Gu Xicao finally had a good night’s sleep.

Previously, every night she went to bed worried that Mrs. Leung might lose patience and drive them away. But now, after helping Mrs. Leung yesterday, it seemed unlikely that she’d ask them to leave anymore.

Early in the morning, while Gu Xicao was dreaming about being surrounded by mountains of gold and silver, grabbing handfuls of gold nuggets, she was woken by a voice calling her.

“Sister, Sister, wake up! Someone’s knocking on the door.”

“Hmm.” Gu Xicao opened her sleepy eyes, her stomach already rumbling with hunger.

She looked at Lin Yuan standing by her bed. “Xiao Yuan, what’s the matter?”

“Sis, it’s the landlady knocking at the door!” Lin Yuan whispered nervously. “Is she here to ask for rent again?”

The landlady?

Gu Xicao immediately sat up straight, sliding her feet into her slippers and rushing to the door.

Outside stood Mrs. Leung, holding a pot of soy milk and several fried dough sticks.

“Xiao Gu, you’ve finally opened the door. I brought you breakfast.”

The soy milk was steaming hot, and the fried dough sticks emitted a crispy, savory aroma.

It had been a while since Gu Xicao had seen food this good. She couldn’t help but swallow hard as she stepped aside to let Mrs. Leung in.

Mrs. Leung placed the soy milk and fried dough sticks on the table opposite the bunk bed. Seeing the siblings standing there dazed, she laughed.

“What are you standing there for? Come and eat. Old Xu’s soy milk and fried dough sticks from the market are famous for being delicious. You two probably haven’t tried them before.”

Gu Xicao and Lin Yuan shook their heads in unison.

A serving of soy milk and fried dough cost 2.50 yuan, and their daily food budget was only 1.50 yuan. They could never afford such a luxury.

“Then I’m going to treat you today.”

Mrs. Leung warmly urged, “Go ahead and eat. Don’t be shy.”

“Mrs. Leung, we can’t just eat this for free,” Gu Xicao hesitated, but her body betrayed her as she approached the table.

It wasn’t that she was greedy; after a month of bland meals, the sight of something oily was impossible to resist.

“It’s not free. The man you mentioned last night has been caught!”

Mrs. Leung beamed with joy. “We went to give our statement early this morning. That scoundrel was trying to run away! Luckily, Xiao Lin listened to your advice and went over just in time to nab him. That jerk won’t get away without paying 18,000 in compensation!”

Eighteen thousand!

No wonder Mrs. Leung was so happy. That amount was no small sum. Gu Xicao quickly called Lin Yuan to fetch bowls and chopsticks, then said, “That’s great news! Now you have enough for both Jiaobao’s surgery and hospital bills. Stay and join us for breakfast, Mrs. Leung.”

“No need, I’ve already eaten. I have to head back to the hospital to bring Jiaobao his breakfast.”

As she spoke, Mrs. Leung pulled a red envelope from her pocket and handed it to Gu Xicao. “Xiao Gu, I really have to thank you. I didn’t realize your talent before. This is a small token of my appreciation.”

Getting something right once could be luck, but being correct twice in a row was proof of real skill.

Gu Xicao hurriedly declined. “Mrs. Leung, I can’t accept this. You’ve already been so kind to us. If I took your money, what kind of person would that make me?”

“You have to take it. It’s tradition. When fortune tellers help people, they must accept payment. Otherwise, it’s bad luck.”

Mrs. Leung insisted firmly.

She glanced at the neighbors who had come over to watch the excitement and added, “If any of you want Xiao Gu to read your fortune, make sure to pay her properly. Don’t bully this young girl.”

“Of course, Mrs. Leung. We’re not stingy.”

“Xiao Gu’s predictions are far better than Master Bai’s on Temple Street.”

Gu Xicao’s face turned slightly red. “Thank you, Mrs. Leung. About the rent—can we delay it for a bit? I’m planning to set up a stall for fortune-telling, and once I earn some money, I’ll pay you.”

“Don’t worry about the rent. After all the help you’ve given me, you don’t have to pay for the next two months.”

Mrs. Leung waved it off.

“But I insist. I’ve rented your place, so I should pay the rent.” Gu Xicao was adamant. “Let’s not mix the two matters.”

Mrs. Lin, overheard this and couldn’t help but take a closer look at the young girl. She felt a flicker of admiration.

Two months of rent was more than a thousand yuan. The siblings scraped by every day collecting garbage and couldn’t possibly make that much. Yet, this young girl wasn’t tempted to take advantage.

“Mrs. Leung, don’t you have a fish ball stall at Temple Street? Since you’re busy taking care of your grandson, you’re not running it, right? Instead of letting it go to waste, why not let Xiao Gu use it?”

Mrs. Lin suggested, “After all, she needs to make money to pay rent, doesn’t she?”

“That’s a good idea. Jiaobao’s injury will take three months to heal, so I won’t be using it anyway,” Mrs. Leung nodded thoughtfully. “Xiao Gu, you can use my stall for now.”

The unexpected opportunity left Gu Xicao thrilled. She shot a grateful look at Mrs.Lin before turning to Mrs. Leung.

“Thank you so much! But please charge me the usual stall fee—I insist.”