Shūxīn remembered that the staff had told her she wouldn’t start work until next month, more than ten days away. Her grain allocation had already been transferred to the railway bureau, so starting tomorrow she could begin collecting the city’s supply grain.
The station wasn’t finished yet. Once construction was complete and trains began arriving, operations would start. The recruitment office staff had already told Shūxīn that her position would be as a train attendant. Which specific train she would work on would be assigned later, depending on whether it was a long- or short-distance route.
Most trains took about half a month for a round trip. Ten to fifteen days on the train meant eating, sleeping, and everything else would all be on board. Preparations had to be thorough.
When Shūxīn returned to Liúlín brigade, no one was home. She hadn’t even eaten lunch before rushing back, and now she was starving. She set down her things and went straight to the kitchen, quickly making a bowl of noodles to fill her stomach.
After eating, Shūxīn went back to her room to sleep. She hadn’t slept well the night before at the guesthouse, so she wanted to catch up.
When Granny Liú returned home, she saw the bag in the main hall and knew Shūxīn had come back. She checked on her at the door but, seeing her likely asleep, didn’t disturb her.
The old man said that Xīnbǎo had gone to the city to find work, and he didn’t know if she had succeeded yet. But knowing Xīnbǎo’s abilities, he was confident she would do fine and happily went to prepare a meal. Xīnbǎo had been away for so many days, likely not eating or sleeping well, so he wanted to cook something good for her.
When Shūxīn woke up, the Liú family had returned. She saw the package still in the hall and went to open it, intending to share the contents with her family.
The Liú family knew she had gone to the city for work and were eager to know if she had succeeded. But the Emperor isn’t in a hurry, only the eunuchs are—they shot her a few exasperated glances as she leisurely began opening the package.
Her elder brother couldn’t help speaking: “I say, Xīnbǎo, how’s finding work going? Say something! You’re killing us with suspense.”
The rest of the family also wanted to ask but didn’t dare, afraid that if she hadn’t succeeded, asking would only upset her. Since Liú Jiànguó had already asked, they gave him approving looks.
Shūxīn, understanding their impatience, didn’t tease them and simply said: “I got it! I’ll work at the railway bureau as a train attendant. A friend helped me out. I returned yesterday to get the paperwork done with the team leader. I’ll start working in half a month.”
“Really? Good! Good! Our Liú family finally has someone who’s going places, and as a train attendant no less! Wife, cook more dishes, boil some meat—we’re celebrating our Xīnbǎo becoming a worker!” Grandpa Liú exclaimed.
It wasn’t just Grandpa Liú. The rest of the family was thrilled. Father and Mother Liú were grinning ear to ear. Even the elder aunt’s family rejoiced for Shūxīn. Everyone being family, it was natural that she could help out with their two cows once she got up.
Granny Liú was even more overjoyed. Since Shūxīn came, she had been the family treasure. Even a few of her grandsons would step back when compared to Shūxīn.
By the time dinner was finished and the dishes cleaned, the Liú family was still overjoyed. A railway worker at the railway bureau—how impressive! If Grandpa Liú hadn’t held them back, Granny Liú and the others would have gone around the village to gossip with the neighbors.
Once the family calmed down, Shūxīn began distributing the things she had brought. The Liú family gathered around. She had sold a lot of medicinal herbs at the purchasing station and was now able to get the money—everyone was even happier!
“This batch from Uncle’s household sold for 5.7 yuan. Here, Uncle, take 4.5 yuan for your household. Mom, you keep yours. Grandpa and Granny, here’s yours—1 yuan.”
Everyone handed Granny Liú her portion. She had only collected a little herb, worth 1 yuan, but her two sons shared 4.5 yuan with her, and Xīnbǎo gave her another 3 yuan. Granny Liú ended up with 7.5 yuan in total.
After distributing the money, Shūxīn continued handing out items: “These are shoes for Grandpa, Uncle, and Dad. You organize them. Granny, Aunt, and Mom, these are fabric. These two shirts are for the older brothers—you’re getting bigger, keep them for visiting relatives. These are toys and candy for Guóhóng, and finally, for you, sister—I took a long time picking these black leather shoes.”
Seeing the valuable items, no one dared to reach for them at first. Shūxīn explained, “I only have the means now because my job is secured. I’m happy, so I’m generous this time. Take them. You all know I won’t be short on money in the future—I’ll have a salary. But if you take my things, you better treat me even better!”
“Yes! Of course! We love our little sister the most! Who else has a sister so capable and pretty, right?”
“Exactly, Xīnbǎo is our Liú family treasure. How could we not love her?”
Her older cousins and brother praised her immediately, and the rest of the family joined in. Being family, they complimented her lavishly, knowing that the items she had brought deserved it.
Shūxīn felt refreshed. That’s right—she was perfect: pretty, capable, and anyone who married her would have a blessing for generations.
The next day, when the Liúlín brigade went to the fields, the Liú family strode out proudly, heads held high, as if to make sure everyone saw them.
Villagers familiar with the Liú family asked why they were so joyful. Grandpa Liú had intended to keep a low profile to avoid affecting Shūxīn’s work, but Shūxīn explained it wasn’t a problem—she was already a worker and had begun receiving supply grain. The family now proudly showed off to the villagers.
By the time they reached the fields, nearly the entire village knew Shūxīn had become a worker—essentially, a city person.
Groups of villagers whispered and discussed. One aunt said, “I always knew Liú family’s second daughter was capable. She graduated high school, so I guessed she’d do well, but I didn’t expect it to happen so fast!”
“Yes, less than half a year since graduation, and she’s already found a city job—permanent, no less! Too bad my son is married; otherwise, we could have proposed to her.”
“Come on, when Liú family’s girls didn’t have jobs, the boys in ten miles around didn’t even consider them. Now that she’s in the city, forget it!”
Shūxīn listened without arguing. Besides, they were right—her grandmother clearly thought ordinary city folk weren’t worthy of her. You could see it in Granny Liú, who was practically drooling at the thought.
For the next two days, Shūxīn avoided the village aunts. They would grab her and chatter endlessly, always bringing up her going to the city. She instead went into the mountains to hide.
There were still half a month before work. Shūxīn didn’t idle; she tended the fields, went up the mountains, and made the most of her time. Once she started working, she would have far less free time.