Chapter 38 Greed

  So, Tian Guihua used to frown when she saw Niu Laogen bring back food every time he entered the city, always wanting to divide some among their three sons and grandchildren who had moved out. But now there's only this one jin of osmanthus cake, how can it be divided? The cake is heavy, and the portion looks really small. Xiaohua knows she can't keep it all to herself, but still hopes to get a piece...

  Tian Guihua finally spoke up: "A little girl like you shouldn't be eating osmanthus cake, give it to me, save it for Xiaoshui and the others to eat..."

  Xiao Hua was already a bit resentful, but she didn't dare show it and obediently handed it over. Niu Laogen frowned and said: "A little osmanthus cake, why do you have to be so calculating? Alright, leave half for them and the other half for Xiao Hua..."

  Tian Guihua reluctantly agreed, but asked, "You said this was given by Tuniu, what's going on?!"

  Xiao Hua also looked at him in surprise.

  Niu Laogen smiled and said, "Those few kids from the Zhong family are quite capable, especially Tuniang who knows how to get along with people. They roasted some chestnuts and went to sell them in the city, selling them for five cents a pound. I originally thought they wouldn't be able to sell them, but unexpectedly they really did sell out. When they came back, I saw that they had even bought some black sesame seeds and meat... I just felt sorry for those kids carrying things on their backs, so I offered to take them along, and didn't expect Tuniang to give me a pound of osmanthus cake to bring back for Xiaohua to eat..."

  Niu Laogen said it casually, but Tian Guilai listened with intention, "What? Roasting a chestnut can sell for five cents a catty, how did she manage to sell them out, does she have some secret recipe?!"

  "Who knows what secret recipe it is," said Niu Laogen, frowning. "I just added salt and sugar, I ate a few, and they're actually quite tasty... no wonder they sold out..."

  He saw Tian Guihua's eyes turning fiercely and hurriedly said, "Let me tell you something, you're also thinking wildly, this is also someone making some small money to support their family, don't worry about it..."

  "Is that a small amount of money?! Five cents per catty is still a small amount, and 100 catties would be 500 cents already, is that still a small amount?! Tian Guihua muttered to herself, her eyes starting to roll around, her gaze falling on Xiaohua, who was staring at her blankly. In fact, she was most afraid of her mother."

  "Cows don't have eyebrows," said the old root, frowning. "They still need to spend money on salt and sugar, which are expensive! Don't think nonsense, we can't make this money..."

  Tian Guihua didn't make a sound, but waited until Niu Laogen went to the yard to fetch water and wash his face. Then she grabbed her little daughter and said, "Xiao Hua..."

  She smiled slightly and Little Flower said timidly: "......Mother."

  Tian Guihua stuffed osmanthus cake into her hand and said: "You keep this to eat, eat slowly..."

  "Daughter..." Xiaohua asked in confusion: "Don't leave it for Xiaoshui and them to eat?!"

  "This is for you..." Tian Guihua said with a smile: "You're free now, and you don't have to cook, I'll do it. Go visit the Zhongs and thank them for the osmanthus cake, and... take a look at how they stir-fry chestnuts?!"

  Xiao Hua finally understood her meaning, even if she was a bit slow-witted. She twisted and turned uncomfortably, saying: "......That's someone else's secret recipe, can I see it?"

  Tian Guihua poked her and said, "What's the secret recipe for stir-frying chestnuts? It's just a simple stir-fry. You mainly go to see what seasonings they use. If they don't let you see, can't you secretly take a look?"

  "Mother, it's already time for lunch break, they won't be frying chestnuts all the time, I can't just stay at their house..." Xiaohua wanted to say a few more words, but seeing Tian Guihua's face had turned gloomy, she was immediately scared and didn't dare speak again, only lowering her head and twisting her hands.