CHAPTER 638: CHAPTER 637: SUBTLE INFLUENCE

A large kang bed, with Bai Yong sleeping at the head and Zhen Yu sleeping at the foot.

After both of them lay down and just turned off the light, Zhen Yu picked up her mobile phone and sent a message to Han Mingyue to report she was safe.

But before even a minute had passed, her phone suddenly rang.

Zhen Yu pressed the answer button hurriedly without even looking! "Hello! Han Mingyue! Has evening self-study finished?"

Han Mingyue’s voice was somewhat serious, and before giving an answer, she asked, "Xiao Yu! When are you coming back tomorrow!?"

"I should be able to return in the afternoon!" Zhen Yu answered without even thinking.

"...I got it! Have you been in the hospital all afternoon today? Who did you see?"

"Aunt Fu and Fu Yu! And Bai Yong."

"Then just stay honestly in the hospital tomorrow! Then leave directly from the hospital in the afternoon! Don’t wander around! Do you hear me?" Han Mingyue instructed very cautiously.

Zhen Yu was somewhat confused upon hearing this, "What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly so worried about me?"

Han Mingyue did not hide anything from her and directly pointed out, "Second Fu has always been in Laha!"

"Ah? It’s been several years, he shouldn’t... " Zhen Yu felt that it wasn’t her who blinded Second Fu’s eye years ago! There’s no reason for him to ’not let her go’ after so many years! Could it be that he has an endless grudge?

But Han Mingyue said, "Why wouldn’t he! If you don’t believe me, you can directly ask Fu Yu!"

"I, let’s just forget it! I’ll just listen to you!"

---

The next morning, before six o’clock, Zhen Yu took Bai Yong out of the house! First, she took him to buy soy milk and fried dough sticks, and then the two of them went straight to the hospital ward with their purchases.

Mrs. Bai and Bai Xue had just woken up, and when they saw Zhen Yu had brought breakfast, they felt quite embarrassed.

"Xiao Yu, you child! You’ve come so far to see Auntie with Bai Xue, how can you still spend extra money!" Mrs. Bai nagged her, but did not offer to give the money back to Zhen Yu, obviously accepting her kindness!

Zhen Yu hurriedly made polite remarks, "It’s just a few bucks’ worth of stuff! I saw Bai Xue couldn’t leave, so I just bought them on the way!"

"Thank you, Xiao Yu!" Bai Xue took Zhen Yu’s friendship to heart.

After she finished thanking her, she swiftly wiped the table, arranged the chairs, and called everyone to eat: "Hurry up and eat! We have big things to discuss after eating!"

Mrs. Bai, not understanding the meaning, casually asked with a smile, "What big things?"

Bai Xue and Zhen Yu exchanged a glance but ultimately held back what they wanted to say.

"Mom! Let’s eat first! We’ll talk after we’ve finished!"

"Ah... okay!" Mrs. Bai sighed and agreed.

She felt yesterday that her daughter, upon this return, behaved more sensibly than when she was home during the winter break.

Although it certainly had to do with her having an accident, Mrs. Bai felt that it was mostly due to the subtle influence of Zhen Yu.

Otherwise, why would the older generation always say— you take after whoever you’re with!

---

After breakfast, the group gathered around the sickbed.

Bai Xue took the lead and said, "Mom! While Xiao Yu is here, let’s discuss how our family will sustain life in the future!"

Last night, she talked a lot with her mother and roughly knew that what Zhen Yu had said before was correct; she could still make it through high school. However, there was no plan for the life thereafter! Relying only on her mother’s small pension after taking medical retirement, Bai Xue felt it would be difficult to get by.

Mrs. Bai looked at her daughter and then at Zhen Yu, finally understanding why her daughter was so eager to ask her so many questions last night...

After a bitter laugh, Mrs. Bai said, "Ah! Since Xiao Yu is willing to help think of a solution, I won’t keep it from you! Last night I told Xiao Xue some of the situation, and there were some things I didn’t have the chance to tell her yet, so I might as well tell you everything now!"

"Mm! Auntie, you go ahead! We’re listening," Zhen Yu nodded, not bringing up the partnership right away.

"The car accident happened in the factory, but that car wasn’t owned by the factory! So the factory’s intention is to give me a work injury and medical retirement, which I have agreed to."

Zhen Yu nodded her head, "You did right to agree! You can’t twist an arm against a thigh! So, what’s the story with the driver?"

"That side... sigh! Just thinking about it makes me upset!" Mrs. Bai’s expression suddenly changed as she spoke.

"That Old Zhang family is really opening their mouth wide! They’re making a fuss, saying if they don’t get a proper amount, they’ll have the driver thrown in jail! They even came to me about it! I was thinking of compensating with a reasonable amount of money, but with Old Zhang family stirring up trouble like that, it’s made it very difficult for me to be in between..."

"I see..." Given the choice, Zhen Yu would certainly prioritize her own well-being!

But Mrs. Bai must also have her own considerations for herself! After all, living in the world, one must consider not only money but also reputation and personal relationships are equally important!

Zhen Yu isn’t Mrs. Bai; how could she know what Mrs. Bai values the most?!

So, in the end, Zhen Yu chose not to offer any advice.

But when Zhen Yu didn’t advise, Bai Xue started persuading.

"Mom! I think you shouldn’t mess around with Old Zhang family! It’s normal for them to ask for more because they lost someone! Our family—mom, with you like this now..."

—

"Since Auntie doesn’t need to go to work in the future, I have a proposal! Bai Xue and Auntie, please listen and see what you think?"

Bai Xue’s eyes brightened! Was Xiao Yu coming up with a good way for her mother to make a living?!

"Xiao Yu, you go ahead and say it!"

Seeing her daughter’s eagerness, Mrs. Bai couldn’t help but show a hint of curiosity.

She had long heard that this girl Zhen Yu was very good at helping her mother make money! Could this proposal be related to making money?

Could it be... Mrs. Bai’s thoughts also heated up.

"Auntie, aren’t you good at making clothes? How about we start a clothing store together? Um... or maybe we should call it a tailor shop for now!"

Just this?! Mrs. Bai couldn’t hide her disappointment and widened her eyes.

She had thought of running a store and making clothes for others herself! Why would she need to partner with a young girl for that?!

A tailor shop doesn’t require that much capital! She still had that much money on hand!

But Bai Xue didn’t think of things as simply as her mother! Almost immediately, she excitedly took over the conversation and asked, "How would we open it? You said partnership! Then my mom would surely be responsible for making clothes! What about you, Xiao Yu?!"

Zhen Yu pretended not to see Mrs. Bai’s expression; after all, she hadn’t finished speaking yet.

"I’m planning to first lease a shop in Qi City, sort out the rent issue! Then apply for two trademarks, one for Hanfu and one for parent-child outfits! After that, things will be much simpler, I’ll be responsible for providing the clothing designs, and offer as much fabric as possible to Auntie. Auntie will be responsible for choosing the suitable fabrics to make the garments, run the store, sell them, and accept custom orders."