Zou Chunhong grabbed her arm and said with a bitter smile, "Wen Hui, you know what my parents are like. If I go back, they'll marry me off to any man who can afford the bride price in less than a year. I want to stay here and learn how to make pastries from your cousin. Can you please talk to your second aunt about it?"
Wu Wenhui frowned at her. "Learn from my cousin? My cousin can't afford to pay you fifty yuan a month."
Zou Chunhong said quickly, "I don't want any wages, as long as your cousin can teach me the craft." As she spoke, she grabbed her hand, pleading, "Wen Hui, I'm begging you. We grew up together. You don't want to see me end up like my sisters, married off to some old bachelor or widower, do you?"
Seeing she was on the verge of tears, Wu Wenhui hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright! I'll ask for you, but it's ultimately my second aunt's call."
