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*****
Mike looked at the ten dollars in front of him, equal parts amused and exasperated.
Gwen was actually selling roujiamo.
Glancing sideways at her, he saw the little girl with her head down, nervously intertwining her fingers like they were trying to tie themselves in a knot. He couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
Clark looked at the two of them and couldn't hold back a chuckle. "She's got the same entrepreneurial spirit we had back in the day."
Thinking back to the time when the three brothers tried to raise money for a trip, he chuckled again—only to stop immediately when he felt a sharp gaze sweep in his direction.
Mike crossed his arms and looked at Gwen. In a low voice, he asked, "Alright, tell me what you were thinking."
Gwen looked up at Mike and, seeing that his expression remained calm, blinked a few times and carefully considered her response.
"In a way that doesn't affect my studies, everyone gets what they want. Plus, it helps expand my social circle and builds my confidence."
Clark's lips curled up again in amusement.
Well, well—this little rascal really knew how to talk. In a way that doesn't affect my studies, huh?
She'd blocked off the most obvious angle for criticism right away and then listed a bunch of benefits. Clever. But… she forgot one critical point.
Clark glanced over at his father.
"That all sounds like it's very beneficial to you," Mike muttered, stroking his chin. Gwen was already balling her fists in anticipation of approval when he suddenly changed his tone. "But why should I help you?"
Gwen pointed at the money on the table and said, "Dad, I'm paying you! We're partners—it's a business partnership!"
"Partnership?"
Mike let out a low chuckle. "I'm the one making the roujiamo. The supply chain is in my hands. You're not exactly in a position to negotiate."
Gwen froze for a moment—he was right. So she quickly said, "I'll pay more! I'll add five dollars!"
Mike shook his head.
"Ten dollars more!"
Her heart was bleeding.
"Hah!"
Mike laughed. "Looks like you're selling them at a pretty high price."
Gwen: (Д)ノ
Oops. She might've given herself away.
Mike smiled and gently patted Gwen on the head. "Alright, I'll help you."
"Yay!"
Gwen cheered out loud.
"But…"
"Eh?"
Mike raised one finger. "I'll only help you for a short while. After that, I want you to write a reflection about what you've learned. Treat this whole thing as a social practice project."
"Deal!"
Gwen slapped the table in agreement, then hesitantly added, "Dad, about the extra payment… can we just forget about that part?"
"Nope," Mike said flatly. "Twenty it is. That means every roujiamo you take from me costs you two dollars."
"Daaaad~~"
Gwen walked over and started acting cute.
Mike smiled at her and said warmly, "No is no. That's your first lesson in doing business."
"But…"
"If you say one more word, I'll raise the price."
Gwen immediately shut her mouth and grumbled, "Twenty it is, then."
Heh, even with that, she was still making a good profit.
Watching the "negotiation," Clark, who hadn't put down his chopsticks this whole time, couldn't help but smile.
So intense—anyone walking in would've thought they were discussing a major business deal.
"Ah! My steamed pork!"
As Clark popped the last piece into his mouth, Gwen, who had just picked up her chopsticks, let out a dramatic gasp. She stared at Clark, looking like she was on the verge of tears.
Clark suppressed a laugh. "Well, maybe you should've eaten faster."
"Big bro, you're so mean!"
Gwen bit down on her chopsticks, puffing up in frustration.
"Haha!"
Clark laughed happily and showed her his bowl…
It was piled high with steamed pork.
Gwen let out a cheer and moved to grab some, but Clark pulled the bowl back and tilted his head, pretending to be confused. "What was that you just said?"
"Big bro, you're my favorite!"
Clark grinned and pushed the bowl toward her. "More than Dad?"
"Yup!"
Gwen nodded without hesitation.
Mike's mouth twitched.
Wow. She sold her loyalty for a bowl of meat.
Clark handed the bowl to Gwen.
She turned and placed it in front of Mike, beaming. "Dad, have some pork!"
Clark froze for a moment. Mike was stunned, then broke into a hearty laugh.
"Heh heh!"
Gwen stuck her tongue out at Clark.
Clark helplessly nodded at Gwen, unable to hold back a laugh.
The next day, as Gwen was leaving, she grabbed the roujiamo Mike had prepared for her and headed for the door.
Mike followed her outside and saw the boy from the house across the street.
Luke greeted Mike.
"Good morning, Uncle Mike."
Mike nodded and, as Gwen walked towards Luke, suddenly said, "You were involved in this too, right?"
"Huh? That..." Luke looked away, then nodded lightly after Gwen gave him a quick nod.
"Well, after this practice project, you'll also need to write a report like Gwen for your dad."
"Ah! A report?" Luke's eyes widened as he glanced at Gwen, a pained look crossing his face. "Can I… not do it?"
"Nope!" Gwen whispered as she got close to Luke. "Don't you want to earn some pocket money and have a delicious lunch?"
She patted her backpack.
Luke mentally calculated the situation, gritted his teeth, and finally said, "Fine, I'll do it!"
Gwen happily smiled and grabbed Luke's arm, heading towards the bus stop.
Mike watched their retreating figures and shook his head with a smile. He felt the need to inform John about this.
Clark walked out of the house and looked at Mike by the door. "Dad, I'm heading out."
Today was his first day at work.
Mike nodded, handed Clark a box, and said, "Go ahead."
After that, Mike went to John's house and briefly explained what Gwen and Luke were doing. John and his wife couldn't help but laugh, praising Gwen for her quick thinking.
After chatting for a few minutes, as John was about to leave for work, Mike said his goodbyes and headed home. He had just finished cleaning up the dishes when the doorbell rang again.
Mike rubbed his head. It had been a busy morning.
He opened the door.
As expected, it was Steve and the others, along with… Maria?
Mike looked at Maria, confused. "What brings you here?"
Maria pointed to the right side of Mike's house. "I'm moving in over there starting today."
"But there's someone already living there?"
"I bought it."
Giggle.
J. Carter explained, "When she heard we were moving here, Maria bought the house overnight."
Maria smiled elegantly. "I'm going to set up the house. See you at lunch, Mike."
"Haha..."
Well, looks like there's another person mooching off the meals.
After Maria left, Mike turned to Peggy Carter. "So? What did she say?"
He had asked Peggy to ask Maria about the possibility of restoring her youth.
Peggy shook her head and sighed. "She turned it down. She said she had no regrets in this life and didn't need to live again. It's better to let things happen naturally, or else Howard will be waiting forever."
(End of Chapter)