1994: Starting with unpaid leave

After Xiuyun came out, she briefly explained Zhao Hongmei's situation:

"Jianguo, Sister Hongmei has always been very kind to me in the workshop. When I first started working, she taught me step by step, so she's practically my mentor!"

"It was one thing that we didn't have the ability before, but now I see this business is doing quite well, so why don't you keep Sister Hongmei here to help out!"

Erzhuzi quickly chimed in, "That's right, Brother Jianguo, didn't you say it yourself? Sister-in-law Xiuyun is pregnant now. With an older sister around, it'll be easier to take care of her. Isn't that better than us two rough old men?"

Dong Jianguo looked at Erzhuzi, who was full of anticipation, and thought to himself, "You're quite good at applying what you've learned."

But I fear that once this kind of thing starts, more and more people will ask me for help...

Looking at the two of them, Dong Jianguo spoke quietly:

"Do you know what hiring one more person means to us?"

Xiuyun and Erzhuzi looked at each other, then asked in unison:

"What does that mean?"

"That means we'll be hiring one more person."

Xiuyun: ...

Erzhuzi: ...

Xiuyun was the first to snap out of her daze: "Oh, you agree?!"

"Absolutely! My wife said so, I have to agree!!"

Dong Jianguo shrugged and said with a smile.

Although he had just been thinking about making a lot of money, Dong Jianguo simply couldn't bring himself to kick a penniless widow out of the house.

Xiuyun's face lit up with joy. Ignoring Erzhuzi's presence, she slapped Dong Jianguo across the cheek!

A moment later, he excitedly pulled Zhao Hongmei back to the courtyard.

Seeing that Zhao Hongmei was still somewhat hesitant, Dong Jianguo spoke up:

"Sister Hongmei, we're really overwhelmed right now and need more manpower, but it's physically demanding work..."

"I can do it too! Really, I'm strong!"

As Zhao Hongmei spoke, she walked to the side and tried to pick up the egg carton on the ground as proof.

But she only had a bowl of thin porridge in the morning and didn't eat lunch, so she didn't have any energy!

I tried to lift it several times, but the box didn't budge, and my body swayed as I tried.

"Sis, it's okay, it's okay, I believe you..."

Seeing Zhao Hongmei's trembling hands, Dong Jianguo hurriedly invited her to sit down and rest.

"I know you're strong, but let me finish what I have to say first."

"Erzhuzi will take care of the cargo handling and such. Your main job is to help us weigh and sell eggs. You can also cook two meals for everyone at noon and in the evening. I will pay for the vegetables, rice and noodles."

"Considering that you sometimes have to go back to the factory to work, we won't have to worry about lunch on the days you work. It'll be a good opportunity for everyone to have a change of pace."

"As for the salary, let's tentatively set it at 200 a month, Sister Hong, what do you think..."

"I'll do it!"

Upon hearing Dong Jianguo's words, Zhao Hongmei's lips trembled with excitement, and she slipped and knelt directly on the ground in the courtyard.

"Jianguo, Xiuyun, you two really saved Yueyue and my lives!"

Even a hero can be brought down by a penny, let alone a woman with such a tragic fate!

The fact that Dong Jianguo and Xiuyun were willing to lend a helping hand at this time, giving her a job to earn money, was like sending charcoal in snowy weather to her.

She gritted her teeth and slammed her head down to the ground.

Dong Jianguo quickly squatted down and reached out to cushion it:

"Sister Hongmei, what are you doing!"

As he spoke, he tried to help Zhao Hongmei up.

Zhao Hongmei refused to get up, insisting on kowtowing to the two men in gratitude.

But Dong Jianguo couldn't bear it, so he tried even harder to help her up.

In the struggle, a steamed cake fell out of her pocket and rolled in front of everyone.

Xiuyun was taken aback when she saw the steamed rice cake on the ground.

Zhao Hongmei's pale face flushed crimson, and she looked up at Zhou Xiuyun to explain:

"Xiuyun, I didn't eat any of the pastries in the house. I was just thinking of taking one home for Yueyue to try..."

Seeing her flustered look, Zhou Xiuyun slapped her forehead:

"Oh dear, I was so busy I forgot! Is Yueyue home alone? She can't be alone! Why don't you bring her with you next time? You can have a couple of meals together!"

Zhao Hongmei's eyes instantly welled up with tears, but she stubbornly waved her hand:

"How can this be?! I..."

Dong Jianguo waved his hand and took the opportunity to pull Zhao Hongmei up:

"Sister Hongmei, there's no such thing as 'can't' or 'can't.' In my family, I have to listen to Xiuyun. Just do as she says!"

"Hurry up and bring the child over. I'm going out with Erzhuzi later, and I'm worried about leaving Xiuyun alone at home..."

Seeing that Dong Jianguo spoke sincerely, Zhao Hongmei nodded, bowed to Dong Jianguo and Xiuyun, and then turned to leave.

Dong Jianguo called over Erzhuzi and told him to hurry up and buy a few more pies while Hongmei was still away.

"Why? I can't eat anymore..."

"This isn't for you, it's for Sister Hongmei and her child! Didn't you see she was walking unsteadily?! Her child probably isn't doing much better!"

"Ah! I'll go right now!" Erzhuzi exclaimed in realization.

Before he could even leave the house, Xiuyun called him back.

She quickly picked out two pounds of freshly laid eggs from the plastic bag, then took out 10 yuan and handed it to Erzhuzi:

"Tell Sister-in-law Pang to make us another 5 jin of steamed rice cake! Use these freshly laid eggs! I'll come pick it up later!"

"good!"

As soon as Erzhuzi left, Dong Jianguo glanced at Xiuyun and chuckled.

"What are you laughing at? You think you're the only one who can be a good person?! Can't I buy something for someone else's child?!"

"Yes, yes, yes! My wife is the kindest person in the world!"

Dong Jianguo put his arm around Xiuyun and kissed her on the forehead.

The couple waited for a short while before Erzhuzi returned to the yard with the meat pies.

"Erzhuzi, come with me to the building materials market and see if they sell any materials for awnings."

"Oh? Brother Jianguo, didn't you say you were worried about Sister Xiuyun being home alone? Should we wait for Sister Hongmei and the children to come back before we leave?"

Dong Jianguo smiled and explained:

"What's there to worry about? Who's going to come and steal our eggs?! If I hadn't said that, Sister Hongmei might have been kneeling down and kowtowing!"

"Besides, didn't you realize she's shy? If the two of us stayed here, she might not even dare to ask for food..."

"Honey, while we're gone, could you please persuade Sister Hongmei not to be shy and to eat more? If her daughter Yueyue hasn't eaten, please encourage her to eat too..."

Xiuyun waved her hand impatiently: "I know, I know! You guys go ahead and do your work! Oh, and by the way, bring some fruit back with you, pick out some that the kids like..."

"knew!"

Once outside the courtyard, they hopped on a tricycle. Erzhuzi stood up and pushed off, gradually accelerating the tricycle's wheels until the two of them disappeared into the alleyway...