"As long as you have the capability, it’s not impossible," Wei Kaiyun said indifferently.
Jiang Xinyu looked at him and chuckled coldly, "I understand now, your future disaster will be because of your arrogance."
Wei Kaiyun put away his nonchalant smile and said earnestly, "Jiang Xinyu, I know you’re not just anybody. I’m sincerely inviting you."
"Wei Kaiyun, Director Wei, I’m really not interested."
"You will be interested. I’m telling you, even if I have to resort to any means, I’ll keep you by my side."
"A twisted melon isn’t sweet."
"I know whether it’s sweet or not. Even if it’s bitter, I’m the one eating it, and if I say it’s sweet, then it’s sweet."
"Is there no room for compromise?"
"Alright then, how about I work together with Kong Mengjie? Since you’re so capable, having one more job slot should be possible, right?"
"If that friend of yours goes to the textile factory, she can only be a female worker, and a temporary one at that."
"Is that so? We’ll talk about it then. Director Wei, may I leave now?"
"You may. But next Monday, you need to go to the textile factory to meet me for onboarding procedures."
"Haven’t I said it already? I’ll go after the New Year."
"Fine, but you’ll need to complete the onboarding first, and there’s an exam that day. If you don’t pass, I’ll visit your village."
"Exam? What kind of exam? I’ve only graduated middle school."
"It’s simple, just writing an essay and shorthand."
"Oh! I’ll do my best."
"Jiang Xinyu, doing your best is not enough; you must succeed."
Jiang Xinyu rolled her eyes at Wei Kaiyun and turned to leave, feeling it was a waste of her time with him.
Wang Ailing had been watching them from a distance, unable to hear their conversation, but it didn’t seem like they were in any trouble.
Seeing Jiang Xinyu walking back, she finally felt at ease, having been blaming herself all along.
"Sis, don’t worry, it’s fine. I’ll tell you something when we get back."
Jiang Xinyu didn’t look back, unaware that Wei Kaiyun hadn’t left yet.
When the bus came, she got on and suddenly glanced in the direction where they had talked, seeing Wei Kaiyun still there. He nodded when he saw her looking.
What bad luck. A doomed outing, didn’t check the calendar.
She sat down sulking, placing their baskets together in the aisle.
"Sis, I’m starving. If we had eaten at the restaurant, we wouldn’t have run into that ill-fated face."
"Xinyu, I’m really sorry, it’s all my fault."
Jiang Xinyu saw Wang Ailing’s regretful expression, knowing she’d taken it to heart.
"It’s not your fault; remember not to take everything upon yourself."
"But if I hadn’t mentioned you selling the work, Wei Kaiyun wouldn’t have overheard."
"You’re overthinking. It was just a coincidence. Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore. I bought eight pounds of toilet paper, want two pounds?"
"That would be great. Next time we come to the city, I’ll carry yams, and I’ll go exchange the tickets."
Jiang Xinyu smiled and nodded. There weren’t too many people on the bus, so they weren’t given the evil eye. After getting off, Jiang Xinyu insisted on visiting the supply and marketing cooperative in the town.
"Since we’re already out, we should take a look. Otherwise, who knows when we’ll go out together again?"
Wang Ailing thought Jiang Xinyu had a point. This morning, Mom gave her two yuan, except for forty cents for round-trip bus fare, she hadn’t spent anything yet.
Actually, she really wanted to know if Director Wei would withdraw the textile factory job, but with so many people on the bus, she was hesitant to bring it up.
However, seeing Jiang Xinyu’s insistence on not leaving, she went along.
When they reached the cooperative, Jiang Xinyu was really disappointed; the shelves were empty with mixed smells of soy sauce and vinegar—a really indescribable mix.
After walking around once, they left disappointed. Now she had given up.
It was now three in the afternoon, and they reached home by four. Wang Ailing was carrying the basket, which wasn’t heavy, so Jiang Xinyu didn’t insist.
Returning to the village by four, at home Jiang Xinyu gave Wang Ailing a stack of toilet paper, "With no scale here, it’s us managing gains and losses."
"I’m getting a deal here," Wang Ailing wasn’t foolish.
Jiang Xinyu handed her a pack of brown sugar. "Here, you take this too; you can return the favor when you get more later."
Wang Ailing accepted the brown sugar with mixed emotions; however, she did give Jiang Xinyu money for the toilet paper.
"Sis, you head back, I’ll come over to your place tonight, there’s something I need to discuss with your family."
"I don’t know if it’s good or bad news. Tonight we’ll talk with Uncle and Aunt."
"Alright, you’re having dinner at my place."
Jiang Xinyu shook her head, "No, I’m improving my lifestyle, I’m going to drink brown sugar water."
After seeing off Wang Ailing, Jiang Xinyu lit the stove. She steamed a bowl of egg custard and a box meal of rice.
No matter what, she couldn’t neglect her mouth; who knows what her future holds. It wasn’t that she truly feared Wei Kaiyun coming to the village to ruin her reputation; it was more that what he said struck a chord with her.
Was she really going to stay in the village all her life? Jiang Xinyu knew she wasn’t content with that. Forget it, take it one step at a time.
An hour later, she had dinner, feeling her life was better than when she was fifteen in her previous life—that’s progress.
After eating, she brushed her teeth, then locked the door and went to the Wang Family.
The Wang Family knew Jiang Xinyu was coming that night, so they didn’t bolt the door.
They had also finished dinner, all sitting on the hearth, Wang Jianqiang and his wife scolding Wang Ailing.
"Xinyu, come on up, it’s warm on the hearth."
Jiang Xinyu didn’t hold back, kicked off her shoes and sat on the hearth. Seeing Wang Ailing sitting on the side with her head down, she knew the Wang Family knew what had happened today.
"Uncle, Aunt, I came today to ask you something.
We ran into the textile factory director in the city this afternoon, and he offered me a position at the factory—not as a textile worker, but in the office.
I asked if he could arrange something for Sister Ailing too, and he told me if Sister Ailing goes, she’d only be able to work in the workshop, and as a temporary worker.
So I’m asking for your opinion. Should she go or not?"
Sun Ermei exclaimed in surprise, "That’s a good thing."
"Aunt, the workshop work is really bad for the health. Moreover, the wages for temporary workers won’t be high."
"But it’s better than farming, and if she finds a partner with a real job, then Ailing will have turned her life around."
Wang Jianqiang said nothing, puffing on his cigarette, smoke swirling in the room.
"Xinyu, how much will this job cost?"
"It’s free of charge."
"Free of charge? Such good luck!" Sun Ermei was even more surprised.