Jiang Cheng looked outside without surprise. The girl charging over aggressively to pick a fight was Du Yun’s sister-in-law.

Eighteen years old, just graduated from high school, her two braids swinging like bomber planes.

The onlookers wore expressions of anticipation, clearly expecting a fight to break out.

Jobs were hard to come by, even if it was only for two months. That was real money in hand.

Just as everyone was exchanging knowing glances, Jiang Cheng, with an excited expression, stepped forward and firmly grasped Li Chunxiang’s hands.

“Comrade Li Chunxiang, thank you so much!”

Jiang Cheng’s words left Li Chunxiang, who had been ready to curse, utterly confused. Thank me? For what?

“If it weren’t for Sister Du Yun telling me, I wouldn’t have known that someone with such high awareness like you exists in our courtyard!”

Li Chunxiang felt a bit dizzy. No one had ever praised her like this before.

“Everyone, take a look! Comrade Li Chunxiang is intelligent and resilient. After graduating from high school, she is determined to become a motivated youth, aiming to achieve great things and contribute to the construction of our motherland. She fears no hardship, no difficulty. Such awareness, such spirit, is something we should all learn from!”

“Clap clap clap clap—”

Jiang Cheng started applauding again.

Shen Yue and Shen Xing were the first to join in, while the others, still bewildered, also began to clap.

“Comrade Li Chunxiang has long known that with her abilities, she is destined for a broader stage. A two-month temporary job is far from enough to fully utilize her knowledge and skills. No wonder you made it to high school—your foresight is something I can’t match.”

Li Chunxiang was floating on cloud nine.

Under Jiang Cheng’s continued persuasion, she walked back with full confidence.

Li Chunxiang’s mother was fuming, tugging at her daughter, trying to bring her back to reality.

“Mom, what are you doing? Do you really think a high school graduate like me, a motivated youth, can’t compare to Jiang Cheng, who never went to school?”

Jiang Cheng: Can’t argue with that.

Li’s mom: I should’ve just let you be!! Do whatever you want!

Jiang Cheng watched Li Chunxiang leave with a look of moved admiration, then immediately turned to stare at Grandma Shen’s pot. “Grandma Shen, is the food ready?”

Grandma Shen: Can your face change any faster??

As it turned out, Jiang Cheng’s could.

“All that talking made me hungry!”

Grandma Shen saw through it, and so did some others in the courtyard. But even if they saw through it, who dared to say Jiang Cheng’s words were wrong?

Didn’t you see the Li family didn’t make a fuss?

Besides, Du Yun, the person directly involved, was fine with it. What could others do even if they wanted to make a scene?

“Eat, let’s eat!”

Grandma Shen scooped the stir-fried potatoes out of the pot. Jiang Cheng, quick to help, brought over the corn porridge, while Shen Xing sliced a plate of pickles. Dinner was ready.

As the Shen family went inside to eat, Lin Chengyuan, standing across the way, was nudged by He Dan.

“Chengyuan.”

Lin Chengyuan snapped out of his daze, composed himself, and looked at He Dan beside him, giving a soft “Hmm.”

He Dan pretended not to notice Lin Chengyuan’s shock and continued gently, “Let’s eat. You have to go to work later. It wouldn’t be good to be late on your first day.”

“Right, right! You’re absolutely right.”

Lin Chengyuan immediately went inside. Work was more important.

As for Jiang Cheng…

She really was scheming.

Before, she hid her looks, and now she’s showing them off, living right across from them. What was she planning?

Such underhanded tactics. Did she really think Lin Chengyuan was that shallow?

Jiang Cheng didn’t know what Lin Chengyuan was thinking, but if she did, she’d probably say: Don’t insult “shallow”!

After finishing her meal, Jiang Cheng was shooed out by Grandma Shen. She walked part of the way with Shen Xing and Shen Yue.

Along the road, other children walked in twos and threes, carrying their school bags, laughing and playing.

Shen Xing and Shen Yue stood in stark contrast, walking quietly without greeting anyone.

The two seemed to exist in their own little world, impervious to outsiders and unable to step out of it.

Jiang Cheng noticed a few children wanting to make faces or say something to Shen Xing and Shen Yue, but upon seeing her, they ran away.

Shen Xing and Shen Yue were a lot like her in her past life.

They had no parental protection.

The world of children was simple, yet cruel.

When the three reached a fork in the road, Jiang Cheng bent down and raised her palm.

Shen Xing and Shen Yue looked puzzled.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Be happy, okay?”

“High five!”

She took Shen Yue’s hand and clapped it against her own palm, then turned to Shen Xing.

Shen Xing felt a bit awkward. His mature demeanor made him shy.

“Student Shen Xing, is it because I’m not pretty enough or not smart enough that you—”

“Alright, alright, stop talking. High five!”

Shen Xing couldn’t stand Jiang Cheng’s self-praise and quickly high-fived her, earning a head pat in return.

Shen Xing lowered his head, trying hard to suppress a smile.

“Alright, goodbye.”

Shen Yue obediently looked up, her little face flushed. “Goodbye, Sister Jiang Cheng.”

Shen Xing met Jiang Cheng’s direct gaze, sighed like a little adult, and honestly said, “Goodbye.”

Jiang Cheng, satisfied, waved and watched the two children for three seconds before turning to head to work.

Arriving at the Recycling station, Jiang Cheng efficiently tidied up the office.

There wasn’t much to do—a 10-square-meter office. Sweeping the floor and fetching some water was all it took.

Jiang Cheng didn’t overstep by helping the other four with sorting. She only completed her assigned tasks.

Mornings were usually busy, but after 10 a.m., things quieted down.

It was at this time that Sister Wang, another office worker, brought her knitting to work.

Jiang Cheng handed the registration book to Sister Wang for review. Sister Wang pointed out a few obvious minor mistakes, feeling greatly satisfied.

Jiang Cheng smoothly transitioned from “Jiang Cheng” to “Xiao Jiang.”

The mistakes were, of course, intentional. Always leave traces—how else would the boss know you were working if you didn’t make a few errors?

During the downtime, after asking for permission, Jiang Cheng found some books and sat down to read.

At noon, there was a cafeteria.

Currently, the recycling station had two registrars, four sorters, one kitchen staff, an old man selling scrap at the front, a night watchman, and one leader—ten people in total.

Simple relationships, light workload.

Jiang Cheng didn’t have food coupons, so she had to pay with cash. She ate a steamed bun and a vegetable dish.

In the afternoon, Sister Wang knitted until 2 p.m., then went home.

Jiang Cheng stayed until 4:30 p.m., said goodbye to everyone, and headed home for dinner.

She had night school in the evening, so time was a bit tight.

She couldn’t help but think: If only I had a bicycle.

No rush, it’ll come.

Jiang Cheng walked back and, before reaching the courtyard, saw Shen Yue at the entrance of the alley, her little head constantly looking around.

Jiang Cheng’s lips curved upward as she raised her hand against the light.

“Shen Yue!”

“Sister Jiang Cheng!”

Jiang Cheng’s bright smile made Shen Yue, who had a bit of a penchant for pretty faces, open her little mouth in a round “O,” her eyes filled with joy.

Jiang Cheng walked forward, and Shen Yue ran over. Overcoming her shyness, she took Jiang Cheng’s hand and sneakily glanced at her.

When she felt Jiang Cheng’s hand grip hers in return, her chubby cheeks dimpled with two little smiles.

She got to hold the pretty sister’s hand again!

Jiang Cheng faintly noticed Shen Yue’s appreciation for beauty. She put on her most charming smile, crouched down, and instantly slipped into character, coaxing:

“Little sister, how about I buy you some candy?”

Shen Yue: What Sister said sounds a lot like the bad guys in Big Brother’s letters.

But could bad guys be this pretty?