Sister Kang, after listening to Li Yutong, was surprised but found it reasonable: "You mean I should find someone to replace me temporarily?"
Li Yutong didn’t beat around the bush: "Yes, coincidentally, I have a friend who’s currently looking for a job. I came to ask if she could temporarily take over, so she has a job and can solve her food problem. You won’t lose your job and can still receive half of the salary."
Sister Kang nodded: "This plan is indeed feasible."
The doctor said her husband needs at least three or four months to recover and still might require assistance even after discharge. They can’t always rely on neighbors, so a temporary replacement seems like the best solution.
So they quickly agreed that Sister Kang would go over to discuss the replacement with her manager tomorrow morning. The salary would be split equally, and when Sister Kang returned to work, Qiao Shanmei would leave.
However, they also decided any additional benefits given by the unit during this period would go to Qiao Shanmei.
Leaving Sister Kang’s place, Li Yutong headed directly to the nanny Xu Shaozhen’s.
Qiao Shanmei was helping Xu Shaozhen pickle vegetables, and when she saw Li Yutong approaching, she said, "Yutong, you’re here! Do you have good news?"
Li Yutong looked pleased with herself: "Of course, when I said I’d help you, I wouldn’t let you down."
Qiao Shanmei excitedly stood up, wiped her hands on her apron: "Come on, tell me!"
Li Yutong didn’t say it directly and instead remarked, "I rushed here straight after work to deal with your matters and I’m almost dying of thirst."
Qiao Shanmei was all smiles: "Right, right, right. Look at me. Wait, I’ll get you some water."
Qiao Shanmei jogged into the house.
Xu Yuzhen glanced at Qiao Shanmei running inside, then turned to Li Yutong: "Yutong, did you really find her a job?"
Li Yutong fiddled with her fingers: "Of course, it’s no joke."
Xu Yuzhen beamed with pride, thinking that the child she nursed is truly capable. Even though the Li Family encountered difficulties, Yutong remains impressive, finding work for herself and even helping friends secure jobs.
Qiao Shanmei came out with a glass of water: "Yutong, here’s the water."
Li Yutong was genuinely thirsty. She took the glass, drank it in a few gulps, and handed it back to Qiao Shanmei: "Another glass, please."
Qiao Shanmei wasn’t bothered and turned back into the house.
Li Yutong said to nanny Xu Yuzhen: "Nanny, let her stay here temporarily for a while. But she can’t stay long for free. Make sure she pays you two yuan each month for rent, and allow her to help you with any chores."
Xu Yuzhen just said: "She’s your friend, you arrange as you see fit."
Li Yutong had her own plans helping Qiao Shanmei, though she didn’t intend to help for free; the house wouldn’t be free either.
When Qiao Shanmei came out again, Li Yutong said: "I can’t get you a formal job right now, but I found a temporary replacement job for you. That big sister is dealing with family issues and needs to take a long leave. So their unit is definitely looking for help during this time.
I spoke with that big sister; you’ll cover her shift, and you’ll each get half of the salary. Settle in first, then slowly look for a more suitable job."
Qiao Shanmei seemed pleased: "That’s doable, that’s doable. What does the big sister do?"
Li Yutong looked at her: "She works as a janitor at our hospital."
When Qiao Shanmei heard it was a cleaning job, the expression on her face immediately fell.