Xiang Lan was slightly embarrassed by Shen Meng’s gaze, she was afraid that Shen Meng would dislike her, so she withdrew her hands, not daring to push the pearl powder forward anymore, and lowered her head without speaking, her hands constantly rubbing together.
"Xiang Lan, what are you doing? This pearl powder must be expensive, right? Normally you’re even reluctant to buy yourself some brown sugar, when there are cracks on your hands and feet, you just smeared them with ashes from the bottom of the pot. What makes you buy such expensive stuff for me today? Are you asking about the job?"
Xiang Lan gave a sheepish smile, then quickly nodded her head.
"The matter is already settled, I went to the county yesterday just for this, so don’t worry. Qianqian said she will definitely take care of you. In the future, just do your job well and don’t let anyone catch any faults, I am sure you can earn a steady wage. Maybe if you work two years, perform well, you might even become a regular employee!"
"Really, elder sister-in-law, the job matter is really settled, that’s great elder sister-in-law, you are my benefactor, elder sister-in-law, I’m really so thankful, I would kowtow to you elder sister-in-law, it’s not only that you helped me find a job, you have saved us, me and my two kids. Jiahe, that damned dog, except for going to work, he’s always looking for chances to sneak into Su Qin’s bed, and everything good in the house goes to him, now Su Qin is even persuading Jiahe to split the family!"
Xiang Lan is a fool, originally in the novel acting as Zhou Jiaojiao’s henchwoman, constantly clashing with the original protagonist, indulging Yong Qiang and Yong Li to bully Ming Kai, and didn’t end up in a good place, spending her life in the county looking after Lu Jiahe and the children, fighting with Su Qin every few days, leading a chaotic life.
Her two children were not favored by Lu Jiahe either, in comparison, Su Qin was living a comfortable life.
She might be foolish and bad, but it has to be said, she really is a good mother.
Shen Meng pondered for a moment and said: "Xiang Lan, how do you think Mrs. Daya is living nowadays?"
"It’s passable, I think. Although not very prosperous, Daya and Xiao Ya have clearly gained some weight. She herself has also become much more diligent. It’s better than being in the Xu Family, but it’s embarrassing. A woman living alone with two girls, the village does take care of them, but still, many people gossip privately, calling her self-destructive, cheap, saying she tormented her man like that, just endure it and life would have passed by. Ah, life might be better, but the reputation is not good, which might burden her children too, afraid they might be bullied by their in-laws when they get married."
"Hehe, then I’ll tell you, when I was in the county yesterday, I went to visit Sister Cheng at the hospital, and while chatting, I mentioned Mrs. Daya’s situation. People sympathized greatly, directly arranged a job for her in the hospital cafeteria to serve food, the salary is similar to yours, and it’s easier. Her life can only get better from here. Let the villagers gossip if they like; one day, the Lord will teach them to shut their mouths."
Xiang Lan’s eyes widened, it took quite a while for her mind to process the news. Mrs. Daya was so lucky to get such a good job, hospitals are good places with lots of patients; if you could help out with anything, there might be some benefits to gain. Her eyes darted around, thinking.
"Elder sister-in-law, can I, hehehehe, can I possibly exchange my job at the textile factory for Mrs. Daya, after all, we are family. It would be great if it could be a bit easier."
"If you don’t want to work, there are plenty of others who do. Do you think jobs at the textile factory are easy to come by? I practically begged everyone to land you this job. Originally, I even spent over thirty yuan on gifts for this sake. You can ask around the county, how many are out there without jobs just gluing matchboxes at home? And here you are still being picky. If you don’t want to go, then don’t. It will be quieter for me!"
Shen Meng felt she had made a mistake, a real mistake. Just a moment ago, she felt sympathetic and thought of giving her a chance, but this woman is truly a fool sent straight from heaven, impossible to salvage. Always thinking the grass is greener on the other side; well, let it be then, even using her as an informer would be a waste of effort.
She tidied up the documents in her hand, her face darkened, ready to leave. Now, Wu Xianglan panicked. Seeing how Zhou Jiaojiao was hopping up and down for a job quota at the textile factory, she knew how precious that was. Her two younger sisters-in-law have been in the county for so many years, either gluing matchboxes or looking for odd jobs. The elder sister-in-law has been busy for so long just to secure her a job. How could she have blurted out those words without thinking!
Wu Yulan stood up, slapped herself twice, and held onto Shen Meng, not letting her leave.
"Not at all, elder sister-in-law, I was wrong, I misspoke just now. I just wanted to be lazy, please don’t be angry, elder sister-in-law. I will never think this way again, really, elder sister-in-law, please don’t be mad."
"Xianglan, what do you think Zhenping and I were doing in the county yesterday with the kids? Out for a stroll? We went to treat someone’s son to a meal, the son of the factory manager, to secure your job. Zhenping may seem cold on the outside, but he’s warm-hearted. His own nephews and nieces, wouldn’t he care for them? If not for the kids’ sake, and seeing how hard you work as their mother, why would such a proud man like him humble himself to ask for favors with me? And here you are, wanting to change jobs as soon as it’s settled. Do you think the hospital and the textile factory are run by my family?"
No, Lu Zhenping wouldn’t possibly care for those nephews and nieces, those little wretches used to bully Mingyang all the time. Whenever Lu Zhenping saw them, he just slightly squinted his eyes, enough to frighten them to pee. If Wu Xianglan told them their uncle cared for them, Shen Meng could guarantee they’d have nightmares that very night.
"I’m sorry, elder sister-in-law, really sorry. It’s my fault, please don’t be angry with me. You and brother have worked so hard for my sake, I don’t even know how to repay your kindness. Just pretend I was farting earlier, hehe, just farting."
"Alright, alright, let go of me, go back now. Keep the pearl powder, and never buy such expensive things again. I don’t need them, and neither should you squander money when you have some; save it for the kids’ schooling. Keep the valuables at home safe and try to save whatever money you earn in a place your husband can’t find. Anyway, manage your own life, I won’t interfere anymore."
Wu Xianglan dared not stay any longer, fearing she might say something wrong again and upset Shen Meng. Hastily apologizing twice more, she scurried out the door. Upon reaching her own kang bed, her heart was still pounding. Finally calming down, she pondered over Shen Meng’s words.
Only then did she belatedly realize that elder sister-in-law mentioning Mrs. Daya might not have been hinting at wanting her and Jiahe to divorce and live separately. Could it be?
Shen Meng didn’t know she had only just realized and would only be speechless!!!