"Mom doesn't go for morning runs, An'an always wakes her up..." An'an felt helpless thinking about his mother's laziness in the mornings.
"Auntie Huo used to go for morning runs every day when she first arrived in the village," Li Zhaodi said with a smile, tapping An'an's forehead. "Little An'an, Auntie Huo stopped running when you were about to be born."
"Run what?" Qin Feiwan walked in, yawning. She had been busy lately, and as soon as the tension eased, she felt sleepy.
"Auntie, I'm talking to Sister Zhaodi about morning runs." An'an moved over to make room for Qin Feiwan to sit. "Sister Zhaodi said Mom likes morning runs just like Dad, but Mom is such a lazybones. I've never seen her wake up for a morning run."
Qin Feiwan sniffed. Were there girls in this world who liked morning runs?
As the three of them chatted, a while later, Su Nianzhu walked over from the long corridor on the right, and Qin Ningyi also returned.
The steamed buns today were exceptionally delicious. Qin Feiwan ate three and only stopped when her stomach was full.
"Auntie, the buns today are so good!" Qin Feiwan praised.
"It was Zhaodi who made them. She came early to help me, and these buns are her work," the auntie said, peeking her head out from the kitchen with a smile.
Qin Feiwan said in surprise, "Zhaodi, you're this capable? They're really delicious. It's a shame you're not a master chef."
Zhaodi blushed, feeling a little shy from the compliment.
An'an, with food in his mouth, nodded in agreement.
Su Nianzhu was lost in thought.
After the meal, Su Nianzhu persuaded Li Zhaodi, who was about to help in the kitchen, to return to the living room.
"Zhaodi, your Uncle Qin has already made arrangements for college. You just need to bring your ID and go," Su Nianzhu told Li Zhaodi the good news.
"Really? Thank you! Thank you, Grandma, and thank you, Uncle Qin." Li Zhaodi was overjoyed. She could finally go to college.
Su Nianzhu continued, "The Qin Corporation will also cover your university tuition. Just focus on your studies."
"No, thank you. I'll earn the tuition myself. Grandma Su and all of you have already helped me so much, I couldn't possibly ask for more," Li Zhaodi firmly refused to accept the tuition money.
"I've already found a job. A teahouse is hiring. They sent me a message this morning. I just need to collect money and watch the store in the evenings." Li Zhaodi planned to leave and continued, "They also provide room and board there. I was just about to tell you, I'm starting work today. Thank you for letting me stay here for a day."
Su Nianzhu immediately frowned upon hearing this. "How can you, a young girl, work at night! It's too dangerous!"
When An'an heard about working at night, he remembered the incident the night he first met Li Zhaodi and she was beaten. He advised with lingering fear, "Sister Zhaodi, it's too dangerous, don't go."
Li Zhaodi was about to decline again, but Su Nianzhu understood she wanted to be independent. So, she changed her approach, "Zhaodi, why don't I offer you an internship position? That way, you can earn money by your own capabilities, and it will give me and An'an some peace of mind."
An'an immediately agreed when he heard this.
"This... this is too kind..." Li Zhaodi lowered her head. An'an's father's family was so good, not only worrying about her safety and solving her education problems, but also helping her find a job.
How could she possibly accept so much...
Before Li Zhaodi could voice her refusal, An'an spoke first, "Grandma, Sister Zhaodi is so good at cooking! Let's hire her to cook for us!"
"That won't do. How can I charge you for cooking for you!"
Su Nianzhu, however, smiled and said, "If you don't cook for us, you can cook in a restaurant, learn a skill from a master chef, and have another way to support yourself in the future. What do you think, Zhaodi?"
Upon hearing that she could have another way to support herself, Li Zhaodi was tempted.
"Then it's settled!" An'an declared, finalizing the decision.
Soon, Su Nianzhu contacted her sisters and arranged an internship for Li Zhaodi at one of their affiliated restaurants, which also provided employee dormitories. Li Zhaodi could intern during her holidays.
When leaving the Qin family, Li Zhaodi thanked them over and over. Su Nianzhu, seeing such a sensible child, gave her advice repeatedly.
Li Zhaodi started working at the restaurant. The owner, because she was arranged to be there, treated her with special consideration, which made Li Zhaodi feel very secure.
She was quick and efficient, doing a great job as an assistant cook. The chefs all liked her and would often give her little tips when they had free time.
Li Zhaodi had been at the restaurant for three days. Everyone knew she had injuries and never asked her to do heavy or strenuous work. Although the employee dormitory was a four-person room, it was bright and spacious. Looking at the sunlight outside the window, Li Zhaodi felt for the first time that the world was so beautiful, and the road ahead seemed to be full of light.
The busy midday had just passed, and she was about to rest properly to prepare for the afternoon rush at the restaurant when her phone suddenly rang.
Li Zhaodi picked up the phone, expecting it to be An'an calling her during his break. She smiled and was about to answer when she saw the name displayed on the screen.
Her smile vanished instantly. Outside, the sun was shining brightly, but inside, it suddenly felt like winter.
"Hello," Li Zhaodi stiffly brought the phone to her ear and asked softly, "Mom?"
"You still remember you have a mother?" Liu Cuihong shouted on the other end of the line. "Haven't called in so many days? Has your heart grown wild now that you're out?"
"No, Mom... I was beaten up a few days ago and stayed..." Before Li Zhaodi could finish speaking, a sharp voice from the other side cut in.
"Where's the money? You've been working for a few days, isn't the salary paid daily?" Liu Cuihong demanded money. "You were beaten? Did they compensate you?"
Li Zhaodi blinked, holding back the tears in her eyes, and said slowly, "I reported them to the police and they were arrested, but there was no compensation."
"You useless thing, your brother's school needs a lot of money for tuition. We don't have enough for his tuition, so hurry up and send some money back." Liu Cuihong spoke relentlessly, money on her mind at every turn.
Li Zhaodi's heart ached with a pain that was almost numb. "Mom, I just changed jobs. The salary is paid monthly, and I don't have money." She steeled herself and said, "Mom, I want to go to university too. I need to save the money I earn for my tuition. If there's not enough for my brother's tuition, let him repeat the third year of junior high. If his grades improve, he won't have to pay, and he might even get a scholarship."
Liu Cuihong's scolding intensified when she heard that her precious son should repeat a year. "What do you know? Your brother just matured late. They say boys get better in high school. Having him repeat junior high would be embarrassing for him, how would he face his classmates?"
"You don't need to think about going to university. I don't agree. Without an admission notice, let's see if the university will accept you!" Liu Cuihong said smugly. "I inquired, and they need to see the admission notice for enrollment. I already burned yours."
Upon hearing that her admission notice was burned, Li Zhaodi's tears streamed down her face. She blurted out, "Are you my real mother? You're not as good to me as other people!"
"The enrollment issue has been resolved. I am going to this university, and I will go even without an admission notice!"