Chapter Twenty-One: Incapable of Caring for Oneself

"Did nothing at all?" Lin Hongda let out a cold laugh, tossed out a curt "Wait and see," and walked out of the kitchen.

After a short while, he returned, this time with a customer from the restaurant trailing behind him. Lin Sangqian recognized the customer at once—just earlier, he had bought a pork meat pie from their stall.

"Sir," Lin Hongda cupped his hands in greeting, "could you please tell us what you just witnessed?"

The customer glanced at Qian San, then at Lin Yanbei, and replied, "I saw that this server deliberately tripped that young man."

By "server," he meant Qian San; "young man" was clearly Lin Yanbei. Qian San turned pale with fright—he didn’t dare accuse a customer of lying.

"Thank you." Lin Hongda expressed his gratitude, and the customer took his leave.

Now, not only the three brothers but even Lin Sangqian felt a surge of admiration for her father. So he had seen it all, and had even noticed that the customer had witnessed the incident as well. Since the customer had bought a meat pie from their stall, he was naturally willing to testify for them.

Her father was truly impressive!

Lin Sangqian glanced at Bao Mingzhi, who immediately rounded on Qian San and scolded, "Qian San! What have you got to say for yourself now?"

Qian San was so terrified that he dropped to his knees, trembling as he stammered, "Manager, I—I didn’t mean to, it was an accident!"

"Weren’t you just denying everything a moment ago? Now it’s an accident?" sneered Lin Beitao. "Clearly, nothing you say can be trusted at all!"

"Manager, since this man is the one at fault, he should be punished, shouldn’t he?" Lin Sangqian said. "A moment ago, you said you’d punish my second brother by withholding his food for two days and docking half a year’s wages. Now that it’s proven this man is the true culprit, the punishment should go to him instead."

"Indeed!" Bao Mingzhi, delighted at the chance not to pay wages, nodded at once. "Qian San, do you accept this?"

Of course Qian San did not, but he dared not protest. He could only shoot a resentful glare at Lin Sangqian before nodding his head.

"Enough, get back to work!"

Qian San scurried off, while the three Lin brothers looked on, feeling a great sense of relief.

Luckily their father and little sister had come today, otherwise who knew what troubles Bao Mingzhi would have caused them.

"Miss Lin, are you satisfied with how this has been handled?" Bao Mingzhi inquired, his face expectant.

Lin Sangqian could see right through him; she knew exactly what he was plotting.

"Yes, I am quite satisfied," she replied coolly. "It’s getting late—my father and I should be heading home."

With that, she drew a packet of pastries from her bosom, bought earlier on their way here.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, please take these pastries for yourselves," she said, handing them to Lin Wenyan.

Lin Wenyan was surprised. "Sister, where did you get the money? We can’t take these—save them for Mother and Father."

Lin Hongda’s eyes brightened, and he was nearly moved to tears. At last, his son truly cared for him!

"We have plenty. These are for you," Lin Sangqian said with a smile. "Now that we can earn money, you don’t need to worry about the family."

She leaned in and whispered, "Just bear with it a few more days. Once things settle at home, you won’t have to work for this greedy boss anymore."

Lin Wenyan was stunned. Their father had become reliable, and even their little sister had grown formidable...

"Then, take these two silver coins home with you," he said.

"Eldest Brother, really, there’s no need—we have money! And you should keep something for yourselves," Lin Sangqian replied.

Lin Wenyan’s nose tingled with emotion. As the eldest son, he felt he’d been of little help, and now even his little sister had to look after them.

No! He must make something of himself, so he could give his little sister a life of luxury and silks!

"Father, let’s go home," he said.

"Yes," Lin Hongda agreed.

Seeing that they were truly leaving, Bao Mingzhi grew anxious. "Miss Lin, please don’t go!"

He reached out to stop her, but Lin Hongda immediately pulled her behind him protectively and barked, "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Don’t misunderstand, I mean no harm," Bao Mingzhi said ingratiatingly. "It’s just that Miss Lin’s culinary skills are exceptional—it would be a shame for such talent to go to waste! Why not work at my restaurant? I’ll pay you... two hundred coins a month!"

Lin Sangqian gave a derisive snort. With her skills, if she truly became the chef here, the restaurant’s revenue would multiply several times over. Two hundred coins a month? She could earn more selling meat pies on her own.

"Is that not enough? I can offer more..." Bao Mingzhi stammered.

"Manager Bao, my daughter is just ten years old. She’s a girl, and she cannot work outside the home," Lin Hongda said coldly. "Please, seek someone else."

"But she’s only ten, and yet so talented! If you think the pay is too low, I can add another hundred coins a month!" Bao Mingzhi said, wincing at the thought.

Lin Sangqian was about to retort, but when she caught sight of her three brothers, she hesitated. If she refused too bluntly, Bao Mingzhi might grow angry and take it out on her brothers, who still worked for him.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Sangqian smiled and said, "Manager Bao, I appreciate your kind offer. However, my mother is unwell and cannot care for herself—I must stay home to look after her."

At these words, Lin Hongda’s mouth twitched. If Liao Shuxia ever found out her daughter had said such a thing...

Meanwhile, at home, Liao Shuxia, busy embroidering, suddenly sneezed.

"But, but..." Bao Mingzhi sputtered.

"How about this," Lin Sangqian continued. "Give me a little time to settle things at home, and then we can discuss it again, yes?"

By then, she’d already have her brothers resign. Hmph! There was no way she’d help such a greedy boss get rich.

"Very well," Bao Mingzhi replied reluctantly.

Lin Sangqian breathed a sigh of relief. With this, Bao Mingzhi likely wouldn’t trouble her brothers for the time being.

After bidding farewell to her brothers, Lin Sangqian and Lin Hongda set off for home.

All the way to the edge of town, she didn’t spot Zhao Lan’er, and felt a twinge of disappointment. She had looked forward to befriending her. Next time, she would be sure to ask where she lived.

The little beggar she’d met yesterday was nowhere in sight either, but Lin Sangqian didn’t dwell on it, assuming he’d moved on to another part of town.

Thinking of Liao Shuxia home alone, Lin Sangqian and Lin Hongda quickened their pace.

Back at home, Liao Shuxia was busily embroidering handkerchiefs. Hearing voices outside, she knew her husband and daughter had returned, and quickly set aside her needlework to greet them.