33: Chapter 33 The Shop Managers' Stories (Part 12): Lisa's Daughter
Lisa's daughter had finally arrived.
On the first day of summer vacation, a nineteen-year-old girl with a ponytail stood at the entrance of the Orange County Store, wearing a backpack and clutching a piece of paper in her hand.
On the paper was the address written by Lin Feng.
Her name was Lily—not the Lily who painted, but another Lily, Lisa's daughter.
She stood at the entrance for a long time without going in.
Tommy saw her first.
He was working at the register, and when he looked up, he saw a girl standing at the entrance, staring blankly at the sign.
He wheeled his wheelchair over and asked, "Hello, would you like to eat some fried chicken?"
Lily shook her head and said softly, "I'm looking for my mom."
Tommy froze, "Who is your mom?"
Lily pointed inside the store, "Lisa."
Tommy's eyes widened instantly.
"You're Lisa's daughter?!"
— — —
Lisa was in the kitchen discussing a new sauce recipe with Mike when she suddenly heard a commotion outside.
She poked her head out and saw Tommy pushing his wheelchair, bringing a girl over.
She had been looking at those eyes and brows for nineteen years.
The bowl of sauce in her hand almost fell.
"Lily..."
Lily stood in front of her, looking a bit awkward.
"Mom."
Lisa was stunned for three seconds.
Then she rushed over and pulled her daughter into a hug.
She hugged her very tightly.
Lily was hugged so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn't struggle.
Everyone in the store stopped what they were doing and watched this scene.
Sofia's eyes turned red.
Mike had a smile on his lips.
Lao Zhang kept his head down, not knowing what he was thinking.
Lao Zhangs son whispered, "Dad, why are you crying?"
Lao Zhang ignored him.
Tommy was grinning like a fool on the side.
— — — — — —
Lisa pulled Lily to sit in a corner, holding her hand the entire time without letting go.
"Why did you come? Didn't you say you weren't coming back for summer vacation?"
Lily lowered her head and whispered, "Uncle Lin bought me the plane ticket."
Lisa froze.
Lily continued, "He said you must miss me. He wanted me to come and see you."
Lisa was silent for three seconds.
Then she turned her head to look at the entrance—
Lin Feng had arrived at some point and was squatting there, chewing on a straw, pretending to scroll through his phone.
Lisa stood up, walked over, and stood in front of him.
Lin Feng looked up at her, feigning innocence, "What?"
Lisa stared at him for three seconds.
Then she crouched down next to him.
"Lin Feng."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"
Lisa said, "Thank you."
Lin Feng paused for a moment, then laughed,
"What are you thanking me for? Your daughter wasn't born to me."
Lisa couldn't hold it back and smiled.
It was the kind of smile that welled up from the bottom of her eyes.
— — — — — — — — —
Lily stayed at the store for a week.
On the first day, she helped Sofia serve plates.
On the second day, she helped Mike wash pots.
On the third day, she helped Lao Zhang mop the floor.
On the fourth day, she helped Tommy at the register.
On the fifth day, she sat in a corner, watching her mother fry chicken, watching for an entire afternoon.
Lisa asked her, "What are you looking at?"
Lily thought for a moment and said earnestly,
"Looking at you."
Lisa paused.
Lily continued, "I used to think you were annoying. Always calling, always asking this and that. Now seeing you here..."
She paused,
"I think I understand now."
Lisa didn't speak.
Lily reached out and held her hand,
"Mom, you've worked hard."
Lisa's eyes turned red.
But she was smiling.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
On the day Lily left, everyone in the store came out to see her off.
Lisa stood at the very front, her eyes red, but she kept smiling.
Lily hugged her and whispered, "Mom, I'll come back during winter break."
Lisa nodded, "Okay."
Lily hugged Sofia, hugged Tommy, hugged Mike, and hugged Lao Zhang.
When Lao Zhang was hugged by her, he stiffened up completely.
Lily let go of him and said with a smile, "Grandpa Zhang, my mom says you are the best person here."
Lao Zhang paused.
Then he lowered his head and continued mopping.
But there was a water stain where the mop passed.
It was unclear if it was water or something else.
— — —
Before getting in the car, Lily looked back.
Lin Feng had arrived at some point and was squatting at the entrance, chewing on a straw, watching her.
Lily ran over and crouched down next to him.
"Uncle Lin."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, "Call me brother."
Lily smiled, "Brother."
Lin Feng nodded.
Lily was silent for a second, then said,
"Thank you for letting me come."
Lin Feng shook his head, "Don't thank me. It was your mom who wanted you to come."
Lily paused.
Lin Feng continued, "I bought the ticket, she didn't know. But she hoped every day that you would come. I just turned her hope into reality."
Lily stared at him for three seconds.
Then she stood up and gave him a hug.
It was very light and very short.
Lin Feng froze.
Lily let go of him and said with a smile,
"Brother, you're a good person."
She turned and got into the car, leaving.
Lin Feng squatted there, stunned for a long time.
Then, he smiled.
[End of Chapter 33]