The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 262: A Wager

"Aunt Tong, is it still possible for me to learn to do business now?" Lu Zhaozhao asked anxiously.

Lu Zhaozhao didn’t dislike doing business, nor was she against stepping out of the house.

She was merely growing up according to her grandfather’s expectations.

If she had truly followed her grandfather’s wishes, how could she have liked Jingzhe?

The first requirement of being an aristocratic wife is to hide your preferences, eliminating all emotions like a snowman.

In this respect, she did not fit the requirements of an aristocratic wife.

It’s clear that Lu Zhaozhao has a natural rebellious streak in her bones.

The words of Mrs. Han and Tong Huaqiong acted as a catalyst, initially igniting Lu Zhaozhao’s budding desire to do business.

"Why not, look at your Aunt Tong, only started doing business at this age, isn’t she doing well? Your Aunt Tong didn’t even have the capital before, at least you have the capital and a ready-made shop." Mrs. Han said eagerly.

Upon hearing Lu Zhaozhao’s words, Mrs. Han knew Zhaozhao had taken them to heart.

Tong Huaqiong: "..."

What’s with "this age".

Alright, given this era’s early marriages and children, as a grandmother, she could indeed be defined as someone "of this age".

"Aunt Han is right, you see my sister-in-law and me, the children are already so big but we just started doing business with mother-in-law. Aren’t we doing quite well?" Liu Yueer said.

Chen Sufen nodded, agreeing with Liu Yueer’s words.

When Lu Zhaozhao first came to the Gu family, Liu Yueer was very envious of Lu Zhaozhao’s life as a young lady.

Not having to lift a finger, wearing the finest clothes, using the best things, with her grandfather and brother shielding her from everything.

Now that Liu Yueer had been out and seen the world, she still envied Lu Zhaozhao but also saw her predicament.

Liu Yueer thought if she had Lu Zhaozhao’s background and money, she would absolutely want to be her own boss, wouldn’t that be awesome.

"Sister Tong, what do you say?" Mrs. Han asked Tong Huaqiong.

Mrs. Han noticed that Lu Zhaozhao was willing to listen to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong said, "That’s right, if you want to, it’s never too late to start."

Lu Zhaozhao asked, "Can I? I know nothing about business."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Why not? What’s more, you can use an abacus, you’re smart, your family has a business atmosphere, you are bound to learn with time. Look at me and your auntie, I hardly ventured out of Qinghe Bay before, but I dove into business and managed it; your auntie didn’t she wash clothes in the county to support your cousin. People have a strong resilience, as long as you are willing, you can carve out a space."

Mrs. Han looked at Tong Huaqiong with admiration.

With Tong Huaqiong’s insight, Lu Zhaozhao should indeed heed her.

Upon receiving Tong Huaqiong’s affirmation, Lu Zhaozhao’s eyes gleamed, then dimmed suddenly, and she said, "Grandpa won’t agree."

Taohua seized the chance and said, "Does his unwillingness mean you can’t make a fuss? You’re his granddaughter, he dotes on you, go on a hunger strike, run away from home, I bet he’ll be heartbroken. Once he’s heartbroken, he will agree."

Lu Zhaozhao was astonished, she never thought of making Grandpa upset.

Tong Huaqiong and Mrs. Han laughed.

The method suggested by Taohua isn’t unfeasible, just a measure to use only if necessary.

Mrs. Han said, "Before the festival, your grandpa returns to Fucheng, I will go see him, speak with him properly. And your brother, if he agrees, he’ll persuade your grandpa."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Zhaozhao, your purpose is to do business, not to confront your grandfather and brother. If you wish to do business, you must show determination and action to give your grandpa and brother confidence in your business endeavors, only then can you persuade them."

"You must progress gradually, not rush. How about this, convince your brother first, say you came to my house and quarreled with Taohua, and because Taohua brags about how well she manages the shop, she mocked you for being a clueless young lady about business. You were so upset that you bet with Taohua to learn to manage a shop and make money, and Taohua has to apologize to you. Start by trying it out with one shop, firstly to open the door to business, secondly to see if you truly like doing business."

This idea is good.

The playful antics between young girls, surely the doting brother Zhao Yang will agree.

Don’t underestimate a single shop, sometimes a small spark can ignite a prairie fire.

Originally, Tong Huaqiong wanted to mention her soon-to-open pastry shop in Fucheng, where Lu Zhaozhao could contribute some money as a shareholder.

Then she thought better of getting involved too soon.

Although Lu Zhaozhao as a shareholder can earn money, not being involved in operations puts her back to square one without direct involvement.

Taohua clapped her hands excitedly and said, "If you want to put on a show, I can write you a letter to provoke you, and you can show it to your brother."

Lu Zhaozhao’s eyes sparkled brightly.

With her understanding of her brother, not only would he agree, but he would dispatch the most elite shopkeeper to assist her.

Zhao Yang’s sister would never fall behind.

Mrs. Han looked at Tong Huaqiong with even more enthusiasm and said: "Sister Tong, you indeed have a business mind, so many clever ideas."

This approach wouldn’t provoke Mr. Lu.

It’s just girlhood little tricks. By the time he realizes, Lu Zhaozhao would likely already be rooted in the shop.

Then it would be too late for him to oppose.

"Taohua, you’re going to be the villain in my brother’s eyes, I must reward you well, what do you want?" Lu Zhaozhao held Taohua’s hand and asked.

Taohua laughed and said: "I’ve always been the villain, I don’t mind doing it again. I don’t want any gifts, if you want to repay me, learn to do business well. My mother always says most shops aren’t solely run by men, but women often toil in the background while glory goes to men. I don’t want that, I want to stand in the spotlight, I want to be the one calling the shots. I’m not joking, I’m really betting with you, to see in the future business encounters, who’s more formidable, you Lu Zhaozhao or me Taohua."

Lu Zhaozhao was stirred to determination and said: "Alright, let’s wait and see."

Tong Huaqiong was amused by the girlish antics of Taohua and Lu Zhaozhao.

In their past lives, both Zhaozhao and Taohua lived as unfortunate examples, one more love-blind than the other, each viewing men as heaven, leading to equally miserable outcomes.

Here’s hoping in this life, they walk equally broad paths and reach equally fulfilling endings.

"Zhaozhao, don’t ever think that I and your Aunt Tong are egging you into business or rebellion against your grandfather. Both your Aunt Tong and I want you to live more confidently. A person can rely on family for confidence, but most importantly, it comes from yourself. Don’t be fooled by the fact that I now rely on your cousin, your cousin was supported by me. Even if your cousin holds an official position now, I have land and sacrificial fields back home under my name, and even if your cousin’s official career is unstable, I am not afraid."

Mrs. Han feared that although everything seemed fine now, Zhaozhao might later blame her and Tong Huaqiong for ulterior motives. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Hence, she didn’t hesitate to reveal her fallback plan.

Tong Huaqiong admired Mrs. Han somewhat, why would Han bother for a niece’s child to painstakingly encourage her into learning business to manage her own in future?

If not for Huaqiong’s sincere feelings towards Zhaozhao, she might suspect Mrs. Han’s intentions.

Otherwise, who truly worries for a relative’s child so deeply?