Xu Qinghuan remembers a scene in the book, she discussed it with her best friend at the time, that since Jiang Chengxu is the kind of man with a weak will like a central air conditioner, as long as a woman clings to him, he immediately turns into a savior. Where does this inherent flaw come from?
Her best friend slapped her thigh, "Right, like father, like son!"
So, her best friend added a scene, arranging a lover for Father Jiang.
This lover has quite a background too. Not young, in her late thirties, not yet forty, she was once a maid of a wealthy family, then got pregnant and became a concubine, giving birth to a daughter who is only fourteen, with skin like snow and ruby lips.
Years ago, when the situation was tense, the main wife took her people and fled to Xiangjiang, leaving the concubine behind. The mother and daughter could only live by selling off private property. Once, when surrounded by street ruffians, Father Jiang, who usually disliked meddling, ended up helping the mother and daughter.
The concubine immediately recognized Father Jiang’s special status. She pretended her leg was injured by the ruffians, and with her daughter crying beside her, easily gained Father Jiang’s sympathy.
A man’s instinctive response to beauty.
Father Jiang was no exception.
Gradually, the two started an affair, plus having a beautiful daughter beside them pleading and lamenting, Father Jiang gave the mother and daughter every possible care and attention.
What Xu Qinghuan calls a major weapon is this matter.
Last night, she packed the meal she brought home into containers in her space, freeing up the lunch box.
She didn’t have dinner at the Xu Family, planning to eat at a state-owned restaurant and pack some breakfast for future needs when she goes to the countryside.
She also planned to visit Yong’an Department Store to buy a watch and give Wang Juan the prepared medicine.
Last night, after Xu Manman fell asleep, she went to the space and added a main herb called Purple Reed Grass to the prepared medicine bag. After a night of storage in the space, the medicinal efficacy improved by at least twenty percent.
"Sis, aren’t you having breakfast?" Xu Manman followed to the door with a corn cake in her hand, seemingly thinking of something.
"No, I’m not hungry!"
Xu Qinghuan went straight downstairs and walked out of the courtyard without looking around. At the gate, the old man stopped her, "Huanzai, about the recruitment matter you asked me to find out, I’ve got the information."
Xu Qinghuan had already sold one job position, but it didn’t prevent her from selling a second one.
"Grandpa, which factory is recruiting?"
As she spoke, Xu Qinghuan had already pinched three Great Gate cigarettes.
The old man waved her closer and whispered, "The lighting factory is recruiting a publicity officer, requiring strong writing skills, and some knowledge of foreign languages."
"Why do they need foreign languages?" Xu Qinghuan was puzzled. In those days, anyone who knew foreign languages was either protected or detained.
"They said it’s for some conference, inviting foreigners to a meeting in Wuyang City this October, so they need to understand some foreign languages." The old man looked worriedly at Xu Qinghuan, "Huanzai, perhaps you should wait a while, and I can help inquire further?"
Xu Qinghuan replied, "No need, Grandpa, I can manage. When’s the application and exam?"
Unfortunately, she needs to go to the countryside. Including today, she has only three days to operate.
"Today’s the registration, tomorrow’s the exam!" the gatekeeper Grandpa said, "Go and find the old man guarding the entrance of the lighting factory, his surname is Tu, and tell him that Grandpa Wu sent you, he won’t dare stop you!"
Xu Qinghuan felt a surge of warmth, "Grandpa, thank you so much!"
She placed the three cigarettes on the table and quickly ran off.
Grandpa Wu saw the cigarettes, sighed with an "Oh," shook his rough face, clearly smiling like a crabapple flower.
"This child, where did she get the cigarettes?" Grandpa Wu lovingly sniffed the cigarette, reluctant to smoke it, tucked it behind his ear, humming a tune, feeling extremely pleased.
In those days, people rolled their cigarettes with home-grown or purchased tobacco leaves, unable to afford buying cigarettes.
Having a few cigarettes in the pocket added to one’s prestige for half a year.
Xu Qinghuan was also in a good mood after receiving the news. Once she got this position, she could find a way to sell the job.
"Qinghuan!"
When Jiang Chengxu’s voice reached her ears, her mood plummeted. Seeing him stride towards her, Xu Qinghuan stepped back, extended her hand, "The watch my mom gave you, hand it back!"
The watch was in Jiang Chengxu’s possession, she couldn’t be sure to retrieve it even from Jiang’s mother.
Jiang Chengxu’s eyebrows furrowed, "Qinghuan, do you have to push things to an irreparable point?"
He couldn’t believe Xu Qinghuan, having liked him for so many years, would suddenly stop liking him, besides, he hadn’t done anything wrong, why was she causing such a scene?
"If I give you the watch, this marriage engagement will definitely end." Jiang Chengxu said unhappily.
Xu Qinghuan nodded, "I know, so please return the watch!"
Jiang Chengxu originally came to reconcile with Xu Qinghuan and upon hearing this became extremely angry, he quickly took off the watch, slapped it onto Xu Qinghuan’s palm, and said angrily, "Xu Qinghuan, this is your decision, don’t come asking for it back later!"
Finished speaking, he stormed off, after a few steps he turned back and headed into the courtyard.
Soon, Xu Qinghuan heard Xu Manman’s voice, "Chengxu brother!"
She glanced at the men’s watch in her hand, still carrying the warmth of youth, but made her fingertips cold. Without thinking too much, she put the watch into her space, lost interest in visiting the state-owned restaurant, and headed directly toward the lighting factory.
Jiang Chengxu came out and didn’t see Xu Qinghuan, his mood dropped to the bottom. As he looked at the street ahead of him, he seemed to see the person trailing behind him, shouting "Chengxu brother."
Seemingly, no matter when, as long as he turned around, he could see Xu Qinghuan’s presence.
For the first time, he looked and didn’t see that familiar figure, feeling an unexpected sense of panic in his heart.
"Chengxu brother, what’s wrong?" Xu Manman asked with concern, relieved not to see Xu Qinghuan after coming downstairs.
"Nothing, I’ve heard the lighting factory is recruiting, today’s registration, tomorrow’s examination, do you want to check it out?" Jiang Chengxu decided to handle the major issue first, his conflict with Xu Qinghuan was not urgent.
"Ah, really? But, Chengxu brother, my adoptive parents didn’t let me study much, I only graduated junior high, I’m not sure if I can pass?" Xu Manman said sadly, her eyes red, pitifully.
Jiang Chengxu couldn’t help but feel tender. "Don’t worry, I’ll take you to register and take the exam first, completing the recruitment process."
With that understanding, Xu Manman wrapped Jiang Chengxu’s arm and sweetly smiled, "Chengxu brother, you’re so good, thanks to you, otherwise going to the countryside would be my only option."
Two people came towards them, one of whom was Chen Dewen, who Jiang Chengxu didn’t get along with. He looked sarcastically at their clasped arms, making Jiang Chengxu pull back uncomfortably, softening his smile, "I help because I can!"