Xu Ying wasn’t unreasonable. She changed the subject with a smile.
“Of course, I won’t treat you all unfairly. As long as this mission is completed well, I’ll request bonuses for everyone from the factory director.”
Xu Ying’s style was the perfect example of “a slap first, followed by a sweet date.”
As expected at the mention of bonuses, everyone’s eyes lit up.
After all, weren’t they working for money?
“By the way,” Xu Ying continued, “the factory director also said that from now on, the sales department will be paid on commission. The more we sell, the more we earn. If we want higher income, we must sell more of our products. All of you are seasoned employees, with plenty of connections. I hope you will work harder from now on .”
Having said this, Xu Ying leaned back and closed her eyes to rest.
The sales staff, who had initially been dissatisfied, immediately became obedient.
Zhou Yi sat opposite Xu Ying. This was the first time he had ever studied her so closely, and he couldn’t help sneaking a few more glances.
Qian Yuanyuan, noticing this, seethed with jealousy. She shot Xu Ying a fierce glare, then closed her eyes in frustration.
She was, after all, a pampered young lady who had never endured any real hardship. Now she had to ride the train for a full day and night, sitting the entire time on a hard seat. Before long, her back ached and her legs felt cramped, yet there was no space to stretch. Her grievances piled up, but there was nowhere to vent them.
To make matters worse, the children in the row behind were noisy, crying incessantly.
Xu Ying had also intended to take a nap, but the racket grated on her nerves. She frowned. Truly, obedient children were better — noisy ones were insufferable.
Unable to sleep, she rubbed her temples and sat upright.
Uncle Xu, seeing her awake, muttered discontentedly:
“The child is so noisy, nowhere near as well-behaved as my two daughters.”
His words instantly stirred trouble. The grandmother behind them had already been upset while coaxing her grandson. Now, hearing someone belittle him, her temper flared.
She shot up from her seat with a sharp whoosh, abandoning her attempts to soothe the child. She glared furiously at Uncle Xu.
“Young man, it costs you nothing to criticize. If your daughters are obedient, that’s thanks to your wife’s hard work. Clearly, you don’t appreciate it. Children crying is normal.”
Uncle Xu bristled at this.
“Who says I don’t value my wife’s hard work? Children crying is normal, yes — but your child is far too unruly. At his age, it’s shameful to make such a scene in public.”
Qian Yuanyuan, already irritable, added coldly,
“Your child looks about ten years old, yet he still behaves so ignorantly.”
The spoiled boy, unused to reproach, burst out in anger.
“You’re all bad people! I’ll have my father arrest you. My dad is a soldier!”
The child’s arrogance was palpable.
Having a soldier in the family was an immense source of pride in those days. The old woman straightened, her expression smug.
“Be good, Dabao. Let’s not argue with them. Your father defends the country, and you must learn from him.” Her tone dripped with superiority.
Xu Ying tugged at Uncle Xu’s sleeve.
“Uncle, why quarrel with a child? You must be hungry. Have something to eat. My mother packed me plenty of food before I left.”
Of course, the food hadn’t been made by her mother. Xu Ying had simply prepared it all at once and stored it in her space, keeping it fresh. Whenever she wished, she could scoop out steaming dishes as though just cooked.
And sure enough, magic was the best way to counter a bratty child.
With a flick of her hand, Xu Ying drew out several large food boxes, still steaming hot.
“Eat quickly while it’s warm! My mother wrapped everything in cotton, and I didn’t expect it to still be so hot.” She winked at Uncle Xu.
Uncle Xu immediately caught on. His eyes widened at the sight of braised pork, spicy chicken, and beef brisket stewed with tomatoes and potatoes spread across the table. His mouth watered uncontrollably.
Without hesitation, he seized his chopsticks, picked up a glistening piece of braised pork, and popped it into his mouth.
“Oh heavens! This braised pork is incredible! Rich yet not greasy, sweet, tender — absolutely delicious!”
The rich aroma of meat spread through the carriage. His praise only made everyone around them salivate.
Most of those riding in the hard-seat compartment came from poor families who rarely, if ever, ate meat — let alone food prepared with such skill. The fragrance drifted like an irresistible breeze, and passengers inhaled deeply, trying to savor it.
The boy behind them was so tempted he began wailing again.
“Grandma, I want braised pork too!”
Uncle Xu, hearing this, only ate faster.
“Oh, so good! Yingying, you really are a master cook! This braised pork is divine — and the spicy chicken, oh, so fiery and satisfying!”
Yang Nan, ever quick-witted, chimed in,
“Uncle Xu, I brought some braised snacks too. Would you like some?”
“What? You did? Bring them out, quickly!” Uncle Xu urged eagerly.
Yang Nan promptly produced his braised delicacies, which he had purchased fresh that very morning. Their aroma was thick and mouthwatering.
The moment they appeared, everyone nearby swallowed hungrily.
The boy craned his neck, eyes locked on the food.
“Grandma, I want braised food too. The dog next door got to eat it — I want some!”
His cries grew shriller.
The old woman’s heart ached for him. She had scrimped since boarding the day before, skipping her own dinner to save money and leaving all the food to her grandson. Now the aroma was unbearable, and her stomach growled.
“Grandma, I want braised food,” the boy whined again, testing the patience of everyone in earshot.
Finally, she turned and spoke arrogantly,
“How much is that braised food? I’ll buy it from you.”
Uncle Xu sneered, still chewing.
“Buy it? Hmph! We barely have enough for ourselves. If you want some, go purchase it elsewhere. Don’t look at us.”
The old woman bristled. How dare this young man show such disrespect?
“Young man, my son is a soldier, fighting at the frontlines to protect this very country! He sheds sweat and blood for your safety — and this is how you treat his child?”
Ah. This was moral blackmail.
Xu Ying slowly raised her eyelids and smiled.
“Auntie, what are you saying? Your son indeed defends our nation, and that is admirable. But just because he wears a soldier’s uniform, must ordinary people obey your every word?
Soldiers are patriotic. Their duty is to protect the people, not oppress them. Speak like that, and outsiders might think your son joined the army merely to throw his weight around.
To put it mildly, this is oppression. To put it gravely, it tarnishes the honor of all soldiers. Are all soldiers like this — arrogant, self-righteous, and trampling the common folk?”
“You… you… you!” The old woman shook with fury, her voice trembling.
What a sharp-tongued and eloquent girl.