Su Wensong felt a bit embarrassed, “When I was sent to the countryside, I had a friend who is also from An City. He later married a local girl there, and when it was time to return to the city, he really wanted to bring his countryside wife back. This delayed him for several months. You know, during the mass return of the educated youth to the cities, those who came back early could get a job arranged for them. Those who came back late could only stay at home, waiting. My friend tried to find other jobs, but it’s hard to find one these days. Now the couple at home is so poor they can hardly make ends meet.”
After saying this, he hurriedly explained, fearing Lin Chuxia would be put in a difficult position, “Boss, you can rest assured, my friend is even better at work than I am. Back before he got married, he was the one who did the cooking at the youth point. His wife is also very capable…”
“Alright, bring him to me for a look tomorrow,” Lin Chuxia nodded straight away.
Su Wensong didn’t expect her to agree so quickly. Lin Chuxia smiled, “We are indeed short-staffed here, so feel free to bring anyone suitable over. I trust your judgment.”
A man who’d rather delay his return to the city than leave his countryside wife behind—just for that sense of responsibility, Lin Chuxia was willing to hire him.
Besides, birds of a feather flock together. Anyone who’s good friends with Su Wensong probably wouldn’t be too bad.
“Ah, alright,” Su Wensong breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a smile.
Lin Chuxia returned to the Bun Shop, where Sun Lanlan and Granny Sun were preparing the buns for the afternoon sale.
The two were chatting and laughing while wrapping buns, with Sun Lanlan occasionally comparing her buns to Granny Sun’s.
Upon seeing Lin Chuxia come back, she waved her over to check out the buns she had made.
Thanks to her relentless efforts, Sun Lanlan’s buns were finally almost as good as Granny Sun’s. Also, because Lin Chuxia had a strict requirement that each bun must have 16 pleats, they really looked like blossoms.
“Not bad, you can be considered a qualified bun maker now,” said Lin Chuxia.
“It’s all thanks to Granny Sun’s great teaching,” after Sun Lanlan finished speaking to Lin Chuxia, she turned to Granny Sun and said, “Granny Sun, you’ve promised. Whatever dessert you like, I’ll buy it for you tomorrow. Please don’t decline it, consider it a token of gratitude for learning the craft.”
Granny Sun felt it wasn’t right to accept anything from her; after all, they were working for the shop, and she hadn’t taught much.
Sun Lanlan was persistent, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just buy whatever tomorrow, let’s settle it this way.”
After saying this, she switched topics again, chatting with Granny Sun about other things.
Lin Chuxia poured herself a glass of water and drank, observing the two’s never-ending conversation. Sun Lanlan was deliberately trying to please, much more enthusiastic than before, and Lin Chuxia thought back to the banquet where she became an official apprentice.
Once the buns were steaming in the pot, and Sun Lanlan was free, Lin Chuxia called her over.
“Tell me, what are you up to, being so enthusiastic with Granny Sun? What are you plotting?”
Sun Lanlan first glanced in the direction of the kitchen to make sure they were seated far enough that no one else could hear their conversation, then lowered her head to pour some water for herself to drink, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really don’t know? Are you planning to first win over your future mother-in-law before going after her son?” There was no need to beat around the bush about their relationship.
Sun Lanlan’s face turned red with denial, “What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Is it really nonsense?” Lin Chuxia asked with a smile.
Honestly speaking, Sun Hao is handsome, and from that incident where Granny Sun falsely accused her, one could see he’s a good person with a proper outlook on life. It was normal for Sun Lanlan to like Sun Hao, and if the two really ended up together, Lin Chuxia would be happy for them.
“If I’m spouting nonsense, then let’s leave it. I was even going to say if you’re serious, I could help you find out more.”
“Ah~”
Sun Lanlan glanced at Lin Chuxia with annoyance, and Lin Chuxia couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Then I’ll ask Granny Sun later.”
“Better not,” after some thought, Sun Lanlan said, “Let’s wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
She had just started working at the shop and couldn’t do anything well, even her wage was only half a month’s worth.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, if she did well and got a full month’s wage, she would have more confidence in herself.
Lin Chuxia saw that she had made up her mind and didn’t force the issue.
“Alright, whenever you need my help, just say the word, I’ll go all out for the happiness of my sister.”
…
The person Su Wensong introduced was brought to the shop the next day.
The man’s name was Pang Yongli, two years older than Su Wensong, and looked more weather-beaten, not even thirty yet but appearing like forty.
Lin Chuxia remembered Su Wensong mentioning that due to family reasons, he was sent to a remote area when going to the countryside.
The area was very poor, and the educated youth had to work in the fields with the local farmers every day. Their meals were meager, and the labor was exhausting.
The woman’s name was Ma Yingzi, slender and dark-skinned. She looked somewhat restrained around Lin Chuxia but had bright eyes.
Lin Chuxia asked them some personal questions, learned that they both had a four-year-old son, and informed them about the wage structure—an internship for one month at a wage of 25, and upon passing, official employment with a wage of 30.
It was evident that both were very satisfied with this wage offer.
Pang Yongli seemed to be quite easygoing, possessing the simple honesty of a countryman, “Boss Lin, you can rest assured, Yingzi and I will work hard. We will not dishonor the shop or let Wensong lose face.”
He was introduced by Su Wensong; if he didn’t do well, it would also affect his brother.
Lin Chuxia nodded, “That’s good. Although the work at this Bun Shop may seem simple, I have rather high standards. If we want to maintain long-term business, not only must the product quality keep up, but the service must also be up to par. You and your wife do not need to rush into it, just follow and observe for a couple of days. Take it slow and aim to do things right.”
A new hire must be briefed, especially the ones introduced by insiders.
Especially with such related hires, harsh words need to be spoken upfront.
The two introduced by Su Wensong were different from the Sun siblings. The Sun siblings had been her friends since childhood, and she could speak directly to them; even if tempers flared, it wouldn’t ruin the relationship.
Lin Chuxia didn’t know Pang Yongli and his wife well; she couldn’t let them harbor the illusion that being connected hires meant they could slack off. That in the end would not only affect the business of the Bun Shop but also the relationship between Su Wensong and Pang Yongli.
A well-intentioned act turning sour and leaving a bad reputation would be the worst outcome.
Indeed, the expression on both Pang Yongli and Ma Yingzi became more solemn.
Lin Chuxia called over Granny Sun and Sun Bingnan, assigning each of them a newcomer to look after for the next few days, guiding them in their work, and encouraging them to observe and learn more.
Seeing that Lin Chuxia didn’t assign Pang Yongli to work with him, Su Wensong was a bit surprised, but he didn’t say much and instead brought up another matter.
“I went to the vegetable depot today, and Director Li asked me to pass on a message for you to see him when you have the time.”
“Did he say what it was about?” Lin Chuxia asked.
“That, he did not. However, I heard from people at the vegetable depot that they’ve been making some big moves recently. They sent a truckload of produce to the city, opening up new sales options, and they are now planning to expand deliveries to the province.”
Lin Chuxia was aware of this; in fact, it was she who had given Li Jian the idea.
Now that Li Jian was looking for her, it certainly wasn’t about that.
“Alright, I got it.”
Lin Chuxia tidied up a bit, said goodbye to Sun Lanlan and the others, and left the Bun Shop.