Chapter 119

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"His mom used to run a small business, stewing pork head meat and pork offal herself to sell at the vegetable market."

Lin Xiyu did not hide it: "Heard she made quite a bit of money, a ten-thousand-yuan household long ago."

"Sigh."

Wu Meng, relying on her superior gossip skills, imagined a grand drama: "No wonder his dad liked his mom—not liking the person, but liking her money, married her, got the money, and then started disliking her."

"His mom died early, surely angered to death by his dad, getting up early and working late, working hard, her husband didn't even give her a good face, disliking her as a yellow-faced old woman, which woman could stand it?"

——

"You put it that way, it's really creepy."

Lin Xiyu shook her arms, shaking chicken skin bumps all over the ground: "But his dad is really shameless, hiding how much money the family has tightly, calculating clearly with my mom, each person raises their own daughter, and the expenses for raising sons are also split."

"So disgusting, how could your mom stand it?"

Wu Meng couldn't believe it: "My dad hands over all his salary to my mom to manage; even buying a pack of cigarettes to smoke, he has to ask my mom for money."

"Couples in normal families should all be like that, right."

Lin Xiyu nodded, not feeling the slightest impropriety: "My uncle is the same, all the money he earns is handed over to my aunt, he doesn't want to spend a single cent himself."

"Hope your mom can let it go a bit."

Wu Meng truly felt it was a pity for her mom: "This kind of man really isn't worth entrusting; when older, with yellowed face and pearls, won't she end up like Xu Jie's mom."

"Hope so."

Lin Xiyu looked expectant: "Aunt Da said my mom went home to pack clothes, this time she should have made up her mind to leave that home, and divorced Xu Weiguo, right."

"That's good!"

Wu Meng smiled with relief: "Otherwise just thinking about it is nauseating, I can't even watch it anymore."

"Sister, you two stop chatting, hurry up and go."

The two best friends were chatting when Xu Yi dodged his female cousin's pursuit, circled around from the adjacent alley, and ran back.

"Coming."

"The little fairy can't wait to swim."

"Let's go, we should hurry too, don't let them urge us again."

"Okay."

The two smiled at each other, following the little fairy's wishes and quickened their pace.

——

Wangfu Pool.

Scorching August, the hottest time of the year.

It was summer vacation, and there were especially many children swimming. The pool water was like boiling dumplings, full of heads at a glance.

Xu Yi ran to the shore with pattering steps, kicked off his shoes, and jumped into the water fully clothed.

He had just learned to swim, and Lin Xiyu was not reassured, standing by the pool watching him.

"Sister, you come down and swim too."

Xu Yi dog-paddled with his not very skilled strokes in the water, splashing a few times, looking at his sister and giggling stupidly happy.

"Too many people, I won't go down to crowd, you swim by yourself."

Lin Xiyu was wearing a skirt, and it was inconvenient to go into the water.

"Xiyu, Mengmeng, you two come over, there's a place here, sit down and rest for a while."

The female cousin came early, found a spot by the edge to sit down, took off her shoes, and soaked her feet in the water.

"Coming."

Wu Meng's eyes lit up and she ran over first.

The pool water was suddenly cold; when she put her feet in, the stimulation made her skin tremble, and her whole body shivered once.

"Cold?"

Lin Xiyu walked over smiling with narrowed eyes, squatted down, and reached out to test the water.

"What are you afraid of?"

The female cousin didn't care, continuing to soak: "We grew up soaking in Wangfu Pool since childhood, still afraid of cold?"

"You're not here for a good deed, are you."

Lin Xiyu kindly advised: "The water is too cold, not good for the body, pay attention, don't soak too long."

"What's the big deal."

The female cousin had a face of utter indifference: "Rarely don't have to work today, being exploited by that scoundrel Liu Ye, I must enjoy myself properly."

"You're not making money?"

Lin Xiyu laughed and teased her: "So excited during the opening period, wishing not to rest for a day, and it's only been a month, you're already slacking off?"

"Just opened, many customers are acquaintances, people who deliberately came to support."

The female cousin propped herself up with her hand, tilted her head to look at the sky, acting helpless: "Now it doesn't work, stuck in the office, can't wait for a single customer all day, this won't do, I need to open up a new battlefield, go elsewhere to find work."

"You want to quit your job?"

Lin Xiyu's expression changed upon hearing this.

"No, I'm not quitting."

Female Cousin had her own plans: "I'm going to the newly completed real estate development to find new clients and bring people in myself."

"Oh, oh, is that so?"

Lin Xiyu covered her chest and let out a sigh of relief: "I thought you'd quit after just one month of work; you scared me."

"I'm going out to drum up business; there can't be no one in the office."

Female Cousin turned and glanced at her, eyes bright, with undisguised shrewd calculation: "How about this: anyway, you've finished filming and have nothing to do at home, why not come help me at the company?"

"Me?"

Lin Xiyu was a bit confused: "What can I do if I go? I don't know anything about renovation."

"You don't need to do renovation."

Female Cousin taught by word and deed: "You just sit in the office and answer phone calls; when clients come in, pour them a cup of water, take them to see the model units; if they're interested in cooperating, take out the brochures and show them the price list."

"Is it that simple?"

Lin Xiyu was a bit tempted.

"It really is that simple."

Female Cousin nodded very seriously: "Actually, there's nothing hard about sales; it's no different from selling clothes. You just need to push out whatever you want to sell."

"Is Liu Ye willing?"

Lin Xiyu had some concerns: "When you're not here, I'll be working for you."

"What does he have to be unhappy about?"

Female Cousin was very certain: "With you as a living signboard, business is sure to be good; he'd love for you to be there every day, giving him free advertising."

"Who works for him for free?"

Lin Xiyu's mental calculator clattered: "I also need to ask him for a commission. From now until mid-September when school starts, I can still work a full month; he has to pay me some wages."

"Commission is a must."

Female Cousin knew the situation well: "I know how deep the water is in renovation. Last month the company just opened, and the gross profit was already 300,000. That guy is making a killing; he has to bleed a bit more."

"300,000?"

Lin Xiyu's beautiful eyes widened: "Renovation really makes that much money? No wonder Wang Fan said he wants to open a branch in BJ. That guy really knows how to calculate; wherever there's benefit, they drill in."

"No wonder businessmen are all filthy rich."

Female Cousin was extremely jealous: "These days, if you want to make big money, you still have to be your own boss. Working for others only means being exploited."

"You work for them first."

Lin Xiyu patted her shoulder, expressing encouragement in the way of a younger sister: "Once you figure out the ropes and have capital, you can open your own company too."

"That's what I was thinking."

Female Cousin's eyes lit up: "If our family wants to get rich, it can only rely on me. I must hold it up. Once I have my own connections, I'll have Uncle work with me too."

"You even want to bring Uncle along?"

Lin Xiyu was slightly surprised.

"I won't bring him..."

Female Cousin smiled teasingly: "Just based on the 500 yuan he makes a month at the hotel, and he still has to support a wife and children. When will he ever pay back the 10,000 yuan you lent him?"

"That's true..."

Lin Xiyu found it funny, laughing until her eyes curved: "Although I didn't expect Uncle to pay back the money, having some hope still makes me quite happy."

"Why not let him pay it back?"

Female Cousin thought of Maternal Aunt adopting children, and still felt a lump in her chest: "You won't let him pay it back, and the money is spent on outsiders. Raising children isn't that easy. Grandma is already old and can't be idle either; she still has to help them take care of the children."

"Don't say these things in front of Uncle and Maternal Aunt when you go home."

Lin Xiyu kindly reminded: "Uncle can't have children, and Maternal Aunt definitely feels guilty about it. Maternal Aunt wants to adopt children, and he probably agrees too. Let's not meddle anymore and pick at people's scars."

"I know."

Female Cousin looked speechless: "You really think I'm a blockhead, don't you? I know clearly what can be said and what can't. I'm just upset that Maternal Aunt's mother from her maiden family has to stir up trouble at this time. The doctor said it might be curable. They've waited so many years; what's a few more years?"

"Can raising your own child and raising someone else's child be the same? If one day Uncle's body is truly cured and they can have children again, what then? To have or not to have?"

"Nowadays everyone is an only child. What if family planning doesn't allow it? For the sake of an adopted child, give up your own biological child. Is that worth it?"

"I just can't accept this. An adopted child is never as close as a biological one. Even a biological son can be unfilial. Counting on an adopted child to support you in old age—just thinking about it is laughable."

—

"Maternal Aunt's mother from her maiden family was just a bit anxious."

Lin Xiyu felt it made sense and nodded repeatedly: "I also think biological children are better. I can't quite describe the feeling about adopted children; I always feel they're not family, there's a barrier in my heart, and they're not as close."

"That's what I'm saying."

These words hit Female Cousin right in the heart, and she launched into another round of complaints: "I just feel adopted children aren't close. I felt suffocated in my heart, so I complained a lot at home and almost quarreled with Maternal Aunt."

"Calm down. When you go home, definitely don't complain anymore."

Lin Xiyu heard that she had already made a scene at home and was shocked to the core: "Still the same thing. We are juniors; we can't manage Uncle's business of having children. If we say too much, people won't want to listen. If we make it stiff, we can't live at Grandma's house anymore. We'd just be suffering ourselves."

"Sigh, so annoying."

Female Cousin sighed: "What is all this?"

"Xiyu, come here."

Lin Xiyu saw she was in a bad mood and was about to persuade her a few more words when Neighborhood Committee Zhang Director suddenly walked over from Wangfu Pool West Street and waved at her from across the fence.

"Coming."

Lin Xiyu recognized Zhang Director and didn't dare be negligent. She patted Female Cousin's shoulder, signaling her not to say more, then got up from the poolside, pushed open the fence gate, and squeezed out from the crowd.

"Xiyu, I came this time to ask you for a favor."

Zhang Director saw her come over, beamed with smiles, and warmly held her hand.

"What is it, Zhang Director?"

Lin Xiyu felt nervous inside, always feeling that Zhang Director smiled strangely, as if something bad would happen.

"It's like this, Xiyu."

Sure enough, Zhang Director's next words confirmed her guess: "The city has issued new documents; old houses that are not demolished will be renovated upon citizens' requests, with roofs refurbished and outer walls painted white, just like the water towns of Jiangnan, red roofs and white walls, especially beautiful."

"This is a good thing."

Lin Xiyu smiled and echoed: "The old houses are too old; it's time to renovate them."

"It's a good thing, but... the city also has requirements..."

Zhang Director changed the subject again and said: "The repaired area will become a tourist zone, open to tourists from all over the country at that time, attracting them to travel here."

"Our Jinan focuses on spring water culture; spring water is our business card, the water quality must be clear and cannot be polluted in any way, so new regulations have been issued from above: all spring pools prohibit swimming, and Wangfu Pool is no exception."

—

"Ah, no swimming allowed?"

Lin Xiyu's breath caught, her smile froze on her face.

"Xiyu......"

Zhang Director said earnestly: "I also know this isn't easy for people to accept, so I wanted to ask for your help. You are now, no matter what you say, an image ambassador for our Quancheng tourism. You must set a good example; so many eyes are watching you. If you don't cooperate, our work will be very difficult to carry out."

Lin Xiyu remained silent for a long while, full of regret filling her heart, sour and astringent, making her feel very uncomfortable.

"Xiyu......"

Zhang Director smiled good-naturedly and patiently persuaded: "We can understand everyone's feelings. I myself grew up playing in Wangfu Pool since I was young, and I have deep feelings for this pool water. My own little brat isn't allowed to swim either, and he's making a fuss at home, crying wah-wah."

"But the city has issued regulations. For our Jinan's tourism culture, no matter how hard it is, we must accept it and not hold back economic development."

—

"Zhang Director, what do you want me to help with?"

Lin Xiyu was anxious and uneasy, afraid Zhang Director would say something, asking her to be a volunteer, wearing a red armband and standing guard by the pool water to stop residents from swimming.

"Can you help us contact the Television Station? Have them re-film that promotional film about Spring Water Families, specifically the Wangfu Pool segment. Don't film anyone swimming in the pool anymore; just film the scenery. That way the promotional effect will be better."

Fortunately, Zhang Director didn't make such an outlandish request, giving her sour and astringent small heart some psychological comfort.

"I can only ask for you. Whether it can be re-filmed, I can't guarantee; Director Du has to agree."

"Fine, you ask first. As soon as possible."

Zhang Director was very satisfied with her knowing the times: "The Street Office will send someone over soon to stand guard, lock the fence gate, hang up signs prohibiting swimming, and the railings will also be repaired, raised and widened, to prevent children from secretly going into the water. There cannot be any safety hazards."

"No swimming starting today?"

Lin Xiyu's small heart trembled, and she subconsciously glanced toward the pool water.

Her female cousin and Wu Meng didn't know what they were talking about, and kept looking around in the direction where they stood.

Xu Yi was still splashing in the water, playing very happily.