"With his limited skills, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldnât dare mess with me. If I find out, heâll get what he deserves," Liao Ye said, frowning at Han Yi beside him. "Did you offend them? I accidentally overheard them talking about you the other day. I couldnât hear clearly from a distance, but it wasnât anything good."
"..." Han Yi lowered his eyes, looked at his hand, and thought for a long time.
Han Yiâs task this time might actually be related to him. The anonymous letter he sent before coming to school hasnât stirred any trouble yet. Itâs likely Mei Langchiâs people intercepted it.
He anticipated this outcome, no rush, he has plenty of photos.
... Perhaps Mei Langchi realizes heâs the culprit and deliberately sent two people to annoy him.
...
"Aunt, I heard Sister Xiao Wan is busy making clothes to sell. Why donât I go help her tomorrow?" When the store wasnât busy, Zhang Dandan walked to the front desk and asked Liang Hongmei.
Liang Hongmei looked up at her, "No need, your cousinâs work is already finished," then lowered her head and continued her work, clearly disinterested in conversing.
"Aunt, my cousinâs clothes are really nice; no wonder she studied fashion design." Zhang Dandan appeared oblivious to Liang Hongmeiâs busyness, still asking naively.
"Your cousin hasnât graduated yet, sheâs just practicing on her own," Liang Hongmei said indifferently, not even bothering to look up. The meaning was clear: Busy now, no time for chit-chat.
"Aunt, donât put down Sister Xiao Wan, many people in the city love her clothes, and I do too. Sister Xiao Yu even wore a set herself, Iâm so envious." Zhang Dandan babbled on in her dreamy manner, but Liang Hongmei responded only with a brief "Hmm," unwilling to engage further.
Zhang Dandan reluctantly returned to her work.
She thought sheâd at least get a couple of pieces from her cousinâs clothing line. Itâs been almost a month, the weatherâs growing colder, yet no signs of her aunt bringing her any clothes.
Yesterday, Xiao Yu wore a stylish short red down jacket, which Zhang Dandan admired deeply. She had inquired at the mall, one jacket costs over fifty.
Equivalent to two monthsâ salary, far too costly for her.
"Isnât the manager your aunt? Ask her for a family discount, only thirty-something, much cheaper. All store employees get internal pricing. If you like it, hurry and buy from the manager, theyâre in short supply now. Besides, nowâs the perfect weather, itâll be too cold soon," Xiao Yu advised her yesterday, but Zhang Dandan knew that even with so many helping out, her aunt never once let her join the effort, not even mentioned it in her presence.
Today she stated it so blatantly; how could her perceptive aunt not see her intentions?
Clearly, she didnât want to give her clothes.
At this moment, Zhang Dandan realized how foolish sheâd been, making errors for minor gains and being discovered.
If she hadnât coveted that little bit of money and hadnât gone into her auntâs room, she might still be living with her.
Living like itâs New Year everyday, staying in a brick-and-tile house, with new clothes to wear, earning a salary.
Unlike now, living alone, earning little, being frugal, lacking the novelty of moving in.
All things considered, living at her auntâs was much more beneficial.
"Hongmei"
As Zhang Dandan lamented internally, she watched a man in his forties at the front desk, carrying a bag, staring intently at her aunt. Sheâd seen him twice before; each time he dined, he sat at the table facing the front desk, leaving a bag of items for her aunt.
"Mr. Du, youâre early today, same routine?" Du Guangjun smiled awkwardly, "Not dining here today. Iâm delivering some goods, my son-in-law got sand worms from afar, I brought you some to try."
"No need, keep them for yourself. Old Du, you donât have to do this, I wonât consent. Instead of investing in me, let Sister Liu introduce you to more candidates; far better ones out there."
Liang Hongmeiâs refusal was familiar to Du Guangjun from the beginning. But he doesnât mind; emotions grow, and one day, she might agree.
Companionship in later years is rare, and finding an agreeable and beautiful partner even harder. He wonât give up such a wonderful woman.
Luckily, his daughter supports him. His commitment isnât entirely reckless.
"No one compares to you, save them for the kids. I have to go now," leaving the bag, he hurried off.
Itâs always like this; Liang Hongmei feels helpless regarding Du Guangjun.
Pleasant and polite, if you refuse, he wonât force, always caring silently.
Briefly, sheâs been moved; since Lin Guozhi, no one has treated her so well. But mostly, she doesnât wish to impair that inner goodness.
Years have passed, she endured the most difficult times without a man; now, she still supports her children alone. Itâs enough.
As Liang Hongmei pondered, Zhang Dandan observed everything from the hall, eyes flickering.
The shop had Zhang Dandan seeking undeserved rewards, and home, there were two others.
Lin Wan was surprised by the visit from her aunt at this moment. Since she and her husband moved, the aunt only visited once when Little Star turned one month old.
This was the second time, yet Shen Rongâthe daughterânever came before, as Lin Wan seldom saw her since marriage. Prior to living at Grandmaâs, she rarely visited. Quite a questionable granddaughter.
"This yard my cousin bought is splendid; marrying him is such a gain for you. Way better than our chosen yard, we bought property at the base and weâre still building. Without a thousand, a house wonât rise." Shen Rong entered, ignoring Lin Wan, inspecting the yard.
Zhang Huilan was more civil, greeted Lin Wan, and cradled Little Star.
"The childâs gained weight; clearly, Lin Wanâs well off, not stingy toward children." This remark stuck in Lin Wanâs throat.
With her aunt and cousin, if they donât jab her, itâs unusual. Uncertain what brought them mother and daughter over.
"Aunt, Rongrong, what brings you here today? Come inside; itâs windy outside."
Shen Rong cast a glance at Lin Wan, silent, following Zhang Huilan inside. Crossing the threshold, she caught sight of finished clothing in the west room.
Shen Rong nudged Zhang Huilan, gesturing towards the west room. Zhang Huilan understood, eyes gleaming, she smiled, "Didnât check the weather, whoâd guess such wind. Rongrong, you must be freezing; have your cousin give you a warm garment."
"Really? Let me see," Shen Rong said, heading to the west room.
Lin Wan instantly understood their purpose today.
They brought some cheap fruits and aimed to take a garment worth tens.
Before Lin Wan could enter the west room, Shen Rong already emerged wearing a gray-blue coat. "Mom, does it look nice? Someone at my workplace has one, itâs lovely. I want this one. Oh, right," returning inside, she brought out a red down jacket, and told Zhang Huilan, "This one too. Iâm taking both."
"Looks good, alright, take two then. Your cousin wouldnât be stingy."
"Mom, thereâs something fitting for you too, let me find a couple." Said Shen Rong, beckoning her mother inside.
Beaming, Zhang Huilan readily handed Little Star to Lin Wan, delightedly entering the west room.
The mother-daughter pair neither recognized Lin Wanâs role as mistress, nor treated her things respectfully. Brazenly claiming items. Shen Rong was more insolent, having glanced at Lin Wan once upon entering, with disdain evident.
Tch, spurn her yet covet her possessions? Wishes arenât fulfilled by thin air.
Lin Wan handed Little Star to the inner room.