Lin Wan ignored it and said with a smile, "I know you wonât renege on your debt, but we donât offer credit."
"You know I wonât renege, what else do you want, itâs just a meal, my family has plenty of money."
"Since you donât lack money, why insist on owing it? Itâs better to pay now," Lin Wan said pleasantly.
"What if I donât pay today?"
"Comrade, your clothes look nice, they can be used to settle the bill. Since youâve eaten, you should pay, itâs only right. Comrade, you also said your family has money, someone like you wouldnât be short of money when going out. If Comrade has any dissatisfaction with our little shop, feel free to tell us, weâll make sure youâre satisfied next time, but todayâs bill canât be waived."
At this point, a few others eating in the restaurant also turned their attention to Er Qiangzi, being watched by so many, Er Qiangzi found it hard to maintain his composure, feeling a bit uneasy but stubbornly maintaining his rogue demeanor, refusing to give in.
"Last time, Comrade gave six extra cents, this time your meal is one yuan and one dime, subtract the six cents, just give me five cents."
"Thatâs more like it." Seeing Lin Wan give him a way out, Er Qiangzi snorted in compliance, reluctantly reached into his pockets, and dug out four dimes from his pocket, then counted five-cent bills and a five-cent coin from his pants pocket, and handed them to Lin Wan.
Then he gave Lin Wan a fierce glare before striding out.
Lin Wan looked at the crumpled handful of small change and thought to herself, so he really is out of money.
Looks like he came for a free meal today.
That afternoon, while Liang Hongmei was busy in the kitchen, Lin Wan didnât mention it to her, to save her from worrying.
Hoping to finish quickly, Lin Wan worked an extra hour at night to knit three sets of clothes, she had gotten proficient and was knitting fast.
The day she talked to Sister Ma about Butcher Zhangâs daughter, she was actually bluffing, but who would have thought that today, Butcher Zhangâs daughter really liked the sweater Lin Wan was wearing.
Whatâs this called? Wealth comes rolling in, if you put in the effort, youâll get rewarded, just like she is now.
Butcher Zhangâs daughter is in eighth grade this year, still young, so Lin Wan chose a pink one for her, same style but slightly different pattern, with little purple flowers scattered on the pink.
On the fourth day, Sister Maâs piece was finished, when she delivered it to Sister Ma, she tried it on and was very satisfied, readily giving Lin Wan the remaining five yuan.
Because of Sister Maâs kind reminder, Lin Wan specially knitted a scarf for her, as a way of returning the favor.
Sister Ma was overjoyed, repeatedly saying if anyone liked it, sheâd definitely introduce them to her.
Making a few yuan easily in four days, not bad at all.
After finishing Butcher Zhangâs daughterâs set, Lin Wan was finding it hard to keep up, going to bed late and waking up early every day, her dark circles deepening.
Unable to bear it, Liang Hongmei didnât let her wake up too early the next day, while she herself sold cakes and porridge from six to nine in the morning, never stopping for a moment.
Lin Wan felt this canât continue, working like this, the two of them would be exhausted in no time.
Luckily, after a few days, it started raining continuously, so Lin Wan didnât prepare much food these two days, only made breakfast in the morning and closed the shop for lunch and dinner.
The mother and daughter had a good rest day.
A few days later, Butcher Zhangâs daughter came again, this time bringing her classmate along.
"Sister Lin, my classmate liked the clothes you knitted for me, and she wants you to make one for her." Zhang Nian said, pulling the girl beside her, "Her name is Wang Qian, her mom works in the county," Zhang Nian paused, leaned closer to Lin Wan, and whispered, "Her family has money."
"Sure," Lin Wan said, smiling at Zhang Nian.