Chapter 11: How Come You're Here Again?
Remembering that she hadn't bought the egg cake yet, Jiang Yu turned back to the supply and marketing cooperative.
She saw that same salesclerk, the one named 'Feifei,' again.
She was very fond of smiling, completely different from those fierce salesclerks.
"How come you're back again?"
Jiang Yu was startled for a moment before realizing Feifei was talking to her.
Xie Feifei smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"My memory's really good, and you're so pretty that I remembered you right away."
Jiang Yu smiled, "I forgot to buy the egg cakes."
Xie Feifei promptly weighed out half a jin of egg cakes for her and took the money and tickets.
Since there were fewer people around, she chatted with Jiang Yu a bit longer.
"You look unfamiliar, haven't you lived here before?"
Jiang Yu nodded, "I'm from the countryside and am staying at my great-aunt's place for a few days."
Xie Feifei teased, "Are you here to find a boyfriend?"
Jiang Yu's cheeks flushed slightly, "I'm not exactly here to find a partner."
"With your looks, you should marry into the city, find someone well-off to take care of you."
Xie Feifei spoke sincerely, without a hint of mockery, genuinely complimenting Jiang Yu's beauty.
"Oh, I didn't even ask, I'm Xie Feifei. What's your name?"
"My name is Jiang Yu, the 'yu' from the 'yuqian' tree."
Xie Feifei was the first friend Jiang Yu made in the city.
She was warm and generous, even inviting Jiang Yu to have noodles, which Jiang Yu politely declined.
Thinking of Sun Zailiang, Jiang Yu sincerely felt he didn't deserve Xie Feifei.
"Feifei, is the guy who gave you the silk scarf today your boyfriend?"
Mentioning her lover, Xie Feifei smiled shyly.
"It's not official yet, but he's kind of a prospective partner, he's still pursuing me."
Xie Feifei had her own thoughts. She made Sun Zailiang pursue her for a bit longer, not wanting to make it too easy for him.
But Jiang Yu could see that Xie Feifei probably already liked Sun Zailiang quite a bit.
This was tricky; Jiang Yu wasn't sure if she should say anything.
"What does your great-aunt do? Can she arrange a job for you? Women comrades should have their own jobs. There's a woman in our neighborhood who moved here from the countryside. She doesn't have a job and is bossed around by her mother-in-law every day."
Seeing that Jiang Yu's expression darkened, Xie Feifei quickly covered her mouth.
"I tend to talk more, but I didn't mean anything else by it."
Jiang Yu was thinking about Sun Zailiang's situation and didn't mind what she said.
She smiled and said, "I don't mind. Jobs like this aren't easy to come by these days."
"Indeed, it's hard to find. A while back, I had a friend whose family bought her a job so she wouldn't have to go to the countryside. It was a temporary position, and it cost 1,200!"
Jiang Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. "1,200! That's too expensive!"
"Exactly, but there's no helping it. It's an iron rice bowl after all. Even if it costs 2,000, a large number of people would still vie for it."
After all, if you leave this job, you can transfer it to your children. It's a good deal.
Jiang Yu felt even worse, thinking that something as expensive as a temporary job was out of her reach.
She said goodbye to Xie Feifei and headed back with the egg cake.
Ya Xiangling noticed her dejected look and assumed she had been mistreated.
When she heard a job cost 1,200, she wasn't surprised.
"Even if you marry a city person, your household registration won't be transferred so easily. You understand, right?"
Jiang Yu nodded. "I know."
Ya Xiangling continued, "But if you have a job, it's different. The unit will accept your household registration, and then you'll truly be a real city dweller."
So even if it's 1,200, a large number of people want to buy it.
And it's not just about wanting to buy it; you need connections to make it happen.
"Don't think too much about it. When you get married, let your husband buy it for you."
Jiang Yu pouted. "That would mean I'm getting a big advantage."
Ya Xiangling snorted. "Marrying a man is about clothes and meals. If you don't want anything from him, why would you marry him? He's willing to marry you because he's after your youthful beauty. You each take what you need and live together; marriage isn't about selfless dedication."
Of course, if there was a way, she would be willing to let her spend 1,200 to buy Jiang Yu a job.
It's just that Jiang Yu's natal family is troublesome and might have the nerve to come and snatch it away.
"Don't dwell on it. Go make dinner."
She always ate dinner early and went for a walk afterward.
Jiang Yu was very conscientious. Since she was staying at her great-aunt's house and relying on her for food and lodging, she naturally did some chores.
After dinner, it was still bright outside.
Ya Xiangling was about to take Jiang Yu out for a walk when they saw Jiang Ting at the door.
"What brings you here?" Jiang Yu asked.
Jiang Ting gave Ya Xiangling a flattering smile. "Great-aunt."
Ya Xiangling wasn't fond of her and nodded coldly.
"You two sisters chat. I'm going for a walk."
Jiang Ting watched Yao Xiangling's retreating figure, biting her lip in frustration.
She hadn't thought to ask earlier if she could come to the wedding banquet another day.
If Yao Xiangling were willing to come, it would greatly boost her prestige.
Jiang Yu questioned again, "What are you here for?"
Jiang Ting snorted, "Do you think I want to see you? Of course not. There's a banquet in the village tomorrow, so don't come. But when the banquet is held in the city, you must come."
She wanted Jiang Yu to see how well-off she was and feel jealous.
Wang Meili initially said there wouldn't be a banquet in the village, but Jiang Yonghua felt it wouldn't be right not to invite everyone for a celebration.
Jiang Yu asked coolly, "When is it?"
"On the ninth day of the lunar month. Also, ask your great-aunt if she can make it."
Jiang Yu shot her a glance. "Why didn't you ask earlier?"
Jiang Ting glared at her, "Just ask her. What's with all the questions?"
Even after the conversation was over, her eyes still slyly wandered to the inside of the room, and she immediately spotted the egg cake on the coffee table, feeling a pang of envy.
Living in such a nice house and even having egg cake to eat.
No, there's no way Jiang Yu can be allowed to marry into the city.
Jiang Ting wasn't worried at all that Yao Xiangling would take on Jiang Yu's job. In her previous life, Yao Xiangling ended up selling the position and used the money for her own retirement, completely ignoring Jiang Yu.
In Jiang Ting's mind, Yao Xiangling's kindness toward Jiang Yu was only on the surface, not sincere.
It was like raising a pet, just for amusement.
Jiang Ting kept telling herself that her best days were ahead of her and that there was no need to be jealous of Jiang Yu.
She quickened her pace, eagerly wanting to visit the courtyard again to see Fu Xiangyang.
She had only seen him the day before, yet she was already thinking of him.
Jiang Ting touched her flushed face with the back of her hand. She wasn't a young girl anymore, so why was she still feeling like this?
After a moment of hesitation at the courtyard gate, she tidied her clothes and walked in.
Fu Xiangyang's mother, Lin Hongxia, was standing at the gate and immediately noticed her.
Her brows furrowed, showing her displeasure.
"Jiang Ting, what brings you here? It's so late; do you still have a way back?"
Jiang Ting didn't plan on returning this time.
Besides, there will be a banquet in the village tomorrow, and Fu Xiangyang would be going too. She intended to go with him then.