Chapter 30: Lin Family Courtyard

Entering the supply and marketing cooperative’s backyard, Wu Sen pushed open the office door and went inside. He pulled out a form from the drawer. “Sister-in-law, please fill out this information form.”

Taohua Town’s supply and marketing cooperative had expanded this year, so he applied for an additional salesperson. As soon as the news got out, five or six people came looking for him.

Wen Wan calmly sat down, picked up the pen and paper, and began to fill in her name, date of birth, and other information.

“Brother Wu, when are you and your wife free?” Zhou Haoting whispered.

Wu Sen’s heart settled. “Today.” He had been hesitating about how to bring this up with Zhou Haoting.

Last night, as soon as he got home, he immediately called his wife and asked her to take the day off to come back.

Zhou Haoting nodded. “Okay, then at one o’clock this afternoon, let’s go to the county town to find someone.”

After glancing at the form in her hand and confirming there were no omissions, Wen Wan stood up and handed it over. “Brother Wu, do you think this is okay?”

“Sister-in-law, did you graduate from high school?” Wu Sen looked at the neat and elegant handwriting with surprise.

On the way back yesterday, he had felt sorry for Zhou Haoting, thinking the young hero had married an illiterate village girl.

Wen Wan politely replied, “Yes, I graduated from high school last year.”

Wu Sen beamed, painting a rosy picture. “Xiaowan, work hard here at our supply and marketing cooperative. Later, there will be opportunities to transfer to the department store.”

After completing the procedures, Wu Sen reminded her, “Xiaowan, remember to get a letter of introduction from the village.”

“Okay, thank you, Brother Wu. I will be here on time tomorrow.” Wen Wan’s eyes were full of sincerity and excitement; a good start.

Standing at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, Wu Sen watched Wen Wan and Zhou Haoting leave together before returning with a spring in his step.

“Manager Wu, who was that person just now?” Wang Fenglai asked in a shrill voice, deliberately.

Wu Sen glared at Wang Fenglai and calmly said, “She’s here to start her job. You all need to help her out.”

The last sentence was directed at Wang Fenglai, Li Yumei, and Chen Xiu, making his stance clear: don’t bully the newcomer.

Wang Fenglai’s face suddenly turned ugly, and she anxiously stood up. “Manager Wu, why is she here to start a job? Did she have an interview?”

Initially, she thought the other party was here for an interview. Several people had been seeking Wu Sen’s assistance recently, and she assumed the best offer would win.

Remembering that her mother-in-law was hoping she could get her younger sister-in-law a job, she didn’t know how she would explain this when she got home. Wang Fenglai began to sweat.

“Wang Fenglai, why are you yelling?” Wu Sen’s face was filled with anger. “The supply and marketing cooperative has a system for recruiting people.”

Seeing Wang Fenglai and the others looking at him, Wu Sen sneered. “Wang Fenglai, your younger sister-in-law is a junior high school graduate, while Wen Wan is a high school graduate. If you’re not as good, don’t make a fuss.”

He knew that three of his subordinates had relatives and friends who wanted to join the supply and marketing cooperative, but none of them had Wen Wan’s qualifications.

Li Yumei exclaimed in surprise: A high school graduate would want to work at their temporary supply and marketing cooperative? She knew many people were going to the county town to find work.

Chen Xiu lowered her head and said nothing, relieved. She could give her cousin an answer; they were simply outmatched.

“…” Wang Fenglai didn’t know what to say for a moment.

When Wu Sen left, his eyes were cold as he gave Wang Fenglai a piercing look.

As soon as Wu Sen left the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Yumei pulled Chen Xiu aside. “Sister Chen Xiu, do you think Manager Wu is deceiving us?”

“When the person comes, we’ll know,” Chen Xiu said gently, lowering her head and picking up her needlework.

Li Yumei pouted. It was boring; there was no gossip, yet she found herself strangely anticipating what would happen next.

On the other side, Zhou Haoting left the supply and marketing cooperative and took Wen Wan directly to the Lin family courtyard.

Along the way, Zhou Haoting briefly told Wen Wan about his connection with Old Man Lin.

When Zhou Haoting was fifteen, to survive, he found opportunities to catch fish in the ditches and go to the city to exchange them for food.

One night, while going to the city in the dark, he saved Old Man Lin, who had fallen on the roadside. He took the unconscious Old Man Lin to the hospital and paid for his medical expenses with the only three yuan and fifty cents he had.

After waking up, Old Man Lin learned that Zhou Haoting, at such a young age, dared to go to the city to sell things. To thank him for saving his life, he allowed Zhou Haoting to trade directly with him if he had anything good.

Gradually, their relationship grew closer.

Wen Wan thought to herself: Why didn’t she notice Zhou Haoting’s name when she read the book? He’s a much better fit for the male lead than Chen Jianbing.

“Brother Hao…” Lin Maodou, huddled at the courtyard gate, saw Zhou Haoting and Wen Wan coming from afar and excitedly waved, running towards them.

Zhou Haoting smiled, reaching out to ruffle Lin Maodou’s hair. “Maodou, what are you doing outside?”

“Brother Hao, Sister-in-law, Grandpa asked me to greet you outside.” Lin Maodou bobbed his head, like a lively little monkey.

Wen Wan smiled. “Hello, little Maodou.” She took out a few Da Bai Tu milk candies from her pocket.

She had divided many of her supplies into two portions, keeping some at home and storing more in her space.

Lin Maodou licked his lips and shook his head. “Grandpa said I can’t take things from strangers.”

Zhou Haoting said softly, “Maodou, Grandpa Lin means you can’t take things from outsiders, but you can take things from family.”

Lin Maodou’s eyes lit up, and he took the white rabbit candies. “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

Before he finished speaking, a familiar voice came from the courtyard.

“Lin Maodou, where did you take the people?” Old Man Lin’s hearty voice was full of teasing.

Lin Maodou turned around and ran into the courtyard. “Grandpa, Brother Hao and Sister-in-law are here. Sister-in-law just gave me candy. Can I eat it today?”

Zhou Haoting and Wen Wan looked at each other and happily followed into the courtyard.

“Haoting, Xiaowan, come in and sit for a while. I’ll finish the last dish and then we’ll eat.” Old Man Lin laughed, the wrinkles on his face gathering together.

Zhou Haoting nodded and led Wen Wan inside to sit down. “Xiaowan, chat with Maodou for a while, I’ll be right back.”

Wen Wan nodded and teased, “Go, a man should do more work, add oil!”

Zhou Haoting’s Adam’s apple bobbed a few times, suppressing the urge to reach out and ruffle Wen Wan’s hair. His voice was husky. “Okay.”

He turned and quickly walked to the kitchen.

“Grandpa Lin, are these dishes ready to be served?” Zhou Haoting rolled up his sleeves and spoke calmly.

Old Man Lin didn’t stand on ceremony. “Yes, take your time.”