"But she asked me something."

"I just told you what you told me."

"She was very happy to hear that and agreed immediately. She even asked the woman for a few copper coins for me."

Xiao Haili took out a few copper coins from his pocket and showed them to Huang Wanzhen. "Five copper coins in total. Manager, here you go."

How could Huang Wanzhen possibly ask for his hard work fee? "It's given to you, just take it."

Turning back into the shop, Huang Wanzhen grabbed Huang Dongshi's arm and whispered in her ear, "It's an appointment. Get ready. In two days, I'll take you to Dong'an Market to meet her."

Huang Dongshi turned to look at her, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, "Really?"

Huang Wanzhen didn't say much, just patted her shoulder and nodded.

Sunday arrived in a flash, and Huang Wanzhen notified Song Wenyin in advance and asked her to come and see Tianpuzi.

"Why are you dressing up so beautifully? Are you going to meet a man?"

Huang Wanzhen was about to roll her eyes when she caught sight of Huang Dongshi standing beside her. "Is anyone taking their mother to see a man? Can you be more reliable?"

Song Wenyin laughed twice, stepped forward and grabbed Huang Wanzhen's arm. "Just tell me, what are you going to do?"

Huang Wanzhen said seriously, "I'm taking my mother to Dong'an Market. School is about to start, and I can't go out and play for a day."

"Yes, yes. As the chairman, I'm a very reasonable person. I'll give you a day off. Go and have fun."

Huang Wanzhen was speechless. What a hindsight.

When they arrived at Dong'an Market, Huang Dongshi was so exhausted that Huang Wanzhen had to take her by the hand and walk to Donglaishun.

“It’s a lively place.”

This was Huang Dongshi's first time at the Dong'an Market. Surrounding the area were two-story shops, but what really surprised Huang Dongshi was that there were even iron sheds overhead. "How much did this cost?"

Huang Wanzhen had seen the changes in Mrs. Huang Dong over the past two years. Seeing her ask this, she didn't laugh at her. Instead, she kept pulling her inside. There was a dazzling array of things inside, with everything: food, clothing, and even acrobatics. For a moment, Mrs. Huang Dong was dazzled. "It's so big, so nice."

After watching the acrobatics for a while, Mrs. Huang couldn't help but sigh, "How can one predict the end of one's life at a glance? What my mother said when I was a child was actually wrong."

Huang Wanzhen tilted her head and asked curiously, "Grandma, what's wrong?"

"She said I was born with the body of a young lady, with maids to serve me, and no need to work. If I bound my feet, I could marry a good husband and still have maids to serve me for the rest of my life." Huang Dong's face was complicated when she said this. "Who can accompany whom for a lifetime? Your grandmother and your father are gone, and there is not much money left. I have to earn it all by myself, but look at my feet, let alone walking, they hurt when I stand for a long time."

Huang Dong pointed at the little girl in front of her with a bowl on her head and said, "Look at that little girl, she has a pair of big feet and can go anywhere. I was not born with a young lady's body. It was your grandmother who made me into a young lady."

Huang Wanzhen's focus wasn't on her feet. "Mom, why are you so sentimental today? Are you too tired on weekdays? If you don't like working at Jixiangtang, then we can quit. I'll support you."

But as soon as she said this, she received a cold stare from Mrs. Huang. "Who needs you to support me? Chairman Song thinks highly of me. I'm just lamenting that these legs have hindered my future. You can run around and go wherever you want. This is the first time I've heard of such a wonderful place in Beijing!"

Huang Wanzhen: “…”

Huang Wanzhen was speechless for a moment, then she countered, "Didn't you bind my feet? How did you scold me when I unbound them?"

Huang Dong looked away uncomfortably, "I'm your biological mother. It's been so long, why are you still remembering me?"

Huang Wanzhen expressed her dissatisfaction, "You are my mother, so you are right? You are allowed to set fire, but I am not allowed to light a lamp!"

Mrs. Huang patted Huang Wanzhen's arm soothingly, "Okay, okay, let's stop watching. Let's go to that restaurant and wait for your sister."

Seeing that Mrs. Huang had given in, Huang Wanzhen was still relentless. "Next time, don't find fault with me in front of others. I'm a manager after all. If you keep ignoring me, how can I establish my authority in front of the workers?"

"I understand. Can't I change it?!" This time it was Mrs. Huang who kept pulling Huang Wanzhen forward.

"This is the Donglaishun. Don't go any further."

When I entered, I found that there were not many people sitting in the hall. It was just past ten o'clock and not yet time for dinner, so it was understandable that it was a little quiet.

"Excuse me, sir, how many people are there?" A waiter in a long gown with a waist tie came up to me with a smile on his face.

"Let's get a private room for the four of you, and save a table in the lobby." Huang Wanzhen walked in, and the waiter reminded her, "Private rooms have fees, so it's not cost-effective. It's more economical to sit in the lobby."

Huang Wanzhen smiled and said, "It's not a problem. This lady is rich." Huang Wanzhen pointed to Huang Dongshi next to her. Huang Dongshi nodded slightly and whispered, "It's my treat today."

"Okay! Please come in, both of you."

Sitting in the private room, Huang Wanzhen instructed the waiter, "Save a table for me outside. If anyone comes looking for a girl named Shen or Huang, feel free to arrange for them to sit at the same table."

"Okay! Do you want to order now, or wait until everyone arrives?"

Huang Wanzhen didn't even bother looking at the menu. She said, "Give me two servings of shredded tofu and two servings of fennel beans. Put one here and one on the table outside."

"Shabu Shabu, we'll order it when everyone arrives."

The waiter responded loudly and left the private room with a smile.

"When you see your sister later, don't yell at her. I'll talk to her properly." Huang Dong took out a cloth bag from her bosom and opened it. Inside was a golden hairpin.

"This gold hairpin is great. It can be worn as jewelry at ordinary times, and it can also be used as money at critical moments. The last time I saw your sister, she had nothing on her head. She loves beauty so much, so I'm afraid she doesn't have many jewelry."

It’s pitiful how loving parents are in the world. Perhaps only Mrs. Huang noticed such a small detail.

At around 11 o'clock, Shen Junru arrived in a rickshaw, and the driver came in and told Huang Wanzhen.

Huang Wanzhen immediately stood up and walked out, "Teacher Shen, feel free to order whatever you want to eat today. My mother is treating."

Shen Junru paused as she greeted him, "Uncle, Auntie is here too? How, how can I feel so embarrassed?"

Huang Wanzhen smiled innocently, "Hey! She doesn't want to eat with us. My sister will come over later. Let her go to the private room with her. People of the older generation don't feel comfortable eating in the lobby."

Shen Junru finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great. Your sister isn't even older than me, right? What should I call her?"

"Let's talk about our own things. You are my teacher, not hers. You can call her sister or call her by her name. Her name is Wanshu."

"Okay, then I'll call her Wanshu."

After a few pleasantries, the two ordered hot pot and shabu-shabu dishes.

"Teacher Shen, you eat first. My mother doesn't know how to order. I'll go to the private room and help her order. I'll be back soon. If my sister comes, let her sit at this table first. Wait until everything is served in the private room, then let her go over."