“However, what do you mean by wanting to change jobs?” Cai Jinhua asked cautiously.
Yuan Yaqing quickly smiled. “Mother, this is a great opportunity!”
After deciding to change jobs, Yuan Yaqing no longer wanted to stay at the farm even for a second. She began thinking about what kind of work she should take.
After much consideration, she decided that working as a nurse in the hospital was best. First, the work was glamorous and the salary was higher. Second, she could be under the same roof as Xu Zhicheng and immediately know if anyone tried to approach him.
But she also knew getting a hospital job was not easy. She had no medical training, so she would have to use connections.
When Xu Zhicheng worked at the hospital, he could help, but now that he was suspended, she had to find another way.
“Mother, I found out that Director Yang loves to drink. If we spend some money sending him two bottles of Maotai, he will be pleased. Not only could we solve the problem of Xu Zhicheng’s suspension, I could also start working there.”
“That is a perfect solution! Once I start, I will earn at least forty yuan a month. All my earnings will be given to you.”
Yuan Yaqing knew that Cai Jinhua would be reluctant to spend money just for her to change jobs, but if it helped Xu Zhicheng, it would be different.
As expected, Cai Jinhua was tempted. Xu Zhicheng was the most promising member of their Xu family. If he remained suspended, his reputation would deteriorate, and the hospital might even dismiss him.
“So you mean to use the money we set aside for food to buy Maotai?” Cai Jinhua asked in pain. Maotai was expensive.
“Yes. Don’t worry. Let’s deal with the work first. Buying food a little later is no problem,” Yuan Yaqing said confidently. “Those people are foolish. Once they hear the price rise, they all rush to buy. We wait for prices to drop and buy then. It’s two advantages at once.”
Cai Jinhua was still hesitant and consulted Xu Zhicheng. Once he agreed, she gave her consent. “Fine, let’s do it that way.”
Maotai was not only expensive but required a liquor ticket to buy. Xu Zhicheng asked several colleagues and finally exchanged for tickets, spending twenty yuan on two bottles.
“Zhicheng, shall I come with you to see Director Yang?” Yuan Yaqing asked, worried that two bottles would not be enough.
Xu Zhicheng looked at her. “Fine!”
Although he did not care much for Yuan Yaqing, she was a high school student and could help maintain his reputation.
Xu Zhicheng was indeed one of the most promising young doctors in the military hospital. Even suspended, Director Yang still treated him politely and prepared a large dinner that evening.
When Director Yang learned Yuan Yaqing was a high school student, his wife was surprised. “So Xiao Yuan is a top student. Can you persuade my child to study? He plays all day.”
Yuan Yaqing replied, “School is necessary. Only by learning can people recognize deception and develop a sharp mind.”
Both Director Yang and his wife were intrigued. “Deception? What deception?”
Yuan Yaqing deliberately spoke this way to show she was no ordinary girl.
“It is about people scrambling to buy winter storage vegetables. Someone spread rumors about a blizzard, so everyone rushed to buy. I heard the cooperative’s prices have risen significantly.”
Director Yang’s wife said, “I heard that too. We were planning to buy it tomorrow. Isn’t that right?”
“Of course not. Why would there suddenly be a blizzard? People are just worried the vegetables won’t sell. They made up an excuse using the weather to earn extra money. That is unscrupulous.”
Yuan Yaqing spoke confidently. Director Yang and his wife were convinced. “Xiao Xu, your wife is impressive. She knows so much.”
Director Yang’s brother-in-law was in charge of the hospital logistics. The hospital also needed to prepare winter storage vegetables, a huge quantity at a high cost.
If, as Yuan Yaqing said, prices would drop, they could buy later and profit from the difference. This could be a significant kickback.
Xu Zhicheng was also surprised. Yuan Yaqing indeed had some skill.
Yuan Yaqing was very pleased. She could see that Director Yang had a good impression of her. If she sent two more gifts, she might get a hospital job.
The next day at the farm, Yuan Yaqing deliberately passed in front of Lin Xun with a provocative smile.
She was about to become a proper hospital nurse, much more glamorous than Lin Xun the veterinarian.
But Lin Xun did not even glance at her. She focused on buying meat instead.
After work, she went with Huo Yanzhou to the herder Dam’s home.
Dam lived in the southern pasture, two li from the farm. Several low wooden houses and felt tents housed farm staff, young educated workers, and herders.
The wooden houses were small and uncomfortable. Lin Xun was about to get off the wagon when Huo Yanzhou stopped her.
“I will go. Wait in the wagon.”
It had snowed that afternoon. Lin Xun agreed. “Okay, make sure Dam cuts the mutton into pieces.”
She bought fifty jin, nearly half a sheep. Without cutting it, it would be hard to handle. Her home only had a kitchen knife. Using it on bones would ruin the blade, and iron tools were precious. Lin Xun could not bear to waste them.
Huo Yanzhou nodded and followed the herders.
With him gone, Lin Xun wandered to the nearby stream to see if there were fish. Suddenly, a black shadow darted in front of her and disappeared into the reeds.
“Are you okay?” an older woman asked. “That is the naughtiest child here. His mother died, his father drinks every day, so no one cares for him. He digs worms from rocks to eat.”
Lin Xun frowned. “No one from the women’s association supervises him?”
The woman shook her head. “They cannot manage. Many children lost parents to wolves. He is lucky to have a place to live.”
Lin Xun noticed something odd. The child did not resemble the typical local herders. He looked more like Han Chinese.
People on the grasslands were generally larger with bigger frames. Even the children were tall. This child was thin and quick. Lin Xun could not see his face clearly, but his hands were small, like a girl’s.
“Dr. Lin!”
Dam’s voice called. Lin Xun turned and walked to the wagon.
She had bought so much mutton. The herders were grateful, giving her a sheep hide and a large piece of sheep tail fat.
“This fat can be applied to hands and feet to prevent frostbite, but the smell is unpleasant,” the herder said.
Lin Xun’s eyes lit up. She was already dressed warmly and had wagon transport to work, so she should not get frostbite. But coming from the south with an unhealed body, her toes were itchy and painful the previous night.
She had heard that once frostbite occurs, it can happen every year, causing itching, pain, and even bleeding in severe cases.
She did not care about the smell. She would use the sheep tail fat no matter what.
“Huo Yanzhou said he would make boots from the sheep hide. My neighbor is good at making boots. Once ready, I will bring them to the farm for you,” Dam said and left smiling.
Lin Xun realized Dam had not asked her shoe size. She thought he forgot. About to run after him, Huo Yanzhou cleared his throat.
“I told him.”
Lin Xun was even more surprised. “You told him? How did you know?”
Huo Yanzhou’s ears under his military cap turned slightly red. His voice was a little uneasy. “That night, while you were asleep, I estimated it…”
Fearing further questions, he shook the reins and drove the wagon out of the pasture.
Only after they were far away did Lin Xun realize he must have meant their wedding night.
People who do not sleep still rarely notice. Lin Xun had no memory of that night and marveled silently. Huo Yanzhou was impressive. He knew her shoe size after one night together.
No wonder someone so young could become a regiment commander.
Back home, Lin Xun directed Huo Yanzhou to move the mutton into the cellar.
Nearly every household in the northwest had a cellar, about three meters long and wide, and two meters deep. Lin Xun had purchased many vegetables and grains recently. Along with what Director Lü bought from the supply cooperative and the mutton today, the cellar was full.
Standing at the entrance, seeing so much food, Lin Xun felt a wave of satisfaction. It reminded her of her past life, when she was prepared with milk tea, instant noodles, chips, and spicy snacks during a typhoon and could enjoy them from bed.
“Look! No matter how severe the coming blizzard, we will not go hungry.”