Chapter 189: Chapter 139: Zhao Yuanyuan, the Whirlwind
Zhao Yuanyuan curiously grabbed the child’s tiny hand and chuckled, "Jiao Jiao, your son’s hand is so small. He’s grown up a little these past few days. Last time he was still so red, and now his little face is all white and tender. He’s growing so fast. He doesn’t cry or fuss, much better than those kids my cousin has. Hey, little thing, do you understand? Why are you looking at me? Oh, these eyes are just like yours. Jiao Jiao, his eyes really resemble yours."
Zhou Jiao beamed as she heard this. With more than half a month of nourishment, her complexion had also become rosy, and after giving birth, she looked more graceful and charming, calm and collected, with every gesture exuding elegance. This smile left Zhao Yuanyuan stunned; the thin and frail girl in her memory was becoming more and more beautiful.
"Jiao Jiao, now I understand why Xiao Wu was in such a hurry to marry you. You’re getting more and more beautiful. Last time Qing Lin said Xiao Wu didn’t care about appearances, but rushed to marry you and have a child before anyone else could react. He even lamented about his own bad luck, saying by the time Ping’an is old enough to buy soy sauce, he probably wouldn’t even know where his mother-in-law is located, and there’s no way he can match Xiao Wu’s speed. Qing Lin doesn’t even dare to stay home now. He says his dad just shakes his head in silence every time he sees him. What did he do wrong? It’s all Xiao Wu’s fault, making him anxious day and night, afraid he’d be married off by his father if he’s not careful. Haha... we all feel it makes sense. Taozi says his mom now wants to bring every girl home. If it weren’t for school, his innocence might be at risk. These two guys keep counting down the days, just waiting for your full month to find Xiao Wu and settle accounts."
Lin Lishan nodded in agreement, indeed, she looks much better than before. But still, her body is too thin.
"If Jiao Jiao were as healthy as you, Yuanyuan shouldn’t envy her for that petite frame; yours is the picture of health. Look at your rosy complexion, thick eyebrows, big eyes, tall and beautiful figure; keep it up and don’t get fat. You’re in your second year of high school now, right? Are you planning to go to college or get a diploma and work directly?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanyuan scrunched her face in despair, "Auntie, I definitely can’t get into college. My dad wants me to plan my life and achieve my dreams. That’s such a noble and daunting task! But my mom said, usually the supply and marketing cooperatives have internal recruitments, and she wants to quickly make connections to see if I can get in?"
Zhou Jiao agreed with this approach, better to be prepared. She also needed to find a job within these two years, or else she’d fall out of touch with society; the job could be easy, she wasn’t concerned about the salary, just wanted to have some free time.
"Do none of the county town units recruit workers externally now?" Lin Lishan didn’t expect that in the second year of high school, the family already started looking for jobs. Wasn’t it more than a year away from graduation? Why the hurry?
"Auntie, besides the textile mill and the meat joint processing plant occasionally recruiting externally, everything else is resolved internally. By the way, Jiao Jiao, have you decided where you want to work?"
"These job openings are limited; how easy do you think it is to find one?" Zhou Jiao suddenly remembered that during these years, policies came out to streamline staff. After this wave of people got sent back to the countryside, it became exceedingly hard for those with rural hukou to move to the city. From then on, recruitment stopped reaching out to the countryside. She’d have to think through and calculate the timing well tonight.
"Jiao Jiao, you’re always full of good ideas, help me figure out what good jobs there are."
Zhou Jiao smiled and said to her, "Why are you in such a rush? I actually think a train attendant would suit you best. Running across the country, and since you don’t lack money, you can travel whenever you want. Working a few days then taking a few days off, with plenty of free time. The only drawback is the inconvenience from the county to the provincial city. If I had a way, I’d want to go myself."
Zhao Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up as she listened, happily imagining. After a while, she lamented, "A train attendant is great, but without connections, there’s no way to get in."
Zhou Jiao glanced at Lin Lishan. She was a bit intrigued. As for connections, last time Grandpa took Zhang Guoqing to the provincial city for a few days, something might be workable.
Lin Lishan glanced at her, without any comment. Her job would depend on her father’s decision; he likely wouldn’t agree. He would definitely say it’s too tiring, that being a train attendant is a service job. He’s already planned that after the child turns one, they’d find an elderly woman to take care of Ping’an, so Jiao Jiao could recover fully before going to work.
Zhou Jiao considered the possibility and feasibility of Zhao Yuanyuan being a train attendant, and said, vaguely, "Don’t rush, discuss it with your parents first. Maybe being a train attendant isn’t as great as I know it to be. Once your parents agree, wouldn’t your dad help? Then look for a way when the time comes, there’s plenty of time before you graduate. Besides, working at the supply and marketing cooperative isn’t bad either, mostly sitting around and not having to do physical labor."
"Yeah, no rush, let’s focus on Little Ping’an’s joy for now. We can talk about work later. By the way, will you go back to Beijing to keep Uncle Zhou and Aunt company during New Year?"
Zhou Jiao saw her mom eagerly waiting for her answer, smiled at her and said, "Mom, although I won’t be able to accompany you during New Year, I will go there during the Spring Festival period. It’s already late October now, still two months to New Year. I’ve checked, and Ping’an will be three months old by then and can go out. You and Dad just keep working. I’ll send a telegram before going. I’m also planning to visit Shanghai with Xiao Wu before he goes back to work."
Lin Lishan nodded cheerfully, "Then before going to SH, let’s meet again and see when I can get leave."
Zhao Yuanyuan quickly chimed in, "Jiao Jiao, when you go to SH, can I tag along, I’ll take leave from school too."
"Okay, can’t go for now, have to wait until Ping’an is over three months to go out. I’ll arrange with you then."
Lin Lishan calculated the time, estimating they could only decide on a long trip after reaching Beijing, likely wait until spring when the weather warms up to take the child out, that’s when she’d be able to get some time off too.
Zhao Yuanyuan beamed with delight, knowing with Zhou Jiao’s presence, her parents would agree to wherever they went together. "Jiao Jiao, when are you moving to the county town? Sooner, right? The new yard is close to my home, convenient for frequent visits."
"Hmm, won’t be moving currently, but will go stay a few days occasionally. Did you see the new house next to mine? That’s where my in-laws built for us after the separation, just waiting to move in after getting things in order here first."
"Got it, so it’s a separation before moving house. Haha, remember to look for me when you move to the county."
Zhou Jiao nodded, saying to her, "In around 10 days, we’ll be free to go around. I’ll definitely find you in the county first. Plus, you need to prepare me a set of school review materials."
Zhao Yuanyuan gave her a thumbs up, extolling her endlessly, "You’re amazing, really amazing! I’ll go find someone to get it after I return and give it to you next time. Ideally, you and Qing Lin could take the exam together the year after next, trample him underfoot. You don’t know how long this guy’s been acting the leader since you guys left the scene."
Zhou Jiao burst out laughing, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell him? He’ll come after you for trouble."
Zhao Yuanyuan raised her chin, snorted through her nose, her haughty look just inviting mischief, "Not afraid, I’ve learned the trick of a good woman doesn’t fight with men." And then she found it funny herself.
"Jiao Jiao, I have to go back first, remember to look for me when you come out to stretch. And Auntie, do you want to go to the county town with me to check out the new house and bring Uncle Zhou back? Hehe."
Lin Lishan tapped her with a finger, "You want someone to accompany you back, right? I’ll wait until tomorrow to go, just nice to tidy up there. If you’re going back, help me bring some things for them to drink with." Saying this, she went to the small living room to take down a couple of air-dried rabbits and pheasants, as well as some mushrooms and fungus into a cloth bag, and handed it to her.
Zhao Yuanyuan tried to decline, but only gave in after Zhou Jiao insisted multiple times. After saying goodbye, she hurriedly rode away on her bicycle.