Chapter 50: Going to Work

Hearing Shen Huaixu’s words, Tang Xiaorou looked him up and down.

“I never thought our Regiment Commander Shen could say such things. But aren’t you being too confident? What if a childhood sweetheart or some ‘white moonlight’ appears later?”

“What’s a white moonlight?”

He understood childhood sweetheart, but he didn’t understand “white moonlight” at all.

“It’s a woman you love but can’t have.”

Shen Huaixu looked at Tang Xiaorou helplessly. “Didn’t I just say that you’re the only woman I’ve ever been close to? So those things you mentioned won’t happen.”

Hearing this, Tang Xiaorou’s lips curled up, her eyes full of smiles. She had to admit she was happy.

“That’s good.”

Although Yao Bingcheng wasn’t yet an adult, he understood these things. Seeing the two like this, he said, “Sister, Brother-in-law, you two have such a good relationship.”

“Child, don’t talk.”

Tang Xiaorou glanced at Yao Bingcheng. Where did he see that they had a good relationship?  Initially, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement. But she still subconsciously looked at Shen Huaixu.

Unexpectedly, Shen Huaixu also looked over, their eyes met, and Tang Xiaorou felt like she’d been stung. She quickly looked away, turning to Yao Bingcheng. “Bingcheng, you and I are going to town tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay.”

Yao Bingcheng didn’t ask what it was about and just nodded.

Seeing that Tang Xiaorou was no longer looking at him, Shen Huaixu finally turned his gaze away.

They soon arrived at the guesthouse. Qin Xueqiong saw them and asked, “Have you had dinner?”

“Mom, not yet. We came to find you to eat together. I have some good news to announce later.”

Hearing this, both Grandma Yao and Qin Xueqiong became curious, but Tang Xiaorou didn’t say anything.  When they sat down to eat at the state-run restaurant, she finally mentioned getting a job at the pharmacy.

“I’m starting tomorrow. One hundred yuan a month, and the working hours are very flexible. I can ask for leave anytime I need to, so I accepted the job.”

Qin Xueqiong was overjoyed to hear her daughter’s words.

“Really, Xiaorou? One hundred yuan a month?”

“Of course, Mom. Could I lie to you? When I get my first month’s salary, I’ll give it to you.”

Qin Xueqiong quickly waved her hand. “No, no. You’re married now, of course, you should keep it.” She was very happy for her daughter, but she was also a little confused, not knowing what she could do.

Grandma Yao sat beside Qin Xueqiong. Seeing her expression, she immediately guessed what she was thinking. However, she looked at Tang Xiaorou again, knowing that she would definitely have everything arranged. This girl was very capable.

Sure enough, halfway through the meal, Tang Xiaorou looked at Qin Xueqiong. “Mom, I saw you make clothes very well before. Are you interested in making clothes?” 

When they went to the family compound, she and the two children were wearing clothes made by Qin Xueqiong. The stitches were fine, the style was good, and most importantly, they were very comfortable to wear.

Speaking of this, Qin Xueqiong said, “Do you need clothes made? I can help you.”

“It’s not clothes, it’s curtains and duvet covers.” Tang Xiaorou smiled and then said, “I’ll go to the department store again tomorrow after work and buy you a sewing machine.”

Qin Xueqiong was tempted.  She had always envied those who had sewing machines at home.

But thinking of the price of a sewing machine, she immediately shook her head.

“No need, Xiaorou. Even if it’s curtains and duvet covers, I don’t need a sewing machine. I can sew them by hand.”

Tang Xiaorou pointed at Shen Huaixu. “Mom, this is the ‘three-turn-one-ring’ he promised. I’ve already bought the bicycle, so we should definitely buy the sewing machine.”

Shen Huaixu added, “Yes, Mom. Since we need it, we should buy it. Tomorrow you and Xiaorou can go to the department store to take a look.”

Before Qin Xueqiong could refuse, Grandma Yao had already decided. “Since Xiaorou and Huaixu have both said so, then let’s buy it.”

The matter was settled, and Tang Xiaorou told Yao Bingcheng about their plans for tomorrow.

“Bingcheng, tomorrow, if we buy books, you’ll spend the rest of your time studying and catching up on high school knowledge.”

The college entrance examination would be reinstated next year; she would definitely take it, and Yao Bingcheng couldn’t fall behind.

However, Yao Bingcheng muttered, “It’s no use studying. I can’t take the exam anyway.”

Tang Xiaorou glared at him. “Reading more books will never be wrong. Besides, things can’t stay like this forever. Everything will get better.

Maybe the college entrance examination will be reinstated soon.”

Shen Huaixu didn’t expect Tang Xiaorou to say this, but he agreed with her.

Darkness will eventually pass, and light will come.

“Yes, Bingcheng, studying hard will never be wrong.”

Grandma Yao also glared at her grandson. “Do what your sister says. Just listen to her.”

Yao Bingcheng quickly stopped talking, nodding repeatedly. “Okay, okay, I understand.”

The next morning, Tang Xiaorou first sent Xiaoyan to kindergarten and then went to Xinglin Pharmacy. “Old Yu, I’m here.”

Seeing Tang Xiaorou arrive, Old Yu greeted her. “Did you have breakfast? Should I get you a bowl of soy milk and some fried dough sticks?”

“Old Yu, I’ve already eaten.”

Seeing Tang Xiaorou say this, Old Yu didn’t ask further but introduced the situation of the pharmacy. “Currently, there are only me and Xiaodou. Not many people come to buy traditional Chinese medicine.”

Western medicine was prevalent now, and many people trusted Western medicine more, so not many people came to the pharmacy to get medicine.

If he hadn’t seen the two prescriptions Tang Xiaorou had written, he would never have paid such a high price to hire her.

“Old Yu, if patients come, I can’t help see them, right? After all, I don’t even have a barefoot doctor’s certificate.”

Old Yu hadn’t expected this. “Then how did you write prescriptions for people before?”

“Oh… He trusted me, so I wrote a prescription for him.”

Hearing this, Old Yu said, “Then if someone comes to see a doctor, you can help with the preparations first, and I’ll help you get your certificate.”

“Okay, thank you, Old Yu.”

While they were talking, an old lady came. “Old Yu, I’m here to buy some hawthorn. I haven’t had much of an appetite recently, and I thought I’d make some hawthorn tea to stimulate my appetite.” 

At the end, she noticed Tang Xiaorou and asked, “Did the pharmacy hire a female apprentice?”

Old Yu smiled and shook his head. “She’s not an apprentice. Her medical skills are even better than mine. I worked hard to hire her.”

The old lady was surprised. “Really? She’s so young, and her medical skills are even better than yours?”

“Of course, why would I lie to you?”

The old lady had originally only come to buy some hawthorn, but after hearing Old Yu’s words, she couldn’t help but look at Tang Xiaorou.

“Can you take a look at me?”