Gu Mingyue then turned to Luo Cailing and said gently, "Sister Cailing, let's go and ask about the situation tomorrow. If it's suitable, you can give it a try; if you don't feel satisfied, we can look for something else slowly. There's no need to feel pressured."

Luo Cailing gave a soft "hmm" and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Seeing that the two girls got along well, Aunt Li felt relieved. She chatted with them for a while about things in town before taking Luo Cailing home with peace of mind.

The next morning, Gu Mingyue specially changed into a clean blue cloth shirt and helped Luo Cailing comb her hair neatly and tie it with a plain hair tie.

"Looking more energetic like this will make a good impression on people when I go there," she said with a smile.

Luo Cailing touched her hair, a faint blush rising to her face, her nervousness subsiding considerably.

"Thank you so much, Comrade Gu. You not only accompanied me but also helped me get dressed. I'm really grateful. I'm not good with words and don't know how to say nice things, so please don't mind."

When Gu Mingyue first met Luo Cailing, she noticed her eyes.

It wasn't particularly bright, but it was like a clear spring in a mountain stream, crystal clear. When speaking, her eyes would follow you, and when she was nervous, she would quietly lower her eyes, without the slightest hint of evasion or scheming.

Gu Mingyue had never understood the intricacies of face reading, but she always felt that one's thoughts could not be hidden in the eyes.

Luo Cailing's uneasy expression as she clutched the hem of her clothes, her helplessness when pushed in front of her mother-in-law, and her anxiety about not being able to do a good job when talking about wanting to find one—all of this was written in her eyes, pure and without a trace of guile.

For her, accompanying someone to the Women's Federation was just a side trip; she could offer a few words of encouragement and it wouldn't take much effort.

Even if Luo Cailing encounters difficulties in the future, I will lend a hand if I can, and do my best if I can't.

It's just a small favor, and it makes me feel at ease to lend a helping hand to someone who has no ill intentions.

Upon hearing this, Gu Mingyue put down the flower shears she was arranging and patted Luo Cailing's hand with a smile.

"Why are you being so polite with me? We're neighbors, it's only right that I lend a hand."

Looking at Luo Cailing's flushed cheeks, she added, "You're not bad at talking, you're just honest. I'd much rather hear your heartfelt words than your fancy talk."

"Besides, it's not difficult to help you comb your hair and change into clean clothes. You're already in good shape, so with a little tidying up, you'll look more presentable and confident going to the Women's Federation, right?"

Gu Mingyue picked up a hair clip from the table and pinned it in Luo Cailing's hair. "Look, isn't this pretty?"

Luo Cailing raised her hand and touched the hair clip. The cool plastic pressed against her scalp, but her heart was pounding. This hair clip looked exquisite and must not be cheap.

"Comrade Gu, this hair clip is too expensive. Please accept the money, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

Seeing this, Gu Mingyue deliberately frowned and pretended to be angry: "Sister Cailing, are you treating me like an outsider? It's just a small hair clip, it's not worth much money. If you bring up money again, I'll really be unhappy."

She pushed the money back. Luo Cailing couldn't refuse her, so she had to put the money away, but she remembered the favor in her heart.

"Don't always call me Comrade Gu anymore, it sounds too formal." Gu Mingyue pulled her to sit down on a small stool in the yard. "I'm two years younger than you, you can just call me Mingyue."

"Hey, Mingyue," Luo Cailing responded softly, her heart filled with something warm.

The awkwardness in Luo Cailing's eyes gradually faded, leaving only genuine gratitude: "Comrade Gu, you are such a kind person."

This was the first time she had felt so at ease since she came to the family compound.

After packing their things, Gu Mingyue accompanied Luo Cailing toward the Women's Federation.

Aunt Li wanted to go with them, but she also wanted her daughter-in-law to go out and practice with Gu Mingyue.

They came all the way from Beijing by train, so their knowledge and experience must be quite extensive. She, an old woman, decided not to join in the fun.

The Women's Federation is not far from the family compound, just an inconspicuous little courtyard on the side of the street. There are a few old locust trees in the courtyard, and two old benches are placed under the shade of the trees. Further in is a row of whitewashed bungalows, which look simple and friendly.

Following the signs at the entrance, the two first registered their names and reasons for visiting at the reception desk before heading down the corridor to their office.

Gu Mingyue gently knocked on the door, and a clear female voice immediately came from inside: "Please come in."

Pushing open the door, they saw a woman in blue overalls sitting behind the desk. Her hair was neatly combed. When she looked up at them, her eyes held a hint of criticism. She scanned the two of them from head to toe before asking, "Who are you looking for? What do you need?"

Luo Cailing felt a little nervous under Gu Mingyue's gaze and subconsciously moved closer to her.

Gu Mingyue patted her arm, stepped forward and replied with a smile, "Hello comrade, we've come to inquire about temporary workers being hired at a nearby textile factory. We'd like to ask about the specific requirements."

The woman put down her pen and pointed to the two chairs in front of the table: "Sit down. Tell me first, who wants to do the work? Have they done similar work before?"

Luo Cailing took a deep breath and answered softly, "Yes, yes, it's what I want to find. I've never done spinning or weaving before, but I'm good with my hands. I can sew and mend shoes at home, and I'm willing to learn."

Upon hearing this, the woman glanced at her again, but didn't ask any more questions. She simply picked up the registration form on the table and placed it in front of the two of them.

The woman's gaze swept over the two faces, she tapped her fingertips on the table, and slowly asked, "Whose family are you? How long have you been staying here?"

Luo Cailing spoke first in a low voice: "I am Wang Erniu's wife, and I have been here for about half a year."

Gu Mingyue added, "My husband is Lu Lin, and we haven't been here for long."

"Lu Lin?" The woman raised an eyebrow upon hearing the name.

A strange expression flashed across his previously calm face, and a faint hint of sarcasm even appeared at the corner of his mouth as his gaze fell directly on Gu Mingyue.

"So you're from Commander Lu's family. Who do we have here? You look so neat and tidy, your family must be well-off. Why are you here to join the recruitment drive? The work in the textile factory is rough, it's not suitable for a 'pampered lady' like you."

Upon hearing this, Gu Mingyue frowned instantly, her mind filled with confusion.

She had never met this woman before, let alone had any conflict with her. Why would the other woman suddenly be so malicious and sarcastic?

She suppressed her doubts and said calmly, "Comrade, finding a job is about willingness, not about your family's financial situation. I'm here with a friend for advice. Even if I wanted to do it myself and earn money through my own abilities, there's nothing wrong with that, right?"

Luo Cailing, who was standing to the side, also noticed that something was wrong. She quietly tugged at Gu Mingyue's sleeve, her eyes full of worry.

The woman didn't respond, but instead crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, her eyes showing even more disapproval, clearly not taking Gu Mingyue's words to heart.

Just as the atmosphere became a little tense, footsteps came from outside the door.