Chapter Eighteen: The First Signs of Crisis

The surrounding villagers gradually dispersed, leaving only Sister-in-law Du Yu rushing forward. She couldn’t drive a van nor handle heavy work, and she was unwilling to do night shifts as Ma Yue had suggested. Naturally, she wasn’t chosen.

“Du Yu! Du Yu! You heartless wretch! Don’t leave yet! Is this because you’re holding a grudge and told the boss in advance not to let me go? We’re family!” Sister-in-law shouted hysterically, pounding on the car window.

Du Yu chuckled inwardly. Playing the shrew, cursing in the streets—does she really think this will ruin my reputation?

Ma Yue hesitated, recognizing her as Du Yu’s sister-in-law. She glanced at Du Yu, who gave her a subtle nod. Understood. This is my expertise!

“Hello, Sister-in-law Du Yu! May I ask if you can drive a van?”

“No, but—”

“Can you help move things inside the shop?”

“No, that’s not work for a woman…”

“Can you help watch the shop day and night?”

“No, I don’t—”

“Then what do you want me to do? Worship me like a deity in the shop? Offering incense to keep me safe? What use is paying you a salary?”

In ancient times, there was the “ask three questions and know nothing” saying; today, there’s the “asked three questions, can’t do any” syndrome.

Ma Yue was amused and, having no family ties with Sister-in-law, boldly confronted her after getting Du Yu’s approval.

“I don’t care. Du Yu is my brother. As his sister-in-law, am I not entitled to any work? Du Yu, here’s an opportunity: let’s not split the family anymore. Whatever comes up, you have to think of us.”

Ma Yue caught on—due to some reason, they had separated their family before.

Du Yu felt his brain capacity hit its limit. How does being my sister-in-law have anything to do with whether there’s work for you or not?

Sure, helping family is normal and understandable. But didn’t you yourself suggest splitting the family? Now you’re playing the “most favored nation” card like some diplomatic nonsense?

Your family split is quite something—help when needed, but throw away when not?

Even the mean value theorem isn’t as skilled in dividing as you are.

Du Yu almost spat blood, but he restrained the urge to retort sharply; after all, he was a man of character.

“Look, sister-in-law, Du Yu can’t make these appointments on his own. Besides, you’re already separated from us; I don’t need a stranger. Any problems? If not, we’re leaving now.”

Ma Yue cut her off mercilessly, rolled up the window, started the engine, and drove off, leaving Sister-in-law behind, being pointed at and whispered about by villagers.

What a joke—Du Yu is their benefactor; who would blame him?

Sister-in-law’s face flushed with shame as she bowed her head and slinked away.

Du Yu sat quietly in the passenger seat, thinking: why does she always make her entrances and exits the same way? So boring.

The three of them, familiar with the route, arrived in town. The shop was already tidied up neatly. Ma Yue’s efficiency impressed Du Yu once again. By afternoon, the villagers could start working.

“Du Yu… Brother Yu, here’s the van rental contract. Please check if there’s any problem.”

At this time, contract awareness wasn’t widespread, but under Du Yu’s insistence, Ma Yue had signed one with the other party.

In terms of the previous life’s terminology, this was called prudence.

“Hmm, the contract looks fine. Thank you for your hard work, Miss Ma!”

Du Yu signed his name and praised Ma Yue.

“Well… you… uh… Brother Yu, just call me Xiao Yue—that’s what my family calls me,” Ma Yue said shyly, her earlier strong-woman demeanor gone, replaced by the charm of a girl next door.

Sharp-nosed Wang Xiaowei immediately widened his eyes and quietly watched the two.

He was craving a strong Americano.

“Ah, sure, I’ll call you Xiao Yue from now on, heh heh,” Du Yu said cheerfully.

True to Sigma.

Ma Yue blushed, muttered something softly, then turned to take the contract away, having other matters to attend to.

After lunch, Du Yu planned to visit Old Shi’s home, but since the shop was large, it couldn’t be left unattended. So, Du Yu asked Wang Xiaowei to stay and watch the shop, also to test the young man’s patience.

Carrying two East Star groupers, and with the rented van yet to arrive, Du Yu simply walked to Old Shi’s house.

In his previous life, Du Yu was accustomed to morning runs, so the distance was nothing to him.

Politely knocking on Old Shi’s door, Du Yu’s arrival surprised him. After sitting in the living room, Du Yu spoke first.

“Old Shi, I’ve come to invite you to tomorrow’s shop opening. I wouldn’t have come this far without your help. I’m truly grateful.”

Du Yu’s tone was sincere, every word brimming with earnestness.

“Also, here are two East Star groupers as a small token. Please do accept them.”

Old Shi’s expression stiffened—this boy was quite generous!

Currently, East Star groupers were extremely rare deep-sea fish, their value obvious. Yet Du Yu gifted two at once!

“Ho ho ho, I won’t refuse. Xiao Yu, I accept your kindness! Rest assured, I will definitely attend tomorrow!”

Old Shi accepted Du Yu’s gesture heartily.

The old and young chatted about the shop’s recent progress in the living room.

Suddenly, Du Yu’s phone rang. He signaled an apology to Old Shi and answered.

It was Wang Xiaowei.

“Brother Yu, bad news! Someone’s causing trouble at the shop, demanding protection money and threatening to smash things inside!”

Wang Xiaowei’s tone was urgent.

“Xiaowei, don’t confront them head-on. Your safety comes first. I’m on my way!”

Du Yu remained calm.

He didn’t hide the phone call from Old Shi, who overheard the gist.

“Let’s go, Xiao Yu. I’ll come with you to check on the shop’s condition and find out how much protection money they want.”

Old Shi spoke slowly, but the coldness in his voice was unmistakable.

By the time Du Yu and Old Shi arrived, Ma Yue had coincidentally finished her errands and returned to the shop.

Inside, the scene was chaotic. Several water tanks were smashed, water flooding the floor. Many mantis shrimps and small yellow croakers lay on the ground, their gills fluttering weakly, nearly lifeless.

The three bowed their heads in silent mourning at the devastation.

Nearby, spectators whispered among themselves.

“So this young man is the shop manager? Oh dear, who pissed off Boss Wang’s men? This is trouble.”

“Boss Wang is notorious for being ruthless…”

“Maybe it’s because he knows someone important; otherwise, he’d be nothing.”

“Hey, be careful, they might hear you…”

The murmurs lingered as the scene settled.