Without Chen Ru naming names, Wen Ying knew the person upsetting her was Shu Lu.
Oh dear.
Shu Lu was Old Wen’s relative, which, rounding up, meant Old Wen himself had provoked Manager Chen. Feeling completely safe, Wen Ying relaxed and settled in to watch the drama unfold.
Wen Dongrong was inwardly screaming, “It’s over, it’s over,” but his mouth was quick to defend, even sounding more indignant than Chen Ru. “What’s she doing blocking Big Sis’s shop? After dinner, I’ll go over myself—”
He glanced at Wen Ying, saw the glee on her scheming face, and felt indignant. “You’re coming with me.”
Wen Ying resisted. “What for? You want me to fight Shu Lu on the spot?”
Chen Ru considered and called Wen Ying along too. “Let’s all go see. If we can help your aunt deal with this nuisance, that’d be best. The fruit shop is technically your uncle’s, but they didn’t have enough capital, so we invested some money. Until we pull out, it’s partly our business too. Shu Lu’s ruining our shared venture.”
Wen Ying had some quick wit. When handling Shu Guobing’s real-name report against Wen Dongrong, she’d already shown her capability.
Compared to Wen Dongrong, who liked to smooth things over, Chen Ru trusted Wen Ying more at this moment.
“Alright, I’ll go!”
Faced with summons from Old Wen and Chen Ru, Wen Ying’s responses were starkly different. This scheming girl was practically in tatters, yet Wen Dongrong could do nothing about her and had to stew in his frustration.
After quickly finishing dinner, Wen Dongrong tidied the dishes in a flash, and the family headed straight to Zhu Meiqun’s fruit shop.
The shop’s customers were nearby residents and passersby. Most fruit shops closed at nine, but Zhu Meiqun stayed open until ten to catch extra business.
When Wen Ying’s family arrived, it was just past eight. Nearby residents out for evening strolls were returning, crowding around Zhu Meiqun’s shop.
It was chilly on an autumn evening, and Shu Lu stood at the door in a thin, worn shirt, shivering.
A kind-hearted person had bought her bread and water. She ate in small bites, looking like she hadn’t eaten in ages, quite pitiful!
Chen Ru was about to push through the crowd to enter the shop but was stopped by Wen Dongrong.
“Don’t rush. Let’s listen first.”
If they didn’t show themselves, Shu Lu would only pester Zhu Meiqun. If they appeared, she might shift her target.
Wen Dongrong had a proper job. If Shu Lu blocked his workplace like this, just imagining the scene made him want to explode.
Similarly, though his scheming daughter was full of flaws, Wen Dongrong had to admit she was the face of the Wen family now. With Wen Ying’s current fame, if onlookers recognised her, they’d be stuck there all day!
With this in mind, Wen Dongrong had a rare moment of conscience and told Wen Ying not to get out of the car. He and Chen Ru would observe from a distance first.
Wen Ying didn’t argue this time, nodding obediently. “Okay, I won’t get out. I can hear from the car. You both be careful!”
The crowd was buzzing. Some spoke up for Shu Lu, while others found her behaviour inappropriate.
“Young girl, waiting here isn’t a solution. Have you contacted your parents?”
“What’s your relationship with the fruit shop owner?”
“Heard it’s her aunt.”
“Her real aunt? Why isn’t she looking after her niece?”
“…How’s she supposed to? It’s not manageable. You make it sound easy, like giving her a bowl of rice is enough. She needs school fees, living expenses, daily costs. It all adds up!”
Some were quick to play the saint, while others were rational and considered reality.
Among the onlookers were Zhu Meiqun’s regular customers. Zhu Meiqun was trusted for her honest business practices, never short-changing anyone.
Her shop did well, so busy she hired help. Anyone could guess she was earning decent money.
But her regulars never saw her splurging on new clothes or jewellery. She remained plain and simple, a woman who worked hard, saved diligently, and was the epitome of frugality and virtue!
So, despite Shu Lu’s pitiful state, the crowd didn’t unanimously condemn Zhu Meiqun. Some regulars even explained her difficulties to those unaware.
No matter Shu Lu’s troubles, she should first turn to her parents. If they couldn’t help, there was the government. What right did she have to block her aunt’s shop?
It wasn’t easy for a woman to run a small business. This stunt was stopping Zhu Meiqun from operating.
Those saying the aunt should take Shu Lu in were quick to talk. Why didn’t they take her in themselves?
Listening from the car, Wen Ying almost laughed.
Shu Lu was probably baffled. She’d written the script, but the plot wasn’t following her plan.
The shop was still open, but Zhu Meiqun hadn’t appeared. Some impatient customers wanting fruit asked Shu Lu what she wanted.
Shu Lu lowered her head, sobbing softly.
“I just want to study… I only want to borrow money from my aunt to study…”
Outside the crowd, Chen Ru’s eyelids twitched, her anger surging as she muttered, “What a leech, so shameless. Borrowing money is a personal choice. With her like this, if she doesn’t get money today, she’ll be back ‘standing guard’ tomorrow. Can Big Sis even run her business?”
A few hundred or thousand yuan, Zhu Meiqun surely had.
Having it was one thing, but why should she lend it to Shu Lu?
Shu Lu had her parents. Shu Guobing was in jail and couldn’t provide, but Wen Hongyan wasn’t.
You couldn’t blame Zhu Meiqun for being heartless, letting Shu Lu drop out. It was a bottomless pit. As the crowd pointed out, paying school fees wasn’t enough; there were living expenses too. Supporting another child wasn’t trivial, and no one could force Zhu Meiqun to take it on.
If the relatives were close, helping out in tough times would be fine, but only if they were willing.
Zhu Meiqun wasn’t willing. Not just hundreds or thousands, she wouldn’t spare even tens of yuan on Shu Lu. This girl, so young yet so manipulative, would drive Zhu Meiqun mad if coerced into spending.
Several times, Zhu Meiqun wanted to reason with Shu Lu, but the moment she spoke, Shu Lu cried. Zhu Meiqun couldn’t curse her in public like she would Wen Hongyan.
The sisters-in-law got along well. With Wen Ying’s uncle unavailable, Zhu Meiqun called Chen Ru.
Chen Ru, who despised injustice, wanted to teach Shu Lu a lesson but was held back by Wen Dongrong.
“No, no, we can’t show ourselves. Wait, I’ll step away and call Big Sis. I’ll tell her how to handle this!”
Wen Dongrong dragged Chen Ru aside.
Before he could act, a young boy stepped out from the crowd toward Shu Lu.
“You just want to borrow money to study? Which school are you at? How are your grades? If you truly want to study but can’t afford it, I can help.”
Wen Ying, clinging to the car window with her head out, hadn’t mistaken him.
It was none other than Song Shao!
