Border Cook

Chapter 123: Blocking the Way Out
"My two little ones are already able to do some work. They just follow me on weekdays and can help with chores. It doesn't matter if they run a little further."

Luo said, "Although Chuntao is capable, she is still a young girl after all. She is often shy, so it will be easier for her to handle this."

Right now, Yu Chuntao, a young girl who is not yet fully adult, has to shoulder the responsibility of supporting her family. If she goes to a new place and fails to do business well, she will be very worried.

Furthermore, the status of the people coming and going on East Street is higher than those on West Street.

If an unmarried girl meets a smooth-talking scoundrel who takes advantage of his status to say a few words to take advantage of others, not only will she suffer in vain, but her reputation may also be affected.

But it’s different on West Street. Xia Ji’s sign is almost a protective umbrella.

Wu Xiong has made a lot of harsh remarks in the past few days, threatening that anyone who goes against Xia Ji will have no good life in the future as long as they stay in Jinqiu County.

I heard that a few days ago, there was a tall and thin man who wanted to plot against Xia Mingyue. He used to be a braised food maker. He was beaten so badly that his parents didn't recognize him and they dared not go out again.

It is most appropriate for Yu Chuntao to set up a stall on West Street.

Yu Chuntao understood Luo's intention and thanked her repeatedly, "Thank you so much, Sister Luo."

"Why thank me?" Mrs. Luo smiled and waved her hands. "Logically, we should all thank Madam Xia."

It gave them ways and opportunities to make money.

"Yes, thank you Sister Xia, thank you Sister Xia." Yu Chuntao bowed to Xia Mingyue again and again.

"It's too polite to be so polite." Xia Mingyue hurriedly stopped them, but she was also very pleased with Luo and Yu Chuntao's behavior.

Put interests first, consider yourself and others.

Only by getting along like this can we last long.

"I'm not a good person. I'm a businessman. I hope that after your business grows, you can buy more goods from Xia Ji so that I can make more money from you."

Xia Mingyue made fun of herself, which made everyone laugh, but they also looked at each other.

I don’t say I’m a good person, but I’m a very good person…

In the next few days, the word "good person", as if welded together with the three words "Xia Mingyue", frequently appeared in the mouths of women who worked in groups of three or four in the streets and alleys of Jinqiu County.

"This Madam Xia really has a good heart."

"Yes, I care about the orphans and widows, and I pointed out a way for them."

“What a nice guy.”

"Yes, good man..."

"Good people? You are more careless than the plates used to serve the dishes at the banquet. You are all bought off by a little favor."

The voice was particularly harsh amidst the sounds of response and praise. Everyone turned their heads and saw Ma, who was now looking disdainful.

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Ma spat on the ground, "What, am I wrong?"

"That Xia family said nice things, charging one or two taels of silver first, and it seems that this franchise is much cheaper, but in reality, the remaining money must be paid to her every month, and she doesn't charge less at all." "That's fine, everyone knows that there are many tricks in food, but she still insists on buying all the important things from her Xia family. Isn't this just blocking those people to prevent them from learning the skills and becoming thieves!"

"That's fine, but she has to buy all the meat and ingredients from her, and she's taking away another layer of money from them. How can this be considered as being a good person and helping others? It's obvious that she's relying on these people to make money for her."

"Others work hard, setting up stalls in the wind and sun every day to make money, but most of the money they earn has to be sent back to Xia's. Isn't this cheating people?"

"You say, isn't this the truth?"

Ma's conversation was like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube, crackling and making everyone present look at each other in bewilderment.

The oldest among them, Mrs. Feng, squinted her eyes and said, "According to what you said, what should Madam Xia do to be a good person?"

"She should not charge a penny and let these people join for free." Ma said, "In addition, she should also teach others how to make all the ingredients, and allow those who join to make their own meat dishes, instead of having to buy them from Xia Ji, that's the way it should be."

"Otherwise, you would not only collect a penny less, but also skin those people, but you would also take on the title of a good person. Isn't this just being a whore and pretending to be a saint?"

"People like this, I bah!"

Ma was so excited that she spat on the ground again.

The saliva was mixed with some thick phlegm, and it was eye-catching when it fell to the ground.

And it's an eyesore.

"Mrs. Xia has never said that she is a good person. We just think she is a good person and praise her a little. This is one reason."

Feng twisted the thread in her hand, twisting the thin cotton thread and hemp rope together completely. Then she rubbed the thick needle on her scalp, which was already covered with gray hair, and stabbed it forcefully into the sole of the thousand-layer cloth shoe in her hand.

While he said slowly, "Secondly, the money for joining the cold pot skewers franchise should have been paid in full. Madam Xia gave special discounts to these women whose families have experienced misfortunes. This is her kindness. Any person will be content and grateful, unless this person is not a human being, so he greedily wants everything."

"Cold pot skewers are what Madam Xia relies on for her livelihood. Why do you ask her to teach others everything? Is it because you have a miserable life? There are many people with miserable lives, so why should it be your turn to take care of you?"

"If someone joins, Madam Xia can earn more money, but those who join earn more and live a better life. You keep saying that Madam Xia shouldn't do this or that. Are you trying to piss Madam Xia off so that she won't let anyone join, or even take back all the franchises? Then you'll be happy?"

"If that's the case, then it's really interesting. People who should be making money can't make money, and they can't make a living. I don't understand, are you speaking up for those people, or are you jealous because those people who joined made money, so you took the opportunity to talk about Madam Xia here to block their way to survival?"

This one word woke everyone up.

Those who were originally just watching the fun, now looked at Ma with contempt and disgust in their eyes.

After years of war, we finally had a few years of peace and tranquility.

Behind these peaceful days, there are too many people fighting on the front line.

There are always one or two people in their families or among their relatives who live on the edge of a knife.

Once something unexpected happens, the wives, children and the elderly at home will have a very difficult time, and they will see it and even feel sympathy for them.

However, they were all from ordinary families, and several people in their homes had to wait for food as soon as they opened their eyes, so they did not have any extra food or money to fulfill their kindness.

　感谢书友20240324004306522、书友2019008191212487、书友20190622120620956、jerrysheng、时玖笙、檸檬茶2019、liuyoura、hui1h、小磬儿投出的月票，感谢书友20230609337_ac、Ls的打赏谢谢小可爱们的支持~
　　(End of this chapter)