Willing to Work Hard
"Third brother, is what you said true?" Sun Shi asked, overjoyed.
"It's true. Ali and the Hua couple can be witnesses. I, Su Sanyun, will become a man of principle and protect my wife and children," Su Sanyun said.
"Good, that's great!" Sun Shi cried tears of joy. She knew that as long as her husband stopped endlessly satisfying the old couple, their little family's life would only get better. If Su Sanyun could wake up, that was far more precious than any one-third share of land!
"Alright, we accept the penalty! Trading one-third of the land for a better future is worth it!" Sun Shi wiped away tears, turned around, and pressed her red thumbprint on the paper first, then urged Su Sanyun, "Third brother, you see I've pressed mine, you should press yours quickly. Once this thumbprint is pressed, there's no turning back. We've given up the land, so your words must count."
Su Sanyun nodded and solemnly pressed his thumbprint on the paper, saying, "I keep my word."
"Good, that's great!" The Hua couple gained such a large piece of land for free and were extremely happy, very satisfied with Su Li's mediation.
Although Su Sanyun and Sun Shi lost a piece of land, today's event made Su Sanyun wake up and refuse to be exploited by the old couple, which also made Sun Shi very happy.
The Hua couple thanked Su Li profusely, and understanding Sun Shi's difficulties, they bore no grudges. With a laugh, the villagers considered the matter settled and held no grudges.
Sun Shi, with a joyful expression, thanked Su Li and was about to go home with Su Sanyun and Su Shirong, but was stopped by Su Li.
"Third aunt, you want to earn more money but lack land, right?" Su Li said.
Sun Shi stopped and looked back at Su Li, saying, "That was true before, but now as long as no one extorts us, we have enough money to spend."
Su Li nodded, "Third aunt, I have an idea. The villagers have only divided land near Qingmiao City. If you want to earn more, you can go farther to places where land hasn't been divided yet to sell vegetables. The road is farther, so you might not return in a day, but if you're willing to work hard, you can make money."
Sun Shi's eyes lit up, and she slapped her thigh, "Right! Why did I only focus on the small area near Qingmiao City? Selling vegetables farther away means more money! Ali, my brothers at my family home are strong and hardworking. I'll tell them to go farther to sell vegetables to towns neighboring Qingmiao City, that should work!"
Su Li nodded, "That's indeed a good idea. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can make money."
"Willing to work hard? As long as there’s money to be made, I’ll endure any hardship!" Sun Shi was overjoyed. She had endured hard times; her family was poor, with many brothers and little land. When there wasn’t enough land to farm, her brothers worked as helpers in others' fields during busy seasons. But working as helpers earned very little, nowhere near what selling vegetables could make.
"Third aunt, your brothers can participate, but I have one condition," Su Li said.
"Good niece, just say it," Sun Shi said. At this point, no matter if it was one condition or ten thousand, she would agree.
"First, your brothers must sign contracts with me like everyone else; second, they must ensure my vegetables are clean and intact, no shortchanging or damaging my reputation. Business relies on quality and integrity for long-term development. If you only chase small profits, it’s like shooting yourself in the foot," Su Li said.
Sun Shi immediately recalled how she and her brothers sold vegetables—messily packed, muddy, some even frost-damaged, and short-weighted. She blushed deeply and hurriedly waved her hands, "No, no, we definitely will do it properly."