Wen Kai was far too sensible.
And far too capable.
Wen Ying had relied on rebirth cheats to amass millions in wealth during high school, yet Wen Kai had no such advantage.
He was a true town exam-crusher, starting a business in university without family funds or connections. To cover his living expenses by second year was truly impressive!
No wonder Wen Kai had made his mark in the capital in his previous life.
Has great-aunt agreed yet?
Wen Ying asked curiously. Chen Ru shook her head: How could she? Your great-aunt fears Wen Kai suffering at school, even more so that work might distract him from studies. Not only will she keep providing living expenses, but she has raised them from 500 yuan monthly to 800!
Great-aunt knows her stuff!
Wen Ying gave a thumbs-up in praise.
Most parents would be overjoyed at not footing living costs, perhaps even bragging about it everywhere.
Yet they forget how precious university time is. Student part-timers are cheap labour; those hours wasted on jobs, if spent learning and absorbing knowledge, would benefit one for life after graduation!
Part-time work is fine.
But if it hampers studies, that is a massive loss.
Had Wen Ying not known cousin Wen Kai’s character, she might suspect he was playing a sly game: claiming no need for family money, only for parents to raise it upon hearing.
Yet great-aunt Zhu Meiqun’s willingness to increase Wen Kai’s allowance showed her confidence in the fruit business.
Buying the house would drain great-uncle’s couple’s savings; then came loan repayments, monthly transfers to their son, and their own daily costs. This year, great-uncle’s family would face real hardship.
Chen Ru rolled her eyes at Wen Ying: You spout such sound reasons about others, yet when it was you demanding independence, from mindset to material, shaking off our control entirely…
Oh dear, I am running late. Sister Jiao is waiting to tutor me.
Seeing Chen Ru’s ire turning her way, Wen Ying slipped away with an excuse.
Downstairs, she spotted old Mr. Wen strolling idly in the complex, hands behind his back. Wen Ying thought it over and approached: Dad, great-uncle’s lot are buying a house and stocking goods for business. If cash is tight, I can lend some.
Wen Dongrong stood tall and composed, chest puffed: Need you tell me? I asked them ages ago. Your great-uncle says no need.
Funds were a pinch, but they could grit teeth through it.
Once mentally independent, one shuns reliance on others.
Though borrowing from Wen Ying’s family meant no interest, neither great-uncle’s nor little uncle’s households considered it.
No wonder old Mr. Wen held his head high; big brother and little brother did him proud.
Wen Ying failed to lend a penny.
One flower blooming alone draws all eyes to the sole wealthy kin or friend; now with flowers blooming aplenty, relatives and mates earned less than Wen Ying but needed no bailouts. Everyone strived for better lives, and that felt splendid!
Wen Ying was still smiling when Yang Xi called.
The agent is scouting listings; we can view in a few days.
Yang Xi sounded troubled: It is not about the house, something else… sigh, can I come see you? Talk face to face?
Few things troubled Yang Xi, piquing Wen Ying’s curiosity. She told Yang Xi to wait near Xie Qian’s, then asked Qin Jiao for leave.
Half an hour delay, alright Sister Jiao?
Sure, but unfinished tasks mean finishing half an hour later this afternoon.
Little Teacher Qin was merciless.
Wen Ying nearly regretted and cancelled on Yang Xi.
Recalling Yang Xi’s recent aid to Deng Juan, Wen Ying kept the appointment.
At the spot, Yang Xi was not alone; several youngsters trailed her, boys and girls, oddly familiar.
Ah, she recognised them: was not that the little delinquent girl and her thug mates who splashed red paint at Deng Juan’s?
Wen Ying’s heart twinged, recalling the new down jacket ruined after one wear.
She glared at the fidgety little thug, who looked baffled, then flashed what he deemed a dashingly invincible smile.
That winking grin was eye-searing; Wen Ying resignedly looked away and asked Yang Xi: Out with it, what is the matter?
Yang Xi coughed, pulling Wen Ying aside. She twisted open a mineral water bottle for Wen Ying, passed it over, all but grovelling: I want to hire a few into Shrimp King. Think it feasible…
How rare!
Sister Xi never bowed her head.
Even when Wen Ying first offered her the Shrimp King job, Yang Xi had accepted grudgingly.
Had the pay not outstripped elsewhere, Yang Xi would have bolted!
Wen Ying half-guessed: The ones you want to hire, they would not be this lot, would they?
Yang Xi was manager herself; hiring normally posed no issue, no need to alert Wen Ying.
Unless these hires bypassed standard channels.
Wen Ying glanced over: these youngsters strained towards respectability. Today’s garb differed starkly from paint-splashing day; the little delinquent went bare-faced, the thug had cropped his long hair, looking passably normal from afar.
Pity it did not hold under scrutiny.
Close up, their manner and mien still reeked of street tough, worlds from proper folk!
Yang Xi nodded sheepishly: It is them. Two are high school mates, the other three old running partners. Dabbling in petty crime yielded nothing; real villainy they dared not touch. Big shots deemed them useless, shunning promotion. Job-hunting? Past station visits for pilfering barred them from decent firms.
Station visits?
Likely criminal records too!
Most companies shunned such.
Even if a firm overlooked it, with no degrees or credentials, their options were slim.
Wen Ying fell silent; Yang Xi grew anxious: I know it is improper, but I swear they truly wish to reform. With me watching, they dare not act up in Shrimp King. Any trouble, I take full blame. They are loathsome folk, and pitiable ones. I just want to help.
Just as Wen Ying had once helped her.
Without Wen Ying’s hand extended, offering work, Yang Xi figured post-high school, unbound, she would have utterly cut loose.
Wen Ying stayed quiet; Yang Xi murmured: They truly seek the straight path. See the one in blue? That is Little Liang. His girlfriend is pregnant. Irresponsible thugs would have her abort. Little Liang is accountable; he says abortion harms, so let her birth the child, he will earn to raise it!
Penniless and jobless, Little Liang steeled himself to propose, only to face the girl’s parents’ tirade.
Little Liang desperately needed work, to prove to in-laws his readiness to shoulder manhood.
The one in blue was the thug who had soiled Wen Ying’s new down jacket.
That day at Deng Juan’s, Little Liang had performed with gusto.
Seeing Wen Ying soften, Yang Xi beckoned Little Liang over. He trotted up, bowing deeply to Wen Ying: Boss, grant me a chance. I will work hard, bring no shame to Sister Xi or you!
Wen Ying sipped water, smiling at Yang Xi and Little Liang: I dearly want to help, but Yang Xi, you know I long exited Shrimp King’s management. I am no boss; hires are not my call~
