Chapter 39: Selling Grass Shoes

Chapter 39: Selling Grass Shoes

Qin Xiaoyao responded with a humble smile.

"These grass shoes can fetch a good price in the town. With this skill, Aunt, your family can earn a living from it!" Li Daniu thought of something and looked at Liu Shi with envy.

Not only did Qin San Ya know about mountain yams, but she also knew how to weave grass shoes.

She felt that the Qin San Ya before her eyes was not the same person she had known before...

Well, she had to admit that she was a bit envious of Qin San Ya.

Back then, they were all just idle folks without any special talents. But now, it seemed like she was the only one without any skills.

"Ha ha, yes. San Ya is currently having her father help us sell the grass shoes. Whatever we manage to sell will bring some income for the family," Liu Shi replied with a smile.

She mentioned only that her father-in-law was assisting with the sales, but omitted the part where her daughter-in-law had gone to the grocery store to sell the shoes.

The admiration in Li Daniu's eyes grew even stronger.

"Uncle Qin's pork stall is always bustling with customers. Surely they would help sell quite a number of your straw sandals," she suggested. Her parents also had a permanent tofu stall in the West Market, and they could assist with selling the sandals as well.

Unfortunately, she lacked the skill to make them herself. Otherwise, she could earn some income from this trade too.

"Ahaha, it's just the beginning. Let's give it a try first," Liu Shi replied with a smile, masking her anticipation with humility.

"Hey, let's not talk about that anymore! Auntie, since you can weave straw sandals, do you have a pair in my size? I'd like to change into one; my feet are burning hot right now!" Li Daniu quickly said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Daniu turned his gaze towards Liu Shi as well.

"Auntie, how much are your sandals? I want a pair too!" he followed up.

"Lady...," Liu Shi hesitated, looking over at Qin Xiaoyao.

Seeing her daughter-in-law nodding at her, she continued, "There's no need for payment. You two have been working hard for San Ya. Consider these two pairs of sandals a gift for your efforts."

With that, Liu turned to leave.

"This won't do!" Liu Daniu and his wife hurriedly chased after her.

"These are items you plan to sell for money. We can't just take them for free. Besides, Sister-in-law promised to pay us for our work!"

"You can deduct the price from my labor wages! We wouldn't dare to take something for nothing," Liu Daniu insisted firmly.

Staying for dinner was already taking advantage of the Song family's hospitality.

To brazenly accept two pairs of sandals for free would be going too far.

But Liu seemed not to have heard Liu Daniu's words as she began searching for the sandals under the eaves.

"What size shoes do the two of you wear?" she asked.

According to her daughter-in-law, most of the sandals they wove were meant for adult men.

Of course, there were also pairs for women and children, but their numbers were significantly fewer.

Liu Daniu and Li Daniu promptly reported their shoe sizes.

Madam Liu then fetched two pairs of sandals.

"Try them on," she suggested promptly.

The couple's faces lit up with delight as they hastily grabbed their respective sizes to try them out in a corner.

To their surprise, the sandals fit perfectly, and they felt light and comfortable on their feet.

Without hesitation, they removed their other cloth shoes and switched to the sandals.

"These sandals are more comfortable than the pair Father bought me before, and they seem sturdier too!" Liu Daniu remarked after taking a few steps back and forth.

Li Daniu was equally satisfied with her new footwear.

Since marrying into Lower Water Village, she had not worn sandals before. However, back in town, she had worn them on rainy days.

She also found that the straw sandals made by the Song family were superior to the ones she had worn before.

"Lady Liu, how much are you selling these sandals for?" Liu Daniu promptly inquired of Madam Liu.

Madam Liu waved her hand with a smile but remained silent.

"I'll take them back if you're not charging us!" Liu Daniu, despite his reluctance, began to remove his sandals.

Li Daniu, equally reluctant, followed suit, respecting her husband's decision. Primarily, she felt awkward about taking advantage of the situation.

Qin Xiaoyao had just stepped out and, upon witnessing this, chuckled. She said, "If you really want them, I'll sell you both pairs for six coins."

"I charge my father three coins per pair when I send these sandals to the town. The extra money is considered compensation for his hard work."

The couple was startled.

"Only—three coins?" Liu Daniu exclaimed in surprise.

In the market, a pair of straw sandals usually cost four to five wen, and a pair as well-made as these would most likely fetch five wen.

Yet, Madam Song was only selling them for three wen?

"Indeed! If you two like wearing them, you can come back and buy more. For folks in our village, my family's sandals will be sold at three wen from now on," Qin Xiaoyao added.

A glint of delight shone in Liu Daniu's eyes.

He couldn't help but commend Madam Song for her kindness.

"I'll take four pairs then, one each for my parents and my siblings!" he promptly said.

His parents' sandals were already worn out, while his siblings didn't have any to begin with.

Having earned some wages today, it would be a thoughtful gesture to buy shoes for his family, wouldn't it?

"Sure thing!" Qin Xiaoyao replied with a smile.

Then, she turned her gaze towards the stunned Liu Shi and Song Yun.

"Mother, could you please help them look for the right sizes? If there aren't any that fit, Yun'er, you can weave some new ones for your brother Daniu and his friends."

"Ah!" Both of them promptly agreed.

Observing this, Liu Daniu stepped forward and disclosed the measurement of his family member's foot length.

Consequently, only his father, mother, and younger brother managed to find straw sandals that matched their sizes. His sister, however, due to her rather small feet, couldn't find a pair of ready-made sandals that fit properly for the time being.

However, it didn't matter. Upon learning Liu Xiaomei's shoe size, Song Yun promptly began weaving a pair of straw sandals on the spot.

Liu Daniu and Li Daniu, witnessing this, couldn't help but feel envious from the sidelines.

This Song family's young lady is quite skilled as well.

At such a young age, she can already contribute to her family's income. How could others not be envious?

Qin Xiaoyao, seeing this, didn't pay them any attention.

She returned to her room to retrieve ninety copper coins.

And then he gave Liu Daniu seventy-two wen.

"The agreed-upon wage still owes you ninety copper coins. Then, deducting the cost of the six pairs of straw shoes, that amounts to seventy-two copper coins."

Liu Daniu had long calculated in his heart. After taking the copper coin, he expressed his gratitude to Qin Xiaoyao.

A day's toil with my wife has finallyborne fruit.

Qin Xiaoyao acknowledged with a polite "as it should be," then proceeded toward Liu's family and Song Yun.

"Mother, this is the money from selling six pairs of straw sandals. You and Yun'er keep it for yourselves." With that, she handed over the remaining copper coins.

Both mother and daughter were startled, neither reaching out to take the money.

"Take it! You've been managing the household lately, and in the future, you'll be in charge of our family," Liu said sincerely, her expression earnest.

She was genuinely impressed by her daughter-in-law and genuinely wanted to entrust her with the responsibility of running the household.

Song Yun also looked at Qin Xiaoyao and nodded in agreement.

She also approved of her mother's decision.

Her sister-in-law had transformed, assuming the role of a authoritative figure in the household.

With her sister-in-law managing the family affairs, they would all work together, and their lives would surely improve day by day.

From a short distance away, Li Daniu observed the scene with immense envy.

Initially, she had thought Qin San Ya was foolish for dividing the copper coins among her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.