Chapter 274: Why Are Thoughts Still Not Liberated?

Chapter 274: Why Are You Still So Old-Fashioned?

She sold glutinous rice cakes, preparing a big tray every morning. She used Wang Xiaocui's cart to set up her stall.

At Huang Ximei’s doorstep, Wang Xiaocui helped Liu Guojuan load the heavy rice cake onto the cart and placed stools, bamboo skewers, and cutting tools on it as well.

The two then pushed the cart together toward Sanhu Street.

The steel factory, canned food factory, timber factory, and glass factory in City A were all in the same direction, and many workers passed through Sanhu Street on their way to work. Every morning, Wang Xiaocui headed there first, only moving to the bustling market street after the morning rush.

They’d barely finished setting up when their first customer arrived.

"Ma’am, fry me a pancake!"

Wang Xiaocui swiftly brushed oil onto the griddle and asked, "Want an egg or lard crisps? One topping costs twenty cents, two toppings cost thirty cents and come with veggies. Just radish or potato shreds costs ten cents."

"Both, please."

"Coming right up!"

This was Liu Guojuan’s third day working the stall. Though she wasn’t as awkward as on the first day, she still didn’t dare to call out to customers.

When someone approached, she could only force a smile and stare awkwardly.

A short-haired woman in a polyester dress pushed her bicycle over, eyeing the brightly colored rice cake in front of Liu Guojuan. "Rice cake?"

Liu Guojuan nervously replied, "Yes, rice cake. Freshly steamed this morning, still warm."

"How much?"

Liu Guojuan lifted the thin cloth covering the cake and pointed to the markings.

"One piece is forty cents—it’s a big one."

The woman examined the square, which was about the width of two adult fingers.

Afraid the customer might find it too expensive, Liu Guojuan quickly added, "It’s made with honey dates, raisins, crushed peanuts, and brown sugar—all quality ingredients. It’s labor-intensive, steaming layer by layer, waiting for each one to cook before adding the next."

Curious, the woman pointed at the yellow layer streaked with red and white. "What’s that?"

Liu Guojuan eagerly explained, "The bottom layer is glutinous rice, then raisins and peanuts, followed by glutinous rice mixed with brown sugar syrup. The top is millet batter and honeyed dates. Want to try some, ma’am? It’s delicious!"

The woman nodded. "Alright, one piece."

"You got it!" Liu Guojuan’s face lit up as she grabbed a clean knife and two bamboo skewers, cutting a piece and handing it over.

The woman paid forty cents and started eating right there.

Though the piece didn’t look big, it was surprisingly filling, nearly covering the entire skewer. The first bite was soft, sticky, and packed with good stuff.

Liu Guojuan watched nervously until the woman said, "Tastes great!" and only then did she relax.

"Give me two more—I’ll take them to share with my coworkers." The woman handed over another dollar.

"You bet!"

After the woman left, Liu Guojuan clutched the $1.20 in her hand, her heart racing with excitement.

Every beginning is hard, but things will definitely get better. She won’t hold her family back anymore, and she can support Huihui now.

After seeing off a customer, Wang Xiaocui teased Liu Guojuan, "Juan'er, see? I told you you could do it!"

"Divorce isn’t something to be ashamed of. You’re a great girl—their loss, not yours. An An’s father and I split up too, and look at me now—I’m much happier than when I was with him."

"We have hands and feet to earn our own living and spend our own money. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. If I hadn’t divorced, I’d still be stuck there, taking their abuse and slaving away."

Liu Guojuan nodded gratefully at Wang Xiaocui and said sheepishly, "Auntie, I had it all wrong before. I was just afraid people would laugh at my mom and my siblings."

"Let them laugh at me—I don’t care, but I don’t want my mom and siblings to be looked down on because of me. Especially after what happened with my dad..."

"My mom has suffered enough in this life. I can’t even make her proud—instead, I’ve embarrassed her. And my brothers and sisters—they haven’t even started families yet. With a father like that, it’s already hard for them. As the oldest, I can’t even help them—the least I can do is not weigh them down."

Wang Xiaocui comforted her, "We’re family—none of this ‘dragging down’ nonsense! Though I came into the family later, I’ve heard about your situation. Your mom fought tooth and nail back then just so you could live. Your siblings are good people too—they’ll understand your struggles."

Liu Guojuan’s face fell. "I don’t want to be their burden. If it were just me, I’d manage, but I have Huihui too. Huihui isn’t their responsibility..."

Standing nearby, eating a bowl of rice tofu, Tang Wenhao overheard their conversation. His gaze unintentionally drifted toward Liu Guojuan, lingering briefly on the child strapped to her back before quickly looking away.

The next day, Tang Wenhao bought a piece of cut cake from Liu Guojuan and even playfully teased Huihui on her back, his eyes full of affection for the child.

For three days in a row, Tang Wenhao bought cut cake from Liu Guojuan and stood chatting with her for a while.

Watching him walk away, Wang Xiaocui whispered teasingly to Liu Guojuan, "Juan'er, you think he’s got a thing for you?"

Liu Guojuan was startled and nervously glanced around. "Aunt Wang, don’t say such things! If word gets out, it’ll be trouble!"

Wang Xiaocui looked at her with frustration. "Girl, why are you still so old-fashioned? At my age, it’s fine, but you’re still so young—only twenty! Do you really plan to stay single for the rest of your life because of that scoundrel?"

"My An An told me even empresses remarried in the past. What’s wrong with remarrying? If you find someone suitable, you can start a family again. You say you don’t want to burden your family, but raising a child alone—wouldn’t it be better to have some support?"

"In this world, a young woman raising a child alone is tough. Right now, your mom is still around, and your siblings aren’t married yet, but they’ll have their own families someday."

"On your own, creeps will start circling you, and with your gentle nature, you might easily fall into their traps."

"I’m not saying you must remarry, but don’t reject the idea outright, thinking you’re unworthy. Our divorce wasn’t our fault. We can’t control how others see us, but we mustn’t look down on ourselves."