For the sake of securing the job for Lu Manman, Lu Weiguo had no choice but to prepare a large stack of ration coupons according to Song Jinyue’s demands. There were so many that they completely filled a biscuit tin.
The next morning, by the time Song Jinyue woke up, Shen Yurou and Lu Manman were already waiting for her in the living room.
“Jinyue, you’re awake. We’ve prepared all the coupons you asked for. There’s no time like the present, so why don’t we head to the factory now and complete the transfer procedures?”
Seeing Song Jinyue come downstairs, Shen Yurou stood up with a smile.
Lu Manman was equally attentive.
“That’s right. The factory director should already be at work by now. Let’s hurry over.”
“Stop right there. My mother only gave birth to one child, and that’s me. Don’t try to act like we’re sisters.”
Song Jinyue rolled her eyes at Lu Manman before mocking them.
“What’s the rush? Are you two in a hurry to be reincarnated? The job isn’t going to grow wings and fly away. I’m hungry. Hurry up and make me breakfast.”
After having her enthusiasm thrown back in her face, Lu Manman clenched her fists tightly. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Yurou tugged at her arm and whispered, “Manman, don’t be impulsive. Get the job first. We can deal with everything else afterward.”
After reminding her daughter, Shen Yurou turned toward Song Jinyue with a forced smile.
“Fine. I’ll make you breakfast right away.”
Song Jinyue sat down on the sofa and emptied the biscuit tin to inspect the coupons. After confirming that none were missing, she put them all back inside.
“I’m thirsty. Go pour me a glass of water.”
She ordered Lu Manman around as naturally as if she had been doing it for years.
Lu Manman glared at her through gritted teeth, but in the end, she obediently went to get the water.
While Lu Manman was away, Song Jinyue quietly stored all the coupons in her personal space.
Even during breakfast, Song Jinyue refused to let the mother and daughter rest. One moment, she claimed she’d forgotten this; the next, she’d forgotten that. She made the two of them run upstairs and downstairs eighteen times.
By the time they finally left the house, Shen Yurou and Lu Manman were nearly exhausted.
Before heading to the factory, the three first stopped by the bank and withdrew the thirty thousand yuan from the savings account.
Watching all thirty thousand yuan disappear into Song Jinyue’s bag made Shen Yurou’s heart ache terribly.
That was every last bit of savings she had accumulated over the years!
And now, all of it had fallen into the hands of that little wretch.
Still, when she remembered that the money would return to her hands in just a few days, she finally felt a little better.
After withdrawing the money, the three headed toward the factory where Song Jinyue worked.
However, when they reached the factory gates, Song Jinyue suddenly stopped.
“Why aren’t you going in? Song Jinyue, don’t tell me you’re planning to go back on your word?!”
In her agitation, Lu Manman raised her voice.
“Idiot. What are you shouting for? I can handle the transfer procedures myself. If you follow me inside, are you afraid people won’t realize you’re getting this job through connections?”
Noticing the gatekeeper looking in their direction, Shen Yurou hurriedly pulled Lu Manman back and gave Song Jinyue an apologetic smile.
“We didn’t think it through. Jinyue, go on inside. Manman and I will wait for you out here.”
After shaking the two of them off, Song Jinyue headed straight for the factory director’s office.
“Jinyue? What brings you here? Come, sit down. I already told you there’s no need to rush back to work. Focus on recovering first.”
Song Jinyue had only taken sick leave a couple of days ago because of a cold, so Director Liu was surprised to see her. He quickly invited her to sit down.
“I’m already feeling much better. I came today because there’s something I’d like to ask your help with, Uncle Liu.”
“You silly girl, why are you being so polite with me? We’re practically family. If there’s anything you need, just tell me.”
Director Liu put aside his work and joined Song Jinyue on the sofa.
Old Master Song had once given Director Liu the opportunity that changed his life. Without the old man’s support and guidance back then, this factory would never have gotten off the ground.
Director Liu was also a man who never forgot a favor.
Over the years, he had wholeheartedly repaid the Song family’s kindness and treated Song Jinyue as though she were his own daughter.
“Uncle Liu, I want to sell my job.”
Song Jinyue went straight to the point and explained why she had come.
Director Liu froze in the middle of pouring her some water.
“What happened? Why would you suddenly want to sell a perfectly good job?”
Song Jinyue knew that Director Liu genuinely cared about her, so she didn’t hide anything and told him what had happened at home.
“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!”
After hearing about Lu Weiguo and the others’ actions, Director Liu slammed his hand against the table in fury.
“That ungrateful bastard Lu Weiguo actually dared to treat you like this?! Jinyue, don’t worry. As long as Uncle Liu is here, no one will take this job away from you! Just stay here and work in peace. I’ll go settle this with him right now!”
With that, he stood up, ready to confront Lu Weiguo.
“Uncle Liu, don’t get angry yet. Hear me out first.”
Song Jinyue quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
Director Liu forcibly suppressed his anger.
“All right, Jinyue. Go ahead.”
“Things haven’t been peaceful lately. I heard the authorities have started investigating certain families, and the Song family will be among the next group. Even if they weren’t forcing me to give up my job, I would still sell it. Once I’ve settled everything here, I’m planning to leave Shanghai for a while.”
Director Liu’s expression instantly turned grave.
“Is… is the information you heard reliable?”
Song Jinyue nodded.
“My father has already started making preparations.”
“Jinyue, you don’t actually have to leave Shanghai. You can stay here at the factory without worrying about anything. From now on, you’ll be part of the Liu family. Your aunt and I will treat you exactly like our own daughter.”
After learning that Song Jinyue intended to leave Shanghai until the situation calmed down, Director Liu immediately made his position clear.
“Uncle Liu, I know you and Auntie genuinely care about me, but I’ve already made up my mind. Once I finish dealing with everything here, I’m leaving.”
Song Jinyue gently declined his kindness.
She didn’t want the Liu family to be implicated because of her.
To keep him from worrying, she put on a serious expression and made up a convincing story.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Liu. I have a distant uncle serving in the military. He contacted me two days ago and asked me to stay with him for a while. With him looking after me, I’ll be safe.”
Only then did Director Liu relax.
He nodded.
“All right. Since you’ve already made arrangements, I won’t stop you. But remember this—the Liu family will always be your family. You can come back whenever you want. Your aunt and I, along with Brother Fengxiang and Sister Fengyu, will always consider you family.”
Song Jinyue was sentimental by nature.
Receiving such genuine concern for the first time since arriving in this unfamiliar world made her eyes sting with emotion.
“I know. Uncle Liu, you and the others need to take care of yourselves too. Once things settle down, I’ll come back to visit you.”
Thinking about how the girl he’d watched grow up was suddenly about to leave, Director Liu’s eyes also turned red.
“You child… Why do you suddenly have to leave? I haven’t even had time to prepare myself.”
“All right, it’s not like I’m leaving forever. Uncle Liu, let’s deal with the job first. My stepmother and stepsister are still waiting outside the factory gates.”
“Is there anyone in the factory looking to buy a job? If there’s someone suitable, I’d like to sell it today. Those two actually think they can use the Song family’s own money to buy my job from me. They can dream on.”
Director Liu wiped the corners of his eyes.
“Actually, there is someone. She’s been working at the factory for years. Just a couple of days ago, she asked me if there were any suitable positions available for her daughter. I’ll call her in right now.”
A short while later, a woman in her forties entered the office.
“Director, you wanted to see me?”
Wu Cuihua walked inside and looked suspiciously at Director Liu and Song Jinyue, who were sitting on the sofa.
“Weren’t you looking for a job for your daughter? My niece works in our factory’s publicity department, but she’s planning to sell her position before leaving to stay with some relatives. Are you interested in buying it?”
Wu Cuihua’s eyes immediately lit up.
There was actually such a good opportunity?
“Yes! Yes! Director, I’ll buy it!”