Chapter 30: Are you married?

Su Ai pressed down on the candied hawthorn balls, adding two more.

The bags she’d folded weren’t large; she couldn’t fit many more.

But she acted as if she’d given them extra, making the couple happily thank her.

“Thank you, comrade.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome.  Wishing you a sweet life, successful career, and prosperous future.”

The couple happily left.

Chen Jianguo had to return to work; many people were buying tickets, so he couldn’t stay with Su Ai.

“Su Ai, you keep busy. I have to work. I’ll treat you to dinner after work.”

Another customer arrived. Su Ai served them while telling Chen Jianguo, “No need, Big Brother. You’ve already helped a lot.”

“Yes, we agreed. I’ll treat you to dinner.”

“I’ll treat you too, Big Brother.”

“We have a deal!” Chen Jianguo went to work.

As more people came to watch movies, Su Ai’s business boomed.

The milk tea was pre-made and kept in a thermos; Su Ai just needed to pour it.

Other items were also pre-packaged.

This made transactions very fast.

Su Ai wasn’t shy about doing business; she spoke cheerfully, showering customers with compliments, making them smile.

Her judgment was correct.

People who bought two or three movie tickets (2.5-3 yuan each) didn’t care much about the cost of snacks.

One yuan per cup was a bit expensive.

But not so expensive that people couldn’t afford it.

Especially when they saw others buying and enjoying the snacks while watching the movie; not buying felt strange.

People follow the crowd.

Soon, almost everyone watching a movie had a cup of Sweet Sweet milk tea.

Before afternoon, Su Ai’s thermos of milk tea was empty, the popcorn almost gone, and the candied hawthorn balls completely sold out.

Most customers went to eat lunch.

The afternoon show started after lunch.

Su Ai told Chen Jianguo she’d be back in the afternoon and went home to prepare more supplies.

She hurriedly made dinner for Ji Yang and Lele, delivering it to the hospital without eating herself.

“Business was good this morning; I sold everything.”

“Roughly, I made one or two hundred yuan,” Su Ai whispered to Ji Yang.

Ji Yang was shocked: “So much?”

“Mm.”

“It was my first day; I didn’t prepare enough. I need to go back and work.”

“I have to go back to the stall this afternoon.”

“You and Lele eat; just leave the bowls here; I’ll pick them up tonight.”

Ji Yang wanted to say, Don’t overwork yourself.

But with hundreds of yuan in profit a day, he knew Su Ai wouldn’t give up.

Su Ai knew what he was thinking.

She kissed Ji Yang’s face, reassuring him: “This business doesn’t require much skill; it won’t last long.”

“Soon, others will undercut my prices.  I probably won’t do this for long. I’ll work hard for a few days; once others start selling, I’ll stop.”

“I’m leaving.”

Ji Yang nodded.

Su Ai kissed Lele: “Take care of Dad, good boy.”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Leaving them at the hospital, Su Ai continued working without eating.

Luckily, these snacks were easy to make.

Between tasks, Su Ai ate two steamed buns.

It was cold, and she was sweating.

She rushed to arrive for the afternoon show.

The afternoon session was longer than the morning one, so Su Ai prepared double the supplies.

Sure enough, after lunch, customers started arriving.

“Two Sweet Sweet milk teas, please.”

“Comrade, two bags of candied hawthorn balls.”

“I bought some this morning; my nephew loves them.”

“Comrade, two boxes of popcorn.”

Su Ai collected money and packed goods efficiently and clearly.

She even managed to watch a drama unfold.

A couple was arguing nearby.

The girl said, “You won’t even buy me a Sweet Sweet milk tea, yet you say you’re good to me?”

“If I marry you, I don’t know how much hardship I’ll face.”

“I’m not watching anymore; I’m going home!”

The man said, “That milk tea costs one yuan; it’s clearly overpriced.”

“In our village, one ear of corn makes two boxes of popcorn. She dares to sell one box for one yuan; she’s a profiteer!”

“If you like it, I’ll have my parents make a whole bucket for you.”

“Who wants your awful popcorn? I can afford to buy it!”

“You’re so poor; why are you dating?”

The girl, angry, stomped her foot and ran away.

The man chased after her, glaring at Su Ai.

Su Ai: …

Is he crazy?

People like that will probably stay poor their whole lives.

The afternoon sales lasted until 7 pm.

Su Ai stayed until Chen Jianguo finished selling tickets for the last show.

“Su Ai, let’s go. I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Su Ai packed up her things.

“Big Brother, let’s do it another day, okay?”

“My husband and child are in the hospital; they probably haven’t eaten yet. I need to go home and take care of them after I close up.”

“Another day, I’ll definitely treat you to dinner then.”

Su Ai agreed but didn’t notice Chen Jianguo’s shocked expression. He didn’t react until she left.

Husband?

Child?

She’s married?

“Wait!” Chen Jianguo grabbed Su Ai, who was about to get on her tricycle: “Are you married?”

Su Ai nodded: “Yes, Big Brother. My child is two or three years old.”

Su Ai realized something and clarified things with Chen Jianguo.

She adjusted her speech to her audience; speaking pleasantly made things easier.

She didn’t have any feelings for this man; there shouldn’t be any misunderstanding.

Chen Jianguo’s expression darkened.  He wanted to scold Su Ai but felt he had no right; she hadn’t said anything or expressed any interest in him.

She just wanted to set up a stall.

He was being delusional.  Why should he scold her?

But the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.  Chen Jianguo angrily let go of Su Ai’s hand.

Su Ai grabbed his sleeve: “Big Brother, there’s still a lot of food and drinks left. Take them home to share with your family.”

“Thank you for letting me set up a stall.”

“Thank you so much.”

Chen Jianguo said nothing but took the food, and Su Ai left.

She sighed: “Love-struck men are scary.”

They interpret everything as someone liking them.

Unbelievable.

It was late, so Su Ai bought food instead of cooking, bringing two cups of milk tea and snacks to the hospital.

“Mommy!!” Lele rushed over.

Ji Yang also felt relieved when Su Ai entered.

“You finished so late? I was worried something happened to you.”

“Are you and Lele hungry? I’m late.”  They spoke in unison.

Then they looked at each other and laughed.

“I’m fine. The movie theater closes late; I wanted to sell everything.”

“Not hungry. I gave Lele some crackers.”