Chapter 1275 - 1147: The Scheming May 1st

Chapter 1275: Chapter 1147: The Scheming May 1st

"Is the money enough? Do you need mom to help you out?"

Upon hearing this, May 1st rolled his eyes, "Mom, are you saying the more the merrier?"

"I didn’t say that."

May 1st set down his book and stood up to pour her a cup of tea, "A while back, a friend asked if I wanted to sell the Blue Military Postage, and the offered price had increased quite a bit."

Zhou Jiao accepted the cup, glancing at him with a half-smile.

"Of course, we don’t care about this small money, we’re definitely not going to sell." May 1st moved a stool over and sat next to her, watching her intently, "Mom, my Brother Shitou asked for my advice?"

"Oh?"

"Before coming back, I stopped by his place, he said he has classmates who went to the South during the summer and brought back a bunch of jeans and watches, made quite a bit, he asked me if he could do the same?"

Zhou Jiao took a sip of tea and nodded thoughtfully.

"I see he has a kid now, his finances must be pretty tight. But going to the South to compete for business, I’m afraid he’d have a hard time."

Following his words, Zhou Jiao asked, "So then?"

May 1st chuckled twice, "Why not let him buy more stamps from me?"

Zhou Jiao burst into laughter and gave him a playful slap on the forehead, "Stop trying to outsmart your mom!"

May 1st rubbed his forehead and laughed, "It’s not convenient to squeeze onto a train during the freezing winter, not to mention the occasional raids on speculators. Just imagine something goes wrong, who can afford that, right?"

Of course, Zhou Jiao knew her son well enough. She cast him a sideways glance, "You have good intentions!"

May 1st spread his hands, "What can I do, in summer when we went back, my grandpa and grandma asked us brothers to keep an eye on Brother Shitou, not to mention, my second uncle is too kind to us three brothers."

Zhou Jiao pondered for a while, then tapped her fingers a few times on the armrest, and said, "His situation is different from yours, investing spare money in some stamps is harmless."

May 1st nodded.

"Shitou probably told you more than just this, right?"

May 1st gave a thumbs up, "That’s my mom, always so smart!"

Zhou Jiao glared at him with annoyance. This kid is just like his dad, sneaking compliments here and there. Sugar-coated cannonballs, she’s not falling for them!

May 1st laughed heartily, "Actually Brother Shitou means he wants to be a middleman, but is scared of political risks. In the county town, he’s confident, but here he’s afraid he can’t handle it."

Zhou Jiao: "..."

"So I can’t really give any advice, right? I said I’d return to discuss with you and dad, haven’t replied to him yet. But I was thinking if my second aunt intends to stay in Beijing long-term, opening a bookstore near the school would be nice."

"This doesn’t have much risk, and the level isn’t too bad, of course the profit wouldn’t be low either. Mixing old books with new ones, setting up a rental reading room, selling some steamed buns and tea, you know."

Zhou Jiao patted his arm and laughed, "Even if you think of the best idea, it’s useless. Your second uncle is at home, she’s definitely going back. Plus opening a bookstore isn’t that easy, housing around schools is even tighter, finding someone to pull this off, especially me, rather than taking favors, might as well expand the venture."

May 1st’s eyes lit up, "Like what?"

Seeing her son was interested, Zhou Jiao didn’t mind sharing more, "Like finding a fabric inventory, hauling it to a street garment factory, isn’t that better than me looking for resources at the school?"

"Or perhaps letting your Uncle Da Yi arrange with his relatives, transport a truckload of appliances and clothes from the South, following your Auntie’s connections, paired with Uncle Geng’s relationships, this trade can be highly profitable!"

"Or for instance, reach out to your Uncle Heizi, he’s been at the printing factory for years, full of connections, design a few couplets, print a large batch..."

May 1st immediately grabbed her arm, "Mom, wait a minute!"

Zhou Jiao looked at him with a smile in her eyes.

"I get what you mean now. Other options make too much noise, Uncle Heizi, hehe... hmm?"

Zhou Jiao smiled noncommittally, "Do as you please."

"Ahh, my dear mom, you’re simply the best." May 1st tapped his fist, "Then we can resolve Brother Shitou’s issue, and I can earn some money buying stamps."

"Whatever makes you happy."

"Haha... come on, Mom, help your son design a few couplets."

With a tug, Zhou Jiao cheerfully stood up following his pull, "Ready the pen and ink!"

"Sure thing~"

She didn’t mind Brother Shitou making a little money with her son, lest he sneak off alone to the South later. If something really happens, she’d feel guilty to Zhang the Second.

Money? There’s plenty of chances to earn it.

Just the timing isn’t right yet.

In Zhou Jiao’s view, for Brother Shitou, he should strive for a good academic performance now in school, making it easier for him to get a good job allocation in the future.

However, he’s not her biological child, as an aunt she didn’t wish to speak too much, especially with Zuo Lin around, he wouldn’t let his granddaughter-in-law take risks.

As for Lin Juhua, such a shame if she were really to return home and be stuck there.

All these years, regarding Lin Juhua, Zhou Jiao has never forgotten her deft hands, the natural talent to learn anything quickly.

Zhang Guoqing listened to Zhou Jiao’s thoughts, stunned, then asked again, "Are you suggesting Second Sister-in-law help chefs at private eateries to learn how to cook?"

Zhou Jiao touched her nose, "Is it not good? Well, forget it, I just mentioned it offhand. If she learns a few tricks, in a couple of years opens her own private eatery, no worries about lacking funds."

Zhang Guoqing waved his hand, "No, it’s a great idea. With a skill in hand, Second Brother is at the police station, she practically gets an amulet."

"That’s exactly it. She has a son and a daughter, relying on Second Brother’s paltry salary would be quite stressful. While we can aid when they’re in trouble, ultimately it’s never as good as making their own living."

Zhang Guoqing nodded, "That’s true."

The key issue is after Zhang the Second bought Brother Shitou a house, their family finances are thin. Otherwise, he would have taken his own brothers to make money.

The eldest has a set life this way, among siblings, only his Second Brother holds hope, he doesn’t want for Old Zhang’s family to have just him shining alone.

As for the nephews?

They are matters for the next generation. He can’t manage that much, nor does he want to. For their generation, it’s up to Ping’an Brothers.

"I’ll contact Second Brother tomorrow and see what he thinks. If Second Sister-in-law wants to learn, there’s no need to stick to Beijing; a chef we tried at the Hehua banquet had pretty good skills."

"Would they pass on craftsmanship?"

"That’s Second Brother’s business. If not, then seek other options, mainly to meet more master chefs, integrate into the circle, truly when the business opens in two years, it can’t rely solely on Second Sister-in-law cooking."

Upon hearing him mention a plan, Zhou Jiao refrained from additional comments.

Zhang Guoqing and his brother’s subsequent arrangements weren’t on her radar, only knowing Zhang the Second was quite keen on this plan.

Owing to Shitou’s busy schedule following May 1st around after winter vacation begins, Lin Juhua delayed her plans to return home, and it’s prepared to wait until after the Little New Year.