CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 82: ONCE IS ENOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL HARDSHIPS

Yu Xiaolian prepared bread and biscuits in vain, unable to deliver them.

This An Ning’s mother is indeed a stubborn and strong-willed woman.

Originally, Yu Xiaolian was so hungry that her stomach was growling, but after what An Family’s mother said, she suddenly lost her appetite.

While eating, she only ate two dumplings before putting down her chopsticks.

Sun Shi comforted Yu Xiaolian, saying, "A tiger, fierce as it is, won’t eat its cubs. An Ning’s father surely won’t actually kick their mother and the kids out. Don’t worry too much."

Yu Xiaolian didn’t think so; when a man changes his heart, he could be even more ruthless than a wolf.

Although she never dated anyone in her past life due to her special profession, she had watched TV dramas, followed documentaries, and watched the rule-of-law emotional channels.

That heartless man pushed his own children off a building just to be with his mistress, simply because she didn’t want to be a stepmother.

An Ning’s father hasn’t returned for eight years, nor has he written back, clearly wanting nothing to do with this family anymore.

What good will come of them searching for him in Linzhou?

Being shut out would be fortunate; the bigger concern would be being killed to keep secrets buried.

Yu Changhe saw Yu Xiaolian looking glum and joked, "This family’s business is none of ours; why do you worry?"

Sigh, Yu Xiaolian sighed.

What Yu Changhe said was right; technically, Da An and Xiao An were not related to them, but she couldn’t bear the suffering seen in the world.

Yu Xiaolian ridiculed her own lack of ability to save the world yet having the heart of a Bodhisattva.

Forget it, as long as you try your best.

After the meal, Sun Shi made paste from white flour and took out some old clothes patched from before, ripping them into slender strips.

Yu Xiaolian was responsible for applying the paste on the strips and handing them to Sun Shi, who stood on a stool, while Sun Shi applied them to window cracks.

Sun Shi pasted the top gap and suddenly said, "The vine paper on the windows is quite old and needs replacing; otherwise, winter drafts might come through."

Seeing the stool wobbling a bit from which Sun Shi stood, Yu Xiaolian hurriedly held the stool for Sun Shi until the top gap was pasted before letting go.

"Mom, it’s not even winter, yet we have lots of chores already."

"It’s just busy now for a few days. When winter comes with heavy snow, nobody wants to leave home; that’s when we can idle about."

After pasting one window, Sun Shi moved the stool to another window, and Yu Xiaolian continued helping.

Once they finished their rooms’ windows, Sun Shi said, "In a few days, the Su Family brothers will move in; should we paste the second courtyard too?"

Yu Xiaolian did not object.

Gaining favor with the Chief Assistant, it’s something she was willing to do.

However, with many windows to paste, Sun Shi found the old clothes with patches were not enough. Sun Shi compared several patched clothes, deciding which was more worn to tear up.

Sun Shi looked at each one finding them all quite good, feeling a bit torn.

Yu Xiaolian silently sighed at her excellent and frugal mother.

By the time Yu Xiaolian and Sun Shi finished pasting the second courtyard’s windows, night had fallen.

Yu Changhe finally finished hammering the wooden door after a day, then the three of them installed the wooden door at the arch of the second courtyard, completing their tasks for the day.

Before sleeping, Sun Shi told Yu Xiaolian to buy vine paper tomorrow to replace the old ones on the windows and asked Yu Xiaolian to deliver goods to Mingxiang Pavilion and settle accounts.

At night, Yu Xiaolian lay in the warm bed, thinking about the incoming silver tomorrow, feeling elated.

People’s biological clock and work schedule can be changed.

During this time, Yu Xiaolian also grew accustomed to sleeping early and waking early; after all, there was nothing else to do at night, so why not sleep?

The next day, Yu Xiaolian ate breakfast early, pushed the handcart heading towards Mingxiang Pavilion.

Today’s load was hefty, besides pastries and preserves, she also brought plenty of toiletries.

The cart was heavy, and Yu Xiaolian had to take several breaks before finally pushing it to the backyard of Mingxiang Pavilion.

Panting heavily, tired, yet Shopkeeper Hai complained she came late, saying the front hall already had many people queued, waiting impatiently.

Yu Xiaolian was helpless; it was just past six in the morning, and the sun had barely risen.

Thinking she could escape the torment of a scheduled modern work life in ancient times only to find ancient times were no slouch either.

Sigh, money is hard to earn!

"Pastries later are fine, but those queued outside are all looking to buy soap and shampoo from you."

With one hand inviting help to unload the cart, Shopkeeper Hai said, "Those folks are none other than the wealthiest and most prestigious in Yangcheng, already grumbling impatiently after waiting."

"I brought more items today and couldn’t push it all at once, so I took a few more breaks," Yu Xiaolian explained.

Shopkeeper Hai slapped his forehead, "Oh, my bad, wasn’t thoughtful. Next time, just prep at home; I’ll send someone from the shop to push the cart for you."

"That’d be great!" Yu Xiaolian clasped her fists at Shopkeeper Hai, "Thanks a lot!"

Shopkeeper Hai said, "Don’t thank me yet, I have a question for you!"

"What question?"

Shopkeeper Hai leaned in close and asked in a low voice, "Did you upset our owner?"

Yu Xiaolian shook her head, "No way!"

"That doesn’t seem right."

Scratching his head, Shopkeeper Hai awkwardly mentioned, "Well... the owner said you’re using Lord Shanyue’s name and Mingxiang Pavilion’s premises for selling your toiletries, so he’d like half of the profits."

Yu Xiaolian instantly bristled, "This is robbery!"

Even Shopkeeper Hai felt quite embarrassed, "By rights, since you and the owner are sworn allies, he shouldn’t do this. That’s why I asked if you made him angry somehow."

Yu Xiaolian frowned, "I haven’t angered him."

"Ah, I figured it out!" Yu Xiaolian exclaimed.

Could it be Zheng Yuanfeng is upset because of yesterday’s incident at the academy with Su Jingchen?

But if it’s Su Jingchen who’s annoyed him, what’s it got to do with her?

Shopkeeper Hai showed a look that implied he knew from the start it was her fault, consoling Yu Xiaolian, "The owner’s a good guy. If you butter him up a bit, he might not take your toiletries money."

Feeling both wronged and realizing Zheng Yuanfeng’s small-mindedness, Yu Xiaolian replied.

"Did your owner go to the academy?" Yu Xiaolian asked.

"Yes." Shopkeeper Hai nodded, "He left before dawn."

At Qingquan Academy, dawn marked the start of morning readings, equivalent to modern-day five to seven a.m., with class dismissal at noon, akin to one to three p.m. today.

Moreover, the academy was secluded, far from the bustling market area, meaning Zheng Yuanfeng left around four a.m.

Yu Xiaolian quietly gave thanks she didn’t need to attend school again — once was enough for enduring student life.

"He’s not here for once; that’s a perfect opportunity."

Yu Xiaolian sneers mischievously, thinking, since toiletries were sold for silver, she’ll just pocket it herself, what could Zheng Yuanfeng do about it?