Kong Mengjie was outside listening to Jiang Xinyu, and was fuming inside. Is this money still not enough? What are you worth?
"So Xinyu, how much do you think this job should be sold for?"
"Uncle, the official position at this textile factory has a minimum monthly salary of twenty-two yuan, and salaries will increase with seniority. Plus, it's a lifelong job.
Most importantly, you can live in the county, no longer needing to toil under the sun and rain for food, and you can enjoy commercial grain.
I think this job should be sold for at least a year's salary, and then five yuan a month for the next three years."
"Xinyu, you're thinking too simplistically. That's equivalent to working two years for free; I don't think anyone will agree to it."
"Uncle, it's alright. If nobody in the village wants it, I'll ask my classmates in the county. I think they would offer more than people in our village.
Also, last night I asked Wang Ailing to help inquire about it."
At that moment, Kong Mengjie's mother, Tian Shulan, rushed in, and saw her daughter outside, then Jiang Xinyu sitting inside their home.
"Why did you come back?" Kong Zhongyou glanced angrily at his wife.
"The food is cooked, but I heard Xinyu wants to sell the job? Whoever offers more money will get it?"
Jiang Xinyu responded lightly, "Aunt." Then she fell silent and kept her head down.
Tian Shulan looked at Jiang Xinyu with disdain and then looked at her husband sitting aside.
Jiang Xinyu felt it was time to leave, so she got up, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm heading back. Oh right, Uncle, could you give me an introduction letter? I want to go to the county to see a doctor."
"Alright, wait a moment. I'll write you one right away. How do you plan to go?"
"I'll walk there on my own, Uncle. Don't worry about me."
Kong Zhongyou took out paper and pen, wrote the letter, and handed it to Jiang Xinyu.
"Thanks, Uncle. If Kong Mengjie wants the job, I'll prioritize her." After finishing, she folded the letter and put it in her pocket, keeping her head down as she left.
Kong Mengjie had already returned to her room as her father was writing the letter. She avoided Jiang Xinyu; she really didn't want to see her now.
"What price did that pesky girl name?"
"A year's salary, five yuan per month for three years."
"Is she mad with greed? Even without a penny, she must hand over the job."
Kong Zhongyou shook his head, "If she hadn't gone to the county to find the mayor last time, this would be easy. Now the mayor is watching this matter closely. We can't handle it like that; it would negatively impact our son."
"If Mengjie wants the job, are we really going to give her that much money?"
"Let's wait and see."
"We can't wait. Soon everyone in the village will know. What if someone offers her more money?"
"This isn't small money. It's 264 yuan upfront."
"We have the money at home. Let Mengjie find her and agree. If anyone competes with us, we'll follow her terms. If no one wants it, we'll lower the price."
"She'd probably inquire about the job during her county visit the day after tomorrow. Someone in the county will surely want to buy this job."
"Then why are you giving her the letter?"
Kong Zhongyou tapped his smoke pipe, "Not giving it would be worse. Let Mengjie settle it first."
Tian Shulan went to her daughter and explained, "Go and settle it with her."
"Mom, are we really letting her off like this?"
"She won't leave the village, and there will be opportunities later. Hurry and go." With her eldest daughter looking good, a good job could find her a capable husband and benefit the family. Otherwise, parting with those few hundred yuan is really hard.
Kong Mengjie placed her bowl into a cloth bag and went to find Jiang Xinyu. She never directly carried her bowl to the cafeteria, thinking it looked classless.
Jiang Xinyu returned home and stacked the branches she dried yesterday evening.
She hadn't finished when she heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Xinyu, it's me, Kong Mengjie."
"Wait a moment, you need something from me?"
"Let's go inside and talk."
After Kong Mengjie entered, Jiang Xinyu locked the door, "Sit down inside."
"Xinyu, how can you do this? You're asking an exorbitant price. You know I want this job."
"Kong Mengjie, I really don't have a choice. It'll just be me at home in the future, and I'm not someone who can easily shoulder burdens. If I don't plan more for my future, what will I do?"
"Fine, I'll take this job first."
Jiang Xinyu shook her head, "I can't decide this."
"Jiang Xinyu, what do you mean? Didn't you tell my dad you'd prioritize me?"
"Yes, I did say that to Uncle.
I mentioned the minimum price. If someone offers more and you can match it, then you'll have priority."
"Jiang Xinyu, you—"
"Kong Mengjie, I hope you understand. If you truly get this job, you know what kind of future you'll have, don't you? Is that future not worth this money?"
Kong Mengjie wished she could strangle Jiang Xinyu; she was setting high prices from the ground up. But truly, there wasn't much she could do.
So, she spoke stiffly, "Fine, I know. But the job sale should have a time limit, right? Just today."
"Two days—for today and tomorrow."
Kong Mengjie gritted her teeth, "We'll finalize by four o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "Alright."
After getting the information, Kong Mengjie angrily left the Jiang Family.
Jiang Xinyu held her bowl of rice, locked the door, and went to find Wang Ailing.
"Why are you so early today?"
"I'm hungry." Jiang Xinyu didn't want to say any more, as explaining would be too bothersome.
The two arrived at the cafeteria, and Jiang Xinyu felt everyone's eyes on her. However, she kept her head down and remained unaffected.
She lined up behind Wang Ailing, ignoring the stares.
Zhang Yanhong stood beside Jiang Xinyu and whispered, "Xinyu, are you planning to sell your job?"
"Yes. I don't even have money for medicine anymore."
"Girl, I'll come to your house later."
"Aunt, I'll be gathering firewood later. I won't make it through winter otherwise."
"Don't worry, I'll have Brother Qingxin carry over some branch bundles for you."
"That would be too much trouble for you."
"We live in the same village; what's the hassle?" After saying that, she went back to her work.
Gradually, more people came by, all wanting to ask about the job.
Jiang Xinyu's answer was always that she was going to gather firewood, and soon different families started offering her wood. But Jiang Xinyu declined, saying they could just visit her at home.
Accepting wood from the Qian Family would make the Kong Family anxious, but taking firewood from an average family would go against her principles.
When it was Jiang Xinyu's turn to get her meal, the porridge was much better than the previous day, with half being grains. The one in charge of serving was Tian Shulan; such is the allure of the job.