Chapter 23: Sharp-Tongued and High-Maintenance

The next day, at 5:30 in the morning, Lin Wei was about to step out to buy groceries when she opened her courtyard gate and found the two Gao children waiting for her.

"Sister Weiwei."

"Xiaoling? Hongye? Why are you two here so early?"

Wu Xiaoling replied, "My mom knew you go to the market every morning, so she told us to wait and go with you."

"Oh, Auntie Gao is really something, waking you two up so early." Since they were already up, she couldn't very well send them back. "Alright, come along then. But you don't need to join me tomorrow; I can handle it on my own."

She had been managing fine alone before, but now that the volume of ingredients had doubled, doing it solo was becoming a bit of a stretch.

Carrying a large load of groceries back home, Lin Wei expressed her sincere gratitude. "Thank you both today. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to carry it all in one trip. You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you? I bought some toppings; let's go back and cook some noodles."

Wu Xiaoling quickly declined, "No need, Sister Weiwei. We’ll just make something when we get home."

"Don't be so formal. I was going to make breakfast anyway. I'll pack a bowl for your grandmother as well, so you won't have to worry about starting a fire later."

Hearing this, the siblings exchanged a look and silently followed Lin Wei.

Lin Wei understood perfectly why they had tried to refuse. There was an invalid grandmother at home; if they ate out, what would happen to her? But Lin Wei was no philanthropist. She had calculated that she was paying for one person's labor, but given Auntie Gao’s approach, both siblings were helping her. Adding an extra bowl of noodles was a negligible expense for her, and it bought her goodwill. Why wouldn't she do it?

Back home, Lin Yuan was already dressed, and the Su siblings were waiting for her as well.

Seeing the Gao children, the three younger kids greeted them eagerly, "Sister Xiaoling, Brother Hongye, you're here so early! My mom told me yesterday that we're all going to work for Sister Weiwei from now on. We're working people now, too!"

Lin Wei set down the groceries and warned them, "Listen carefully, you're all minors, so you can't officially 'work.' Never mention that you're getting paid to anyone. Just say you're helping me out for free, and I'm providing your meals."

"Got it, got it! We're only saying it here in the courtyard, we won't tell anyone else."

Su Sijin was sharp. He knew he was young and couldn't do much heavy lifting; if someone older came along and snatched his job, what would he do? He had already planned how to spend his wages, so he wouldn't dare breathe a word of it outside—why give others a chance to interfere?

The group then headed into the kitchen.

"Sister Weiwei, what are we having for breakfast?"

"Pork shredded noodles, with a poached egg for everyone." Lin Wei added, "Xiaoling, go get three bowls from your place. When the noodles are ready, you can take them back. You two little ones, bring your own bowls too."

Lin Wei wasn't stingy. The noodles were served with plenty of shredded pork, and every bowl had an egg. She believed that only a well-fed team would have the energy to work for her.

Lin Wei was a good cook, and even simple noodles tasted delicious. The three children slurped their bowls clean and then conscientiously took turns washing the dishes for everyone.

With the amount of ingredients doubled, Lin Wei had expected a chaotic morning, but the Gao siblings were incredibly capable. They were calm and efficient, finishing the prep work even earlier than the day before.

"My money is well spent. Two people doing the work of one salary, and doing it so well. Quick, bring your bowls; I'll pack your lunch, we have to go."

After preparing lunch for the Gao family, Lin Wei headed to the stock market building with the three children.

The children felt a new sense of responsibility today, knowing they were different from yesterday. They took turns eating, guarding the cash, and counting the money. Without needing a single word of instruction from Lin Wei, the food stall ran like clockwork.

By the time all the ingredients were sold, everything had gone perfectly—so smoothly that it was almost unbelievable.

Lin Wei sat by the roadside, finally eating her own lunch. As she ate, she asked curiously, "Sijin, Si'an, are Xiaoling and Hongye always this quiet? They barely said a word all morning; they just kept their heads down and worked."

Su Si'an thought for a moment. "Yeah, they're both very nice, but they don't seem to like talking much."

Su Sijin, being more observant, explained, "I heard my mom say that after their father passed away, the neighbors kept bullying them, and kids at school wouldn't talk to them either. It’s been like that for a long time."

"Classmates...? Forget that, the neighbors bullied them too? Who?"

"That Uncle Xiao Wang who argued with Auntie Meng and Sister Weiwei. The one who lives across from your courtyard. He's horrible; he loves to poke at people's pain. Before you moved in, Brother Hongye even fought with him."

Lin Wei was surprised. Hongye was only in the fourth grade, nine or ten years old. He hadn't even had his growth spurt yet; how could he fight an adult?

Sensing her curiosity, Su Sijin continued, "That night, Sister Xiaoling was coming out after a bath to dump some water when she caught Uncle Xiao Wang peeking over the wall. She was terrified, and he said some really... nasty things. Brother Hongye came out and attacked him."

Su Si'an chimed in, "But Brother Hongye couldn't beat him. He was pushed to the ground immediately, but he grabbed onto Uncle Xiao Wang's leg and bit him until he drew blood..."

"And then what happened?" Lin Wei asked hurriedly. "How was it resolved?"

"Uncle Xiao Wang threatened to press charges, so Auntie Gao had to pay him off. That’s the only reason he let it go. My mom was so furious she spent days cursing him at home, so we remember it clearly."

"What a repulsive man." Lin Wei pursed her lips, then remembered something. "I remember when I argued with Xiao Wang last time, someone backed me up, saying there was someone peeking from outside..."

Su Sijin quickly said, "That was Auntie Gao. She wasn't just backing you up; it was the truth. That's why Uncle Xiao Wang is so afraid of you calling security—he’s terrified that if they start asking questions, all those past incidents will come to light."

Lin Wei nodded thoughtfully. "I just said it randomly during the argument. I didn't realize I hit a nerve. But Su Sijin, for such a little kid, you know an awful lot."

Su Si'an laughed, "Haha, Mom says the same thing. She says he has a loose tongue and likes to stick his nose into everything."

Su Sijin didn't take offense. "If I didn't know all this, Sister Weiwei wouldn't have anyone to ask. You owe me one!"