Sun Hao’s expression turned stern as he spoke, “Mom, just because their business is doing well thanks to their own ability doesn’t provide you with a reason to frame them. You’re not a child. When you were selling those spoiled buns, you should have thought about the consequences. Not only did you not admit it when confronted, but you also framed Mr. Lin. You need to compensate for both the medical expenses and the defamation damages.”
Granny Sun is usually fierce in front of others, but she is quite afraid of her son.
Feeling aggrieved by her son’s scolding outside, she said, “Those buns were only left for two days; they weren’t that spoiled. Moreover, I didn’t only sell the leftover buns, I mixed them with freshly steamed ones…”
“Mom, are you still trying to justify it?”
Granny Sun pursed her lips, no longer daring to speak further.
Chuxia realized upon hearing this why Granny Sun was so bold and the couple also felt guilty; it turned out this was the situation.
However, Chuxia didn’t plan to take the defamation compensation.
“Officer Sun helped me subdue the thugs before, so let’s forget about the defamation compensation.”
“That won’t do. Each matter should be addressed separately; protecting the safety of the people’s lives and property is our duty. My mom’s mistakes should be punished,” especially since when he arrived, Lin Chuxia had already subdued the robbers. “Since Mr. Lin won’t mention it, let’s settle it according to my monthly salary; how does that sound?”
“There’s no need for so much,” Granny Sun was anxious; she had only spoken out of turn, how did it end up involving her son’s one month’s salary?
Sun Hao ignored his mother, his gaze sincerely meeting Lin Chuxia’s.
Chuxia thought for a moment, “Here’s a deal, I noticed that the buns Granny packed are quite skillful. I’ve been thinking about opening a bun shop. If Granny is willing to pack buns in my shop, we can forget about the defamation fee, and I’ll also pay her a salary. What do you think?”
She thought of this idea after seeing the buns that Granny Sun had made.
Packing buns seems simple, but to make them look good requires skill. Indeed, Granny Sun’s buns are rather well-made.
With just her and Su Wensong at the Bun Shop, they clearly need more hands; another person to pack buns would be just right.
Granny Sun didn’t expect this turn of events to bring such good fortune; no need to compensate for damages and even receiving a salary?
“How much do you plan to pay for the salary?”
Sun Hao glanced at his mother again, and Granny Sun immediately shut her mouth.
“Thirty per month, and there might be a chance for a raise later.”
“Okay, I’ll go.”
She couldn’t continue with her bun stall; these past few days she had worked hard from dawn to dusk, not only did she not earn money, but she also ended up losing more than thirty.
A job with a steady salary and no losses, of course, she would like that.
Thirty yuan in salary is about the same as working in a factory.
Besides, at her age, no factory would hire her anyway.
Seeing his mother’s joyous expression, Sun Hao helplessly thanked Lin Chuxia, “For the first month, you don’t have to pay her. Let her work for free for one month as compensation for your losses.”
Granny Sun’s smile gradually stiffened.
…
Upon returning home, Chuxia found Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin sitting under the big tree in the yard, cooling off.
Seeing her return, they both came over to help her with her things.
“Why are you a bit late today? Have you eaten? I’ll go make you something to eat.”
Chuxia replied with a smile, “Mom, did you forget what business I’m in? If I’m hungry, I can eat buns.”
Mrs. Qin sighed, “Eating buns all day can get tiring. I’ll make you a bowl of hot noodles and poach an egg in it.”
After finishing speaking, she didn’t wait for Lin Chuxia to refuse and turned to start cooking.
Mr. Qin also added, “Your mom’s right, no matter how tasty buns are, you can’t just eat buns. Let your mom know in advance what you want for dinner, she’s free at home anyway.”
“I know, Dad.”
Lin Chuxia wanted to express her thanks, but felt that a mere ’thank you’ was too insufficient.
In her previous life, whether at her parents’ home or in-laws’ home, she never experienced the affection of elders, and even considered such an attitude from elders as normal.
She didn’t expect the Qin Family to give her a different feeling.
She could feel the love from Mrs. Qin, the concern from Mr. Qin; it could be said that the elderly couple of the Qin Family compensated for the affection she never received from elders in two lifetimes.
“Dad, how has your body been lately? Has the old ailment acted up again?”
Recently, whenever she had the chance, she added some spiritual spring water to the water tank used by Mr. and Mrs. Qin. She didn’t know if the water had any effect on ailments, but if it didn’t, once the Bun Shop stabilized, she planned to take Mr. Qin to the provincial hospital for a check-up.
When this was mentioned, Mr. Qin became spirited, “Much better, it hasn’t acted up recently. I always said my illness was caused by worrying about Yangyang’s marriage issues. Look, as soon as you came, my illness got better.”
Lin Chuxia’s eyes also brightened, “That’s good to hear. I’ve heard that no matter the illness, it fears a good mood. Your improved mood naturally leads to better health.”
Mr. Qin nodded, “Exactly!”
“Never mind your dad, ever since Yangyang and you got married, I’ve felt more energetic than before,” Mrs. Qin said, bringing out a bowl of noodles to invite Lin Chuxia over to eat.
Lin Chuxia moved the last stack of steaming baskets from the cart, washed her hands, and sat down.
“Try it and see if it’s too salty.”
Lin Chuxia tasted a bite of the noodles, “Delicious.”
Mrs. Qin smiled, her eyebrows disappearing into her cheeks, sitting across from her watching her eat.
Big Brother and Sister-in-law hadn’t come back yet, Zhuangzhuang had gone to bed early. Only the three of them were in the yard.
As Lin Chuxia ate the noodles, she discussed with the elderly couple about opening the Bun Shop.
This afternoon, Su Wensong almost finished buying the cooking equipment, and tables and chairs were ordered. After finishing selling buns, she went to check the progress; in two more days, the shop would be ready for business, which was also why she came home late today.
“The day after tomorrow is an auspicious day, I’m thinking of opening then. Mom and Dad, you both should come and have a look.”
Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin didn’t expect their daughter-in-law to be so capable. It had only been a short period, and the bun stand turned into a Bun Shop.
“Do you have enough money? Look at you, since you’re opening a shop, why even give me money! Wait, I haven’t spent the money you gave me, I’ll get it for you.”
See, that’s what truly loving someone looks like, always considering your needs first.
Qin Yang had sent over his salary, and Lin Chuxia gave Mrs. Qin 30, keeping 10 for living expenses and an additional 20.
Lin Chuxia stopped Mrs. Qin, “Mom, no need, the Bun Shop is almost ready, I have enough money. If I really need money, I’ll tell you.”
“If so, if you ever find yourself short of cash let me know. Even if I don’t have it, our Qin Family still has some influence in Qin Family Village, your parents can surely pull together a few hundred.”
“Okay, I got it, Mom.”
……
The day the Bun Shop opened was bright and sunny, Lin Chuxia got up early.
It wasn’t her first store, but it was her first in this lifetime. She went through her wardrobe and found nothing satisfactory.
She had been busy accumulating capital recently. Except for trips to the vegetable and meat markets, she hadn’t shopped at malls.
She did not want to just make do today; eventually, she went into the space villa and chose a white shirt paired with black trousers, understated yet appropriate.