Chapter 15: Do You Think She Will Protect You?

“Enough.” The man interrupted, “You think the young lady is tough enough to stand up for Sister Meng, but if those siblings are after the house, do you think Sister Meng can fight back?”

The woman was taken aback, “Ah, no way.”

“Of course, we hope not. But even if they don’t now, who knows in the future? Especially given Sister Meng’s situation… appearances can be deceiving.”

The man spoke with certainty, but the woman quickly caught on.

“What nonsense are you talking? Our houses are allocated by the factory to employees. Even if they weren’t, they wouldn’t go to Sister Meng’s nephews and nieces. The house would just be reclaimed. That argument doesn’t hold at all.”

The man laughed immediately, “Oh? You’re quick today. But look, everyone understands the obvious logic. Sister Meng’s house is huge, and she lives alone. Once the house is involved, understanding or not becomes less important. In short, things will get even messier for Sister Meng.”

—

Because the siblings arrived so suddenly, Lin Xiaomeng wasn’t prepared and substituted dinner with egg noodles.

“I’ve always been alone before, having breakfast and lunch out, and just making something simple for dinner. Once Yuanyuan starts school, breakfast and lunch will be out, and I’ll cook dinner. But Yuanyuan is registered in the new county. If you want to study here, you might have to pay a sponsorship fee. I’ll inquire at work tomorrow. Since you came early, the factory’s affiliated primary school might still have space for Yuanyuan.”

Lin Wei was worried about Yuanyuan’s schooling, so Lin Xiaomeng brought it up proactively.

“Thank you, Auntie. Sorry to trouble you. As long as Yuanyuan can study, any sponsorship fee is fine.”

Lin Xiaomeng paused with her chopsticks and added, “By the way, weren’t you looking for a job? Tomorrow I’ll ask at the factory if there are any temporary positions. But it’s uncertain. Since universities reopened, the factory already reserved a batch of temporary workers from schools before the holidays. I’m worried it might be difficult now…”

“Auntie, let’s wait on that. I have a plan to make money. Tomorrow I’ll take my brother out to explore. If it works, no need to look for a job.”

Seeing Lin Wei was confident, Lin Xiaomeng said no more.

—

The two sets of quilts Lin Xiaomeng brought out had been unused for years, reeking of dust and unfit to sleep on.

Lin Wei used the quilts she brought and squeezed into one bed with her brother for the night.

In this unfamiliar environment, timid Lin Yuan hadn’t adapted yet. “Sister, are we going to live at Auntie’s now?”

“Yes, we are.”

“But… Auntie doesn’t seem to like us.”

“Yuanyuan, Auntie doesn’t dislike us. We just haven’t spent enough time together. Relationships need time to grow. Auntie can’t like us just by seeing us once, but you’re so well-behaved, Auntie will like you soon.”

Lin Wei added, “Besides, Auntie has lived alone for so many years. Suddenly having two people in the house is hard for her to get used to, so we mustn’t be a burden, okay?”

“Okay, Sister.”

—

“You must be tired after a whole day of traveling. Sleep early. Tomorrow I’ll take you out. Maybe you’ll find a chance to make some money.”

Lin Yuan nodded drowsily, closing his eyes and urging himself to fall asleep.

Lin Wei planned to get up early to make breakfast but was surprised when the siblings showed no discomfort in the new place and slept until 8:30.

When Lin Wei got up, the house was empty.

On the dining table, she saw 100 yuan and a note left by Lin Xiaomeng.

“I know you don’t need money, but since you came all this way, I can’t let it go without a gesture. Take this money and go out with your brother. If it’s not enough, I’ll give you more.”

Lin Wei smiled. “Auntie may be tough on the outside but soft-hearted inside. Yuanyuan, are you ready? We’re going out.”

“All set.”

Jiangcheng has a rich breakfast culture. Even in the 1990s, it was possible to have a week’s worth of different breakfasts.

At the alley entrance, Lin Wei bought a bowl of hot dry noodles and an egg wine drink to share with her brother.

After eating, they took the bus directly to Jiangdu Road.

Jiangdu Road is the heart of Jiangcheng’s city center, full of food and entertainment, with unique architecture that could keep you busy all day.

More importantly, Lin Wei’s business opportunity was here.

About twenty minutes past Jiangdu Road, near the riverbank where the crowd thinned sharply, stood a newly opened stock market building.

In the 1990s, the stock market craze had reached Jiangcheng, and the stock market building was bustling. But Jiangdu Road attracted so many vendors that this place went unnoticed. People inside the stock market building had to go far to Jiangdu Road for meals or eat their packed buns and bread.

The merchants were well aware of this.

They didn’t want to go there, but business at the stock market entrance, no matter how good, was only enough for lunch.

Lunch is often the busiest time for business. If it were on Jiangdu Road’s main street, earnings would be much higher.

So they naturally gave up on the opportunity there.

If Lin Wei could seize the moment and set up a stall selling boxed lunches—

Whether the market would be taken over later or not, as the first to try, she might only risk a loss.

Besides, her goal was simply to solve her immediate financial shortage.

—

Just as Lin Wei was about to enter with her brother, a staff member stopped her at the door.

“Kids, this isn’t your place. Please leave.”

Lin Wei asked, “Can’t we just look around?”

“Please don’t make it difficult for us. You don’t look like you’re here to buy stocks. It’s crowded inside. Why bother? Jiangdu Road is right next door. Go have fun there.”

Helpless, Lin Wei agreed.

After a simple lunch with her brother, she bought some ingredients for dinner and went home.

—

Carrying a large bundle of groceries, Lin Xiaomeng was stopped by a neighbor from the left unit, Zhang Min.

“Sister Meng, it’s rare to see you carrying so many groceries.”

Lin Xiaomeng smiled, “I used to just get by alone, but with two kids now, meals have to be proper. It’s their first time here, so I bought a bit of everything since I don’t know their preferences.”

“Guests should be well received. I heard your niece got into Jiangcheng University. Congratulations! Which university is it?”

“Jiangcheng University.”

Zhang Min looked surprised. “A prestigious school! Didn’t expect her to be so good. What’s her major?”

“Architecture.”

Zhang Min was puzzled. “Why would a girl study that? It’s a tough program, mostly boys study it.”

“Yeah, I wondered why she chose it too. But the acceptance letter is out, so no use arguing. As long as she can finish it.”

“But honestly, since there are so many boys in that major, it might be easier to find a partner.” Zhang Min looked around and lowered her voice, “Everyone knows you went to arrange your nephew’s schooling today.”

Lin Xiaomeng frowned. “What now? Someone’s upset again? I’m well aware. Most likely it’s about the house.”

“Yesterday, when Xiao Wang stirred trouble, I didn’t catch on. Later my husband explained, and I understood. The house belongs to the factory. Even if Sister Meng can’t keep it, it won’t go to your nephew and niece. The factory will just reclaim it.”

“But because they’re causing trouble, thinking you’re easy to bully, and now that you’ve arranged schooling for your nephew, they have more reasons to pick on you. But I see your niece is strong-willed. Do you think she’d let you be bullied?”