Lin Chuxia had taken a good few days of rest at home, which was also a way of comforting Qin Yang.
Every day, she made him delicious meals and accompanied him for a walk in the evening to help digest the food.
Yuan Bao, the family’s pet, had also been sticking close to her these past few days, making it feel like she had two big dogs clinging to her at home.
The pomegranate tree in the yard had fruit the size of small fists now, and one was already starting to turn red.
Quite a few of the flowers had wilted, and Qin Yang hadn’t gotten around to dealing with them yet. But, as for the vegetables in the garden, since she wasn’t home and Qin Yang rarely ate at home, he had given away plenty of the ripe produce to neighbors.
The bean plants had overgrown and weren’t replanted, so the whole vegetable patch had been cleared out.
Lin Chuxia carefully collected the flower seeds and was busy at work when someone called her name at the door.
Jiang Hong walked in with her child in her arms. “I heard from them that you were back yesterday—I didn’t believe it. Li Wei, that guy, never tells me anything. It was only after I asked that I found out you’ve actually returned.”
Lin Chuxia smiled and moved a stool for her. “I’ve been back for two days, just tidying up at home. So many things need to be sorted after being away for such a long time.”
“Aiya, why bother cleaning up? Mr. Qin is so efficient. Just look at your yard, aside from these flowers which he probably can’t bear to touch, everything else is immaculately tidy.”
Jiang Hong truly envied Lin Chuxia.
“If my Li Wei could be half as capable as Mr. Qin, I’d be content. After work, all he does is lie in bed and play with the child. He doesn’t cook, and he’s never even touched a broom.”
Lin Chuxia played with the child; Jiang Hong’s son was already half a year old, plump and robust, staring at her with his big, shiny black eyes and gnawing on his little fist.
“Let me hold him.”
Lin Chuxia loved children immensely, reaching out to take the baby.
“Wow, he’s quite heavy.”
“He’s a good eater. Now my breast milk isn’t enough to satisfy him. Li Wei bought him formula, and my mother-in-law also cooks him millet porridge and sometimes makes him egg custard.”
Jiang Hong smiled broadly as she talked about her son.
Lin Chuxia pinched his little face—soft and firm. “Is your mother-in-law still here? Sounds like she knows how to take care of children.”
These days, it’s rare for someone to cook millet porridge or egg custard for a child alone. At most, when they’re a bit older, some might feed them steamed buns in vegetable soup.
“This is the Li family’s eldest grandson, my mother-in-law really cares for him, so I don’t have to worry much,” she glanced at Lin Chuxia and hesitated a little before speaking, “Chuxia, I came to see you today because I wanted to ask you something…”
“Mm? Go ahead.”
Jiang Hong swallowed uneasily before speaking cautiously, “Well, it’s like this: my Stone is getting bigger, and at home, it’s just my mother-in-law and me looking after him, which seems superfluous. I was thinking of finding something to do. Is your Bun Shop hiring?”
So that’s what it was.
Lin Chuxia smiled slightly, “It’s great that you have this idea, but the Bun Shop might not be convenient. How about becoming a sales clerk for selling clothes?”
The Bun Shop was on track and new hires were quickly filled as needed, but the business at Huamei Mall was continuously expanding and desperately needed more staff.
Jiang Hong’s eyes lit up, “Can I do that?”
She had, of course, preferred to sell clothes but was too shy to bring it up.
“Why not? Jobs are done by people, and if you’re willing to learn diligently, you can do it. Plus, the mall is close to home, and you won’t have to get up early for work.”
“Chuxia, you’re so kind,” Jiang Hong was moved to tears, “Having you as a friend, I’m incredibly lucky.”
“Don’t say that just yet. Have you discussed this with your husband, Li Wei? I don’t want to cause any disagreements between you two.”
After all, Jiang Hong’s child is still young.
Jiang Hong waved it off nonchalantly, “Don’t worry, I can handle him with just a couple of words. My mother-in-law has agreed to help me with the child. She thinks it’s a waste for both of us to stay at home just to watch the kid. She had thought about going back to her hometown but couldn’t bear to part with her grandson, so me going out to work is just perfect.”
“Alright, you go back and make arrangements, and once you’re set, I’ll take you to the mall.”
Jiang Hong was eager, “Can we do it tomorrow?”
“That works too,” Lin Chuxia was well-rested and was indeed thinking of visiting the mall.
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Hong came to look for Lin Chuxia.
She had dressed up specially for the day, wearing a neat plaid shirt with black trousers, and a pair of black buckle shoes on her feet.
By the book, clean-cut.
Lin Chuxia smiled and nodded, “Hmm, not bad, the standard attire for a sales assistant.”
Upon hearing that, Jiang Hong let out a sigh of relief and asked Lin Chuxia eagerly, “Really? I rummaged for a long time to find this. Don’t laugh at me, but none of my old clothes fit anymore. This is the only outfit I can still wear out. Ever since I had Stone, I haven’t bought any new clothes. I always thought I’d be nursing my child and wouldn’t have the chance to wear new clothes. Only when I stepped out did I realize, it’s been over a year since I last got new clothes.”
Lin Chuxia took her hand and walked outside, “Once you start earning your own money, buy whatever you want. We women need to take care of our families, but must also take care of ourselves.”
Jiang Hong nodded vigorously, “I’ll take your advice.”
When the two arrived at Huamei Mall, it wasn’t open yet, but it was close to opening time.
The mall staff had already arrived and were having a meeting inside.
Huamei Mall’s management approach was the result of discussions between Lin Chuxia and Wang Tianxue. Wang Tianxue really liked Lin Chuxia’s suggestions and had added some of her own ideas.
Now, Huamei Mall had neither the rigid service of the old Department Store nor lacked traditional style, making it easy for customers to accept and feel at home.
Lin Chuxia took Jiang Hong to stand aside; Jiang Hong had never worked before and was unfamiliar with all this.
Standing to the side, her eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.
After Wang Tianxue finished the meeting, she came straight over, “What made you willing to come back?”
“I missed you,” Lin Chuxia replied unenthusiastically.
Wang Tianxue was so annoyed she felt like pinching someone, but then her gaze fell on Jiang Hong, who was standing beside Lin Chuxia.
Seizing the moment, Lin Chuxia explained to her about Jiang Hong coming to work at Huamei Mall.
Without hesitation, Wang Tianxue called Liu Na over to help guide Jiang Hong.
Liu Na, who had seen Lin Chuxia earlier, greeted her with a smile, “Mr. Lin.”
“Nana looks pretty,” Lin Chuxia genuinely complimented.
The Liu Na before her was wearing her hair in a high ponytail, exuding youth and energy.
Dressed in the mall’s uniform, she looked spirited and lively.
“Thank you, Mr. Lin.”
Liu Na sweetly expressed her thanks and took Jiang Hong to the front.
Lin Chuxia and Wang Tianxue walked toward the upstairs office, “I see the merchandise in the mall is quite nice. Did your trip down south go smoothly?”
A while back, the mall was preparing the autumn collection, and Wang Tianxue had made another trip.
“It was okay, much smoother than the first time. Jianjun is really good at getting things done, he and Liu Na truly are my right and left arms. I owe much to these two this time. Houzi isn’t bad either, he handles things smoothly. My cousin’s mother especially likes him. During his time in the Rong City Office, she had nothing but praise for him.”