Wei Yao was personally escorted over by the director. After briefly explaining the reason, she was assigned a job of serving meals and chopping vegetables. Considering she had given up her own position and acknowledging her goodwill, the director specifically instructed the supervisor in charge to look after Wei Yao a bit more.
With the director’s words, the supervisor naturally agreed repeatedly. Since they were all from the same factory and had crossed paths during meal times, now that they were working together in the same place, it was only natural to properly introduce her.
Supervisor Feng led Wei Yao into the kitchen, called over the workers inside, and everyone stood together, listening to the supervisor’s speech while subtly sizing up Wei Yao.
"Comrade Wei Yao previously worked in the workshop. Her Transfer Post to our cafeteria is to be able to get off work on time and take care of her two children. Since we are all comrades from the same unit, we must help each other from now on. Don’t cause any trouble for me—my place, Feng Hai’s, doesn’t tolerate messy people."
"Yes, Supervisor Feng, don’t worry. We’re not the petty sort."
"Since she’s one of us in the cafeteria, we’ll definitely look out for each other."
"Hmph! Hmph!"
…
Although Feng Hai had said this, there were still a few who eyed Wei Yao with disdain. It was her own fault—in the past, to get more food during meals, she had often clashed with the servers. Now that they were working together, she was so embarrassed she could have dug out a castle with her toes.
She had only thought about the Transfer Post earlier and completely forgotten about this issue.
Supervisor Feng’s expression darkened. He had just made a bold statement, and now his subordinates were pulling this stunt—wasn’t this slapping him in the face?
"If anyone has any objections, speak up now. Don’t go behind my back and stir up trouble. There are only a few of us in the cafeteria. If anyone tries to pull something, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
After Supervisor Feng finished speaking, an older woman who had snorted earlier turned her head away with a grievance. Another straightforward girl immediately lashed out at Wei Yao.
"Supervisor Feng, we can’t have someone like this in our cafeteria. You’re often managing the kitchen and don’t come to the front much, so you might not know. This Wei Yao used to argue with us during meals just to get more food—she’s greedy. I’m really afraid she’ll sneak things away while working here."
"That’s right. Someone like this is definitely a tail of socialism, with very low ideological awareness, always wanting to take more than their share. If she really works here, we’ll all have to be careful from now on."
After the girl finished speaking, all the cafeteria workers frowned at Wei Yao. Although almost everyone in the cafeteria took things occasionally, with Supervisor Feng’s approval, they could take leftover items without feeling guilty. But if someone with questionable character joined, they might all be done for.
Wei Yao thought to herself that this was bad. She blinked, knowing that feigning pitifulness wasn’t the best approach, but at this moment, it was the only way.
Her eyes reddened, and she bowed slightly to the crowd.
"I'm sorry, comrade, truly sorry. I, I used to argue often with the ladies serving food just to get an extra bite or two. I really had no choice—my children at home were starving, and I could only save a little from my own rations for them. My husband is in the transport team and is rarely home. My two children are raised by my mother-in-law. Both our wages are handed over to the family, and I only get two yuan a month for personal expenses. My in-laws favor my sister-in-law's family—they'd rather spend household money on clothes and Snow Cream for her than give my children and me anything decent to eat. My sister-in-law and her children get tofu, tender cabbage hearts, scallions, eggs, and braised pork, while my children and I only get cabbage stems. Now we've moved out, and with both my husband's and my wages, we can support our two children. I no longer have to swallow my pride and beg for extra food from the factory to bring home to my children. Really, I promise to work hard and not slack off."
Wei Yao finished speaking with tears in her eyes, then somewhat awkwardly took out a packet of candies from her bag, her voice choked with emotion. "I bought these when I went to the supervisor to request a transfer post. I just wanted to share my joy with my new colleagues. If… if I can't stay in the cafeteria, then I'll go talk to the supervisor. I'm sorry."
After hearing Wei Yao's words, the girl who had been shouting earlier looked stunned. She hadn't expected things to be like this. Before, she had muttered that such a rough and uncouth person deserved to choke to death.
Thinking back to her own harsh attitude, the girl wished she could slap herself. How awful she had been!
"Don't go, don't go. You mentioned moving out—is your in-law's family surnamed Song?"
An older woman who had been standing with the girl called out. Wei Yao had already reached the doorway, her heart filled with anxiety, fearing no one would ask her to stay. Now, hearing this heavenly voice, she immediately turned around.
"How did you know, Auntie?"
"Oh my goodness, it really is! Well, it's normal you don't recognize me. Your sister-in-law is Song Liping, right? My daughter is her neighbor. Good heavens, she's nothing but trouble! Her husband died less than a year ago, and she dresses up all fancy every day, only caring about looking pretty. Her three children are like starving ghosts, always mooching meals from the neighbors. My daughter's family doesn't have much food either, but they've been hit up several times. I heard recently her eldest son beat up her brother's wife and sent her to the hospital. I wondered who the poor soul was—turns out it was you."
Wei Yao shed a couple of timely tears.
Since she was clearly someone who had suffered, everyone felt a bit more tolerant.
"Don't cry. From what Auntie Guan says, you've finally seen better days. As long as you work hard in the cafeteria from now on, no one will give you a hard time."
Feng Hai's words meant she was being kept on. Wei Yao quickly thanked him. Auntie Guan, worried she might be too soft-hearted or embarrassed, stepped forward and pulled her back.
"Didn't you just say you wanted everyone to share in your joy? Did you buy these candies for nothing? Hurry up and pass them around."
"Yes, yes. I, I specifically bought White Rabbit candies. Everyone, have some. Supervisor Feng, you too."
The newcomer was sensible, and he was willing to show a little kindness in return.
After handing out the candies, Wei Yao rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She had done all kinds of hard and tiring jobs just to survive, so chopping vegetables was naturally no challenge for her.
The girl from earlier also walked over to Wei Yao, hesitating for a long while before saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't know about your family situation. Otherwise, even without you saying anything, I would have given you an extra half scoop of food."
"It's me who should apologize, little sister. I've caused you a lot of trouble before."
"What's there to apologize for? I've seen all kinds of people in the cafeteria. Anyway, my name is Yang Yonglian. We're colleagues now, so if you ever need help, just say the word. I, Yang Yonglian, am someone who values loyalty."
"I could tell at a glance that you're a good girl."
Her straightforwardness made Yang Yonglian feel a bit embarrassed.