Yang Xi’s arrival brought new hope to this imbalanced household.
Yang Hong’an’s intellectually disabled wife no longer wandered aimlessly. Yang Hong’an’s polio-afflicted, lifelong bachelor brother also found renewed spirit.
The three elders raised the infant together, supported by neighbors—some offering malted milk, others lotus root powder—collectively helping to bring Yang Xi up.
Before age ten, Yang Xi had several chances to be adopted, especially at seven, when a childless out-of-town couple learned of the Yang family’s situation and wanted to adopt her.
Yang Hong’an, already in his sixties, struggled to raise Yang Xi. Providing a basic meal was manageable, but with Yang Xi reaching school age, he knew the couple could offer her far better care. For her sake, he agreed.
His wife, unable to grasp the reasoning, clung to Yang Xi, unwilling to let go. Yang Hong’an’s brother hid at home, weeping.
Seven-year-old Yang Xi refused to leave.
When adults put her in the car, she pounded the windows, crying and screaming to get out.
The couple, feeling Yang Xi wouldn’t bond with them, reluctantly gave up.
Yang Hong’an scolded Yang Xi for being foolish, saying a “mom and dad” could give her pretty dresses, new shoes, a new backpack, and a big house.
Yang Xi insisted she didn’t want a “mom and dad”—only her grandparents.
Ten years passed in a flash. Yang Hong’an grew older, while Yang Xi was just in her third year of high school.
Yang Hong’an wanted Yang Xi to study more, so that after he, his wife, and his brother were gone, she could stand on her own. They wouldn’t be around much longer and couldn’t offer her much help.
Other girls might have dowries; Yang Xi wouldn’t.
Other girls had parents to support them; Yang Xi still wouldn’t.
These thoughts weighed heavily on Yang Hong’an.
Yang Xi herself had no interest in studying. The future was too distant to dwell on—better to seize the present!
Would she even get to repay the three elders after finishing school?
The eldest, Big Grandpa Yang Hong’an, was 75 and still picked through trash. The youngest, Second Grandpa, was 68, hobbled by polio, and ran a bicycle repair stall at the neighborhood entrance. On good days, he earned a few yuan; on bad days, he sat for nothing.
Other repair stalls charged for tire inflation, but Second Grandpa, honest to a fault, never did.
As for Yang Xi’s grandma, her intellectual disability worsened with age. This year alone, she nearly got lost twice, only to be found at Yang Xi’s old elementary school, waiting to “pick her up” despite Yang Xi being in high school.
Yang Xi was desperate.
She didn’t want to study or go to college. She couldn’t focus in class. Every day wasted was one less day with her three elders. As a child, she’d been too willful. If she’d been adopted at seven, the elders wouldn’t be so exhausted now.
Lost in thought as she walked home, Yang Xi made up her mind: she’d accept Wen Ying’s offer and work at ‘Shrimp King’!
It was a legitimate job. If she explained it well to Big Grandpa, he might agree.
If he didn’t believe her, she’d drag Wen Ying to vouch for her. Yang Xi had to admit, Wen Ying had the honest face elders loved!
But it was hard to swallow her pride.
And what about her crew? They looked tough but were clueless. Without her watching, they might get scammed and still count the money for their swindlers!
Yang Xi, frustrated, shook her head, messing up her hair.
She yanked the light cord at home. The bulb flickered but didn’t light, sparks flying from the switch.
“This damn lamp!”
The house’s wiring was old, and Yang Hong’an had been too frugal to replace it. Yang Xi suddenly felt overwhelmed.
—What kind of life was this!
…
Wen Ying shared everything she knew about Yang Xi, except the incident that had put her in the news in her past life.
Wang Shuang and the others were silent for a long time.
After Li Mengjiao withdrew as a ‘Shrimp King’ shareholder, Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao joined.
Today, all shareholders except Qin Jiao were present.
Among the five, Wen Ying’s family was the “poorest,” but even their poverty was relative to Xie Qian and Wang Shuang. In the provincial capital, the Wen family was solidly middle-class.
Yang Xi’s family situation was beyond the imagination of Xie Qian, Wang Shuang, and the others. Without Wen Ying bringing it up, their lives would likely never intersect with Yang Xi’s.
The topic was heavy, leaving even the boisterous Wang Shuang at a loss for words.
In the past, Wang Shuang might’ve questioned how such poverty existed in Rongcheng. But after working as a shrimp washer on the late-night food street, he’d seen a more real slice of society.
No able-bodied adults, three elders—one normal, one disabled, one intellectually impaired—and a child. Wasn’t poverty inevitable for such a family?
If they hadn’t crossed paths, fine. But since they had, Wang Shuang figured they might as well help.
Since Wen Ying vouched for Yang Xi’s character, he saw no issue: “Then pick her! Who else would we hire?”
Geng Xiao started to speak but held back.
Business wasn’t charity. Sympathy alone wasn’t enough. Managing ‘Shrimp King’ required not just good character but capability. Yang Xi, so young, might not be up to it.
Still, Geng Xiao didn’t rely on ‘Shrimp King’ for a living. To him, it was more a fun venture with friends. Success was a bonus; failure wouldn’t leave him starving.
No need to clash with friends over it. Geng Xiao figured Yang Xi could try, and if she flopped, they’d replace her.
Tang Yifeng’s thoughts aligned with Geng Xiao’s. Since none of them could manage ‘Shrimp King’ personally, Wen Ying’s recommendation was as good as any.
Opposing it? Sure, if you could find someone better.
Too much hassle—might as well try Yang Xi.
With no objections from the three, Xie Qian, though skeptical, wouldn’t publicly contradict Wen Ying. Hiring Yang Xi passed unanimously, barring Qin Jiao.
Qin Jiao had long delegated her shareholder voting rights to Wen Ying, so no one questioned the decision, and it was settled.
On the way home, Xie Qian asked Wen Ying, “It feels like you’ve known this Yang Xi for a while.”
Wen Ying countered, “And what did you say to Yue Shanni to make her turn herself in at the station?”
Xie Qian stayed silent, and Wen Ying laughed, “Besides honesty, we all keep a few little secrets, right?”
Any twisted logic sounded righteous coming from Wen Ying.
Xie Qian thought of recent events—his mother starting work, seeing a therapist, Xie Jinghu begrudgingly giving him 2% of JinHu Group’s shares. Each brought him joy. Wen Ying’s “little secrets”? He let them slide with a smile.
That evening, Wen Ying returned home to find Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru already there.
Wen Dongrong told her, “The police station gave an update. They’ve notified Yue Shanni’s high school. For attempted robbery, the school will announce a public criticism at tomorrow’s flag-raising ceremony and expel her.”
Yue Shanni’s high school wasn’t as prestigious as Provincial Key, but while academic rankings varied, discipline didn’t. With Yue Shanni confessing at the station and solid evidence, the school wouldn’t tolerate such a troublemaker.
Whether Yue Shanni could find another high school or continue her education, Wen Ying wasn’t sure.
In her past life, Yue Shanni hadn’t tried to extort her and didn’t finish high school either. She entered society early, married young, and had two kids. By the time Wen Ying was 31, still dating He Zhen, Yue Shanni was a stay-at-home mom, reportedly struggling financially. But that was none of Wen Ying’s concern.
Wen Ying was willing to help Yang Xi, not Yue Shanni. Repay evil with kindness? Then how to repay kindness?
“Any progress on the police investigation?” Wen Ying asked.
Wen Dongrong shook his head, “Nothing yet.”
Once Yue Shanni was expelled, she’d likely go after the real culprit. Whoever had a guilty conscience would face her wrath, and Shu Lu’s days wouldn’t be easy.
Wen Ying didn’t comment.
Shu Lu had provoked her repeatedly with malicious intent. If Wen Ying didn’t retaliate, Shu Lu might escalate from hiring delinquents to block her to hiring thugs next time.
Chen Ru cursed from Shu Guobing to Shu Lu, calling them a big and small ingrate. Wen Dongrong found it harsh but didn’t argue, tacitly agreeing.
Personally dealing with a young girl? Wen Dongrong couldn’t stoop that low.
Shu Lu’s debt, he chalked up to Shu Guobing.
One day, he’d settle the score with Shu Guobing!
During lunch break the next day, Wen Ying got a call from Yang Xi, who accepted the job offer but asked for a month’s salary in advance.
“Can I ask what you need the advance for?”
“…To replace wiring!”
Yang Xi, only tolerating the question because she’d be working for Wen Ying, thought the excuse was as absurd as the ones she used to skip class. She expected Wen Ying to refuse, but Wen Ying enthusiastically agreed, even offering to advance *two* months’ salary.
“If you’re replacing it, might as well do a full overhaul and get it done right.”
“…”
What kind of person was this? Getting so excited over wiring?
Yang Xi didn’t realize Wen Ying was even “crazier” than she thought. The next day, Tuesday, two electricians with tools showed up at Yang Xi’s old neighborhood. They spent a day replacing her home’s wiring, tidying the chaotic lines, and even offered free inspections for the entire neighborhood.
Wiring issues weren’t unique to Yang Xi’s home. The electricians, stern-faced, urged residents to replace old wires and risky outlets: “You’re rigging wires like this, making a mess of the circuits. During peak usage, it’s a fire hazard—dangerous, you understand? These old buildings? One fire, and no one’s escaping!”
