Chapter 23 Bidding and Deal

This was exactly the effect Yang Mumu wanted.  She took a sip of tea, concealing her upturned lips. “Since you all are so sincere, I won’t beat around the bush. You know my position—one of the best in the city, at a top factory, with excellent benefits.  It’ll pay for itself in under a year.  The price is 1200 yuan, not a penny less.”

Li Shu was the first to bid: “1250 yuan.”

Xia Hong immediately raised her hand: “1300 yuan.”  Any alliances were immediately forgotten.

Liu Ying panicked and bid high: “1400 yuan!”  Everyone looked at her. Mumu was delighted; the director’s family was wealthy.

Li Shu hesitated, then bid: “1410 yuan.”

Liu Ying pressed on: “1450 yuan!”

Li Shu, exceeding his budget, gave up.  Mumu, acting as an auctioneer, said, “Li Shu has dropped out.  Liu Ying has bid 1450 yuan.  If no one bids higher, the job is hers.”

Xia Hong hesitated, but Liu Ying glared and covered her mouth.

Mumu asked, “Xia Hong, are you bidding?”

Xia Hong struggled.  “Can we talk for a moment?” Liu Ying asked apologetically.  Director Zhang looked apologetic as well.

“Sure,” Mumu agreed; she was satisfied with the price.

Liu Ying apologized to Xia Hong.  “I’m sorry about the vegetables.  Let me have this job.”

Xia Hong, surprised by the apology, hesitated.  She needed the job for her daughter, but Liu Ying explained that she had a daughter with a job, and they could afford it, while Xia Hong’s family needed the money.  Liu Ying would sell her daughter’s job to Xia Hong.

Xia Hong agreed.  She told Mumu, “I give up.”

Mumu clapped. “Congratulations, Director Zhang and Liu Ying! 1450 yuan, deal done!”

Li Shu sighed, “Congratulations, Director Zhang.”

Liu Ying paid Mumu immediately, fearing another buyer.  She counted the money, and they went to the factory to transfer the job.

“Let’s hurry. I’ll check the stove, and you tell Mr. Li to bring the others. We’ll split up to save time.”

Mumu put the money away and checked the stove.  The transfer was quick and smooth.  The daughter was stunned until she left the factory, realizing she was now an employee of the city’s top factory.

She squealed with delight, hugging Yang Mumu. “Mumu, thank you! I wish you all the best in the countryside!”

“Thank you for your wishes! Congratulations on getting your wish. Your parents love you very much,” Mumu replied, happy about the money.  “I should go now; my stove needs tending.”

“Goodbye,” the Zhang family said, heading home to celebrate with a chicken dinner.

Yang Mumu, after dinner, excitedly entered her space, counting her earnings: 1100 yuan from Li Yuhua (plus 360 found in her house = 1460 yuan), 120 yuan from Yang Qianqian’s room, 3000 yuan from Zhang Cuilan, 1800 yuan from Xu Qiang, 3200 yuan from Zhao Bing, and 2500 yuan from Yang Zhong—a total of 12,180 yuan from them alone.  Adding her father’s pension (800 yuan), the job sale (1450 yuan), and her existing 210 yuan, she had 14,640 yuan in cash, plus 99,900 yuan in her savings account.

Yang Mumu’s eyes shone.  She was still rich!  She spread the money on the floor, rolling around in it, laughing with glee.  “Oh my god, I have so much money!”

She gathered the money, carefully counted it, and put it in her money box, along with her passbook.  After showering, she hugged the box and slept soundly.

What to do with all that money?  Tomorrow: shopping spree!