Of course it counts. As long as Third Uncle listens to me, I can help you go wherever you want.”
Xu Ying said this lightly as she carefully plated the fried vegetables, the golden color glistening under the light.
Third Uncle Xu’s face darkened, his eyes carrying a rare determination. “I want to work in a textile factory. Any position is fine, as long as I can get in.”
Xu Ying didn’t even glance at his expression. She simply nodded, her tone brisk and full of assurance. “Alright, as long as you listen to me, it’ll be done. At most three months — no, I can probably get you in within one month.”
In her previous life, Third Uncle had made a fortune in clothing and accessories. Now, if he went to work at the textile factory early, he would be stepping onto the right path far ahead of schedule.
Last life, she had been ignorant and naïve, but this time, Xu Ying didn’t believe that fools like Dong Wenzhong and Chen Yanran had climbed up without help behind the scenes.
So, she had to strengthen herself and her family. If no one was secretly supporting Dong Wenzhong, fine — but if there was someone, she was determined to ensure her family didn’t end up helping that person or becoming a burden.
Because once human hearts go bad, they’re more terrifying than demons.
“Third Uncle, bring out the mandarin duck chicken, the abalone with shiitake mushrooms, and the croquettes.”
Hearing her, Third Uncle immediately got up and went to help.
Meanwhile, Sister-in-law Xu had been watching the whole time, stunned. When Third Uncle left, she finally spoke, her voice small, “Little sister, you really can find a job for Third Uncle?”
It sounded so easy, like picking something up from the ground.
If she hadn’t just spent a hundred yuan to get someone to help her mother get a timekeeping job, she would have thought jobs were as easy to pick up as pebbles on the road.
(If little Shitou had understood her thoughts, he would’ve rolled his eyes and thought: Mom, am I as easy to pick up as a pebble?)
“Of course. As long as he’s obedient, I’ll do my best to help. If I can’t manage it, well… then there’s nothing I can do.” Xu Ying didn’t dare make empty promises.
But inwardly, she was confident.
Sister-in-law Xu let out a breath of relief. That made sense — how could jobs be that easy to get?
But what surprised her more was that Third Uncle actually trusted little Xu Ying so much and thought she could really get him a job.
“Sister-in-law, the last dish is almost done. Take it out for me!” Xu Ying pointed toward the chopping board.
There were quite a lot of people in the Xu family. Xu Ying’s immediate family already had eight members, and with Second and Third Uncle’s families, there were over twenty people in total.
Xu Father and his sons dragged out another table from the house, and they set up two large tables right in the courtyard.
The men wanted to drink, so they sat separately from the women.
When Xu Ying walked out, Xu Father was already clinking glasses with Old Man Xu.
As soon as the topic of Xu Ying working at a state-owned hotel came up, the men of the Xu family were all animated, as if they themselves were going to work there.
Third Uncle Xu lifted his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. Wiping his mouth, he declared, “Our Yingying is amazing! She’s going to work in a state-owned hotel. From now on, she’ll be eating national food!”
“That’s right. And don’t forget whose niece she is.” Second Uncle Xu laughed heartily, slapping the table.
Xu Father was beaming from ear to ear at his brothers’ praise.
Old Man Xu was so overjoyed he almost jumped up. He slammed his glass on the table, stood up, and shouted excitedly, “Come on, let’s all drink a toast to celebrate my granddaughter working in a state-owned hotel!”
Everyone at both tables lifted their glasses — the men with liquor, the women with water — and drank in celebration.
Xu Jing, sitting nearby, looked at Xu Ying with eyes full of envy. “Yingying, you’re incredible. You can actually work in a state-owned restaurant’s kitchen. If I could just be a waitress, even for a temporary job, I’d be thrilled!”
Xu Ying smiled slightly. “I’ll check it out for you. If they’re short on people, I’ll let you know first.”
Xu Jing hadn’t expected anything concrete — she was just casually complaining — but hearing that, she immediately brightened. She threw her arms around Xu Ying, laughing. “Yingying, you’re the best! Cousin loves you to death!”
“Cousin, if you don’t let go, I’m going to suffocate to death,” Xu Ying teased, feeling squeezed breathless.
Xu Jing hurriedly let go, her face guilty. “Sorry, Yingying!”
Xu Ying took a deep breath and playfully glared at her. “Go eat.”
Reminded, Xu Jing turned to the table — which was already half empty — and quickly joined the fray, picking up her chopsticks to grab at the dishes.
“Mmm, so delicious! I’m so jealous of the people at your restaurant. They get to eat your cooking every day!” Xu Jing sighed blissfully, remembering the pig-feed-like meals she’d eaten at home before.
Xu Ying wasn’t hungry herself. She’d eaten at the Gu family’s place at noon, and with all the taste-testing while cooking, she was already full.
Watching the lively family gathering, Xu Ying quietly got up and slipped out of the courtyard.
She had only walked a few steps when she saw Huo Chen carrying Grandma Huo on his back, walking toward her.
“Huo Chen, what’s wrong with Grandma Huo?”
“She caught a cold. Got a shot and some medicine — she’s fine now.” Huo Chen’s voice was calm as always. He carried Grandma Huo with steady arms, muscles flexing slightly under the strain, his steps unwavering.
Xu Ying nodded, remembering the doubled favorability points from before. She looked up at Huo Chen with a bright smile. “Huo Chen, you haven’t eaten yet, right? I’ll go cook something for you.”
Huo Chen was momentarily stunned. Before he could even think of refusing, Xu Ying had already turned and was walking toward his house.
Her legs weren’t as long as his, and no matter how fast she walked, he easily caught up within a few steps.
But this time, Huo Chen didn’t stop her. He still remembered the last time he’d eaten her cooking.
“Xu Ying, are you really going to work at a state-owned restaurant?” Huo Chen asked, lowering his head to look at the girl walking beside him.
Xu Ying nodded. “Mm, I’m starting the day after tomorrow.”
When Huo Chen heard this, the faint ripple in his heart gradually calmed.
“You’re doing well,” he murmured.
A gust of wind blew past, rustling the leaves, and Xu Ying didn’t catch what he said. “Huh? What did you say?”
“I said, you can help me cook later — I’ll pay you.”
“You don’t have to be so polite! You saved my life, after all. It’s only right for me to cook for you,” Xu Ying said, though as she spoke, she was already eyeing what ingredients to bring along.
When they arrived at the Huo family house, Lao Hui, the giant dog, leapt down from the wall, wagging its tail wildly and rushing toward Xu Ying, its massive tongue lapping at her hands.
If someone didn’t know better, they’d think it was a gray dog!
Xu Ying patted its head fondly, knowing this guy had been won over by her marrow-cleansing pills.
Seeing Lao Hui’s rare affection toward someone else, Huo Chen couldn’t help but smile faintly. But when the big dog started pawing at Xu Ying and slobbering all over her, his expression turned slightly dark. “Lao Hui, go back.”
Lao Hui whined pitifully, glancing at Huo Chen before reluctantly slinking away.
Xu Ying was a bit reluctant to see him go, but she didn’t forget her purpose today. She cheerfully made her way to the Huo family’s kitchen.
The moment she stepped inside, her jaw dropped.
“Oh my goodness!”
Who had been spreading nonsense, saying the Huo family was the poorest household in Xujia Village?
Just look at these kitchen supplies!
They were better stocked than her own family!
Once again, Xu Ying reminded herself that listening to gossip was the most dangerous thing in the world.
She spotted pheasants and hares hanging by the kitchen and reached out to take one.
“Huo Chen, do you know how to cook?” Xu Ying called out, popping a melon seed into her mouth as she spoke.
Watching her adorably playful manner, Huo Chen thought to himself, it wouldn’t be bad if she stayed around like this a little longer.