Chapter 337: Chapter 175 Wages -- Family Rules Part 2
Now that there was money in the family, Lady Zhang was distressed over her children and generous with her spending. She happily paid for whatever the children wanted to buy.
"All right, we won’t include what your father and I earn, so we’ll give just you four wages," Lady Zhang discussed with Lian Shouxin and then nodded in agreement. The children were growing up and should indeed have some money in their hands. Moreover, the children were sensible, and there was no fear that they would squander the money.
"If we are to distribute wages, naturally everyone should receive them," Lian Manman said, "so how do we calculate each person’s wage?"
This question was not difficult. First, there were Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin, two main labor forces, followed by Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang, then Lian Manman, and lastly, Xiao Qi.
In the end, everyone unanimously agreed that Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin’s wages would be Five Wen Money per person per day, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Lian Manman would receive Four Wen Money, and Xiao Qi, being the youngest and able to do the least work, was decided to receive Three Wen Money per day after consulting his own opinion.
"Then, when I grow up a bit more, you’ll have to increase my wages," Xiao Qi said, batting his large eyes as he looked at his parents, brother, and sister.
Everyone laughed at this.
"Okay," Lian Manman tried to hold back her laughter, "eat more and work more each day, and you’ll grow up fast."
Xiao Qi nodded vigorously.
Lian Manman picked up the pen and recorded the first entry in the account book.
"So, how should we deduct these Two Wen Money from today?" Lian Manman asked again.
Xiao Qi became a bit nervous. He only had Three Wen Money, and if any was deducted, it would be even less.
"Just deduct it from mine," Lian Shouxin said.
"Don’t just deduct from Dad’s, deduct mine," Wu Lang said.
"..." Xiao Qi’s face fell, "deduct, deduct from mine."
"Dad, brother, let’s deduct One Wen Money from each of you," Lian Manman wrote a few entries in the account book. She knew only a few characters, having specifically learned some in anticipation of keeping accounts. "Let’s not count Xiao Qi’s for today, but you must be careful tomorrow. If there’s another loss, yours will be deducted too."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh," Xiao Qi, having dodged a bullet, nodded joyfully, indicating he remembered.
"Now, let’s distribute the wages," Lian Manman counted out Three Copper Coins first and handed them to Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi received the money, held it in his palm for a while, and then handed it back to Lian Manman.
"Sister, can you help me keep my money?" Xiao Qi discussed with Lian Manman.
"Sure," Lian Manman agreed, "I’ll keep track of how much you’ve saved, and you can come to me when you need to withdraw."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh," Xiao Qi nodded repeatedly, feeling reassured with his money in Lian Manman’s hands.
Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang didn’t take their money either; they also asked Lian Manman to keep it for them, and she agreed. Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin said they still did not want wages.
"Dad, Mom, we’ll still count the wages for you and keep it with me," Lian Manman said, "If someone doesn’t come to work or damages something in the future, it will be deducted from the wages."
Lian Manman set aside their individual wages separately, then tidied up the account book and money box.
"Now, we all have wages, and the money we earn every day, aside from our daily expenses, will go into the public fund. We’ll save that money to buy land in the future," Lian Manman said.
Of course, no one had any objections.
"From now on, if any of us need personal expenses, we can only spend our own money," Lian Manman added, "The public fund can’t be touched unless it’s important, and even then, it can only be used if the whole family agrees."
Lian Manman prepared three account books: one for the morning snack shop’s revenue and expenses, one for their daily household spending, and another for each person’s income. She considered these accounts and her words carefully. Later events proved that her decisions were very wise indeed.
"Dad, Mom, sister, brother, Xiao Qi, do you all agree?" Lian Manman went around asking everyone for their opinion.
Everyone nodded.
"Our Manman knows how to manage a household," Lady Zhang said, relieved.
Lian Manman asked Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin once more.
"Dad, Mom, you two don’t object, do you?"
"We don’t object, we agree," Lian Shouxin said.
"Then you all heard, that’s the decision, and from now on, nobody can make exceptions." Lian Manman sealed it with one final statement.
"That’s our family rule, and no one can break it," Lian Shouxin declared with the presence of the family head.
"Yes, the family rule," Lian Manman nodded.
...
For lunch, the Lian Manman family did not return to the old house but ate at the morning snack shop instead. There were ready-made sanhe flour buns, soup dumplings, and even soup; Lady Zhang also stir-fried a dish of shredded potatoes. Gathered around the table, they had a hearty meal.
After lunch, they secured the shop’s doors and windows, locked up, and then made their way back to the old house.
Old Master Lian stood in the middle of the yard, holding his dry tobacco pipe and taking puff after puff, seemingly troubled by something. Seeing them return, he inquired about how the business was doing.
"Today is the first day; it’s okay," Lian Shouxin said, thinking that Old Master Lian was worried about their business. "Father, rest assured. With the mountain project, this shop may be hard work, but it won’t lose money. It will be even better when more people from the mountain come."
"That’s good, that’s good," Old Master Lian appeared somewhat distracted, "You all are back; did anyone stay behind in the shop?"
"Everything’s been closed up tight, and I asked Xiao Tanzhi to keep an eye out. There’s nothing to worry about, we will be heading back there shortly," Lady Zhang said.
"Sir, it’s cold outside, you should go back inside and rest," Lian Manman added.
"Hmm, I just came out for a walk, I’ll head back in. Old Fourth, running a shop is not easy. If you need help, just let us know," Old Master Lian turned to leave but then stopped and said to Lian Shouxin.
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Second evening update, twist and shout for pink hearts. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
