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As soon as Zhou Jinchuan left, Bai Ruolin nearly collapsed from fear, barely managing to stay upright with Qin Yunfeng’s support.
“What exactly is going on? Ruolin, why did you provoke Liu Dajie?”
“And what was she saying about reporting Su Yi just now?”
Bai Ruolin knew she couldn’t hide the truth, so she confessed everything.
“I just let something slip without thinking. I didn’t expect Liu Dajie to be so rash, running off to report Su Yi to the office. But in the end, she didn’t catch Su Yi and ended up causing trouble for herself.”
Qin Yunfeng couldn’t help but frown after hearing this. “Ruolin, didn’t I tell you to stop causing trouble for her and to keep a low profile until the New Year?”
“Was that such a difficult request for you to follow?”
Bai Ruolin bit her lip in frustration. “Brother Qin, it’s not that I wanted to cause trouble for her. Have you forgotten about us having to rewrite our self-criticism last time? I just couldn’t swallow that.”
Qin Yunfeng shot her a warning look. “You need to swallow it, even if you can’t.”
“Ruolin, didn’t you see the look Commander Zhou gave us when he passed by? He probably knows about what happened today. You’d better be careful!”
With that, Qin Yunfeng turned to leave.
Bai Ruolin quickly reached out to stop him. “Brother Qin, I was wrong. I promise I won’t cause her any more trouble in the future.”
“Please don’t ignore me. I’ve ended up like this because of you.”
Seeing her on the verge of tears again, Qin Yunfeng suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of irritation, though he quickly suppressed it with reason. “Don’t worry, I won’t ignore you.”
“But don’t be so impulsive anymore. Just wait quietly until the New Year. After that, I’ll make sure her family keeps her back in her hometown.”
“Okay, I promise you.”
……
The news of Liu Dajie going to the dormitory building to scold Bai Ruolin quickly spread throughout the compound.
Although no one knew the exact details, it was unusual for two people who never interacted to suddenly have such a major feud.
Moreover, when Liu Dajie was scolding with her hands on her hips, Bai Ruolin didn’t even dare to make a sound, which clearly indicated she must have done something to feel so guilty.
When Aunt Zheng and Aunt Yao came to find Su Yi to discuss the matter, Su Yi was watering the vegetables in the courtyard.
After listening to the two of them, Su Yi finally understood what was going on.
She wondered why Aunt Liu, who hadn’t dared to go out recently, suddenly reported her.
It turned out Bai Ruolin was behind the trouble.
“Now, she’s brought trouble upon herself without gaining anything. She deserves it!”
Su Yi quickly brought water and sunflower seeds for Aunt Zheng and Aunt Yao, and the three of them sat down to chat.
“Younger Sister Su, it seems like you won’t be able to go to the bus station for now. What about selling your tea eggs?”
Initially, the two had been considering starting a small business themselves after seeing Su Yi’s tea egg business doing so well. But now that she’s encountered this reporting issue, they’ve given up on the idea.
Su Yi was also troubled by this, “It looks like it won’t be possible this year. However, I heard that the big cities are expected to lift the restrictions by the end of the year at the latest. It might be safer for us to wait until after the New Year.”
“Finding a job and making some money now is really difficult.”
Seeing Su Yi’s worried expression, Aunt Zheng and Aunt Yao could empathize.
After all, Su Yi, being a young woman without any support, didn’t have a family to rely on like they did. At least they had a man at home to depend on.
Moreover, helping to look after the children wasn’t a long-term solution; there could be changes at any time.
Thinking of this, they couldn’t help but worry about Su Yi’s future livelihood.
As they chatted, Aunt Yao suddenly brightened up, “By the way, I heard that our cafeteria is about to hire new workers. Why don’t you try applying?”
Aunt Zheng also added, “The cafeteria is a good place. You don’t have to worry about food, and it’s right here in the compound, so it won’t interfere with taking care of the children. Since you cook so well, you’ll definitely do great!”
Su Yi was also intrigued, “I just wonder if there are any specific requirements for the position?”
After all, it was the cafeteria of a military compound, so the screening and requirements would surely be very strict.
Aunt Yao suggested, “The requirements are definitely high, but if Commander Zhou could put in a good word for you in advance, it should be fine!”
Su Yi thought about Commander Zhou’s usual style and quickly shook her head.
“Commander Zhou is so busy; how could he possibly take the time to personally speak to the cafeteria’s manager for something like this?”
And he didn’t seem like the type to use connections for favors either!
Aunt Zheng tried to persuade her, “It doesn’t hurt to ask. What if he agrees?”
“Besides, it’s not entirely like asking for special treatment. Your cooking skills are far better than those of the cafeteria chefs. Having you there would be a benefit for everyone.”
“Yes, if you go to the cafeteria, I’ll stop cooking. I’ll just take the kids there to eat every day!”
Su Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “Alright, I’ll ask him.”
After the two women left, Su Yi checked the time and called Zhou Jinchuan.
When Zhou Jinchuan answered the phone, he thought something might have happened at home.
But he only heard her say, “The weather is getting hot, so we’re planning to have cold noodles for lunch. Are you coming back?”
Last time they had fried sauce noodles, Zhou Jinchuan seemed to like them quite a bit.
So Su Yi used this excuse, planning to bring up the job application at the cafeteria when he came over in person.
To her surprise, Zhou Jinchuan immediately declined, “No, I’ll just have something simple at the cafeteria. You can take the kids to eat.”
Su Yi responded with a, “Alright then.”
Just as she was about to hang up, Zhou Jinchuan asked, “Is there something you need?”
After all, it was the first time she had called him just to ask if he was coming back for a meal, and her hesitant tone didn’t suggest that everything was alright.
Seeing that he had asked, Su Yi decided not to keep it from him and directly shared her intention to apply for a job at the cafeteria.
“With summer vacation coming up soon, Xiaowu will be home to keep Nuannuan company, so I’ll feel more at ease. Plus, I heard that the cafeteria has shifts, so the hours are flexible.”
“Once summer vacation is over, Nuannuan will be starting preschool. I should be able to handle both working and taking care of them.”
Zhou Jinchuan responded with a, “That’s fine. I’ve said before, as long as you take care of their meals three times a day, the rest of your time is yours to manage.”
Su Yi cleared her throat, “I’m just worried that my qualifications might not be enough to get an interview, so I wanted to ask if there’s any possibility—”
Zhou Jinchuan immediately understood, “You want me to help you with a recommendation?”
Su Yi: It doesn’t have to be put so bluntly.
“I was just asking casually. If it’s too much trouble, then forget it.”
Zhou Jinchuan was silent for a moment before he spoke, “Comrade Su, I’m afraid I can’t help you with this. If you really want to go, you can apply for the interview yourself. I believe the recruitment process at the military cafeteria is open, fair, and just!”
After ending the call, Su Yi couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
If he wasn’t going to help, so be it. But the way he deliberately addressed her as “Comrade Su” was rather pointed.