After a lively breakfast, Lin Jiaojiao went with her uncle Lu Bing and cousin Lu Li to the textile factory where the original owner used to work.
The HR director responsible for personnel transfers readily completed the paperwork after hearing her request.
After all, buying and selling jobs in this era was no secret. As long as both parties agreed, management would not interfere.
Moreover, Lin Jiaojiao was going to accompany her husband in the military, so she obviously couldn’t keep this job.
Whether it was sold or transferred, there was no issue at all.
After leaving the factory, her uncle went back to work, while Lin Jiaojiao and Lu Li returned to the uncle’s home.
Inside the house, her aunt called the two of them into the room and locked the door.
From a cabinet, she took out money and ration coupons she had gathered from various sources and handed them to Lin Jiaojiao.
“Jiaojiao, here’s 600 yuan and some coupons. Keep them safe. Don’t lose them.
And don’t let your black-hearted father see them, or they’ll be gone faster than meat buns thrown to a dog.”
“Aunt, actually I…”
“You must take it. Otherwise, I’ll give your cousin’s job back to you and let your stepsister take it.”
Before Lin Jiaojiao could refuse, Aunt Li Ruyi said firmly.
Lin Jiaojiao could see they genuinely didn’t want to take advantage of her, so after thinking it over, she accepted.
Seeing her agree, her aunt finally smiled in relief.
After putting the money into her small shoulder bag, Lin Jiaojiao suddenly slapped her forehead.
“Oh no, I forgot something huge!”
“Why are you hitting yourself like that?” Aunt Li Ruyi chided.
Looking at the time—almost ten in the morning—she quickly said,
“Aunt, I made plans with Gu Tingzhou yesterday. He’s coming over today at noon to visit you and uncle.”
“I forgot all about it!”
Aunt Li Ruyi poked her forehead lightly.
“You child, how could you forget something this important?”
Then she turned to Lu Li.
“Xiaoli, go tell your dad at the factory to come home for lunch. If possible, ask him to take the afternoon off too.”
Then she looked at Lin Jiaojiao.
“Jiaojiao, go bring Comrade Gu here. I’ll go buy groceries.”
After a pause, she changed her mind.
“No, it’s too late. I’ll just go to the state-run restaurant and buy ready-made dishes.”
She grabbed her scarf and prepared to leave.
But Lin Jiaojiao quickly stopped her.
“I’ll go buy them.”
Her uncle’s family had already emptied themselves just to gather money for her job transfer. How could they still afford this?
More importantly, they had treated her so well—she couldn’t just accept everything without giving anything back.
“How can that be? Comrade Gu is coming to our house—how can we let you spend money?” her aunt insisted.
“That’s why I’m saying… do you still treat me like an outsider?”
“And besides, he’s coming to discuss our marriage. It’s not just a visit.”
“You and uncle helping me is already more than enough. How can I still let you spend money?”
Aunt Li Ruyi disagreed firmly.
“What are you talking about? We’re your elders. Isn’t it normal to help you?”
“Besides, how much can a few dishes cost? We’re treating you like our own daughter—why shouldn’t we spend a little on our daughter?”
Lin Jiaojiao fell silent for a moment.
Seeing her quiet down, her aunt smiled in satisfaction.
She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Lin Jiaojiao’s ear.
“Be good. Go pick up Comrade Gu. Don’t let him feel neglected.”
“Alright then… thank you, Aunt.”
Lin Jiaojiao suppressed the warmth in her eyes and clung to her aunt’s arm softly.
“You silly girl, go on now.”
With that, she left.
When she arrived at the guesthouse, Gu Tingzhou had already prepared all the gifts needed for the visit.
Just one glance made Lin Jiaojiao raise her eyebrows.
Two full net bags of goods.
Inside were two large bags of White Rabbit candies, two tins of malted milk powder, several packs of peach biscuits, two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes, apples, two bottles of liquor, and various small items.
Every single item was something ordinary families would hesitate to buy.
Altogether, it easily cost dozens of yuan.
No matter what his family background was, the fact that he was willing to prepare this much already said a lot about him.
He was someone reliable.
Seeing her staring without speaking, just smiling foolishly, Gu Tingzhou grew nervous.
“Jiaojiao… is this enough? If not, we can go to the supply store and buy more.”
“This is my first time visiting your uncle’s home. I don’t want to lose face for you.”
Lin Jiaojiao immediately picked up one of the bags and smiled.
“It’s enough. More than enough. You’re very thoughtful.”
He quietly relaxed.
Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box of snow cream and handed it to her.
“I saw this while shopping and bought it for you. I hope you like it.”
Well, well.
Who said this man was dull?
He clearly knew how to please a girl.
Lin Jiaojiao suddenly felt that marrying him didn’t seem so bad.
At first, she only thought he was handsome and had a nice voice.
But now, after spending more time with him, she realized he seemed… quite good in other ways too.
Cold on the outside, but thoughtful and considerate on the inside.
“Do you not like it?”
Seeing her not moving, Gu Tingzhou immediately grew nervous again.
“No, I like it. Of course I like it.”
She took it and smiled brightly.
“Tingzhou, thank you. You’re really good.”
At those words, something seemed to strike Gu Tingzhou like electricity.
His gaze landed unconsciously on her soft lips.
His throat suddenly went dry.
He swallowed.
“Gulp…”
The sound was loud in the quiet room.
Instantly, his face turned completely red.
Damn it—he had never been this embarrassed in his entire life.
And in front of a girl, no less.
Lin Jiaojiao, however, remained oblivious to his reaction and asked with concern:
“Why is your face so red? Are you hot? I don’t feel hot at all.”
Naturally, she didn’t consider anything else.
After all, the original owner’s body was extremely thin from years of malnutrition.
Flat everywhere.
The only decent things were her height and her face.
And she had once heard from a friend that men first look at a woman’s body, not her face.
So with her current figure—
There was no way this man could possibly be thinking anything improper about her.
Gu Tingzhou: “……”