Lin Yue returned home and told her grandmother about finding a job: "Grandma, I found a job at a hair salon, they said they’d pay thirty a day, and the work is easy, should I take it?"
Grandma knew what kind of place a hair salon could be, somewhat unsavory: "Since you’ve found it, start working there diligently from tomorrow. Your sister still needs to go to school, and there are so many living expenses every month, an old person like me can’t earn that much."
Lin Jing was studying at a medical school and would be able to work immediately after graduating. Lin Yue’s situation was different; she was still in high school, and if she got into college, considering the family’s current situation, they definitely couldn’t afford it.
Lin Yue felt a pang of sorrow listening to this: "Grandma, with the way things are at home right now, why should my sister still go to school? Why not let her work too? The money earned wouldn’t be small."
"What do you know, Jingjing would have a respectable job once she is out," Grandma said, obviously having a preference. Compared to Lin Yue, Lin Jing was the one who grew up under her care.
If she had to sacrifice one, she would choose to sacrifice Lin Yue.
Lin Yue was unhappy, after all the talking, it was clear Grandma was biased, favoring her sister: "Fine, I know."
It was just going to work; she would go if she must. Once Mom got out, she would have money, and maybe then she wouldn’t have to work there anymore.
Ye Cheng’s car was sitting idle at home, so she simply asked her older brother to become her personal driver, making trips between the town and city more convenient.
Xiaofeng was sitting in the passenger seat; she needed to make a trip to the city.
The promotional event at the mall had been very successful, the stock was mostly cleared, and next they would start the renovations. Zhao Xi had found a construction crew and wanted her to confirm the renovation plans.
Not long after leaving, Xiaofeng spotted a figure lingering in front of a hair salon; it was Lin Yue.
Xiaofeng may not have liked Lin Yue, but she wondered what Lin Yue was doing there at that time.
"Brother, stop the car." Xiaofeng shouted to Su Peng to stop.
Su Peng thought she might be feeling unwell: "Are you feeling okay? If you’re not feeling well, don’t go. We can have Mr. Zhao set the renovation plans."
"It’s not that." Xiaofeng hinted with her eyes toward a spot not too far: "I think I saw two acquaintances."
It seemed she saw Su Xiaotao leading Lin Yue inside.
"No, isn’t that...." Su Peng, although he hadn’t been to such places, had been hanging around some men these days, discussing all sorts of topics, so naturally, he had heard some stories.
"Brother." Xiaofeng pulled out a hundred-dollar bill from her purse: "Go in and find a girl named Lin Yue, tell them you fancy her and want to take her out."
Although she didn’t like Lin Yue, Lin Yue was under eighteen, still a child.
"Feng, you want to help her?" Su Peng, simple as he was, understood what Xiaofeng intended to do.
"Forget it, I’ll go myself." Xiaofeng got out of the car: "You go in, and she might not want to come out."
Although Su Peng didn’t understand what Xiaofeng planned, he couldn’t let her go into such a place alone, in case they encountered some malicious men who meant her harm.
Xiaofeng, with her belly protruding, entered, and a makeup-clad matron approached: "This beautiful lady, are you here for a haircut or to wash your hair?"
Xiaofeng ignored her and went straight to the second floor.
This kind of place, from the outside, looked almost identical to a regular barbershop, but they offered a few additional services.
Seeing Xiaofeng trying to barge in, the matron certainly wasn’t willing, blocking Xiaofeng’s path with a smile: "Beautiful lady, are you looking for someone or here for a haircut? Our upstairs is our private residence, we don’t allow strangers up there."
Xiaofeng glanced at Su Peng: "Brother, over to you."
Su Peng, tall and imposing, stood by her side, and the other party immediately shrank back, his hand grabbing the matron’s arm, preventing her from advancing.
Xiaofeng proceeded directly to the second floor.
"Gouzi, someone’s trying to barge into the second floor." The matron shouted.
A lean, fierce-looking man rushed out from the back yard: "What’s the problem?"
"Gouzi, those two are trying to barge into the second floor." The matron pointed at Xiaofeng, clearly agitated.
Xiaofeng looked at him, he was alone, she wouldn’t struggle if it came to a fight: "I’m not here to cause trouble, I just want to find someone. Bring her out, and I’ll leave."
"Who are you looking for?" The matron, upon hearing her speak, involuntarily responded.
"A female student who just went in."
"You’re only looking for her and won’t cause trouble?" The matron was uncertain.
"Just bring her out, and I won’t cause trouble."
"Gouzi, go bring her down, let her take her away."