Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 217: Money Can Make People Cheerful

Zhou Miaqing’s mouth was dry and she hesitated to speak. After a long pause, she finally apologized and said, "Mom, can I discuss something with you? Can I go home after the Spring Festival?"

Her mother felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, but instead of scolding her immediately, she calmly asked, "Why?"

Zhou Miaqing hurriedly explained about selling shoes with her roommate at the stall. "Now, my roommate and her brothers are going home. I want to take some of the unsold goods to sell. I can earn some extra money that way, so my living expenses for next semester will be covered. That way, Dad and Mom won’t have to work so hard."

The anger her mother had been suppressing instantly dissipated, leaving only a sense of being moved and reluctant. Her voice choked slightly as she spoke, "Silly girl, our family isn’t so poor that you need to earn money while studying. You’re breaking my heart!"

"Mom..." Zhou Miaqing also cried.

When she heard her daughter crying, her mother realized her feelings, "Alright, alright. Since you’re willing to put in the effort, I won’t say anything. Take good care of yourself out there, and if you earn more money, save it in the bank; it’s not safe to carry a lot on you."

"Thanks, Mom!" Zhou Miaqing was immediately elated.

After hanging up the phone, her mother went home and told her father about it.

Her father, unusually, praised their daughter, "She’s grown up now and willing to share our burdens. This is something to be happy about. If she were like other kids in their twenties still relying on their parents at home, that would be sad."

Listening to her husband, her mother thought he had a point and felt much better.

After settling her parents, Zhou Miaqing excitedly went to find Chen Xinyue and Tang Jing to share the good news, "My mom agreed for me to stay here until after the New Year. I’ve decided to continue selling at the stall until New Year’s Eve, and then I’ll buy a train ticket for New Year’s Day. If I can’t get one for the first, then the second."

Chen Xinyue gave her a thumbs up, "You’ve got ambition, keep it up! My cousin sent us another batch of goods. You and Jingjing can sell these. I have the invoice list here, check it carefully, and we can settle accounts when school starts again."

If you can’t sell everything, don’t worry. You can discount the leftover stock. If it doesn’t sell, just leave it in the rental house for another month. The extra rent isn’t much."

Zhou Miaqing and Tang Jing nodded repeatedly.

Now that everyone was making money, they weren’t going to fuss over a little rent.

After explaining everything, Chen Xinyue joined her two brothers on their journey home.

With three out of five stalls gone, all the goods were handed over to Zhou Miaqing and Tang Jing. The two couldn’t manage such a large stall, so they decided to share a stall and split the earnings.

Toward the end of the year, the morning market got busier and stayed open all day instead of closing by noon. For the last week, stalls were set up all day long, from morning till night.

To sell their goods quickly, the two didn’t dare to pack up early and stayed out from morning till evening.

They initially thought they wouldn’t be able to sell all the goods, but by the 26th, most of the clothes and shoes were sold, leaving only some odd sizes. According to plan, they discounted the odd sizes for clearance.

Business became even more lively, clearing part of the inventory on the first day.

On the second day, they sold off the rest, along with a considerable amount of skincare products and electronics.

By New Year’s Eve, there was only enough stock left to fill a woven bag.

Storing such a small quantity in the rental house was clearly not worth it.

Zhou Miaqing looked at Tang Jing, "Jingjing, there’s half a month before school starts again. What are your plans?"

Staying in the rental house for these goods clearly wasn’t worth it.

Tang Jing’s eyes showed a hint of hesitation, "I originally planned to go home like you, but my home is in the mountains. It takes two days and nights by train to get there. Once at the provincial capital, I have to switch to a bus, and from the county, I need to switch again. A round trip takes about four or five days, and I’d only be there for less than five days before I’d have to leave again. It also costs a significant amount in travel expenses, so it doesn’t seem worth it."

"But staying here alone for the New Year isn’t safe either. Most importantly, the meal problem afterward would be troublesome. How about... you come home with me! My home is in the southern provincial capital, directly accessible by train. It takes only two days to get there.

Also, my parents only have me, their daughter, so you can stay with us. We can still get in touch with Xinyue, who lives in the same province as me. From my house to hers is just a day’s ride, so we can settle accounts on the way and return her the goods.

You’ve never been to the south, have you? It’s completely different from the north; it’s like spring all year round, and it isn’t as cold in winter. The New Year celebrations are bustling. How about it?"

Tang Jing was initially hesitant but was tempted when Zhou Miaqing mentioned visiting Chen Xinyue to settle accounts and return goods.

"Okay! I’ll go home with you, but I want to send some money to my family first."

Looking up at the sky, there was still time if she went now.

Zhou Miaqing was overjoyed and accompanied Tang Jing to send money before going to buy train tickets. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

At this time, they managed to get some tickets returned by others, luckily finding a few left.

The two returned to the rental house and hurriedly packed their luggage.

It was around four o’clock in the afternoon, and their landlady invited them to join her for New Year’s Eve dinner.

They politely declined, wishing the elder lady a happy New Year in advance and mentioned their plans to return the house and go home.

The landlady was a bit surprised, "Weren’t you staying for a month? It’s only been half a month."

Zhou Miaqing answered cheerfully, "We got train tickets for early tomorrow morning and have to stay at the station hotel tonight, or we’ll miss it."

The landlady realized and smiled kindly, wishing them a safe journey.

This was Tang Jing’s first trip to the south, and she was particularly nervous as she boarded the train.

Throughout the journey, Zhou Miaqing talked to her about the scenery in the south and her family situation.

Tang Jing listened earnestly and curiously, "My home is in the mountains. I have two older brothers, two older sisters, and one younger brother. Studying is our only way out. My parents said that as long as we want to study, regardless of being a boy or a girl, they will support us. Among so many children, at least one will become successful.

My brothers and sisters aren’t really interested in studying. My oldest brother didn’t even finish junior high and went to work with my dad, while the second brother works in the south and doesn’t come back regularly, and he hardly sends money home.

My mom says it’s tough for the second brother to make money outside since he needs to pay for food and shelter, so they don’t expect him to send money but just hope he can afford to take care of himself.

My third and fourth sisters graduated from primary school and didn’t study further, getting married early. Their husbands are also locals, and the living conditions are similar. Poverty means life revolves around basic needs and can lead to arguments over a penny.

Growing up, I witnessed my parents quarreling over money, and later, I saw my sisters and their husbands fight over finances. That’s not the life I want, so I worked hard at my studies, striving to make something of myself and avoid their lifestyle."

She had never shared this with anyone before but felt compelled to express it now that she had earned money and felt more open-hearted.