137 Chapter 137: Borrowing Money

“Have no fear. If it really doesn’t work out, we can try setting up our stall at night.”

Anyway, there were many people selling things at the night market, so it would not be strange for her family to sell woven bamboo products and straw sandals.

How could one not earn money living in town as long as one was diligent?

Wang Xiaomei’s eyes flickered.

“Okay!” she answered quickly.

Soon, Qin Xiaoyao and Wang Xiaomei reached the Song family’s residence.

In the end, when she entered, Qin Xiaoyao realized that not only were Big Girl Li and Liu Xiaomei there, but Wang Dashan was also there.

Only then did Qin Xiaoyao remember that today was the day Wang Dashan was supposed to deliver firewood to their house.

That was right. Ever since Wang Xiaomei decided to stay in the Song family…

Not long after that, Wang Xiaomei found Qin Xiaoyao and told her that she hoped her brother would be allowed to provide firewood for the Song family.

Qin Xiaoyao thought for a while and agreed to Wang Xiaomei’s request. She had to buy firewood anyway, and most of the time, she had to carry it back herself.

She then asked Wang Dashan to send firewood and straw to their family regularly.

It was only much later that she found out that Wang Dashan had contacted a few more households in the alley.

He had also reached a long-term deal with these families and delivered firewood to them regularly.

In this way, Wang Dashan now had a new business. He could also enter the town often and meet his younger sister occasionally.

After getting Qin Xiaoyao’s permission, he immediately embraced the business idea.

Wang Xiaomei was very happy to see her big brother.

“Mrs. Song,” Wang Dashan looked at Qin Xiaoyao and called out to her in embarrassment.

“Mm-hmm,” Qin Xiaoyao responded in return.

Just as she was about to push the handcart to the storeroom to unload the goods, she saw that Wang Dashan looked like he wanted to say something, but he hesitated.

Hence, she asked Wang Dashan, “Is something the matter?”

Wang Dashan nodded.

He looked at Wang Xiaomei worriedly.

Qin Xiaoyao paused for a moment before turning to Wang Xiaomei, “Xiaomei, you can go unload the goods.”

Wang Xiaomei looked at her big brother, then at Qin Xiaoyao.

“Okay!” she replied doubtfully.

Then, she walked back, took the handcart from Qin Xiaoyao, and pushed it to the storage room.

Qin Xiaoyao only walked toward Wang Dashan after Wang Xiaomei had walked a little further away.

“Let’s sit over there and talk,” she said. She pointed to the stone table and stone bench under the tree not far away.

Previously, she did not have a good impression of Wang Dashan. However, after this period of time, her impression of him changed.

After all, her mother-in-law had put in a lot of good words for Wang Dashan. She said that most of the firewood he sent were thick chunks, and each time, the quantity was plentiful.

In addition, during this period, he didn’t look for his sister alone, nor did he let his father come here to look for Wang Xiaomei, so she was quite satisfied.

“No, no!” Wang Dashan said hurriedly, still looking uneasy.

Qin Xiaoyao didn’t force him either.

“Alright then. If you have anything to say, just say it,” she continued.

Wang Dashan seemed to struggle inwardly for a while before he spoke.

“I… would like to borrow 400 copper coins from Mrs. Song.” After saying this, Wang Dashan became even more ill at ease and did not dare to raise his head.

Qin Xiaoyao frowned slightly.

She looked in the direction of the entrance of the storage room where Wang Xiaomei was standing.

“Why do you need so much money? Also, have you told Xiaomei about this?”

Xiaomei had set up the stall with Qin Xiaoyao and helped her make straw sandals. Qin Xiaoyao had given her some money.

Now that Wang Dashan was looking to borrow money from her, was it because he had already borrowed money from his younger sister?

Qin Xiaoyao’s frown deepened when this thought popped into her mind.

If that were the case, she would have to go to the market and buy her own firewood. Or, they could find someone else to deliver firewood to their house.

“No, I haven’t,” Wang Dashan said hurriedly.

“Xiaomei doesn’t know about this matter, so I must ask Mrs. Song not to tell her!” He raised his head and looked at Qin Xiaoyao.

Qin Xiaoyao was very surprised.

Only then did she realize that she might have guessed wrong.

Therefore, she waited for Wang Dashan to continue.

After a while, Wang Dashan said, “I… want to borrow money from Mrs. Song to buy a handcart.”

Qin Xiaoyao turned her head and looked at the handcart that Wang Dashan had parked in the courtyard.

Although the handcart was old and not as big as her handcart, its functionality was not affected.

Wang Dashan noticed Qin Xiaoyao’s gaze and quickly explained, “I borrowed that handcart from Uncle Village Chief.”

“But Uncle Village Chief’s family also needs to use it for themselves. I… I have to send firewood to town frequently now. It’s not good… not good to keep using Uncle Village Chief’s handcart.”

...

During this period, he had already contacted a few families who regularly bought firewood from him.

In addition, after selling firewood in town for a while, he gradually found an efficient way.

If he didn’t have the determination to do it for a long time, he wouldn’t have thought of buying a handcart.

Qin Xiaoyao roughly understood his intentions.

“Collecting firewood to sell is not an easy job. Have you thought about this matter carefully?”

Wang Dashan’s eyes lit up when he saw that Qin Xiaoyao did not reject him.

“Yes, I’ve thought it through!”

“Mrs. Song, if you’re still worried, I’ll use firewood to pay off the loan. I won’t charge you any money for the whole of next year!”

Qin Xiaoyao finally had a smile on her face.

“Then wouldn’t my family be taking advantage of you?” Wang Dashan was now sending firewood to her house almost once every three days. He sent two bundles each time, which cost five copper coins.

In one month, her family spent about 50 copper coins on firewood.

...

In one year, it would be 600 copper coins.

However, Wang Dashan only asked to borrow 400 copper coins from her. Wouldn’t she be the one taking advantage of him? Moreover, the sum involved was not small.

Wang Dashan scratched his head in embarrassment.

“How can it be considered taking advantage? Back then, if it wasn’t for Mrs. Song’s help, Xiaomei…”

“Even if I provide firewood for free to your family, it’s only right!”

“Hehe! I don’t want a free gift.” Qin Xiaoyao finally laughed.

After thinking for a while, she said, “How about this? I agree with you about using firewood to pay off your debt. But if you give it away for free for a year, you’ll lose too much.”

“Yes, 400 copper coins. It’s equivalent to 80 shoulder loads of firewood.” As Qin Xiaoyao muttered, she looked in the direction of her woodshed.

“How about this? Give me five more loads of firewood, and I’ll count it as interest.”

“After that, you will deliver firewood once every two days until you pay back my 85 loads of firewood. In addition, don’t forget to send some kindling wood to start fires.”

Pine needles, leaves, and other firewood used to start a fire were usually given for free. However, the amount was not much.

At the moment, her woodshed was empty, so it was good to take the opportunity to stock up on some kindling wood.

“Alright! Thank you, Mrs. Song!” Wang Dashan quickly thanked her. He didn’t feel that it was inappropriate for Qin Xiaoyao to collect interest from him.

Only then did Qin Xiaoyao take out four silver coins and hand them to Wang Dashan.

Wang Dashan expressed his gratitude again.

At this moment, Wang Xiaomei had finished unloading the goods and put away the handcart. She walked over to them.

“Then you talk to Xiaomei. I… will go over there first.” Qin Xiaoyao pointed at Big Girl Li and Liu Xiaomei, who were not far away.

“Mrs. Song, take care,” Wang Dashan said hurriedly.

Qin Xiaoyao nodded and left.

Even from a distance, Wang Xiaomei could see her big brother bowing with cupped hands to Qin Xiaoyao.

After she walked over, she asked Wang Dashan what was happening.

“Nothing much. I was just telling Mrs. Song about the future firewood delivery.” Wang Dashan avoided Wang Xiaomei’s gaze.

“Mrs. Song asked me to deliver firewood every two days henceforth.”