Since mentioning Muzi, Yan naturally thought of her. Her eyes dimmed instantly. Forcing a smile, she said, “She’s pregnant now, but the fetus is still unstable. I don’t feel safe having her out and about. Let’s wait until she gives birth. I’ll make sure to introduce her to you then.”
“Sure.”
With that, the matter was resolved. Initially, she thought her parents would be against her opening her own restaurant. She even thought of several ways to convince them before she came. She was going to give some examples if her parents still disagreed. However, she did not expect it to go so smoothly.
…
There were many things to prepare before opening a shop. Once Yan finished discussing her plan with her parents, she started looking around at different locations nearby. But after a day or two, she was still unable to find an appropriate location.
Alas, Luo Huimei said to her, “I ran into a few friends at the park this morning. When I brought this up to them, they happened to have some information. They said that there was an ideal place for us at South Intersection and told us to go have a look when we have the time.”
“South Intersection?” Yan crinkled her nose. She wanted to buy her own place so she did not have to worry about paying rent every year. Moreover, she would be able to live on the second floor of the building.
With the money she had, she would be able to purchase a medium-sized building. She did not want a place that was too shabby but she could not afford a more expensive place either. However, she was hesitant about South Intersection. After all, she knew that area well. South Intersection is the busiest commercial area, and there are already many food and beverage outlets there. Most of the shop owners will not sell their buildings but will either rent or sublet them out. Small shop with high rent, and not to mention more competition.
“What are you thinking about?” Luo Huimei looked at Yan frozen in her spot. “I’ve already asked them. The competition there is high, but where there is competition there is business. Besides, your cooking skills are so good. What’s there to be scared of?”
“But, Mom…”
“There’s a common saying that the truth fears not the flames of slander and injustice. Don’t tell me you are not confident with your cooking skills?”
Yan rolled her eyes. How was she not confident with her cooking? High rent and competition weren’t too big a deal, but she would have to be very busy every day just to run her business. Furthermore, if she had to compete with other restaurants, she had to buy more ingredients and tweak her prices. That means more work and less money.
If she chose a quieter location, she would be less busy but also earn a lot less. That weighed down on Yan. She did not want a commercial area. She just wanted to open a small restaurant and be able to financially support her parents and herself. She did not want to become rich either.
On the other hand, Luo Huimei did not seem to understand her true intentions. Upon seeing Yan standing there with a blank look on her face, Luo Huimei grabbed her arm. “Since it’s not noon yet, let’s quickly go over there and take a look. If that place looks decent, your father and I can help you with the financial aspect of it.”
Before Yan could say anything, Luo Huimei simply dragged her away.
…
Time went by quickly. Matters at Han Muzi’s company were mostly settled. Ye Moxuan had worried that it would be too much of a burden on her, so he had Xiao Su hire someone to manage her company for her. That way, she could go to work if she pleased, or she could stay home and rest otherwise.
Han Muzi did not have any objections either. She knew that her current pregnancy was unstable due to the number of problems and shock she encountered since conceiving. After listening to her doctor’s advice, she also felt that if she should have a safe pregnancy, she would naturally want a safe pregnancy. Other than a few occasions, she had to do most things herself. She did not know what was happening with Ye Moxuan, but she wanted to bring Little Bean back to her side as soon as possible. However, she would never make known such selfish thoughts.
Ever since they came back to the country, both of them have been mentally and physically exhausted with their companies. Nonetheless, Ye Moxuan had helped her settle her company matters. He never said anything to her, but his attempts to regain his memories were incredibly damaging to both his mind and body.
At this time, Han Muzi could not find it in her to bring up Little Bean and Old Master Yuchi to him. She would video call Little Bean from time to time when she was at home.
“Mommy, Mommy. When will bad Daddy come get me and Great-Grandfather?” Little Bean would ask her eagerly on their WeChat video call on days like that.
Han Muzi found it hard to look at her son’s eager gaze, and could only gently tell him, “Hang in there a bit longer, Little Bean. Once everything is settled here, we will go get you and your great-grandfather, okay?”
Little Bean was going to press on further, but he saw the anxious look in her eyes. He swallowed the words in his mouth. “Okay. I’m not in a rush to go home anyway. Being overseas is fun; Great-Grandfather takes me to a lot of places every day. Make sure to let me know before you come and pick me up, okay, Mommy? I want to visit a few more places while I’m here,” he said with full of excitement. His eyes lit up and he looked like he was really happy.
She was not able to tell whether he was actually happy or not. Children probably did not think that much. Or perhaps, he enjoyed living overseas?
“Little Bean, just tell me if you’re having a hard time. I’ll think of a way for you. I want you to be more dependent on me. You don’t have to be so strong, okay?” As she said that, she gently pinched his cheek on the screen. However, Little Bean did not feel any of that.
“I’m not having a hard time, Mommy. You, Great-Grandfather, and Daddy are all the same. Besides, I can be by your side again very soon, Mommy.”
He was still a child, after all. After she said those things to him, he felt a tingly sensation in his nose and looked like something had got in his eyes. Just then, someone called for him from outside. Little Bean took the opportunity and said, “Mommy, I think Great-Grandfather wants to take me out again. I’m going to go now. I’ll send you a picture when I come back later tonight.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
Then, the video call ended. The small boy sat on the sofa in that big room and stared at the phone without saying a word. After a while, he folded his small body into a ball and buried his head in his knees for the first time.
When Han Muzi said those things earlier, he felt a heart-wrenching pain in his chest that made him want to cry. But he held back. Mommy had a hard time raising me by herself. But, she never mentioned it and never got mad at me because of her hardships.
