Chapter 84: Being Put in a Difficult Position
Datou suddenly speaking was undoubtedly the happiest event for the Wen family recently. The second happiest was the mysterious addition of more than ten mu of land. The very next day, Old Wen eagerly carried his pipe and swaggered off to inspect the new fields, deliberately mentioning it to old friends along the way and showing off before leisurely leading a group to tour the land.
Wen Yao sat on a small stool at the door, cracking sunflower seeds and smiling at the old man’s smug excitement.
After his “promotion tour,” the news that the Wen family had bought over ten mu of land spread quickly through the village. People found it unbelievable—the eldest son of the Wen family had really turned over a new leaf and even earned so much land. Could setting up a stall at the docks really be that profitable?
Soon, Wen Xiuyi even started seeing fellow villagers setting up stalls at the docks too. Still, what others did had nothing to do with them.
Wen Yao had thought her foot injury was minor, but by the third day she still couldn’t walk. Unfortunately, she had already accepted a job to cook a wedding banquet and taken the deposit. If she didn’t go, the wedding feast would be ruined.
To help her, Luo Shi borrowed a bullock cart from the village chief. Wen Xiuzhu drove Wen Yao there the next day, and Li Shi and Cai Shi accompanied her to help.
But when they arrived, the hostess frowned upon seeing Wen Yao leaning on a crutch.
“Miss Wen, can you really manage like this? On such a joyous day, this is rather…” The old woman’s displeasure was obvious.
Wen Yao apologized calmly. “I injured my foot recently, but it won’t affect the cooking. I brought my second and third aunts to help.”
The hostess’ face darkened. “We agreed on just you. If you bring extra people, we won’t pay for them.”
Wen Yao smiled politely, though it stung.
The old woman then added, “We agreed on 200 wen because relatives praised your cooking. But now you’re injured and can only give orders. Shouldn’t the pay be reduced?”
Wen Yao’s gaze cooled slightly. “How much do you think is appropriate?”
“One hundred eighty… no, one hundred fifty.”
Li Shi exploded. “Why not just have her work for free?! She came injured so your wedding wouldn’t be delayed!”
The old woman snapped back, “That’s your problem. Why didn’t you tell us earlier? It’s unlucky to have injuries at a wedding. Reducing the pay is only fair.”
Li Shi nearly quit on the spot, ready to leave.
Wen Yao quickly held her back and asked calmly, “So you’re offering 150?”
The old woman nodded smugly and added sweetly, “I’ll praise your skills everywhere. More people will hire you in the future.”
Wen Yao smiled.
In other words—if she didn’t agree, the woman would speak badly of her.
