“Sister-in-law, why haven’t you left yet? If you go any later, there won’t be any meat left to buy.”

Lin Jiaojiao came out to urge her, and He Dan’s expression darkened. In an instant, she pushed Jiang Cheng to the back of her mind.

This Lin family—she really couldn’t stand staying here another day!

He Dan responded to Lin Jiaojiao and then left.

Lin Jiaojiao pouted behind her back and muttered to herself, “What’s there to be so proud of? You don’t even have a job. It’s my brother who’s supporting you.”

Lin Jiaojiao had already conveniently forgotten about the six hundred yuan He Dan had spent. In her mind, He Dan’s money was their family’s money.

As He Dan walked further away, she tried to calm her emotions, thinking to herself that she must find a job as soon as possible.

Once she had a job, she and Lin Chengyuan would move out and rent a place of their own.

*

Jiang Cheng arrived at the machinery factory without a hitch and chatted with the gatekeeper for a while before entering.

It was the same workshop as yesterday, with the same people.

Without a single unnecessary word, they got straight to work.

Factory Director Sun came by once, instructing Secretary Zhang to make sure everyone had tea, and then left.

The atmosphere was so intense that he felt too awkward to stay.

At lunchtime, the group seemed to come back to life, like puppets reanimated.

They stretched their limbs, rotated their necks, and gradually activated their language systems.

“Jiang Cheng, Chief Tang called me this morning to say that the human trafficking case has been closed. Several of the criminals are going to face execution, and he asked if you’d like to witness it.”

Witness the execution?

Chief Tang really was looking out for her.

Jiang Cheng put on a righteous expression and said, “I’m just glad to know that the criminals have been brought to justice. Right now, this place needs me, and I really can’t leave.”

“Exactly! I feel the same way.”

Principal Wang nodded in agreement, though he secretly couldn’t bring himself to support Chief Tang’s invitation.

The group marched toward the factory canteen, each carrying their lunchbox.

As soon as they entered, Jiang Cheng turned to Principal Wang and asked, “What are you doing here today? Isn’t the night school busy?”

Yesterday, he had happened to be around and stayed to help, but there had been no mention of him coming back today.

Principal Wang’s face flushed slightly.

“Well… we’re sister units. I couldn’t just not help.”

With that, he quickened his pace and handed over his lunchbox.

“One serving of braised pork, please!”

Jiang Cheng smiled knowingly and then handed over her own lunchbox. “Chef, give me two servings of braised pork!”

The old and the young shared a silent understanding.

Jiang Cheng, Principal Wang, Manager Guo, Zhao Chengde, Old Zhang, and the bespectacled man sat together.

The bespectacled man, surnamed Yan, was a technician at the factory.

Yesterday, he had doubted Jiang Cheng. Today, he admired her.

Lunch was eaten quickly, and Technician Yan lingered behind to walk beside Jiang Cheng.

“Our factory is holding a recruitment exam tomorrow, open to both internal and external candidates, but the news hasn’t been spread yet.”

Jiang Cheng immediately understood. “I see. Thank you.”

Technician Yan scratched his head, embarrassed. “The factory director asked me to tell you.”

As a straightforward man, he didn’t fully grasp why Director Sun had asked him to deliver this message.

Jiang Cheng, who was sharp as a tack, understood perfectly. She said, “I understand your dedication to machinery and your desire to contribute to the nation’s productivity. So, there’s no issue between us.”

After hearing this, Technician Yan finally understood the director’s intention.

“No! I need to talk to the director! He’s being too stingy. I’d be thrilled if you came to work here, so why is he making you take an exam?”

Technician Yan was indignant.

Jiang Cheng quickly called out to him.

“Technician Yan, I can’t come work at the factory. I’m a translator—I go where I’m needed. Director Sun is giving me this information as a favor. Do you understand?”

Technician Yan’s face twisted in confusion for a moment before he said, “The director sure makes things complicated.”

Director Sun: All my efforts were in vain!

*

The group returned to the workshop and continued working.

They worked until six in the evening.

After six, they had dinner at the factory, and the day’s work came to an end. They would continue tomorrow.

Jiang Cheng didn’t return to the night school, having taken a few days off.

She brought back some of the sorted documents to the courtyard house, planning to translate them that night.

When the night school teacher found out Jiang Cheng wouldn’t be attending, their first reaction was joy, followed by an attempt to feign regret to show some semblance of teacher-student camaraderie.

But it didn’t work!

They couldn’t fake it even a little!

The night school students, however, took the news in stride. Jiang Cheng’s reputation was too well-established.

Everyone felt that whether Jiang Cheng attended class or not, it wouldn’t affect her ability to top the exams.

So, if you’re not the one topping the exams, what right do you have to complain?

The most absurd part was that since Jiang Cheng started attending the night school, there hadn’t been a single exam!

*

Back in the courtyard house, Grandma Shen was surprised to see Jiang Cheng return so early.

“Grandma Shen, I’ve already eaten. Here’s some braised pork I brought back. You can add it to dinner tonight. I’m going to check on Sister Du Yun.”

Grandma Shen took the lunchbox, and Jiang Cheng headed to Du Yun’s house.

On her way back, she had thought about the job recruitment news.

She had no relatives nearby, and most of the night school students already had jobs, so it would be good to use this opportunity to strengthen relationships in the courtyard.

The best candidate was Old Sun’s family.

Old Sun had a younger son who was the right age, but that was about the only thing going for him.

Old Sun’s younger son was a troublemaker, idle and lazy. You could often hear Old Sun scolding him. He wasn’t the type to sit still in an office.

Jiang Cheng hadn’t had time to socialize much with the other residents, so she thought of Du Yun’s sister-in-law, Li Chunxiang.

Li Chunxiang had approached Jiang Cheng once, but only once.

Whether she had been swayed by Jiang Cheng’s persuasion or not, she was at least someone who listened to advice and didn’t cause trouble.

But Jiang Cheng decided to gather more information first.

As Jiang Cheng approached the Li family’s door, she heard voices inside before even entering.

“Mom—it’s a new era. Can’t you stop playing the role of the evil mother-in-law tormenting her daughter-in-law?”

“My sister-in-law earns money too. It’s not like my brother is the only one supporting her!”

“If you bully her now, aren’t you afraid of karma? What if I get bullied by my mother-in-law when I get married?”

It was Li Chunxiang’s voice.

“You’re such a blockhead! I’m your mother. Whose side are you on?”

“I’m on the side of truth!”

Li Chunxiang’s words left Du Yun’s mother-in-law dizzy with anger, and her father had to drag her away.

“Sister Du Yun, it’s Jiang Cheng. I came to see you.”

Jiang Cheng, holding a small bag of red dates, was welcomed in by Li Chunxiang.

Jiang Cheng nodded to her and entered Du Yun’s room. Du Yun’s husband greeted her with a simple nod before quickly leaving.

Du Yun, sitting on the bed, waved Jiang Cheng over.

“Come, sit. The room doesn’t smell great.”

“The night wind is too harsh. You’re still recovering from childbirth, so don’t open the window.”

Jiang Cheng placed the dates on the side and exchanged a few pleasantries before getting to the point.

“Chunxiang… you know, ever since you praised her that time, she’s been full of energy. Lately, she’s been getting up early to study, going out during the day to look for job opportunities, and coming back at night to study some more.”

“She’s not like my mother-in-law. After all, she’s educated and knows a bit more.”

Du Yun shared a lot, and after getting a better understanding, Jiang Cheng got up to leave.

Before leaving, she called out to Li Chunxiang.

Li Chunxiang came out of her room and looked at Jiang Cheng warily.

“You’re not going to try to trick me again, are you?”