"Is it expensive? How expensive can a schoolbag be? It's just a token of Weiwei's affection."

Su Mulin hadn't paid attention to these things. Besides, his family had already received a lot of kindness from Lin Wei during this period, so this shouldn't be an issue. They could reciprocate in other ways later.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhang Min said with an exaggerated expression, "More than 50."

"How much?" Su Mulin raised his voice instantly. "More than 50? A schoolbag? I thought it would be 10 yuan at most. No way, Weiwei, return it quickly. This is too expensive. Children don't need such expensive things. They won't cherish it and will break it in a few days."

"I've already bought it, so don't refuse. I've already told them the price of the backpack, and they'll cherish it."

Su Sijin quickly replied, "Yes, we will cherish it. We know that if the backpack is damaged, we will never be able to carry such a good backpack again, so we will definitely cherish it."

The backpack was bought by Lin Wei at the mall; it was an imported one.

But she didn't show favoritism; the two Gao children were treated the same, except that Wu Xiaoling's was a different color.

Gao Huifang felt even more embarrassed to accept the gift than the Su family, but the child had already gone to such lengths—

"Weiwei, thank you so much. You've taken such good care of the children, played with them, and provided them with food and drinks all this time. You have no idea how much trouble you've saved us since you came."

"Don't mention it, don't mention it. These children are really well-behaved. Please stop criticizing them. They have really helped me a lot."

After some polite exchanges, the conversation got down to business.

This refers to the layoff issue that Lin Xiaomeng mentioned a long time ago.

"The list has been finalized. Xiao Gao isn't on it, but Xiao Zhang, you..."

Zhang Min sighed, "The leader talked to me yesterday, saying that I am the head of the company and implying that I should take the lead. He said that the factory is in trouble. I was very angry at the time, but the employees were laid off in batches before, and none of them came back. Seeing how well everyone is doing, I actually have the idea of ​​going out and trying my luck."

"Speaking of which, Weiwei, Aunt Zhang would like to ask for your opinion."

Zhang Min glanced at Lin Xiaomeng and said somewhat shyly, "Aunt Zhang, didn't I see that you're selling boxed lunches? Your business is doing quite well. If I were to learn from you and sell boxed lunches at the entrance of the stock market, would you mind?"

"What's there to mind? If we're selling boxed lunches, you don't need to buy any of the tools we have at home. You can just use the set I bought."

"No, no, Auntie will buy it from you." Zhang Min said, sounding a little apologetic. "This was originally your idea, and I was just going along with your business, but I was worried that you would be unhappy."

"No, I just didn't have any money at the time. I knew this was a quick way to make money, so I just wanted to save up some capital for myself."

But Lin Wei also had to explain the actual situation: "It's not that I'm saying discouraging things on purpose, Aunt Zhang. My business is good because I made a name for myself in the area before. But because my business is so good, many people have set up stalls in that area."

“My business has never been affected, but others… how was your business in the past? It’s hard to say. Besides, I have a lot of people helping me every day. Don’t underestimate them just because they are kids; they really help me a lot.”

"Of course, doing business is definitely more profitable than working. Aunt Zhang can give it a try first, but I'm worried that the difference will be too great and you won't be able to accept it."

Zhang Min laughed, "I know, I've thought about it before. As far as I'm concerned, this job doesn't require me to leave early or return late, or work night shifts, and I can take care of my child. The money I earn is enough to make a basic living."

"Right now, I just hope to earn my salary in a month. Of course, it would be even better if I could earn more."

Lin Wei immediately replied, "Then you can definitely make money. You can make a few hundred yuan even if you're just messing around."

Lin Xiaomeng shook her head repeatedly, "You silly girl, you always talk nonsense. Making money isn't that easy. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"No, I'm serious. Doing business, no matter what, is more profitable than working. Unless you're incredibly unlucky, it's hard to lose money during this special time."

-

She didn't know whether these people believed her or not, but after only three days of loitering at home, Lin Wei packed her bags and prepared to go to school.

"Yuanyuan, be a good girl at home and listen to your aunt. The primary school isn't far away. Go home as soon as you get off school. Do things for yourself. Your sister taught you how to wash clothes. Wash the ones you can wash yourself. Only ask your aunt for help with the ones you can't wash."

"I understand, sister. How often do you come back?"

“Once a week. I have classes 6 out of 7 days a week. I come back on Saturday night and go to school on Sunday night. I always have to come back to see you.”

Lin Yuan replied with a smile, "Sister, are we staying at Aunt's house now? We won't be leaving later?"

"Hmm, you've been living here for about two months now, haven't you gotten used to it yet?"

"I'm adapting, but without my sister at home, I don't know if I'll be able to adapt," Lin Yuan said, frowning and somewhat uncertain.

"Don't overthink it. Your aunt loves you very much. It doesn't matter whether your sister is home or not. You just have nothing to do right now, so you tend to overthink things. Once you start school and your teachers assign you homework, you won't have time to think about these things anymore."

"All right."

Lin Wei hesitated for a moment, then said to Lin Yuan, "Mom's matter has been settled. I was worried about the danger recently, so I didn't take you with me. We need to go back to Xin County when school lets out for the National Day holiday."

"Let's go pay respects to Dad," Lin Yuan asked.

"Yes, take Auntie with us, and tell Dad everything we know while we're at it, so he can feel more at ease."

"Okay, I'll go when my sister has her vacation."

-

After taking a nap, Meimei said goodbye to Lin Xiaomeng, and Lin Wei, carrying a few newly bought clothes, set off alone on her way to school.

Throughout this journey, Lin Wei was filled with anticipation for university and excitement for her new and unknown life.

Before the excitement had even subsided, they saw Shen Jize at the school gate, where he was registering for school.

"What are you doing here?" Lin Wei was bewildered and surprised.

Shen Jize laughed and said, "What's wrong? Are you so surprised that I'm here to study? I don't look that old."

"That's not entirely true."

This person doesn't really look like someone who came here to study.

"I just didn't expect you to still need to go to school? So, who are you?"

Shen Jize took out the newly obtained certificate. "You were admitted through the proper examination. By the way, you're in the architecture department, right?"

"Could it be...?" Lin Wei was taken aback.

Shen Jize replied, "Yes, I'm also in the architecture department. It seems we've become classmates."

What a coincidence?

Lin Wei was the least likely to believe in coincidences.

unless--

Ni Qingguo's confession did indeed mention the trends for the coming years, so it wouldn't be surprising if he were studying architecture.