Zuo Caiyun’s expression froze.
Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.
Ever since Zuo Cao stopped working for the Wei Family, Zuo Caiyun had often looked at her with this disappointed gaze.
That look was light, yet carried immense weight.
It was enough to pin the original owner down completely, because the original owner cared.
Without looking back, Zuo Cao went straight to the storage room, lay down, and fell asleep.
Late into the night, Wei Changzhi returned.
He had run out of money and came to ask Zuo Caiyun for more.
Zuo Caiyun said there was hardly any money left at home.
Then Wei Changzhi and Zuo Caiyun started arguing.
Wei Mu also got up and began berating Zuo Caiyun.
“Women shouldn’t be in charge of money. When women handle money, it brings misfortune to the family. Men have big things to do outside, and they can’t be without money—”
As soon as Wei Mu started speaking, Wei Changzhi fell silent.
He lay on the sofa, puffing away at his cigarette,
occasionally glancing at Zuo Caiyun with a smug and mocking look.
Zuo Caiyun began to miss Zuo Cao again.
Even though Zuo Cao was unwilling to lend a hand, she was still the only one in this family who would speak up for her.
There were things Zuo Caiyun held back, afraid to say or do.
Zuo Cao would scold Wei Mu, leaving her speechless with anger.
Zuo Cao would make her husband help her.
With Zuo Cao charging ahead, Zuo Caiyun could advance or retreat as needed.
Unlike now, where she was forced to take out the last of her savings.
Zuo Caiyun seethed with resentment. Wei Mu had money of her own, yet she insisted on forcing Zuo Caiyun to empty the household funds, refusing to stop until it was all gone.
She handed the money to Wei Changzhi, opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
Wei Changzhi snatched the money from her hand, grinning. “I knew my wife was the best. When I make some money, I’ll take you to pick out a gold bracelet.”
Wei Mu muttered curses as she went back to her room to sleep.
Wei Changzhi reached for Zuo Caiyun’s hand.
Zuo Caiyun turned her back, ignoring him.
Wei Changzhi whispered something into Zuo Caiyun’s ear.
Though still annoyed, Zuo Caiyun couldn’t help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.
She swatted his hand away. “Alright, it’s late. I’ve heated water for you. Go wash up quickly.”
In the storage room, Zuo Cao turned over in bed, pushing the noise outside out of her mind.
The next morning, only Wei Mu and the children were left at home.
Wei Mu ignored Zuo Cao as usual, covering the few remaining pancakes on the table with a bowl.
Zuo Cao didn’t even bother looking and walked out of the Wei Family.
Wei Mu watched her departing figure, muttering under her breath. “Who knows if she’s hooked up with some boy, shamelessly begging for food from them. Disgusting.”
The summer sun was bright and expansive, making everything seem possible.
Zuo Cao planned out the day’s tasks, feeling cheerful.
She first went to Aunt Mo’s place.
Aunt Mo had traded oil pancakes for two servings of stir-fried rice noodles at another snack stall.
Zuo Cao helped sell the remaining oil pancakes and sat on a small stool to eat the stir-fried rice noodles.
The stir-fried rice noodles were mixed with bean sprouts, green onions, and celery, and tasted quite good.
After finishing, Zuo Cao helped Aunt Mo pack up the stall.
“You keep this safe, Xiao Cao. I can see you’re a sensible girl. If your family treats you poorly, you must hold onto this money, understand? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about it.”
Aunt Mo held Zuo Cao’s hand and whispered.
“Auntie, I know you mean well. I understand. I haven’t told anyone.”
Zuo Cao raised a smiling face: “Don’t worry, I spent all this money on food.”
Fortunately, things had loosened up a lot by now, and many goods were gradually becoming available without ration coupons.
Coupons were harder to come by than money.
Zuo Cao visited the state-run restaurant every few days, never stinting on feeding herself well.
“Spending on food is good. You’re still young and growing. Even if you ate it all yourself, it wouldn’t be a waste of your hard work.” Aunt Mo’s eyes were kind and approving.
“Xiao Cao? What are you doing here?”
A surprised voice came from the roadside—it was Wei Changzhi.
Zuo Cao and Aunt Mo had been talking about the Wei Family, with Zuo Cao happily sharing stories and Aunt Mo listening with keen interest.
Hearing Wei Changzhi’s voice, the smile instantly faded from Zuo Cao’s face.
She was out on the streets every day, busy running around.
Running into someone from the Wei Family only now was beyond Zuo Cao’s expectations.
It also showed that none of the three adults in the Wei Family had Zuo Cao in their thoughts.
Wei Changzhi had heard from a friend that there was a kid doing business on this street, apparently selling quite well.
When he heard the street name, he realized it was right near his home, so he decided to come take a look.
He hadn’t heard the full story and didn’t know people were talking about selling small toys for students.
He only saw Zuo Cao here selling fried pancakes.
Catching Aunt Mo as she was packing up her stall, he happened to witness Aunt Mo stuffing money into Zuo Cao’s pocket.
In fact, with the popularity of Zuo Cao’s small toy sales, these two yuan from Aunt Mo no longer made up a significant portion of Zuo Cao’s income.
Zuo Cao was grateful for the helping hand Aunt Mo had extended.
Plus, selling fried pancakes only kept her busy for a short while each day, so it didn’t take up too much of her time.
That’s why she still came every day.
“Xiao Cao, how can you just take money from people outside?”
Zuo Cao narrowed her eyes at Wei Changzhi.
Wei Changzhi felt a bit uneasy under her gaze.
Then he found it amusing—she was just a kid, after all.
His understanding of Zuo Cao was still stuck on the fact that she and his mother weren’t getting along.
A little brat who managed to feed herself outside and now thought she could act tough at home.
“Auntie, my family’s child doesn’t know any better. It’s fine to ask her for help, but please don’t give her money. She’s just a kid—giving her money would only harm her.”
Is this woman’s business really that profitable? She even has spare cash to give to someone else’s kid.
Wei Changzhi eyed Aunt Mo’s stall suspiciously.
Aunt Mo said, “What nonsense are you talking? I just asked her to buy something for me. You’re obsessed with money day in and day out, aren’t you?”
In these times, employer-employee relationships couldn’t be discussed openly.
It was too easy to be accused of engaging in capitalism and exploiting others.
Aunt Mo changed the subject: “So you’re Xiao Cao’s family, huh? You’re such a tall man—how do you run your household? How much can a child eat? Is it really necessary to hide every bit of food so carefully? I’ve heard all about it—you finish all the good food every day, and then your family puts the meals away, right?”
“She’s surnamed Zuo, not Wei. The Zuo does all the work, while the Wei eats the meat.”
“One of these days, I’ll have a word with your wife too. A man fooling around outside shouldn’t be given money—giving him money would only harm him.”
Zuo Cao couldn’t help but laugh.
Aunt Mo was truly a remarkable person. For this scolding alone, the work hadn’t been in vain.
Zuo Cao diligently washed the towel clean and wiped Aunt Mo’s oily hands with it.
“Wei Changzhi, tomorrow I’ll bring a group of old aunties to the Wei Family for a visit. I’ll even invite the neighborhood committee and your Aunt Feng. Let’s see what’s really going on in the Wei Family.”
Aunt Feng was in charge of neighborhood conduct and had reprimanded Wei Changzhi more than once.
Just hearing her name made Wei Changzhi’s face turn green.
“Auntie, I made a mistake, please forgive me. I won’t dare do it again. I… I just came to buy oil cakes. Xiao Cao, wrap two for me.”
“Get out, get out! Can’t you see we’re closed? Are your eyes covered in filth? If I find out you’ve bullied Xiao Cao at home, just you wait. Your auntie here has nothing else to do during the day—I’ll come to your house and have a nice chat with your mother.”
Wei Changzhi had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he fished out two more bills from his pocket.
“Xiao Cao, take this to buy ice pops. Get a couple for Aunt Mo too. Aunt Mo works hard—help her out more and don’t cause her any trouble.”
Although Zuo Cao disliked Wei Changzhi, she took his money without hesitation, a slight smile appearing on her face.
Five yuan.
This Wei guy must have gotten quite a bit from Auntie yesterday, to be so generous.
Wei Changzhi had originally wanted to pat Zuo Cao’s head and play the part of the good uncle to the end.
But as soon as Zuo Cao took the money, she clung to Aunt Mo and started acting spoiled.
Wei Changzhi felt awkward. His hand changed course mid-air and ended up patting his own head instead.
“Auntie, let’s go eat ice pops—the milk-flavored ones.”
“What ice pops?”
After Wei Changzhi left, Aunt Mo pulled Zuo Cao to sit down. “I can see you won’t be staying with the Wei Family for long. You must keep this money safe.”
Zuo Cao already had an idea about this. She clung to Aunt Mo and refused to let go. “I’ll miss you, Auntie.”
“You silly girl, talking so sentimentally.” Aunt Mo pushed her away in mock annoyance, though the smile on her face clearly showed she was pleased.