Lan Yan clenched her fists. "Uncle, then… hire me! I can help you with anything. I'm very hardworking!"
The fishmonger didn't even look up. "No."
"No?" She deflated instantly. "Why not?"
"I don't need helpers," he said bluntly. "I barely earn enough to feed myself. If I take you in, will you eat air?"
Lan Yan opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. "…I can eat very little."
"Still no."
She sagged like a wilted cabbage. The man sighed, wiped his hands on a cloth, and jerked his chin toward the edge of the village.
"If you really need work, try the guest house by the old pier."
Lan Yan blinked. "Guest house?"
"There's a man from Yucheng City staying there," the fishmonger said. "Came last week. Says he's hiring workers for something. Pays one silver coin a day, which is more than enough for a newcomer like you."
"One silver?!" Lan Yan nearly screamed. "For one day?!"
"Don't get excited," the man said flatly. "He looks strict. And rich people from Yucheng aren't easy to please."
Still, hope lit in her eyes. "Thank you, uncle! I'll go right now—"
She turned to leave.
"Hey."
Lan Yan stopped. The fishmonger took a grilled fish from behind him and held it out—not too friendly, not too rude.
"Take it."
Lan Yan stared at the fish, touched. "You're… giving it for free?"
"Don't misunderstand," he grumbled. "It's just yesterday's leftover. Not good enough to sell."
Her heart warmed anyway. She bowed deeply. "Still… thank you."
"Go," he waved her off.