Xiaoying and the others came down, curiously looking at the two crying mother and daughter, and asked Cheng Su what had happened.
Cheng Su was quite helpless, as this was the first time she had encountered such a request, and she was also shocked. She had never expected that someone would kneel for a meal.
"Sister, please stand up and let’s talk. We can discuss this calmly. Look, with people coming and going, they will all think that I’ve done something to you!" Cheng Su rubbed her forehead.
Shi Ling got up, uneasily, wiped her tears with her sleeve, and said, "President, President Cheng? I really need this job." She had just heard the young lady call Cheng Su President Cheng, and was sure that this was the boss.
Cheng Su glanced at Shi Xiaohua, whose little face had been dusty and now, washed by tears, looked even dirtier. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of compassion and said to Xiaoying and the others, "Go get Old Lu and the rest to cook up two bowls of noodles, and take Xiaohua to wash her face."
Xiaoying responded immediately and beckoned the little girl to come over.
Xiaohua hesitated, looked at her mother, and only went with them after seeing her nod.
Cheng Su thought for a moment and then said, "Sister, I sympathize with your situation, but this place is busy, it’s inconvenient with a child around, and the crowd is mixed. What if Xiaohua inadvertently runs out and gets snatched by someone? What would we do then?"
Shi Ling’s face changed: "That won’t happen, my girl won’t run around."
"I’m just saying, in case."
Shi Ling looked pleading.
"Additionally, in the catering business, we need to undergo health checks and have a health certificate." Cheng Su then said.
"I am very healthy."
"But you still need to pass a doctor’s examination," Cheng Su said, lips pursed.
Shi Ling lowered her head in despair and murmured, "Is there really no way out? Is there nowhere left for us, mother and daughter, to go?"
Cheng Su watched, and her heart softened a bit.
"How about this, go get a health check, and if you pass, you can help out here. We don’t provide accommodation, but there’s a place in the attic to rest; you can stay there temporarily. If you can manage the work, when you have the money, you can rent a place to live." Cheng Su said.
Shi Ling looked up in surprise: "Does this mean you’re agreeing to hire me?"
"Let’s start with a few days of trial work," Cheng Su said.
"Good, good, trial work, I don’t need a salary, just food will do!" Shi Ling immediately said, "Let’s start today."
"There’s no rush, look at how dirty you are, you need to clean up, right? I’ll find you a place to stay at a nearby hotel, rest there, and after that, go for a health check tomorrow, and we’ll see, okay?"
Shi Ling nodded vigorously, and after a moment of joy, she said, "But I have no money."
"If I’m letting you stay, I won’t leave you to worry. I’ll cover it for you first!" Cheng Su said with a smile.
Hearing this, Shi Ling was so grateful she almost knelt again: "Thank you, thank you, you’re really a good person! I assure you, I’ll pay you back in the future."
Cheng Su quickly stopped her, shaking her head with a smile.
She wasn’t some kind-hearted soul; she was just momentarily moved by compassion. A rational boss normally wouldn’t hire someone who brings a child to work because it’s a liability. Providing a meal is simple, but if an accident occurs, that’s a serious matter.
Cheng Su’s consent was also because they were survivors from a disaster area. She had seen firsthand the tragedy there, which had softened her heart.
If anything, let’s just say it was for the sake of the lost child, to accumulate virtue and goodness. If she could lend a helping hand to this widow and orphan, then so be it.