Hou Xiaobao’s face stiffened, like a withered blade of grass, his head drooping down as he gave a sheepish smile, “Then… never mind, I was just asking…”
“How about this,” Lin Chuxia continued, “I was originally planning to have a few male employees take turns working night shifts at the Bun Shop. If you’re willing, I can arrange a room for you upstairs to stay in. You’ll live here and I won’t let you do night shifts for nothing; you’ll get fifty cents for a night’s work. Can you handle that?”
Since those folks dared to send someone to make trouble at the sesame cake stand today, they might have further tricks up their sleeves. Not to mention, our Bun Shop is so big here; obviously, we can’t just lock up at night.
If it’s Hou Xiaobao or Jia Liang taking the night shifts, that would be ideal.
Lin Chuxia didn’t know how capable they were on the streets, but based on today’s events, those guys seemed to show them a lot of respect.
The wilted grass instantly perked up, and his voice rose an octave, “Yes, boss, no problem! I’ll definitely take good care of the shop. No need for the night shift fee, just the salary is fine.”
Lin Chuxia waved her hand, “We will do it the way it should be done. The more you give, the more you get; that’s my principle.”
Hou Xiaobao looked at Jia Liang, his thin and dry face blossomed into a chrysanthemum with the smile.
A salary of thirty to forty, plus another ten or so for night shifts, he would have over fifty yuan this month.
It’s said that a level-four worker at the machinery factory earns just over fifty yuan, and those are the veteran workers there.
Jia Liang was happy for him too. Although he didn’t mind Houzi staying at his place, his mother disliked the work they did before, constantly complaining, and sometimes her discontent would rub off on Houzi.
It’s better to live here, more comfortable.
If it weren’t for the fact that he still has his mother at home to consider, he would like to stay here himself.
Lin Chuxia planned to ask Qin Han to make the arrangements, find an empty room upstairs tomorrow, get a bed and a desk, and then have Hou Xiaobao move in.
But Hou Xiaobao didn’t care at all, “Boss, I’ll stay here tonight. Just in case some blind rascals come, I’ll be able to teach them a lesson. You don’t have to worry about the bed and desk, I can handle it myself.”
As long as he had a place to stay, he’d be willing even to sleep on the floor.
Su Wensong had guessed what was on their minds in the afternoon when they asked about the dormitory, and now hearing Lin Chuxia make the arrangements, he left the Bun Shop feeling relieved.
“Brother Su,” Sun Lanlan was still waiting at the door.
“Something wrong?”
Sun Lanlan nodded, “Today, that uncle of yours came to our house again, but don’t worry, he didn’t make things difficult for Granny Su,” she quickly soothed Su Wensong seeing his complexion change at the mention of Su Dazhuang visiting home.
Hearing her say that, Su Wensong felt slightly relieved, but didn’t delay any longer, thanked Sun Lanlan, and quickly rode his bike home.
It wasn’t until he got home and saw Granny Su had already prepared dinner, sitting under the lamp sewing his torn clothes with an unsettled expression, that his hanging heart finally settled.
Taking off his coat and hanging it on the rack, “Granny, I heard Su Dazhuang came by the house again today?”
Ever since Su Dazhuang and his son took away his job, he was unwilling to even call him uncle.
After taking his job, they even wanted to take their house; such relatives are expendable.
Granny Su spoke cheerfully, “Here we go, just as he arrived, Xiao Sun immediately called the newly arrived Xiao Cai over to hold the fort for me. Your uncle might have seemed all excited before, but that’s just him being a bully backed by others; he’s actually a coward when facing tough characters. This time he didn’t mention swapping his house; he wants us to arrange a job for Wenmao’s partner.”
“Did you agree?” Seeing how cheerful Granny Su looked, Sun Wensong frowned.
That entire Su Dazhuang’s family weren’t good people, and even though Wenmao’s partner hadn’t officially joined their family, he wanted nothing to do with them just because they were related.
If Su Dazhuang wanted them to arrange a job, he definitely aimed for Wenmao’s partner to work at the Bun Shop.
No matter the character or temperament of the person, he would not agree.
Granny Su gave him a look, “Eh, why would I agree to that? Su Dazhuang only demanded this condition for Wenmao’s partner, hoping the Su Family could find her a job. He also said I should have the heart to see his nephew unable to find a bride. How ridiculous is that? I haven’t even seen a shadow of a daughter-in-law yet, why should I be bothered whether his family has one?”
Sun Wensong met Granny Su’s teasing eyes with a somewhat evasive gaze, making Granny Su even happier inside.
“That’s why I say Xiao Sun is truly a good girl. The couple of times you weren’t home, we really owed it to her for looking after this old lady. I told you to buy her something nice to show our gratitude, did you manage to buy anything?”
Su Wenmao coughed, “I’ve been quite busy lately, as you know, with the new Bun Shop opening, I have to oversee everything there. Manager Lin has placed his trust in me, and I can’t take it lightly.”
Granny Su nodded, “What Manager Lin tasked you with must indeed be done well. Manager Lin is our family’s benefactor; our current life is all thanks to him. Now that the Bun Shop has opened, will you have more time on your hands?”
“I should… Granny, let’s eat. The food will get cold in a bit,” Sun Wensong awkwardly changed the subject.
But Granny Su wasn’t going to let it slide, “Since you’ll have time, then get on with it. Take some time in the next few days to visit a department store. Buy some things that girls like and send them to Xiao Sun, just say this old lady wants to express her thanks.”
Sun Wensong nodded hastily, “I understand.”
Granny Su saw her grandson’s ears turning red and cursed under her breath at him for being such a blockhead. Had it not been for Su Dazhuang’s interference, she wouldn’t have noticed her grandson’s feelings.
The good girl was right there, yet he doesn’t know to hurry and pull her into his own nest. What a fool.
The next day, after Sun Wensong finished his tasks in the small courtyard and settled the accounts at the meat shop, he passed by the department store. Remembering what Granny Su had said, he changed direction and entered the department store.
He rarely visited the department store; after returning to the city, he was tight on money, and being a man, he didn’t have much need to shop.
Once he earned some money, because he was often out and about, and seeing that Lin Chuxia always dressed decently, to not embarrass the Bun Shop, he spent his first month’s salary on decent clothes for himself and bought two pieces of cloth for Granny Su.
Facing the dazzling array of wares, Sun Wensong didn’t know where to stop. He had no experience in buying things for girls.
When Pang Yongli was courting Ma Yingzi, he bought her a Floral Headscarf. Sun Wensong immediately dismissed the thought from his mind.
Back then, Pang Yongli and Ma Yingzi were sweet on each other, but his relationship with Sun Lanlan…
He was grateful to Sun Lanlan for protecting Granny Su; how could he have such dirty thoughts?
He walked along the counter, his gaze suddenly fell on a lady’s watch.
The style of the watch was similar to the one on Lin Chuxia’s wrist; he’d seen many people wear watches, but none looked as nice as the way Lin Chuxia wore hers.
Although Sun Lanlan wasn’t as pale as Lin Chuxia, she was fairer than the average woman, especially her eyes, which seemed to speak.
“Comrade, are you looking to buy a watch?”