Chapter 342: "How can you help me?
Chapter 342: Chapter 342: "How can you help me?
"My younger sister has been frail and sickly since she was a child. She caught a cold this time because the window in our room is broken. The wind blew in constantly, our blanket wasn’t thick enough, and after two straight nights of it, she got sick."
"I give my entire salary to our parents, so I have to ask them for money to buy medicine. They refused, saying my older brother is looking for a wife and they need to save up for the bride price."
"I begged them several times, but they wouldn’t budge. They said it’s not the first time my sister has been sick, and she could just tough it out and get better on her own. They said there was no need to waste money on medicine."
"In a fit of anger, I said some things I shouldn’t have. My brother has a fiery temper and kicked me and my sister out..."
Shen Lu listened quietly and then asked, "What do you want to do?"
’I can help, but I only help people who need it.’
’If Deng Ying doesn’t need it, I can’t be bothered to get too involved.’
"Of course she should take her sister and escape that hellish home!" Sang Yue came out of the room, her face full of indignation. "Deng Ying, sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop."
Deng Ying looked displeased. Like most young women, she valued her pride. She rarely talked about her family with colleagues precisely because she didn’t want them to know.
It wasn’t that she felt her family was something to be ashamed of, but rather that she didn’t want others to pity her.
Shen Lu put a hand to her forehead. ’I miscalculated. I forgot we have Sang Yue, the girl with a massive savior complex, in the shop.’
’I should have taken Deng Ying to the second floor.’
"Miss Sang, weren’t you going to take a nap?" Shen Lu changed the subject.
"I was on my way to the restroom and accidentally overheard your conversation."
"Then I won’t keep you from the restroom." Shen Lu gave Deng Ying a look, signaling for her to follow.
Seeing the two of them get up to leave, Sang Yue took two steps after them. "I can help."
"Miss Sang." Shen Lu stopped, exasperated. "Sometimes, being overly enthusiastic isn’t a good thing, don’t you think?"
"I just want to help them," Sang Yue said sincerely.
Shen Lu looked at Deng Ying. "And what do you think?"
Deng Ying pursed her lips. "Miss Sang, I’d like to speak with my boss alone."
In other words, she was politely refusing Sang Yue.
Sang Yue looked reluctant to accept this, but on second thought, she realized Deng Ying had only known her for a few days. Of course she would trust Shen Lu, whom she’d known longer.
’Sigh. I don’t have any ill intentions. I just really want to help this poor pair of sisters.’
Shen Lu led Deng Ying up to the second floor. After opening the door with a facial scan, she sat down on the living room sofa.
It was Deng Ying’s first time on the second floor. She and the others had privately discussed what they thought Shen Lu’s living quarters would be like.
Xin Yu had said that since the boss was a young woman, her room must be all pink and incredibly cute.
She hadn’t agreed. Shen Lu’s usual clothes and style were very ordinary; she never deliberately tried to be cute. Deng Ying had figured Shen Lu’s room would be more of the understated, luxurious, and sophisticated type.
But seeing it for herself today, she realized it was very simple, yet cozy. It was the kind of comfortable that made you relax the moment you walked in the door.
Shen Lu poured Deng Ying a glass of water. "Your sister is awake now. I’m sure you have some ideas."
Deng Ying nodded. "I have a few. Boss, can I bring my sister to live in the dormitory? I can pay for her room and board."
"Are you planning to leave your family for good, or just avoid them temporarily and put some distance between you?"
Deng Ying was a little lost. "I haven’t thought that far ahead."
Her thoughts were simple. Her sister liked it here, and so did she. Neither of them wanted to go home; they wanted to stay at the shop.
"You should think about it carefully," Shen Lu said in a serious tone. "Besides, will your family agree to it?"
In families that favor sons over daughters, they not only pour all their resources and love into the son, but they will even sacrifice the daughter to provide for the son.
It wasn’t hard to see that this was exactly what Deng Ying’s parents thought and did.
’Rather than being a temporary safe harbor for the sisters, I prefer a once-and-for-all solution.’
’I really don’t want the Deng Family showing up at my shop and causing a scene after a while. It’s not that I can’t handle it, it’s just a hassle.’
"Also, you’re an adult and can control your own emotions, but what about your sister? A child’s need for their parents is far greater than you imagine. Think about when you were little. No matter how your parents treated you, didn’t you still hope they would pay a little more attention to you?"
Deng Ying’s expression grew even more bleak.
’That’s right. My sister is very dependent on our mom.’
’Right now, she’s only willing to stay here because it’s new and exciting. After a few days, she’s sure to miss Mom.’
"You two can stay here for now. Once the weather gets better and your sister has recovered, it won’t be too late to go back. You don’t need to pay; we’ll just count it against your overtime pay."
Deng Ying nodded and returned to the dormitory, looking dispirited.
Sang Yue was waiting for her in the living room. As soon as she saw Deng Ying, she enthusiastically grabbed her.
"Deng Ying, I want to talk to you."
But Deng Ying was in no mood to chat with her.
"Sorry, I’m a little tired. I want to get some sleep."
"It won’t take long, just a few minutes."
Deng Ying hesitated for a moment, and Sang Yue seized the opportunity to pull her down to sit.
"I heard everything just now. So, what are you thinking?"
"Probably just stay here for a while, and then take my sister back home."
"What? Go back? How can you go back?" Sang Yue grew anxious. "Your parents don’t love you or your sister at all! If you go back, you’ll just be a blood bag for your brother!"
It’s not that Deng Ying didn’t know this, but such things were all too common. It wasn’t just her; every household in the tenement building where she lived was like this.
If she hadn’t been holding on, stubbornly refusing to bow her head, she would have already been married off by now to get bride price money for her brother.
That’s why Deng Ying also felt she was a bit luckier than other girls. The older girl upstairs had entertained the same thoughts, but unlike Father Deng and Mrs. Deng, her parents hadn’t given her a chance and had simply forced her into marriage.
"Thank you for your concern. I’m going to get some rest now."
"Deng Ying, listen to me." Sang Yue looked at Deng Ying with the pained expression of someone watching a young girl go astray. "Everyone is equal. No one is obligated to sacrifice themselves for anyone else. If you need help, you can come to me. I will help you."
Deng Ying’s brow furrowed slightly. She asked in confusion, "How can you help me?"
’Aren’t we both just people working at the shop?’
’She really didn’t understand why Sang Yue always acted like some kind of savior.’
Sang Yue was momentarily speechless. It seemed she really didn’t have any ability to help Deng Ying right now.
’But just because I can’t now doesn’t mean I won’t be able to in the future. I believe I’ll eventually make a name for myself in this Otherworld and continue my charity work, just like before.’
"I can’t help much right now, but give me some time, and I will be able to help you."
Sang Yue swore she wasn’t just making empty promises. Although she already knew there were Superpower Users in this world, people like her who had a personal space and a large amount of supplies must be rare.
The technology here was advanced, but resources were scarce. As long as she found a good entry point, she was absolutely certain she could become one of the elite in the shortest amount of time.