In the end, Yang Ming decided not to ask his younger brother for help and managed to tidy up the small courtyard before dark after much exhausting effort.
The next morning, bright and early, they borrowed an ox cart and the whole family bustled about, moving everything to the newly rented yard.
The villagers saw this and began discussing among themselves.
"The Yang Family is moving?"
"Where are they moving to?"
"Looks like the Yang Family has really made some money!"
"I haven’t heard about them buying or building a house!"
Xiaoxiao had grown accustomed to the villagers’ gossip about her every move; rather than ignoring them this time, she approached the crowd.
"Everyone, there’s no need for speculation. Yuelai Restaurant has rented a place here to ask us to help make pickled Chinese cabbage, so if anyone has some to sell, bring it to our newly rented yard in the afternoon. We’ll buy as much as you have!"
"Also, we are looking to hire ten women to help make the pickled cabbage. If you’re interested, hurry and sign up at the Village Chief’s place!"
Having dropped these two bombshells, Xiaoxiao followed her family to the newly rented yard.
She left a group of people in utter disarray.
"Pickled Chinese cabbage? I’ve heard it’s selling like hotcakes in the county town!"
"How on earth did the Yangs get so lucky to forge such a big connection with the Yuelai Restaurant?"
"And now they’re looking to hire? This is getting serious."
"I must go ask at the Village Chief’s house. It’s not easy for us women to find jobs."
"Right? Let’s go, hurry up!"
A crowd swiftly gathered at the Village Chief’s house to inquire about the situation and immediately began questioning upon arrival.
"Village Chief, we just heard from Yang Ming’s wife that they’re hiring ten women. Is this true?"
"Yes, yes, it’s not easy for us women to find work. Are they really hiring women?"
"How much will they pay?"
"Everyone calm down and listen to me!"
The Village Chief spoke up, and the crowd instantly silenced, eagerly awaiting his response.
"The hiring is true. It pays twenty wen a day and includes a meal at noon!"
The news exploded through the crowd. Twenty wen? Even men working outside may not make that much, let alone women, and to have lunch provided as well—something not even the men had at midday.
Delighted, everyone jostled to register themselves and their family members. With only ten spots available, they needed to act fast, fearing they wouldn’t be selected.
"Quiet down, quiet! There are requirements for these job positions: only married women with children over five years old and under thirty years of age need apply."
In fact, it was Xiaoxiao who had set these criteria because those too young or too old wouldn’t be suitable for the job. Handling large quantities of Chinese cabbage every day was tiring work, and women with very young children couldn’t be spared, as they needed to attend to their kids.
Even with such restrictions, more than ten people in the village met the criteria, so the Village Chief had to manage the selection process.
"For those who aren’t selected, don’t worry. Yuelai Restaurant’s decision to make pickled Chinese cabbage in our village is all thanks to Yang Ming’s wife. She has said that if things go well this year, next year we could plant more Chinese cabbage and lead everyone to make money!"
Reassured by the Village Chief’s words, the villagers settled down. The Village Chief responsibly chose ten suitable women and arranged for them to start work at Xiaoxiao’s place the next day.
With that resolved, the crowd dispersed and everyone went their separate ways, except for one person who clutched a handkerchief tightly, ceaselessly twisting it, their face dark and filled with envy as they walked towards Xiaoxiao’s newly rented cottage.