Lu Xiaoxia was startled, her heart still uneasy. Had Lin Xiangxiu overheard their conversation?
Having interacted with many people, she knew that some who were struggling in life disliked others’ sympathy and assistance, feeling it was charity or pity. Lu Xiaoxia worried Lin Xiangxiu might think the same.
Gripping the doorframe, she looked at Lin Xiangxiu somewhat helplessly, only to be met with Lin Xiangxiu’s radiant smile.
Lin Xiangxiu waved her hand slightly and whispered, “Sister Xiaoxia, could you come out for a moment? I’d like to talk.”
“Oh, sure! What’s up?” Seeing her expression was normal, Lu Xiaoxia unconsciously smiled as well, closing the door behind her and stepping into the hallway to speak with Lin Xiangxiu.
Lin Xiangxiu said apologetically, “I had already left with my child, but when we reached downstairs, I remembered something. Earlier on our way here, you mentioned you could help pull some strings to get my child into your Group’s nursery. Does that offer still stand?”
“Of course it does.” Lu Xiaoxia breathed a sigh of relief and replied cheerfully, “I almost forgot about that myself. I’ll help you settle this in a couple of days so you can focus on work without worry.”
“Our Group’s employee benefits are excellent, and the affiliated nursery is well-regulated with responsible teachers. It’s not too far from here—about two bus stops away. It’ll be even more convenient if you get a bicycle later.”
She added, “I originally planned to help you with the connections tomorrow, but it’s not enrollment season right now, and the person in charge is on vacation and won’t be back for a week.”
“No problem. I’ll figure out a way to send Xiao Xiao to a childcare class for this week.” Lin Xiangxiu’s eyes lit up, her face full of gratitude. “Thank you so much, Sister Xiaoxia. Do we need to buy some gifts for pulling strings? If it’s convenient, could you help me purchase them? I’ll pay you back later.”
Lin Xiangxiu was no stranger to social etiquette. Back when Lin Shuping had just graduated from university and was waiting for job placement, he had asked their family for a large sum of money, saying it was for networking and gifts to secure a position in Shencheng.
Thanks to Lu Xiaoxia, she could now send Xiao Xiao to an affordable and safe nursery. Of course, the expenses for gifts and connections should come from her.
That was what Lin Xiangxiu thought, but Lu Xiaoxia shook her head upon hearing this and firmly refused to accept any money. “This was already agreed upon, and besides, I don’t need to give gifts—it’s just a matter of putting in a word.”
“But that still involves a favor,” Lin Xiangxiu insisted.
Lu Xiaoxia held her hand and gently patted Lin Xiao’s head, saying softly, “Don’t think of it as such a big favor. It’s really just a simple gesture. Besides, you’re having a tough time right now, and I’m naturally helpful—if I can assist, I will. If you really feel indebted, just take good care of my cousin. He’s living here alone, and my aunt is very worried. Look how thin he is, and his immunity isn’t great. If you can help him gain some weight, that would be a huge help to our whole family!”
“I will.” For some reason, Lin Xiangxiu felt like laughing at these words. She took a deep breath and regained her bright smile. “Thank you so much, Sister Xiaoxia.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve just arrived in Shencheng, right? There are still many things to take care of. Since you don’t have work today, hurry back and get settled.” Lu Xiaoxia didn’t want Lin Xiangxiu dwelling on feeling indebted, so she waved her hand impatiently. “Go on, go attend to your own matters.”
Lin Xiangxiu chuckled helplessly and thanked her several more times before finally taking Lin Xiao’s hand to leave.
Perhaps because a major concern had been resolved, both mother and daughter walked away with visible lightness in their steps. While going downstairs, Lin Xiao skipped cheerfully, and surprisingly, Lin Xiangxiu found herself skipping along too.
Watching the pair depart, Lu Xiaoxia unconsciously smiled.
As they exited the Family Compound, Lin Xiangxiu specifically went to the guardhouse to greet the elderly guard. She leaned in to ensure he could see her face clearly.
“Hello, sir! I’m the nanny who came to Mr. Lu’s home for an interview today. Please remember what I look like so you won’t stop me tomorrow,” Lin Xiangxiu said with a smile.
The guard, wearing a tank top and fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, approached slowly. He squinted as he carefully examined Lin Xiangxiu before drawling, “Alright, got it.”
As Lin Xiangxiu walked away, she could still hear him muttering behind her.
“So that’s the new nanny for Xiao Lu’s family. Was it their place where that delicious food smell came from earlier? Really fragrant.”
After walking some distance, Lin Xiao suddenly looked up and declared proudly, “I knew it would work out. My mom makes the best food.”
“My mom is the greatest!”
Lin Xiangxiu held her daughter’s hand, swinging their arms as they walked. “Xiao Xiao, Mom found a job today with really good pay. We can stay in Shencheng from now on. You can be a city girl, learn everything you ever wanted to learn, and never have to go back to endure your grandmother’s disapproving looks anymore!”
Saying these words filled Lin Xiangxiu with immense relief, like drinking an ice-cold soda on a sweltering summer day.
Back in their hometown, her adoptive mother had looked at them not as daughter-in-law and granddaughter, but as two parasites feeding off the family. Now everything was different – she could rely on her own hands to make a living and support her daughter, never needing to return to that house again.
Lin Xiangxiu continued, “This calls for celebration! Let’s go to the market to buy ingredients and cook a proper feast. What would you like to eat?”
“Hmm…” Lin Xiao glanced at her mother’s expression before answering brightly, “I want braised eggplant, scrambled eggs with chives, and a bowl of rice.”
Lin Xiangxiu frowned. “Why only vegetables? Don’t you always say you want meat?”
“I already ate some meat earlier, so I’m not craving it now. Aunt Xiaoxia gave me a pancake back there, it was really delicious.” Lin Xiao patted her stomach.
Lin Xiangxiu stopped walking and suddenly crouched down to meet her daughter at eye level. “Our Xiao Xiao doesn’t really not want meat – you’re trying to save money for Mom, aren’t you?”
Lin Xiao, who had inherited her mother’s almond-shaped eyes, blinked her large eyes. “No, I genuinely like those dishes.”
“Xiao Xiao, lying will make your nose grow long.”
Lin Xiao immediately covered her nose in panic.
Lin Xiangxiu felt both laughter and tears welling up inside. Her daughter – why did she have to be so understanding at such a young age?
She had always been sensible at home, and now that they were out in the world, she was even more so. Just moments ago, Lu Xiaoxia had been admiring how well-behaved her daughter was, but to be honest, Lin Xiangxiu didn’t want Lin Xiao to be so mature and perceptive at such a young age.
She would much rather Lin Xiao be innocent and carefree, like any child her age, sheltered in her parents’ embrace without a worry in the world, eating whatever she wanted and doing whatever she pleased.
Lin Xiangxiu held her daughter’s small shoulders and spoke earnestly, “Xiao Xiao, Mom earns a good salary now and can support you. Even if this job with Uncle Lu doesn’t work out, I can find another one.”
“As long as you eat well, have plenty of meat, and stay healthy, you’re already helping me a lot. That way, I can focus on work. In the future, when I’ve saved enough money, we can even buy our own house. So, if you want to eat something, just say so. Don’t worry about saving money, okay?”
Lin Xiao was young but clever. Deep down, she was worried about her mother, but she refused to agree out loud.
Lin Xiangxiu decided to list off some dishes. “If Xiao Xiao still won’t agree, then from now on, when I make delicious food, I’ll have to eat it all by myself. Things like braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, crispy fried pork slices, steamed pork with preserved vegetables, fish cakes, chicken stewed with mushrooms…”
“I want to eat! I want to eat!” Lin Xiao wiped the drool from her mouth, immediately forgetting all about saving money, and declared loudly, “I want to eat soy-braised pork bones!”
Without another word, Lin Xiangxiu took her daughter’s hand and headed straight to Hong Jie’s Chunfeng Inn.
At first, they had planned to go directly to the market, but halfway there, she realized she had forgotten to bring a shopping basket. Without it, there’d be no place to put the groceries, so they had to go back to Hong Jie’s place first.
When they entered the two-story building, Hong Jie was watching TV and cracking sunflower seeds. Seeing the mother and daughter come in, she instinctively greeted them.
Lin Xiangxiu walked over with a smile. “Hong Jie, could you help me look for a place? We’re moving out.”
“You found a job already?” Hong Jie stopped watching TV and leaned in, surprised.
“It’s the brother-in-law of the Deputy Chief I mentioned to you yesterday. He was very satisfied with my cooking and asked me to start tomorrow,” Lin Xiangxiu explained.
Hong Jie was so happy she almost clapped. “That’s wonderful! Now that you have a job, all you need is to rent a place, and you can settle down in Shencheng.”
“By the way, how’s the salary? You mustn’t let anyone cheat you.”
Lin Xiangxiu hesitated for a moment before saying, “One hundred eighty.”
Being away from home with a child, she always felt the need to keep some things to herself, not revealing everything to others. What if someone heard about her high salary and got malicious ideas?
In Shencheng these days, public safety wasn’t exactly the best.
Hong Jie was a good person, but she had family and friends, and Lin Xiangxiu didn’t want to put herself in a risky situation.
Fortunately, Hong Jie didn’t seem to mind. Hearing about the salary, she was even happier for Lin Xiangxiu.
She even turned away quietly to wipe a tear, feeling as though she were witnessing a real-life version of “The Migrant Girls.” Watching Lin Xiangxiu’s life improve step by step filled her with joy.
After sharing in the excitement, Hong Jie slapped the table and declared confidently, “Leave the house-hunting to me. Once I know where you’ll be working, I can find a suitable place for you nearby.”
This time, no matter how much Hong Jie tried to decline, Lin Xiangxiu insisted on paying the agency fee equivalent to one month’s rent. “If you don’t accept it, I’ll have to find a place on my own. Helping once is you looking out for me, but helping this many times – I can’t accept it with a clear conscience.”
In the end, Hong Jie couldn’t hold out any longer and relented, “Xiao Lin, you’re being too polite. While living here, you’ve helped me plenty with boiling water and cooking.”
“Don’t worry, when taking money, one must deliver service. I’ll definitely find you a good place as soon as possible.”
True to her word, after lunch Hong Jie had her mother-in-law come watch the shop while she went out to inquire about available properties.
Before Lin Xiangxiu could even go buy pork bones for soup, Hong Jie had already rushed back, full of energy.
“Xiao Lin, I found two places for you. Shall we go take a look?”