With Qin Wenying’s reminder, Qin Wenying recalled the scene:
“I didn’t really pay attention to who was around. It was my first time encountering something like this, and I was in such a hurry that I just gave it.”
Only now did Qin Wenying realize something was inappropriate. After all, Lin Qimo had already reminded her before not to flaunt wealth especially in front of villagers.
“Did I cause you trouble?” Qin Wenying suddenly blamed herself.
She wasn’t afraid for herself, but worried she might have unintentionally brought unnecessary trouble to her younger siblings. After all, she had been entrusted to help resolve problems if she instead made things worse, it would be hard to account for.
Lin Doudou sat on a small stool, looking up at the three adults with her hands supporting her cheeks.
“I saw Uncle Yao and Grandma. Grandma’s eyes were wide open at the time, like she had never seen money before.”
“Third Uncle was smiling in a way that looked like he was up to no good. He smiled like that last time when Grandma beat Second Sister.”
After Lin Doudou spoke, Lin Tangtang also chimed in:
“After Eldest Sister left last time, if it weren’t for Uncle Yao coming back to persuade Grandpa and Grandma to agree, I wouldn’t have been taken away by Uncle Yao.”
Regarding how Grandpa and Grandma treated them with dislike and what they did, Lin Qimo would never believe it was purely their own doing without Lin Laoyao stirring things up in the middle.
Lin Qimo took Lin Xiaobao from Lin Tangtang’s hands.
“The doctor said you need to rest at home. Go rest for a while first, or your head will start hurting again.”
Lin Tangtang obediently went back to her room to rest, and before leaving, she didn’t forget to take Lin Doudou with her.
Si Chongguang adjusted the bridge of his glasses and said casually, “Little sister, your Sister Ying and I are going inside to discuss something. If you need anything done, just tell us don’t be shy.”
Qin Wenying could tell from Si Chongguang’s expression that it wasn’t simple. He was probably going to talk about a letter from her younger brother, so she went into the room with understanding.
The matter regarding Lin Guihua was discussed throughout the village. Only after five days, when Lin Guihua was discharged from the county hospital back to the village clinic, did the gossip finally die down.
However, every household now had one more example when lecturing pregnant daughters-in-law.
Li Da came today to return the unused money. Qin Wenying had given 500 yuan, but Lin Guihua’s hospitalization only cost 200 yuan.
According to Li Da, Lin Guihua would need to stay in bed for three months before she could get up and move around.
Clearly, it was quite serious.
Lin Qimo took the 300 yuan on the table and put it into her purse.
“I heard Aunt Guihua say before that your three brothers have been driving illegal taxis in the city?”
Li Da was honest:
“We pull rickshaws. The rent for rickshaws in the city is too expensive for us, so we can only use them during other people’s rest times.”
“How much can you earn in a day?”
“On good days, one yuan. On bad days, seventy to eighty cents.”
Lin Qimo fell silent for a moment after hearing this.
Then she said, “My workshop needs workers. Come work for me.”
Li Da’s eyes widened in shock.
“I’ll pay you one yuan a day. Your younger brother Li Er is still small how about fifty cents a day for him?”
“Just me and my second brother?”
Li San was not of legal working age. It would be fine to take him as an apprentice, but the workshop wasn’t hers alone to decide.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Qimo added:
“Aunt Guihua needs to rest in bed, so your family must keep someone at home to take care of her. You can’t all leave.”
“Although your family is a bit struggling, I really can’t take that many people.”
“Ah Mo sister, that’s not what I meant.”
Li Da immediately panicked and quickly explained, “I didn’t expect you to hire both of us brothers at once. I, I’m just too happy.”
In the city, people under sixteen were not hired for work or labor.
“Our workshop was approved through the brigade. It uses a collective village quota. I can only assign three positions. The other seven are selected by the brigade.”
At this time, state-run restaurants were just beginning to enter a managerial system, and private businesses were not yet widespread.
Lin Qimo had considered going independent, but since she was in the village, she had to involve the villagers in the work to establish herself.
After thinking for a moment, she added:
“I will return the 300 yuan to Sister Ying on your behalf. Remember, it was Sister Ying who lent you the money not because of me, but because she is a good person.”
Li Da’s eyes reddened again and he nodded.
“I understand. When my mother fainted, she only said to find you. At that time, I already knew your family were all good people.”
Gratitude filled Li Da’s mind, and he could only say it out loud:
“Thank you, Sister A Mo. Your whole family is our benefactor.”
Being praised as a “good person,” Lin Qimo did not feel happy. Instead, she felt a bit heavy-hearted.
“Let’s leave it at that. Come to work tomorrow. Talk to Li Er as well. Your job will be grinding soybeans it’s physical work, so make sure you eat enough at home before coming, or you won’t have the strength.”
Lin Qimo reminded him, and Li Da understood immediately.
Work requires food; don’t exhaust yourself just to save money.
The next day.
Lin Qimo arrived alone at the state-run restaurant.
From afar, Qi Dapeng saw her and grinned widely, showing his teeth. His face was full of joy.
He had been eagerly waiting for her for the past two days, and now she had finally arrived.
As she approached, he could tell from his good mood that everything must have gone smoothly.
“Manager Qi, looks like my supply request has been approved.”