Chapter 6: “Selling Jobs”

Jiang Ningning maintained a gentle smile on her face, as if she couldn’t understand the tense, almost combustible atmosphere between her mother-in-law and the two daughters-in-law. She took the initiative to pull Aunt Zhu inside and casually closed the door behind them.

The two daughters-in-law of the Zhu family were so angry that their eyes almost bulged out.

Looking at Jiang Ningning’s delicate, seemingly weak appearance, they hadn’t expected her to have such a thick skin.

So, today was the day she had come to borrow food, was it?

Jiang Ningning parted her lips, speaking in sweet, flattering tones: “Thank you, Aunt Zhu. Your skills in steaming the big steamed buns are truly unmatched. They’re fluffy and soft—I was able to eat two in one go earlier.”

These words instantly made Aunt Zhu, who had been frowning, smile brightly. “You’re such a polite child,” she said, her face softening.

Jiang Ningning helped her sit at the square wooden table, quickly poured a glass of water from the ceramic jar, and handed it to Aunt Zhu. “I’ve always treated you like my real aunt. You’re the only one in the entire compound I’m truly close to.”

Although the water was warm, Aunt Zhu’s heart was filled with a fire of warmth.

Over the years, her family, including her little grandson, had grown used to her giving and never once had anyone poured her a glass of water.

Ningning was truly a grateful child who knew how to repay kindness.

Aunt Zhu raised her gaze, now filled with a look of gratitude, and studied Jiang Ningning again, feeling that something was different.

In the past, when she spoke with Jiang Ningning, the girl’s voice had been weak, as fragile as fine porcelain that would shatter with the slightest touch.

Maybe it was because she had eaten and had more energy, but Jiang Ningning now stood in front of her with a spirited look, her face glowing under the soft light, looking simply radiant.

Could it really be the effect of the two big steamed buns?

Aunt Zhu felt a sudden sense of duty welling up in her chest. “There are still three buns left in the kitchen, I’ll bring them all to you.”

The two daughters-in-law of the Zhu family exchanged glances: “…”

This was the last thing they wanted to see.

Jiang Ningning gently shook her head, “Aunt Zhu, these delicate steamed buns should be left for the younger ones like Ermao. I appreciate your kindness. With the food you’ve given me, the first person I thought of was you.”

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family felt extremely annoyed and rolled her eyes at Jiang Ningning. “What kindness do you even have?”

“Aunt Ningning never lies,” Aunt Zhu immediately defended Jiang Ningning, and then shot her eldest daughter-in-law a fierce glare, coldly huffing, “Shut up! If you can’t speak properly, don’t say anything. No one’s taking you for a mute.”

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family: “…”

She felt so wronged that she almost burst into tears right there.

It was all because of poverty.

Who in this world would want to be the bad guy? She was only trying to do what was best for the family.

But the only person who could understand her feelings was the one she hated the most—Jiang Ningning.

“Aunt Zhu is right to be concerned,” Jiang Ningning continued. “Every family is struggling to get enough to eat. Once someone starts asking for food, relatives and friends will start asking too. If you refuse to lend food to someone, you offend them.

So, I’m not here to borrow food. I came to ask if Zhu family would be interested in buying a job.”

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family froze in place.

Not just her, but the entire family held their breath, too afraid to even exhale.

Uncle Zhu was always cautious, and seeing the seriousness of the situation, he quickly motioned for the youngest daughter-in-law to take the children to the next room to play.

“I have two job positions available. One is for a technician, and the other is for a textile worker. I plan to sell them both. Aunt Zhu has been looking after Manman and Xiaxia, and I’ve kept that in mind. The textile factory will prioritize your family when offering a job.”

Seeing Jiang Ningning’s sincere autumn eyes, Aunt Zhu felt a pang in her heart and wiped her tears with the corner of her apron.

“Foolish Ningning, did you hear that your Brother Zhu lost his job, and that’s why you want to sell the job to repay your aunt?”

Her crying and wailing made the rest of the Zhu family look at Jiang Ningning with complex feelings, both moved and guilty.

Especially Zhu’s eldest daughter-in-law, who, remembering her previous aggressive attitude, felt ashamed and took the initiative to apologize to Jiang Ningning, “I wrongly accused you, but Ningning, the textile factory job was left behind by your parents. In the future, this ‘iron rice bowl’ can be passed on to Manman and Xiaxia. Your elder brother can’t take it.”

Her words sounded principled, but inside, she felt a sharp pain.

A senior technician at the textile factory earns around 15 yuan a month, not to mention the various bonuses and benefits during holidays. With this job, their family wouldn’t need to tighten their belts anymore, and the kids wouldn’t wake up hungry in the middle of the night.

But since the Jiang couple were martyrs, their belongings were off-limits. This was the basic principle of being a decent person!

Aunt Zhu’s tone was firm, “Yes, we don’t want it. You can’t sell it! The family is really in a difficult situation, but Aunt will lend you food.”

Zhu’s eldest daughter-in-law opened her mouth, but ultimately didn’t argue further.

The Zhu family was kind and simple, genuinely considering Jiang Ningning’s well-being. Her eyelashes trembled slightly. “My in-laws are eyeing these two positions. You know my character; I can’t keep them. Rather than letting them take over, it’s better to exchange them for money or food coupons, things that are more tangible.”

Moreover, by the time Manman and Xiaxia grow up, the position may not even be an ‘iron rice bowl’ anymore.

In the 1980s, many factories were undergoing major reforms. Those that couldn’t keep up with social development would experience waves of layoffs.

The college entrance exam was the future path for the next generation.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ningning couldn’t reveal this information, as it might be treated like a specimen by research institutes.

“Ningning, are you really serious about selling the job?” Uncle Zhu suddenly spoke up.

He squatted on the ground, holding a dry tobacco pipe in his right hand, not lighting it, just using it to satisfy his craving.

Jiang Ningning nodded, her face serious. “Yes, I’ll sell it at the market price, giving you an 20% discount. I need the money and tickets, and I’m in a hurry. It would be best if we could go through the procedures by tomorrow morning.”

“But I suggest that the Zhu family doesn’t take both positions at once, to avoid attracting envy. However, you can recommend someone to me. I trust Aunt Zhu’s judgment, so I’ll feel at ease.”

The textile factory positions were like “one carrot, one hole,” with increasingly strict hiring conditions. Once the news was released, countless people would fight for the jobs, and they might even end up being auctioned for sky-high prices.

“You considered the Zhu family first, which really is very kind to us. Let’s go with the market price. Eight hundred yuan, half in cash and half in tickets.” Uncle Zhu made the decision without hesitation.

Eight hundred yuan for a technician position was not a loss. The salary for an ordinary Level 5 worker was about 30-40 yuan, and with various benefits, they could recover the cost within a year.

If the textile factory had two senior Level 8 technicians, they would earn more than 80 yuan a month, including subsidies and benefits.

“The director of the street office, Liu, sent his youngest son to the countryside for work a few days ago. He just got a letter of introduction to visit family and is staying in the city for a few days. Director Liu is worried about how to help his son find a job. You can help him by taking care of it for him. Your elder sister-in-law has some relatives with the Liu family, and she’ll help you ask about it later.”

“However, Ningning, tell me honestly, why are you so eager to sell the job?”

Jiang Ningning was indeed shrewd. She sighed inwardly, and facing the Zhu family’s concerned and worried gazes, she no longer hid the truth. “I plan to take the two children to the military district to find Dong Lin tomorrow.”