Running a Food Stall to Support My Deceptive Omega - Chapter 18

A heavy thud caused everything on the small pushcart to tremble. Even the signboard hanging from the cart fell to the ground, spinning several times before settling.

Mu Jinyu took a step back, not expecting the other party to strike so suddenly.

She understood now. In reality, what they were collecting wasn’t some “cleaning fee” at all; they were simply extorting money. That was why they wouldn’t allow her to ask questions or harbor any thoughts of resistance.

Mu Jinyu’s clear, amber eyes looked at the man standing before her cart, then at the other officials standing behind him. She knew she was in no position to contend with them.

If this were a legitimate fee and they were merely being greedy by overcharging, she might have a chance to file a complaint at the yamen (government office). But since they were openly collecting protection money, even if she went to the yamen, the matter would likely be dismissed because their influence was too great. She might even end up making enemies with them, which would do more harm than good.

Mu Jinyu did not want to provoke those who held small amounts of power. Forcing a smile onto her face, she said cautiously, “I’ll give it, I’ll give it right now.”

From the drawer in her pushcart where she kept the silver, she took out a string of copper coins and handed them to the official.

Today’s earnings had been quite good. She had sold all six catties of noodles, receiving a total of five hundred and seventy wen. After deducting various costs, she would have had two hundred and twenty wen in profit. Since she had already paid for her supplies in advance, she currently had the full five hundred and seventy wen in hand.

However, after giving away these one hundred wen, she would have less money to buy fish and meat tomorrow, which meant she would earn even less. To say it didn’t hurt her heart would be a lie.

Mu Jinyu hadn’t expected this. In the books she had read, people who transmigrated always reached the pinnacle of life, yet her own transmigration was so unsmooth and miserable. What kind of mess was this?

Her heart was filled with anger, resentment, sadness, and grievance, but she could not show it. She had to keep a smile on her face.

“That’s more like it. You can’t kick against the pricks; it’s better to be honest and obedient,” the official said. He tapped the surface of the pushcart twice more with his wooden staff before taking the string of copper coins from Mu Jinyu. He then led his men away swaggeringly toward the next stall.

The next stall belonged to the pastry vendor. Before the officials could even get close, Stallholder Zhang stepped out from behind his stall with a flattering look, hurrying forward to offer the silver held in his palms. It seemed these officials had been collecting wealth like this for a long time, and the vendors had grown used to it.

Once the officials had collected from everyone and disappeared into the distance, Mu Jinyu walked over to Stallholder Zhang and asked in a low voice, “Do these officials come every month? Was it always a hundred wen before?”

Stallholder Zhang replied, “How could that be? Whenever they’re short on money, they show up. Sometimes it’s even more than a hundred wen. The night market is crowded; in their eyes, we vendors are all pieces of fat meat.”

“If I pack up and go home early, could I avoid paying them?” Yesterday, she had closed her stall very early and hadn’t encountered these officials.

Stallholder Zhang shook his head. “If they found out, your stall would be smashed!”

“Has no one ever dared to resist?”

Stallholder Zhang was startled by these words and quickly distanced himself from Mu Jinyu. “Don’t say such things, don’t say them! This is the rule. It would be the same no matter who came. If you want to keep working here, you have to do this!”

Having said that, he didn’t dare speak with Mu Jinyu any longer. He rushed back behind his stall and busied himself with packing up. Before long, he walked away carrying many large and small bundles.

Many other vendors in the night market followed suit, packing their things to head home. The once bustling and lively street instantly grew quiet, leaving only the desolate, chilly wind blowing through.

Seeing that there weren’t many people left on the street, Mu Jinyu finally released the little cat she had kept hidden under a basket. She let the cat follow at her heels as she cleaned up the bowls, chopsticks, tables, and stools.

It took her two trips to move all the small tables and stools back home. On the third trip, she gathered the pots, pans, and other utensils, finally finishing her work.

The little colorful calico cat had bright fur that was quite visible in the dark. Being so small, it was exhausted after following Mu Jinyu and jumping around for so long, so Mu Jinyu carried it home on her shoulder.

Upon arriving home, Mu Jinyu felt something was strange. Usually, Rong Heng would be the first to leave her spot by the courtyard gate to meet her, but today there was no sign of her. The entire courtyard was pitch black; she had clearly told Rong Heng she could light a lamp.

“That’s odd,” Mu Jinyu muttered as she lit a lamp. She lifted the lid of the pot and saw the food she had kept warm, completely untouched.

Normally, with Rong Heng’s large appetite, there would never be leftovers. Had she run away?

Mu Jinyu’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t tell if she was afraid or relieved, but she dashed into her room to check.

As she looked, she saw Rong Heng curled up on her bed with her eyes tightly shut and her brows slightly furrowed. Upon closer inspection, her lips were pale.

What happened?

“Rong Heng? Rong Heng?” Mu Jinyu approached her and placed a hand on her forehead.

She recoiled from the heat. Why was she suddenly so hot?

Mu Jinyu’s eyes widened, and she quickly checked Rong Heng’s wounds. She had been busy lately and could only change the bandages once a day. Could it be a fever caused by an infected wound?

But after checking, Mu Jinyu found that although the wounds were severe, there were no signs of infection. It likely wasn’t the wounds causing it.

Then why?