Chapter 207: Parents’ Business

Chapter 207: Parents' Business

Ye Changqing couldn't help but think the same.

The couple chatted at home for a bit, planning to visit Ye Changqing's parents in the capital once he had some free time.

Meanwhile, Ye Changqing had been busy these days. Iron ore mining in the mountains was progressing steadily. The first batch of ore had already been crushed and sintered, with a high iron content.

As a result, Liu Jinya's trust in Ye Changqing soared. He not only put Ye Changqing in charge of the entire mining area but also gave him a bonus of 20,000 yuan.

This made Ye Changqing feel somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Jinya enthusiastically patted Ye Changqing on the shoulder, "Brother Ye, work with me, and we'll make money together."

Ye Changqing took the money but had a vague idea in mind. However, current conditions didn't allow him to act on it.

Liu Jinya completely handed over the mine's management to Ye Changqing and went elsewhere himself.

Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo had a phone, making it easy for Ye Changqing to contact them.

Ye Changqing said he'd visit them in the capital once he had some free time.

Ye Jianguo: "Eldest son, just take care of the family. The capital is too far from home, and traveling back and forth takes days."

Ye Changqing: "That's fine. Just let me know if anything comes up."

Miao Cuifang chimed in from the phone, "We have nothing to do. At home, we can still work, but here, we just wander around all day. Your father and I are so idle we're growing mold."

Ye Changqing chuckled, "You've worked hard most of your lives. Why not take this chance to rest properly?"

Miao Cuifang: "That won't do. The longer I stay here, the more restless I feel. The city has cement roads and is cleaner, but I still prefer our village."

Ye Changqing: "I think you and Dad just can't stay idle."

Miao Cuifang: "Exactly."

Ye Jianguo added, "Even if we can't stay idle, we must. Eldest son, we're fine here. We'll return after the New Year."

Ye Changqing: "Alright, my uncle's family and I will take care of things at home. Don't worry."

Ye Jianguo, worried about the phone bill, gave a few more instructions before hanging up.

Miao Cuifang was now completely free of any discomfort.

But in the city, she could only take a walk downstairs every day.

Miao Cuifang discussed with Ye Jianguo.

"Do you think we can do something in the city?"

Ye Jianguo: "What can we do?"

Miao Cuifang thought for a moment, "Did you see that older sister selling tea eggs at the hospital entrance when we were hospitalized? Her skills aren't as good as mine, but I see she sells out every day."

Ye Jianguo really thought about it seriously.

"Should we sell tea eggs too? Wouldn't that be competing with her business?"

Miao Cuifang glared at her husband.

"We're not going to compete with the hospital; she sells at the hospital, and we'll sell near the residential area."

Ye Jianguo: "You should rest at home. Xiao Xiao will definitely be upset if she finds out."

Miao Cuifang: "Selling tea eggs doesn't take much time. We can prepare them the afternoon before and sell them all by the next morning. Xiao Xiao won't come in the morning anyway."

Ye Jianguo: "There's another issue. Eggs are rationed monthly, and we don't have enough ration coupons."

Miao Cuifang: "I asked the lady selling tea eggs at the entrance. She can buy so many eggs because she has a nephew who runs a farm in the suburbs. He delivers eggs to various markets every day. Through her connections, she buys hundreds of fresh eggs daily. I'll ask her tomorrow if we can also buy eggs from there."

Ye Jianguo: "You've really got this all figured out."

Miao Cuifang felt a bit embarrassed, "I've been thinking about it for a while. I didn't dare to say anything right after being discharged from the hospital, but now that I'm fine, we can earn some money since we're capable."

Ye Jianguo: "Let's agree: if this works out, I'll handle the heavy lifting. Don't tire yourself out."

Miao Cuifang: "I know what I can handle."

As they talked, they felt the idea was feasible. The next morning, Miao Cuifang went to chat with Auntie Li.

Auntie Li wasn't worried about competition because, as Miao Cuifang said, there are plenty of people around, so one more tea egg seller won't make a difference.

On the contrary, Auntie Li was very enthusiastic and immediately agreed when Miao Cuifang asked about the eggs.

"I was just stuck at home, being looked down on by my daughter-in-law, so I thought of becoming self-reliant. Since I started earning money, I no longer have to worry about being looked down on by my son and daughter-in-law."

Auntie Li, surnamed Li, talked endlessly about her family.

Auntie Li told Miao Cuifang, "If you're serious about this, I can bring back eggs for you whenever I go to get mine. I won't charge much—just one yuan per trip."

Miao Cuifang calculated: an egg costs about eight fen now, and selling tea eggs could fetch at least twelve fen. That's a profit of four to five fen per egg, and one yuan equals the profit from selling over twenty eggs.

Miao Cuifang asked, "How many do you sell daily?"

Auntie Li proudly said, "At least two hundred. On good days, I sell four to five hundred, but I'm not that diligent; I only sell in the morning."

Miao Cuifang: "I'll start with two hundred eggs to test the waters. Thank you, Auntie Li."

Auntie Li pointed, "I live right over there. You won't have trouble finding me. For the first time, just pay half upfront, so you don't worry about me disappearing."

Miao Cuifang had been observing Auntie Li for several days. She wouldn't have dared to ask if she hadn't seen that the woman lived locally.

Now, facing Auntie Li's generosity, Miao Cuifang said, "I can tell you're an honest person, Auntie Li. I trust you."

"I'm happy to help you because I feel we get along. We'll meet here at four in the afternoon, and you can pick up the eggs."

"Thank you, Auntie Li."

Miao Cuifang handed over the money, and at four, Auntie Li showed up with a cart of fresh eggs on her tricycle.

Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo got their own basket.

Once they got home, Miao Cuifang washed the eggs and got everything ready for making tea eggs.

After the eggs were cooked, the shells were gently cracked to let the flavor from the broth seep into the eggs.

Miao Cuifang hadn't done this kind of thing for many years and was pretty excited.

She had trouble sleeping the night before.

The next morning, Ye Jianguo pushed the bicycle with a basket of eggs tied to the back seat, and together with Miao Cuifang, they sold tea-infused eggs at the entrance of the compound.

The bicycle was left behind by Ye Xiaoxiao, who was worried that her parents might need it for shopping or outings.

She hadn't expected her parents to use the bicycle for business.

Ye Jianguo was the one pushing the bicycle, and Miao Cuifang didn't have to do much.

They had only been standing at the entrance for a few minutes when someone on their way to work asked how much the tea-infused eggs cost.