Jiang Cheng looked out without surprise; the aggressive girl coming over to pick a fight was Du Yun's sister-in-law.
Eighteen years old, just graduated from high school, her braided pigtails swung with the effect of bomber planes.
The surrounding people showed expressions of eager anticipation, definitely thinking a fight was going to break out!
Work is so hard to come by, even if it's just two months, that's money in hand after all.
While everyone was winking and signaling, Jiang Cheng surged forward with an excited expression, tightly grasping Li Chunxiang's hands.
"Comrade Li Chunxiang, thank you so much!"
Jiang Cheng's words left Li Chunxiang, who was about to curse, completely bewildered. Thank her for what?
"If Sister Yun hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known we had someone with such high consciousness as you in our courtyard!"
Li Chunxiang felt a bit dizzy; no one had ever praised her like this from childhood to adulthood.
"Everyone listen, Comrade Li Chunxiang is intelligent and resilient. After graduating from high school, she was determined to become a young person with ambitions, a great achiever, contributing to the construction of the country without fear of hardship, without fearing difficulties. Such awareness, such spirit, is worth learning from for all of us!"
"Clap clap clap clap"
Jiang Cheng clapped again.
Shen Yue and Shen Xing were the first to join in, and others clapped along in a muddled manner.
"Comrade Li Chunxiang knew early on that with her capabilities, she would have a broader world to explore. Two months' temporary work couldn't possibly showcase her knowledge and ability. No wonder you're able to attend high school; such long-term vision is beyond my reach."
Li Chunxiang was floating.
Under Jiang Cheng's continued persuasion, she walked back confidently.
Li Chunxiang's mother was furious, her gums itching, trying to pull Li Chunxiang back to reality.
"Mom, what are you doing? Do you actually think me, a high school graduate with ambition, is no match for Jiang Cheng who's never been to school?"
Jiang Cheng: Couldn't have said it better.
Mrs. Li: I'm doomed to pull you!! Whatever!
With a face full of emotions and admiration, Jiang Cheng watched Li Chunxiang leave, then turned to Grandma Shen's pot the next second and asked, "Grandma Shen, is the food ready?"
Grandma Shen: Can your expressions change any faster??
Turns out, Jiang Cheng could.
"I'm hungry after saying so much!"
Grandma Shen saw through it. Some in the courtyard also figured it out, but even understanding it, who dared to say Jiang Cheng's words were wrong?
Didn't you see the Li family weren't making a scene?
Besides, Du Yun was willing, what could others stir up?
"Let's eat, time to eat!"
Grandma Shen poured out the shredded potatoes from the pot, and Jiang Cheng perceptively went to get the corn porridge, Shen Xing sliced a plate of pickles, ready for dinner.
The Shen Family went inside to eat, while Lin Chengyuan, standing opposite, was pushed by He Dan.
"Chengyuan."
Lin Chengyuan came to his senses, closed off his expression, and responded with an 'um' as he looked at He Dan beside him.
He Dan pretended not to notice Lin Chengyuan's shock, continued gently, "Time to eat, we'll be late for work afterward, it's bad to be late on the first day."
"Yes, yes! You're right."
Lin Chengyuan immediately went inside; work was more important.
As for Jiang Cheng... truly cunning.
First concealed her appearance, now revealed it, living opposite them, what could be her intentions?
Indeed, it's an underhanded tactic, did Lin Chengyuan think he was such a superficial person?
Jiang Cheng didn't know Lin Chengyuan's thoughts, but if she did, she'd probably quip: Don't insult superficiality!
After eating, Jiang Cheng was chased out the door by Grandma Shen; she walked together with Shen Xing and Shen Yue for a stretch.
On the road, other children in small groups, backpacks on, gossiping, laughing.
Shen Xing and Shen Yue stood in stark contrast, walking quietly, not greeting anyone along the way.
The two seemed to exist in their own world, barring outsiders, yet unable to step outside.
Jiang Cheng noticed a few kids wanted to make faces at Shen Xing and Shen Yue or say something, but upon seeing her, they backed away.
Shen Xing and Shen Yue were very much like her in her past life.
They have no parents' protection.
The world of children is simple, yet also cruel.
At the fork, Jiang Cheng bent down, raised her palm.
Shen Xing and Shen Yue were perplexed.
Jiang Cheng's eyes curved with a smile.
"Be happy!"
"High five!"
She took Shen Yue's hand to high five hers, then looked at Shen Xing.
Shen Xing felt somewhat awkward; his little adult personality made him embarrassed.
"Student Shen Xing, am I not good-looking enough, or am I not smart enough—"
"Alright, alright, stop talking, high five!"
Shen Xing couldn't stand Jiang Cheng's self-praise, quickly high-fived her, earning a head pat from Jiang Cheng.
Shen Xing bowed his head, trying hard to suppress his smile.
"Alright, goodbye."
Shen Yue looked up politely, her little face flushed as she said, "Sister Jiang Cheng, goodbye."
Shen Xing met Jiang Cheng's frank gaze, sighed like a little adult, honestly said: Goodbye.
Jiang Cheng was satisfied, waved at them, watched the two kids for three seconds, then turned around for work.
Arriving at the recycling station, Jiang Cheng neatly tidied the office.
Actually, there wasn't much to do—sweeping a small ten-something-square-meter space and getting some water did the trick.
Jiang Cheng didn't overly help the other four in sorting, just completed her part of the work.
Mornings are usually busy, but after ten o'clock, everyone basically relaxes.
At this time, another colleague, Sister Wang, came in with her yarn.
Jiang Cheng handed the register book to Sister Wang, who smoothly corrected a few obvious small errors, feeling greatly satisfied.
Jiang Cheng thus smoothly transitioned from being Jiang Cheng to Xiao Jiang.
The errors were intentional, leave traces in everything; how would the supervisor know you've worked without corrections?
When not busy, Jiang Cheng, after asking, found some books here and sat down to read.
Noontime, there's a canteen here.
Currently, the recycling station employs two register clerks, four sorters, one cook, an elderly man selling scraps at the front, one guard, and one leader, totaling ten people.
Simple relations, easy work.
Jiang Cheng didn't have food stamps, so she spent money, eating a bun and some vegetarian dishes.
In the afternoon, Sister Wang knit until two, then went home.
Jiang Cheng stayed until four-thirty, said farewell to everyone, and headed home for dinner.
She needed to go to night school in the evening, the schedule was a bit tight.
She couldn't help thinking: If only she had a bicycle.
No rush, it'll come.
Walking home, she hadn't reached the courtyard when she spotted Shen Yue at the alley mouth, her little head constantly looking around.
Jiang Cheng's lips curled upwards, against the light, she raised her hand high.
"Shen Yue!"
"Sister Jiang Cheng!"
Jiang Cheng's bright smile made Shen Yue, with budding looks-consciousness, purse her little lips roundly, eyes full of joy.
Jiang Cheng walked forward, Shen Yue trotted over, overcame her shyness and took Jiang Cheng's hand, and her little head snuck a glance at Jiang Cheng.
When she felt Jiang Cheng squeeze back her hand, her doughy face squeezed out two dimples.
She held the pretty sister's hand again!
Jiang Cheng slightly noted Shen Yue's looks-conscious trait; she flashed her brightest smile, squatted down, enticing with drama:
"Little sister, shall I buy you some candy?"
Shen Yue: What sister said sounded like the bad people my big brother mentioned in his letter.
But can bad people be this pretty?