Chapter 490: Not a Cent Less
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Upon hearing Gu Zi’s words, Li Hua found her resolve. She quickly regained her composure and, in agreement with Gu Zi, declared, “Indeed, Gu Zi and I are the owners here. Aunt Yang is merely an employee. Whatever private matters you have should be settled privately. For now, please pay for the food you’ve consumed.”
Seeing their firm stance, a dangerous glint appeared in Mrs. Wang’s eyes. However, she maintained her composure, biting back with, “You’re taking advantage of us. This place must be a scam. My mother-in-law only confronted me because you instigated her. You’re truly malicious.”
Li Hua had never encountered someone who could twist the truth so skillfully. She was infuriated, but found herself at a loss for words. The confidence she had moments ago had vanished.
Gu Zi, of course, didn’t expect Li Hua to handle the situation single-handedly just yet. She needed time to hone her skills, which was why Gu Zi was investing her time in guiding her. With patience and perseverance, Li Hua would eventually improve in the business world.
Gu Zi maintained her stern expression. In her experience, showing even a hint of a smile to people like Mrs. Wang was enough for them to act recklessly.
“If you wish to argue, you’re welcome to do so with someone else. Right now, we’re discussing the matter of you paying for your meal. Let me be clear, if you don’t pay today, don’t expect to leave this shop,” Gu Zi stated firmly.
“Furthermore, if you’re thinking of calling someone to negotiate with me, I welcome it. As long as it’s about paying for your meal, feel free to tell me who you need, man or woman. I’ll have them brought here to bolster your confidence. But remember, you must pay for your meal.”
Gu Zi’s stance was clear. Mrs. Wang’s eyes turned red with rage, but she dared not leave just yet.
She glared at Aunt Yang, her hatred deepening. It was all because of this old woman’s unilateral decision. No wonder she had the audacity to talk about severing ties. She must have known that Mrs. Wang wouldn’t dare confront Gu Zi. Once Yang Tao returned, she would make sure this old woman paid up for this.
In the end, Mrs. Wang had no choice but to take out her wallet and pay the due amount. Gu Zi didn’t spare her a cent, reminding her coldly, “I’m sorry, but the total is five dollars and eighty-one cents. Not a cent less. You still owe me one cent.”
Having already paid the majority, Mrs. Wang saw no point in arguing over a single cent. She placed a one-cent coin on the table.
Extinguishing her cigarette, Mrs. Wang retorted, “There, are you satisfied now? You’re making it seem like I can’t afford to pay for a meal. It’s just over five dollars, after all.”
Gu Zi pocketed the money handed to her by Li Hua, and surprisingly, a smile graced her face. “Indeed, we welcome your return next time. However, please refrain from smoking next time,” she said. Without any intention of further engaging with this woman named Mrs. Wang, she turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
Mrs. Wang’s face alternated between shades of green and white in her fury. She was in no mood to maintain her composure, snapping at Aunt Yang in a huff, “Hmph, you’re really flexing your wings now, aren’t you? Fine, you don’t care about anything, but this grandson is still yours, right? I have things to do, so he’ll be with you for a while!”
She needed to spend a few days playing mahjong to vent the frustration she had accumulated today. With that, she left, leaving Yuan Yuan behind. Yuan Yuan, crying, chased after her, not wanting to be abandoned. What child doesn’t yearn for their mother’s affection? The last time his mother had left him with his grandmother, she had neglected him for many days.
As Yuan Yuan cried and called out, wiping away his tears with his small hands, he pleaded, “Mommy, I want to be with you. Mommy, wait for me, Mommy, wait…” Li Hua watched this scene, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. This woman truly had a heart of stone.
Aunt Yang watched, her heart aching. If it weren’t for her daughter-in-law constantly treating her like a slave at home, using her as a servant and hurling insults at her, she wouldn’t want her grandson to be neglected and abandoned by his own mother.
If she were asked to do normal household chores, it wouldn’t be a problem. But her daughter-in-law was always finding ways to make things difficult for her. She had no choice; she simply couldn’t bear her daughter-in-law’s bad temper anymore.
Of course, it wasn’t just her daughter-in-law. Her son’s actions were even more heartbreaking. People always say that an unfilial daughter-in-law is actually a reflection of an unfilial son. She had truly come to understand this over the years.
Now that she had been driven out by her daughter-in-law again, this time, she really didn’t want to go back. Aunt Yang caught up and carried Yuan Yuan back. The woman who had walked away didn’t even look back once.
Both Mother Lin and Gu Zi came out when they heard the commotion, just in time to see Aunt Yang carrying Yuan Yuan into the shop. Yuan Yuan’s face was flushed from crying, and he was still sobbing, resting his head on Aunt Yang’s shoulder and staring at the road outside.
Tears welled up in Aunt Yang’s eyes as she said to Gu Zi and the others, “I’m really sorry for the trouble. I might have to bring Yuan Yuan to work with me. If that’s the case, you can cut my wages in half for the next few days.”