Everyone knew Lin Yun’s family wasn’t well-off. That was why the boss lady had offered such low pay—normally, hiring help cost at least one yuan and five mao a day. Lin Yun worked fast, had a gentle temperament, and did whatever she was told. Very useful.
The boss lady could have raised her pay to keep her.
But why should she? She wanted Lin Yun to beg to stay.
Lin Yun bit her lip. The boss lady had a sharp tongue and knew a small street official. Last time her husband had twenty yuan docked from his factory wages—she still hadn’t forgotten that scare. She didn’t dare truly make trouble.
Softly, she pleaded, “Boss… you know my family’s situation. Can you just deduct one yuan?”
The boss lady sneered. “Your family’s poor and you still dare quit? Either I deduct five yuan, or you take the one-yuan deduction and keep working.”
Lin Yun hesitated. She had already been wavering about quitting. Five yuan was too much. She felt herself shrinking back.
“Don’t work!”
A crisp, fiery voice rang out.
Lin Yun turned, flustered. “Lele? Why are you in here?”
From the courtyard wall, Song Shixu watched as Su Jinle—white and soft like a steamed bun—rolled straight in and bumped into the boss lady. The soft bun turned into a little firecracker.
Su Jinle’s face was red with anger. She still stuttered, but her presence was fierce. “Not one cent less for my mom! Or—or…”
She suddenly remembered what Song Shixu had mentioned about the union. “Or I’ll report you to the union!”
The boss lady’s back hit the table. Pain shot up her waist. Furious, she pointed at Lin Yun. “That’s your stuttering daughter? Threatening me? Fine! You won’t get a single cent! Get out!”
This was the first time Su Jinle had ever argued so loudly. She instinctively stepped back, then grew even angrier. Thinking of how Aunt Pang had quarreled yesterday, she copied the posture—hands on hips. “If you don’t pay, I’ll scratch your face! And—and report you!”
Slim as she was, stuttering as she sounded, she wasn’t exactly intimidating.
But she had angered the boss lady.
The woman raised her hand instinctively. Lin Yun went pale, ready to shield her daughter.
Even Song Shixu on the wall tensed to jump down.
But the “soft bun” wasn’t so soft.
Su Jinle pulled Lin Yun back, dodged the slap, and bumped the boss lady again.
The woman nearly screamed—how could such a thin girl have so much force?
Before she could shout, Su Jinle raised her voice, “I’ll go to the police! You hit people and dock wages—you’re a parasite of socialism! They’ll arrest you! One bullet and you’re done!”
On the wall, Song Shixu: “…”
Where did she learn those words?
“You—you dare!” the boss lady sputtered.
“If you don’t pay, I’m going to the police right now. Let’s see who gets locked up!”
Bullies feared those who stood firm. The boss lady was no exception. It was barely over ten yuan—but if it went to the police, right or wrong, it would be trouble.
Before she could respond, the restaurant owner rushed out with money. “Enough, enough. No need to make a scene. Seventeen yuan total. Not a cent less. Take it and go.”
Lin Yun exhaled in relief and was about to thank him.
Su Jinle tugged her sleeve, face stern. “Not yet. Apology.”
The boss lady flared. “Don’t push it!”
“Police station,” Su Jinle replied flatly.
Customers were beginning to arrive. The owner shoved his wife. “You temper’s the problem. Apologize. It was just a broken plate—why hit people?”
Reluctantly, the boss lady muttered, “Yesterday was my fault.”
Only then did Su Jinle nod. “Let’s go.”
Outside, Lin Yun still felt dazed. This was her thin, timid daughter—how had she suddenly become so fierce?
Truthfully, Su Jinle was scared too.
In her previous life, she had rarely left the house. Neighbors thought she was mute. She barely spoke, let alone argued.
Whenever she stuttered, Gu Jingxiu had looked annoyed. Her stutter had made her small, timid.
But these past few days selling clothes, no one mocked her. Aunt Pang even helped her because she spoke slowly.
The one person she had relied on most had used her stutter to belittle her.
Mother and daughter left like victors.
On the wall, Song Shixu allowed himself a faint smile.
Seems the soft bun wasn’t so soft after all.
But just as they stepped out, two unwelcome figures approached—Gu Jingxiu and Yang Muqing, coming to eat.
Today, Su Jinle wore her blue-and-white set again. The skirt dried overnight, and wearing it as a “live model” attracted more attention than hanging it up.
Yang Muqing’s gaze swept over her outfit. Compared to the previous blue dress, this one was even more striking.
She stopped. “You made that too?”
Su Jinle ignored her, pulling her mother along.
Once or twice—did this little stutterer think she was afraid of her?
Yang Muqing’s tone turned sharp. “Gu Jingxiu, is your fiancée not only a stutterer but also deaf?”
Gu Jingxiu frowned, voice indulgent. “Muqing, her family’s poor and her pride’s strong. Why bother with her?”
Yang Muqing narrowed her eyes at Su Jinle’s slender back.
She had never taken the stuttering girl seriously before. As the factory director’s daughter, everyone fawned over her. Yet when she offered money for that dress, the girl dared refuse. She even reported matters to the union.
Bold indeed.
They entered the restaurant. The boss lady recognized Yang Muqing immediately and rushed over. “Muqing! The usual? One meat, one vegetable, and rice?”
Yang Muqing hummed casually, then asked, “What were that stuttering girl and her mother doing here?”