Bastard 05

"But..." Fang Wanyun hesitated.

Fang Zhiyi knew her personality well. "Second sister, you saw it yourself today. I'm not just making this up." Saying that, he grabbed the money from the table and pushed it toward Fang Wanyun. "From now on, I'll give you a monthly salary, even more than this!"

Fang Wanyun looked at Fang Zhiyi’s face, and after a moment, she nodded.

Old Fang slammed his palm on the table, startling everyone.

"Old man, what are you doing?" asked Fang's Mother.

Old Fang chuckled, "I think it’s good. This way, it really feels like a family."

"Sis-in-law, what do you think? You can try it first," Fang Zhiyi said, looking at Li Cuixia.

Li Cuixia curled her lips, "How can you be so sure those things will keep selling well?"

Why? Of course, because there’s no concept of copyright right now! Fang Zhiyi thought to himself, but said aloud, "Don’t worry, it’ll definitely make money in the short term. As for the long term, just watch me!"

He knew his words didn’t carry much weight at the moment. After cursing the original owner inwardly a few times, he continued, "Don’t worry, from now on, Mom will handle the accounts and money. If I mess around with it, you can chop off my hands!"

Since he had said it this clearly, everyone finally gave in.

Next, Fang Zhiyi drew new designs for his sister and sister-in-law to study together. Fang’s Mother also leaned over to watch. Old Fang took a puff of his cigarette and glanced at his eldest son. "The two of us feel like outsiders."

Fang Dingbang still wore a serious expression. "Dad, is it really true that the third brother won’t..."

Old Fang took a deep drag and sighed heavily, "Let’s hope so."

With help, the next day the stall had many more styles—little bears, big-eared mice, snowmen—all kinds of shapes. Fang Wanyun stood there, sporting dark circles under her eyes. After personally stepping up yesterday, she wasn’t so nervous today.

There were still a few plants to warm up the crowd, and soon people started to come over.

"This is so cute! What is this, big sister?"

"Why does the mouse have such big ears? But it’s interesting."

"This bear is nice. My daughter should like it."

"Big sister, you’re back again? The things I bought yesterday were snatched up by my coworkers. I want to buy some more!"

Fang Wanyun got busy, and Fang Zhiyi felt much more relaxed, just standing there like a commander.

It wasn’t until noon that Fang Wanyun handed over the work to Fang Zhiyi. "I have to quit my job. Little brother, watch over things. I’ll be back soon."

Fang Zhiyi nodded, watching his second sister hurry away, smiling to himself, then turned to see his mother.

Fang’s Mother came over carrying two bowls.

"Where’s your sister? I wanted to bring you two some food."

Fang Zhiyi reached out to take the bowls. "She went to quit."

Fang’s Mother paused, murmuring, "Quit? Quit... Just eat first, eat!"

Fang Zhiyi lifted his bowl and suddenly glanced at a few ruffians nearby, smiling, "Hey, you guys, come over here!"

Led by Little Shanzi, the group hesitated but then walked over.

Fang Zhiyi introduced them to his mother, "These are our workers here."

"Workers?" Fang’s Mother simplified the term.

"Yes, yes." Fang Zhiyi glanced at the bowl in his hand. The food was from yesterday, but Fang's Mother, worried he might go hungry, had piled the rice high. "Eat it all!"

"Brother Fang, maybe that’s not right..." A few people were eyeing the bowl hungrily, but they still remembered who was the boss.

"Eat!" Fang Zhiyi commanded.

Fang's Mother sounded a bit annoyed. "If you’d said there were this many of you earlier, I would’ve brought a basket. Wait here, I’ll go back and get more."

"Mom, don’t bother. This is enough."

"Enough? You’re all big, strong young men—how could that be enough?" The old lady turned and walked off, muttering to herself.

Fang Zhiyi watched her retreating figure, then checked in with the original owner of the place.

"Little Hei, where’s that guy now?"

"Huh? He’s eaten."

"You..."

"It upset his stomach."

Fang Wanyun still hadn’t come back. Fortunately, business was good today, and after Fang's Mother returned the second time to help out, the old lady was still quick on her feet and sharp in her mind.

But even after everything was sold, Fang Wanyun hadn’t returned. Fang Zhiyi thought it over carefully, then gathered a few followers and left. Fang's Mother looked puzzled as they went, "Don’t cause trouble, okay?"

Fang Zhiyi reassured her, "Mom, don’t worry. I’m going to pick up my second sister. You wait here a bit; I’ll be back soon!"

Fang's Mother kept nagging, afraid her youngest son would stir up trouble again.

"What a joke! You say you’re not working? With so much to do, you expect me to do it all?" A man with a horse-shaped face scolded, hands on his hips.

Fang Wanyun sat at her workstation, head down, fiddling with some loose threads.

"Besides, everyone knows your family’s situation. Your brother’s drowning in debt. If you don’t work, how are you going to pay it off?" He exchanged a knowing look with a female worker nearby.

Fang Wanyun wanted to retort but was tongue-tied, unable to say a word.

"Could it be you’re getting married?" Horse-Face Man suddenly realized. "I heard it’s the trend now to trade daughters for bride prices. Your parents must’ve arranged some old geezer for you, huh?"

Fang Wanyun’s face flushed all the way to her ears.

Horse-Face Man chuckled darkly and reached out to touch Fang Wanyun’s face.

"How about I take one for the team and come propose to your family? That way, you can get rid of your useless little brother..."

Before he could finish, his hand was grabbed tightly.

Horse-Face Man looked up in surprise, only to see a stranger’s face.

"Who are you? Don’t you know this place isn’t open to just anyone?"

"The walls are thin, and the mischief is thick," Fang Zhiyi sneered. "I just heard what you said."

"What I said is none of your business. Let go!" Horse-Face Man struggled but couldn’t break free.

Fang Zhiyi grinned, baring his teeth. "I heard you insult me."

"Huh?"

A sharp slap echoed through the air.

Horse-Face Man’s vision blurred, seeing double.

"You!"

Another slap followed.

"My name is Fang Zhiyi!" Fang Zhiyi held him firmly with one hand and pointed at the surrounding workers with the other. "I’m sure you’ve all heard my name! Nothing else matters—just one worthless life! Anyone who bullies my sister, I’ll kill them!"

No one dared to meet his gaze. They had only heard of Fang Zhiyi’s name before but had never seen him in person. They didn’t expect him to be even more despicable than the rumors suggested!

“Who are you? Let go!” someone shouted.

Fang Zhiyi turned and saw a middle-aged man with a stern expression.

“Are you the Factory Director here?”

The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, that’s me. Let him go. If there’s something wrong, just say it.”

Fang Zhiyi shoved away Horse-Face Man. “My sister wants to quit, but this guy refuses to let her. Not only that, he’s making her work extra hours. Oh, and when I first got here, I even heard him cursing at me.”

“He even tried to molest Sister Fang!” Little Shanzi suddenly blurted out.