter and keep watch for the moment, then dragged Zhang Shuisheng into the backyard and unleashed a furious tirade on him. “Have you had enough of the good life? Is every bit of work in the shop done? What possessed you to go meddling with Third Sister and Weiwei? Forcing them to sell five shi of rice at a loss every day—does that make you happy?”

Zhang Shuisheng looked abashed. He hurriedly reached for Second Lady Liu’s hand and said placatingly, “I didn’t expect there to be so many people over there. I got so flustered in the rush that I figured, since we had no customers in the afternoon, the neighbors probably didn’t either. When Mom mentioned grain prices were rising, I just asked around. Hearing that a dou of rice had gone up five coins, I couldn’t hold back and went over to inquire. It was hasty of me.”

Second Lady Liu shot him a withering glare. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see the customers in the shop?”

Zhang Shuisheng scratched his head. “I hadn’t even stepped inside yet—I’d only halfway shouted when I noticed, but it was already too late; I’d blurted it all out. I know I was in the wrong, but Second Lady… We’ve both known hard times ourselves. Do you know what it means for a dou of rice to rise five coins? Back in the village, if Weiwei and Third Sister pulled that, folks would dig up our ancestors’ graves in protest! I was just worried these young girls might get blinded by silver and act recklessly. We can’t live life chasing money alone, can we?”

“Didn’t you hear Weiwei explain? Every other rice shop is raising prices. If they don’t follow suit, the whole city would swarm their place. Wouldn’t that earn them enemies among all the other shops? How are two young women supposed to get by then? Besides, even without a hike, they couldn’t supply the entire city anyway—folks who miss out would just buy elsewhere. So only you’ve got a heart of gold, while Weiwei and Third Sister are heartless rocks? You’re a grown man; surely you know the plank that sticks out rots first? In unfamiliar territory, you stick your neck out? Well, now you’ve forced Weiwei to bleed 250 coins a day selling five shi at a loss. Proud of yourself? Built a fine reputation?”

Under Second Lady Liu’s barrage, Zhang Shuisheng’s weathered face burned red with shame. He stammered for ages but couldn’t muster a defense. After she thumped his chest a couple of times, she shooed him off to work.

It was no wonder Zhang Shuisheng couldn’t quite make the mental shift. He’d become a shopkeeper overnight, but at his core, he remained a farmer—his transformation incomplete. People from different walks of life naturally struggled to see eye to eye right away. Even Second Lady Liu harbored private doubts about Wu Wei and Liu Cuiwei’s approach, but she was fiercely protective of her own. She’d rather bury her true feelings for the time being and stand by Wu Wei and Liu Cuiwei.

Meanwhile, Wu Wei and Liu Cuiwei toiled away for another shichen before finally finishing the grain intake. They retreated to the inner hall to rest. Deep autumn had arrived, bringing a chill to the air, but Wu Wei’s face still glistened with sweat.

Liu Cuiwei fetched a clean cloth, folded it neatly, and handed it over. “Here, wipe your face.”

Wu Wei shook it out, folded it once, and draped it across her entire face with a contented sigh.

Steam rose from the hot damp cloth. Once the heat faded, Liu Cuiwei peeled it off and rinsed it afresh for Wu Wei.

Wu Wei took the cloth and returned the favor, gently wiping Liu Cuiwei’s face. Liu Cuiwei said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Weiwei.”

Wu Wei brushed it off with a smile. “No need for that. Second Brother-in-law’s straightforward and kind-hearted—that’s why he helped us out so much back then. Every rice shop will face this price drama eventually, not just us. I was prepared for it mentally, and the limited bargain rice idea was mine from the start, just waiting for the spark. Better him making noise than some uncontrollable outsider. At least this way, we still hold the reins.”

“Really?”

“Do I look like I’m fooling you? I’ve already sent a letter to Boss Cao requesting six more hands—two for stocking shelves, the rest slotted into shop duties. For the limited sales, I’ll square it with the county magistrate. We can’t eat that loss personally, so it’ll hit the shop’s public ledger. Business is solid enough that five extra shi daily won’t break us. Don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Cuiwei felt a weight lift at Wu Wei’s words.

Wu Wei took Liu Cuiwei’s hand and murmured softly, “And thank you for shielding me—stepping in front at that crucial moment.”

A blush crept over Liu Cuiwei’s cheeks as she gripped Wu Wei’s hand in return. “It’s only right. I’d do it a hundred times over.”

…

“I’ll go find Second Sister. She might be quarreling with Second Brother-in-law right now. I need to share your thinking so this doesn’t sour things.”

“Mm, go on.”

Once Liu Cuiwei departed, Wu Wei rubbed her temples wearily.

It had nothing to do with Zhang Shuisheng’s fuss; Wu Wei herself felt conflicted about the price increase. She’d shouldered the pangs of conscience from the forefront, especially under the hesitant, unspoken gazes of customers in their threadbare, patched clothes.

In that instant, Wu Wei longed to step out for a stroll and catch her breath.

She missed those hiking days back on Blue Star.

She wanted to roam too, but not anytime soon. No longer a lone wanderer, she bore family duties now.

The shop wouldn’t crumble without her—the burden would simply shift to others.

…

Dinner featured two extra meat dishes that evening. Old Lady Zhang poured Wu Wei a cup of wine herself. She’d heard the whole story; the old couple had already given Zhang Shuisheng an earful for meddling in Wu Wei’s affairs. Zhang Shuisheng had apologized too.

But Wu Wei rose with her cup in hand and explained earnestly to all present why prices had to rise—and the fallout if they hadn’t.

In plain, accessible terms, she unpacked concepts like monopoly and short-selling, holding nothing back this time.

Everyone fell silent upon hearing her out.

“Uncle Zhang, Auntie Zhang, Aunt Liu, Second Sister, Second Brother-in-law—to tell you the truth, my aim from the start with this rice shop was for our family to tend the granary and thrive on it. Even in famine or calamity, we’d never starve. Along the way, we could aid Zhang Family Village folks and Eldest Sister Li’s family. I never restock only when we’re bone-dry; there’s always a full warehouse reserve—for village emergencies! Grain is the people’s lifeline. I know hiking prices is wrong, but I’ve got no choice. Out of sight, I’ve done plenty to offset it. Outsiders can misunderstand, curse, or gossip all they like—but family has to know what I’m about.”

Zhang Shuisheng hung his head in shame and offered straightaway to cover half the daily loss from those five shi of discounted rice. Wu Wei and Liu Cuiwei refused in unison.

Liu Cuiwei said, “Second Brother-in-law, forget you—even I balked at first hearing about the hike. We all know the Zhangs are good folk; you meant well. You won’t foot this bill. The oil workshop’s gains are hard-won sweat. It’ll run through the shop accounts—Weiwei and I lose little by it. Rest easy.”

Wu Wei nodded. “Third Sister’s spot-on. I accept your intent, but not the silver.”

Later, father and son from the Zhangs raised toasts to Boss Liu and voiced deep worry over the drought. Old Man Zhang grew nostalgic for village kin and wanted to visit.

It dovetailed perfectly with Wu Wei’s itch to get out, so they settled on closing both shops in three days for a family trip back to Zhang Family Village.

Though Old Lady Liu had no kin there, she’d bonded with Eldest Sister Li’s household and was keen to see them.

…

Back home, Wu Wei drafted closing notices for both shops and posted them herself.

Next day, she shared the glad tidings with the clerks, slipping each a tael of silver to spend the break feasting and unwinding.

Cheers erupted as business at the rice shop and oil workshop surged.

Spotting the signs, households with thin pantries rushed to stockpile early. Others rose before dawn to queue for daily specials. Day one saw tentative browsers outnumbering buyers.

But when Wu Wei made good on her pledge—hauling five shi curbside for first-come service—belief spread.

Long queues soon snaked daily before Wu-Liu Store, a quirky street spectacle.

Bonus perks emerged too: bargain buyers sang the praises of Wu-Liu Store’s compassionate lady owners. As city grumbles swelled over hikes, the shop’s goodwill skyrocketed.

When the neighbors gathered to curse the rice merchants, even in the heat of their righteous indignation, they always prefaced their rants with a disclaimer: “I’m not talking about Wu-Liu Store…” before unleashing their tirade.

The news of Wu Wei’s daily discounted rice sales soon spread among the other rice shops. A few days later, three of the remaining eight merchants followed suit, each offering five shi of discounted rice per day until supplies ran out.

Wu Wei and Liu Cuiwei, however, were not among the first to hear about it. The two women had already shuttered their shop, loaded two carriages with gifts, and set off in fine style for Qinglu County to visit relatives and friends.

…

Zhang Shuisheng drove the lead carriage, carrying the Zhang Family members, while Zhang Quan handled the one behind, ferrying Wu Wei and her family of three.

With joy came high spirits, and every face glowed with smiles.