Chapter 5: Guan Yizhou Is Here!

Zhou Dazhu stepped forward, snatched the kettle from him, and poured himself a bowl too.

One sip, and Zhou Dazhu froze.

“Th-this water—why is it so sweet?” Zhou Dazhu stared at the bowl in his hand, utterly bewildered. “Our well water’s always been sweet, sure, but today? It tastes like someone dumped sugar in it. No—it’s even more refreshing than sugar water. I feel energized just from drinking it.”

Just then, Liu Guihua and Old Man Zhou came out of the house.

Hearing their sons’ exclamations, Liu Guihua walked over and swatted Zhou Erzhu without a shred of patience. “What’s all the fuss about? It’s a pot of water—you’d think you were drinking flowers.”

Zhou Erzhu hurriedly handed her the kettle, speaking urgently. “Mom, don’t just dismiss it. Try it. This water’s really different!”

Liu Guihua took the kettle, skeptical, and poured a bowl for herself and one for Old Man Zhou.

The old couple each took a sip. Shock spread across both their faces.

Old Man Zhou set down his bowl, smacked his lips, and said to Liu Guihua, “Wife, what did you put in the water today? After drinking this, my old back doesn’t ache half as much. My whole body feels light.”

Liu Guihua was just as baffled. She turned to Li Xiulan, who was busy at the stove. “Eldest daughter-in-law, did you add sugar when you boiled the water today? Or some other fancy ingredient?”

Li Xiulan was walking out with Little Tiedan in her arms. Hearing her mother-in-law’s question, she shook her head blankly. “Mom, I didn’t. I just boiled water in the big iron wok like always. Didn’t add a thing.”

The family stood in the kitchen, staring at the aluminum kettle, thoroughly puzzled.

Suspicious or not, the water was simply too good—clear, sweet, and thirst-quenching. Zhou Erzhu couldn’t resist pouring another bowl and drained it in one go. He wiped his mouth and said, “Who cares where it comes from? The water’s delicious. I’ll drink more today—I’ll definitely have strength for the fields this afternoon.”

Li Xiulan looked at Little Tiedan in her arms, thought for a moment, and said to Liu Guihua, “Mom, since this water’s so good and makes people feel comfortable, I’m thinking we boil some, let it cool, and give a little to Little Tiedan too.”

Liu Guihua nodded. “Alright. This water does make one feel comfortable. Giving some to the child is a good thing. Eldest daughter-in-law, use this water to mix Tiedan’s milk powder later.”

The afternoon passed quickly.

By evening, the Zhou family sat around the low wooden table in the main hall for dinner.

Dinner was simple: a big basin of sweet potato porridge, a plate of homemade pickles, and a plate of cucumbers picked that morning.

Thanks to the spirit spring water, no one felt tired after working all day, and their appetites were exceptionally good. Zhou Erzhu put away three big bowls of sweet potato porridge, his belly round and full.

Zhou Xing’er watched as everyone finished eating and decided it was time to voice her thoughts.

She set down her chopsticks, looked at Old Man Zhou sitting at the head of the table, and spoke softly. “Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Second Brother, Sister-in-law—there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Seeing Zhou Xing’er’s serious expression, the Zhou family’s movements slowed. They all looked at her at once.

Old Man Zhou looked at his daughter and asked gently, “Xing’er, what is it? Go ahead. Why be formal with your own family?”

Zhou Xing’er took a deep breath. “Dad, on my way back today, I saw plenty of people doing business in town. Some sell clothes, some sell food, others sell general goods. I hear lots of people in the city have made fortunes doing business and become ‘ten-thousand-yuan households.’ I’ve been thinking—our family stays home tending these few mu of land every day, yet barely earns anything all year round. Shouldn’t we try some small business too, improve our living conditions?”

Silence fell instantly.

Old Man Zhou and Liu Guihua exchanged glances; both their expressions showed hesitation.

Her two brothers lowered their heads, saying nothing.

Sister-in-law Li Xiulan held her child, opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately only sighed.

Zhou Xing’er noticed everyone’s silence and felt a bit strange. “Dad, what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Old Man Zhou sighed, looking at Zhou Xing’er with earnest concern. “Xing’er, it’s not that your mom and I don’t want to do business. I know about those things you mentioned. Over the past ten years, plenty of bold people have made fortunes through business. But starting a business requires capital.”

Old Man Zhou gestured at their dilapidated house, speaking with some guilt. “You know our situation. Your two brothers’ weddings used up every last bit of our savings. Right now, the family can’t even scrape together a hundred yuan. To do business in town, we’d need to rent a shop, and the monthly rent alone costs a fortune. Our family truly cannot afford the money to open a shop.”

Liu Guihua wiped the corners of her eyes and added with a sigh, “Yes, Xing’er. Your dad’s right. Poor families like us can’t play the city folk’s game. If we lose money, our whole family won’t even have enough to eat.”

Zhou Dazhu and Zhou Erzhu looked at their sister with guilt, feeling ashamed that they had failed to provide better and forced her to endure poverty.

Seeing her family’s troubled expressions, Zhou Xing’er wasn’t angry. Instead, she felt warmth in her heart. They hadn’t blamed her for being unrealistic; they were merely worried about their actual circumstances.

She smiled and looked at Old Man Zhou. “Dad, Mom, you misunderstood me. I didn’t mean we should immediately rent a shop and open a big store. Since our family has no money, we can start by setting up a street stall.”

“A street stall?” Zhou Erzhu was stunned. “Little sister, what would we sell at a stall?”

Zhou Xing’er pointed toward the backyard. “We can start by selling vegetables! We grow so many vegetables in our backyard. In the past, we waited for them to ripen and sold them cheaply wholesale to vegetable vendors in town—only a few cents per jin, which earned us nothing. I think we should transport the vegetables to the county seat ourselves and set up a stall. That way, we can earn several cents more per jin. Besides, our vegetables grow well, so they’re bound to sell.”

Hearing Zhou Xing’er’s proposal, Old Man Zhou pondered for a while.

He took a puff of his dry tobacco pipe and said slowly, “If we’re selling vegetables at a stall, we wouldn’t need much capital. After all, the vegetables grow in our own fields. But… can we actually make money selling vegetables at a stall?”

Zhou Dazhu spoke up then. Looking at Zhou Xing’er, he said in a gruff voice, “Little sister, I think this plan works. We have to sell our vegetables anyway. Selling them ourselves is harder work, but we can definitely earn more. Second Brother and I are strong; carrying loads to the county seat every day won’t be a problem.”

Zhou Erzhu slapped his thigh excitedly. “Right! Big Brother’s correct! Little sister, if you’re willing, Big Brother and I will be your laborers every day. Plus, there are plenty of people doing business in the county seat now. If our vegetables really sell well, once the business takes off, our family’s conditions will improve too!”

Zhou Xing’er watched her two brothers eagerly offering to help and smiled happily. This family was truly easygoing and incredibly united.

She turned to look at her eldest sister-in-law, Li Xiulan, and asked, “Sister-in-law, what do you think?”