CHAPTER 560: CHAPTER 544: FATHER AND SON COLLIDE, OMEN

"Your mom and sister are really something, your dad doesn’t even step in." Lin Wan encountered her own biased mom for the first time. Maybe because Zhang Shuhua didn’t grow up with her, there isn’t much bond.

"My dad is just easily swayed, he listens to my mom on everything, or else when I was little, he wouldn’t have listened to her and sent me to my grandma’s place. Talking to him is pointless, he always says: ’Hua Hua, that’s your sister, she’s still young, give her some slack. It’s all family, isn’t it all the same? The money we make goes to the home, doesn’t it?’ Listen to what my dad says. If we’re family, I’ve been doing my own thing, why doesn’t he acknowledge that? I made plenty for the family, but as for them, there’s not a dime they’ve given me."

"Your family really is something. So what happened then, how did you manage on your own?"

"No job, and they wouldn’t offer me any money either. They didn’t help me find work, chores like laundry and cooking were all dumped on me. I wasn’t happy, so I moved out and found a spot in the city to work for someone. The shop owner was a young guy who had learned some western pastry making skills abroad in the past two years. He came back to open a store, and business was really good, I must say. The wages he offered were decent, about thirty a month, enough for my meals and rent. As we got more familiar, I found him quite nice. Eventually, we started dating. Sigh... but the good times didn’t last."

Lin Wan, surprised, realized, "No way, your sister saw you had a good boyfriend and started flirting with him, didn’t she?"

Surprised, Zhang Shuhua replied, "Xiao Wan, how did you guess that so accurately? That’s exactly what happened. I was so naive. At first, my sister would come to talk to me every now and then, really nice. She often brought food and clothes to the shop for me. I thought they had a conscience and felt sorry, trying to make it up to me now. Who knew she had other plans? She was secretly flirting with him behind my back, and acted so innocent. Turns out my judgment was bad, I got the wrong impression. Do you know how I found out?" "How did you find out?"

"Later, I went to deliver pastries, and on the way, I ran into my boyfriend. He was coming out of a guesthouse, and I was curious. I wondered why he needed to stay there when he had a home. Just as I was about to talk to him, I saw my sister shyly coming out too, a little behind. They separated without going too far, and then I saw my sister walk up and cling to his arm. I would’ve been a fool not to understand. When I returned, I asked him, and he flatly denied it. He said he met my sister on the road, she seemed unwell, maybe sick, so he found a nearby guesthouse for her to rest a bit. After leaving, he claimed he didn’t know what madness came over her, grabbing his arm. He only saw her as a little sister. I stupidly didn’t want to wrongly blame him, finding someone I liked, so I forgave him. Yet, before long, my sister showed up crying, with a pregnancy slip, saying she was carrying my boyfriend’s child."

"Were they really involved?" Lin Wan thought her sister did it intentionally.

"Definitely involved, she really was pregnant, and... my boyfriend admitted it too." As Zhang Shuhua spoke, her eyes began to turn red. It’s been a year, and she’s yet to move on from that relationship.

In fact, her boyfriend was really good to her, escorting her home after work, and hugging occasionally, pampering her, never refusing anything she asked.

Zhang Shuhua still couldn’t understand why he chose her sister over her.

"He even said during the breakup that he’d marry her sister."

"Did he really?" Is this guy stupid?

"Yes, he did. Now the child is already several months old. But... recently, when I went back, they were living in chaos. The tailoring shop my mom opened had closed down; they had no skills, and the clothes they made were unsightly. There was a formal job before, but for the shop, she quit it. My sister doesn’t go to class either; she and her husband were minding the shop. My sister is lazy and loves food; after having the baby, she’s gained a lot of weight. When I wasn’t married, my husband’s family wasn’t too supportive. They had a girl, and my mother-in-law wouldn’t help with the child. Now managing both the child and the shop is too much, the place is a mess, lowering its class. Though the renovation was actually quite nice. Also, my brother-in-law was caught by my sister cheating again, and when I arrived, the couple was in a heated argument at home."

"A leopard doesn’t change its spots. It’s their comeuppance. By the way, where did you go after that?"

"I went to Shanghai for a year. After breaking up with my boyfriend, I had a lot of resentment, so I went to Shanghai alone, worked at a pastry shop to learn skills. But the shop owner there was stingy. There were only two employees, and we barely rested over two months, starting at dawn and ending at night. Still, he was quite skilled. I learned a lot of good stuff. Now I’m back, thinking about opening a bakery in S City. I’ll live here from now on, won’t go back."

"No wonder your boss was so mean. How did he have you starving so much? Didn’t withhold meals too, did he?"

"Not quite, mainly I lost weight after the breakup with my boyfriend, and I’ve never gained it back. Also, out of all the bosses I’ve known, you’re the kindest, the best."

"Of course, anyone who works at our shop is lucky." Lin Wan frowned slightly and said, "Is it because you gave him your heart that you’re unhappy?"

Zhang Shuhua rolled her eyes at her, "I’m not that unworthy."

"If there’s no loss, what’s there to grieve? Such a cheating cat isn’t worth it. Don’t be sad. You’ll find someone better than her. By the way, aren’t you doing clothing business anymore, you’re opening a bakery?"

Zhang Shuhua nodded firmly, "Yes, making clothes was only a hobby. I never formally learned, can’t compare to you all. At least my baking skills were taught by a master. Initially, I learned this to get back at my brother-in-law. But I’ve truly fallen for the craft now. I enjoy experimenting with various flavored breads, and not just bread, I can also make cakes."

"As long as you enjoy it. Have you found a shop yet?"

"Not yet..." Zhang Shuhua said, scratching her head awkwardly, "I’ve been looking lately but haven’t found the right place."

"Perfect timing. This afternoon, Aunt Jin is checking out a house. Her family is also in baking, the traditional kind, right by Central Street. There’s lots of foot traffic there. Let’s go look together this afternoon."

"Sounds great. Xiao Wan, I’m secure with you there. Once my shop opens, you have to try my craft."

"Sure."

"Where are you living now?"

"My grandma left me her old house. My parents wanted to sell it initially, but I wouldn’t agree no matter what. I hid the deed well; they couldn’t do anything."

"You’re still as smart."

Zhang Shuhua rolled her eyes at her, "I’ve just been through some grievances these past two years, my intelligence is still intact." With that, she started playing with Little Star.

At noon, Lin Wan cooked steamed rice, made three simple dishes, and called Shi Lan over to introduce them.

As expected, under her influence, people around her started their own businesses, slowly reaching a modest living.

In the afternoon, Lin Wan planned to take Little Star out, just to let her get out a bit. Shi Lan insisted, saying she would stay for at least a month, wanting to spend quality time with her goddaughter before leaving.

Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin arrived on their tricycle, and Lin Wan and Zhang Shuhua followed suit by bike.

The premises were at Central Street and the intersection with Twelfth Street, turning the corner to Central Street’s first place. It’s a one-story building painted white. Next door was a shoe factory retail section, and on the other, a branded wool store. The surroundings had plenty of foot traffic, and there were many shops.

"Uncle Jin, this place has a good location. Why did you decide to sell it?" Having a property for small business can be quite profitable.