"The weather is cold, and the pig doesn't want to gain weight. Why don't we just follow Li Shu's suggestion and slaughter it?" Wu Chunmei thought the price was acceptable.
"Won't there be any problems?" Chen Mantun was still hesitant. After all, so many eyes were watching. If someone reported them, they would be finished.
"We just have to stick to our story that we sold it to the processing station. Who will investigate closely? Besides, didn't my in-laws sell one last year?"
Chen Mantun thought it made sense and nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll see about slaughtering the pig and sending it to him in the next couple of days."
Seeing that he agreed, Chen Li Shu got up to leave.
"I planted some garlic seedlings a while ago. You can cut some to take back and stir-fry," Wu Chunmei said, also getting up as she saw her leaving.
Chen Li Shu smiled, "Thank you, Mom."
Wu Chunmei smiled, "What are you thanking me for, child?"
Chen Li Shu went to the kitchen with her and found a pig trough placed against a wall. Inside, a large clump of lush, thriving garlic sprouts was growing.
Although Wu Chunmei was gentle, she was a capable hand at tending to livestock and growing vegetables. She could even grow such good garlic sprouts in this cold weather.
Seeing her cut the garlic sprouts, Chen Li Shu's thoughts stirred, "Mom, Liu Yong is also buying fresh vegetables. Why don't I ask you about the price sometime? You can grow more to sell in the future."
It was winter, and vegetables were scarce. Garlic sprouts could generally be cut three times. If she grew more, she could earn quite a bit.
"Really? This stuff is easy to grow. If it can really be sold for money, I'll have your dad nail me two more pig troughs, and I'll grow more."
Wu Chunmei's health had not been good since she had a miscarriage and a severe hemorrhage, and she couldn't sit for long. Therefore, she had stopped making clothes long ago. Hearing Chen Li Shu say that this could also be sold for money, she was instantly delighted.
After leaving the Chen family, Chen Li Shu went straight back to the Gu family. Unexpectedly, not long after she arrived home, Chen Mantun came looking for her.
"Li Shu, perhaps we should forget about selling the pig. It's too much trouble going back and forth."
After so many years as father and daughter, Chen Li Shu knew him well. Something must have happened for him to change his mind after agreeing.
"Dad, did something happen?"
"No, nothing happened. I was just thinking it's better to have one less thing to worry about. It's better to earn a little less and not take the risk."
Chen Mantun knew that if Chen Li Shu found out that Old Mrs. Chen had come to see him, she would absolutely not agree with her temper.
"Dad, if you don't tell me, I'll go back and ask my second sister and the others." The more he beat around the bush, the more Chen Li Shu was sure something was going on.
Seeing her about to leave, Chen Mantun quickly stopped her and said helplessly, "Your grandma came to find me and said your eldest uncle's pig was underweight. They sent it to the processing station twice, and neither accepted it. They just want to combine it with ours. That way, the processing station will definitely agree to the price."
Hearing Chen Mantun's words, Chen Li Shu's chest tightened. She suppressed her anger and asked, "Dad, if you combine it, will my eldest uncle give you the price difference?"
Chen Mantun's eyes darted away, "We're all family. Besides, if I don't help them, their pig will go to waste. It's tens of dollars, and they rely on this money all year round."
Chen Li Shu let out a long sigh, unable to suppress her emotions, and asked in a deep voice, "Dad, you know they rely on this money all year round, but are we very well-off? You're going to sell the pig for him and even lose money yourself. Have you forgotten how your eldest uncle treated you? Will they even thank you for helping them like this?"
Seeing him remain silent, Chen Li Shu felt a wave of powerlessness, "Mom needs medicine because she's not well, and my younger sisters need to go to school. Have you thought about all this?"
"But we can't just watch your eldest uncle's pig go unsold! Besides, your grandma almost knelt down to me." Chen Li Shu knew all of this, but he was helpless in this situation.
After the initial anger, Chen Li Shu had calmed down considerably. Knowing that Chen Mantun had made up his mind and nothing she said could change it, she thought for a moment and said, "How about this, Dad? I'll go to my eldest uncle's house with you. If it's possible, I'll buy their pig."
Chen Mantun was startled and looked up, "You'll buy it?"
Chen Li Shu gave a wry smile, "I can't let my dad be in a difficult position. Anyway, our fourth child is getting married and needs to slaughter a pig. Might as well buy my eldest uncle's."
Chen Mantun didn't know what to say, "Li Shu, I know what you're saying, but your eldest uncle and I are brothers after all."
Chen Li Shu nodded, "Yes, Dad, don't say anything more. I know."
Today, she would let him see the true colors of his brother.
After they went out, Chen Li Shu greeted Mr. and Mrs. Li Xiu Lan and then walked with Chen Mantun towards Chen Mancang's house.
On the way, Chen Li Shu asked, "Dad, do you know the price the processing station buys pigs at?"
Chen Mantun was stunned for a moment, "Aren't you going by Liu Yong's price?"
Chen Li Shu sneered inwardly. If it were calculated by Liu Yong's price, their family would be too greedy.
"Dad, you absolutely cannot mention Liu Yong's price. Not a single word must be revealed, otherwise, it will harm him," Chen Li Shu said with a serious expression.
Chen Mantun knew the importance of the matter and nodded to show he understood.
"The processing station's pigs are generally divided into five grades: Special, Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, and Substandard. Your eldest uncle's pig belongs to the Substandard grade," Chen Mantun explained to Chen Li Shu.
There had never been a Special or Grade One pig. At most, it was Grade Two or Grade Three. Grade Two pigs were bought at 3.2 cents per jin, and Grade Three at 3 cents.
Chen Li Shu had a rough plan in mind. She arrived at Chen Mancang's house with Chen Mantun. As soon as they entered, they saw the entire Chen Mancang family gathered around the stove talking.
"Mom, Eldest Brother, Li Shu said she'll buy the pig. Coincidentally, your fourth child is getting married, so you don't have to go back and forth," Chen Mantun said eagerly as soon as he entered the house.
Old Mrs. Chen's half-drooping eyelids lifted slightly. She was still resentful of Chen Li Shu, so she asked in a bad mood, "She'll buy it? How much per jin will she give?"
Hearing her tone, as if Chen Li Shu was eagerly seeking them out, Chen Li Shu chuckled, "I heard from my dad. After all, we're family. We can't let you, Grandma, Eldest Uncle, and Auntie worry. I'll calculate it at the price of a Grade Three pig from the processing station. How about three cents per jin?"
Chen Mancang and Zhang Chunhua pondered after hearing her words. Although the processing station didn't accept it, Chen Li Shu was now the one coming to beg them, so the price naturally couldn't be calculated at Grade Three.
"I think we should calculate it at Grade Two. After all, your in-laws need it, and we won't be too picky," Chen Mancang said after a moment of thought.
Chen Li Shu turned her head to look at Chen Mantun, "Dad, have you seen their true colors clearly now?"
Asked by his daughter, Chen Mantun's lips moved twice.
On the way, Chen Li Shu had made a bet with Chen Mantun. If Chen Mancang's family tried to bargain, Chen Mantun would not be allowed to interfere in such matters in the future. As expected, Chen Mancang had given her face and indeed followed Chen Li Shu's prediction.
"Eldest Uncle, your family's meat is too expensive, I can't afford it. Let's forget it."
Chen Li Shu said that, then pulled Chen Mantun and turned to leave.
"You little brat! So you came here to toy with us!"
Old Mrs. Chen realized what was happening and rushed forward to block the path of the father and daughter.