The two of them sprinted the whole way, running two full streets before the cart finally found a safe spot to stop, just before they ran out of strength.
The old man got off and went back to grilling squid, while Ye Xunzhi plopped down on a little stool.
This kitty is dead tired. If I open my mouth, will my soul float out?
Ye Lan was panting from the run. He braced his hands on his knees. "Sir, do you put your other customers through this too?"
The old man grilled the squid with practiced ease and started chatting. "Yep, this is how it usually goes."
"How much is the fine if the urban management officers catch you?"
The old man thought for a moment. "Usually between 150 and 200 yuan."
Ye Xunzhi chimed in, "That's not much."
At those words, the whole world fell silent. Feeling that his little sister was somewhat out of touch with ordinary people's hardships, Ye Lan helplessly rubbed her head.
"You'd have to sell a lot of squid skewers to make two hundred."
Huh? Why would my second brother think that? Does he have the wrong idea about this old man?
Ye Lan: ?
Haven't you got something backward?
He had only just thought this when the old man let out a long sigh.
"It isn't much, but it still hurts to pay it. The main problem is having my electric cart impounded. I'd lose a hundred thousand yuan or so in earnings over those two weeks. I spent fifteen thousand on stock alone yesterday."
Propping up her chin, Ye Xunzhi added calmly,
"Didn't you check the bill when you paid just now, big brother? Three or four squid skewers cost fifty yuan. Running a stall is hard work, but that doesn't necessarily