Li Weiwei ultimately did not go on the blind date.
He firmly refused, and Li the Cook couldn’t force him to drink water by holding his head down, could he?
Li Weiwei breathed a sigh of relief, but recently, his grandparents had been giving him the cold shoulder, making him feel like he had to tiptoe around the house every day. He left early and returned late, but this routine of coming and going actually allowed him to notice something interesting.
Hmm, it had nothing to do with finding a partner.
Instead, it was about setting up a small street stall. Ever since the uncle who used to fry dough sticks on their street moved away, no one in their alley had taken up the business. His father, Yang Lixin, had always considered it, but in these times, giving up a stable job to do something like that was seen as shameful.
Even Li the Cook didn’t agree, and Yang Lixin was torn inside.
Li Weiwei, however, didn’t feel much about it. But during these days of leaving early and returning late, he had observed something: the mobile food stalls actually made quite a bit of money.
As a cook, he often followed Li the Cook and his father to cater banquets, so he knew the approximate costs. After a quick calculation, he realized this business was quite viable. Forget whether his father was tempted—he certainly was.
Moreover, he had seen Little Sister Yu and her husband selling rolled pancakes at the hospital entrance. He had bumped into them while wandering around after work, too afraid to go home. At that time, Erlin was already hospitalized, and Little Sister Yu was taking care of the child while her husband set up the stall outside. Sometimes it was Old Man Yu, sometimes Old Lady Yu—everyone pitched in.
Their business was surprisingly good, and Li Weiwei couldn’t help but feel envious.
Little Sister Yu’s family weren’t professional cooks, yet they managed to make it work. So, he felt his family could do it too. He wasn’t a permanent employee at the machinery factory either. Although getting a permanent position was easier for him than for his older brother in the railway sector, it still wasn’t something that would happen overnight.
Li Weiwei began to entertain the idea of setting up his own stall. His skills weren’t good enough for large banquets—he’d definitely fail at that—but he thought he could handle selling simple snacks or serving breakfast items like fried dough sticks and tofu pudding.
He had plenty of experience making these simple breakfast dishes, so he felt confident.
The real challenge was convincing his family. After all, he had already upset his grandparents by refusing the blind date. Persuading his family now would be even harder. Besides quitting his job, he also needed capital.
He had handed over most of his earnings to the family, keeping only a small amount for himself, which was nowhere near enough.
Li Weiwei was deeply troubled, losing sleep night after night. His older brother worked shifts and wasn’t always home, so Li Weiwei’s sleeplessness didn’t bother anyone. He just sat by the door, sighing heavily.
“Creak…” The door next door opened, and Li Weiwei turned to see Su Jinlai stepping out, dark circles under his eyes and looking equally unhappy.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Li Weiwei: “None of your business. You’re not sleeping either, are you? What’s the matter? Did you sleep too much during the day?”
Su Jinlai wasn’t pleased with this response. He said, “Do you even know how to talk? What do you mean, ‘slept too much’? I didn’t sleep at all during the day. I was out looking for a job.”
Li Weiwei looked at Su Jinlai in surprise, finding it hard to believe that Su Jinlai had actually gone out job hunting.
It was as unbelievable as a pig climbing a tree.
“You? Looking for a job?”
Su Jinlai felt awkward. “What? Is that so strange?”
Damn it, he really couldn’t find one.
He was so worried that he asked, “Do you have any cigarettes?”
Li Weiwei: “I don’t smoke.”
Li the Cook came from a long line of chefs who adhered to traditional values. Not only did he not smoke, but he also discouraged his apprentices from smoking. In his view, smokers carried the smell of tobacco, which not only affected the perception of food cleanliness but also interfered with the ability to judge the color, aroma, and taste of dishes.
Smoking was out of the question. Anyone who smoked would get an earful.
So, neither Li Junjun nor Li Weiwei smoked.
Li Junjun wasn’t a cook, but no one in the family smoked—there was no such environment.
As for Li Weiwei, he definitely didn’t smoke either.
He looked at Su Jinlai with disdain and said, “You don’t have a penny to your name, yet you have quite the hobbies.”
Su Jinlai was furious. “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you talk properly? Who said I don’t have any money? My money’s with my mom. Don’t act like I’m some deadbeat. Who do you think you’re looking down on?”
Li Weiwei: “Heh heh heh.”
Su Jinlai grew even angrier. “Hey, what are you laughing at? That smirk of yours makes you look like no good. I just don’t get it—what did I ever do to you? You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder for ages.”
He snapped, “I didn’t bully you when we were kids, did I?”
Sure, he and his buddies used to pick on others back then, but they never dared to mess with anyone from their compound. The people there were tough and wouldn’t hesitate to cause trouble at his house.
Plus, his family was wary of the compound’s authority, so they never provoked Li Junjun or Li Weiwei.
From Su Jinlai’s perspective, he felt wronged, not understanding why Li Weiwei treated him so poorly.
Seeing Su Jinlai’s indignation, Li Weiwei widened his eyes. “You think you’re the victim here? Fine, let’s talk about it.”
“Go ahead. If you don’t give me a good explanation, I won’t forgive you.”
“Pfft, as if I need your forgiveness. Who do you think you are?”
Li Weiwei didn’t hold back either. “Let’s not beat around the bush. My biggest issue with you is that you brought those kidnappers here. If it weren’t for everyone’s vigilance and cooperation, would we have grown up safely? If it weren’t for you, would they have been able to gather information about our families?”
Su Jinlai was stunned, staring blankly at Li Weiwei. “What are you talking about?”
Li Weiwei: “What am I talking about? Don’t play dumb. I’ve heard it all. They even targeted your younger brother. What, were you hoping your mom would give everything to you if Yinlai and Tonglai went missing? Would that make you happy?”
Su Jinlai frowned even more deeply. “What are you saying? I don’t know anything about this.”
Li Weiwei sneered. “Stop pretending. It’s about what happened when we were kids. Don’t act clueless now. Go ask anyone—they all know. Back then, those kidnappers got their information from you…”
“Wait, hold on. Let me think this through.”
Su Jinlai was getting more and more confused. He furrowed his brow, trying to recall the past. The kidnapping incident had happened while he was in juvenile detention, so he had only heard about it later. But now, how was it being tied to him?
He had heard about it—back then, a gang specializing in child abduction had targeted many in their neighborhood. Luckily, they were caught before they could succeed, thanks to the vigilance of the community. Everyone had banded together to catch the criminals.
That was the version Su Jinlai had heard. But he truly didn’t know that he was somehow involved. No one had ever told him that he played a part in it.
Li Weiwei looked at Su Jinlai’s puzzled expression and asked, “You really didn’t know?”
Su Jinlai nodded earnestly. “I didn’t know. I really don’t understand what’s going on. Are you sure this isn’t some misunderstanding?”
Li Weiwei immediately retorted, “How could it be a misunderstanding? It’s all because of you. I heard it from the police officer who spoke to my grandma—it’s all your fault. One of the gang members had a younger sibling who ended up in juvenile detention. He befriended you there, but he was just pumping you for information. He didn’t stay long and, after getting out, immediately worked with the adults to carry out their plans. Think carefully—didn’t the police question you about this back then?”
Yes.
They really had.
Su Jinlai had almost completely forgotten about it, but when Li Weiwei brought it up, the old memories came flooding back. Back then, someone had indeed come to investigate him, mainly about his connection with… what was that guy’s name again? He couldn’t remember, but it was about whether he had leaked any information. However, since the police hadn’t provided specific details, Su Jinlai had no idea that the person in question was part of the human trafficking gang that had come to their neighborhood, Xinghua Lane.
He stammered, “Are you saying… they got the information from me and that’s how they came to abduct people?”
Li Weiwei replied, “Exactly.”
Su Jinlai pursed his lips and stayed silent.
Li Weiwei pressed on, “How could you not know? Why wouldn’t you know?”
Su Jinlai remained silent.
No one had told him. No one had ever told him.
He never imagined that the friendship he had genuinely offered had been exploited, that the person he thought was a friend had been scheming against him. They hadn’t even spared his brother. Su Jinlai’s expression darkened. He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he wasn’t completely clueless either. At this moment, he was filled with endless frustration.
Li Weiwei said, “You really didn’t know.”
“I know.” With a creak, the door opened, and both of them looked up to see Uncle Zhuang stepping out. He was draped in a coat, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and it was unclear how long he had been eavesdropping.
Li Weiwei and Su Jinlai exchanged glances.
This didn’t seem like the behavior of an elder.
But both Su Jinlai and Li Weiwei were curious. Why was he here?
Li Weiwei quickly made room beside him and said, “Uncle Zhuang, come sit here.”
Zhuang Zhixi sat down and, seeing the two of them staring at him, remarked, “You two seem really close, having a heart-to-heart under the moonlight. The moon is beautiful tonight.”
Li Weiwei: “…”
Zhuang Zhixi: “…”
Brother, can you say something more substantial?
Wait, no—Uncle.
But looking at Zhuang Zhixi’s face, calling him “Uncle” didn’t feel right.
Both Li Weiwei and Su Jinlai were conflicted.
Zhuang Zhixi, unaware of their internal turmoil, asked, “Guess why no one ever told Su Jinlai about this?”
Li Weiwei shook his head, and Su Jinlai himself was clueless.
He had heard that traffickers had once come to Xinghua Lane, not only targeting little boys like Little Seven Jin but also trying to lure away older boys like Li Junjun, Li Weiwei, Yinlai, and Tonglai.
When he was in juvenile detention, someone had also questioned him about his interactions with that guy from back then. It turned out that the guy had gotten into trouble again, apparently involved in human trafficking.
Although both incidents involved traffickers, Su Jinlai hadn’t connected the dots.
Most people would have made the connection immediately, but Su Jinlai’s mind was simple. Even when he wasn’t as timid as he was now, he was still more brawn than brains. It never occurred to him that the place they were targeting was Xinghua Lane.
He said, “Uncle Zhuang, please tell me. I really want to know what happened. I can’t keep being in the dark.”
Zhuang Zhixi replied, “It’s actually quite simple. Everyone didn’t want you to feel burdened or to act impulsively and make a mistake. Even though you weren’t a good kid, you weren’t intentionally malicious—you were just tricked by bad people. So, even though no one discussed it, everyone silently agreed not to tell you. At first, they didn’t tell you because they were afraid of what might happen. If you had found out back then, when you were still young, they were worried you wouldn’t be able to handle the shock. Besides, you were much more impulsive as a child. If you had known you’d been deceived and that your brother had almost been taken, you wouldn’t have let it go. We didn’t know if the younger ones in that family were old enough to be jailed, but we couldn’t risk it. If they had been detained with you, given your temper, who knows what you might have done? Even though it wasn’t certain whether they’d be sent to juvenile detention, we had to be cautious. You need to understand that theft is the least of the charges. If you had hurt someone in retaliation, you could have lost several more years of your life.”
Su Jinlai pursed his lips and stayed silent.
“Your mother has always believed you would turn your life around, so she didn’t want you to know. That’s why no one told you back then, and after you got out, it became something that could be mentioned or not. At the time, the laws were strict. The main culprits in that family were executed, but the accomplices, especially the minors, weren’t. Even though they were given heavy sentences, like ten or twenty years, your mother was afraid you’d find a way to retaliate. Looking at you now, I think her worries were unnecessary. But back then, you were quite vengeful. She had her reasons to worry—she didn’t want to outlive her child.”
Su Jinlai remained silent, while Li Weiwei thought about it and realized it made sense.
He recalled that Su Jinlai had been quite fierce as a child, a real neighborhood troublemaker. How had he ended up like this?
Su Jinlai still hadn’t said a word. Li Weiwei looked at him and said, “Hey, say something.”
Su Jinlai remained silent. Zhuang Zhixi didn’t look at him either, instead gazing at the moon as if truly appreciating its beauty. He said, “Even though the trafficking happened, and even though it was because of you that the traffickers got their information, neither your mother nor your brother blamed you. Even now, when you’re so unreliable, they’ve put up with you. Why? Because you’ve been through thick and thin together since you were kids. You’re family. I’m not one for grand speeches, but since I’m here, I’ll say this: Money doesn’t fall from the sky just because you lie around at home. The sky doesn’t drop pies—it drops traps. What good does lying around do? When you were a kid, you weren’t exactly a model citizen, but you weren’t as aimless as you are now. Of course, I’m not telling you to go steal—that never ends well. Look at what happened to those two gangs of thieves recently—they’re all behind bars. So, you really need to think about what you’re going to do with your life.”
“I… I can’t find a job,” Su Jinlai said, his voice tinged with frustration. “I’ve been looking, but no one will hire me.”
Zhuang Zhixi looked surprised. “Oh? You’ve actually been looking for work?”
Su Jinlai nodded, his mood heavy.
Zhuang Zhixi said, “If you can’t find a job, keep looking. Even if it doesn’t work out, why not help your brother with his business? You don’t have to think about money right away—just assist him and get familiar with the work. Right now, your mom has to go with him after work. Why don’t you take over for her? Think about it—your life is already better than a lot of people’s.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is. You were born in Beijing, your family has four rooms, and your mom’s a factory worker. Just based on that, you’re already better off than most people in the country. You were born with advantages that many don’t have. Take the factory’s movie screenings, for example. Do you go to every one?”
Su Jinlai: “…Why would I go to every one? It’s not that special.”
Zhuang Zhixi smiled and said, “Well, tomorrow, go to the big compound and find Yang Xinger, the eldest daughter of Little Sister Yu. Ask her how many times she’s been to the movies. She’s eight years old—see how many times she’s gone. Then think about your own childhood. You never lacked for anything, did you? How many movies did you watch growing up?”
Su Jinlai stayed silent.
Zhuang Zhixi continued, “Then ask that little girl what she eats at home. Her family eats mixed-grain buns during the New Year. When you were seven or eight, you didn’t live like that, did you? But for her, that’s normal. Don’t forget, there’s over a decade between your childhood and hers. Even now, her life hasn’t caught up to yours from back then. Being born here, with a family that has a worker and a house, is already better than most people’s lives. Don’t keep thinking you’re poor—there are plenty of people worse off than you. Your life is already pretty good.”
He finished speaking, stood up, and patted Su Jinlai on the shoulder, saying, "Think it over yourself. I'm going to bed. I'm such a good person, staying up late to guide someone lost in the night."
"Don't go. Uncle Zhuang, don't leave."
Su Jinlai grabbed Zhuang Zhixi's arm. Zhuang Zhixi: "..."
He said, "Help me think about it. What should I do?"
Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Think for yourself. Your brain will rust if you don't use it. I'm not you. I don't know what suits you or what you can do. Maybe you don't even know yourself. But changes in life always start with small steps."
He spoke earnestly, "Start with small things first."
He pulled his hand free, turned around, and headed home. He really was a good person, coming out late at night to guide a lost little lamb.
Zap!
Now he felt like eating hotpot mutton.
Zhuang Zhixi rambled on for a while and left, but Su Jinlai, unusually, began to think. He sat there, as if frozen by some spell.
Li Weiwei watched Su Jinlai and pondered Uncle Zhuang's words. Suddenly, he felt they made a lot of sense. He turned to Su Jinlai and asked, "What are you thinking?"
Su Jinlai stood up abruptly, ignoring Li Weiwei, and went home, slamming the door behind him.
Li Weiwei: "???"
What's wrong with him?
The weather in September was already a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings.
Early in the morning, Wang Xiangxiu rubbed her head as she got up. She had been busy lately, working during the day and helping Yinlai set up a street stall after work. Sometimes Tonglai joined too, but when he had classes, it was just her.
Fortunately, even when Tonglai had classes, he managed the household well.
Since they started setting up the stall, no one in the courtyard raised chickens anymore. All the hens had turned into chicken soup, except for their family. Even though Su Jinlai had ruined one, they still kept the rest.
Tonglai took care of them, so they didn't need to buy eggs.
Sizzle!
The sound of oil frying came from the kitchen. Wang Xiangxiu got up, put on her clothes, and asked, "Tonglai, what are you making this morning?"
Tonglai peeked out, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise, and said, "It's not me."
Wang Xiangxiu was startled and quickly went to the kitchen. To her surprise, it was Su Jinlai.
Su Jinlai was frying eggs. He turned around and smiled, saying, "I steamed some buns, prepared some side dishes, and now I'm frying eggs. We can eat soon."
Wang Xiangxiu: "..."
She stared at Su Jinlai, unsure what he was up to.
Tonglai was equally baffled. He had just woken up, still groggy, and was about to start his chores when he saw his elder brother already working. It was surreal.
Honestly, it felt like seeing a ghost.
No exaggeration—it was like seeing a ghost.
His brother usually didn't get up until noon, glued to the bed as if stuck with super glue. But now, he was up and working. It was terrifying. Just then, Yinlai also woke up, stretching lazily. "I'm so tired... What the hell!"
Why was his brother cooking?
Was he trying to poison them all?
No, no, no!
He shouldn't think that way about his brother.
But still, it was shocking.
He asked, "Has Brother been possessed?"
Or maybe, "Has some demon tricked him?"
Tonglai replied, "Don't talk nonsense. Demons can't become spirits after the founding of the nation."
Wang Xiangxiu and her two sons watched as Su Jinlai skillfully handled the spatula. To be fair, Su Jinlai knew how to cook.
How could he not? He had been sent to the countryside as an educated youth, where they took turns cooking. He didn't want to participate, but no one indulged him.
Besides, he could sneak a bite or two under the guise of "tasting the seasoning," so he didn't mind cooking and actually knew how to do it.
After preparing breakfast, he said, "Go wash up and eat."
Everyone was still in a daze, unsure how they managed to wash up and sit down, but they all stared at Su Jinlai in confusion.
Once seated, Su Jinlai said, "Let's eat."
Wang Xiangxiu couldn't help but ask, "Jinlai, did a ghost touch you last night?"
Su Jinlai widened his eyes and said, "Mom, what are you talking about? I'm a strong, healthy young man. Ghosts can't get near me."
Wang Xiangxiu frowned, "Then why are you making breakfast?"
It was just too strange.
Su Jinlai put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Mom, I've caused you a lot of worry in the past, but from now on, I'm turning over a new leaf. You'll see my progress."
Wang Xiangxiu: "!!!"
Su Jinlai then turned to Yinlai and Tonglai, "Second brother, third brother, I haven't been a good elder brother. I even let bad people target you. But that won't happen again. From now on, I'll share the burden of this family."
Yinlai and Tonglai: "..."
Tonglai thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know about the kidnappers?"
He was the smartest in the family and quickly grasped the key point.
Su Jinlai looked guilty and said earnestly, "Yes, you should have told me. I was wrong back then. I didn't recognize the true nature of those bad people. I'm sorry. I failed you as your brother."
Yinlai and Tonglai were silent for a moment. Then Yinlai said, "Brother, what are you talking about? We're family. It's nothing."
"Yeah, it's nothing. If we work together, our family will thrive."
Tonglai smiled and said, "Look, aren't we doing well now?"
He waved the bun in his hand. Su Jinlai nodded firmly, "Yes!"
He declared, "From now on, you'll see my efforts. When we were kids, the three of us were always together. It'll be the same from now on!"
"Alright."
Yinlai and Tonglai agreed. Wang Xiangxiu looked at them and smiled, feeling a sense of relief. She said, "Alright, let's eat!"
"Sure!"
Although the morning was a bit bewildering, Wang Xiangxiu was in a good mood.
Su Jinlai said, "Go to work or school. I'll do the dishes."
Last night, he had tossed and turned, thinking about many things—his childhood, the past years, and even his grandmother. All these memories hit him hard.
He was both confused and strangely clear-headed.
He also thought about everyone in the courtyard, especially Madam Zhou Li.
Madam Zhou Li, known as Aunt Zhou, had even been to prison. Not a juvenile detention center like him, but real prison.
After her release, Aunt Zhou had turned her life around and was doing well.
What about him? Could he not do better than an old lady?
Then there was Zhou Qun. When Zhou Qun's scandals broke, Su Jinlai was about the same age as the twins Qi Jin and Tuan Tuan are now. He remembered everything—Zhou Qun's mess. But Zhou Qun had also reformed.
And Bai Fendou, his mother's ultimate admirer, had married and built a good life for his family.
Not to mention Auntie Zhao and Auntie Wang, whose families were thriving. Everyone was moving forward, except him. He was going downhill. Why should that be? He could work hard too. Su Jinlai wasn't lacking in anything.
His mother and brothers were working hard. Outsiders only saw the surface, but he saw the truth clearly. He took a deep breath and told himself, "Su Jinlai, from now on, you need to work hard. You can't keep drifting aimlessly. Otherwise, even the ladies will look down on you."
Well, mainly Guan Hong.
That woman always scolded him whenever she saw him. Su Jinlai felt he couldn't keep embarrassing himself like this.
So, early in the morning, he started working. He went to the courtyard to fetch water and wash dishes. When Aunt Zhou saw him, it was as if she had seen a ghost.
Wang Xiangxiu was shocked, and as a neighbor, Aunt Zhou was equally shocked. This was Su Jinlai, the kid who could have been a master thief, now doing chores?
She stammered, "You... you... you're actually working?"
Su Jinlai replied, "Why can't I work? It's my family's business."
Aunt Zhou exclaimed, "Oh my! Are you pretending to be good to lower your mother's guard and swindle her money?"
Su Jinlai: "Damn, that's too much. Am I really that kind of person? I'm a handsome, upright, and iron-willed man. How can you slander me like this? I'm definitely not that kind of person. You're going too far by saying that."
Aunt Zhou's mouth twitched, her suspicious eyes scanning him up and down, but she remained silent.
Su Jinlai let out a heavy snort.
Before Aunt Zhou could finish her thoughts, Bai Fendou appeared. Seeing Su Jinlai washing dishes, he exclaimed, "Wow, what a surprise! Su Jinlai is actually doing some work!"
Su Jinlai: "...What's so surprising about that? Why do you all look down on me like that? Can't I be hardworking? Not only am I washing dishes, but I'm also cleaning the windows today."
Bai Fendou: "..."
Who would believe that?
He clicked his tongue, putting on an exaggerated look of shock, then turned and left.
However, once he got home, Bai Fendou immediately whispered to He Lan in amazement, "You know what? Su Jinlai is actually doing chores. I wonder if he's up to no good."
He Lan: "It can't be that bad, can it?"
"Why not? I've watched him grow up since he was a kid. I know better than anyone how unreliable he is. I just don't trust him much."
After a pause, he added, "You should remind Yinlai to be careful with the money. Running a business is tough, working from dawn to dusk. We don't want Jinlai to steal it."
He Lan frowned and said, "Don't say things like that. Maybe Jinlai has really changed. We've all heard stories of prodigals turning over a new leaf. Let's not judge him too harshly. But I'll mention it to Yinlai."
Thankfully, their daughter Bai Qingqing had already left for school, or the couple wouldn't have been able to speak so candidly.
Bai Fendou: "People usually need a reason to change. He can't just wake up one day and become a new person."
He Lan: "Maybe it was just a small thing that triggered it."
She smiled and said, "Stop being so suspicious. Think about it, even if Jinlai had bad intentions, does he even have the brains to pull it off?"
Bai Fendou fell silent. Truth be told, he didn't.
Bai Fendou: "This is really... I wonder what got into him."
He Lan: "It's good that he's changing. That's what matters most. Sister Wang has finally seen some light after all her hardships."
Although Bai Fendou had been infatuated with Wang Xiangxiu for over a decade, He Lan got along with her just fine. After all, by the time He Lan married Bai Fendou, he had already moved on from Wang Xiangxiu, especially after the whole incident with Guan Guiling. So, while He Lan knew about Bai Fendou's past with Wang Xiangxiu, she didn't feel jealous because the two had completely cut ties.
Moreover, Wang Xiangxiu had changed drastically after her own struggles, and He Lan was genuinely happy for her.
That morning, everyone was shocked to see Su Jinlai washing dishes. As people gradually left for work, He Lan glanced out the window and saw Su Jinlai holding a rag, starting to clean the windows.
He Lan: "..."
Zhao Guihua came out of her house and, seeing Su Jinlai working, said, "You're really being diligent today."
Hearing this, Su Jinlai instantly beamed with pride. After all, praise was rare for him in the courtyard, and this sudden compliment made him feel elated.
He smugly replied, "Of course! I may not have many strengths, but I'm handsome, hardworking, reliable, and kind-hearted..."
Zhao Guihua: "...I just said one thing, and you're already adding a whole script for yourself."
Su Jinlai: "Hehe."
"Hello, Granny Zhao!" A little girl skipped into the courtyard.
Zhao Guihua: "Xinger, here to study again?"
All the kids in their courtyard had started school, even the youngest, Ye Sitian from the neighboring yard, had gone to kindergarten. This little girl was the only one left. She was eight years old and should have been in school by now, but due to some complications, her enrollment had been delayed for a few days.
The girl had sneaked over because her household registration wasn't in this area, so she couldn't enroll directly. Her father had written to their hometown to get some documents sorted, but it would take time for the paperwork to go back and forth.
As a result, Xinger had missed the start of the school term. On the bright side, since she had never attended kindergarten, she didn't know much. These days, she was catching up at home.
Her tutor? He Lan.
Bai Qingqing had suggested it to her mother, and He Lan happily agreed. When He Lan wasn't out selling at her stall, Xinger would come over to study. When He Lan was away, Xinger would review what she had learned. It wasn't easy for her to absorb everything since she had never been to school before.
Xinger carried a small hand-me-down backpack from Li Zhenzhen and said earnestly, "Yes, I'm here to study."
She patted her backpack, looking a little proud.
He Lan: "Xinger's here? Come on in."
The little girl followed He Lan inside. Aunt Zhou appeared out of nowhere beside Zhao Guihua and said, "This child is really eager to learn."
Zhao Guihua: "She cherishes this opportunity. I heard from my grandchildren that many kids in her village don't go to school. If she hadn't come to the capital, she might not have had the chance either."
"No school? Why not?"
Su Jinlai, who was cleaning the windows, quickly chimed in.
Zhao Guihua: "What else? Poverty."
"School doesn't cost much," Su Jinlai said, puzzled.
"True, it doesn't cost much, but even that little amount is too much for them. Little Sister Yu came to me for advice on setting up a stall, and we chatted for a while. Their family's annual income is only a few dozen yuan. With all the daily expenses—oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—what's left at the end of the year? And that's for a normal family. Theirs is worse because they have to spend money on their child's medical treatment every year. They're even in debt to the village!"
Hearing this, Su Jinlai recalled what Zhuang Zhixi had said the previous night.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, but now it struck him how right Zhuang Zhixi was. They were born in the capital, already better off than many others.
Aunt Zhou: "Was it you who taught her parents how to set up their stall cart?"
Zhao Guihua nodded.
That was just how she was. She might not get along with Aunt Yu, but she could still feel sympathy for Little Sister Yu's family. If she could help, she would. Even after selling their house, the family's medical expenses were still a burden. Earning a little from the stall could ease their financial pressure.
Thinking about how the child might have ended up like in her previous life, it was heartbreaking.
She said, "The couple is hardworking. I think their business is doing alright. But running a food stall is tougher than our kind of work."
Their stall wasn't easy either, but selling food was even more exhausting.
Aunt Zhou nodded in agreement. "That's true. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm too old for that kind of hard work."
Su Jinlai stood nearby, watching eagerly. Aunt Zhou turned to him and said, "Keep cleaning the windows."
"Oh, right!"
Su Jinlai immediately resumed his work, but curiosity got the better of him. "Auntie Zhao, Aunt Zhou, how much do you earn?"
The two women replied in unison, "Why should we tell you?"
This kid, daring to ask such a question?
They couldn't possibly reveal that. Money matters should be kept private, especially since this kid had a history of stealing.
Aunt Zhou snorted to herself, thinking, *I won't tell you. I'm already a ten-thousand-yuan household. Even better than that, but I'm not saying a word.*
Su Jinlai sighed, "I was just curious. You're so harsh."
By now, he had finished cleaning the windows. He let out a huff, went back inside to tidy up the bedding, and soon returned to the courtyard to wash the bedsheets.
Aunt Zhou: "..."
Zhao Guihua: "..."
What on earth had happened to make him so diligent?
Zhao Guihua: "Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk!"
"Yang Xinger, Yang Xinger..."
Zhao Guihua immediately noticed a young man of about seventeen or eighteen standing at the door. The little girl, Xinger, quickly came out from the house. "I'm here, Second Cousin."
This was her cousin from her second uncle's family.
Although the adults of the two families no longer interacted, the younger generation also harbored resentment toward their aunt for going home to borrow money, treating their family with disdain. However, they weren't too harsh on the pitiful-looking siblings.
"The postman just came. There's a letter for your family. Here you go."
Yang Xinger quickly said, "Thank you, Second Cousin."
The Yu family boy waved his hand and left directly.
Xinger looked at the envelope and said, "This is..."
He Lan glanced at it and said, "It's from your hometown."
Xinger let out an "oh," her eyes lighting up. "It must be the recommendation letter and other documents. With these, I can go through the procedures and then apply for temporary enrollment."
Wanting to go to school was really, really troublesome.
But she was still overjoyed that she had the opportunity to attend school.
In their village, not every girl had the chance to go to school. While boys were mostly able to attend, many families didn't send their daughters to school. Although Xinger didn't interact much with the villagers, she knew that going to school was both expensive and something to be proud of.
Those who could attend school often showed off.
She had always thought her family was too poor to afford school. Although she envied others, she never dared to mention it in front of her parents because nothing was more important than life itself. Erlin's treatment required a lot of money. But unexpectedly, after secretly coming to Sijiu City, she now had the chance to attend school.
Originally, her father wanted her to wait a year because their paperwork was incomplete, and they didn't have the time to deal with her schooling. Besides, she had no foundation, so it would be better to wait until next year. But her grandfather and grandmother disagreed. They said not going to school was too shameful.
In their area, no child skipped school, and they couldn't bear the embarrassment.
Because of this, Xinger was able to start school a year earlier.
She took a deep breath and said, "This is great."
He Lan patted her head.
She smiled and said, "You little baldy, even going to school won't make your hair grow faster."
Xinger replied, "My hair grows fast, and besides, I don't care!"
As long as she could go to school, being teased for being bald didn't matter.
He Lan said, "So brave."
Xinger smiled again, her little mouth curling up. To be honest, the girl was quite pretty, which was why her cousin had deliberately scratched her face out of jealousy. Now that the scab had fallen off, the mark was faint, and it was clear that with some care, it would fade completely.
"Are you applying ointment to your face?"
Xinger nodded. "The doctor gave me scar removal cream. It works really well."
She swung her legs. Ever since she left home, she felt like she had met nothing but good people. Everyone was so kind, and Xinger was happy. "I want to grow up quickly and become a useful person."
"Good. Then let's start studying now."
"Okay, okay."
Su Jinlai was hanging quilts in the yard when he heard the sound of reading coming from inside the house. His head buzzed. How could anyone enjoy studying? He couldn't understand it.
Su Jinlai had been busy all day, cleaning the house spotless. He had washed clothes in both the front and back yards. When Wang Xiangxiu returned from work, she was a bit dazed. Jinlai said, "Mom, you stay home. Today, Yinlai and I will go out to sell things."
Wang Xiangxiu hesitated.
Yinlai said, "Big Brother, let's go together."
It was rare for the two of them to show initiative. How could she stop them?
Su Jinlai immediately became excited. "Let's go. When brothers unite, their strength can cut through metal."
Yinlai: "..."
There was no need to shout slogans.
Yinlai was almost always the slowest to sell out. While others had no stock left, he still had goods. It wasn't that he was lazy, but he genuinely had the least time. The two of them went out together and happened to run into Zhuang Zhixi. He smiled and said, "Good luck, young men."
Watching the two ride off on their bicycles, Zhuang Zhixi lowered his eyes and smiled.
Their compound was really getting better and better.
He sighed in relief and was about to head back when he saw Guan Hong and Zheng Huimin also coming out. These two girls were quite diligent. He nodded in greeting. Seeing them heading in the same direction, Zhuang Zhixi thought, "I hope those two don't end up fighting."
The "two" he referred to weren't Zheng Huimin and Guan Hong, but Guan Hong and Su Jinlai.
Guan Hong hated Su Jinlai for using her as a pawn and would argue with him whenever they met.
Hopefully, they weren't going to the same place.
Recently, the goods Zheng Huifang sent hadn't arrived yet, so they could take a few days off. However, the patterns Zheng Huifang had chosen for them recently had been selling really well. It had to be said, she had a good eye for this.
The Zheng sisters really had a knack for this when they put their minds to it.
In fact, having a good eye for goods wasn't just about talent; it also required learning. Zheng Huifang was like that. During her breaks, she never went out to play like the others. Instead, she visited large local malls to observe what sold well and also went to various shops. She spent a lot of time doing this.
Because she never went out with the others, Zheng Huifang wasn't very popular. Even those who shared the same dormitory subtly excluded her. After all, everyone else relaxed after work, while she spent her time reading.
While everyone went out to play during their time off, she went to study goods and learn about fabric characteristics.
This made her seem more ambitious.
So, no one liked Zheng Huifang, but she didn't care. Now, not only was she helping Zhao Guihua and others in their compound with goods, but she was also assisting others with sourcing, not just from Sijiu City, but also from Shenyang.
The person who came to pick up the goods had encountered Zheng Huifang twice. She was wearing her factory uniform, but the amount of goods she ordered was larger than those who came to place orders. This naturally drew attention.
When they found out that Zheng Huifang was helping others place orders and earning a small commission, they approached her.
In fact, they could have placed orders directly with the factory, but there were some differences. First, ordering through Zheng Huifang was cheaper, not because she was an insider, but because she ordered in bulk. Only large quantities could secure better prices. They ordered a bit of everything, which seemed like a lot, but because it was scattered across different factories, they couldn't get good prices.
However, Zheng Huifang could combine their orders with others, increasing the volume and lowering the price.
Second, the factory's shipping process wasn't as meticulous as Zheng Huifang's. The factory would ship as long as the quality check passed, but Zheng Huifang added an extra step of checking the goods before shipping, ensuring an additional layer of quality control.
Lastly, when ordering directly from the factory, once an order was placed, it was difficult to make changes. The factory wouldn't accommodate small external orders with last-minute changes. But with Zheng Huifang, communication was much easier. Since she was present, she could handle adjustments on the spot.
In addition to the client from Shenyang, there was also one from Jinling and one from Shanghai City. Zheng Huifang had already accumulated several clients, all introduced by the one from the provincial capital. Now, every time she handled an order, her commission was higher than her monthly salary.
But she still worked diligently at her job.
Although her dorm mates didn't like her, thinking she was too ambitious and made them look lazy, the factory leaders appreciated Zheng Huifang. No one disliked a hardworking and studious person.
Especially since the factory owners were self-made first-generation entrepreneurs who naturally admired such diligence.
Not only did they admire her, but she also brought tangible benefits to the factory.
Take T-shirts, for example. Their factory produced them, but so did others.
If it was about purchasing goods, naturally, they could go to any supplier. However, since Zheng Huifang had become their "buyer," she would always place orders with their factory for any products they had in stock. This initiative to boost the factory's profits was a great thing.
Even when Zheng Huifang occasionally needed to use the office phone, no one would give her a hard time.
So, after work, Zheng Huifang went to the office to make a phone call before returning to her dormitory. She had been away from home for some time now, and she never expected so many things to happen back home.
Her father was gone, and her mother had lost her mind.
Zheng Huifang couldn't quite describe how she felt. Even though they hadn't treated her well, she wasn't entirely unaffected. However, she ultimately decided not to go back. Even if she did, it would be too late, and compared to the bustling energy of the capital, she preferred the drive and ambition of this place.
If she returned to the capital, although there were many factories, there were also many people. Formal factories were different from private ones, and without connections, she wouldn't be able to get in. Even temporary jobs were out of reach because she wasn't old enough. If she went back, she would only be a burden.
So, she stayed.
Her elder sister, Zheng Huimin, sent her a thousand yuan.
Combined with her current income, she had already saved up fifteen hundred yuan.
However, Zheng Huifang didn't show it off. She still wore her factory uniform every day and rarely bought new clothes. But she did eat better than before. She was still growing and needed to eat more!
When Zheng Huifang returned to the dormitory, she saw the other girls getting dressed up. As soon as they saw her, they exchanged glances and pursed their lips.
One of them laughed mockingly, "Oh, our 'college student' is back!"
This was a sarcastic jab at Zheng Huifang for always reading, even though she hadn't even graduated from elementary school. Did she really think she could become a college student?
Zheng Huifang remained calm. "I'm studying hard. Who knows, maybe I really will go to college someday."
She climbed up to her bunk, took out a bun from her pocket, and ate it while flipping through a magazine she had picked up from the office earlier. It was a magazine from Hong Kong, and some of their factory's designs were based on it.
She ate carefully, making sure not to drop any crumbs on the book.
"Huifang, we're going out. Do you want to come?" someone called out to her.
Zheng Huifang shook her head. "I'm not going. I need to study. How else am I going to get into college?" She wasn't without a temper; she wasn't someone to be pushed around.
Her words were equally sarcastic.
"You never come with us. It's not good to be so unsociable. When you're away from home, you need friends. You can't always be by yourself. Are you worried about spending money? Don't worry, we're going out on someone else's dime. You don't have to pay for anything, just don't order anything yourself. Okay?" The speaker was smug, then added, "But we're all benefiting from Chang. She's pretty, so someone always treats her. So even if we don't order anything, we won't go hungry."
This was actually why they always invited Zheng Huifang. They didn't really want to hang out with her; they just couldn't stand her being so ambitious. They were all factory girls, so why was she acting so special?
But they couldn't help but invite her, mainly because Zheng Huifang was pretty. If someone treated her, they could all freeload. Maybe they could even get some gifts out of it.
As for whether Zheng Huifang would get harassed or taken advantage of, that wasn't their concern.
They didn't like her anyway.
"Huifang, come on! The more friends, the more opportunities. Look at Chang, she has so many friends. Did you see her gold bracelet? Someone gave it to her."
Chang, who was nearby, proudly shook her wrist. "This cost almost two hundred yuan."
The other girls gasped in awe. By this time, Zheng Huifang had finished her bun. She had already figured out why they kept inviting her. At first, she didn't understand, but she was a smart girl. On the way here, she had heard Auntie Zhao Guihua and others talk about all sorts of strange things, so after a couple of times, she saw right through them.
She shook her head. "I really can't go. You guys have fun. I need to go upstairs to see Aunt Chen."
"Aunt Chen? What do you want with her? That old woman is always so strict, always saying this isn't good enough, that isn't good enough."
Zheng Huifang replied, "Aunt Chen is nice. I'm still new here, so I want to learn from her."
Actually, that wasn't the case. Aunt Chen had mentioned that a new batch of yarn had arrived, and they were going to make sweaters. Zheng Huifang wanted to ask about it and see if it was worth contacting Auntie Zhao and the others. In the north, sweaters were very useful.
Zheng Huifang's words left the room in silence for a moment. Finally, Chang sneered, "You don't really plan to spend your whole life as a factory girl, do you?"
Zheng Huifang replied, "There's nothing wrong with that. Our factory treats us well, and the job is stable."
The others burst into laughter.
Chang said meaningfully, "If you're pretty, there are plenty of ways to get ahead. You might even marry a rich man."
Zheng Huifang remained calm. "I don't want to marry a rich man. I want to become rich myself. These days, you can only rely on yourself."
After witnessing her father's behavior, Zheng Huifang didn't trust men. No matter how good they seemed, it was all fake. She only believed in herself. What she earned through her own efforts was real. Relying on a man? Her mother was a prime example of why that didn't work.
The others were still laughing at her comment about becoming rich, as if it were the funniest thing they'd ever heard.
Zheng Huifang asked, "What's so funny?"
Chang replied, "You're still young. You don't understand. Haha! You're really delusional."
Zheng Huifang didn't argue back. She said, "I'm going upstairs. Are you guys coming back tonight?"
"Of course not."
Zheng Huifang said, "Alright, I'm off then."
Without another word, she left.
She left earlier than the others, heading straight upstairs. The girls watched her back and muttered, "Weirdo!"
As Zheng Huifang walked upstairs, she wondered if she could ask the supervisor to help her switch dormitories.
She wanted to move to a quieter dormitory. There were many female workers at the factory, but not everyone was like the girls in her current dorm. She was sure most people weren't like that. It was just that a few troublemakers in her dorm kept dragging others into their antics, making everyone eager to go out and have fun.
Although she was confident she wouldn't be swayed, being constantly invited out was still annoying. And it was clear they had ulterior motives. She could see the malice in their eyes.
Zheng Huifang pursed her lips, feeling a bit helpless.
They weren't as mature as her, a sixteen-year-old girl. How naive!
To think they could meet a rich man in those shady places. Even if they did, those men wouldn't treat them with any respect.
But soon, Zheng Huifang brushed off these trivial matters and focused on the new batch of sweaters. They looked really good!
She wondered if they would stock them.
Zheng Huifang hadn't been in the industry for long, but she felt she had a good eye for things, especially since she was always learning. She thought this batch of sweaters was great, though the price might not be low.
If they could order in bulk, the price might come down.
Zheng Huifang hoped the items she chose would sell well. It would prove her judgment was right.
She took a deep breath and started making some notes...
Keep working hard, Zheng Huifang!
You can only rely on yourself!
