RYEY -Chapter 479 The Convenience Store Opens

Seeing Li Le’s dark expression, Meili felt guilty and didn’t dare to take any food. It was all her mother’s doing, causing her to be unable to hold her head high in the Li household.

Cheng Qiao shot Li Le a glare. Tomorrow the store would open, and Li Bing and Meili would be leaving. What’s the big deal that you can’t endure for a bit? You’re already a mother—why wear your heart on your sleeve and put everything on your face?

Li Le lowered her head. Her second sister-in-law was scolding her, so she must have done something wrong. Guoqing reached out with his chopsticks and served Li Le a piece of palm-sized meat. There’s no point getting mad at the eldest sister-in-law; it’s better to eat more—two people’s share in one.

The atmosphere at Mother Li’s table was clearly subdued. Chen Xiaoniu looked anxiously at Lele, then at Meili, then at Cheng Qiao, not daring to reach for any food.

Mother Li lifted her head and smiled at Chen Xiaoniu:

“Xiaoniu, eat more. This is bear paw—very hard to come by. Now that Lele is pregnant, help out a bit with the store. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Auntie, don’t worry. Lele and I grew up together. What’s hers is mine too. I’ll work hard and make sure the convenience store doesn’t lose money.”

Guoqing suppressed a laugh and nudged Xiao Dan with his elbow. “Your wife really is honest. If this store could still lose money, then the wholesale market in Xiangyang would go bankrupt.”

“Drink up. Don’t think just because carrying the load looks easy.”

Xiao Dan grabbed the bottle and poured wine into Guoqing’s cup. Guoqing quickly covered it—he still had to take his wife home tonight. What if he got drunk?

Seeing Guoqing relax, Xiao Dan grinned triumphantly. During this time, when you’re nervous about your pregnant wife, I’ll find ways to mess with you.

The meal lasted late into the night but was heartwarming. Shouhou rubbed his belly, thinking it had been a long time since he had eaten so freely and happily. He had no regrets coming here.

“Brother Huan, when your family farm opens, I’ll come again.”

“Sure. During this time, keep an eye out for piglets, lambs, calves, chickens, and ducks—bring as many as you can. Deal?”

Shouhou readily promised—it was easy enough. When the sows gave birth, he could go buy the piglets. The real challenge was transport; he had never delivered live animals before.

“No rush. We still need to build pigsties, cow sheds, sheep pens, and plant fruit trees and vegetables. Next time you come, you won’t have to stay at the guesthouse—the family farm has enough rooms for you.”

Shouhou felt a spark of longing. If Brother Huan could set up a family farm here, maybe he could do the same. But with Qiu Min’s pregnancy, the busy wholesale company, and Zhao Hui’s transport business on his shoulders, he felt powerless.

Before leaving, Cheng Qiao handed Boss Deng 50 yuan. Boss Deng refused—it was already fair to earn 100 yuan, and the best wild game had been brought by them.

With Li Huan’s permission, he also saved a few pieces of bear paw for himself and his wife. Rare as it was, one must shamelessly ask when it comes to eating.

Cheng Qiao didn’t say more and slipped the 50 yuan under the bowl. She knew how hard bear paw was to cook and how much firewood it consumed. This money had to be given.

Li Bing had originally planned to take Meili and their son home first and then chat with his brothers at the guesthouse. After all, they would be leaving tomorrow, and they didn’t know when they would meet again.

But Li Chen refused to go home and insisted on going to the guesthouse with Li Bing. He liked being with his older siblings. Meili had no choice but to return home alone.

At the guesthouse, Cheng Liguo and Cheng Li watched Cheng Qiao and Li Huan. They would leave after participating in the opening ceremony tomorrow. Cheng Li had classes, and Liguo had work. They had taken too long off—people might think he had resigned.

Cheng Qiao nodded and took out a large package from the room. It contained Cheng Li’s winter clothes for this year and some study supplies.

“Son, when your convenience store opens, Mom will come help too.”

Cheng Li nodded. During this summer vacation, he had been with his parents and had forgotten about his own little store. But he changed his mind: when his mother’s family farm opens, he would also start a small family farm.

“Dad, make sure to take care of yourself—balance work and rest. Here are some health pills and hemostatic powders. Take them for protection.”

Cheng Liguo nodded and packed the items into his suitcase. He also advised her not to stress too much about exams in Beijing. If it doesn’t work out this year, try next year—no need to pressure herself.

Cheng Qiao nodded. She felt no pressure at all. Whether it was a small graduation exam or a professional medical qualification, it was easy for her to handle.

The next morning, the sun shone across the land. Li Le wore a brand-new, bright red dress and lipstick given by Cheng Qiao, making her look vibrant and spirited.

She invited Qin Daqiang in and exchanged some auspicious words, then held a pair of golden scissors and stood at the entrance of the store. Looking at the red ribbon, she stretched out her fair right hand, waiting for the lucky moment.

Yang Jun occasionally glanced at the sun. When the golden sunlight hit the store sign, he waved his little flag, and Li Bing immediately lit the firecrackers.

In an instant, firecrackers exploded in front of the store, the breeze stirred the flags, and Li Le excitedly cut the ribbon. The bouquet fell into the tray—everything was perfect.

Qin Daqiang patiently waited. When Li Le announced the store officially open, he stepped in and paid 30 yuan for two packs of cigarettes and two bottles of wine. He was the store’s first customer.

Shouhou, quick as ever, was second. He knew what the store had, bought two cans of milk powder, and gave them to Li Le—a brother’s gift for his pregnant sister.

Li Le was moved to tears. How lucky she was. Although she grew up without a father, she had a good mother, two good brothers, a good sister-in-law, and now a wealthy, doting brother, a loving husband, a hot-tempered but caring father-in-law, and a store that could make her rich.

Cheng Liguo and Ye Jun followed Shouhou’s example, buying malted milk or milk powder. When there was nothing left, they bought two hot water bottles for Li Le.

Li Le was confused—why would she need hot water bottles while pregnant? Mother Li explained: she wouldn’t use them, but the child would. Washing hands and wiping requires hot water.

Uncle Niu proudly said he would make a baby bathtub. He had mastered it from childhood, and gifting one was a matter of pride.

Yang Jun and Xiao Dan glanced at the busy Chen Xiaoniu, feeling a twinge of envy. How nice it would be if Xiaoniu were pregnant too.