Chapter 140 - Third Meeting (3)

“The remodeling company is listed under City Nan. Lights and furniture, I got through a friend. Too bad I have already finished purchasing everything; otherwise I’d ask my friend to put you up a set as well.”

Time was getting late and the two chatted for a little before Shu Yan left with her two kids. Where she lived was a bit of distance from the little district where Lin Hui lived. A stretch of the road was bare on both sides. Shu Yan was a bit nervous. Carrying Tianbao in one hand and holding Jingjing’s in her other, she picked up her pace. Suddenly, she saw someone walking in her direction. Shu Yan was startled at first, but then, after she got a better look of the person, she felt more relieved. She nodded at him. The man, too, was a bit surprised when she saw Shu Yan with her two children but finally nodded back at her.

This was their third time they’ve met each other, but the two still didn’t exchange a word.

“Mommy, it’s so dark! I’m scared!” said Tianbao as he wrapped his arms around Shu Yan’s neck.

“Mommy, that uncle looked so scary,” said Ye Jingjing as she leaned against Shu Yan. She, too, was a bit scared.

“Jingjing, you shouldn’t only look at someone’s appearance. You shouldn’t judge someone by their look? Meaning, we shouldn’t come to a conclusion what type of person one is only because of the way they look. There are many people who look mean but are very kind, and many who look very friendly but are crooks. Remember the little kid that Aunty Xiuyu mentioned in the past? She was taken away by a kind looking old lady, and they still haven’t been able to find her to this day.”

“I get it. Meaning we shouldn’t judge someone by their look, right?” said Tianbao as he raised his little hand.

“Exactly, we shouldn’t just look at someone’s appearance. Take that uncle who just walked past us as an example. Do you know how he got that scar on his face? He was hurt while fighting for our country and protecting commoners like us. The scar is not scary. It was an honor. He’s a hero.” Shu Yan smiled and explained.

“Oh, so he’s a hero. I want to be a hero too when I grow up,” said Tianbao loudly with his arms still around Shu Yan’s heck.

“To be a hero you’ll first need to be a good kid, and keep up with your studying. Can you do that?” asked Shu Yan solemnly, making both children solemn as well.

“Yes (yes),” said the two children at the same time, except the girly voice was a little on the weak side.

Feng Zeyu, following behind them, was a bit moved. He had overheard the kids saying that they were scared. Thinking that this stretch of road was a little on the dark side, he had turned around to walk behind them. He had inadvertently heard Shu Yan using himself as a positive example to teach her children. So, he was a hero in her eyes? Had she not heard the rumors about him?

Seeing the three of them off from a distance, Feng Zeyu turned back around. His steps were light and fast.

***

That weekend, figuring that Jingjing had yet to visit her shop, Shu Yan let her take a day off from the after-school program and brought them both with her to the shop. Tianbao had already been there a few times and proudly introduced to his sister what he knew. He even tested her from time to time to see if she retained what he had told her.

“Mom, little brother said there were a lot of balloons by the door and poking one will give you an electric fan. Is that true?” asked Ye Jingjing after she came back from walking around the entire place.

“Yes, it’s true. But you had school back then, so Mommy didn’t bring you here. I’ll take you here to poke a balloon next time we have a promotional activity. Mommy will give you anything that you’ve won.” Shu Yan let the two of them play in the shop and went over by herself to check out the storefront across from her with Lao Hu.

The landlord was currently overseas. It seemed that they had received their green card and would not be returning. They were short on cash to buy a house over there, which was why they wanted to sell this golden-egg-laying storefront that they owned.

It wasn’t cheap. They asked for 10,800 yuan per square feet. That was 800 yuan more than the price that Lao Hu had quoted her. Shu Yan felt that there was room to negotiate, but it’d be easier to have Lao Hu take care of that part.

“Lowest was $9,500, they wouldn’t budge anymore.” Lao Hu wiped away his sweat. The negotiating was tough today. Then again, this area was getting busier and busier and the rent going up and up. Had the landlord not be in need of cash, there was no way they’d sell this.

“Let’s go take a look first.”