It's hard for my elder sister. I rely on the mountains to farm and pay off my debts.

"Grandma, Grandma, we're back!"

Song Huan ran into the yard, put down the basket in his hand first, and rushed towards Wu under the eaves like a happy little bird.

Mrs. Wu was overwhelmed by her granddaughter's embrace. She narrowed her eyes in joy and asked, "Did selling jelly go smoothly today?"

Song Huan nodded enthusiastically, saying, "Today's jelly is selling better than yesterday. Oh, by the way, Grandma, the aunt at the stall next to us has ordered 20 yuan worth of jelly from us tomorrow."

When Mrs. Yang heard the noise, she came out of the kitchen. The first thing she heard was that the order was going to be increased. She was so happy that she took two quick steps to her son who had just entered the house.

I helped them take off the backpack behind them and listened to them talk about what was happening in the city.

After Song An took off the backpack, he added, "Grandma, not only that, there is another great news. From now on, we don't have to pay the entrance fee when we go to the county town!"

Wu was so shocked that she immediately stood up from the stool and asked in disbelief, "Is this true? Where did you hear this?"

"It's true, it's true. We heard the official read the notice with our own ears, and many people in the city were watching it!"

After hearing what her son said, Yang's first reaction was not conviction, but she felt like she was in a dream.

She stepped forward, held Wu's hand, and asked naively, "Mom, am I hallucinating?"

It’s no wonder that Yang couldn’t believe it. Even Wu thought she had heard it wrong.

It is true that their lives have been too hard in recent years, with years of hard labor and heavy taxes, and the government is the one who imposes these burdens.

Mrs. Wu turned her gaze to Song Zhi who had just stepped into the yard.

In disbelief, he asked again, "Azhi, is the county magistrate really going to cancel the city entrance fee?"

Song Zhi led her two younger brothers to the back, and just as she returned home, she heard her grandmother's question.

She nodded and slowly told her grandmother and aunt about what she had seen outside the city today.

After hearing this, Wu excitedly turned around twice and said excitedly, "This is good news. I have to tell the clan leader so that he can inform the villagers in time."

Yang, who was standing by, was obviously more worried. She called out to Wu and said with some embarrassment, "Mom, more and more people from the village are going to the county town. Will this expose our secret of selling food there?"

Now that the snack business of our family has just gotten on track, what will happen to the family if the villagers find out about this?

In fact, Yang has always felt insecure. Her previous life was too hard, and she was really afraid of living the same endless life as before.

Mrs. Wu had never thought about such a question, but when she heard her daughter-in-law say this, she did pause. Obviously, she was also worried about such a problem.

The reason is that this family's ability to bear risks is still too small.

Grandma and aunt both have their concerns. For Song Zhi, who has many ways to make money, this jelly is just an excuse to test the waters.

It's just that she couldn't say it out loud.

Song Zhi thought about it and advised, "Regarding this matter, whether Grandma tells you now or not, the villagers will soon know that the entrance fee has been cancelled."

"Grandma, we are doing business openly and honestly, there is no need to feel guilty."

Wu thought about it for a moment and realized that this was indeed the case. However, she was undecided as to whether or not she should take the initiative to inform the villagers about this matter.

Needless to say, over the years, the clan leader and most of the villagers have helped their family when they were in trouble.

She was also worried that telling her would cause unnecessary trouble. She couldn't make a decision, so she simply looked at her granddaughter and said, "Azhi, do you think Grandma should inform the clan leader? I'll listen to you!"

"Over the years, our family has received the care and love of our fellow villagers. Although we cannot repay the money immediately, it seems a bit cold-hearted if we do not do what we can."

"Besides, setting up a grass market in the city will benefit all the villagers. Grandma should have told the clan leader, Grandpa, so that he can inform the villagers in advance so that they can make plans in advance."

When Mrs. Wu heard her granddaughter say this, the uncertainty in her heart was thrown away. As a person, one must remember the old friendship.

If it weren’t for the villagers’ willingness to lend a helping hand when my family was in trouble over the years, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to maintain a comfortable life.

They have to accept this favor.

With less worries, Mrs. Wu walked straight out the door.

Now that things had come to this, Yang couldn't stop her mother-in-law any longer, but worry was still visible on her face.

Song Zhi could see her aunt's uneasiness, so she tried to comfort her, "Aunt, don't worry too much about this. We didn't steal or rob, so there's nothing to be ashamed of."

Yang sighed, "Azhi girl, it's not that I'm narrow-minded. There are too many people in this world who are jealous of others."

"Our family is now in debt, and when the time comes, people will gossip about us, saying things like we earn money but don't pay it back, and all sorts of unpleasant things."

"Besides, we always buy mung beans in the village. What will we do if someone finds out about our food?"

Song Zhi thought about it and felt that what her aunt said made sense.

Although she believed that she would be able to pay back all the money in three months, who in the village would believe her?

From the very beginning, her own grandmother and aunt did not believe that she could earn enough money to pay off her foreign debts, let alone outsiders?

But in fact, no matter whether I can pay it back now or not, I still have to show my attitude.

For example, who did they owe money to, and how much did each family owe?

How do I plan to repay this money? How long will it take?

Song Zhi had never thought about these things carefully, let alone discussed them with the creditors.

Sometimes you shouldn’t blame others for making groundless guesses. In fact, you should have expressed your attitude earlier.

She paused for a moment and said, "Auntie, I was not thoughtful enough before. When Grandma comes back, I'll discuss with her a way to repay the debt. We'll go door to door and explain the situation. That way, our family won't be attacked by groundless rumors."

Yang's eyes widened, obviously not expecting Song Zhi to say that.

She quickly stated: "No, I didn't mean that..."

It was fine before, but now that the child has grown sensible, how could she let a child come to her house to express his opinion...

Song Zhi waved her hand. "Listen to me, the key to this matter is to make our attitude clear and clarify the repayment deadline so that the villagers will have a clear idea."

"As for your concern about the jelly being discovered, it's only a matter of time. Auntie, don't worry about it."

"These past two days I've been keeping an eye on the merchants from other places in the city, just waiting to contact them. If I can successfully convince them, these herbs at home can be sold for a good price."

"You don't have to worry about the family business. Besides, we still have Jinyu Cake. I have been thinking about other foods these days, but I just haven't had time to try them. In fact, we have already set up a cake shop. As long as we can make delicious cakes, our family will not have to worry about having no livelihood."

In fact, Yang was just feeling uneasy, and after hearing Song Zhi's explanation, especially the last sentence "it has been taken over the pastry shop".

Her mind suddenly became clear and the worry on her face disappeared.

Yes, with the eldest girl’s skills, as long as she can make more fresh pastries, the family will not have to worry about life.