The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: I Don’t Know What to Do With You

After paying Wang Daguo, including what she owed from yesterday, Shen Lu cleaned her kitchen utensils as usual, put rice on to cook in the electric rice cooker, and then went to the bathhouse for a shower, picking up a few new sets of clothes while she was out.

Shen Lu was exceptionally careful on the way back this time, terrified of running into another mutant beast. Fortunately, nothing happened, and she made it back to her rented room safely.

Cai Su came down from upstairs and greeted Shen Lu.

"Boss Shen, I’m here."

"Come inside, let’s talk."

Shen Lu was the one who had asked her to come. Today was the final day of the three-day trial period, and tonight she had to decide whether Cai Su would stay or go.

’As for the answer, Shen Lu had already made up her mind long ago.’

Cai Su was a little uncertain. She felt that she ought to be qualified, but she couldn’t read Shen Lu’s mind and had no way of knowing if her boss was satisfied.

"Have a seat." Shen Lu had Cai Su sit on the sofa and asked about Xiao Lang. "How has your son been these past two days?"

At this, a smile appeared on Cai Su’s face. "Doctor Xiao said Xiao Lang’s condition is improving."

She had noticed a clear difference herself. Xiao Lang’s complexion wasn’t as pale as before, and he sometimes reacted to the sound of her voice.

"Can he be cured?"

"Doctor Xiao said she’s not entirely sure. It would be best to take him to a hospital for a proper examination." Cai Su wrung her hands, looking distressed. "Also... the money for his treatment is almost gone."

One day of IV drips cost nearly 500 Star Coins. Xiao Lang had been on them for three days, and of the 2,000 Star Coins Shen Lu had given her, only enough for one more day remained.

At this, Shen Lu also fell silent.

Based on the average wage here, the most she could pay Cai Su was 80 Star Coins a day, but her son’s daily expenses were almost 500 Star Coins. The difference was just too great.

To make matters worse, Xiao Lang’s condition couldn’t be cured just by IV drips from the clinic. He needed to go to a major hospital for injections of a reinforced nutritional supplement.

’One hundred thousand Star Coins a shot, and three shots would be three hundred thousand. I can’t just work for nothing and give everything to Cai Su to save her son, can I?’

"I can’t keep lending you large sums of money." Shen Lu felt it was better to make some things clear in advance, to avoid a situation where a little help earns gratitude but a lot of help earns resentment.

’Getting stabbed in the back by someone I’ve helped would be truly infuriating.’

"I know, Boss Shen. I’m already so grateful for the help you’ve given me," Cai Su explained hurriedly. "I didn’t bring this up because I want to borrow more money from you."

"Sister Cai, let’s talk about your position here. I’ve been watching your performance these past three days, and you’ve done a great job. I’d welcome you to continue working at my shop. What do you think?"

"Really?" Cai Su’s anxious heart finally settled. "I... Thank you, Boss Shen. I’d love to. It’s just, I have a small request..."

"Let’s hear it."

"Could I possibly get an advance on one month’s salary?" Cai Su asked with great difficulty. "I want to keep Xiao Lang on the IV drips for a few more days."

’She said she didn’t want to borrow money, but then she asks for an advance. Isn’t that just borrowing money in a different guise?’

Cai Su knew how shameless this was, but she really, desperately wanted her son to live.

Shen Lu didn’t agree immediately. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to give it to her, but she didn’t want Cai Su to think she was a soft touch and too easygoing.

"Are you sure you’ve thought this through? If you take this advance, you’ll be working for me for two months without pay, and I’ll be charging you interest on top of that."

"I’ve thought it through, Boss Shen. I’ll work hard."

"Alright. I’ll go with you to the clinic tomorrow."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Boss Shen." Cai Su was so happy she didn’t know what to do. "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"You’ve already done a lot."

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