Now that there was no comparison, no matter how angry Su Dalang and Su Erlang were, they could only endure it.
Seeing that so many things couldn’t be sold, Su Dalang and Su Erlang were also furious.
It was getting late. There was no point in keeping watch any longer. It was almost New Year’s. Most people had gone home by the time it was past the hour, and the streets were empty for a long time.
Su Dalang said to Su Erlang, “Second Brother, let’s go home.”
Su Dalang called Su Erlang to go with him.
Chen Long and Chen Qiang also held back their anger. They closed the shop door angrily and went back.
It was dark by the time they got home.
As soon as Su Dalang and Su Erlang arrived home, the family surrounded them expectantly.
Madam Wang asked excitedly, “Eldest Brother, Second Brother, how many taels of silver did you earn today? You have to count it clearly. Don’t let the Chen family hide it.”
Madam Wang was filled with joy as she waited to count the money.
Madam Li and Madam Zhou also revealed looks of anticipation. Su Sanlang and Madam Chen Hu’s families were making a lot of money. If they sold it at a cheaper price, it would be less, but it was still money.
In the long run, this would be a huge sum of money.
Su Dalang and Su Erlang looked constipated.
Madam Wang couldn’t wait anymore. “What are you guys waiting for? Hurry up and say it.”
Only then did Su Dalang sigh and say, “Father, mother, there’s something wrong with the sauerkraut made by the Chen family. When we opened today, we didn’t have any business at all. It was only when Su Sanlang and the others sold out that someone was willing to buy it. However, they said that it wasn’t delicious at all and were unwilling to buy it after tasting it.”
Su Erlang gritted his teeth and said, “That’s right. Our family sold less than 30 copper coins today. The hundreds of catties are all in the shop.”
As he thought about it, he felt annoyed.
When Madam Wang heard that, she was dumbfounded. “How is that possible?”
How could it not sell? Su Sanlang and the others were clearly selling very well, and their business was extremely good. Why couldn’t they sell it when it came to them?
If it didn’t sell, what about the thousand catties of sauerkraut they made?
Old Master Su frowned. “You really didn’t sell it?”
Su Dalang and Su Erlang nodded heavily. Su Erlang: “It’s true. We said that there was a problem with the Chen family’s cooking, but Chen Long and Chen Qiang refused to admit it. They insisted that it wasn’t the case. Tomorrow, we’ll buy some from Su Sanlang to eat and compare. If it’s different, we’ll have to find the Chen family to compensate for the loss!”
It was the Chen family who came to ask for cooperation. It was only after they said a lot of good things that they agreed to form a partnership.
However, if the Chen family did not have any skills at all, it would be equivalent to deliberately causing them to lose money. They could not tolerate this loss.
Su Dalang also said, “Father, mother, we must have been schemed against by the Chen family. We can’t let this go.”
Old Master Su pondered. His face was ashen and he was probably furious.
Seeing that they really did not earn any money, Madam Wang was already furious. “That heartless Chen family actually dared to trick us. If they don’t return the money, we can’t just let this go…”
“This damn Third Brother. I shouldn’t have given birth to him in the first place. After giving birth to such a thing, it’s stabbing my heart every day.”
Madam Wang cursed Su Sanlang.
Hearing Madam Wang curses, no one said anything.
Su Sanlang’s family had been living better and better these past few years. None of them felt good about it.
The Chen family came to say that they would work together and think that they would be able to snatch the business after the cooperation. They were also tempted and thought that they could finally turn the tables this time. They did not expect this to happen.
Su Sanlang probably mocked them in his heart today.
Initially, they were filled with anticipation, but now, none of the Su family members were in a good mood.
Everyone looked listless. They had been looking forward to the day. All their joy had been for naught, and a shadow had been cast over their hearts.
“Let’s eat first.”
Old Master Su said solemnly.
However, when they sat at the dining table, no one had a good appetite.
Madam Wang cried and said, “We paid a few taels of silver. My money… That damned black-hearted thing…”
Madam Li and Madam Zhou were both silent. Madam Wang was still very energetic right now. If they were to get into trouble now, they would definitely be beaten up by her.
The Su family looked worried, and so did the Chen family.
As soon as Chen Long and Chen Qiang returned home, Father Chen and Mother Chen were also looking forward to it.
Father Chen said, “Why are you back so late? Is it all sold out? Let’s split the money. Why don’t you carry a few more catties there to sell tomorrow? It’s the new year the day after tomorrow. There should be no business the day after tomorrow. Sell more tomorrow.”
Mother Chen nodded in agreement. “That’s right, that’s right. Get more tomorrow. Let’s go buy some vegetables tomorrow so that that bastard’s family can’t buy vegetables.”
Madam Yang and Madam Wu were also smiling.
“Father, mother, don’t think about it. Our family is doomed.”
Chen Qiang said coldly.
He looked at Madam Yang coldly and said, “You b*tch, didn’t you say that you know everything about Madam Qian’s cooking? Why is the taste so different? We couldn’t even sell it.”
Chen Qiang’s sudden cold expression made Madam Yang’s heart skip a beat. She was also scared out of her wits when she heard that they could not sell it. She hurriedly defended herself and said anxiously, “I didn’t do this alone. I did it with Sister-in-law.”
She couldn’t be the only one blamed for not being able to sell it.
Madam Wu’s face also turned pale. She quickly defended herself. “Sister-in-law, you can’t say that. I’m just your assistant. You were the one who mixed the condiments.”
She dared not bear such a grave sin.
Madam Wu was also anxious to excuse herself. When Madam Yang saw that she was in a hurry to clear her name, she smiled coldly and gritted her teeth. “Sister-in-law, you can’t say that. Father and Mother still remember. You were the one who said that sauerkraut and pickles are very simple to make, and that we can also make them and sell them.”
“If you hadn’t said that, Father and Mother wouldn’t have let you try.”
Madam Yang had bitten Madam Wu to death. She knew that she could not escape punishment, but she definitely could not bear the most responsibility.
Madam Wu’s face turned pale. She defended herself with a trembling voice, “No, I didn’t say that. Sister-in-law, you’re slandering me.”
“Okay, everyone stop arguing.”
Father Chen roared coldly.
None of them had expected this outcome.
And this outcome was something none of them could bear.
Mother Chen looked at her two daughters-in-law with resentment in her eyes.
Madam Yang and Madam Wu lowered their heads and did not dare to make a sound.
Chen Qiang and Chen Long were also unhappy.
The children at home were even more afraid to speak.
December 29.
Early in the morning, Su Dalang and Su Erlang were preparing to enter the town with the entire Su family.
When the Chen family saw this, they could only enter the town together as well.
On the way, Old Master Su said in a deep voice, “Back then, we only agreed to this business because you promised to make a huge profit. Now, the taste is not right. This is a huge loss. Your family has to give us an explanation.”
Father Chen’s face also darkened as he said coldly, “Brother Su, your words are too much. How can there be no risk in doing business? If you want my family to take all the risks, why would our family drag your family into making money together? Why would we give your family benefits for nothing?”
Madam Wang said angrily, “Who cares about doing business with your family? It was your family who shamelessly caught up to us.”
