Chapter 52

Li Mu's aunt, Xiao Yunzhi, and his other aunt, Xiao Yunlan, came together. As soon as Aunt Xiao Yunzhi entered, she first congratulated Li Mu's family of three, then apologized, saying that Li Mu's uncle and his elder cousin had returned to their hometown last week, so today only she came over.

Aunt Xiao Yunlan's family of three was complete, with her husband Zeng Jiwei bringing their eight-year-old daughter, Zeng Jing.

After entering, Aunt Xiao Yunlan only greeted Li Mu's mother, then bypassed Li Mu's father and went straight to Li Mu's grandparents. Li Mu observed his aunt from a distance and noticed a hint of disdain on her face.

Li Mu's father felt a bit awkward, and Aunt Xiao Yunlan's husband quickly took out a cigarette and offered one to Li Mu's father: "Brother-in-law, have a smoke."

At this moment, Uncle and Aunt Xiao Yunjian pushed the door open and walked in.

As soon as they entered, they were shocked by the size of the private room. They exchanged a glance and suppressed their surprise.

"Brother and sister-in-law, you're here." Li Mu's mother saw them enter the private room and hurriedly greeted them with a smile.

Li Daoping also nodded slightly and greeted them: "Brother and sister-in-law, you're here."

Uncle Xiao Yunjian nodded indifferently, then glanced at the two bottles of Maotai on the table, turning to look at Li Daoping with a serious expression: "Daoping, it's indeed a cause for celebration that Xiaomu did well in the exam, but when did you start to like formalities? This meal will cost you half a year's tuition for Xiaomu, won't it?"

Li Daoping felt a bit awkward and blurted out that the money was earned by Li Mu, but Li Mu quickly interjected: "Uncle, my father said that today's main purpose is not to celebrate my score, but to gather the family. We haven't had a meal together like this for years. The last time we had a meal together was when my cousin Yuan went to college."

Li Daoping glanced at Li Mu and then nodded as if he had just realized something, smiling: "Yes, brother, we're just having a family meal. Xiaomu hasn't been admitted yet, so there's nothing to celebrate."

"Right, what school did Xiaomu apply to?" Uncle asked, walking to the table and sniffing the opened bottle of Maotai.

The aroma of the national liquor was so unique! It cost several hundred yuan per bottle, and even he could only afford to drink it two or three times a year.

Li Mu's mother said: "Xiaomu applied to Renmin University."

"Renmin University?" Uncle frowned and put the bottle back on the table: "636 points is indeed high, but isn't it a bit risky to apply to Renmin University?"

Li Mu's father chuckled: "It's the child's decision."

At this point, Aunt Xiao Yunjian asked: "What is your second choice?"

Li Mu answered: "I didn't apply for a second choice."

"Didn't apply?" Aunt Xiao Yunjian's expression changed, and she said with a rich expression: "Oh, if Renmin University doesn't admit you, will you have to retake the exam?"

As soon as she said this, everyone in the room looked over.

Applying to such a prestigious university as a first choice without a second choice was shocking to everyone.

However, Li Mu didn't care. He knew the situation and was confident that he would be admitted to Renmin University, so he didn't want to continue this topic. He said to his father: "Dad, everyone is here. Let's get everyone seated."

Li Mu's father finally reacted and hurriedly smiled, inviting his grandparents and others to sit down.

Uncle Xiao Yunjian was suspicious and, after sitting down with his wife, Aunt Xiao Yunlan sat next to him.

At the large table, they sat opposite Li Mu's family of three. Aunt Xiao Yunlan covered her mouth and whispered in Uncle's ear: "Brother, this meal must have cost a lot, right?"

Uncle Xiao Yunjian smacked his lips and said in a low voice: "Two bottles of Maotai, eight cold dishes. Li Daoping is really going all out. Even though the hot dishes haven't been served yet, this meal will cost no less than three to five thousand yuan."

"Wow!" Aunt Xiao Yunlan was amazed: "You know how frugal he is. What's up with him today? He's spending so much money?"

Uncle Xiao Yunjian said: "I don't know. Did he hit the jackpot?"

"Ha!" Aunt Xiao Yunlan sneered: "Do you know what the Xiling Coal Mine is like? I bet he and my second sister are making only about 1,700 yuan a month."

Uncle Xiao Yunjian nodded and asked: "How's your children's clothing store doing?"

"It's okay," Aunt Xiao Yunlan said with a hint of melancholy: "This year isn't good. There are more children's clothing stores, and they all import from the south, competing for customers and lowering prices. Half the year has passed, and I've only made about 10,000 yuan."

As she spoke, several waiters served six hot dishes. Uncle Xiao Yunjian glanced at them and sighed to Aunt Xiao Yunlan: "This meal by Li Daoping is almost equivalent to your quarterly income."

Aunt Xiao Yunlan chuckled: "I guess Li Daoping feels embarrassed in front of our family. This time, he's going all out to save face because his son did well in the exam."

At this moment, Li Mu's father, urged by Li Mu, stood up nervously, raised a glass of wine, and gave a brief toast, then invited everyone to clink glasses and start eating.

After eating a few bites, Uncle Xiao Yunjian said to Li Mu's father with a hidden agenda: "Daoping, I heard that there are two batches of layoffs at the Xiling Coal Mine this year. The first batch has been announced, right?"

Li Mu thought, "Here we go again." Every time he met Uncle and Aunt, they would bring up the Xiling Coal Mine. Once this topic started, it never ended well.

Li Daoping nodded: "It's been announced. The first batch will be laid off at the end of this month, and the second batch will be announced in November."

"Are you and Yunfang in the first batch?"

Li Daoping sipped his wine and said: "No, we're not."

"That's good." Uncle Xiao Yunjian chuckled: "We're always worried about your family. The Xiling Coal Mine's performance is getting worse. Layoffs and closures can happen at any time. Xiaomu is going to college this year, and the tuition and living expenses are a significant amount. What will you do? Even if you borrow money, you can only do it once or twice. After that, who will lend you money?"

Li Mu's father looked a bit awkward but nodded repeatedly, showing a submissive attitude. Uncle Xiao Yunjian was the head of the Xiao family and always spoke in a condescending tone.

Li Mu couldn't stand it. In his eyes, Uncle's words were hypocritical and unpleasant, as if he was afraid that his parents would ask him for money in the future.

So, Li Mu said lightly: "Uncle, you're right. My parents have been discussing it. The Xiling Coal Mine won't last much longer. They're thinking of taking the initiative to resign and start a business."

Li Mu's parents looked at him in surprise. Li Mu patted their legs under the table and, before they could speak, continued: "I also think starting a business is a good idea. It's better than working."

Everyone at the table was surprised. In their view, everyone was starting businesses, but Li Daoping, being cautious, would never do so. He would be too anxious to leave his stable job.

At this moment, Aunt Xiao Yunlan said with a smile: "Oh, Brother-in-law is also thinking of starting a business? That's rare! What kind of business are you and my second sister planning to do?"

Li Mu quickly answered: "My parents are thinking of starting a clothing business."

Aunt Xiao Yunlan's face turned cold, and her tone became unfriendly: "A clothing business isn't something anyone can do. I've made some money from my children's clothing store, but you can't just see the profit without seeing the risks and hard work. My store costs 800 yuan a month in rent, and with utilities, business taxes, and sanitation fees, it's almost 1,000 yuan a month. I also have to keep 20,000 to 30,000 yuan worth of inventory in the store. It's not easy to make money."

Everyone was taken aback by Aunt Xiao Yunlan's strong reaction. Li Mu quickly realized that she had earned some money from her children's clothing store and thought that his parents were planning to enter the same market, which would create competition.

Li Mu sighed inwardly. He remembered her store, which was in a relatively remote area of the old street, and probably didn't cost more than 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. He knew that the store had closed after a few years, so he wouldn't let his parents follow this path.

So, Li Mu said with a smile: "Aunt, don't worry. My parents aren't planning to start a children's clothing business. They won't compete with you."

Aunt Xiao Yunlan breathed a sigh of relief and then realized her overreaction, quickly covering it up: "I'm not afraid of competition. The children's clothing business is tough. Don't misunderstand. If you really want to start a children's clothing business, I can introduce you to my suppliers."

Li Mu smiled: "No need, Aunt. My parents are still considering it. It will take at least another month before they make a decision."

Li Mu's parents looked at each other, completely unaware of any business plans, especially a clothing business. They wanted to explain but, remembering Li Mu's previous instructions, they suppressed their doubts.

At this moment, Grandpa asked Li Mu's mother: "Yunfang, Xiaomu is going to college this year, and you're planning to start a clothing store. That will cost a lot. If you need help, let us know. We can help a bit."

Aunt Xiao Yunzhi also said: "Yes, Yunfang, if you need money, let me know. I can help you."

At this point, Aunt Xiao Yunjian quickly said: "Our family isn't doing well this year, but if you really start a clothing store, we can try to come up with a few thousand yuan. It's just that Yuan is in college and needs money for various things, and she spends a lot without saving."

Li Mu found it amusing. Aunt Xiao Yunjian's words seemed to offer help but actually blocked all possibilities. In most cases, no one would ask for a loan after hearing this, and even if they did, it would be only a few thousand yuan.

Aunt Xiao Yunjian's sudden move was interesting to Li Mu.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a