Chapter 009

On Saturday morning, He Yong mentioned something to his daughter.

“Your Third Uncle’s cousin is getting married tomorrow. Do you want to go?”

He Ye looked at her father in confusion. “Which Third Uncle?”

He Yong was the only son but had several cousins—some with the same grandfather as him, and some with a different grandfather.

He Ye had lived in the city since she was a child and was not familiar with her relatives in her hometown. Almost every time she went back, her father had to remind her who was who.

“The one with the big black mole at the corner of his mouth.”

This feature was distinctive enough for He Ye to remember immediately, along with her cousin, who was getting married—a tall guy who often snatched her snacks when they were little.

He Ye moved her chopsticks and said, “I don’t want to go.”

She didn’t like crowded events, and this kind of wedding would be particularly torturous for her. However, if her father wanted her to go, she would cooperate.

He Yong knew his daughter well. Seeing her lower her head and purse her lips, he smiled and said, “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. You’re not a cousin. I’ll just tell them you have a lot of homework in your senior year. What else can you say?”

He Ye sighed with relief.

He Yong continued, “But Dad has to head over there around 8 o’clock tonight. I’ll definitely have a drink tomorrow and won’t be back until Monday morning. Will it be alright for you to be home alone?”

He Ye replied, “No problem. Tomorrow is my day off. I can still go to the supermarket and watch over it.”

He Yong said, “No, you can stay home and read books and do homework. Missing one day at the supermarket won’t make a difference.”

He Ye countered, “I can also do my homework at the supermarket. If I close the store for one day, I’ll earn one day less. If you don’t mind, then I will.”

He Yong was amused by his money-loving daughter and laughed, “Alright, I’ll leave the key at home, and all the money I make tomorrow will be yours.”

He Ye, who liked saving money, suddenly felt more motivated.

The next day, He Ye got up at six o’clock, had a simple breakfast, packed her schoolbag, and went to the supermarket.

Taking advantage of the few customers at this time, He Ye quickly mopped the floor of the supermarket and then wiped the shelves row by row with a rag.

She approached cleaning the supermarket with the same seriousness as she did in the classroom. Since the supermarket was her own private space, she didn’t feel tired at all; in fact, she enjoyed it.

Everything was ready, and guests began arriving one after another.

He Ye occasionally helped with the checkout, sometimes read books, and did homework, making her day quite fulfilling.

“Ye?”

He Ye, frowning over a math problem, suddenly heard someone call her name. She looked up and saw a neatly dressed and elegant middle-aged man standing at the door. He had a smile on his face and an expression of surprise and concern typical of an elder toward a younger person.

He Ye recognized him as Zhou Xiangming’s father, who had driven them home from school not long ago.

She stood up quickly. “Uncle Zhou, are you here to buy something?”

Mr. Zhou replied, “We’re running out of tissues at home, so your aunt sent me to buy some. Where’s your father?”

He Ye explained, “He went back to his hometown for a wedding. I’m looking after the supermarket today.”

Mr. Zhou looked at the book in front of her and couldn’t hide his envy. “Look how sensible you are. Our Xiangming is still sleeping in bed.”

First it was Lu Jin, then He Ye. It was hard for Mr. Zhou not to feel frustrated with his lazy child.

He Ye smiled awkwardly.

Mr. Zhou said, “Please sit down. I’ll go pick up some tissues.”

He Ye pointed him in the right direction.

In the end, Mr. Zhou bought two boxes of paper towels and some household items.

He Ye smiled as she typed the total on the computer screen. “My father mentioned before that Zhou Xiangming and Lu Jin are both our classmates. Your family can buy things at the purchase price.”

Though He Ye wasn’t great at socializing, she was quite adept at managing customer relations at the supermarket due to her upbringing.

Mr. Zhou wouldn’t take advantage of her offer. “No, it’s not easy for you to run a supermarket. Just pay the shelf prices. If you really want to help us, I’d be grateful if you could give Xiangming more advice on his schoolwork.”

He Ye smiled, “Uncle, do you smoke?”

Mr. Zhou replied, “I smoke when I’m entertaining people.”

He Ye said, “Then I’ll give you a lighter.”

Mr. Zhou accepted the lighter from her and left with the shopping bag.

After leaving the supermarket, Mr. Zhou looked at the inexpensive gift lighter and shook his head with a smile. No matter how sensible this child was, he was still a high school student with limited worldly experience. He didn’t realize that a businessman like him would never use such a lighter outside.

Ignoring this minor issue, Mr. Zhou admired He Ye greatly. As soon as he got home and put his things away, he went to knock on his son’s bedroom door.

Zhou Xiangming’s pained voice came from inside. “I finally have a weekend. What’s wrong with letting me sleep a little longer?”

Mr. Zhou said, “You only know how to sleep. He Ye went to the supermarket early to help out. She was watching the store and reading books at the same time. I don’t expect you to earn money for the family, but can’t you read more to improve your grades?”

Upon hearing He Ye’s name, Zhou Xiangming poked his head out from under the covers. After briefly responding to his father, he immediately grabbed his phone and called Lu Jin.

The call connected, and Lu Jin’s cold voice came over. “You woke up so early today?”

It was already ten o’clock in the morning, and his sarcasm was palpable. Zhou Xiangming snorted and whispered, “Who made me your good buddy? My dad brought back first-hand information. He Ye is at the supermarket today. Are you going by yourself, or do you need me to cover for you?”

Lu Jin replied, “No, I don’t need you to.”

With that, he hung up the phone.

Zhou Xiangming: …

It was just past eleven o’clock, and the aroma of cooking wafted over from the nearby restaurants.

He Ye, who had had breakfast early and had been busy reading and running the shop all morning, felt her stomach growl at the tempting smells.

Even though she always advised her father to take care of his health and eat less instant noodles, she found it hard to give up her own instant noodles for a hot meal that cost more than ten yuan.

Besides, her father managed the store for extended periods, so eating instant noodles for just one day wouldn’t significantly impact her health.

Feeling hungry, He Ye went to the shelf, grabbed a pack of instant noodles, entered it into the computer, and then took money from her pocket to cover the cost.

Just as she was about to go inside to boil some water, the light at the door suddenly dimmed.

He Ye turned around and met Lu Jin’s surprised gaze.

“Here to help again today?”

After a brief silence, Lu Jin walked in and asked casually.

He Ye nodded. “What do you want to buy?”

Lu Jin raised the plastic bag in his hand, which contained several ingredients. “Seasonings for cooking at noon.”

Seeing that he had items in both hands, He Ye suggested, “Why don’t you put the vegetables down first? Or you can ask me to help you carry them.”

Lu Jin replied, “Help me carry them, but don’t let the fishy smell get on the floor.”

He Ye took out a shopping bag and guided him to the seasoning area.

The sun was shining brightly outside, but the inside of the supermarket was dimly lit, especially in the seasoning section.

He Ye walked in front with a focused look, her ponytail swaying and her slender white neck visible.

Lu Jin’s gaze lingered on her profile and the back of her neck until she stopped.

“I need a bottle of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, and a bag of star anise.”

He Ye gathered the items according to his instructions, and the two returned to the cashier counter.

Lu Jin noticed the pack of instant noodles on the table and asked, “Are you having instant noodles for lunch?”

He Ye didn’t expect him to ask this. She glanced at the instant noodles and then looked at the computer screen. “Yes, it’s convenient.”

Lu Jin asked, “Is Uncle not home?”

“He went back to attend a wedding,” He Ye explained.

Just as she finished speaking, He Ye’s phone rang. She gave Lu Jin a shy “wait a moment” look and answered the call. “Dad?”

He Yong’s voice was loud, and Lu Jin could hear it clearly. “Have you had lunch? I’m telling you, don’t just make do with instant noodles. I know how many instant noodles we have at home.”

He Ye lied without blinking. “No, I’ll go to a restaurant and order something later.”

The wedding was very lively, and even Grandma He had called to remind her granddaughter not to make do with just instant noodles.

He Ye listened patiently, hung up the phone, and continued typing.

Lu Jin asked, “Are you lying to them, or are you really going to the restaurant to eat?”

He Ye said helplessly, “The supermarket can’t be left unattended, and I don’t want to eat takeout, so instant noodles are more convenient.”

It was hard to admit to her classmates that she was reluctant to spend money on eating out.

Lu Jin said, “Instant noodles lack nutrition. Since I’m eating alone today, I bought a big fish. I can bring you a portion later. Just pay me the cost price for half a fish.”

He Ye looked at him in surprise.

Lu Jin lifted the bag to show her the fish inside. “I don’t like eating leftovers, and I don’t want to waste food. If you agree, I can deliver it around noon.”

If He Ye refused his offer, it would seem like she was unwilling to pay for half a fish.

She had no choice but to ask, “Will it be too much trouble?”

Lu Jin replied, “I’m on my bike; it’s very quick.”

He Ye asked, “How much is the fish?”

Lu Jin said, “It’s fourteen yuan in total. You can give me a red envelope with seven yuan.”

He Ye agreed, “Okay, thank you.”

Lu Jin smiled, paid for his items, and left with his hands full.

Through the glass window, He Ye saw him get on his bicycle and soon disappear from view.

She looked away and was momentarily stunned.

Perhaps Lu Jin, like her, was very frugal and didn’t want to waste a seven-yuan fish?

When it came to giving red envelopes, He Ye decided to give Lu Jin ten yuan. The extra three yuan were for other food expenses and to acknowledge Lu Jin’s effort.

At five minutes to twelve, when He Ye was so hungry she could hardly wait and was about to finish a packet of instant noodles, Lu Jin finally arrived.

“This lunch box is new. Our family has never used it before.”

Lu Jin placed the lunch box in front of He Ye and explained.

He Ye wanted to speak, but her stomach growled loudly, causing her face to turn red.

Lu Jin seemed not to have heard her and helped open the lid. Inside were one meat dish and two vegetable dishes. The braised fish was the most appetizing part, from the head to the tail.

“Try it first. If you don’t like it, I can refund your money.”

Because of Lu Jin’s cold demeanor and the fact that he didn’t smile when he spoke, He Ye couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking.

Not used to looking directly into his eyes, He Ye sat down on the chair a bit stiffly and picked up her chopsticks.

The rice grains in the lunch box were distinct, and the braised fish looked delicious and tasted even better.

He Ye resisted the urge to eat quickly and said admiringly, “It tastes much better than what I cook.”

Lu Jin replied, “That’s good. You eat; I’ll go outside and read a book.”

He Ye thought he brought a book, but was surprised when Lu Jin picked up an English exercise book she had left on the table and walked out without looking back.

Opposite the supermarket was a green belt with a camphor tree planted there.

Lu Jin sat astride the back seat of his bicycle and lowered his head to flip through the book.

The broken sunlight filtered through the green branches and leaves, falling on his hair and shoulders, making him look handsome and fresh.

He Ye ate quickly and then rushed inside to clean the lunch box as fast as she could after finishing.

When she wiped off the water droplets and walked out, she saw that Lu Jin had already arrived and was standing in front of the cashier, waiting.

“When will Uncle be back?” Lu Jin asked the girl, who couldn’t bring herself to look at him for long.

He Ye replied, “Tomorrow. What’s wrong?”

Lu Jin inquired, “What time does your supermarket close tonight?”

He Ye responded, “Nine o’clock.”

Her father would drive until ten in the evening, and she didn’t dare stay that late because there would still be a lot of people outside at nine o’clock.

Lu Jin asked, “What do you want to eat for dinner?”

He Ye finally raised her eyes, her clear gaze filled with surprise and confusion, as if she didn’t understand how the topic had shifted.

Lu Jin shook the lunch box in his hand and explained, “It’s a delivery once, and it’s also a delivery twice. With the same water and electricity, it’s more efficient to make double portions.”

He Ye asked, “Well, then I’ll still give you a red envelope?”

Lu Jin looked at her and said, “Do you really think I’m the kind of person who haggles over every penny?”

He Ye was taken aback.

Lu Jin suddenly smiled and added, “We are friends, so I’ll take care of you.”