Chapter 57: The Pitiful Female Supporting Character from a Patriarchal Family in the 2000s (4)

Ye Zhou did not continue the topic of money with Ai Xiaoling and instead turned around to get back to work.

He made two nearby deliveries and brought back some returns on the way, continuing to assist Ai Xiaoling in the store.

Yesterday counted as close interaction. The way the two of them got along had shifted a bit, and now they could at least talk a little.

Ai Xiaoling was about to climb the ladder to get some drainage pipes, but Ye Zhou climbed up first and brought them down. Then he carried them to the truck himself. He looked back and said to her, “You’re not fully recovered yet. Don’t come outside. Avoid being out in the sun too much.”

“Thanks, little boss,” Ai Xiaoling did not insist and responded with a smile.

Of all things in the world, one’s health is the most important.

Ye Zhou didn’t look back, but his voice continued, “If you’re feeling unwell, don’t force yourself to keep working. One or two orders aren’t that important.”

“You can’t let Aunt Ye hear you say that, or I’ll be the one in trouble!” Ai Xiaoling quickly stopped him. “Aunt Ye already said not to let a single customer go and that our attitude must be excellent.”

When Ai Xiaoling first started working, her salary was only 950 yuan. Mother Ye gave her a 50 yuan raise because she saw how diligent and sweet-tongued she was and how efficient she was at work. She told her to manage the store well and promised more raises if business improved.

Last year at the end of the year, Mother Ye even gave her an 800 yuan bonus and a 100 yuan red envelope for each holiday.

Mother Ye treated her quite well.

Ye Zhou leaned out from the truck, his arm resting on the door. His deep gaze fell on her and his voice was rich and firm. “She’s not in the store right now. Listen to me.”

“Got it, little boss,” Ai Xiaoling immediately replied, her tone soft and loyal. “I’ll listen to you.”

She smiled brightly. Ye Zhou forced himself to look away, quickly closed the truck door, took a deep breath, and then drove off to make deliveries.

Along the way, Ye Zhou couldn’t help but think of her radiant smile from time to time.

From the very first day he met Ai Xiaoling, she seemed like someone who loved to smile, always smiling when she saw people.

At lunchtime, Ai Xiaoling was about to close the store to buy food when she saw a familiar regular customer bringing the property owner to buy supplies. She felt a bit helpless and regretted not closing the store earlier.

This time it was a large order.

As Ai Xiaoling had expected, the property owner was planning to renovate three floors, so he needed to buy hardware, flexible pipes, and other renovation materials from the store. He had come to pick items and negotiate prices.

The total value of the goods was over ten thousand yuan, a sizable amount.

By the time they finished the initial discussion, it was already twelve thirty.

After marking everything, Ai Xiaoling was about to close the store and go get lunch when she saw Ye Zhou return. She walked over and asked, “Have you eaten?”

If he had eaten, then she wouldn’t need to close the store. There weren’t many customers at noon, so she could go buy food and come back to eat in the store.

“No.”

“You haven’t eaten either—”

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Ye Zhou getting out of the truck carrying meals. So she changed her words, “Are you going to eat in the store? Then I don’t need to close up.”

Ye Zhou said, “I bought two servings. Let’s eat together.”

Ai Xiaoling was slightly stunned. Aside from last night, the two of them had never eaten together before. Ye Zhou was always making deliveries, sometimes even to neighboring cities. It was rare for him to be back during meal times, let alone buy her food.

Although Mother Ye had bought her food before, it was very rare because they had agreed from the start that meals weren’t included, only accommodation.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Ye Zhou carried the meals inside and turned back to ask her.

“Hungry,” Ai Xiaoling followed him and asked, “What did you buy?”

“Takeout.”

“Of course I know it’s takeout,” Ai Xiaoling said self-deprecatingly. “At the very least, the little boss should be eating takeout.”

Ye Zhou raised an eyebrow. “You don’t usually eat takeout?”

“No, I eat two-yuan meals,” Ai Xiaoling replied.

“Two-yuan meals?”

Seeing Ye Zhou didn’t understand, Ai Xiaoling explained, “It’s a set meal for two yuan, with meat, vegetables, rice, and soup. I buy it from that old man every day.”

Ye Zhou paused while opening the meal box, a flicker in his eyes. He suddenly remembered one time he returned at noon and unintentionally saw her eating at the counter. There were a few thin slices of meat, some yellowed stir-fried vegetables, and bean sprout soup.

She ate that every day?

Ye Zhou handed her a pair of chopsticks and a meal box. “Try something different today. Let’s eat together.”

Ai Xiaoling thought Ye Zhou would ask her why she wasn’t tired of eating the same thing every day. But instead, he said nothing and invited her to eat together. His actions showed he was a good person.

For someone severely lacking love, there is always a weakness—when someone treats you just a little bit kindly, you’re so overwhelmed that you begin to feel undeserving.

She said to Ye Zhou, “When I get my salary, I’ll pay you back for the food and the medical expenses.”

“No rush,” Ye Zhou opened the meals he bought.

There was corn and pork rib soup, stir-fried shredded pork with vegetables, and a fried egg.

All were light dishes.

“This must have been expensive. Good thing I’m getting paid soon,” Ai Xiaoling looked at the food with an open appetite and said to him sincerely, “To be honest, besides during the New Year, I haven’t eaten this well even at home.”

Being sensitive and insecure isn’t scary. What’s scary is being timid about it. She felt there was nothing shameful about admitting things openly.

Ye Zhou said, “Then eat more.”

“Mm! Aunt Ye likes to have chili at every meal. You’re the complete opposite of her.”

“The weather is hot. Eating something light is better,” Ye Zhou said, lying with a straight face.

Ai Xiaoling believed him without question. “That’s true.”

After finishing the meal, Ai Xiaoling took out her medicine.

When Ye Zhou saw the medicine in her hand, he couldn’t help but recall what the doctor had said, and his ears quietly turned red.

Ai Xiaoling, full from food and drink, took her medicine. A wave of drowsiness swept over her. Sitting behind the counter, she propped her face with both hands, her eyelids grew heavy and gradually closed. Soon after, her little head also began to slowly droop.

“Hm?” She startled herself awake, shook her head, and tried to force her eyes open.

But before long, the drowsiness overwhelmed her again. Ai Xiaoling’s little head drooped once more, nodding forward bit by bit.

Ye Zhou had been carrying soft tubes. Seeing her like this, he softened his movements and paused to look at her. A pleasant smile gradually spread across his brows, and the corners of his lips curved up.

Just as he was about to walk over and tell her to go upstairs to sleep—“Bang”—Ai Xiaoling’s head hit the counter.

She suddenly woke up, holding her head with a pained expression on her face.

It really hurt.

Ye Zhou’s heart thudded with worry. He walked over and said, “Go upstairs and sleep.”

“I’m still on the clock,” Ai Xiaoling rubbed her forehead, “you can’t manage the store alone.”

There were many things he didn’t know the location of.

After she released her forehead, Ye Zhou saw that there was no swelling or redness and casually responded, “Then sleep here. I’ll call you if a customer comes.”

She thought it over. Since she was really too tired, she rested her head on her arms on the counter, “This medicine makes me really sleepy. I’ll take a nap here. If anyone comes, just wake me up.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks, little boss. You’re truly a good person.” Ai Xiaoling’s pretty eyes filled with a smile. She adjusted her sleeping position and closed her eyes to start resting.

She must have been genuinely exhausted. Even with the constant honking of cars outside, her breathing quickly evened out.

Ye Zhou stood nearby, his gaze falling again on her fair and delicate face. The emotions in his eyes shifted again and again as he stood there deep in thought. No one knew what he was thinking.

Ai Xiaoling slept for three full hours. When she woke up, her arm had gone numb from lying on it. She stayed dazed for a long time before fully coming to. Ye Zhou didn’t say a word, as if it was nothing worth mentioning.

She ran her fingers through her hair a few times and decided to act oblivious too, treating him even more kindly in return.

In the days that followed, Ye Zhou always brought back meals to eat with Ai Xiaoling.

With him around, Ai Xiaoling was quite happy. She could nap for an hour or two at noon with someone helping out. Work no longer felt so overwhelming.

As a result, Ai Xiaoling spoke even more sweetly when talking to Ye Zhou. Even if he just found a connector, she would eagerly flatter him, “Even Aunt Ye often mixes up where things are, but you found it right away. Little boss is worthy of being the little boss. So capable and with a great memory.”

Ye Zhou gave her a blank look, but as soon as he turned around, the corners of his lips slightly lifted, his brows relaxed, and it was clear he was in a good mood.

In the blink of an eye, payday arrived, but Mother Ye had not returned yet.

Ai Xiaoling was just an ordinary worker. That day, she kept looking forward to it and asked Ye Zhou several times, “Is Aunt Ye coming back today?”

“I don’t know.” Ye Zhou truly didn’t know. He was just a soulless delivery machine.

Ai Xiaoling let out a sigh, “I work so hard every day for this bit of pay. I’ve been looking forward to this for a whole month.”

Just after she finished speaking, the phone on the counter rang.

Ai Xiaoling picked up the call. Hearing it was Mother Ye, she smiled at first. But whatever the other side said made her expression slowly fall apart. She forced herself to nod and agree.

After hanging up, she looked at Ye Zhou and said gloomily, “Aunt Ye said she won’t be back until tomorrow.”

She had recently met a general contractor and was going to the neighboring city to negotiate a big deal.

Ye Zhou racked his brain trying to say something to comfort her, but as soon as a customer entered, Ai Xiaoling instantly switched to a smiling face and warmly welcomed them.

Like flipping a switch.

Mother Ye had always said she was capable and quick-witted. Customers all praised her. But what filled Ye Zhou’s mind was a different version of her from that night—someone who stirred a desire to care for and get closer to.

That night, the two of them still had dinner together.

They ate pork knuckle rice.

Ai Xiaoling had two bowls and kept saying it was the best pork knuckle she had ever eaten. She even promised Ye Zhou, “When I get my paycheck, I’ll treat you to it.”

“Okay.” Ye Zhou responded.

Early the next morning, Mother Ye rushed back. She came back in a hurry and even brought Ai Xiaoling a big meat bun.

“Aunt Ye, you’re wearing a new dress and all dressed up. Are you going somewhere?” Ai Xiaoling complimented her.

Mother Ye’s plump face was full of smiles. As she handed Ai Xiaoling her pay, she said, “I ran into a few old classmates these past few days. They said there’s a business opportunity. Wasn’t I negotiating it yesterday? I’m heading back out shortly to see if I can secure the deal.”

As she spoke, she counted the money again and handed it to Ai Xiaoling, “This is one thousand one hundred. Business was good this month, so here’s a one hundred yuan bonus. Thank you for taking care of the shop.”

“Thank you, Aunt Ye.” Ai Xiaoling beamed as she took the money with both hands, “It’s all part of the job.”

“You really have a sweet mouth.” Mother Ye laughed and turned to Ye Zhou, “Mom’s off to work again. You and Xiaoling take care of things here, and be careful when driving.”

Ye Zhou nodded.

After Mother Ye left, Ai Xiaoling asked Ye Zhou, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll give you half?” Ai Xiaoling said as she broke the big meat bun in half and handed him one part.

When Mother Ye bought things, she usually didn’t get anything for Ye Zhou, since he was rarely in the shop and it was hard to get the flavor he liked. Often, food would go to waste. Ai Xiaoling was different—she ate anything.

Ye Zhou didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward and reached out to take it.

“Ring ring ring—” the phone rang.

Ai Xiaoling answered, “Hello, this is Quanju Hardware and Building Materials Store—”

A voice from the other end came through. It was her mother’s, full of concern, “Xiaoling, why didn’t you come home yesterday?”

On payday, Ai Xiaoling always set aside half a day to go home and hand over the money. She had never delayed.

Ai Xiaoling slowed down her eating and mumbled, “I haven’t been feeling well these past few days. Still not better yet.”

“Is that so.” Mother Ai ignored her illness and immediately asked, “Are you coming home today?”

“The shop is busy, I can’t leave.”

Mother Ai continued, “Has your salary been paid? You haven’t brought this month’s wages home yet.”

Familiar words tightened Ai Xiaoling’s grip on the phone. Ye Zhou, standing close to her, heard everything clearly. His expression darkened.