Chapter 79: You

Qin Huairu said, suddenly adopting an indignant expression and raising her tone:

"That Shazhu really is something; how could he do this?"

"Doesn't he know you're in school?"

"He's still a cook, yet he lets his sister go hungry."

"He has free time in the cafeteria; after making breakfast he should have come back to cook for you."

"I really don't know what he's thinking."

"Hmph, what an unfit older brother."

"Just wait; when he returns I'll have a good word with him."

It sounds better than singing.

He Yushui pretended to be helpless and said, "We have no flour or rice at home, not even the peanuts I hid."

"He just wants to cook, but even a clever housewife can't make a meal without rice."

"By the way, a few days ago my brother still had half a bag of Bang Geng noodles; today I see they're gone. Have you seen who he gave them to?"

Qin Huairu pretended to be calm and said, "I don't know about that."

"I'm not really close with your brother, either."

"He wouldn't tell me what he wants to do."

He Yushui let out a cold laugh in her mind and said, "I don't know what he's been up to lately."

"It's hard for me even to see him once."

"Qin Jie, do you know what he's been busy with recently?"

Qin Huairu: "I'm not really sure either; maybe he's out cooking for someone."

He Yushui: "Is that so? If he's cooking for others, he'd have to bring some dishes back, right?"

"Oh, I almost forgot; he does bring them back, but I never see them."

"He often brings dishes from the cafeteria, yet I rarely see them."

"I don't know whether he ate them himself or gave them to others."

"Qin Jie, do you know?"

Qin Huairu forced a thin smile and said, "I'm not really clear on that either."

He Yushui: "Okay, then I'll be going."

"I've been so hungry I'm dizzy."

Qin Huairu: "Alright, hurry up."

"Can't you come over to my place for a bite?"

"I still have some porridge at home."

He Yushui: "Thanks, but no need."

He Yushui had been smiling, but after taking another step past Qin Huairu, her smile froze instantly.

She, of course, knew exactly who Shazhu's brought‑back meals went to.

She was merely pretending not to know.

Still, as she put it, before she could support herself she didn't want to offend Qin Huairu.

She knew very well what kind of person Qin Huairu was.

She knew even better what kind of person Shazhu was.

If she offended Qin Huairu, she worried Shazhu would stop looking after her.

Because of Shazhu's regard, Qin Huairu ranked far higher than she did in his eyes.

Qin Huairu watched her back and muttered under her breath about Shazhu:

"That Shazhu, he's too much!"

What a complete fool, always pretending to be obedient, yet he's actually so scheming.

"He even secretly gave money to He Yushui."

"Hmph, if the food you bring today lacks meat, don't blame me for giving you a sour look!"

"He Yushui, really—she's already 17, a girl, huh, what books is she studying?"

"With grades like yours, can you even get into university?"

"You'd be better off marrying early and leaving the house for Bang Geng to live in."

Qin Huairu still didn't know that He Yushui's house had already been lost in a bet to Lin Shengli by Shazhu.

Shazhu didn't dare tell her, fearing that if she knew, Qin Huairu would be disappointed in him and stop giving him any favor.

Even He Yushui herself didn't know about this.

Shazhu also knew he couldn't keep it hidden forever, but he'd conceal it for as long as he could.

He Yushui walked to the small tavern at the alley entrance, where Xu Huizhen was chatting outside with Deaf Old Lady.

Seeing her, Xu Huizhen greeted with a smile and said:

"Hey, Yushui, you're getting more and more lively."

"Who knows which family's boy she'll end up marrying for a bargain."

Deaf Old Lady just let out a nasal sound and said nothing.

Like Qin Huairu, Deaf Old Lady also didn't like He Yushui.

Women, after all, have to get married and become part of someone else's family.

Why read so many books?

You're already 17, yet you still don't know how to find a job to support yourself.

It caused her eldest grandson Shazhu to still have to spend money to support her schooling and living.

He Yushui looked at Xu Huizhen, gave a shy smile, and said:

"Sister Huizhen, you're joking."

Then.

She looked at the Deaf Old Lady: "Old lady, have you eaten?"

He Yushui also knew the Deaf Old Lady didn't like her.

But, just as she didn't dare offend Qin Huairu, she also didn't dare offend the Deaf Old Lady.

The Deaf Old Lady is so old; as a junior, she should still have the proper courtesy.

Moreover, she worried that if she made the Deaf Old Lady unhappy and told Shazhu, Shazhu might stop caring for her as well.

Deaf Old Lady: "I've eaten; at this time of day, how could I not have eaten?"

He Yushui: "Oh, then you all chat; I'll go buy something to eat."

Xu Huizhen: "No, Yushui, you haven't eaten lunch yet."

He Yushui shook her head: "No, my brother hasn't come back yet."

Deaf Old Lady: "Yushui, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you're already so old; you can't always rely on your brother."

"He has to go to work, exhausted all day; you should be more considerate of him."

"If he doesn't come back, can't you just cook for yourself?"

He Yushui suppressed her displeasure and said: "Old lady, I actually want to cook."

"But you also need ingredients."

"A few days ago I saw there was still half a bag of cornmeal, but today it's gone."

"I don't know who my brother gave it to."

"Now there's nothing left at home."

Upon hearing that,

Xu Huizhen and the Deaf Old Lady couldn't help but exchange a glance.

He Yushui then said: "Old lady, Sister Huizhen, I'm leaving."

Xu Huizhen: "Wait, Yushui, do you have money?"

"Or come eat at the small wine shop."

He Yushui: "Yes, I borrowed some money and grain coupons from a classmate."

Xu Huizhen: "I still have steamed buns at my place; come over to eat."

Just then, Shazhu walked over carrying a net bag with three lunch boxes, humming a tune.

Today the factory hosted several tables of guests, and he took three lunch boxes of hearty dishes.

This will make Qin Huairu happy for a while.

When Qin Huairu is happy, he can get some benefits.

For example, touching her hand or something.

Thinking of Qin Huairu's round, full face, he couldn't help but shiver all over.

"Hello, old lady, hello, Sister Huizhen."

"No, Yushui, what are you doing here?"

He Yushui pursed her lips and said nothing.

Xu Huizhen: "Shazhu, you're in a good mood today."

Shazhu lifted the net bag in his hand and said with a chuckle:

"That's right; the factory hosted several tables of guests today."

"These are all hearty dishes."

Xu Huizhen: "That's perfect; Yushui hasn't eaten yet."

Shazhu frowned, looked at He Yushui, and asked:

"Why haven't you eaten yet?"

"What time is it already."

He Yushui: "There's nothing to eat at home."

Shazhu: "Oh, I forgot, I forgot; today I was too busy, I didn't come back after making breakfast."

"Come on, go home; brother will make you something slim to eat."

"Just bear with it a bit, ah."