1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 75 saw little money flying in the sky.
"Wow, we've already sold ten items!"

While the shop owner was in the restroom, my cousin happily counted the money she made selling clothes: "I make 3 yuan per piece, 30 yuan for ten pieces, 30 yuan a day, that's 900 yuan a month! Who says selling clothes can't support me? When I earn 1000 yuan, I'll throw it in front of my mom and make her look down on me."

My cousin's getting a little cocky!
Lin Xiyu and her uncle exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

"Little sister, from now on, you can choose the goods when we get them."

My cousin got more and more excited as she talked, and then a good idea popped into her head: "You have a good eye, and the styles you pick are popular, so we can sell more pieces."

"Row."

Lin Xiyu readily agreed, as she was also entitled to a share of the profits.

"uncle."

My cousin added, "There are a lot of men who eat barbecue, and a lot of them smoke, so we could try selling some cigarettes."

"good idea."

The uncle slapped his thigh, suddenly interested: "Since you two sisters are selling clothes, and I'm just sitting around doing nothing anyway, why don't I sell some things on the side?"

"Besides selling cigarettes, we can also sell popsicles."

My cousin's little math skills were working like crazy: "A popsicle costs 50 cents, but at the supply and marketing cooperative in Zixiang, it only costs 30 cents wholesale. I can make 20 cents profit on each one."

"You need insulated boxes to sell popsicles."

The uncle hesitated a bit: "We don't have one at home, we'll have to buy one, and an insulated box isn't cheap."

"If there's money to be made, buying one won't be a loss."

My cousin was unwilling to give up: "Tomorrow I'll go to Zixiang in the county and ask how much an incubator costs."

My aunt works at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Lin Xiyu whispered a reminder: "We might be able to get an insider price when buying things, which would be cheaper than if we bought them ourselves."

"I'm not going to beg her."

My cousin's face fell, and she was full of resentment.

"You have to go to work during the day, so I'll go instead."

Lin Xiyu wanted to ease the tension between the mother and daughter: "We should save money whenever possible. There's no need to argue with family and waste money."

“Xi Yu is right.”

The uncle chimed in, trying to console her, "Family shouldn't hold grudges overnight. Although your eldest sister has a bit of a temper, she's incredibly devoted to her children. She's frugal with herself, spending all her money on you and your brother." "Oh, oh, never mind."

My cousin rubbed her ears in frustration.

"The landlady is back."

Seeing that she was irritable and agitated, Lin Xiyu had no choice but to change the subject.

"So fast."

My cousin's mood instantly brightened, and she put on a smile.

She seemed quite satisfied.

Lin Xiyu found it amusing and followed her lead, saying, "The skirt fits her waist perfectly, and the color of the top complements her skin tone, making her look much more energetic."

"Mmm, I think so too."

My cousin seemed to see money flying in the sky, and she laughed so happily.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Just as Lin Xiyu had said, the proprietress was extremely satisfied.

My cousin deliberately tried to win her over by giving her a discount; the two pieces of clothing cost her a total of 17 yuan.

The proprietress beamed and paid the money readily.

"You two young ladies, don't stay at the night market too late."

Considering the discount, she kindly reminded him, "After 10:30, drunk people tend to act crazy. If they really try to act indecently while drunk, it's probably unlikely that your uncle can protect both of you on his own."

"understood."

My cousin's expression changed slightly: "We'll see how things go and take good care of ourselves."

"Just keep it in mind."

Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, the proprietress said no more, took the clothes with satisfaction, and returned to her barbecue stall.

"It's almost 10:30, let's go."

The uncle glanced at his watch, a little worried: "The shopkeeper is right. There are all sorts of people at the night market. It's too chaotic. It's safer to go home as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)