“Haha, when will you bring your child for me to see!” Liu Mengjia said while handing over a business card: “This is for voice acting work. They might be hiring next week. My cousin works there—go check it out at this address next week!”
“Thank you!” Tang Ximian gripped Liu Mengjia’s hand tightly: “Jiajia, I’ll definitely think of you whenever I need something in the future!”
After completing two translation jobs, Tang Ximian had become quite proficient. She started working busily that very night.
She lit an oil lamp, but it still strained her eyes. Tang Ximian shielded part of the light, trying not to disturb others.
After finishing her radio broadcast on Monday, she continued with her own work.
While she was buried in translation, Song Weiguo approached and handed her a large meat bun: “What are you so busy with?”
“Busy making money, of course!” Li Feifeng said sourly: “Director Song, you’re too good to Little Tang! And it’s a meat bun too!”
Director Song’s eyes gleamed faintly: “Xiao Li, if you could complete a live broadcast in one take, wouldn’t I give you two? The key is whether you’ve mastered your professional skills!”
Li Feifeng was instantly rendered speechless.
Li Feifeng simply couldn’t stand others being good to Tang Ximian!
Tang Ximian was just a high school girl from the countryside! She herself was at least from the county town—how could Tang Ximian be better than her in every way, and even have better relationships!
Facing someone who was excellent and capable but originally inferior to herself, Li Feifeng felt both jealous and resentful. Seeing Tang Ximian earn more money was more painful to her than losing money herself.
Tang Ximian didn’t care what this person was thinking, simply explaining: “Director, after finishing my work, I took on some translation jobs. I want to earn more money—can’t help it, there are some private family matters. I want to earn more! There are more opportunities here in our county town.”
Director Song recalled Chu Jiangchuan’s leg and nodded: “That’s true. How is your husband’s leg doing?”
“Much better. Before, it was poor diet and circulation that caused blood stagnation!” Mentioning Chu Jiangchuan, Tang Ximian’s eyes filled with affection, her entire person seeming to soften instantly.
Director Song nodded: “Good. I’m going to the capital for a meeting in a couple days. If I come across suitable medicine, I’ll bring some for you!”
“Thank you so much, Director!” Tang Ximian smiled graciously.
Zhou Xue laughed beside them: “Oh my, just mentioning certain people makes our Mianmian’s eyes well up with tenderness!”
Tang Ximian rolled her eyes at her: “You’re the one who tears up in the wind!”
Zhou Xue: ???
“Hahahaha!”
Mentioning Chu Jiangchuan made her recall the two nights she had spent at home.
Everything had happened so smoothly, though it seemed rather fast-paced. Thinking carefully, it felt perfectly natural though…
Even when he… he was gentle. Except for the initial pain, afterwards…
Tang Ximian excused herself to go to the bathroom, hiding her flushed face.
On Wednesday, Tang Ximian completed both translation projects. After checking them thoroughly, she mailed them out.
One was seventeen thousand words, the other three thousand words in Italian.
She had been extremely busy these three days—aside from necessary sleep, she had been translating and proofreading even while eating.
Fortunately, Wednesday marked complete completion.
If all went well, she could receive a response by Friday!
What Tang Ximian didn’t expect was that after finishing her work on Friday, she received a message from the reception office saying someone was looking for her.
Only after arriving did she realize the other party was her financial benefactor—Liu Mengjia’s uncle, Lü Jianye.
Lü Jianye hadn’t expected to meet someone even younger than his niece. Both were quite surprised.
“Uncle, my apologies—was there any issue with the translation?” Tang Ximian felt somewhat uneasy. Logically, her translations shouldn’t have problems!
“Not at all. I just wanted to see what kind of person you are!” Lü Jianye extended his hand. “Hello, Tang Ximian!”
“Hello!” Tang Ximian formally shook his hand, noticing he only grasped half her palm, which improved her impression of him.
“The payment this time totals two hundred forty-seven, and I’ve brought new materials. There’s only one document in Italian—the rest are mainly in English and French. Your translations flow more smoothly than those from my usual translator. I’d really like to recruit you!”
Lü Jianye was quite humorous. Tang Ximian smiled faintly: “If Uncle has work in the future, just share a portion with me. I won’t ask for much if it’s scarce. If there’s none, that’s fine too—I can find other ways!”
“I heard you’re urgently needing money. Is there trouble at home? Since you’ve become such close friends with Jiajia so quickly, I’m willing to lend a hand!”
Lü Jianye was someone who valued talent.
“Well, I won’t hide it from you—my niece has congenital heart disease. I need to save more money for her treatment!” Tang Ximian spoke truthfully.
“I’ll keep an eye out for money-making opportunities for you. A young girl like you faces difficulties alone outside—don’t resort to questionable means!” Lü Jianye’s tone already treated her like family.
“Thank you, Uncle!” Tang Ximian accepted the money and respectfully saw Lü Jianye out.
After getting the money, Tang Ximian didn’t forget her dorm mates, buying four sugar-coated haws on sticks before heading back.
Lunchtime was still a while away, so she went straight to the dormitory.
“Oh, you bought tanghulu!” Zhou Xue was delighted. “You haven’t gotten food yet, right? I prepared some for you!” She grinned: “Today’s meal is simple, so the tanghulu counts as payment!”
Tang Ximian nodded: “Thank you!”
“You’re saying thank you again—why so polite!” Zhou Xue waved her hand.
Liu Mengjia approached with a playful smile: “Who did you meet? It wasn’t your man, was it?”
“That’s what I thought too, but… it was your uncle!”
“Who?” Liu Mengjia shrieked: “My uncle? He specifically met you instead of me? I’ll settle this with him! He didn’t even come see me!”
Everyone couldn’t help laughing.
Tang Ximian handed Liu Mengjia a ten-yuan bill: “This is for you!”
Liu Mengjia didn’t take it, instead pulling a five-yuan note from her hand: “We agreed—can’t change the terms! Your family must have difficulties too!”
Li Feifeng ate her tanghulu, but felt sourer than the hawthorn: “Jiajia, don’t be like that—she’s not short on money! Ah, when will I earn like this? I’d treat you all to roast duck!”
Tang Ximian nodded: “Yes, when will you strike it rich? Maybe soon~”
Li Feifeng felt stung, displeased, biting into her tanghulu with extra force.
“Can’t even shut up while eating!” Zhou Xue rolled her eyes, critiquing bluntly.
Last week she had seven yuan left, this week two hundred forty…
Calculating her pace, Tang Ximian felt the thirty thousand yuan goal was truly a heavy responsibility!
She had to accelerate her progress!
Returning home this weekend, Tang Ximian didn’t find Chu Jiangchuan waiting.
She decided to walk home slowly, thinking that Chu Jiangchuan might not have arrived yet, which was why…
Wait, who had she just seen?
Tang Ximian’s footsteps abruptly halted as she darted into the nearby construction site.