She panicked. Seeing Bo Xin only made it worse.
"Sister Bo, could you give me a few more days?"
The rent was high here, but she'd been running her shop for three years. Her regulars knew this place. Renting elsewhere was a gamble.
Bo Xin didn't answer directly. She scanned the store. "Business has been slow."
"That's true. But my clothes are of excellent quality. I really don't understand."
The owner was older and focused on honest business.
But she was also a bit out of touch with trends.
Winter had passed, and spring clothes were coming in. Bo Xin touched a coat. "Quality is our advantage, but if we learn from others' strengths too, business will pick up."
Bo Xin wasn't suggesting she change her entire inventory, but she could try modifying the designs.
"I remember you have a sewing machine."
The owner was smart and hardworking. She had run away from the countryside, supporting two younger sisters and a younger brother, and she never married because of the constant travel for goods.
She was strong and endured hardships.
When necessary, she could let go of some stubbornness. She had learned sewing from a master who was a sixth-level craftsman.
"Sister, I'll listen to you. I'll give it a try."
Bo Xin nodded. "Then I won't collect this month's rent. Sister He, you'll need time to learn."
A landlord needed to be understanding to keep tenants. It wasn't easy to find a tenant who paid on time, never argued, and promptly reported any issues.
If possible, Bo Xin wanted to maintain a good leasing relationship with Sister He.
Of course, saving a bit more money for raising the kids would be nice.
In the original novel, Bo Xin's hidden work was well done. Ji Xingzhi never knew he had a biological son in the countryside. In his eyes, he had been betrayed.
She had designed a scheme based on his background, got pregnant with his child, and married him out of convenience.
To him, it was entirely possible she had borrowed someone else's seed to have a child.
She had her own pride. When Ji Xingzhi misunderstood her, she didn't want to show weakness. More importantly, without the constraints of that background, she had her own little savings.
But compared to the original story, having two children now made things harder.
She couldn't remember when Ji Xingzhi gave in, or maybe it wasn't mentioned in the novel.
All she knew was that in the original text, they maintained their marital relationship, and after Ji Xingzhi died, the family property and company were left to Ji Yanyi.
Bo Xin paid for next month's piano lessons and looked at the remaining three thousand and fifty-six yuan.
She thought, when will Ji Xingzhi ever compromise?
He didn't help with the kids, and he wasn't even proactive about giving money?
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Yuxu's eyes locked onto Bo Xin, as if searching for any hint of reluctance.
But Bo Xin just smiled. "Nothing."
The tutor registered their names and, feeling a bit intrusive, apologized. "Is Ms. Bo Xin a single mother?"
She smiled sheepishly. "I only ever see you coming alone, so..."
Bo Xin didn't find the question offensive. "Pretty much. You're not wrong."
Both children looked at her, especially Jiang Yuxu.
The tutor exclaimed, "Then you must be really dedicated to your child's education."
Bo Xin recalled that in the past, when she was involved in Yanyi's education, no one ever said that.
She felt a flicker of novelty.
"Why do you say that?"
The tutor's eyes widened. "Ma'am, don't you know?"
Children usually can't hold back. When something exciting happens, they want to share. And something like standing up for someone and learning a piece in one class—he'd managed to keep quiet about it until now.
If their relationship weren't good, she wouldn't believe it.
That new kid's eyes were practically glued to his mom.
"It's just—your child might be a genius."
Bo Xin raised an eyebrow. She didn't plan to ask further; it would be more interesting to hear it from the kids themselves.
The tutor asked, "How do you usually nurture your children?"
Bo Xin genuinely wanted to share.
But she had nothing notable to share. Did self-learning count?
Yuxu was quiet in the countryside, but he was observant and a good listener. For an eight-year-old, he understood things more clearly than adults.
He really was a little genius.
Bo Xin started, "I..."
"She did a lot. She taught me gratitude and life skills. Most importantly, she tolerated my stubbornness and gave me a lot of freedom. Originally, our family didn't have spare money for piano lessons."
Jiang Yuxu looked down thoughtfully. "So not having a dad around isn't that big a deal, right?"
He was fed up with the subtle glances she got when she said she was a single mother.
The thermos contained warm water. Its stainless steel exterior didn't feel warm; only when he drank could he feel the heat.
And he was a bit thirsty anyway, after saying so much and feeling a little nervous.
He stopped drinking and looked at her. "Why are you staring at me?"
"I was wondering why everyone calls you a genius."
Jiang Yuxu let out an 'ah.' So that was it.
His cold fingers warmed up again.
He realized he didn't even know where to start with that story. In the end, it turned into a back-and-forth where she asked and he answered. Thirty minutes of such exchanges gave Bo Xin a clear picture.
No wonder the news about Jiang Yuxu spread so fast in one night.
A genius son?
And the envious looks she got.
These were things she never experienced while raising Yanyi. Honestly, it felt pretty good.
Bo Xin's steps faltered as she pushed her bicycle, because there was a large obstacle ahead.
He was eating spicy potato chips, looked up at her earnestly, and asked, "Mom, why are you smiling so happily?"