Chapter 16 Deciding to Team Up with Ma Siyi’s Family
Bai Zimo felt he had still been too cautious. The value of the Ma family’s ancestors was still rising. Not to mention how Ma Fude’s brother had disappeared.
Foreigners who came to the Eastern Continent in those times often played questionable roles. Of course, there were exceptions—some were real travelers, geographers, and so on. But many others seized Eastern wealth in one way or another!
It wasn’t always gold and silver—it could have been antiques or relics too.
Treasure hunting would be a story for another time, Bai Zimo thought he needed to plan carefully. It was fine for a young boy to go fishing, but going treasure hunting every day would be hard to explain.
When he got home, Bai Zimo saw his grandma in the living room mixing spices for thirteen-spice seasoning!
“Hey, Zimo, just got back from Siyi’s house?”
“Yeah, Grandma Ma told me stories about the Ma family’s ancestors.”
“Grandma Ma’s had a tough life! You need to look out for Siyi in the future!”
The two old ladies had lived in the same courtyard for many years, like sisters. Their tragedies were also eerily similar.
Both had to bury their children before themselves. Both had daughters-in-law who remarried and never came back. Both were left raising a single young child.
“Grandma, I was thinking, maybe our two families could team up? After all, it’s just an old lady and a kid in each family. You’re great at cooking dishes, and Grandma Ma is great at making noodles and dumplings—sounds like a perfect match!”
Grandma chuckled, “What a coincidence! I was just thinking the same thing.
Grandma Ma was managing alone before, but now with Siyi, she can’t just keep eating noodles all the time.”
Even Bai Zimo, a kid, could tell the Ma family’s meals were plain and simple. Someone like his grandma, who had spent a lifetime managing the kitchen, understood it even more clearly.
“You really don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind? When I’m busy, Grandma Ma can even cook for you!”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“The more I think about it, the happier I get. Come on, let’s go discuss it with Grandma Ma right now!”
“Siyi, Grandma Ma, I’m here again!”
“Zimo! Oh, old sister, come in! Siyi, this is Grandma Lin!”
“Zimo and I talked it over. Our families have similar situations, so why not join forces?
Zimo loves your dumplings and wontons.
I’m from the South—I could never match your skills in making dough-based dishes.”
Grandma Ma was a smart woman.
She immediately realized that her old friend was trying to take care of her.
“Grandma Ma, I love fishing. I’ll be bringing home fresh fish all the time!”
Since Bai Zimo’s fishing system required it, he knew he’d be fishing often. Once his fishing skills improved, catching a couple of fish for meals would be easy.
Grandma Ma looked at her granddaughter and asked, smiling, “Siyi, do you like fish?”
“Zimo’s great at fishing now. How about we eat together from now on?”
Ma Siyi gave a rare sweet smile.
Her granddaughter was usually quiet and rarely smiled. Seeing her , Grandma Ma knew she really meant it.
Actually, Bai Zimo was also thinking—Maybe they could start some small business together, something easy for the two grandmas.
But that would take time, and some money to build up. So that was a plan for later!
The next day, like any other kid, Bai Zimo carried his backpack to school.
Honghuai City, Huajie Primary School!
“Hehe, Wang He’s doomed—still not here!” Dahua said gloatingly.
Bai Zimo stepped into the classroom, and Dahua quickly followed, arriving just in time.
Sure enough, Xie Wanghe was late.
“Late again? Not motivated in class and always late. If you keep this up, I’ll call your dad!”
“No, please don’t… I won’t do it again.”
Dahua saw Xie Wanghe still half-asleep and got a mischievous glint in her eye. She quietly stuck her foot out, nearly tripping Xie Wanghe flat on his face.
“Reporting to the teacher—Xie Wanghe is threatening me!”
Bai Zimo almost burst out laughing. Dahua was a master at accusing first!
“That’s not true! She tripped me first!”
“We’re in class—no more noise, sit down!”
Xie Wanghe felt so wronged. He’d been scolded by his mom for being late. Then he got yelled at by the teacher. And now he got framed by Dahua.
Life was rough. Of course, their class was full of little troublemakers. There were kids who were late, sleeping, eating…
Shao Xingchi was like a hamster, always stuffing snacks into his mouth.
“Class, open your books to page fifty-four. Today, we’re going to learn the poem ‘Mountain Journey’…”
“What do you want? Don’t disturb the kids trying to sleep behind us!”
Dahua whispered, “I’m hungry!”
“You didn’t eat breakfast?”
“I did, but I’m still hungry!”
“You’re just greedy!”
Bai Zimo tossed her a bag of chips. Ever since he had the system space, Bai Zimo always carried some dry food, snacks, and water, just in case.
“Wow! Zimo, when did you get these chips?”
“None of your business. Just eat them.”
Just then, Ma Siyi entered, led by the school principal.
“Everyone, this is a transfer student from another school…”
Ma Siyi’s pretty looks caught everyone’s attention the moment she stepped into the classroom.