Life went on smoothly, and the business of Song Xia's snack shop became more stable. After getting used to being busy, it didn't seem so busy anymore.
Since her daughter Wei Zhu wasn't going on a trip, she spent money to enroll her in a tutoring class. Although tutoring classes might not be as effective as self-study, it's still good to go out for a walk since she's been cooped up at home all day.
Every Sunday is the day Wei Deng comes over for a treat. Every time he comes, he's like a refugee who hasn't eaten for months, stuffing everything into his mouth.
"Didn't you eat enough at school?" Wei Zhu asked worriedly.
Wei Deng dared not tell the truth, fearing that his mother would reduce his allowance again if he did.
Song Xia knew perfectly well what was going on, but he pretended not to. He could date if he wanted, and it was his own business if he was nice to Mo Ru, but it was impossible for him to get more money from her.
"Mom, could you make me some more pickles to take to school?" Wei Deng asked cautiously. With pickles, he could just order a bowl of rice and a serving of vegetables at school, saving him more money on living expenses.
Song Xia glared at him, because this son was the kind of person who would act innocent after getting a good deal: "You bring so many vegetables over every week, don't you have to spend money or effort to cook them?"
"Isn't it because there are too many people in the dorm? We live together every day, and it's not good for me to eat alone."
That makes sense, but Song Xia knew that most of what she did probably ended up in Mo Ru's stomach.
"Then I'll make a few jars of pickles this week, and you and your roommate can share them."
"Aren't you making chive pancakes and braised pork anymore?"
"No, it's too much trouble. Besides, aren't you eating right now? You come back every week now, aren't you still not getting enough to eat?"
Wei Deng was anxious. Wasn't this what Mo Ru loved to eat? He didn't want to leave Mo Ru without any food, so he pleaded, "Mom, please make me another one."
Knowing how hard her mother worked every day, Wei Zhu offered, "Let me make it. It may not be as good as Mom's, but it should taste better than what your school makes."
Although Wei Deng was somewhat unwilling, he had no choice but to accept it when he saw that his mother did not intend to take action.
Bringing the food back to school didn't bother the boys in the dorms; the braised pork was already delicious, and there were so many pickles too! Mo Ru, however, was somewhat dissatisfied.
That's all for this week!
Wei Deng coaxed her, "My mom is tired every day too. This braised pork was made by my sister, but I guarantee it tastes great."
Mo Ru's eyes flickered: "Does your sister live with your mother now?"
"Yes, my sister quit her job last year."
Mo Ru bit her lip, wondering about something but not knowing how to ask. She wanted to ask if Wei Deng's sister had also gotten involved in the Wei family's business. Although she and Wei Deng hadn't graduated yet and their future was still uncertain, she just didn't want Wei Deng's sister to get a share of the profits. How much money would she have to take from such a good business?
"Isn't your sister planning to go back to work?"
She's taking the civil service exam.
Hearing this, Mo Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief. If she passed the civil service exam, she definitely wouldn't accept Wei Deng's mother's business. But what if she didn't pass?
"Is your sister confident?"
"I don't know, but my sister is very hardworking. My mom gave her three years, so there shouldn't be any problem."
"Three years!" Mo Ru thought to herself, "Isn't that the year I and Wei Deng graduated?"
What if you don't pass the exam?
"If you don't pass the exam, just find another job," Wei Deng said carelessly. He should say he didn't even know his family was in business, otherwise he would have already come up with another idea.
"Your sister doesn't have a boyfriend."
“My mom said that my sister should put aside her marriage plans until she passes the civil service exam.”
"Your aunt is quite considerate of your sister's future. Has your aunt said anything about what you should do in the future?"
"No," Wei Deng replied, also becoming irritated. He had been telling his mother that he was doing very well at school and would have a bright future, but given the current job market, the future didn't seem very optimistic.
Didn't your aunt say you'd inherit the family business?
"Family business? What family business do I have? Maybe I should take the civil service exam after graduation. If I don't pass, I can get a job in a state-owned enterprise or a central enterprise. The pay should be good, and at least it's stable."
Previously, Wei Deng had no such plans at all. In fact, he had never considered the future. It was only after his sister talked about taking the civil service exam and what the nature of future work would be like when he went back to his rented apartment on Sundays these past few weeks that he started to think about it.
He majored in computer science. Although the salaries for graduates in his field are high now, he knows that his professional skills are average and it is unlikely that he will get into those big companies. Even if he does get in, he will not be able to endure the hardship of working overtime every day.
It would be better to take the civil service exam or apply for state-owned enterprises or central enterprises. Although the salary is not high, the benefits are good. Most importantly, he heard from people online that as long as he passes the exam, he can slack off at work, which is perfect for him.
Mo Ru glanced at him: "Do you think you can pass the exam?"
She thought to herself, if Wei Deng really could pass the exam, that would be great. He would have a stable job, and she could help Wei Deng's mother manage the snack shop in the future. She would have both substance and prestige.
Weiden shrugged: "Give it a try."
Mo Ru was happy to hear Wei Deng's plan, and even though he brought less food this week, she wasn't angry anymore.
However, Mo Ru's roommates were a little uneasy. Why hadn't Wei Deng brought them any food lately? They'd heard that the boys' dorms brought them food every week.
Mo Ru naturally couldn't reveal her previous perfunctory attitude towards Wei Deng, so she could only make up an excuse that Wei Deng's mother was too busy to do much.
The girls in the dormitory thought about it and agreed. The restaurant was so popular, and they weren't anyone to them, so why should they have to please them every time? But the food was really delicious, so they decided to go eat there on their own one day.
"Mo Ru, aren't you going?"
“I won’t go. Weiden said his mother doesn’t know we’re dating yet, and it wouldn’t be good if she recognized us when we meet later.”
"Alright then."
Mo Ru really wanted to go, but as she herself said, wouldn't it be awkward if she were recognized and they met again? What if Wei Deng's mother thought she was there for his family's shop? So she could only hold back.
"When you go, please don't mention Weiden. Just act like an ordinary diner."
"Don't worry, we're not big mouths, and besides, they're so busy, they don't have time to talk to us."
Three girls went to a restaurant together on Tuesday afternoon when they had no classes. They found the place by following the address on the internet. It wasn't mealtime when they arrived, but the place was already full. Following the online recommendations, they each ordered a clay pot soup and some fried rice, fried noodles, and other staple foods.
The food had just been served when the aroma made their mouths water. They knew that the food Wei Deng brought every week was delicious, but they didn't expect that it would taste even better when it was hot on the spot, especially the soup, which was absolutely amazing! Mo Ru probably hadn't even tried this kind of soup before!
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