— When is Katya going to find a job? — Nadezhda Konstantinovna asked her son once again.
— Mom, stop bringing up that topic already, we don’t need that, — Konstantin replied.
— A wife should be busy with something. Yours just sits at home and does nothing. I’m the one cleaning all day!
— Why do you clean all day? You could go for a walk, watch a movie, read a book.
— I’m not used to sitting idle, that’s not how I was raised. — Nadezhda Konstantinovna carefully hung a checkered towel on the kitchen cabinet handle.
— Well, Olya was raised differently. Instead of mopping floors, she’s looking for a business niche.
— Yeah, she’s “looking” for a niche, a little businesswoman. Probably just sitting all day having fun on your internet. I’m old, but even I’m waiting for the summer house season so I’m not just sitting around, and you two are just lazybones.
After leaving the office, Olya really decided to start something of her own. Maybe she wouldn’t make millions, but at least she’d do something she enjoyed. Her husband Kostya fully supported her desire and always took her side.
His mother, on the other hand, believed that only scammers and crooks ran businesses. Decent people don’t make money, they work. Since they lived with the parents, it was impossible to explain to them that nowadays everyone can be an individual entrepreneur — it’s not like the 1990s.
— How was your day? — Kostya asked, coming home from work.
— Interesting, Mashka called me. She says a food court is opening in our town. Some of her acquaintances are behind it. She invited me to come and talk with them. Maybe something will come up.
— That sounds good. Definitely go, the more contacts, the more opportunities. — Kostya agreed.
— That’s what I thought too.
— Anything else interesting?
— I quarreled with your mom. She asked if I wanted to help clean the bathroom tiles. I said I have other things to do besides cleaning all day.
— And how did she respond?
— As usual, she got mad and called me a clumsy slob. — Olya smiled.
— Sometimes I think you’re trolling her on purpose, right? — Kostya smiled back.
— You just think so. — Olya’s smile grew wider.
A little later, the family gathered around the table for dinner. Nadezhda Konstantinovna had fried cutlets and boiled pasta. There was a plate of pickles and a bottle of ketchup on the table.
— Alright, dig in! — she commanded — eat while it’s hot.
— Thanks, Mom! I love your cutlets! — Kostya said with a full mouth.
— I could teach you too, Olya. — the mother-in-law looked slyly at her daughter-in-law.
— Thanks, but I’m not good at cooking. — the girl answered honestly.
— Hm… not good at cleaning, not good at cooking… then what are you good at? — the mother-in-law asked sarcastically.
— In the bedroom. — the daughter-in-law answered calmly.
Kostya burst out laughing, the father-in-law blushed and dropped his fork, and the mother-in-law frowned.
— No dirty jokes at the table!
— I just answered your question. — the daughter-in-law shrugged without a fuss.
Time passed, summer came, and the in-laws moved to the country house. This was the young couple’s favorite time of year since they had the whole apartment to themselves. No one was breathing down their neck, no one giving advice — they could walk around the apartment in their birthday suits if they wanted.
Olya and Kostya were sitting in the kitchen having coffee and sandwiches for breakfast.
— Remember I told you about those guys from the food court?
— Yeah, sure. How’s it going with them?
— Not bad. They invited me to another meeting. They say they have an interesting proposal.
— Great. When are you going?
— Today. I’ll tell you about it in the evening.
Olya came back in a great mood but told Kostya she couldn’t share the business plan yet. She needed to think it through carefully. Kostya didn’t press.
— My parents called from the country today, asking if we want to come pick up some zucchini. — he shared with his wife.
— You don’t like zucchini, do you? — Olya was surprised.
— No, but you can’t explain that to them.
— I don’t get why they grow so many zucchini if they don’t even eat them.
— Imagine how my childhood went — zucchini pancakes, zucchini soups, even jam made from zucchini.
— Horrible, I’m sorry. — Olya joked, stroking her husband’s head.
But suddenly her hand froze. A brilliant idea struck her.
— We won’t stay long. Just to pick up some things, really no time! — Nadezhda Konstantinovna fussed.
— What urgent business do you have? — Olya asked, surprised.
Usually the in-laws were never in a hurry, and now every minute counted.
— You wouldn’t understand, you’re unemployed. But a wolf is fed by its feet. You turn your nose up at our harvest, but some people buy it for money! — the mother-in-law said proudly. We need to pick tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and prepare them for delivery to the customer.
— Wow! So you guys are businessmen now too. — the daughter-in-law smirked.
— Laugh all you want, but we’re going to earn some money. Kolya! Have you packed everything? — she called to her husband.
— Coming! — he shouted back.
A few minutes later they were loading bags into the old “six” car under the windows.
All summer the in-laws sold the harvest to some middlemen, and Nadezhda Konstantinovna was absolutely happy.
At the same time, Olya was invited to a large food court project to oversee purchases for the local market. She liked the project and agreed to invest in the part related to the market.
She enjoyed selecting fresh fruits and vegetables and selling them individually as if grown with love. She set up a separate counter for fresh juices, and it became wildly popular.
— So, what do you do for work in the end? — the backward in-laws could never understand.
— Well, there are trendy places for young people where they can try organic food, drink fresh juices, or watch movies. I’m a co-owner of such a place. — Olya replied confidently, knowing the in-laws wouldn’t understand.
— It’s all unclear. — they predictably answered.
Usually the conversation ended there, but sometimes Nadezhda Konstantinovna allowed herself to tease her daughter-in-law a little longer.
— So, when will you find a proper job? With salary and sick leave?
— I’m not looking for a proper job. I’m not interested.
— I see you’re not looking. When will you start? — the mother-in-law persisted.
— As soon as I do, I’ll let you know. — she answered sarcastically.
— Even we, pensioners, found side jobs, and you’re a young woman and so lazy! — the mother-in-law wasn’t about to let go.
Autumn was approaching, and the parents wanted to sell more vegetables to cover the season.
They sat at the country house waiting for the usual courier truck to arrive.
But instead, a white SUV belonging to the daughter-in-law stopped at the gate.
— What are you doing here, damn it? — Nadezhda Konstantinovna was surprised.
— I’m your customer. I decided to come personally and inform you that we are ending our relationship.
— What do you mean? What are you saying?
— Just like that. I was buying your harvest for my market, but since you don’t respect me even a little, I don’t want to work with you anymore.
Nadezhda Konstantinovna widened her eyes and exchanged looks with her husband.
— So, you’re saying you are the individual entrepreneur Romanova?
— Yes, that’s my maiden name. Though who am I telling, you don’t care.
— Wait, Olenka, but the season isn’t over yet. Where will you get vegetables? — the mother-in-law softened her tone.
— Where? There are prettier peppers. — the daughter-in-law smiled slyly. — I bought yours just because you’re family, but I have a whole queue of people interested!
— Okay, dear, what will you do in winter? — the outraged father-in-law interrupted.
— I have contracts with meat farms for winter, don’t worry! — Olya smiled with a bright white smile. — Well, I have to go. Goodbye.
She turned around and got into the car. The in-laws exchanged stunned looks as dust rose behind the rear wheels.
— So? Where was she? — Kostya asked his wife while cutting salad.
— I fired your parents. — she calmly answered.
— What?
Olya had to explain in detail who she was and what she was doing. Kostya admired his wife’s work ethic and agreed that how she dealt with his parents was right. They had earned it themselves by their disrespectful attitude toward their daughter-in-law.
Olya said now they could confidently take out a bank loan for their own apartment; her income was constantly growing.
This news pleased Kostya.
Less than six months later, the young couple moved out of their parents’ place and settled in their own apartment.
Olya’s business expanded. Now she handled purchases for newly opened markets. She forgave her in-laws and continued to cooperate with them. The mother-in-law even developed a new tomato variety named after the businesslike daughter-in-law.
But how long will she be able to work? Olya hadn’t told anyone yet that she was carrying a baby.
