Chapter 97: Chapter 097: What is Due Must Be Paid
Translator: 549690339
Zhang Yongchang stood with his hands behind his back, rebuking, “The quality of Changji Tofu used to not be as poor as it is now. Over the past two years, it has only gotten worse. Isn’t it because you haven’t put any effort into making tofu, so the taste gets worse year after year?”
“The way it is now, it’s only a matter of time before others take over the market!”
“Why, when you encounter any problem, do you not first look at yourself but instead blame others? How much tofu does Fushun Tower consume in a day? Even if I manage to secure their business for you, can it save you or what?”
The face of Mrs. Xiao Wu turned pale instantly.
However, she still argued, “Although Fushun Tower doesn’t consume a lot, if they continue using Changji’s tofu, others will feel that Changji’s tofu is still good, and they will continue to buy, right?”
“My brother-in-law is simply making excuses for himself. He’s clearly helping outsiders. There’s no need to make up these stories; it just makes things worse.”
Zhang Yongchang was so infuriated by Mrs. Xiao Wu’s remark that his eyes bulged. Angrily he retorted, “What you’re saying is absurd! Are you suggesting that if Fushun Tower uses Changji’s tofu, others will follow suit? Are they fools, unable to taste and compare for themselves?”
“Fushun Tower is nothing more than a small restaurant. How can you expect it to influence others and enhance your reputation? What’s going on in your head, that you can’t understand this simple reasoning?”
Mrs. Xiao Wu pouted and did not respond. Eventually, she mumbled, “In any case, the tofu shop’s business has been declining, and I don’t know what we’ll do in the future.”
“Let’s not talk about the future for now, for I fear the tofu shop won’t last much longer.”
As Zhang Yongchang spoke, his anger gradually subsided, and he ended with a long sigh.
“What do you mean by that?” Mrs. Xiao Wu glanced sideways at Zhang Yongchang.
Calling him her brother-in-law seemed to embolden her. She voiced her thoughts freely.
Although the business hasn’t been going well at Changji Tofu, like today, by staggering the sales times with other tofu stalls, they could still sell some tofu.
If that fails, they could go street to street, reducing the price of the tofu. Even though the business might not recover to its previous state, it would suffice to get by.
However, Zhang Yongchang said that the tofu shop could no longer continue.
It sounded like he was cursing their shop; his words were unpleasant.
“I came here to see you as I guessed you probably didn’t know.”
Zhang Yongchang paused for a moment, then continued: “Chang Yuanda was arrested by the County Government Office for planning a kidnapping operation with Li Fang. He’s already in prison. Today, the county magistrate came to question me. It seems that the matter will be resolved soon, depending on the severity of their crimes.”
“What?”
Mrs. Xiao Wu was taken aback, stunned on the spot.
She had been away at her aunt’s house to prepare her younger sister’s dowry. She returned home only at noon today. She didn’t see Chang Yuanda when she came home, assuming he was out running errands. She didn’t expect that he had been locked up in prison.
“This…”
Mrs. Xiao Wu sobbed: “How could he have been suddenly arrested? What was he thinking going and orchestrating a kidnapping?”
“And that Li Fang. I had warned Chang Yuanda before that that slick-tongued kid was a troublemaker and he should keep his distance. But he didn’t listen, and look at what he’s got himself into now…”
“Oh God…how will our family survive now…”
Mrs. Xiao Wu collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
“When something happens, we must face it.”
Zhang Yongchang’s expression darkened, and he heaved a sigh, “Given this incident, in a few days I fear the whole town will know about it, and then running the tofu shop will become impossible.”
Zhang Yongchang was already putting it as delicately as he could.
Because of a previous kidnapping incident in the town, everyone here is furious over kidnappers. Nobody knows yet, but once they find out about Chang Yuanda’s association with the kidnapper, not only could the tofu shop be demolished, but their home could also be destroyed by the townspeople.
Chang Yuanda won’t be back for a while, leaving Mrs. Xiao Wu with two teenagers. They will probably have to endure scornful looks and backbiting every day.
“I have been thinking, if it doesn’t work out here, maybe we could pack up what we can salvage and move to the old house in Zeng County. We can continue the tofu shop there, at least it would be a way to make a living, and life still could go on.”
Zhang Yongchang originally came from Zeng County, but moved to this county town to work after a fortunate turn of events. Later, he married Mrs. Wu. As they had no children, they moved here to be closer to Chang Yuanda and Mrs. Xiao Wu for mutual help. Now they don’t need the old house in that town.
Thus, there is still an empty old house in Zhang Yongchang’s hometown.
Zeng County is two counties away from this one, and the news from here won’t reach there. If Mrs. Xiao Wu could continue with the tofu business honestly and with the support of relatives, she and the two children could still get by.
This was the best solution Zhang Yongchang could think of at the moment.
However, at this time, Mrs. Xiao Wu was preoccupied with concern for Chang Yuanda, who was now in prison. She had no energy to deal with anything else. She was sobbing unceasingly, unable to get up from the ground.
Zhang Yongchang sighed, deciding not to talk anymore. With his hands behind his back, he left Changji Tofu and headed towards Fushun Tower.
That afternoon, Zhuang Qingning didn’t receive any additional information from Zhang Yongchang. So, as agreed earlier, she began grinding the tofu needed for the county town the next morning.
As agreed, Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Qian arrived at the tofu shop on time to work.
Because of their inexperience with the tofu-making process, Zhuang Qingning let them start with grinding soybeans and tending the fire, then slowly familiarize themselves with the other steps.
The two women, Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Qian, were diligent and hardworking. They did their work carefully and well, alleviating Zhuang Qingning’s concerns.
After a busy night, by the dawn of the second day, when Zhuang Qingning finished pressing the tofu, there came a loud inquiry from outside.
“Is this Miss Zhuang’s tofu shop?”
A dark-skinned young man named Dong Dazhu was at the door, pulling a bullock cart. He asked, “Is this tofu shop rented by you?”
“Yes, I rented this tofu shop.” Zhuang Qingning stepped out to answer. She picked up the corner of her apron to wipe her hands, which were covered with soybean residue, and asked, “And you are…?”
“I’m a transporter of tofu from the county town. I was told that Chef Zhang has made arrangements with you to transport two hundred jins of tofu. Here is the payment for today’s tofu and the deposit for tomorrow’s. Could you please count it?” Dong Dazhu grinned, handing over the money bag..
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel