"Mom, working in the workshop, we’re not exposed to wind or sun, and we only do half a day’s work for quite a bit of money. I really want to try it, and let Xiuxiu go too, to earn some pocket money. They, as brothers and sisters-in-law, can give money away to others so freely, but they can’t spare any for their own little sister?"

Lady Zhou glanced at Lady He, somewhat tempted. Life at home was tight, and Lian Xiuxiu suffered from lack of food and clothing. If she could truly earn a few wen a day, whether to save for Lian Xiuxiu or to buy her something, that would be wonderful. However, she was reluctant to let Lian Xiuxiu do the household chores, let alone have her work in the workshop like those other wives.

"If you want to go, then go. I won’t stop you," Lady Zhou said to Lady He.

If wanting to go were enough, why would I have come to ask you? Lady He thought to herself, but she dared not voice it.

"Mom, if Xiuxiu were to work in the workshop, could Old Fourth and the others really harden their hearts and make Xiuxiu work? When I see them handing out money, they don’t seem pained at all. They have the money, and they should give some to Xiuxiu for free; that’s only right," Lady He persisted.

Lady Zhou’s heart was moved, understanding the implication of Lady He’s words. The workshop was operated by Lian Shouxin. By having Lian Xiuxiu go there just to be on the roster and draw a salary, Lian Shouxin was after all her own son, Xiuxiu’s own elder brother; surely it was only proper and to be expected.

Lady He saw that Lady Zhou was inwardly agreeing and hurriedly called Lian Xiuxiu over to discuss it. Lian Xiuxiu also coveted the workshop wages and agreed without further persuasion.

"Mom, you talk to Old Fourth... I’ll just look on. With that family, it’s mostly Old Fourth’s wife and Manman running things. They might listen to you," Lady He said at last.

Lady Zhou nodded immediately. But she knew well that after the family division, the Fourth Household wasn’t like before, so she made a point to speak to Old Master Lian as well, saying Lady He and Lian Xiuxiu were idle at home and looking for something to do. Working in the workshop would not require them to leave the house, and it was good for everyone. Old Master Lian also agreed.

She had thought that by doing so, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang would have no choice but to consent, but in the end, it took her using her trump card to finalize the matter.

"Why are you not speaking, thinking of reneging at this point?" As Lian Shouxin did not immediately respond, Lady Zhou raised her eyebrows again.

Lian Manman nodded slightly at Lian Shouxin. Lady Zhou was putting everything on the line; if they did not agree, there would be no way to end the matter.

"I can’t go back on something I’ve agreed to, Mom. I haven’t reneged," Lian Shouxin said.

"That’s good," responded Lady Zhou with a cold snort.

Would they really let Lady He and Lian Xiuxiu work in the workshop? Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin both looked at Lian Manman.

"Father, Grandmother," Lian Manman pretended to cough twice and said, "Our workshop has a rule that newcomers must take a test. Second Aunt and Old Maid want to start working in the workshop tomorrow, so how about we do the test now in front of everyone?"

"A test? What’s all this fuss about? If you don’t want your Second Aunt and Old Maid to go, just say it," Lady Zhou glared at Lian Manman and said.

"The test is simple; it’s to see if Second Aunt and Old Maid can do the workshop’s work," Lian Manman smiled and said with ease, "If Second Aunt and Old Maid are afraid to take the test, that means they can’t do the workshop’s work. Then there’s no need for them to go. All the workers are from our village or outside, including other women. If Second Aunt and Old Maid can’t do anything, going to the workshop would only result in ridicule. Once people talk about it at home, how can Second Aunt and Old Maid face anyone in the future?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"What’s there to be afraid of? The workshop is our family’s own business. Even if Xiuxiu and I don’t work, no one dares to say anything," Lady He said brashly.

Lian Manman glanced at Lady He, marveling at the thickness of her skin.

Lady Zhou said nothing. Lady He feared nothing; she was unruffled as a pig not afraid of scalding water, but Lian Xiuxiu was an unmarried girl. If word got out that she was clumsy and inept at everything, it would be hard for her to find a good marriage in the future.

"Father, Grandmother, how about this? We don’t need Second Aunt and Old Maid to work in the workshop; we could just give them money every day," Lian Manman suggested.

"That works," Lady He immediately said.

Lian Manman, as if not hearing Lady He’s words, simply smiled and looked at Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. She believed that even if Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou wanted to agree on this, now that she had opened the discussion, both, caring even a little bit for their faces, would not consent.

As Lian Manman expected, Lady Zhou’s face turned red with anger. What she wanted was for Lian Xiuxiu and Lady He to put on an appearance and draw a salary, but this had to be done subtly. Lian Manman speaking so plainly had disrupted her plan completely.

"Not working and still want money? No way," Old Master Lian’s face also turned red, "We want you two to work in the workshop to practice and support Old Fourth’s family, not to mooch off them. They’ve just started on their own, earning less and spending more. Can you two really be so shameless?"

"Let’s do what needs to be done. Take the test, and if you pass, you can work in the workshop. If not, don’t go," Old Master Lian declared decisively.

Everyone was cornered by Lian Manman’s words, and with Old Master Lian’s statement, they had even less room to move.

"Alright then, let’s follow my father’s words," Lian Manman responded with a smile and went with Lady Zhang to get a cutting board, a kitchen knife, and a cabbage, then returned to the room.

The mother and daughter placed everything on the bed-stove.

"Our test is simple, just slicing cabbage into strips," Lian Manman said, "Father, Mother, and I won’t talk, we’ll leave Father and Grandmother to be the examiners, how’s that?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)