Chapter 13

Su Qianqian raised her eyes, her gaze filled with surprise, "President Zhang, I am willing to come work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

Before Zhang Dongfeng could even ask, Su Qianqian began introducing herself like she was spilling beans, "My name is Su Qianqian, I am a high school graduate, proficient in arithmetic and drawing, and I have even published articles in newspapers in the Capital. Of course, working as a salesperson is fine too; I am not afraid of hardship!"

President Zhang gave a hearty laugh; he had found a treasure.

He invited Su Qianqian into his office, and the two agreed on the job responsibilities and content.

She would start as a junior salesperson with a monthly salary of twenty-five yuan.

"President Zhang, I might need to settle things at home first. Today is Thursday; is it okay if I come to report next Monday?"

"Fine, come as soon as possible!"

Su Qianqian was especially happy. Today's shopping cost twenty-three yuan and fifty-five cents, and the medicine cost thirteen yuan. Of the money she had saved previously, a little over one hundred remained, and adding the money her second brother gave her, she had a total of two hundred and thirty yuan in her pocket.

Her father's back needed to be seen at the hospital, and if Su Xiaomei and Zhuangzhuang wanted to study, it would all cost money.

To improve the family's standard of living, there were many places where money needed to be spent.

She had to gain a firm foothold in the county as soon as possible and let her family live a good life.

The staff member at the state-run restaurant had finally waited for Su Qianqian, "Seeing you hadn't come, I didn't dare pack the food. I'll pack it now, and we'll head to the station."

"Then many thanks to you all."

Su Qianqian had many things, so she took out another ten cents to ask a staff member to help move everything onto the cart.

Returning to the Shuangshui Brigade, it was just lunchtime, and Su Qingwu was carrying a hoe, looking around at the entrance of the village.

Su Qianqian had just been worrying about how to carry so many things, but her eyes lit up when she saw her eldest brother and Su Xiaomei, "Eldest Brother, Qingxi!"

"Why did you buy so many things?" Su Qingwu frowned; he was worried that this silly younger sister had spent all her money without considering herself.

Su Qianqian curled her lips, "Eldest Brother, it's all for household use; I didn't spend money recklessly."

Su Qingwu carried the two parcels on his shoulders, holding the rice, flour, and oil in his hands, while Su Qingxi carried the remaining odds and ends, "Sister, your hands are all swollen. If I had known, I should have gone to the county with you."

"I've already applied medicine, it's fine. Let's go, I have good news to announce when we get home!"

The three siblings walked back smiling. On the way, many villagers saw them carrying large and small bags, their eyes full of envy, though some were jealous too.

"The Su family's girl is truly pretty. I heard she's only been back a few days and people are already coming to propose marriage."

"Those proposing are from our village and neighboring villages. One family even offered the 'three rounds and one sound,' but Su Mingqiang didn't agree; he let that girl Su Qianqian make her own decisions."

"Hmph! A fox-like appearance. The first day she returned to the village, she went to find Pei Huaiye to ride his bull cart, and people heard him tell her to get lost."

"Hahaha, Pei Huaiye is fierce, but he looks strong. Maybe that fox-like girl just likes that kind."

"A fake daughter really thinks highly of herself? Back in the countryside, she still has to work in the fields just like us. After being exposed to the wind and sun for a while, she'll be just like us!"

Zhou Wenfang and Su Qianqian had just finished their shift and felt relieved when they heard these words.

Su Qianqian mocked her secretly; last time her parents said she would have one hundred yuan every month, which Su Qianqian did not have.

Once Su Qianqian finished spending her money, let's see what she has to be proud of!

Zhou Wenfang, however, was thinking about another matter, "Qianqian, you are familiar with the Captain; find him and talk about changing us to a lighter job."

"Otherwise, we will really become rough village girls!"

Su Qianqian rolled her eyes and whispered, "I'll try tonight; I might need to send some things."

Zhou Wenfang handed over twenty yuan without hesitation, "You decide what to buy; I can't do this weeding and digging work for another day!"

Su Qianqian took the money, "Let's go back and eat first."

Su Zhuangzhuang looked at the table full of sumptuous food, his saliva almost flowing out.

"Wow! Aunt, it's like New Year's again today!"

Su Qianqian pinched Zhuangzhuang's little cheeks, "Dad, Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law,

I found a job today! I'll be a salesperson at the county Supply and Marketing Cooperative starting next Monday, with a monthly salary of twenty-five yuan.

So I bought some food to celebrate!"

Su Qianqian didn't dare mention the matter of Pei Huaiye; she still didn't have a thorough understanding of many things about this man.

"Sister-in-law, the rice, flour, and oil are in the kitchen. Don't be so frugal with the soap and laundry soap in the future; use them when you need to."

"Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, these are the national grain coupons and sugar and oil coupons I've saved. You can handle the food for the family from now on.

We don't need to live too bitterly. Zhuangzhuang and Qingxi are still young, the three of you have to work, and Dad's health is poor, so food is still very important."

Li Zilan covered her mouth, her voice choked with sobs, "Qianqian, you are such a fool!

When Su Qianqian found out she was the daughter of the Capital family, she scraped up all the money in the house. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't be living so frugally."

Fortunately, you have your own abilities and can find a job.

Once you earn a salary, save some for your dowry first, don't spend money recklessly. After the autumn harvest, life at home will be easier."

Su Qianqian hugged her sister-in-law's shoulders, "Sister-in-law, you manage this household; you have to work in the fields and then come back to cook. You've worked hard.

Quickly take the coupons. Once I gain a firm foothold in the county, our family will definitely live better and better."

Su Zhuangzhuang fed a piece of pig's trotter into Li Zilan's mouth, "Mom, gnaw on the pig's trotter and you won't be sad anymore."

Everyone was amused, and the family feasted on the sumptuous lunch.

Su Qingxi finally used a steamed bun to wipe up all the oil and juice at the bottom of the plate and fed it into her mouth.

After the meal, Su Qianqian handed the plaster to Su Mingqiang, "Dad, stick it on your waist and try it."

Su Qingwu helped him stick it on. Su Mingqiang stroked his beard and laughed happily; Su Qianqian wouldn't let him go earn work points.

In the afternoon, Su Mingqiang took Zhuangzhuang to the vegetable garden to remove insects and pull weeds; in any case, he couldn't stay idle.

Su Qianqian unpacked the parcel and took out her things, leaving the rest for her eldest brother to help deliver to the Educated Youth Courtyard, while she waited for Su Qianqian at the entrance.

Su Qianqian had just been scolded by Captain Xiang and was now carrying a bag of non-staple food, slinking back to the dormitory.

She had sent a gift to the Captain, saying she was the daughter of a Capital Chief of Staff and wanted a lighter task.

But she was told by Captain Xiang that she was lazy, slippery, and lacked ambition, and she was kicked out!

"Su Qianqian, this is the winter bedding and clothes sent by Mom and Dad."

Su Qianqian snatched the parcel and looked through it, "Su Qianqian, you didn't embezzle my things, did you?!"

Su Qianqian rolled her eyes, "Kindness is treated like a donkey's liver and lungs. Help me call Shen Xunbao."

There was no one around, so Su Qianqian snorted coldly, took the parcel, and went back to the dormitory.

She knew Shen Xunbao was in the boys' dormitory and deliberately said to Su Qianqian, "Shen Xunbao is not here!"

Then she slammed the door shut.

Su Qianqian verified what she had thought; she was indeed thinking about Shen Xunbao.

In her canvas bag, there were still three hot meat buns, which she prepared to take to give to Pei Huaiye.

Just as she turned around, she bumped into a hard chest. Su Qianqian smelled that familiar scent and instantly turned red-faced.

She rubbed her nose, her voice soft and charming, "That hurt me."

Pei Huaiye was shaken, and he stepped back half a step to distance himself, "Is your face okay?"

He had rushed back on the bull cart after finishing his mission; he was still panting slightly as he spoke, his chest rising and falling intensely.

The moonlight was like water, and the two stood at the entrance of the Educated Youth Courtyard, looking at each other.

Pei Huaiye's eyes were deep as the sea, as if he wanted to suck Su Qianqian in.

Su Qianqian was still wearing the same dress from the day; her waist was slender enough to be held in one hand. She tilted her head slightly, her red lips parted, glowing with a moist luster. Her translucent, snow-white skin was as white as congealed fat in the moonlight, and the tip of her nose and chin were tinged with a faint pink. The whole person looked charming, sweet, and alluring.

Pei Huaiye couldn't stop his heart from pounding.

He seemed to remember many things he hadn't explained clearly to her, but as soon as they met, he forgot them all.

"Take this bottle of canned oranges and eat it."

"These buns are for you to eat."

After a long gaze, the two spoke in unison, then both looked away.

The moon blushed and quietly hid behind the clouds.