Chapter 24 Business Plans
+8 Pearls
Maggie’s frustration flared up instantly. “If he could make it into the city’s top school, then maybe we could talk, but he can’t, can he? So, what right does he have to ask for any of this?”
Wendy stayed silent, feeling a twinge of unease inside. She was complicit in this, too.
“He’s probably run off to see those useless friends of his in the suburbs! I told you he’d get in touch with them!” Maggie snapped, her anger now directed at David. “David, if you don’t step up and discipline your son, he’s going to be a complete mess!”
David’s expression turned icy as he replied, “When he gets back, lock him up for a few days to teach him a lesson! This disobedient kid is out of control!”
Wendy couldn’t sit still any longer. A tightness crept up in her chest as she rose from her seat and hurried
back to her room.
She would have to wait three more days before they could figure out where Joshua had gone. At least, for now, she was somewhat reassured, knowing he was likely safe.
Outside, the storm raged on, halting the police’s progress.
Wendy had no time to head into the office or get her phone fixed. She was stuck at home, waiting.
Now that they knew Joshua wasn’t in immediate danger, the household felt a lot more at ease.
Maggie even asked their housekeeper, Mrs. Locker, to whip up some snacks. Everyone settled into the living room, nibbling on treats and watching TV, as though everything was fine.
Meanwhile, Joshua was balancing taking care of the live crabs and shrimp, all while staying on top of his homework.
Time moved swiftly, and before anyone realized it, two days had already passed.
Thanks to Joshua’s careful attention over the past two days, only a couple of his crabs and shrimp had died.
As he glanced at his phone, a news report caught his eye. The storm had wreaked havoc on the coastal fish and shrimp farms, with estimated damages running into billions.
Joshua’s heart raced–this was his moment.
Unable to sit still, he grabbed his jacket and, braving the fierce winds, made his way to the seafood market to check on the prices of live crabs and shrimp.
The storm had subsided, and people were starting to venture outside again. Fallen trees lined the streets, a testament to the chaos left behind.
When Joshua arrived at the market, he was thrilled to see familiar faces.
“Joshua!”
7:17 pm 21.
Chapter 24 Business Plans
“Hey, Joshua!”
He turned and spotted Gwen, Tom, and Edith waving at him.
+8. Pear
Gwen was tall with a simple ponytail and a face.dotted with acne. It gave her a plain look despite her pretty features.
Edith, shorter and delicate, had a baby face and was also dressed simply. They all shared the same humble upbringing.
Tom, on the other hand, had a sunny demeanor, with dark skin and a certain charm to his smile.
It looked like they had already done their rounds at the market, buzzing with excitement.
“I checked, and the prices have skyrocketed!”
“Yeah, they’ve more than doubled! From twenty to forty–three for 500 grams!”
“Fishing boats were wrecked, and shrimp ponds wiped out. We’re in for some serious profit.”
The group looked at Joshua, their excitement contagious.
Joshua grinned, feeling utterly happy. “Alright, let’s get our stalls set up! Each of us will take a different market. Gwen, you handle Surwich Market, Tom, you go to Bienvon Market, and Edith, you take Chenes Market. Let’s move fast and sell all our live shrimp and crabs while the prices are hot!”
“Got it!”
Their years growing up as orphans had toughened them, turning them into seasoned street–sman traders. Doing business like this was second nature to them.
Without wasting time, they dispersed to sell the live seafood.
They didn’t have official stalls, but that didn’t stop them from selling just outside the market.
Sure, they would get chased off now and then, but that was nothing new. They could always find another spot.
They weren’t easily deterred, having grown up with little. They were fearless and used to facing challenges
Joshua got right to work, taking out his 300 catties of live shrimp and crabs.
It was more than he could handle in one go. He wasn’t fully recovered yet and was still weak from malnutrition, but he could make multiple trips.
He didn’t expect to sell everything on the first day.
It would probably take him three or four days to move all his stock.
So, he dove into the hustle.
Meanwhile, back at home, Wendy, seeing that the storm was almost over, was starting to feel uneasy.
7:17 pm 144
Promise to Punish My Ridiculous Family
