Chapter 34: The First Day of Work

As dawn broke, the warmth of the rising sun gently awakened the world. Sleepy birds opened their hazy eyes, and the meandering stream flowed merrily along.

“Big brother, turn right, go straight, and turn left at the third intersection…” Wen Wan directed from the back of the bicycle.

Wen Jianguo pedaled furiously. After entering the town, they arrived at Grandma Guo’s courtyard in less than fifteen minutes.

Glancing up and down the alley, a satisfied look flashed across Wen Jianguo’s eyes. Excellent, this location is safe enough for Xiaowan.

“Knock knock knock…” Wen Wan gently knocked on the door. Before she could call out, the door opened from inside.

“Xiaowan, I knew it was you!” Grandma Guo exclaimed joyfully. “Come in quickly.”

She had woken up early, dressed, and waited in the living room. At the sound of the knock, she hurried to the door.

Wen Jianguo pushed the bicycle, grinning sheepishly. “Hello, Grandma Guo.” His eyes quickly scanned the courtyard – it was spotless.

He unloaded the luggage bag from the front of the bicycle.

“Grandma Guo, should I put the wheat and rice my parents gave us in the kitchen?” Wen Jianguo asked straightforwardly.

Grandma Guo frowned slightly and refused repeatedly. “Jianguo, take the grain back; you need it.”

“Grandma Guo, I’ll feel bad eating and drinking here if you don’t accept it.” Wen Wan linked arms with Grandma Guo and walked into the house.

She gave Wen Jianguo a look, signaling him to unload and bring the luggage inside.

Grandma Guo still refused. “Xiaowan, this is your home. Just ask for whatever you need, and Grandma will take care of it.”

Wen Wan glanced at the clock on the wall and changed the subject. “Grandma Guo, I need to hurry and report for duty.” On the first day, a worker needs to be punctual.

“Xiaowan, I’ve already cooked rice. Eat before you go,” Grandma Guo said, hurrying to the kitchen and quickly placing steamed buns in a bowl.

She hadn’t been able to sleep last night and had gotten up early to make steamed buns using pure white flour, no corn flour at all.

Wen Wan helped. “Grandma Guo, one bun is enough for me.” She then dashed off, realizing she was running late.

Grandma Guo watched Xiaowan disappear, bowl in hand, completely dumbfounded.

A few seconds later, she reacted, calling after her, “Xiaowan, are you coming back for lunch?”

“Grandma, I won’t be back for lunch,” Wen Wan replied, waving cheerfully.

Grandma Guo stood at the doorway, waving until Wen Wan was out of sight, then turned back.

She immediately saw Wen Jianguo pushing his bicycle towards the gate and quickly stopped him. “Jianguo, put the bike back and have breakfast.”

“Grandma Guo, I won’t have time for breakfast; I need to hurry back to work,” Wen Jianguo said, swallowing his saliva.

Grandma Guo insisted. “Jianguo, wait, I’ll pack you a couple of buns for the road.”

She took a step, then turned back, staring intently at Wen Jianguo, and seriously emphasized, “Jianguo, don’t sneak off; I’ll deliver them to your house.”

Wen Jianguo felt a chill down his spine. That’s exactly what he had planned, but now that Grandma Guo had seen through him, he could only nod obediently and wait.

Meanwhile, Wen Wan stood at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative.

“Hey, I remember you. Are you here for your official start today?” Li Yumei, holding a scallion pancake, greeted her cheerfully.

Wen Wan looked up. A lively girl in a sky-blue long-sleeved shirt, black straight-leg trousers, red round-toe high-heeled shoes, and a high ponytail.

She nodded and smiled back.

She remembered her from yesterday; she must be a saleswoman at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Li Yumei quickly finished her pancake and wiped her mouth.

“Hello, my name is Li Yumei. I’m a saleswoman at the supply and marketing cooperative, at the snacks and sweets counter.”

Wen Wan calmly shook her hand. “Hello, my name is Wen Wan. I’m the new saleswoman.”

“How old are you? I’m twenty,” Li Yumei asked casually.

“I just turned eighteen,” Wen Wan replied softly.

Li Yumei’s smile widened. “Finally, a younger sister!”

It was nice to finally have someone call her “sister.” She liked Wen Wan – pretty, smart, and younger.

“Sister Yumei, being the youngest is so wonderful. I’m the youngest at home, and my brother and sister-in-law are incredibly kind to me,” Wen Wan said, smiling.

They chatted for a while, and gradually, everyone arrived.

Wu Sen opened the doors of the supply and marketing cooperative, clapped his hands, and called everyone together.

“Everyone, we have a new colleague today. Let’s welcome her with applause!” He clapped his hands.

Li Yumei clapped enthusiastically.

Chen Xiu followed suit, with a gentle expression.

Only Wang Fenglai looked stiff, and under Wu Sen’s warning, she forced a smile.

Yesterday, Wang Fenglai had told her family the news, and her younger sister had cried and made a fuss, keeping the whole family awake all night. She had a terrible headache.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Wu Sen stopped clapping and announced, “Comrade Wen Wan, Wang Fenglai works at the fabric counter, and Chen Xiu works at the condiments counter.

You’ll work with Li Yumei at the snacks and sweets counter for now, and we’ll adjust later.”

Wen Wan nodded calmly. “Okay, I’ll learn from Sister Yumei first.”

Once Wu Sen turned away,

Wang Fenglai’s forced smile vanished. She rolled her eyes and went to her counter.

Touching the wound on her lower back, she winced in pain, cursing inwardly: That damned little bitch! If it weren’t for Wen Wan, she wouldn’t have been scolded yesterday, and she wouldn’t have fought with her husband.

Li Yumei nudged Wen Wan and whispered, “Xiaowan, Wang Fenglai is the longest-serving employee here.

She’s been here longer than Manager Wu. Don’t provoke her; she can be scary when she’s angry.”

Wen Wan smiled without responding. She was waiting for Wang Fenglai to lose her temper; she wasn’t afraid of trouble.

“Sister Yumei, the counters don’t seem to have many items. Is business good at our supply and marketing cooperative?” Wen Wan casually asked, glancing at the counters.

Li Yumei lowered her voice. “Hey, Xiaowan, don’t tell anyone this.”

Wen Wan nodded understandingly.

Li Yumei continued, “Our supply and marketing cooperative is the largest in the surrounding towns, but we haven’t had enough goods to sell in recent months, so the counters are empty.”