Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 370: Merchant Material

Qin Yao and Liu Ji exchanged a glance and jointly asked, "Why do you want to buy so many little trinkets?"

Second Lang, with a look of "You don’t know this?" replied, "To sell them during the year-end. That’s when everyone is most willing to spend money."

If he wasn’t afraid of losing too much money, he would even think of borrowing pocket money from his siblings to do this small business together.

Of course, Second Lang felt he couldn’t handle too big a loss, so two hundred cents would be enough, which was the maximum loss he could bear.

If it doesn’t work out, at worst he could just keep the trinkets for himself.

His thoughts were clear, Qin Yao and Liu Ji exchanged another look and decided to let the little guy give it a try.

Qin Yao accepted the money, asking in a formal tone, "Do you want to write a purchase authorization document with me?"

Second Lang slapped his forehead, almost forgetting such an important thing, and quickly said yes. He rushed indoors, fetched paper and pen, set up the paper, and was stumped, "Mother, how do you write it?"

Qin Yao pushed Liu Ji forward, "Let your father teach you."

She patted her hands and turned into the kitchen. Taking advantage of the gap while Ah Wang was serving dishes, she picked up chopsticks to taste the seasoning for the family.

She took a bite of the crispy-spicy fried little fish; it was crisp and full of spicy and savory flavor. Qin Yao nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad, the seasoning is just right."

Liu Ji and the four kids, seeing her satisfied expression, were teased into endless culinary fantasies, involuntarily gulped together, then all shook their heads and focused back on the paper, learning to write the authorization document.

Second Lang was especially diligent, copied as his father instructed, and solemnly presented it to Qin Yao, handed over the red clay for her to check, and then signed it.

He had already signed it, leaving a small thumbprint on the name Liu Zishu. Qin Yao compared it with her own thumb, the small print was inexplicably cute.

She held back her laughter to prevent a certain little guy from getting embarrassed and angry, seriously checked the document content, nodded approvingly, signed her name Qin Yao, pressed her thumbprint, giving the child the greatest respect.

Second Lang instinctively said, "Thanks, Mother!"

Then he admired the somewhat childish document by candlelight until Ah Wang called for dinner, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his chest with joy, even patting it happily.

"Wait a minute!"

After dinner, as Qin Yao prepared to return to her room to rest, Second Lang suddenly poked his head out from the crack of his room door, reminding her:

"Mother, when you buy things, remember to write a list of how much each one cost."

Qin Yao laughed heartily, lightly patting his small head, "Don’t worry, Mother won’t take even one cent from you."

Second Lang sheepishly chuckled but still added, "Clear accounts between close brothers and likewise with mother and son, right?"

"Right, right, right." Qin Yao was surprised by how articulate the little mouth was, seeing his current talkativeness, thinking he had the potential to become a shrewd businessman in the future.

"Go to sleep now." Qin Yao waved her hand; with it being cold outside, catching a chill wouldn’t be good.

Second Lang nodded, gave her another look, "Mother, will you tell us when you’re leaving tomorrow?"

Qin Yao assured, "I will let you know when we leave."

Only then did Second Lang feel at ease, closed his room door, and went to sleep.

Qin Yao helplessly chuckled; as she was about to enter her room, she sensed a figure behind and turned to see Ah Wang with a lantern, just having locked the main door and standing behind it watching her.

Qin Yao wordlessly rolled her eyes at him; she had thought a thief had come in.

However, thinking that it would be New Year upon return, and everyone at home would have gifts, Qin Yao casually asked:

"Ah Wang, is there anything you want? I’ll bring it back for you."

"Candied hawthorns."

Qin Yao’s brow tightened, "What?"

Ah Wang earnestly, "You said you’d buy me candied hawthorns; did you forget?" His gaze turned slightly dark, ready to give her a hard time if she dared say yes.

Qin Yao coughed tactically twice; how could she forget? She just hadn’t had the chance to go to town recently due to being too busy.

Ah Wang: If I trust you, I’m a fool. It’s been a month and a half!

"I got it, I’ll bring them back this time." Qin Yao said, entered the house, closed the door, blocking that overly ’burning’ gaze, patted her chest, and for a moment, laughed at herself silently.

What was she feeling guilty for; if not convinced, a beating would do the trick!

Qin Yao stretched lazily, got into her warm quilt, covered with thick blankets, and comfortably slept until the cock crowed.

Outside, the sky was still pitch black, but it was actually 5:45 a.m.

The children’s room was still quiet, only the sweet smell of dough wafting from the kitchen, Ah Wang always being the earliest riser in the house.

Oh no, Qin Yao dressed and went to the courtyard, her gaze following the corridor to see the study brightly lit; Liu Ji had risen early to study.

His biological clock was set; he would wake up on time, unable to sleep any more.

Hearing Qin Yao’s washing sounds in the courtyard, Liu Ji tidied up, carried his book box out.

Clothing and such had already been packed by Qin Yao yesterday. The couple warmed by the kitchen fire, ate the breakfast prepared by Ah Wang, packed a lunch for the road, and prepared to set off.

Ah Wang prepared a brazier for the cart, bringing charcoal so they could have a hot meal during breaks, making the winter journey less harsh.

The children’s room emitted small noises, Qin Yao signaled to Liu Ji, and Liu Ji nodded, came to the children’s room door and instructed:

"Mother and father are leaving; Da Lang, take care of your siblings, listen to Uncle Ah Wang, and if anything happens, go to the old house to find your First Uncle, Second Uncle, or Little Uncle, understand?"

The door opened, and the four siblings rushed out, bypassed a concerned Liu Ji standing at the door, and went straight to Qin Yao.

Da Lang: "Aunt Yao, be careful on the road."

Second Lang: "Mother, drink more hot water."

Third Brother and Fourth Sister hugged her waist, affectionately resting their heads against her before pulling back, raised their little hands to wave, "Mother, come back earlier."

Qin Yao nodded warmly, waved her hand to send them back. If they didn’t hurry, they’d be late for school.

Completely ignored, Liu Ji’s mouth twitched, feeling like life was truly unmanageable.

"Let’s go!"

Seeing lanterns light up at the Lotus Courtyard, Qin Yao impatiently called.

Liu Ji then moved, passing by the four little ones, giving each a playful flick to the forehead in revenge.

Of course, he didn’t dare exert force, fearful they’d tell on him, then he’d be in trouble.

Before the siblings could react, Liu Ji, having achieved his goal, chuckled, jumped onto the cart, took up the whip, voluntarily taking the role of coachman, flicked the whip, and drove off.

"Childish." Qin Yao scoffed lightly.

Liu Ji took it as her complimenting his youthful appearance, parked by the riverbank, waiting for the Qi Family’s convoy to join, and smoothly merged into their procession. Together, they departed from the Liu Family Village, heading to the Prefecture.