Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 40. What do you do for a living?

"Dad, what do they do?"

Back at their stall, Hua Jin pretended to be very curious as she watched several people in identical clothing leave their stall.

"They are the junior officials who collect the market tax."

"Market tax?" Hua Jin blinked her eyes, asking when she didn’t understand, expertly feigning innocence and ignorance.

Hua Chengtian’s heart softened as he quickly explained, "It’s the stall fee every vendor has to pay."

"How much did you pay, Dad?"

"Two coins," Hua Chengtian, never one to shy away from answering his daughter’s questions, replied.

Two coins weren’t too bad, Hua Jin pondered, thinking those in charge of Shanggu Town weren’t too greedy. Then, she was amused by her brother, who was circling around her.

Goodness, Little Fourth’s eyes were glued to the sugar painting in her hand, and his longing, drooling expression made Hua Jin want to tease him.

Hua Jin raised the sugar painting in her hand higher. "Dad, eat the sugar painting," she teased the little one purposely.

There was no way Hua Chengtian would eat the children’s treats, so he shook his head, "You eat it; I don’t like sweets."

Originally intending only to tease her brother, Hua Jin, seeing her father’s reluctance to eat, raised her hand even higher, seriously watching her dad, giving the impression that she wouldn’t lower her hand until he ate.

As for her brother, who was frantically jumping and repeatedly saying he wanted to eat, Hua Jin pretended not to see, not even glancing his way.

Strolling the market wasn’t fruitless; Hua Jin gained a general understanding of things during this period. After all, everything was scarce—whether it was food, supplies, or anything else.

Salt was scarce, and sugar was even more so and expensive; normally, the poor wouldn’t indulge.

She only ate sugary eggs a few times when she was hurt; if guests came, sugar water was the highest treat.

Prolonged insufficient nutrition intake resulted in most people being lean; Hua Jin hadn’t seen many plump people in town except today.

The sugar painting in her hand wasn’t just for her dad; her whole family had to share it. That’s why she didn’t stop her grandma from buying it.

The money had been spent; the family wouldn’t waste it.

"Dad, are you really not eating?" Hua Chengtian watched his filial daughter, and though he hadn’t eaten, his heart was sweet.

"Sis, look at me, look at me," Little Fourth anxiously twirled around, pointing at himself to try and grab his sister’s attention.

"Sis, I want to eat it," Little Fourth was desperate for his sister, who consistently ignored him.

Unfortunately, his sister still wouldn’t look at him, and there was nothing Little Fourth could do—he didn’t dare snatch it.

He knew that if he dared to move, he’d suffer consequences immediately.

Maybe because he was buzzing around like a fly and making her heart race, Hua Jin finally glanced at him, yet she still didn’t give it to him.

Without speaking, she asked her mom for a piece of greaseproof paper and then directly broke the sugar painting into several parts.

If dad wasn’t willing to eat, he would break it, so everyone had to have a piece, whether they wanted it or not.

Sigh! Life without money is tough!

Yet, in the village, their family was doing reasonably well, making one wonder how other families fared.

Then she handed a piece to everyone without a word, even the two brothers, and Little Fourth finally got the sugar painting he’d been craving.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, this is my filial piety; you can’t not eat it, or I’ll be very sad," Hua Jin pulled out her trump card, one that always worked. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Seeing their playful granddaughter, Grandpa Hua and his wife couldn’t help but laugh while feeling a sense of comfort.

The child’s filial piety had to be accepted, and Grandpa Hua was the first to put the sugar painting in his mouth.

Hmm... so sweet!!!

A happy smile appeared on his sun-tanned face.

Little Fourth couldn’t contain himself and took a big bite first, but then he carefully licked his portion, a satisfied expression on his face.

Finally, he could eat!

The street was bustling and lively; time flew by quickly in such an atmosphere, and soon it was afternoon.

During this time, Hua Jin shared the remaining warm oil cakes from her pocket with her family. Of course, Little Fourth, the glutton, got the least—he’d finished his portion early on, so there was no one to blame for eating less now since he’d already eaten one.

The remaining time was spent with her parents at the stall. Business wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either; they sold a few pieces of small furniture by afternoon, making a hundred coins or so, which was pure profit.

The wood came from ownerless trees in the mountains, costing nothing but effort and time.

As the sun set and others began packing up, Hua Chengtian started tidying up, planning to head home with his two sons.

While packing, he felt his daughter pulling him.

"What’s the matter?" Hua Chengtian asked, puzzled, looking at his daughter.

"Dad, the uncle next door hasn’t sold all his fish. Why don’t we buy a few to keep in the water tank at home for a long meal?"

When they first arrived, Hua Jin’s eyes were already on the fish in the basin next door, wanting to buy a few to eat together.

She’s a carnivore; she likes anything with meat, fish too. Sometimes, feeling her stomach was bland, she’d secretly return to her space to indulge at night.

She could satisfy her cravings, but her family wasn’t as fortunate. If her family treated her poorly, she wouldn’t care, but now, being the center of love, neither her brothers nor her younger brother dared cross her. Every time she ate alone from the space, she felt a bit off.

Her philosophy was to be good to those who were good to her, especially her closest relatives. That’s why she’d always think of ways to give her grandparents and parents a taste during mealtimes.

Now that there’s a chance to buy fish, no matter what, Hua Jin had her mind set on making dad buy a few so the family could properly replenish themselves.

As for the money, selling the stools was enough. She could always draw more later. Her mind was filled with ideas, and she was confident.

Thinking this, Hua Jin became even more eager in persuading her dad to buy.

"Dad, buy a few, please. I really want to eat them."

Hua Jin used another trump card—acting cute, hanging almost entirely off her dad’s arm, shaking it nonstop.

Chengtian’s lips curled up; he couldn’t refuse his daughter. Looking at the fish next door, knowing a few were left and still alive, he remembered his daughter’s injuries and bleeding from earlier, felt a pang for his savings, but decided to buy. If needed, he’d just make more furniture.

"Okay, okay, we’ll buy some; don’t shake anymore, or your dad’s head will spin," Hua Chengtian said immediately.

Hua Jin quickly let go, worriedly checking her dad to find him perfectly fine, easing her mind, but she was instantly overjoyed at getting her desired outcome.

Grandpa Hua opened his mouth to speak, noticing his son’s agreement, but in the end, he said nothing, only furrowing his brow slightly.

He had just heard his wife mention buying pork, so wasn’t getting fish too extravagant?

Although the family had just sold some grain, the two grandsons’ tuition was expensive, and next month’s tuition was due. As a grandparent, he couldn’t help but worry.