Everyone wants an easy job that pays well, and both became enthusiastic about Shen Meng at once.
"Brother, elder sister-in-law, you and the kids must be starving, right? How about I go back and dish up some food, and we can all eat together?"
"Ming Kai and Ming Liang want candy, right? I’ll go back and get some, and be right back, right back."
The two of them said they were leaving, but they hesitated to take steps, afraid that the other would stay and sprinkle some crocodile tears to soften Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng’s hearts.
"It’s fine, it’s fine. Delivering it later works too. Ming Liang, Ming Kai, go play over there. What are you crowding around here for? Always thinking about eating and not understanding anything. What are you standing around for, Mingyang? Take the basket and take your brother to pick up some firewood. And you, Ni, what are you staring at? Lead Ming Kai away. Don’t act all affectionate when you see your aunts, pretending to be pitiful. Go stay inside the house."
Shen Meng finished scolding the children and then looked impatiently at Lu Zhenping, the tool man. The latter sighed and led Mingyang out without daring to let out a peep.
This familiar sight let Lu Miaomiao and Lu Lanhua know that in the brother’s family, it was the elder sister-in-law who called the shots.
Shen Meng fiercely glared at everyone in the house—men and children alike—but thought to herself that her own family was well-fed, and eating more might just make them sick. It would be better to go out and get some fresh air early on.
"Sorry to have made you watch that, Miaomiao, Lanhua. Come, come, sit down. Let’s have a chat. I was feeling hungry just now, but when it comes to work, I really feel energized."
Lu Lanhua blinked her eyes and held Shen Meng’s hand, saying, "Elder sister-in-law, I’m so happy for you that you have a job. You’ll be holding an iron rice bowl from now on. Miaomiao and I live in town, and there are a few things that I must remind you about. Don’t be annoyed, elder sister-in-law, I mean well. The city is nothing like the countryside. People there have quite the temper, and they can get angry and quarrel at the slightest disagreement. You must be careful when you go to work."
Shen Meng’s expression stiffened appropriately, and her hand jerked fiercely.
"Ah~?"
Seeing this, Lu Miaomiao became even more eager to chime in. She spoke as if she was reminded of the grievances she faced after getting married, with tears falling down.
"This is terrible, how can I take this job then? If I knew it was such a hassle, I wouldn’t have accepted the job offer. What should I do now?"
"Why don’t you let me have this job, elder sister-in-law!"
Lu Miaomiao blurted out anxiously, afraid her older sister would speak before her.
"What nonsense! That job is for the elder sister-in-law, it was even personally appointed. Even if you wanted it, the elder sister-in-law would have to go and hand it over in person. It’s not that easy."
Shen Meng nodded repeatedly, "That’s right, that’s right. Although I don’t want to go, the job can be sold. I’ve heard it’s in high demand. People from the countryside may not be up for it, but city folks surely want it. If I’m willing to sell, getting ten yuan or even eight isn’t out of the question!"
"What? Ten or eight yuan? Few would buy it for three or five thousand, elder sister-in-law. Do you think it’s made of gold, for it to be so expensive?"
"Isn’t it just like a golden egg? Producing chickens which lay more eggs, and it can even benefit my children below. Hmph, it’s not something you’d understand. Miaomiao, Lanhua, you said you came to see me and the kids, I hope you’re not trying to steal my job. I’m not the old Shen Meng anymore. Besides, your brother is still at home. He has comrades in the county who can find a buyer. You’re right, I’m not fit for the city, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just give up my job for nothing. You can leave now, I still have cooking to do!"
Lu Lanhua glared at her sister, who was good for nothing but messing things up, and quickly began to coax Shen Meng, taking her hand.
"No way, elder sister-in-law. I came here today to see you, how could it be for your job? We didn’t know about it beforehand, you’re the one who brought it up. Think about it, isn’t it so?"
Seeing that Shen Meng’s expression seemed to soften after her words, she continued: "I’m not flattering you, elder sister-in-law. Times are tough at home. I owed you so much money, saved up for a long time, just wanting to pay you back. Look here, this is eight yuan. I didn’t bring enough, so I’ll bring all the money to you later. Keep this for now. That said, if you really want to sell the job, once I return to the county, I’ll help you inquire about it."
Shen Meng got the money, a greedy smile flashing across her face, and quickly stuffed it into her trouser pocket.
"Alright then, go and ask around!"
Lu Miaomiao, seeing herself being left out, felt a bit unwilling and tried to edge closer, but Lu Lanhua twisted her body and bumped her aside with her backside.
"But elder sister-in-law, there’s definitely no ten or eight thousand yuan available. Who has that much money nowadays, even the biggest official in our county doesn’t have it, right? Let me tell you a fair price, this amount!"
"What? Wasn’t it said to be a good job? The salary is nearly forty yuan a month, how come it can only sell for one thousand yuan?"
Lu Lanhua listened, her blood boiling. Nearly forty yuan a month! At home, she’d be gluing matchboxes every day, and it would take a year or two to make that much money!
Looking at Shen Meng’s foolish appearance, she continued to wheedle, "Elder sister-in-law, this one thousand is already a high price I’ve quoted. Everyone’s having a tough time, to take out this much money one would have to empty their pockets and still owe a debt of famine. It’s normal to be a few hundred short."
Shen Meng didn’t say a word, just frowned deeply, while Lu Lanhua sighed as if she had only Shen Meng’s best interests at heart.
Beside them, Lu Miaomiao was drooling over the prospect. If she could buy this job so cheaply, she wouldn’t have to work and could still make a fortune by reselling it. Oh, her lousy mouth, why did she spout such nonsense!
"Alright then, you check it out but I won’t sell it for less than eight hundred yuan. Also, hurry up and bring me the food, I’m starving to death. Hey, hey, hey, don’t panic, this is something you shouldn’t let your elder brother know about, or he’ll lecture me."
This suited Lu Lanhua just fine; she was about to remind Shen Meng, but she had said it herself ahead of time.
"Okay, we’ll listen to elder sister-in-law, Miaomiao won’t say anything, right Miaomiao?"
"Mhm!"
Lu Miaomiao regretted it to death. It seemed she could only go to work at the textile factory.
Lu Lanhua, dragging Lu Miaomiao along, soon brought over two large bowls of meat dishes with five big steamed buns made of blended flour on top.
"Eat first, elder sister-in-law, I’ll get you more if it’s not enough!"
"That’s enough, that’s enough. After eating, I still have to wash clothes and sweep the floor, there’s always chores to do at home every day."
Lu Lanhua quickly offered, "I’ll go, I’ll do it elder sister-in-law, you just eat."
In her heart, Shen Meng was no longer a stupid pig, but a glittering Grandma Fortune God.
When Lu Zhenping and Mingyang came back, they felt the house was much brighter and cleaner, wondering why Xiao Meng was so diligent today.
They saw Lu Lanhua, huffing and puffing as she carried a large tub of washed clothes, with messy hair and cheerfully greeting them!
Everyone: "..."
Her brain must have been fooled until it broke!!!