Chapter 378: Coming Early Can't Beat Coming at the Right Time

Seeing that Liu Chuxue was trying to turn the tables on her, the woman, the moment the bus pulled into the stop and before it had even come to a steady halt, cursed and swore as she flung herself off: "Still trying to extort me? Dream on."

Liu Chuxue got off at this stop too, a flash of mockery passing through her eyes: Looks like this woman had pulled this trick more than once or twice; if today she'd run into someone with a softer nature, they might well have let her get away with it.

Too bad she didn't check her almanac before leaving the house this morning, and ran into me.

Picking up the fish and preparing to get off, she turned and said to the ticket seller: "You were wronged in this matter today, I'm sorry."

The ticket seller evidently hadn't expected Liu Chuxue to say such things to her, and hurriedly waved her hands: "It's nothing, it's nothing; besides, that woman was the one making trouble out of nothing in the first place."

Liu Chuxue took two White Rabbit Creamy Candies from her pocket — in truth, from her spatial storage — and pressed them into the ticket seller's hand: "You got cursed at along with me, I'm really sorry; have these candies to sweet your mouth and settle your nerves."

Having said that, without waiting to hear what the ticket seller might want to say, she picked up the urea sack and got off the bus.

The ticket seller laughed: "That young lady is a considerate person."

When Liu Chuxue arrived at the hospital cafeteria carrying the fish, Chef Hao, who had been smoking outside, happened to spot her: "Oh, Miss Chuxue, what brings you here today?"

Liu Chuxue pointed at the urea sack: "I had some business in town today, so I thought I'd bring you folks some fish."

Chef Hao tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it under his foot: "You really brought them at just the right time today — there's a banquet dinner tonight, and your fish couldn't have come at a better moment."

Liu Chuxue burst out laughing at that: "What a coincidence."

Chef Hao reached out to carry the fish in for Liu Chuxue, but couldn't even lift it: "Good heavens, when did this little girl of yours get so strong?"

He had watched Liu Chuxue carry the fish in, and now he couldn't even lift it himself — he felt a bit embarrassed.

Liu Chuxue laughed: "I really am stronger than the average person."

Saying so, she picked up the urea sack of fish and walked straight into the cafeteria.

Chef Hao laughed and followed behind, calling out from a distance: "Someone come help out, Miss Chuxue is here."

Everyone hearing that understood at once what it meant.

Some, quick-eyed and quick-handed, came over to help; others had already gone to fetch the scale.

After the weighing was done, Chef Hao said to the person beside him: "Quick, go get a basin, sort the fish out, and let's see how to arrange them for tonight."

Having said that, Chef Hao went into the back room and wrote Liu Chuxue a receipt: "Go to the finance office to collect the money later."

Liu Chuxue took it with a smile: "Thanks, Uncle Hao."

Chef Hao waved his hand with a laugh: "Don't tease me like that; I was just worrying about the banquet dinner — you've really done me a huge favor."

Remembering something: "Right, what brought you into town today?"

"Went to the Rolling Mill to take the hiring exam; figured since I was coming anyway, I'd drop by to see you folks, and help supplement the household expenses too."

Chef Hao didn't see through her little scheme, just laughed and pointed at her: "You little slippery one — this sack of fish of yours is almost worth a month's wages for someone else, and you still call it supplementing the household? You really dare to say it."

Liu Chuxue laughed too at that.

"Did you pass?"

"Results don't come out until after two in the afternoon."

"Judging by that relaxed look on your face, you must have done pretty well."

"Then I'll borrow Uncle Hao's lucky words."

Chef Hao burst out laughing: "Coming early can't beat coming at the right time — there's braised pork at lunch today, I'll get you a portion in a bit."

Liu Chuxue didn't refuse, and handed over her ticket and money.

Chef Hao didn't take them: "Now you're making fun of Uncle Hao — one meal now and then, the cafeteria can still afford that."

But Liu Chuxue wouldn't have it, and stubbornly pushed the money over: "Getting me extra pieces of meat is already preferential treatment; I can't push my luck. Besides, so many people are watching — I can't let Uncle Hao be criticized."

Chef Hao's impression of Liu Chuxue improved even more, and he gave her a thumbs-up on the spot: "Alright, as you say."

He turned and handed the money and ticket to the apprentice beside him: "Go get Miss Chuxue a portion of braised pork, and pick out some side dishes to go with it, plus two liang of rice."

That person took the money, responded, and scampered off into the back kitchen.

While the food was being served, Liu Chuxue first went to the cafeteria's finance office to collect the money; by the time she came out, the meal had also been brought over.

She had a good meal, chatted with Chef Hao for a while, and only then ambled off toward the Rolling Mill.

(End of this chapter)