When Zhao Dong was collecting soybeans at the door, quite a few villagers gathered around.
Watching those villagers selling tofu, coming with soybeans joyfully and leaving with tofu joyfully.
Calculating it in their minds, they realized collecting soybeans and selling tofu in a day could earn twenty coins!
With such high profitability, who wouldn't be tempted?
Even though they couldn't go to nearby villages, they could go farther; just one trip a day could still earn a lot.
Indeed, some tempted person approached Zhao Dong.
"Dong, I see your family has help making tofu now. Why not make more? I'm willing to sell them to villages farther away."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dong kindly reminded, "You need to think about it. Going farther takes more time, which might not be worth it."
The person seemed determined and waved his hand, saying, "No problem, it's not the farming season now. Short-term work is the same as this. I'm thinking, just give me thirty pounds of tofu at a time, and I'll just sell once a day. Is that okay?"
"As long as you're willing, it's fine!" Zhao Dong nodded, "Let's start by giving you twenty pounds tomorrow and see how it goes, since the journey is long and it's hot, and I'm worried about tofu preservation."
The person thought about it and agreed, reported the village they planned to go to, and scheduled to come early tomorrow.
With someone taking the lead, two more villagers signed up successively.
Thus, their tofu partners increased by three more.
After sending off the villagers, Zhao Dong and his two brothers-in-law worked together to carry the collected grains to store in the west room.
The weather was hot and after working for so long, everyone was tired and thirsty, but looking at the considerable income, smiles filled their faces.
Sun Youli and Sun Youcai wiped their sweat and directly picked up the water ladle, ready to drink water from the tank.
Sun Mei came out of the kitchen with cold boiled water, saw this sight, and quickly stopped them: "Second brother, third brother, don't drink the well water, I have cold boiled water here."
Sun Youli waved his hand indifferently: "You drink boiled water, I'll drink the well water. It's cool and quenches thirst."
Zhao Dong actually wanted to drink well water too, after all, in the hot weather, cool well water is comfortable to drink. However, for health's sake, he refrained.
Even though ancient times didn't have industrial pollution, there were still many bacteria in the water.
He also advised: "Second brother, Sun Mei boiled the water early in the morning, and it's been cold for a day, so it's cool too. Don't drink the well water to avoid an upset stomach."
Sun Youli had already drunk two sips, seeing their advice, he put it down: "Alright, alright, won't drink."
A few kids rushed forward to serve water to the adults.
After working for a long time, everyone drank cold boiled water and sat under the big tree in the yard, chatting and resting.
While everyone was chatting and laughing, Sun Kang and Zhao Guifen came suddenly.
Sun Mei and Zhao Dong quickly greeted them: "Dad, Mom, how come you're here, come sit inside."
Zhao Guifen glanced at the yard, smiled and said, "I came to see how you all are doing."
At this moment, Sun Youli excitedly shared his achievements, brimming with pride: "Mom, you don't know, so many people came to buy tofu. Look at these empty tofu baskets, we just sold them after making them, and we collected a lot of soybeans too."
The two daughters-in-law, along with a few kids, squeezed in and started talking incessantly.
One talked about how troublesome making tofu was, another about how Sun Mei taught them, one more about how delicious the soy milk was.
For a moment, the scene was bustling.
…
Sun Mei and Zhao Dong smiled as they led the two elders into the yard. Sun Kang then pulled Zhao Dong aside into the main room to discuss his decision.
After a conversation, Zhao Dong was startled: "Dad, are you saying you want to teach Tongtong medicine!"
Seeing Zhao Dong's expression, Sun Kang thought Zhao Dong was unwilling, and immediately said, "I understand your concerns, you disagree, and I can understand, after all, Tongtong is a girl..."
Since their family left in the morning, he had been struggling internally.
Then, in the afternoon, while dozing under the tree, a dream made him finalize this decision.
He then didn't hesitate and came here with Mrs. Zhao.
Knowing his father-in-law had misunderstood him, Zhao Dong hurriedly explained: "Dad, you misunderstand, I'm not disagreeing, I'm just too surprised."
It's not surprising he was shocked; even without knowing ancient times, he knew that ancient people valued the transmission of skills greatly, especially with sayings like "pass to men, not to women" being common.
His father-in-law had so many grandsons at home to teach, yet he chose Zhao Zhitong, how could he not be surprised?
Sun Kang was momentarily stunned, then breathed a sigh of relief, smiling: "I have given it much thought, the girl is too talented in medicine, it would be a shame to miss it. However, I won't blame you if you're unwilling, as parents rarely want their daughters to expose themselves in public."
These thoughts are not wrong in ancient times, but Zhao Dong, as a modern person with new ideas, never thought that a child having an extra skill is bad, especially a girl.
He hoped his Tongtong, in the future, could live well on her own rather than just depend on a man.
So he smiled and said: "Dad, your willingness to teach Tongtong is Tongtong's fortune. As long as she wants to learn, both Sun Mei and I wouldn't oppose."
Sun Kang's eyes slightly shifted, then he laughed heartily, the stone in his heart dropped with a thud.
With joy, he shared the decision with everyone.
Everyone was momentarily stunned upon hearing,
But soon, they were filled with agreement, especially Sun Youli, Sun Youcai, and the kids, who were wholeheartedly supportive.
Inside, there was a burst of joy, no longer would they be forced by their father!
At this moment, Zhao Guifen glanced at the sky and asked Sun Mei: "Is it time to pick up Tongtong?"
Sun Mei nodded: "Yes, the class should be ending soon, I'll go pick her up."
Saying this, she stood up and prepared to leave.
Just then, Sun Daji along with a few kids ran over to stop Sun Mei, taking up the task to pick up Zhao Zhitong themselves: "Auntie, you rest there, let us pick up cousin sister."
Sun Mei: "Are you able to?"
Sun Daji patted his chest and assured: "Auntie, rest assured, we are familiar with the way to school."
Sun Daqing also patted his chest and promised: "We will certainly bring cousin sister back safely."
Sun Mei was amused and agreed: "Alright then, I'll leave it to you, be careful on your way."
"Don't worry, auntie!"
With approval, a few kids squealed and dashed out of the yard.
Before they left, the big sisters-in-law stood at the door, shouting at them to not run around on the way and to come home right after picking up the sister.
But those kids had already run out of sight.
…