Chapter 16: Xuanyue
When she heard the news, Wang Yue was so happy she nearly jumped. Their family had a shop at No. 3 Middle School. Wang Ming's mother was named Zheng Yulan. Wang Ming's father had died of a cerebral hemorrhage years ago, leaving Zheng Yulan to raise her alone. Beneath the woman's gentle disposition was a measure of strength.
She kept smiling at Su Can, cheerful and outgoing. "Su Can, our Wang Yue has been talking about you for ages. A top student, the teachers' favorite! My, your mother's shop is so big. It would be wonderful to turn ours into a branch. I think your shop is beautifully decorated!"
Su Can merely smiled and carefully surveyed Wang Ming's little family shop. "I'll go buy some Coke!" Wang Ming said, running to a nearby cold-drink shop. Zheng Yulan stayed beside him. Although she had weathered countless storms by her age, she still felt somewhat ill at ease in Su Can's presence. There was something commanding about this boy, even rather overbearing, with a hint of cold aloofness that inspired a little awe.
Wang Ming's family sold a jumble of things: stationery, toys, and even snacks. Toys and snacks were piled on the steps outside. Since the entrance was not open enough to let in much light, the rear was somewhat cramped and dark. Several framed pictures hung crookedly on the interior walls. Whatever business they had depended on the location. Had they not been right by the school gates, even keeping the shop going might have been a problem.
Competition here was also fierce, so business had never been very good. Wang Ming had seen Su Can's family secure a place as a designated municipal supplier within just a few months of opening, their business flourishing. Even students