Chapter 53 - Moving (2)

After she had saw the tricycle master off, the propane person arrived.

Shu Yan quickly opened the door for him as she said apologetically, “Sorry, I just moved. The house is still a bit messy.”

“No worries. Little sister came to City Nan for work?” The propane person was a friendly man.

With the way she looked and dressed currently, nobody would believe her if she said she was going to start her own business. Shu Yan smiled and said, “Exactly. People back in the village always said it’s easy to earn money in City Nan, so I thought I’d come and give it a shot.”

“It is a big city. Anyone who is willing to work hard will be able to make money. In any case, it’s much better than staying in the village and farming. But there aren’t a lot of families using propane gas right now. They are much more expensive than burning coal balls. It’s not worth it. I suggest for you to get a coal stove as well and use coal balls when you are making rice and boiling water and only use the propane gas for stir frying,” said the propane person as he wiped away his sweat and attached the gas to her stove. He started the stove a few times to make sure that it was working properly. “Okay. $50 deposit. $70 total.”

“That’s a great suggestion. I will go and buy myself a coal stove.” Shu Yan thanked the man.

Of course coal balls were more inexpensive, but Shu Yan couldn’t stand the smell. Every time she stood a little too close when she went to buy breakfast, she felt difficulty in breathing and would cough nonstop. Not to mention she has two children at home. That’s not how she wanted to save money.

After she had opened up the blanket and hung them up in the sun and finished doing the dishes, Shu Yan locked the door behind her and went to see if her bed sheets and comforter covers were ready.

“Sir, I came yesterday to have my clothes, bedsheets, and comforter covers. Do you remember me?” Shu Yan scanned around after she’d walked inside the shop. There weren’t a lot of people around. Most people would make all those at home themselves; very rarely would they have them custom made.

“I remember you. Your comforter covers are already done. The bedsheets won’t take long. Just have a seat and wait,” said the tailor. Bed Sheets were easy to make. Just have to cut the fabric up and sew up the edges.

“Let me go and get something. I will be back in 10 minutes.” Shu Yan planned to go get herself a watch. It was impossible to spend her days without one.

Digital watches were already common in City Nan at this time, ranging from $15 - $100. They were considered very fashionable for their time. Shu Yan, on the other hand, wasn’t wowed by them. In her days, nobody would even look at these when they were being sold for $4 or $5 on the side of the road. She liked analog ones better, especially when the analog ones lasted forever back in these days. She remembered the one her parents bought when they got married. They’ve had it for 30 years, and it was still tracking time accurately.

She ended up picking a fairly well-known brand at City Nan that cost her $200. It was perfect for Shu Yan. She had the owner adjusted the time for her and just left it on her wrist. It was almost 11:00 AM. She needed to get back to make lunch for the two kids.

“Mom,” Ye Jingjing looked like she had let out a big sigh of relief when she saw Shu Yan.

Ye Tianbao was fuzzed about going out to play but was stopped by Ye Jingjing. Her face was scratched by her brother. Shu Yan quickly ran up to her and took a look. The two scratch marks were bleeding. Shu Yan’s face dropped. She grabbed Ye Tianbao and gave him two smacks on his bottom.

“Do you really think you can get away with everything because I had never spanked you before? Who said you can hit your sister? How dare you?!”

“Wah!!” Ye Tianbao started to cry.

“Mom, I am alright,” said Ye Jingjing softly.

“Don’t you know how to block when he hits you? What if it leaves a scar?” Shu Yan borrowed some rubbing alcohol from the landlord and disinfected her wound. The landlord also gave Shu Yan some cream and said it was good for scratches. “Next time your brother hits you, you hit him back. Spank him like I just did.”

Of course kids fight from time to time, but these two were too worrisome. One was too intimidated, and the other too domineering. Just when she thought he was getting better, she realized that what’s inside wasn’t going to change over the course of a few days.

She cooked some noodles for lunch. Ye Jingjing enjoyed it a lot. Ye Tianbao, on the other hand, after he had been taught a lesson, dared not misbehave again. He looked up at Shu Yan from time to time.

“You two come with me this afternoon to help out.” She couldn’t possibly keep them locked up in the hotel.