Chapter 61: The Pitiful Female Supporting Character from a Patriarchal Family in the 2000s (8)

Ai Xiaoling found a job for Ai Xiaofen as a waitress at a restaurant with meals and accommodation included. There was clear division of labor there, and the work was neither complicated nor exhausting.

The salary was quite high. With meals and accommodation covered, she could take home seven hundred yuan.

Most importantly, after becoming a full-time employee for a year, she would be eligible for social insurance, which would provide an extra layer of security in the future.

Ai Xiaofen was quite satisfied. She said that she had to work hard and stay for the sake of that social insurance. It was definitely better than staying in the countryside. Even if she didn’t get married in the future, it would still be a form of security for herself.

Hearing her say that, the anxiety in Ai Xiaoling’s heart gradually eased.

With a major issue resolved, Ai Xiaoling felt very relieved. Next, she could focus on making money, take good care of herself, and pay back the money she owed Ye Zhou.

“Are you in a bad mood lately?” Ai Xiaoling handed the list to Ye Zhou and suddenly asked.

Ye Zhou denied it. “No.”

“Oh.” She didn’t ask further. She handed over five hundred yuan from her just-received salary. “I’ll pay you five hundred this month first.”

Ye Zhou didn’t take it right away.

A customer arrived. Ai Xiaoling immediately shoved the money into his hand and turned to make the sale.

She left him standing there.

Ye Zhou got sulky again. Holding the money, he stood still, not moving.

Unfortunately, even after standing for a long time, Ai Xiaoling didn’t notice he was upset. Or rather, she didn’t notice his reaction at all.

She was simply too busy, wishing she could split herself in two.

It was Mother Ye who noticed that something was wrong with Ye Zhou. She walked over and half-joked, “There’s been so much inventory these days. You’ve worked hard running back and forth so many times.”

Ye Zhou pressed his lips together and didn’t say anything.

She knew he was working hard, yet she still gave him more things to do.

When did he ever say he and Ai Xiaoling weren’t compatible?

Weren’t they getting along just fine?

“Starting this month, you’ll get a salary. It’ll be calculated per trip. Your base salary will be fifteen hundred per month—” Mother Ye had just secured a big order from a neighboring province a few days ago, so she was in a good mood and was telling Ye Zhou about his pay.

“His base salary is fifteen hundred?” Ai Xiaoling walked over after hearing this and exclaimed with a smile.

Mother Ye said, “That’s right. Xiaoling, remember this for me. It’s calculated per trip. In any case, it won’t be less than two thousand a month. There might even be bonuses later. Three to four thousand isn’t impossible.”

“That’s a high salary.” Ai Xiaoling gave Ye Zhou a thumbs-up. “Little boss, work hard. You’re now a high-income earner.”

Mother Ye laughed heartily. “He’s not that young anymore. If I don’t give him some money, he’ll feel too embarrassed to go out and date. When will I ever get to hold a grandchild?”

“That’s true. But the little boss is very hardworking and motivated,” Ai Xiaoling replied, even praising Ye Zhou.

Mother Ye said, “He doesn’t know how to charm girls, and I don’t even know what kind of girl he likes. It really worries me.”

Ai Xiaoling looked at Ye Zhou. A scene from the future storyline flashed in her mind. She remembered his future fiancée, who seemed gentle and elegant, and spoke softly and gently.

According to the plot, that would be a few years later. At that time, they would only be engaged. Mother Ye wanted a grandchild, but that was still a long way off.

Ye Zhou had always been quiet and reserved. It was normal for him to like that kind of girl.

“Mom.” Feeling uncomfortable under Ai Xiaoling’s gaze, Ye Zhou interrupted Mother Ye impatiently. “Can you stop messing around?”

Talking about love and all that.

And stop trying to find someone for Ai Xiaoling to date.

“Okay, I won’t say more.” Mother Ye immediately agreed and even helped him load the goods. “Hurry up and deliver this batch. The store has been busy lately. There are still several truckloads going out tomorrow.”

After speaking, she turned to Ai Xiaoling. “Just keep an eye on the store. If the sales numbers go up, I’ll give you more bonuses.”

Ai Xiaoling replied sweetly, “Got it, Aunt Ye! I’ll make sure to manage the store well!”

The next few days were indeed very busy. Ai Xiaoling was often so busy that she was spinning in circles, not even having time to take a sip of water.

Ye Zhou watched her and felt a little sorry. He just wanted to hurry back to help her.

“You’re delivering goods to Haiyun County tomorrow?” Ai Xiaoling suddenly asked him.

“Yeah.”

“What time do you think you’ll be back?”

Ye Zhou answered seriously, “I’ll be back by noon.”

“That’s great!” Ai Xiaoling suddenly leaned forward, her eyes widening as she looked at him. “The pickled sour mangoes there are really famous. Buy some for me to try, and also some duck feet.”

As she leaned in, Ye Zhou’s heartbeat suddenly sped up, and his breathing grew quicker.

He didn’t even dare meet her eyes. His gaze shifted away, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he gave a light response. “Okay.”

Let alone just passing by. If she wanted to eat it, he could make a special trip. No matter how far, it would still be “on the way.”

“You’re such a good guy.” Ai Xiaoling clasped her hands together and thanked him excitedly. Then she shoved thirty yuan into his hand. “I’ll give you the money first so I don’t forget. Just pick what you think is good. I’ll send some to my sister too.”

Because he was bringing Ai Xiaoling something tasty, Ye Zhou was more motivated on that delivery trip than ever before.

Although the journey was long, it was not boring.

When he arrived, in order to return early, he even took the initiative to unload the goods. The other party paid very quickly.

Ye Zhou specially asked a few local people and made a detour to buy from some well-known local shops for Ai Xiaoling. He not only bought her sour mangoes and duck feet but also mixed noodles.

He realized that Ai Xiaoling seemed to have no other activities besides work. Only when she saw delicious food would she become especially excited.

Ye Zhou spent the whole way back imagining the expression she would have when she saw the food. Most likely, she would run over with excitement, her beautiful eyes wide open, looking pleasantly surprised as she praised him a few times.

She could say flattering words easily. Ye Zhou had heard them many times, but somehow he still enjoyed hearing them every single time.

He also understood that he was paying more and more attention to Ai Xiaoling. It was just that she, towards him, seemed to have no other intentions and treated him purely as a friend.

When Ye Zhou returned to the county and got closer to the store, his hand holding the steering wheel started to sweat. His mood was unexplainably nervous.

Even though it had only been a morning since they last saw each other, he already missed her. He had been thinking of her all the way back.

As the truck slowly approached the store, Ye Zhou saw a motorcycle in front of it. He even honked deliberately because Ai Xiaoling would recognize the sound of his truck.

Ye Zhou slowly reversed and parked the car, but no one came out.

He frowned, quickly opened the door, and got out.

When he entered the store, Ye Zhou saw several people gathered in front of the counter. Ai Xiaoling was holding several types of socket switches and was introducing them quickly, speaking non-stop.

There were also many wires laid out on the counter.

Seeing Ye Zhou walk over, Ai Xiaoling only had time to glance at him and say, “Back already?” After speaking, her eyes locked onto the bags he was holding. When she saw he had a few bags of snacks, her smile brightened.

“Take a break.” Mother Ye was also there today. She was bending over to find some items and then handing them to Ai Xiaoling at the counter. Then she said to Ye Zhou, “Do you remember Li Wenjie? Your primary school classmate.”

Mother Li had fashionable curly hair and smiled at Mother Ye, “He probably doesn’t remember. Your son has grown so much that I almost didn’t recognize him.”

“Kids always change as they grow. I’m sure if I saw your son, I wouldn’t recognize him either,” Mother Ye laughed and continued discussing building materials with her.

Li’s parents placed quite a large order, though there were still some things undecided. Mother Li said, “The third floor is my son’s marital home. He has to choose the materials himself.”

“Your son is getting married?” Mother Ye looked envious.

“Not at all. I’m worried sick,” Mother Li shook her head and looked at Mother Ye, “If you know any suitable girls, introduce them to my Wenjie.”

“Do you have high standards?”

As Mother Ye asked, Ye Zhou’s gaze darkened.

“Not high. As long as the girl has a good character,” Mother Li smiled.

“Of course, she has to be a good person. Marrying the wrong wife ruins three generations,” Mother Ye agreed.

Mother Li felt like she had found a kindred spirit, “Exactly.”

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out. Bring your son to the store tomorrow to finalize the remaining materials. Young people have different tastes from us,” Mother Ye said as she walked them to the door and chatted with them a little more.

When Mother Ye returned, she noticed Ai Xiaoling hadn’t paid any attention to their conversation. She was still focused on writing out the order list.

“Xiaoling—”

“Mom,” Ye Zhou interrupted, “What’s for lunch?”

“You haven’t eaten yet?” Mother Ye walked over to him in concern.

Ye Zhou said, “I didn’t eat breakfast either.”

So stop upsetting me already.

“Oh no, you must be starving,” Mother Ye quickly rushed out to buy food.

“It’s fine,” Ye Zhou felt a bit full from frustration. He carried the snacks he had bought over to Ai Xiaoling. He was originally in a bad mood but didn’t want to scare her, so he gently placed the items beside her.

“Thank you,” Ai Xiaoling looked at him with a bright smile, “You really worked hard, little boss.”

All Ye Zhou’s bad mood vanished in an instant, “It was on the way.”

This wasn’t her fault. It was his mother who insisted on matchmaking. It wasn’t her idea.

Ye Zhou figured it out as he thought more about it. He continued loading goods onto the truck, preparing to deliver them after lunch. But after he finished loading and went to the washroom to rinse his face, he returned to hear Mother Ye talking to Ai Xiaoling.

“Li Wenjie is the same age as Ye Zhou. When he was young, he was tall and slim with a cheerful personality,” Mother Ye said, then smiled at Ai Xiaoling, “And look, their family is building a three-story house. The first floor is a storefront, the second floor is for his parents, and the third floor is the marital home. They’re an only child family and well-off. Don’t you think that’s good?”

“Mhm,” Ai Xiaoling nodded affirmatively.

Ye Zhou clenched his fists so hard that he could hear his knuckles crack.

Mother Ye continued, “Their family lives in the city, and it’s close by. If you can keep working, that’s great. If not, you can open a small shop on their first floor. Life would still be good. Don’t you think Aunt is right?”

“Right. Aunt Ye is thinking for my sake,” Ai Xiaoling said gratefully.

“I treat you like half my daughter,” Mother Ye affectionately patted her head, “When Li Wenjie comes by next time, just get to know him a bit. See what kind of person he is. Family is important, but the person is even more important.”

Ai Xiaoling said, “Okay.”

Ye Zhou heard her agree, and half of his heart turned cold, followed by an unbearable heaviness.

Does she even know what kind of person Li Wenjie is? She agreed to a blind date just by hearing about his family.

After Mother Ye finished talking to Ai Xiaoling, she realized her son was missing. She went to the back of the store to look for him and handed him the food.

“No appetite,” Ye Zhou said with a cold face.

“What do you mean no appetite?” Mother Ye frowned, “You should still eat something. Look how skinny you are. Li Wenjie used to be small and thin too, but his mom said he’s grown taller now.”

Before she could finish, Ye Zhou glared at her with displeasure, “Can you stop meddling in other people’s business?”

“You brat—” Mother Ye thought he was joking and laughed as she scolded him, “Are you still hung up on that fight you and Li Wenjie had when you were kids? Kids don’t know anything back then.”

Ye Zhou: “……”

That’s not what he meant!