Dou Dou Ding Ding finished their soda and was about to go play with their tin frogs when Xie Sui called out to them, "Did you forget something?"
Pointing to their cheeks, the two ran back and kissed him, "Bye, Dad."
"Be good, I'm looking forward to your performance."
Lin Wan Wan leaned against the kitchen doorway, unaccustomed to their closeness. "What did you say to them?"
Xie Sui walked over to her, resting an arm on her head, exuding a mix of charm, tenderness, and dominance—a classic CEO smile paired with such a powerful pose, a perfect idol drama scene.
"Thump!"
Unfortunately, Lin Wan Wan wasn't a naive heroine. She directly punched him in the stomach, causing Xie Sui's face to contort in pain. "You really hit hard!"
"Hitting you is the least of it. If you dare to be presumptuous again, I..."
Lin Wan Wan made a groin-kicking motion, implying she'd aim elsewhere next time. She blushed even as she spoke, her fierce expression faltering.
"You're trying to murder your husband! You're just jealous that I'm close with my sons, and you won't tell me. I'll let you be curious to death. Unless you beg me and call me 'good brother,' I won't tell you!"
Lin Wan Wan grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen. "You're asking for a beating."
"No, I'm just kidding. Wife, pour me some water, and let your husband tell you how our son got his revenge."
Xie Sui knew when to stop. Lin Wan Wan poured him water, and after a sip, he clicked his tongue. "The water my wife pours is always sweet."
Lin Wan Wan couldn't help but roll her eyes at his insufferable demeanor.
"I bought those tin frogs and told the kids to rent them out. Anyone who wants to play can play with our son for thirty minutes for one jiao. More importantly, anyone who wants to play has to be good friends with our son, right?
This way, Zhao Xiao Shan will be isolated. When one person's strength isn't enough, one must unite the power of the masses. Isn't this a good deed that achieves two purposes at once?"
Lin Wan Wan's large, almond-shaped eyes widened like a cat's, making her exceptionally beautiful.
"You actually taught your son these things?"
She couldn't say Xie Sui was wrong. They couldn't go to someone else's house to argue; letting the children resolve it themselves seemed acceptable.
But something still felt off, as if it were a bit despicable.
"Am I smart, hubby?"
"Heh, get back to work. You're the smartest, but it's all petty cleverness."
Lin Wan Wan tacitly accepted the plan. She wasn't a saint, and she didn't have to consider her son's tormentor so much. Isolating a child was a bit unethical, but the Zhao family had always been overbearing; he had initiated the conflict.
The afternoon was spent making preserves. All the peaches were finished, resulting in over fifty bottles.
"So many, will they sell?"
There were only so many people in town. Buying a bit for a treat was fine, but eating them constantly was something no one could afford.
"They'll definitely sell. Trust your husband. I'll start dinner; we'll have fried egg pancakes and millet porridge tonight."
"Okay, I'll go cut some leeks."
There were still some small Chinese cabbages and lettuce in the field, so she picked those too to stir-fry for dinner.
Dou Dou Ding Ding returned with the setting sun, their swagger as if they were victorious generals returning from battle.
Several children followed behind them, escorting them like guards. At the doorstep, they said earnestly, "We'll escort you home. We'll be the first to play with the frogs tomorrow. We've agreed, right?"
"Yes, playing for free for half an hour is your reward."
"Okay, we'll escort you again tomorrow. If Zhao Xiao Shan dares to bully you, we'll all beat him up."
Lin Wan Wan pondered. Xie Sui's method was a bit devious, but it was effective.
Dou Dou Ding Ding ran to the kitchen to boast to Xie Sui. Not only did they get the other children to listen to them, but they also earned a jiao. They were especially satisfied to see Zhao Xiao Shan crying his eyes out.
Xie Sui fed each of them a piece of pancake. "Wash your hands, it's time to eat. But this jiao belongs to Daddy. It's the money Daddy spent on the frogs; it's your investment, and investments need to be returned."
"We know. We're people of our word, here you go."
Xie Sui scooped the pancakes onto a plate and found a small wooden box, placing the money inside. "When you've saved enough to buy more frogs, it'll be your time to make money. Keep it up!"
"Yes!"
The two even saluted, full of ceremony. Xie Sui was delighted, thinking how adorable they were. "Time to eat."
They only earned one jiao a day, and it would take months to save enough to buy more frogs. Xie Sui just wanted to use this method to teach them about business and problem-solving.
Dinner was a harmonious affair. The fried egg pancakes and millet porridge were delicious. The lettuce was crisp and refreshing, and the children, who usually disliked vegetables, ate a good portion of the stir-fried Chinese cabbage and mushrooms.
The Zhao Tie Lin household, however, was far from harmonious; it was chaotic. Zhao Xiao Shan lay on the ground, rolling around like a spinning top, making Zhao Tie Lin want to grab a broom and beat him.
"Don't hit the child. It's just a tin frog, can't you just buy him one? What's the big deal? Come on, my good grandson, get up, Grandma will buy you one."
Zhao Xiao Shan immediately stopped crying. "Buy it now."
Zhao Tie Lin's temper flared again. "It's dark, and the supply and marketing cooperative is closed. Where am I supposed to buy it for you?"
Zhao Tie Lin's wife quickly appeased him, "We'll go buy it tomorrow when it's light, okay? Be good, Grandma will steam you eggs."
"By morning, they'll all be playing with Dou Dou Ding Ding and no one will play with me."
Zhao Xiao Shan was extremely aggrieved. He had always been the leader of the children, but today, Xie Sui's two brats had stolen all his followers. How could he stomach this?
"We don't even care to play with them. Grandma will take you to town to buy candy."
Zhao Tie Lin snapped, "What kind of nonsense are you teaching the child? You'll spoil him sooner or later."
"The child is still young; he'll understand when he grows up. I raised several sons, and they all turned out fine. My grandson will definitely become a high official."
Zhao Tie Lin's wife was unconcerned. In her view, a child's personality was innate, and raising them well with good food and drink was the parents' achievement.
Zhao Tie Lin puffed on his pipe, choosing not to argue with the old woman. His mind, however, drifted to Xie Sui. Making preserves seemed quite profitable; in just a few days, that little brat was eating meat every meal, a significant change from before.
If he could do it, why couldn't he?
The next day, he went to consult with the village head, Zhao Tie Gang, about the matter. Zhao Tie Gang asked, "Do you know how to do it? There's no rule that only Xiao Sui can sell them. You can sell them if you want!"
"I don't have the skills, that's why I'm asking you. See if you can find out how he does it. In the past, business was a matter for the whole village; he shouldn't be monopolizing it all by himself."