Chapter 22: Shen Jintao’s Humble Brag

“While that may be true, and getting a job at a state-run restaurant is indeed very impressive, there’s one problem—didn’t our Beichuan say he was going to take Taozi with him when he’s stationed with the military? If Taozi goes with him, then this job will have to be given up,” Liu Guifen said, still happy, but feeling it would be a pity if her daughter-in-law had to give up the position.

She wasn’t selfish enough to stop her daughter-in-law from joining her husband in the military. What mattered most was that she had children soon. After all, her eldest son was a soldier—it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he had to be prepared to sacrifice himself at any time.

Even though they all hoped he would always be safe, some things were unpredictable. The best outcome would be for them to have a child soon. Worst-case scenario, if anything happened, at least there would be someone left behind.

So deep down, she still hoped her daughter-in-law would follow her husband.

“Mom, Dad, that job is an official position, and official posts can be transferred,” Shen Jintao said with a bright smile.

“Transferred?” Liu Guifen’s eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. “Even if it can be transferred, it’s useless—this isn’t a job just anyone can do.”

Shen Jintao agreed. The salary for a head chef at a state-run restaurant was high—over sixty yuan, plus various ration coupons. In this era, that was considered a very generous wage.

And of course, not just anyone could become a head chef, so what Liu Guifen said was totally reasonable.

“Mom, Dad, here’s what I was thinking. Don’t we have a lot of people in the family? During this time, you can all learn from me. I’ll teach you hands-on every day—someone’s bound to have a knack for it. I can’t guarantee you’ll all master everything I know, but as long as someone can reach the level of an average chef, they can take over the job.”

“It just depends on who’s got the skill. Of course, I’ll call my mom over too—we’re all family, and I won’t play favorites. Whoever learns the best can take over once I go with Beichuan.”

Liu Guifen slapped her thigh, “You young folks really think things through—why didn’t I come up with that?”

“How else do you think our daughter-in-law managed to land a job offer after just one trip?” Huo Chenggong laughed. “But I’ll pass. I know myself. Forget being a head chef—if no one cooked at home, I’d probably starve to death.”

“That’s true. Your dad has zero talent for cooking. But if it were manual labor or heavy lifting, he might be alright,” Liu Guifen added.

“Then Mom, little brother, little sister, and my mom can all learn from me,” Shen Jintao declared.

“Deal!”

“I can learn too?” Huo Nanxi asked in disbelief. After all the mean things she had said, she couldn’t believe Shen Jintao was still willing to let her learn. Was she really not mad?

“Yes, you can. Everyone can. If anyone turns out to have talent, that’s great. It’s better than just watching that job opportunity go to waste,” Shen Jintao nodded.

“Thank you… sister-in-law…” Huo Nanxi looked even more awkward. Whether or not she could actually learn any real skills, the fact that Shen Jintao didn’t hold a grudge against her for all the harsh things she’d said and was still willing to teach her made Huo Nanxi view her in a whole new light.

Honestly, there was never really anything wrong with Shen Jintao herself. It was just that back then, the whole village was talking about how she had a crush on some educated youth, and Huo Nanxi always felt like her older brother was marrying someone who had been rejected by someone else.

But thinking back, Shen Jintao had never done anything disgraceful. Everyone just knew she liked Lu Qingshan. In fact, that Shen Chunmiao was the one who acted shamelessly. Good thing her brother didn’t end up marrying Shen Chunmiao. She had just broken off the engagement with her brother and immediately got together with someone else. Anyone with eyes could see what was going on.

“This matter is going to trouble you guys. Tomorrow, please go tell my mom for me. We’ll all meet here in the evenings, and during this time, I’ll be counting on everyone. Wait until I get back to cook, so we don’t waste ingredients and I can teach you all at the same time.”

“Alright, alright, alright!”

The next morning, Shen Jintao packed up the materials she needed for work and set off again on her bicycle.

She happened to run into the ox cart from the brigade heading into town. Every few days, the brigade would send a cart to the town. People who wanted to buy things could ride it for a small fee instead of walking.

Today’s passengers were a few older women, most likely going into town to shop.

“Oh, Taozi, where are you off to again? Didn’t you just go to town yesterday?”

“Exactly. You’ve just gotten married, and your husband’s already gone to the military. Don’t be running around every day, or people will start gossiping.”

The first woman’s words didn’t seem off to Shen Jintao, but the second one…

“Aunt Niu, I’m going to work. Oh, and yesterday I went into town and ended up landing a permanent job—head chef at a state-run restaurant. Ha, it’s not like I wanted to work either. After all, Beichuan will be taking me to the military base in two months. What’s the point of starting a job now? But the manager was really insistent, said he had to have me, so I couldn’t refuse. That’s why I’ve been out and about every day. Now that you know the truth, don’t go spreading gossip, alright? I’m off to work now—getting that paycheck every month isn’t easy, sigh…”

“Oh, right, Auntie, I forgot to mention—spreading rumors is illegal, you know. We all need to watch what we say.”

Then, under everyone’s gaze, Shen Jintao pedaled away on her bicycle…

There was no way the ox cart could keep up with a bicycle, so even if the women had more questions, Shen Jintao was long gone.

“Whoa! Did I hear that right? She said she’s working at a state-run restaurant?”

“No kidding, and she even said it’s a permanent position!”

“Dear me! Aunt Niu, isn’t your son, the middle schooler, just a temp worker? And his job isn’t nearly as good as working at a state-run restaurant. That girl’s impressive!”

A woman who didn’t get along well with Aunt Niu chimed in, eyes gleaming as she enjoyed the drama.

“…” Aunt Niu was truly stunned by what she’d just heard. But more than that, she was bitter. Her son being a temp worker had already made people envious, yet somehow that little brat had become a full-time employee—and at such a good unit like a state-run restaurant with all kinds of perks.

“So what if she’s a permanent worker at a state-run restaurant? She’s probably just a waitress or something. What’s there to be proud of? My son is a middle school graduate and is currently apprenticing under a master. Once he gets promoted, he might become a skilled technician!”

“You said it yourself—might—and only after he gets promoted. Meanwhile, Shen Jintao is already a permanent worker. Gotta say, she’s more capable.”

Another woman just couldn’t let Aunt Niu have the last word. Who told her to have such a sharp tongue and offend people all the time?