Chapter 44: Chapter 44 I Want to Open a Store
Qian Wei took the small packet from Xia Chuyi with a hearty laugh, “You really take after your uncle’s temperament, you actually know to give gifts when asking for favors?”
With a little shake of the packet, it didn’t fall apart at all and was very sturdy.
Qian Wei was curious, “My dear niece, this thing must be worth quite a bit of money, right?”
“What’s this talk of money or not, when giving gifts to an uncle, do we really need to consider the value?” Xia Chuyi dodged the question and instead said, “It’s just hard to come by, the seller is an old man, his ancestors were artisans in the court, he made these to sell for fun during the holiday season.”
Her story was so legendary that Qian Wei was immediately startled, “Really?”
Half true, half false, the item was actually made by herself in her space, but indeed with the court’s techniques.
Of course, Xia Chuyi couldn’t tell the truth. She smiled, “Of course it’s true, why would I deceive you, Uncle?”
That year, when she was stranded in the Southern region, fate had led her to meet a descendant of a royal chef, who seeing her culinary talents, took her on as an apprentice.
Qian Wei laughed heartily, “That’s wonderful, I’ll taste it first then!”
Xia Chuyi followed with a compliant smile.
“Tell me, my dear niece, what kind of favor do you need from me?” Qian Wei became even more generous.
Xia Chuyi smiled and said, “It’s , Uncle Qian, I want to ask you to find me a shop in the city, I’m thinking of starting a business.”
Qian Wei’s expression turned serious, “Start a business, my dear niece? Have you thought it through? Does your Uncle Xia know?”
A series of questions.
Clearly, Qian Wei did not approve of this.
After all, in those days, a national salary and a so-called iron rice bowl were more comforting.
Xia Chuyi smiled, “Don’t worry, Uncle Qian, my uncle will definitely agree.”
“I’ll be honest with you. My family situation is complicated, I never finished school because I was supposed to get married. Now that the marriage is off and I haven’t completed my studies, I have to find something to do.”
“Your uncle has told me a bit about your family’s situation, I understand a little…”
Qian Wei looked somewhat embarrassed.
“How about this, I can get you a job at the factory. It’s easy and comfortable work for a young lady, and it’ll be easier to find a good marriage…” After thinking it over, Qian Wei seriously added, “Besides, I’ve heard that you’re a martyr’s child, so it should be really easy to get a job at the factory if you pull a few strings.”
This was a genuine kindness from an elder.
“Thank you, Uncle Qian!” Xia Chuyi shook her head, “Actually, without hiding anything, that quota for a martyr’s child to enter the factory was already taken by my cousin.”
“What?” Qian Wei was shocked, “Taken by your cousin? Does your uncle know about this?”
Xia Chuyi could only offer a wry smile, “Uncle Qian, that quota… it was given to my cousin after my mother begged Uncle Xia to find someone who could transfer it.”
Qian Wei was at a loss for words.
“Ah, your uncle too…” After a while, Qian Wei sighed.
Xia Chuyi spread her hands.
In earlier years, when Uncle Xia and Mother Xia fell into hardship together, Mother Xia nearly starved to death to save the last of the food to keep Uncle Xia alive.
Therefore, no matter how good he was to her, as long as her meek Mother Xia wept and complained, Uncle Xia would be helpless.
Qian Wei pondered for a moment.
“My dear niece, finding a shop isn’t difficult, but I need to ask you one last question, have you really thought it through?” Qian Wei asked.
As an employee of a state-owned company, Qian Wei likely couldn’t understand the appeal of being self-employed.
“Yes, I’ve thought it through, I want to survive on my own abilities.” Xia Chuyi nodded firmly in response.