Chapter 7

I walked into the shop without looking back. My mother followed behind me.

The main hall quickly filled with people. Liu’er glanced at my mother, who was rushing to clear away the bowls and chopsticks.

Taking advantage of the time while the noodles were still boiling in the pot, Liu’er hurried over to me. “Sister Li, why is your mother suddenly here to help?”

“You were so busy before and she never lent a hand…”

I looked up at the figure scurrying around the hall and curled my lips into a slight smile. “Whenever she helps me a little, she always expects me to repay her many times over.”

Just as I expected.

After sending off the last wave of customers, my mother kept glancing out the door, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

She didn’t speak, and I didn’t ask. I just focused on my bookkeeping.

My mother pursed her lips. Seeing that I remained silent, she finally couldn’t hold back.

“Li, your elder sister will be marrying Young Master Lu in half a month…”

My hand paused slightly as I gripped my brush, caught off guard and momentarily stunned.

So soon, she’s getting married already?

I still remember it was this time last year when my mother asked Lu Zhao in front of me when he planned to get married.

Lu Zhao said it was still early, that another two years would be fine.

People, oh people…

“Li, this time your sister has you to thank as well. Lu Zhao has now started working at the County Office. In the future, our families will support each other…”

“What is it you really want to say?”

I was long tired of hearing such words from my mother.

She hurriedly grabbed my hand, glanced awkwardly outside the door, and said, “Well… Young Master Lu’s salary isn’t high right now, and your sister’s embroidery skills have become rusty…”

“How about holding the wedding banquet here at your place?”

“Just buy some simple meat dishes, add a few fish, we already have wine in the shop. On the day, I can help you out too…”

I just felt a growing chill all around me.

One is an elder sister who stole my fiancé; the other is a fiancé who was forced upon me for the sake of another woman.

And my very own mother wanted me to cook for them, to help them celebrate.

I laughed.

“Why not? I run a business, after all. Why would I refuse any customer?”

“Fifty coins per person. Since you say we’re family, then forty-five coins per person.”

“Lu Zhao is good at math. Have him calculate the total and pay me the deposit.”

My mother froze, quickly let go of my hand, and tried to save face. “Do we need to keep such accounts among family? What’s gotten into you, child? Are you really going to pay me wages for helping you out?”

Liu’er quickly took out the fifty coins he had already prepared from the box. “Aiya, Auntie Lin, here’s today’s wages. The boss already had them ready for you.”

“Our shop may be small, but we don’t take advantage of you-don’t let your family take advantage of us either.”

My mother looked at me, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice trembling, “Are you blaming me? Blaming me for making you break off the engagement…

“You’re my daughter, after all. Even if you are rejected, your father and I will support you for a lifetime.”

I stared at her impassively and replied calmly, “Do you even believe those words yourself?”