Jiang Cheng followed Du Yun for the entire day, and the work wasn’t particularly difficult.

She only needed to oversee the weighing after the sorting was done, register each category of items, and then record them again when they were sold.

Du Yun had initially been a bit worried that Jiang Cheng might not do well, as Jiang Cheng was from the countryside and, according to rumors, hadn’t even attended school.

If Jiang Cheng hadn’t proven her literacy by reading a newspaper in front of Du Yun earlier, Du Yun would never have allowed her to take over the job.

In truth, Du Yun had her own considerations. After all, she had graduated from junior high school, and Jiang Cheng, who hadn’t even finished elementary school, couldn’t possibly take her job.

Around two in the afternoon, Sister Wang, who was responsible for recording alongside Du Yun, got off work.

Du Yun smiled and saw Sister Wang off without a single complaint, which made Jiang Cheng realize that Sister Wang had connections.

By four in the afternoon, Du Yun was also ready to leave.

The two of them walked back together without any reservations.

“My stomach has been feeling tight these past few days. I think it’s almost time. Can you come by yourself tomorrow?”

Jiang Cheng supported Du Yun and nodded.

“Sister, don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”

This one sentence made Du Yun feel completely at ease, convinced that she had made the right choice.

At this moment, the courtyard was bustling with activity.

Lin Jiaojiao stood at the entrance of the Shen family’s house, holding her head high like a victorious rooster.

“Director Zhang, Jiang Cheng must be hiding! She doesn’t have a job. What could she possibly be doing out all day?”

“She’s just trying to avoid the neighborhood inspection. Let’s wait here for her. I don’t believe she won’t come back. When she does, you must send her back to the countryside!”

Lin Jiaojiao’s voice was loud and full of arrogance as she stared at the gate, imagining Jiang Cheng being driven away, weeping and begging her for mercy.

Last night, after He Dan’s reminder, Lin Jiaojiao realized that Jiang Cheng didn’t have a job and couldn’t possibly stay in the city.

So today, while accompanying He Dan to register her household, Lin Jiaojiao took the opportunity to report Jiang Cheng.

The rest of the Lin family had no objections.

They were surprisingly united in wanting to teach Jiang Cheng a lesson.

Mother Lin, in particular, believed that as long as Jiang Cheng admitted her mistakes, she could be allowed back into the Lin family.

The dinner last night and this morning’s breakfast had been so unpleasant for Mother Lin that she was unwilling to do any more work.

Old Sun, the courtyard’s manager, disliked Lin Jiaojiao’s noisy behavior. Couldn’t she have discussed the matter with him first?

Old Sun walked over to Director Zhang from the neighborhood committee, who was looking rather displeased.

“Director Zhang, Jiang Cheng was driven out by the Lin family last night. It was late, and there were no buses. A young girl like her couldn’t possibly walk back in the dark. She didn’t mean to overstay.”

Old Sun’s words softened Director Zhang’s expression slightly.

In truth, there were many cases of people overstaying for a few days or even weeks. But Lin Jiaojiao was the only one making such a fuss.

Neighborhood committees were competitive, and since the matter had been brought up, Director Zhang, as the head of the committee, had to show the appropriate attitude. That’s why he had come.

However, he didn’t particularly like Jiang Cheng—or the Lin family, for that matter.

“That’s not true! Jiang Cheng has already rented a room. How can you say she didn’t mean to overstay?”

Lin Jiaojiao jumped in anxiously, pulling on Grandma Shen to question her about the rent.

Grandma Shen shook her off and played dumb. “What rent? I don’t know anything about that.”

“You’re lying!”

Lin Jiaojiao pointed at Grandma Shen in anger, but Shen Xing and Shen Yue immediately stepped in front of their great-aunt, their small bodies forming a protective barrier.

Shen Yue, though shy, stood firm with her chubby cheeks puffed out.

Shen Xing, the only man in the family, stood tall with a cold expression on his little face.

“Are you the worm in our stomachs? How would you know?”

“Don’t insult worms.”

Jiang Cheng had returned.

The people in the courtyard turned toward the voice, and gasps of surprise followed, their eyes widening in shock.

Was this Jiang Cheng?

Since when had she become so beautiful?

Jiang Cheng walked over unhurriedly, positioning herself strategically in front of the Shen family.

Since the issue had arisen because of her, she couldn’t let others take the blame for her.

Lin Jiaojiao stared at Jiang Cheng’s face, her heart filled with jealousy.

How was this possible? How could this be?

Jiang Cheng, a country girl, had no right to have such a face!

Jiang Cheng, perfectly ignoring Lin Jiaojiao, smiled appropriately at Director Zhang.

“Director Zhang, I’ve lived in this neighborhood for three years. I’m already a part of it. You always teach us that the neighborhood is our home, and everyone should take care of it. Under your influence, how could I disregard the collective honor?”

Director Zhang: Had he said that??? But the words did sound good. He should remember them.

“Over the years, everyone has seen how meticulous you are in your work. Under your leadership, our neighborhood has been rated as outstanding every year. At such an important time, how could I knowingly break the rules and bring shame to you and our neighborhood?”

Jiang Cheng’s righteous speech stirred Director Zhang’s emotions.

She was absolutely right!
If everyone had Comrade Jiang Cheng’s awareness, he wouldn’t have been losing so much hair over the annual evaluations.

“From yesterday to today, I’ve been trying to find a way to stay in our neighborhood. I happened to meet Sister Du and took over her job for two months. Here are my documents. I’ll go to the neighborhood committee first thing tomorrow to register. I won’t let our neighborhood down!”

Jiang Cheng spoke sincerely, and Director Zhang’s anger subsided involuntarily.

Comrade Jiang had high awareness and handled things properly. Not bad.

Even though he knew it was flattery, it was delivered so smoothly, so appropriately, and without causing any trouble.

Unlike that Lin Jiaojiao.

Director Zhang glanced at Lin Jiaojiao, then cleared his throat and said, “Comrade Jiang has high awareness and follows the rules. Only in this way can our neighborhood progress further.”

“Clap clap clap—”

Jiang Cheng applauded, her face full of sincerity.

Since she was clapping, how could others not join in?

Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Director Zhang’s lips twitched upward, though he tried to suppress it. He looked at Jiang Cheng and said, “No need for this, really! In the future, if you have any difficulties, come to the neighborhood committee. We’re all working for the betterment of the neighborhood.”

Jiang Cheng chimed in again, clapping until her hands turned red.

She wasn’t fawning or groveling, but her words made Director Zhang feel utterly comfortable.

In the end, Director Zhang didn’t even glance at Lin Jiaojiao. With his hands behind his back, he reminded Jiang Cheng to seek help from the organization if she encountered any difficulties, and then he left.

After seeing Director Zhang off, Jiang Cheng continued to ignore Lin Jiaojiao and walked over to Old Sun.

“Old Sun, I’ve caused you trouble.”

Old Sun waved his hand. “It’s nothing!”

“How can it be nothing? You’ve gone out of your way for me.”

Jiang Cheng said a few more words, leaving Old Sun beaming with delight.

Old Sun’s words dispersed the crowd in the courtyard, but the Lin family remained in shock.

“Jiang Cheng—you—you—”

Lin Jiaojiao couldn’t form a complete sentence.

He Dan, standing on the steps, suddenly felt a pang of panic. Her previously indifferent attitude toward Jiang Cheng was now mixed with disgust and a deeply hidden sense of dread.

With a face like that, would Lin Chengyuan really not be tempted?

He Dan’s nails dug into her palms.

Even if he was tempted, so what? A pretty face with no education wasn’t worthy of competing with her.

He Dan comforted herself, feeling slightly more at ease.

Jiang Cheng, still standing, once again ignored Lin Jiaojiao and looked at the Shen family.

“Grandma Shen, Shen Xing, Shen Yue, please go inside. I’ll deal with these flies.”

Shen Xing grinned, Shen Yue covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, and Grandma Shen nodded faintly. The three of them went inside.

Finally, Jiang Cheng turned to Lin Jiaojiao and the rest of the Lin family.

Her expression was neither smiling nor angry, her tone indifferent.

“My relationship with the Lin family is such that I’d set off firecrackers to celebrate if you all dropped dead. So, please don’t try to impose your despicable schemes on me.”

“I’d be wasting my time even scolding you.”

“You’re just missing someone to do the work. Well, now that I’m gone, isn’t there someone certified to take over?”

“Why not use it if it’s free? If it’s free, who wouldn’t use it, right?”