Chapter 4 — Hoa Ky in the middle of Hoe Hoa Alley

Co Y Nuong stood behind and said: "Then protect each day." 10 Cung Nhi threatened, more people came to eat wontons. Some people crave soup. There are also people who just want to see what the girl who dares to use a punctured spoon to hit Cung Nhi looks like. After having a little more money, Tue Ninh's face was the first thing to change. The baby grew from a wrinkled little monkey into a plump white lump. Every day it sits in a bamboo basket behind the counter. Whoever gave him copper money, he immediately smiled at that person. Old man
I thought she was talented. I don't believe in that, I just believe that the meat filling must be enough, the soup must not be mixed with water. Co Y Nuong seriously sewed a red bib for her. "Children must have the appearance of children." "If they don't wet themselves, they will look more like them." Tue Ninh heard me say that, so she took a raw wonton and stuffed it into her mouth. Duong Am quickly snatched it back, and the little girl cried. Co Y Nuong coaxed: "Ninh Ninh, be good." I knocked on the counter. "You can't eat even if you cry. Eating raw meat will cause a stomach ache." The girl immediately
stop crying. Uncle Dang said this child bullies the weak, fears the strong, very much like me. Life has just improved a bit, the landlord has come to increase the rent. As soon as he opened his mouth, he demanded double, saying there were too many people in front of our door, stepping on his green tiles. I asked: "Are your bricks made of tofu?" He looked cold, so we should quickly move out. Co Y Nuong did not beg him, went back to the room to take out the books. In recent days, she recorded very clearly how much flour, meat, coal and money she took in each day. "Hoe Hoa Alley
To the west of the citadel, there is an empty shop where the backyard can be lived in. The rent is three times higher, but near the old street of the sewer, the number of customers is twice as much as this place. "I looked at her. "When did you come to see?" "When I went to buy vegetables." "There's not enough money." Duong Am put down a small cloth bag. Inside was the copper money she earned from copying books and embroidering towels, holding it in her heavy hand. "Use mine first." I don't accept. She pursed her lips. "Hey girl, you can buy it." us, can't we be with you?
rent a store?" This question sounds strange but I don't know how to answer. Before the deadline, we have moved into Hoe Hoa alley. The new store has a narrow door but a large kitchen. The back yard has two rooms, and there is also a pomegranate tree that is about to die. When we hung the sign, Co Y Nuong suddenly said: "From today, the books are divided into four parts." "Which four parts?" "Capital money, household expenses, debt repayment and wages of "She also set three rules for the store: Meat left overnight cannot be sold. Beggars who come to ask for soup cannot be chased away. Female
Recently, if you need money urgently, you can use sewing in exchange for food. I find the third thing very troublesome. Co Y Nuong opened the books for me to see. "Tran gave him tangerine peels, the blacksmith sold pots, and old Tuong lent him a car. Of the favors you owed along the way, which of them could you pay with only copper coins?" I kept my mouth shut. Not long after, a few more women came to work in the back yard. Some people were kicked out by their husband's family, some people brought along their sick children. During the day they wrap wontons, at night embroider towels, and earn money
be kept by yourself. Hoa Ky initially only fed a few of us, but gradually had a few more sets of bowls and chopsticks. Around that time, there was also a crippled beggar who often sat across the street. Someone else gave us money, but he didn't accept it, just watched us tidy up the store. One time, Co Y Nuong went out to pour water. He used three coins to form the old sign of the Luc family on the ground. By the time she chased him, the person had disappeared. I laughed at her. "We're all one family, so what else do we count as wages?" She bowed her head and closed the book
again. After a while, he said: "Finally, you are willing to say that we are one family." Early that morning, in front of the door was a blue-topped car without a family logo. 11 One morning, Hoa Ky welcomed an extremely difficult guest. She was an old lady wearing a half-old brown dress, leading a quiet mother of few words. Entering the door, she used a towel to wipe the front of the chair, then asked what kind of bones the soup was made from, what day the meat was from, and even how long the green onions had to be cut. I endure this time after time
"Are you here to eat wontons or are you here to test the chef?" The old lady raised her eyes. "Your temper is not small." "The pot is even bigger. If you don't eat, don't block the door." Duong Am coughed violently behind the counter, Co Y Nuong nudged me with her elbow. The old lady was not angry. "Give me a bowl. No onions, add more vinegar." She only ate six and put down eight coins. "Three coins extra." "Reward for you." "The small shop does not accept bonuses." I chased to the door and gave the mother three coins. The old lady turned her head to look at the plate
sea. For the next few days, she came every day. The way you eat is different every day. Less salt today, tomorrow the soup will be hotter, the day after tomorrow the wonton skin will be half a portion thinner. The saddest thing is that every time she leaves two extra. Finally I asked: "Do you not like to eat?" "Like it." "If you like it, why do you still have leftovers?" "If you're old, you can't eat it all." "Then order a small bowl."