The next morning.
Just as dawn was breaking, Qiao Yuwei woke Tiantian up. After getting dressed, she went next door to find Zhao Guihua. The three of them two adults and one child took the earliest bus into the city.
By the time they arrived at the market, the sky was already brightening.
Street vendors had already started fighting for good spots. Fresh vegetables were still covered with dew. Qiao Yuwei casually picked a stall and bought several bundles of cabbage and scallions for only a few cents.
Completely natural and pesticide-free if this were the future, it would easily cost several times more.
Although Zhao Guihua didn’t know why she was brought here, she still remembered the 8-yuan daily wage from last night. Even if she had to move heavy cement bags, she was ready to grit her teeth and do it.
But to her surprise, Qiao Yuwei brought her to a small dumpling shop instead. The place was modest but very clean.
“Auntie, can you help me chop the meat filling? I need to simmer the bone broth first, I’m afraid we’ll run out of time,” Qiao Yuwei said quickly, already tying on her apron and getting to work.
Even little Tiantian obediently squatted nearby, picking out wilted leaves from the vegetables. Her movements were so practiced that she didn’t look like a five-year-old at all.
Zhao Guihua wasn’t foolish. She immediately understood that Qiao Yuwei was planning to sell dumplings. She clicked her tongue in doubt last time she almost burned down a kitchen, and now she was opening a stall? Was she trying to send people to their graves?!
Still, at least the girl knew to find help. If she messed up, Zhao Guihua could step in and fix it. If needed, she could even take over completely after all, she was very experienced at making dumplings.
With her help, the preparation went quickly.
At that moment, a series of “crackling” firecracker sounds rang out from across the street.
Looking over, they saw a newly hung sign: “Li Family Dumpling Shop.”
Li Daguo, dressed neatly, stood at the entrance greeting customers with a bright smile. “Grand opening delicious and affordable!”
The shop quickly drew crowds. Within moments, the dozens-of-square-meter space was packed full.
Zhao Guihua sighed. “Yuwei, should we prepare less food? The shop opposite just opened today. I’m afraid we won’t sell much.”
“No need. Keep preparing,” Qiao Yuwei said calmly.
Then she took down the wooden sign beside her stall and changed the price from 3 jiao per bowl to 5 jiao per bowl the same as the other shop.
Li Daguo glanced over and caught her gaze. A mocking smile curled on his lips as he signaled to the burly men behind him and walked over.
“Well, well, you really have guts to set up a stall here,” he sneered, kicking over a bench with a loud crash. “And you dare sell at the same price as us? Trying to steal our business?”
Seeing his ferocious look, Tiantian immediately panicked and hid under the table, clutching her head.
Qiao Yuwei quickly pulled her behind her, her eyes cold. “Steal your business? You’re not qualified.”
“Hahaha!” Li Daguo laughed loudly. “Big talk! Just you think you can compete with our state-run restaurant chefs?”
One of the thugs behind him chimed in, “Selling at this price? You won’t even sell for one cent. Don’t come begging to Brother Guo later.”
“Oh really?” Qiao Yuwei smiled faintly. “Then I’ll be waiting.”
She paused, then added with a sly look, “Waiting to watch the joke.”
Li Daguo kicked another chair over in rage. “You little bitch!”
Just as he was about to flip the stove, a strong hand suddenly grabbed him.
“What are you doing?” a calm voice asked.
Li Daguo turned angrily. “Which blind idiot is interfering with me?”
A young man in his early twenties stood there in a gray work uniform, wearing glasses. The word “Inspector” was pinned on his arm.
“So what if I smash it? I’ve done worse before who dares touch me? Call Old Biao here!”
The man calmly adjusted his armband. “Old Biao? He’s been investigated and sent to detention. The management here has changed. New rules anyone causing trouble gets taken away, no matter who they are.”
Li Daguo hesitated, unsure if he believed him.
Seeing this, he snorted. “Fine. Just you wait, you damn girl.”
With that, he left with his men.
“Wait,” Qiao Yuwei called out. “You damaged my things. Pay up 20 yuan.”
“Are you crazy? These broken tables are worth 20?” he shouted.
“30,” she said, raising her fingers.
“You ”
He glanced at the young inspector, grinding his teeth in frustration.
“40,” she added immediately.
The inspector spoke up calmly, “Damaging property can lead to ten to fifteen days in detention.”
Li Daguo froze. His father was currently running for factory director he couldn’t afford trouble now.
Grinding his teeth, he pulled out money and slammed it into her hand. “Bitch. This isn’t over.”
Qiao Yuwei counted it. “You can leave now.”
He left in anger.
The inspector turned to her. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. And you are…?”
“Lin Weisheng, from the neighboring village.”
The name triggered memories in the original host’s mind.
A few years ago, a county commendation meeting had been held to honor outstanding university students. Lin Weisheng was one of them.
The original owner had fallen for him at first sight and then began a long, embarrassing one-sided pursuit. She constantly brought him gifts, even showing up at his school. Lin Weisheng deeply disliked her, finding her uneducated and lazy, and repeatedly rejected her.
She ignored all refusals. In the end, he had no choice but to quietly transfer schools just to escape her.