Chapter 17: Luo's Mom Secures a Job

Three people walked out of the train station. Shufan rubbed his thigh that his sister had just pinched, his face full of grievance, "I didn't say anything wrong. There was only one left, so why did you pinch me?"

"Hehe, I know." He Wenyu mysteriously quickened his pace, took three steps ahead of the Luo siblings, and turned around to face them, "Qianqian, this kind of behavior is clearly what you call abuse of power for personal gain."

"So that's the case! You should have said you liked it earlier. If you had spoken sooner, I would have put it in a prominent spot and sold it first, haha." Shufan watched his sister regretfully.

Angered, Qianqian was about to jump up and give her brother a noogie, but she hadn't managed to jump yet.

"Young lady, young man!"

A voice came from afar, urgent, old, and fleeting, heavily gasping.

Qianqian was curious about what kind of person and what kind of reason would make an obviously elderly person shout like that.

Turning her head, she only saw an old man in a washed-out, whitish-yellow cotton jacket and black trousers, running towards them. The old man was probably over seventy years old, his hair completely white, his face wrinkled, and his skinny figure looked as if a strong wind could blow him over.

"Brother, Xiao Yu, is that old lady running towards us?" Qianqian asked blankly, pointing at the old man directly in front of her and behind her brother and Xiao Yu.

Shufan turned around, stunned, "Qianqian, did you receive the wrong amount of money? Otherwise, why would someone be chasing you?" He had also calculated the price issue, and his calculations were the same as his sister's, which should have been correct.

He Wenyu, frowning, said, "That's not right, I haven't packed anything for this old lady."

While the three were talking, the old man had already reached them.

"Old sir, may I ask..." Qianqian had just started to speak when the old man interrupted her.

"I heard you still have one that hasn't been sold? Cough cough, can I buy it from you? Cough cough, my little grandson is only seven years old and has never seen the ocean, cough cough. He's been lying in the hospital for two years. I took some pictures of the ocean for him, cough cough, I collected some pebbles but forgot the seashells, cough cough. Considering that an old lady like me ran all this way, could you sell it to me? I can pay more," the old lady said excitedly, grabbing the hand of Shufan holding the thermal insulation box, her face filled with anticipation and unstoppable coughing.

Shufan, looking at his sister biting her lower lip and nodding, and at Xiao Yu, who was frowning with tears welling up in her eyes, spoke, "Old lady, please don't get too excited. We are just kids but we won't just raise the price randomly. Although this ornament is my sister's favorite, we will sell it to you at the original price."

Shufan's expression seemed to say 'I'm not greedy for money, hurry up and praise me,' as he looked at his sister.

Qianqian responded with an expression that said, 'You've got water in your brain'.

"Old lady, this rabbit is my favorite and the one I made with the most care. The ears are a bit unstable, so be careful. I hope your grandson can be as lively and adorable as this rabbit, and one day see the ocean himself. Old lady, I hope the young boy gets well soon. This little rabbit represents the blessings of the three of us, the healthy children of the sea. Just take it, we need to go home and study, and don't miss your ride. If fate allows, we'll meet again." Qianqian stuck out her tongue, pulled her brother down to kneel, opened the thermal box he was holding, took out the little rabbit she loved, stuffed it into the old lady's hands, then quickly ran with her brother and Xiao Yu to catch the bus that was just arriving to take them home.

"Qianqian, you actually gave it away for free??? You reckless child," Shufan said, though his proud smile did not dim at all. Having such a kind and adorable sister, he must have saved the galaxy in a past life.

"Qianqian, let's collect some seashells tomorrow, and we'll make you another rabbit. Don't be sad, okay?" He Wenyu comforted her softly, holding Qianqian's hand.

Luo Qianqian watched her brother and Xiao Yu, her face lit up with a foolish grin, completely immersed in her own money-making world without any response. In Luo Shufan's eyes, she seemed crazily sad about losing money, while in He Wenyu's eyes, she seemed crazily sad about losing a rabbit. However, Luo Qianqian was simply over the moon because she had made some money.

"Qianqian? Qianqian?! Qianqian!!!" He Wenyu shouted in Qianqian's ear before she saw Qianqian's innocent face, looking at her as if to ask, "What did I do? Why are you treating me like this?"

"I've already asked you four times, if we're going to your house or mine later, didn't we say we are taking the fabric?" He Wenyu, both annoyed and amused, grabbed Qianqian's chubby cheeks and pulled them apart.

"Brother, look at Xiao Yu, she's bullying me!" Luo Qianqian looked at her brother with a pitiful expression, only to find her brother pretending to be dumb, his eyes fixed on the car ceiling: "To your house, to your house." After saying this, the satisfied He Wenyu finally released her claws.

"We have to divide up the wealth at your house, and then there is the fabric to fetch, hopefully godmother can understand what I am saying." Luo Qianqian rubbed her cheeks, which Xiao Yu had pinched red, looking mournfully at the money bag tightly embraced in her arms.

Luo Shufan, seeing his sister's greedy manner, felt a pang in his heart, thinking about how his sister had worked nearly a month just to guard this little wealth like a priceless treasure, which made him feel sorry for her. He decided to let her manage the money he earned in the future, since she had grown up and wouldn't spend it carelessly anymore.

The three from the Luo family got off the bus and happily rushed toward the He Farmhouse, while at that moment, He's father, coming home for lunch, was chatting with Mother He.

"These past few days, the girl's math has obviously improved a lot. She used to just wash one fruit, now she knows how to divide them per head."

"Aren't you looking at whom your daughter plays with every day? One ranks first in their grade, the other one is young but quick-witted. Those two kids from the Luo family are extraordinary. Xiao Yu shouldn't be at a disadvantage staying with them."

"You don't say, can my goddaughter and godson be anything less? Today Xiao Fan brought over pig's feet and chicken claws, asking me to cook them saying he'd come to collect them to sell after studying. I don't know if they'll sell, but you should go around later and see. If they can't sell, pay someone to buy some, don't let them feel too bad," Mother He said, having spent the morning cooking the ingredients Luo Shufan brought. She made some tofu skin and cold dishes with the soup from cooking the pig's feet and chicken claws. "Old He, how about big sister's job? Now their home is just taking care of Xiao Yu and those three kids. Xiao Fan is only ten, it's really worrying."

"Ah, you just relax. Your godson is no ordinary person. Haven't you seen how our Little Witch pretends to be ill and suffer, refusing to get up whenever she has to recite Tang poetry or write in Chinese characters? It looks like Xiao Fan has really managed to tame the Little Witch." He's father paused, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his mouth: "As for big sister's job, well I did receive some news today, but..." I'm not telling you. He was interrupted by the loud knocking at the door by his daughter. He thought to himself, what does it mean to be a 'pain-in-the-neck'? His daughter exemplified it perfectly.

"Mommy, open the door, I'm back!" He Wenyu entered without sensing the sour atmosphere from her father inside.

Mother He, dragging her feet, opened the door with a snickering expression, shifting her eyes slyly toward He's father. Old He, Old He, trying to trick me, huh? My precious daughter unknowingly helped me get my revenge. All these years married to you, and you think I don't know you? Hmph.

"Mom, Mom, I'm telling you, we sold all the pig's feet and chicken claws, we made a lot of money, and everyone said they were delicious. I'll make some more tomorrow and go sell them." He Wenyu's voice reached He's father in the kitchen even before she entered the house.

"Wow, big girl made some money, huh? Quickly show daddy how much big cash you made, enough to buy your dad a pack of cigarettes?" He's father originally wanted to direct his fruit-washing, dish-picking daughter, but upon hearing that they really sold out and made money, he couldn't help but burst out of the kitchen with his mouth agape, looking at his daughter.

"Ah, godparents, Xiao Yu was right, it was super popular. Please don't look at us like that. Xiao Yu worked really hard today, she didn't make a single mistake in addition and subtraction within ten." Luo Qianqian, seeing Xiao Yu's smiling face nearly collapsing, hurriedly interjected, stretching the money bag forward for He's father and mother to see.

"Qianqian, Xiao Fan also came, great, your mom's job issue has been sorted. The factory manager said they just needed a quality inspection supervisor, and she can start working tomorrow. Plus, it includes a meal, overtime is compensated, and monthly tickets can be reimbursed." He's father looked at the three sweaty figures, a hint of pity in his eyes as he handed over a tissue, slightly proud as he spoke.

"Uncle, godfather, are you serious? Can she start tomorrow?" Luo Shufan, usually letting his sister do most of the talking, blurted out eagerly before she could speak.

"Yes, and..." He's father paused, looking at the four eager faces around him before slowly continuing: "The factory manager said, if the work is exceptionally done for three months, you can apply for a raise, twice a year."