Chapter 72 – Employment

“But I know that old lady—if she goes to Jianglin Hotel, maybe before long, she won’t have money left to pay for the room or meals.”

She had heard others talk about Jianglin Hotel, knew that the environment there was far better than the base.

Quite a few who had followed others to Jianglin Hotel chose to stay there and never came back to the base.

But recently, it was said that Jianglin Hotel had no spare rooms. Even those who went along with the base’s convoys ended up returning.

Even so, many people still wanted to follow the base’s teams to Jianglin Hotel.

Not for anything else—just because inside Jianglin Hotel, they wouldn’t be affected by the extreme heat.

“It’s fine. I won’t need you to pay for the room or anything. I’m not very good at cooking, so lately I’ve been wanting to hire someone to help me with meals.

I’m quite picky, and all this time, you’re the only one I find pleasing to the eye.

I believe you won’t let me down, right?”

Chu Jiangyue knew that a direct invitation would never work, but if she phrased it as asking the old lady to help her out, she might not accept right away, but she would at least consider it.

Sure enough, the old lady who had been firm before, softened her stance upon hearing Chu Jiangyue’s words.

“If you agree, then it will be an employment relationship. I’ll pay you monthly wages, so you don’t have to worry about money while staying at Jianglin Hotel.”

The old lady fell into thought. Chu Jiangyue wasn’t in a hurry; she and Shen Zhigui simply sat on stools in her house, waiting for her to make up her mind.

“You two haven’t eaten yet, right? I just boiled some corn, have some.”

Seeing them just sitting there, the old lady actively offered the corn she had cooked for herself.

“No, no, you keep it for yourself. I still have plenty.”

That corn was what Chu Jiangyue had traded her for seeds yesterday—she couldn’t just take it back into her own stomach the very next day.

Even a miser wouldn’t do that.

“We already ate, don’t worry about us.”

Shen Zhigui also declined the food.

They were young and able-bodied, they couldn’t bring themselves to fight an old lady over food.

Since neither wanted it, the old lady didn’t insist and just took one herself.

Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui were left staring at each other across the room.

After finishing breakfast, the old lady began tidying her house.

She was the kind of person who simply couldn’t sit still—always finding something to do.

Chu Jiangyue felt embarrassed just watching, so she got up to help.

“You sit, I’ll just sweep, won’t take long.”

The old lady had only one set of cleaning tools, and she didn’t let Chu Jiangyue touch them, quickly cleaning up on her own.

“Grandma, have you decided? Will you come with me to Jianglin Hotel?”

When the old lady finished sweeping, Chu Jiangyue asked again.

Shen Zhigui didn’t know why Chu Jiangyue was so intent on bringing this old woman back to Jianglin Hotel, but he still looked at her seriously.

Seeing Chu Jiangyue so persistent, the old lady sighed. “Alright, I’ll accept your employment and go with you to Jianglin Hotel.”

She was alone anyway—life was life, no matter where. And at Jianglin Hotel, she wouldn’t have to suffer the extreme heat.

Hearing this, Chu Jiangyue’s face lit up with joy.

“That’s great! Then my three meals a day will be in your hands from now on! Pack up—we’ll leave right away!”

She was worried that if she delayed, the old lady might regret it.

But the old woman lived alone, with little to pack.

In the end, she only carried a somewhat worn black backpack with all her belongings inside.

Seeing how little she owned, Chu Jiangyue felt a pang of sorrow.

“Let’s go. You’ll come with us back to the villa first, then we’ll set off together with the base team later.”

This time, Song Chengjun was leading the team, and Chu Jiangyue didn’t mind traveling with them.

Since she had already agreed, the old lady didn’t fuss anymore. She locked her door and followed behind Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui.

The two of them looked out of place among the people of the base’s outer district, and as soon as they stepped out, they drew plenty of stares.

But when the others saw the old lady trailing behind them, they grew suspicious.

They knew who she was, but when had this old woman gotten acquainted with such young people?

Even without seeing them in action, sometimes people’s instincts about danger were very sharp.

In the end, under many watchful eyes, Chu Jiangyue, Shen Zhigui, and the old lady passed through the trading market and reached the inner district of the base.

It was the old woman’s first time in the inner district—the streets here were far cleaner than those outside.

“Our villa is at the very end. There are a few friends staying with us—you can just call them by name when you meet them.”

Worried she might feel uneasy seeing too many new faces, Chu Jiangyue explained in advance.

The old lady nodded, saying she understood.

Inside the villa, Jiang He and the others saw Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui return together and immediately cast questioning looks at Shen Zhigui.

With their eyes, they seemed to ask: What happened? Progress?

Shen Zhigui ignored their speculation and simply stepped aside to reveal the old woman behind them.

“This is…”

Upon seeing her, Xie Silin immediately asked.

Had Boss Shen and Boss Chu found family?

Neither of them looked like the type to show kindness to strangers.

“This is the lady I hired to cook for us. She’ll be coming with us to Jianglin Hotel today.”

Hearing Chu Jiangyue’s explanation, the others finally nodded in understanding.

“So when do we leave?”

Song Chengjun was still organizing people, though they weren’t sure when exactly he’d depart.

“Let’s wait for Captain Song’s notice.”

The six of them were strong—among the base’s top fighters.

Chu Jiangyue didn’t think Song Chengjun would miss out on having them as free bodyguards.

The others had no objections.

“I just checked—Captain Song’s still gathering people. It won’t be anytime soon. Let’s eat first!”

On the table were various dishes that Jiang He had taken out from his space.

The old lady glanced at Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui—hadn’t they said they’d already eaten breakfast?

Chu Jiangyue quickly averted her eyes, pretending not to notice.

Shen Zhigui coughed awkwardly. “We prepared extra. Why don’t you join us?”

He successfully redirected her attention.

The old lady shook her head. She was already full from the corn and couldn’t eat anymore.

“Have a little. If you just stand there watching us eat, we’ll feel bad.”

Chu Jiangyue extended the invitation again.

Unable to refuse, the old lady finally sat at the table, though still looking a bit stiff and uncomfortable.

Chu Jiangyue knew she would need time to adjust, so during the meal she made an effort to look after her, helping her feel more at ease.