Chapter 175 Seeking no reward, only peace of mind

She didn't even have time to untie her apron before turning around and rushing out.

As soon as Zhou Shufen pushed open the courtyard gate, before she could even stand still, Cheng Jiaqi suddenly pounced on her.

"Ouch, slow down, slow down!"

Zhou Shufen smiled and helped her up.

"Jiaqi, it's so late, why did you come back? You have class tomorrow."

"I ran into Principal Wu!"

Cheng Jiaqi was panting.

"He told me you were back, so I immediately took leave and slipped away! Coming back early meant I could have dinner with you!"

"You mustn't let your studies fall behind!"

Zhou Shufen gently tapped her forehead.

"No way!"

Cheng Jiaqi looked up.

"I brought all my textbooks back. I'll study them under the lamp after dinner. You can come and see for yourself if you don't believe me!"

As she spoke, she took Zhou Shufen's hand and led her into the house.

But a quick glance revealed Yang Yunmu standing quietly to the side.

She withdrew her hand, her tone polite and reserved.

Who is this?

Just as Zhou Shufen was about to explain, Yang Yunmu preemptively answered in a low voice.

“My name is Yang Yunmu. I’m an old acquaintance of your aunt’s… I’m staying here temporarily for a few days.”

She lowered her head, not daring to look Cheng Jiaqi in the eye.

Hello, Aunt Yang.

Cheng Jiaqi nodded.

But in that instant, her heart sank.

She remembered that face.

That was in front of that trendy clothing store in town.

That day, "Aunt Yang" was wearing a smart uniform and standing behind the counter recommending clothes to customers.

The woman in front of her, with her haggard face and timid expression, was completely unlike any other person.

Who exactly is she?

And why did things end up like this?

Zhou Shufen noticed that the atmosphere was a bit tense.

She quickly pulled Cheng Jiaqi down to sit and recounted the most important parts of Yang Yunmu's experiences over the past few days.

"We're all unfortunate people, and life isn't easy for anyone. If you can lend a hand, don't stand idly by. We don't ask for anything in return, we just want peace of mind."

After listening, Cheng Jiaqi remained silent for a long time.

She glanced up at Yang Yunmu, and seeing that she was still looking down, her doubts were slowly replaced by pity.

She suddenly stood up, turned around, and walked towards the kitchen.

"Aunt Yang, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll cook you a bowl of hot noodles and fry an egg while I'm at it. It'll be ready in a bit."

"I'll help you!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yunmu immediately wanted to follow, afraid of causing trouble for others.

Zhou Shufen grabbed her hand.

"You should rest and not push yourself. This is the child's heartfelt wish; let her do what she wants. You're still weak. If you go to Ningcheng, you'll have to work from dawn till dusk. How can you manage without taking good care of yourself?"

During dinner, Cheng Jiaqi kept putting food on Yang Yunmu's plate.

“Aunt Yang, please don’t be shy, have some more. My aunt is a really good person, kind-hearted, and very thoughtful. You’ll definitely not suffer if you work for her. She went to Ningcheng a while ago and came back to tell us that there are countless opportunities there, and ways to make money are everywhere. If you’re willing to go, you’ll definitely be able to live a brighter life and never have to live at the mercy of others again.”

Yang Yunmu looked down at the overflowing bowl of food and felt a sudden pang of sadness.

The food in my mouth suddenly got stuck in my throat; I couldn't swallow it or spit it out.

She quietly bit her lip, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Along the way, she endured countless cold stares and was pushed and shoved out of the door.

Even relatives who used to be on friendly terms with him now avoid him.

But now, this girl, who is not yet eighteen, is treating her like family, repeatedly serving her food.

She nodded vigorously.

"Yes, I will definitely do my best and I will never let you down."

At night, Cheng Jiaqi and Zhou Shufen slept on the small bed in the inner room, leaving the west wing room vacant.

Although the room was small, it was covered with new bedding and a small amount of incense was lit to dispel the dampness from the long period of vacancy.

As soon as the lights went out, the room fell into darkness, and the wind outside gently pattered against the window paper.

Cheng Jiaqi turned to the side and asked Zhou Shufen in a low voice.

"Auntie, are you really planning to take Aunt Yang to Ningcheng? I've heard that the pace of life there is fast and there are many rules. It's really not easy to get by without someone to guide you."

Zhou Shufen did not answer immediately, but slowly pulled the corner of the quilt up.

"She's hardworking. I can tell that. Today, during the busiest time at the store, truckloads of goods were arriving, and she rolled up her sleeves to help without saying a word. She was as quick and efficient as the wind, without any delay. She's also fast at bookkeeping and efficient at arranging goods. This kind of person is someone who genuinely wants to work hard."

She paused, her tone softening.

"Besides... you've seen it yourself, she has nowhere to go, not even a place to stay. Her relatives don't want her, and outsiders are talking behind her back. How can I pretend not to see it? Everyone has their difficulties in life. If you can lend a hand, don't stand idly by."

Cheng Jiaqi didn't say anything more, but just listened quietly.

She secretly gave him a thumbs up in her heart.

If it were her, she probably wouldn't have the courage or the will.

In this age when everyone is struggling to make ends meet, it's kind of kind to lend a helping hand to a woman in distress.

Not only do they provide food, but they also offer a future. What immense kindness that must be!

Next, Yang Yunmu truly became adept at both inside and outside the home, just as she had said.

Before dawn, she quietly got up and tiptoed out of bed, afraid of waking others.

She started a fire, boiled water, and cooked porridge, keeping the stove spotless.

When Cheng Jiaqi and Zhou Shufen got up, a hot breakfast was already laid out on the table.

She didn't stop there; immediately after dinner, she picked up a rag and wiped every corner of the rented room until it shone.

Zhou Shufen couldn't help but laugh as she watched.

Are you planning to decorate this house as part of your new dowry?

Yang Yunmu just smiled and continued working.

"A cleaner place is more comfortable to live in and makes me feel more at ease."

Once inside the shop, she never slacked off.

He kept meticulous records, his abacus clicked and clacked with practiced ease.

The goods were neatly arranged, and even the labels were pasted straight.

When customers came, she didn't say much.

But the service is excellent; they never make mistakes when delivering goods, giving change, or packing.

Even the usually picky shop assistants couldn't help but praise her.

On the day Yang Qingshan came to deliver goods to the store, he personally witnessed her carrying two large boxes of towels onto the shelf by herself.

He couldn't help but sigh to Zhou Shufen.

"Auntie, your friend is really something! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed she was a stranger who had only been here for a few days."

Zhou Shufen stood behind the counter, a slight smile playing on her lips, her eyes brimming with undisguised satisfaction.

Watching Yang Yunmu's busy figure, she felt more and more at ease.

She wasn't mistaken about this person.

On the fourth day after returning to Yuxin, Zhou Shufen rented two new storefronts next to the factory.

Her original small shop was no longer enough, so she planned to expand her business and start a wholesale business.

That day, she hired two workers to paint the walls.

The white lime plaster was brushed onto the wall, giving the entire facade a brand new look.

She was standing at the door directing the workers when several factory workers who had just finished their shifts passed by, stopping in twos and threes to point and whisper among themselves.

"See that? That's Zhou Haiwei's mother. Her heart is harder than iron. She can abandon her own son like that. I heard she's made a lot of money now, her pockets are bulging, and she doesn't recognize him anymore."