In the afternoon, someone came to the village selling tofu, and Gu Yi bought two pieces.
Gu’s father bought over five pounds of fish, so Gu Yi cut off the fish head, intending to make fish head tofu soup.
Initially, Gu Yi thought of cooking herself, but Gu’s mother insisted that since she rarely came back, she should just wait to eat. Gu Yi could only help out a bit.
With Gu Yi helping Gu’s mother, the dishes were all ready by around five o’clock and served on the table.
A bowl of braised pork, a bowl of braised fish pieces, a plate of dried beans fried with shredded meat, fish head tofu soup, chili and black bean stir-fry, stir-fried greens, cucumber salad, pickled beans, and a plate of fried eggs that Gu Yi loved.
The Gu Family Brothers also finished work early today and came back, and both sisters-in-law joined them.
Big sister-in-law Li Chunlan, a local from the village, is quick-minded and cheerful.
Entering the door, she called out to everyone.
"Yiyi, you’re back! You should stay at home for a few more days, right? I’ve been rushing to get the matchbox production going these days, so I couldn’t come in the morning. Hope you understand."
Gu Yi didn’t mind and said it was fine, mentioning that she had something with the Ye Family and had to go back at night, so Big Sister-in-law tried to persuade her again.
The Second Sister-in-law Fang Hongmei is from the neighboring Fang Family Village, and her personality isn’t as lively as Big Sister-in-law’s. She was introduced by Big Sister-in-law to help with the matchbox production, providing some extra income for the family.
She only greeted Gu Yi simply and said nothing else.
In her previous life, Gu Yi didn’t interact much with them. Although Big Sister-in-law was from the village, the age difference between them was quite large, and they couldn’t play together.
Her two brothers basically separated from the family once they got married.
During middle school, Gu Yi stayed in the dormitory and only returned home once a week. Later, she stopped school, and she didn’t like chatting or visiting homes, had no mind to care about them after marriage.
So, Gu Yi really wasn’t familiar with the two sisters-in-law, but seeing them today, although there were some little thoughts, overall, they were good people.
The happiest ones today were Gu Family’s parents. Gu’s father brought out the wine Gu Yi made, and also took out the peanuts Gu Yi made.
"Everyone, try this, Yiyi bought the wine and made these peanuts as appetizers, the taste is really good."
Everyone tried them one by one, even the two little girls ate some.
Gu Min from the Second Brother’s family can’t handle spicy food, she tried one and immediately called it too spicy, asked Second Sister-in-law for water, and dared not eat more. Gu Hui from Big Brother’s family ate quite a bit.
"Aunt, can you make this for me again next time?"
The little girl already made her reservation.
"Sure, aunt will bring more next time, let you, little greedy cat, eat to your heart’s content, okay?" Gu Yi said, pinching Gu Hui’s nose.
"Aunt, you have to keep your word, I’ll be waiting for you." With kids around, the house was especially lively, and the adults were amused by Gu Hui’s earnestness.
The Gu Family Brothers asked about Ye Hao’s matters in the army, but Gu Yi didn’t know much, eventually Gu’s mother and Big Sister-in-law chatted with Gu Yi about family matters.
Gu’s mother said the Ye Family’s parents are really sincere people and told Gu Yi to be filial to them.
Big Sister-in-law also chimed in, saying if there’s anything, just come back to find her big brother or second brother. They laughed and joked during the whole meal.
Gu’s father and Gu Family’s big brother drank a bit too much and asked Gu Family’s second brother to send Gu Yi back.
Gu’s mother found a basket and packed all the dried mugwort from home for Gu Yi to take back.
She initially wanted Gu Yi to take back the leftover meat as well, but Gu Yi didn’t take it, telling them to keep it and eat.
Gu’s mother secretly stuffed 20 yuan into Gu Yi’s hand, but Gu Yi didn’t accept it.
Although Gu’s mother was reluctant to let Gu Yi go back, she urged Gu Family’s second brother and Gu Yi to hurry and leave, sending Gu Yi back early so that Second Brother could still see the road while cycling back.
The sun had set, and the temperature dropped a bit. Sitting in the back seat, Gu Yi felt the wind blowing and was in a very good mood.
"Yiyi, with Ye Hao not at home, if you need help, just come back to find your brothers. Don’t be headstrong at the Ye Family, get along well with your father-in-law and mother-in-law. They’re nice people, with Ye Hao not at home, you have to support and maintain this family well, so he can be at ease in the army, do you understand?"
After all, she was a cherished younger sister from childhood, Gu Family’s second brother kept advising on this and that along the way.
Gu Yi listened to what Gu Family’s second brother said, her nose tingling.
Actually, she was really blessed, loved by her parents and protected by her brothers since childhood.
Now married, her father-in-law and mother-in-law were also honest people, although the future wasn’t certain, Gu Yi felt she was very lucky.
"Yes, second brother, I know. I will live well. You should also talk more with Mom and Dad, let them not worry. Besides, the two families are close, come play when you’re not busy. When Ye Hao comes back for a visit, I’ll bring him over."
Bicycling is much faster than walking on foot, both hadn’t talked long before they arrived, Gu Family’s second brother went inside to greet the Ye Family’s parents before returning.
"Yiyi, why didn’t you stay overnight at your mother’s place?"
Ye’s mother thought Gu Yi would stay overnight before coming back.
Though the families lived close, Gu Yi only went back once in February when they married, and that time she went alone and didn’t stay, returning immediately.
Seeing Ye Family’s three people home, Gu Yi figured it’d be good to discuss the boiled peanuts with them.
It’s better in front of Ye Qing, if there’s any conflict over this in the future, it’s best for them to know the ins and outs from the start.
"Dad, Mom, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. The boss of the wine store in town wants to buy the peanuts I boiled yesterday, he’s offering us 30 cents per pound. I’d like to ask, are you okay if I start doing peanuts?"
Gu Yi’s words stunned the three.
Peanuts are in every household, and Gu Yi’s tasted great, but can these be sold for money? Is business really this easy now?
Seeing them silent for a while, Gu Yi continued, "If you don’t believe or disagree, we can try it first. The peanuts are from our own house, not much capital involved. I’m selling boiled peanuts, meaning the cost is even lower. I didn’t get a chance to tell you today, I’ve promised him I’d deliver 10 pounds tomorrow. If this works, it adds another income stream for the family, what do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Fu realized Gu Yi wanted to try it. Thinking about her words, the ingredients are from their own home, essentially just paying for the handiwork. If successful, it adds extra income, and even if it fails, they lose nothing.
"Alright, if you want to do it, go ahead. Anyway, there are peanuts at home."
Gu Yi’s peanut business was settled with Ye Fu’s approval.
Ye Qing was washing dishes in the kitchen, watching Gu Yi pour dried peanuts into a basin, washing them twice before soaking them.
"Gu Yi, you’re really going to sell peanuts?"
Ye Qing, same age as Gu Yi but a few months older, hadn’t called her sister-in-law since Gu Yi got married, always just called her by name.
"Yeah, give it a try. Better to do something than nothing, right? Tomorrow I’ll deliver some and buy you candy."
Ye Qing is a smooth talker, so Gu Yi teased her.
"Alright, I’ll wait for your candy. How come you seem like a different person, talking more today and even starting a business? Are you alright?" Ye Qing felt more and more uneasy thinking about it.
"Got knocked awake by that stone."
Gu Yi touched her forehead with the back of her hand, still a bit painful. Fortunately, she was smart today, keeping the wound covered under her bangs at the Gu Family, otherwise, the Gu Family would have been worried all over again.