Rebirth in 1980: The Farm Wife Makes a Comeback
Chapter 303: Resolve

Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Resolve

"Xiang Yang, why are you here today?"

When Qin Xiangyang arrived, Xie Yonghong had already been there for a while. She always came early, and would help Qin Xiangnuan by firing up the stove and cleaning all her own tables and stools until they were spotless, without a trace of oil.

"Nuannuan is sick, so I’m standing in for her for the day."

Qin Xiangyang said with a smile, already rolling up his sleeves and starting to make pancakes.

Hearing that Qin Xiangnuan was sick, Xie Yonghong was really worried, but seeing Qin Xiangyang’s relaxed demeanor, she knew the young girl must not be too ill. Otherwise, Qin Xiangyang probably wouldn’t have the mood to come and sell pancakes.

Qin Xiangyang’s movements were not the least bit clumsy; he was quite proficient at making pancakes. Indeed, both siblings have been involved in this small business.

Regardless of the past, things are better now. Don’t look down on this little stall; the monthly earnings can be much more than a worker’s salary. Plus, with Qin Xiangyang attending military school now, things like food and clothing are provided by the state, and he hardly needs to spend any money. The two siblings have finally made it through hard times and don’t need to suffer anymore.

However, Xie Yonghong still remembered Qin Xiangnuan being sick. When Teacher Wang came in the afternoon, they planned to visit her together.

"Knock knock..." A knocking sound came from outside. Qin Xiangnuan lifted her face and continued grooming Conghua’s fur. Conghua didn’t bark, so it must be someone it recognized. Though Conghua was a bit lazy and slow, it was quite good at recognizing people, showing the awareness of a military dog. Otherwise, Qin Xiangnuan would feel like raising it was pointless—it ate a lot and didn’t even guard the door. Was she raising a guard dog or a dog lord?

"I’ll go open the door," Jian Zhiqing washed his hands and prepared to open the door when Conghua stretched out a paw and immediately left a paw print on Jian Zhiwang’s clothes.

Jian Zhiqing narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Startled by the sound, Conghua quickly moved behind its owner, but misstepped and directly knocked over a large basin.

Suddenly, the dog was in a frantic state.

"Conghua!" Qin Xiangnuan was nearly driven crazy enough to want to make dog meat soup. Her hair was soaking wet, dripping down continuously, and her clothes were completely drenched. The basin of Conghua’s bathwater had almost entirely splashed onto her.

In her life, Qin Xiangnuan was somewhat of a clean freak. Just the thought of having used Conghua’s bathwater made her feel very uncomfortable.

When Teacher Wang and his wife entered, they saw Qin Xiangnuan with a broom, chasing a dog all around the courtyard. Conghua knew it had done wrong and only dared to run away without barking back.

Xie Yonghong pointed with a trembling finger at the chase unfolding in the yard.

"Didn’t you say she was sick?"

"Yeah, she’s better," Jian Zhiqing touched his forehead, "Let her vent a bit. Otherwise, I’m really afraid Conghua might end up as dog meat soup. It’s all because Conghua caused trouble."

"No dinner for you today."

With a smack, Qin Xiangnuan dropped a stern sentence and then forcefully shut the door behind her. She needed a bath; otherwise, she felt like her whole body would stink.

By the time she came out, her mood had indeed become much more delightful.

Teacher Wang and his wife were having tea with Jian Zhiqing, chatting amiably. Qin Xiangnuan dried her hair and then looked down at the two lumps on her chest, feeling awkward no matter how she looked at them. She went back to her room and, as usual, put on her chest wrap. She hadn’t worn it for several days, and suddenly it felt as though her breasts were being squeezed tight, making it difficult to breathe. She convinced herself to endure it; after surviving the summer, it would be fine since winter clothes were looser. Nobody would know how big her chest really was.

As she reemerged, Jian Zhiqing’s gaze swept over her briefly without lingering for long. Yet Qin Xiangnuan couldn’t help but feel sensitive, sensing that Jian Zhiqing’s eyes were fixed on her bound chest.

"Xiang Nuan, are you okay?"

Xie Yonghong stood up, asking Qin Xiangnuan with concern.

"I’m fine." Qin Xiangnuan sat down, propped up her face, and touched her arm. "Look, stepmother, I’m getting a bit fleshy. It’s just a minor illness, nothing serious."

Xie Yonghong actually reached out to feel it.

"Ah, too thin, and it’s soft."

Qin Xiangnuan instantly felt undermined. Her stepmother was just too... frank.

Qin Xiangnuan didn’t want people to keep commenting on her weight. She truly feared that they might start talking about her chest. Before, everyone said she had none; what if they now say it’s grown too big? Could she even bear that?

"Stepmother, I have something I’d like to discuss with you."

She shared with Teacher Wang and his wife the idea she had discussed with Jian Zhiqing about starting a rental bookstore.

"We don’t need a big place. I think stepmother and Yonglan managing it would be fine. During the day, they can take turns to rest, sleep when the kids do. It’s a win-win situation where they can even read books."

Teacher Wang’s eyes brightened at the idea. Our school has several universities nearby, and a lot of new storefronts were built, with quite cheap rents. But not many people rent them. If we were to rent one, it really could work as a rental bookstore.

We could earn money and read books. Most importantly, it wouldn’t disconnect Xie Yonghong from society, from just selling porridge and watching kids. People say ’pregnancy makes you dumb for three years’. If Xie Yonghong continues like this, she may find herself with little in common to talk about with Teacher Wang.

Moreover, Teacher Wang had quite a bit of spare cash on hand. And the debt of 3,000 yuan owed to Jian Zhiqing was just paid off too. Being debt-free felt liberating; they would have roughly 1,000 yuan left each month, and saving up a bit wasn’t too difficult.

Renting the storefront wouldn’t be costly, but the books certainly would be.

At that time, there weren’t things like ebooks. All knowledge came from teachers, or television, radios, and most of it from these paper books, which weren’t cheap.

It would likely take at least a couple of thousand yuan to get started, but as a lucrative business, a few years of profit would make up for it. And with daily income, even if the initial investment was more, there was no fear. The capital would eventually be earned back.

Seeing Teacher Wang silent, with a flicker of determination in his eyes, Qin Xiangnuan knew he was tempted. Once he set his mind on something, no matter how challenging, he would forge ahead unabated, just like the last time when he insisted on buying the house even if it meant borrowing money, all because of her words.

Qin Xiangnuan wondered if this was excessive trust or a bit of blindness, but indeed, Teacher Wang had this kind of boldness.

Thinking of this, her thoughts couldn’t help drifting back to Aunt Hua back in Dadao Village.