Of course, Shulu did not want that.
Wen Dongrong had not doted on Shulu in vain all those years. Shulu’s life goal had always been Wen Dongrong. She wanted to become a respectable person, just like her second uncle.
In her previous life, Shulu had indeed achieved this pursuit. After graduating from university, she passed the exams and entered the system.
In this life, Shulu’s family had been lured by Zhao Dong, losing the guidance of Wen Dongrong’s shining light. Thus, Shulu’s life trajectory had shifted.
Yet Shulu had never given up her pursuit of “respectability”.
Both paths that Wen Ying described were ones Shulu strongly resisted.
Why did Shulu rush to help Zhao Dong whenever he called? Because Shulu herself understood what outcome awaited her if she continued working as a drinks girl in the bar. Even if she tried her hardest, at best she would carve out a third path between the two Wen Ying mentioned: after falling into depravity, seize an opportunity to latch onto some fool and make it ashore!
Those “big sisters” in the bar older than Shulu had all ended up that way. No one escaped these three paths. At least, Shulu had never heard of anyone who did!
If Shulu and Wen Ying had switched places, Shulu absolutely would not forgive Wen Ying.
So, was Wen Ying trying to ruin her?
Shulu’s eyes flickered. “Sister Xiaoying, as long as you give me a chance to mend my ways, from now on I will listen to everything you say. I will do whatever you ask!”
Wen Ying automatically translated Shulu’s promise in her mind: Sister Xiaoying, as long as you let me take advantage, I will cater to you in every way, at least on the surface!
Heh.
That was enough.
Wen Ying had never intended for Shulu to truly change her heart.
As long as those disgusting little schemes were hidden away and did not disrupt the entire Wen family, that was all Wen Ying expected from Shulu.
As for Shulu wanting to take advantage of Wen Ying, Wen Ying smiled faintly. Over the years, plenty of people had tried to take advantage of her. Unless she herself was willing, how many had ever succeeded?
“Fine. As long as you are willing to obey, I won’t treat you poorly.”
Wen Ying dangled a big pie in front of Shulu.
Shulu put on a face full of gratitude.
The two temporarily reached a truce. Neither mentioned consulting Wen Hongyan’s opinion.
Wen Hongyan’s opinion was utterly unimportant!
Between this mother and daughter pair, if they had eight hundred scheming thoughts combined, 798 belonged to Shulu. Wen Hongyan had at most two: one lazy thought and one foolish thought!
Shulu said she wanted to apologise to Grandma Wen. Wen Ying refused outright. “Don’t go upsetting the old lady. Seeing you now won’t make her happy. Wait until you… anyway, we’ll talk about it later.”
Wen Ying spoke politely, which only made Shulu more nervous.
“Then should I go apologise to Second Uncle and the others?”
Wen Ying gave a half-smile. Shulu immediately realised she had misspoken and put on an obedient expression. “I’ll listen to Sister Xiaoying.”
Wen Ying finally nodded in satisfaction. “You had better keep your word. I won’t force you to do anything. If you ever feel uncomfortable with what I ask, you can leave anytime.”
No restriction on personal freedom. She could leave whenever she wanted.
Once she left, Wen Ying’s “promises” would become void.
Shulu swore up and down that she would not disappoint Wen Ying.
In her mind, she fantasised about the “opportunity” Wen Ying had promised. After thinking it over, she suspected Wen Ying would let her return to school.
After dropping out, Shulu had suffered the harsh beatings of society and deeply regretted her decision to quit school.
If Wen Ying could let her go back to campus, Shulu would be very willing.
However, even before dropping out, Shulu’s mind had not been on studies. She could not keep up with the normal curriculum, and after drifting in society for a while, she was even less able to settle down and learn.
Shulu did not truly love studying. She only loved what studying could bring: a diploma!
The better the diploma, the more respectable!
Shulu thought to herself that if Wen Ying wanted to send her back to school, she must seize the chance to make a request. She could no longer handle cultural courses, so she wanted to switch to becoming an arts candidate.
Studying painting could get her into an art academy.
Studying music could get her into a conservatory.
Or she could take acting classes and become an actress or star in future. Li Mengjiao was a perfect example!
Ambition shone unmistakably in Shulu’s eyes.
Sichuan Province produced beauties. Li Mengjiao’s looks were actually average. It was three parts natural appearance plus seven parts grooming that made her look like a big star.
Shulu felt that if Li Mengjiao could do it, so could she with some effort on her appearance.
And how did Li Mengjiao become famous? After debuting through a talent show, she had faded, but then she starred in a TV drama and shot to stardom again. What a coincidence. The drama where Li Mengjiao played the female lead had been scripted by Wen Ying.
Shulu daydreamed about debuting and starring in Wen Ying’s dramas, becoming an overnight sensation.
Wen Ying saw something off in Shulu’s expression and casually asked what she was thinking.
Shulu delicately hinted at her ideas. Wen Ying nearly dropped her jaw in shock. “You’re comparing yourself to Li Mengjiao?”
Shulu bit her lip and said nothing, putting on her pitiful little act again.
Wen Ying was completely unmoved by Shulu’s performance and even remarked that Shulu had some nerve. “You really dare to dream big!”
Without waiting for Shulu to act further, Wen Ying made a phone call.
“Come pick her up.”
Shulu waited anxiously for half an hour. Then Wen Ying’s phone rang. The person coming for Shulu had arrived at the hospital entrance.
It was Yang Xi.
With Spring Festival approaching, Manager Yang was extremely busy.
If it were anyone else summoning her, Manager Yang would not have rushed over so quickly. But for Wen Ying, Manager Yang arrived as if on fiery wheels.
At first, Shulu did not recognise Yang Xi.
Shulu had seen Yang Xi at the police station.
She had also seen her when Yang Xi dealt with Shu Guobing.
Back then, Yang Xi was not yet “Manager Yang” but a delinquent girl freshly recruited by Wen Ying, exuding thug vibes from head to toe.
Only when Wen Ying called out “Sister Xi” did Shulu suddenly recognise Yang Xi.
Yang Xi looked Shulu up and down, frowning deeply. “You really want me to handle her?”
Wen Ying nodded. “I’m handing her over to you. You can manage her however you see fit. If she doesn’t listen or only pretends to obey, just tell me!”
Yang Xi reluctantly agreed. “Alright then.”
Ah, this was the consequence of owing a favour!
Money debts could be repaid, but favours were hard to settle. Especially since Wen Ying had not only given Yang Xi a new life but also helped the delinquents and girls Yang Xi knew to turn over a new leaf. Yang Xi owed Wen Ying far too much.
Shulu was completely bewildered.
Why hand her over to a former delinquent?
Wen Ying could not be bothered to explain to Shulu. “If you’re unwilling, you can leave right now. I won’t concern myself with you ever again.”
Shulu did not dare fall out with Wen Ying. With a deeply aggrieved expression, she followed Yang Xi.
Yang Xi drove a Honda.
The car was not bought by Yang Xi herself but allocated by the company.
Yang Xi herded Shulu into the car like chasing a duck. “Stop dawdling. I have other things to do!”
Thus, Shulu was taken by Yang Xi to the first directly operated “Prawn King” store.
Along the way, Shulu kept probing for information, but Yang Xi ignored her completely.
At the store, Yang Xi shoved Shulu into the kitchen. “From today, you work here. Behave yourself. Don’t think about deliberately breaking dishes. Heh, even if you smash bowls on purpose, it won’t help. Damaged items will be deducted double from your wages!”
“I won’t…”
The “Prawn King” business was booming. Piles of dishes awaited washing in the kitchen.
Looking at the mountains of greasy plates, Shulu’s vision darkened.
Why had she come to be a dishwasher?
If she had known that the “opportunity” Wen Ying mentioned was washing dishes in the kitchen, Shulu would have fought Wen Ying on the spot!
Merely being a dishwasher required no humility towards Wen Ying.
It was the job needing the least education, with no requirements even for appearance.
Dishwashers earned low wages and worked hard. It was worse than continuing as a drinks girl in the bar!
Yang Xi raised an eyebrow. “You won’t wash? Oh, I’ve been waiting for you to say that. Do you think I want to manage you? The door is right there. If you want to leave, go now. Don’t hold up others from working!”
Yang Xi pointed at the door, genuinely hoping Shulu would leave immediately. She truly placed no restrictions on Shulu’s freedom.
With Yang Xi not stopping her, Shulu hesitated instead.
Wen Ying had said there was only one chance. Shulu suspected this was a deliberate test from Wen Ying. After all, she had offended Wen Ying plenty in the past… Was Wen Ying trying to vent her anger?
Then she really had to endure it.
Shulu changed her tune. “I’m not leaving. I came in such a hurry that I forgot to tell my mum. I want to call her.”
Yang Xi crossed her arms, her face cold, as if she had already seen through Shulu’s stalling tactic.
Under Yang Xi’s watchful gaze, Shulu gritted her teeth and made the call.
The phone rang, but Wen Hongyan did not answer.
Yang Xi grew impatient. “Where is your mum?”
“At the back gate of the provincial hospital…”
Shulu said softly. Yang Xi flew into a rage. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Wait here!”
Wait for what?
Shulu was full of questions, but Yang Xi had already left.
An hour later, Yang Xi returned, dragging a dishevelled and cursing Wen Hongyan.
“I’ve brought your mum back. Now can you start working?”
Wen Hongyan looked battered, her hair a mess. Shulu was shocked. “…You hit my mum?”
Yang Xi laughed coldly. “Why would I hit her? It’s not like there’s money in it. I’d be wasting my energy. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. If I hadn’t arrived in time, your mum would have been beaten to death!”
Wen Hongyan’s face was pale, her eyes red from crying.
It turned out Yang Xi had not struck her. Shu Guobing had.
Shu Guobing wanted a divorce, but Wen Hongyan refused.
Determined to elope with his mistress, Shu Guobing had cornered Wen Hongyan at the back gate of the provincial hospital and beaten her soundly.
When Yang Xi arrived, Wen Hongyan was lying on the ground wailing like a slaughtered pig while Shu Guobing pummeled her mercilessly.
How could Yang Xi fear Shu Guobing? In a few moves, she turned the tables on him.
Before fleeing, Shu Guobing issued a vicious threat: if Wen Hongyan did not agree to divorce, he would beat her every time he saw her.
The Wen family would not help Wen Hongyan anyway, so he acted without restraint!
Wen Hongyan, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, clung to Shulu’s hand and wailed. “Your dad has truly been bewitched by that vixen outside!”
Shulu was furious too. “Mum, you just let him beat you? Second Uncle and the others are right there in the hospital. Didn’t you think to call for help?”
Wen Hongyan moved her lips but said nothing.
Shulu suddenly understood.
Wen Hongyan had always protected Shu Guobing. Now, with him cheating and demanding divorce, Wen Hongyan was too ashamed to seek help from her natal family. She feared they would not assist and might even kick her while she was down and mock her!
Looking at the piles of greasy dishes in the kitchen, Shulu suddenly asked Yang Xi, “Can my mum stay and wash dishes here too?”
Yang Xi glanced at Shulu, then at Wen Hongyan, her face troubled. Supervising two troublemakers at once? That deserved extra pay!
