Chapter 95: Plans
“Sister Ning, what did you just say?”
Yu Gu looked at her in disbelief, feeling like he had just experienced auditory hallucinations.
“You didn’t mishear. I said I want to give you a work quota.”
With a job, income, and then household registration, the four siblings could live better.
Su Ning, considering the young man’s sensitivity and self-esteem, restrained her smile and pretended to be serious as she said, “Of course, you should know that jobs are hard to come by now, and this quota can’t be given to you for free.”
“I know!”
Whether temporary worker or formal worker, every position is one radish one pit, and many worker families pass them from parents to children upon retirement.
If one was lucky enough to encounter a job position being sold, the price offered wasn’t something ordinary people could afford, let alone someone like them who had nothing.
Yu Gu took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, but his body still trembled slightly uncontrollably.
“Sister Ning, no matter how much, I’ll buy it. I’ll give you all my salary after starting work until it’s paid off. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine, but not all of it. You need to keep some to support your younger siblings. We can take our time repaying, no rush.”
“Sister Ning, thank you…”
Words were too pale; this light thank-you wasn’t enough to express the immense gratitude in his heart.
Yu Gu knew she was giving him not just a job, but hope for their survival.
Money and ration coupons couldn’t repay this kindness either, but just as she said, no rush.
He was still young, with many decades ahead, even his whole life to repay slowly.
……
Since she chose to help, she naturally had to help to the end.
After Little Pumpkin fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital, Su Ning took advantage of her free time to bring Yu Gu to the department store to handle his onboarding.
She also introduced him to Xi You, who worked in the same place, and afterward helped the siblings rent a small courtyard on South Gate First Street near her home.
With everything settled, time quietly arrived at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Gu City Textile Factory, Purchasing Department.
“Su Ning!”
She was sitting at her office desk, head down writing the procurement report for this mission, when the sudden call by her ear nearly made her snap the pen tip in her hand.
“Jiaming, I think you’d better really have something important.”
If it was more of that nonsense, she might really get itchy hands.
“Hahaha, they’ve all gone to collect Mid-Autumn welfare, and you’re the only one in our department who hasn’t. I’m here to remind you!”
Realizing too late that he’d startled her, Jiaming laughed it off and subtly backed away, putting distance between himself and her desk.
Speaking of which, this Mid-Autumn welfare was something she had procured for them. Everyone knew it was good stuff, yet she herself wasn’t proactive about it.
Look at those few in the office—from the start of work in the morning, their butts were like they’d grown thorns, unable to sit still, craning their necks in anticipation for exactly this moment.
Smacking his lips twice, Jiaming sat on the desk behind her. “Hey, Su Ning… how about we make a deal?”
“Tell me what it is first.”
“I’ll give you all my Mid-Autumn welfare this time and even help deliver it home. In exchange, you make me some more of those pastries and biscuits from last time, as a Mid-Autumn gift, how about it?”
Stopping her pen, Su Ning looked up and finally glanced at him.
The leg with the plaster cast had already had it removed; aside from not being able to exert too much force, it was basically healed, no longer needing to hop around on one foot.
Last time, the pastries and biscuits she made as an excuse had the Su Family ancestor’s secret medicine, allowing their injuries to heal faster.
The results were pretty good after eating the right portions.
Though the two were surprised their recovery was faster than normal, they only thought it was due to the good effect of her secret medicine and their young bodies’ strong self-healing ability.
But now was fine; too much was as bad as not enough. She had no intention of giving them more things mixed with spring water.
“Is that so? That’s quite a pity then.”
“Huh? Pity what?”
“Of course, the pity is my Mid-Autumn gift I prepared in advance.”
Hearing this, Jiaming immediately jumped down from the desk, looking at her with a face full of surprise. “You’re serious? You prepared a Mid-Autumn gift for me?!”
“Here, yours. Perfect timing to give it to you early.”
From the moment she reached into her bag, he stared unblinkingly until the wooden box was handed over, and Jiaming’s eyes lit up instantly.
He completely forgot his earlier plans.
So what if his legs were a bit slow to heal? How could the little time saved from early healing compare to a gift carefully prepared by a friend!
“Can I open it and see?”
“Go ahead, and give some feedback while you’re at it.”
“What is it? And feedback? Don’t tell me you made it yourself?!”
Eagerly opening the wooden box, inside was a gentleman orchid carved from yellow jade.
He’d seen plenty of good things, and with one glance he could tell that compared to this rare yellow jade, the carving skill was absolutely not at a master’s level—more like a novice just starting out.
If it were anyone else, he’d definitely curse that it wasted good material.
But thinking it was personally carved by Su Ning, specially prepared for him, Jiaming held the pendant ever more fondly.
He felt every part suited him perfectly; even the crooked stroke on the gentleman orchid was just right.
“I really like this gift, love it. Thanks, Su Ning!”
“As long as you like it and don’t mind.”
“How could I? When your skills become masterful and you become a famous artisan, this gentleman orchid will be a treasure~”
Smiling and shaking her head, Su Ning reached into her bag again and took out another wooden box of the same style. “This is for Yan Bei. Hasn’t he come out of the lab yet?”
After the three returned to Gu City, Yan Bei, feeling mostly recovered, dove headfirst into his unfinished work. Nearly a month later, she hadn’t seen the busy man again.
Jiaming took Yan Bei’s share, stealthily opened it for a peek: Guanyin Bamboo? Hey, not even half as nice as his, totally incomparable!
Heartily satisfied, he closed the lid and pocketed both wooden boxes. “That’s just how he is—no way he’ll step out of the lab until his research is completely done.”
Unless he shamelessly pesters until Yan Bei, to get rid of him, mercifully agrees to go out for a bite.
But tomorrow was Mid-Autumn…
Jiaming touched his chin and mysteriously leaned close to her. “Su Ning, haven’t asked you yet—how do you plan to spend Mid-Autumn?”
“Hmm…”
If nothing unexpected, that Xi You would come knocking at her door in the evening.
Finishing the last stroke and setting down her report, Su Ning stood up. “Very likely going to Luohu with Xi You.”
“What for?”
“Last time after returning from Shanghai City, we went once, and her maternal grandmother and uncle invited me to visit again for Mid-Autumn.”
“I see.”
Eyes rolling, Jiaming probed on without giving up. “You see, Mid-Autumn is a rare family reunion day. Won’t you feel out of place if you go?”
“Look, since none of us can go home, how about we three just get together and celebrate? What do you think?”
“Hmm?”
Packing up the things on her desk, Su Ning glanced at her watch, turned, and left the office. “What makes you so sure you can get Yan Bei out tomorrow?”
“Why not? Question is, will you or won’t you?”
With coaxing and deception, somehow he’d get him…
Jiaming suddenly knocked his head, thinking of his good brother’s little scheme—maybe no need, just mentioning her name would hook him out!
Happily following along, half-jokingly promising, “Rest assured, if you agree, Yan Bei won’t be able to run fast enough!”
“I’ll think about it.”
Out of the office, she headed straight to the union office.
“Cadre Su!” “Cadre Su!”
“Cadre Su, you’re really something—this welfare is just too good!”
Su Ning nodded to those greeting her and followed with a modest smile to the various praises.
Glancing at Jiaming half a step behind, receiving her eye signal, he immediately subtly blocked in front of her, quickly leading her to dodge the crowd.
Until the two, one after the other, collected their Mid-Autumn welfare and reached the factory gate did Jiaming step aside to let her through.
“The comrades are really enthusiastic.”
“They’re still holding back. If it were frontline workers crowding you, you might be stuck in mid-air for a few minutes! Hahahaha!”
“Alright, your black-faced big brother is here. I’m off. Think about what I said for tomorrow!”
“Got it. If it works, I’ll come find you tomorrow morning. If you don’t see me by noon…”
“Got it, got it. Deal!”
It’s late today, sorry sorry~ Uh, really these increasingly poor stats have me out of sorts, maybe also because it’s end of month and last day tomorrow… Um, thanks everyone for the support. As for the stats, I’ll try not looking or thinking about them, won’t let it affect me, um.
