CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 457: ARE THEY A COUPLE?

Tang Yue was in a groggy state from her nap and felt Mo Siyu leave for work. She turned over to continue sleeping, but once she woke up, she couldn’t fall back asleep.

Unable to sleep, Tang Yue took out her notebook and started sketching designs. Carrying a notebook had become a habit for her. Now, her small bag also contained the little dagger and the electric shock baton that Aunt Lian had given her. Bai Qing had also found her some small gadgets, such as sprayable pepper spray and a pen.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary pen, but in case of an emergency, this pen could become a self-defense weapon. Its tip was not only sharp, but it could also produce an electrical current. At critical moments, it could be used for self-defense.

Tang Yue was nestled on the couch, quietly drawing her designs. With inspiration flooding her mind, it seemed she had numerous designs in her head. The positive market response to her clothes further empowered her to be bold. She wanted to infuse her own style into her designs so that at first glance, people would know they were designed by her, Tang Yue.

She even daydreamed that one day, wearing her designs would be a matter of pride.

*

Night.

Mo Siyu returned to their place, and Tang Yue greeted him cheerfully, saying, "Si Yu, I made two dishes today and also cooked an egg soup. It’s perfect for tonight."

"Xiao Yue, you’re amazing," said Mo Siyu, embracing her and looking at her smile, all his fatigue vanished.

"Really?" Tang Yue asked, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

"Of course," replied Mo Siyu, pulling her to sit down at the table. He went to the kitchen to wash his hands and serve the rice. Under the dim light, the dinner for two was cozy and romantic.

...

"Xiuxiu, you’re also going to make dolls now? Don’t you want to continue being a substitute teacher?" As soon as Jiang Beini finished her class and returned home, she heard people in the compound talking about Ruan Xiuxiu joining the handmade doll business.

Jiang Beini was so upset that she came looking for Ruan Xiuxiu without even eating.

"Of course, I do," Ruan Xiuxiu answered without hesitation. "Beini, isn’t it only after the second half of the year starts that we can confirm it? I’m just idle at home right now, so I thought of making dolls."

"But don’t you read books?" Jiang Beini asked without thinking. "Even if it’s just being a substitute teacher, you need to know the material, right? Otherwise, how can they let you be a substitute teacher?"

"Beini, I’ve been looking through those books over and over; there’s only so much. It won’t affect anything if I start looking at them during the summer holidays," Ruan Xiuxiu said, already determined to make dolls first to earn some money. Otherwise, she would see people in the compound, who used to be no better than her, now enjoying better meals than her family does.

Ruan Xiuxiu felt a deep sense of unfairness.

"Suit yourself. If they don’t want you later, I won’t be involved," said Jiang Beini, turning to leave.

Ruan Xiuxiu quickly followed, pleading, "Beini, don’t worry. I definitely won’t let it interfere."

Jiang Beini replied coldly, "Yes, you won’t affect anything. I am working daily at school to secure this substitute teacher position for you, but you, on the other hand, don’t seem to care at all."

"But..." Ruan Xiuxiu was anxious; she really did want to be a substitute teacher.

"Being a substitute teacher might pay a little less, but if you keep at it, you can eventually become a permanent teacher, and that’s a steady job," said Jiang Beini somberly.

Ruan Xiuxiu, trying to appease, said, "Beini, I just pick up the work. It’s okay if I do a little less. Also, I read books every day."

"Why don’t you test me then?" Unable to give up on making dolls, Ruan Xiuxiu compromised by trying to ingratiate herself with Jiang Beini, begging for an opportunity.

"You..." Jiang Beini originally wanted to refuse outright, but after a second thought, she changed her question: "Do you really want to make those dolls, even if you can’t earn one yuan a day?"

"I do." Ruan Xiuxiu answered without hesitation, and with a bit of embarrassment, she said, "Beini, you know my family’s situation, we are short of money."

After the weekend, Tang Yue started her busy schedule of study and work again.

For her design class, she rarely attended the lectures and only needed to complete the assignments given by the teacher. For her computer class, Tang Yue was very interested and never missed a single lesson. After studying for some days, she became quite familiar with computers.

Tang Yue even considered looking for specialized drawing software, but current Huaxia’s technology sector was still lagging behind, so she tried to look for the software she remembered from the past. Unfortunately, either it did not exist yet, or she couldn’t find it.

After class, Tang Yue and Bai Qing would go to check the stock market whenever they had the time.

At the securities company, as soon as Tang Yue and Bai Qing arrived, a reception room was specially reserved for them. In those days, there were people who dared to trade stocks, but it was still very rare for people like Tang Yue and Bai Qing who invested hundreds of thousands at a time; therefore, the company always provided the best reception room for them.

With Bai Qing there, Tang Yue wasn’t worried about any problems. She just needed to concentrate on picking which stocks might go up and decide which ones to buy.

When they left the company, the staff still sent them off very politely. Bai Qing couldn’t help joking: "Xiao Yue, do you think if we kept our money in the bank, the bank would treat us with the same attitude?"

"Definitely." Tang Yue nodded without hesitation: "Sister Qing, after this purchase, we shouldn’t invest so much money anymore."

"Okay." Bai Qing didn’t even bother to ask why.

Tang Yue explained, "We’ve earned quite a bit before, there’s no need to take such a big risk now, and besides, the stock prices fluctuate. I always have this feeling that they might plummet any time."

Tang Yue didn’t know much about stocks before. In these past days, by relying on her familiarity with the name of a stock that still existed in the future, she had made quite a bit of money, but biting off more than one can chew is never good.

"Okay." Bai Qing agreed.

*

In the hospital, it was the day Lian Qingyang’s cast was to be removed.

Xiang Yazhi hadn’t left Jing City for a single day since she learned that Lian Qingyang was injured.

After waiting anxiously for the day Lian Qingyang’s cast would be removed, Xiang Yazhi was nervous, fearing that his leg might not have healed properly after the cast was gone.

"Mom, don’t worry, it’s just a minor injury, I’ll be fine." Lian Qingyang reassured Xiang Yazhi. He had been urging Xiang Yazhi to go abroad to see Lian Qingqing, but she refused to leave before his cast was removed.

During this week and more, with Xiang Yazhi, Lian He, and Lian Tong all present, Lian Qingyang suddenly felt a great deal of pressure.

Lian He was busy with business matters, leaving early and returning late every day.

Lian Tong, too, had her affairs, seldom seen during the day.

It was tough for Lian Qingyang having to listen to Xiang Yazhi speak ill of Tang Yue every day; sometimes he wished he could argue with his own mother. Occasionally, Lian Qingyang would use work as an excuse to try and avoid spending too much one-on-one time with Xiang Yazhi.

Finally, when it came to removing the cast, Lian Qingyang was extremely excited.