Zhan Chunlan sat for a while, then got up to take her leave. Seeing the sun setting outside the window, she realized that if she stayed any longer, she would be catching up with the other people having dinner.

As soon as she stood up to express her intention to leave, Ms. Fang Yun grabbed her wrist, her tone unusually insistent and filled with an unyielding enthusiasm: "You've given me orchids and apples, what's wrong with me treating you to a meal? You're not allowed to leave until we eat today."

Zhan Chunlan looked troubled. Eating at someone else's house always made her feel inexplicably awkward and uncomfortable. She said softly, "Aunt Fang, I appreciate your kindness. How about... I treat you to a state-run restaurant next time, okay?"

"What's wrong with you, girl?" Fang Yun deliberately put on a stern face, but her eyes were full of laughter. "You're allowed to be nice to me, sending me here and there, but when it's my turn to express my feelings and ask you out for a meal, is it so hard? There's no such logic to this."

Just as Zhan Chunlan was at a loss, a gentle and clear voice rang out from the side:

“Comrade Zhan, please stay.” Wang Wenfeng spoke up at the right moment, a relaxing smile on his lips, his tone sincere and natural. “Your aunt really wants you to stay for dinner. To be honest, she went to the market early this morning and carefully selected a lot of vegetables, hoping to treat you to a good meal tonight. If you leave, all her efforts and expectations will be in vain.”

His words not only highlighted Fang Yun's good intentions and hospitality, but also cleverly eased Zhan Chunlan's psychological burden, conveying a reassuring persuasiveness.

“Yeah, my mom has already prepared the food, and we’re about to eat. Why are you leaving now?” Xiao Cheng chimed in, though his tone still carried his characteristic, unvarnished bluntness, making one wonder if he’d ever been beaten up outside.

"Oh? Is this the little boy who brought you the orchids?" Just as the group was quietly tugging at the door, a gentle voice with a smile came from inside. A middle-aged man with a refined demeanor and wearing glasses strode in. He smiled before speaking, and his eyes exuded a comfortable and approachable charm that instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Yes, Lao Xiao, you're back just in time!" Fang Yun's smile widened as soon as she saw her husband return, as if she had found a powerful ally. Without saying a word, she pulled Zhan Chunlan's hand and gently helped her sit down in a chair at the dining table. "We were just about to start eating, and Chunlan is still being polite to me. Could you please persuade her to stop?"

She seemed to trust her husband completely. After giving his instructions, she turned around and said to Wang Wenfeng and Xiao Cheng beside her, "Xiaofeng, Xiao Cheng, don't just stand there. Go to the kitchen and bring out all the dishes. We're about to eat."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhaoxing's gaze gently fell on the slightly flustered Zhan Chunlan. A refined smile played on his lips, and his voice was steady and reassuring: "Young comrade, don't refuse. Stay and have a simple meal with us. Your Aunt Fang has been talking about you countless times; I'm practically tired of hearing it. Today is a good day to let me meet this highly praised friend of ours."

His words were both kind and gentle, carrying the warmth of an elder. At this point, it would be pretentious to leave. Zhan Chunlan didn't hesitate and stood up readily, a gentle smile on her face: "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll help you get the bowls and chopsticks."

As she spoke, she naturally followed Fang Yun to the kitchen, served rice, picked up chopsticks, and joined in the busy yet heartwarming preparations before the meal.

At the dinner table, Fang Yun smiled and formally introduced her husband and Zhan Chunlan. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, much more comfortable than Zhan Chunlan had expected, and the awkwardness she had worried about did not occur.

Xiao Zhaoxing picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and started the conversation in a friendly tone: "Xiao Zhan, I heard from your Aunt Fang that you're currently working part-time at the department store?"

Zhan Chunlan put down her spoon and nodded earnestly in response: "Yes, Uncle Xiao. This is all thanks to Aunt Fang for helping to make the connection; otherwise, I would hardly have had such a good job opportunity."

Xiao Zhaoxing nodded thoughtfully, as if he had suddenly remembered something, and then asked, "Have you heard about the department store that discovered employees of a pastry factory were stealing pastries to resell privately?"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Chunlan looked at him calmly and replied frankly, "I know, Uncle Xiao. The accident happened at our department store."

Xiao Zhaoxing nodded slightly, his tone hinting at a suggestion: "Yes, the pastry factory involved in the incident will be recruiting in a few days to reorganize and replenish its workforce. The recruitment date is May 13th. If you're interested, you should seize this opportunity."

Zhan Chunlan's eyes lit up instantly, and she thought to herself that one really does need connections to obtain such crucial information. Although she had been keeping an eye out, she had never heard of such precise insider information. She immediately replied sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle Xiao! I will definitely prepare well."

Fang Yun patted her hand encouragingly from the side: "Chunlan, you have to have confidence in yourself. You studied so hard when you were studying, and now you have accumulated practical experience in the department store. You have a lot of advantages."

At this moment, Wang Wenfeng spoke up gently: "I happen to have some mock exam questions and review tips that I've collected. They were originally prepared for Xiao Cheng. You can take a look at them later; they might be of some help."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cheng immediately became anxious and couldn't help but interject, his tone tinged with grievance and indignation: "Brother! You've given it all to her, what am I supposed to do?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Wenfeng looked at him with a sense of sudden realization: "I misunderstood before. Someone as outstanding as you, how could you possibly need these things? I underestimated you before."

Xiao Cheng immediately panicked and quickly interjected, "No, brother, I need it, I really need it."

Wang Wenfeng merely glanced at his cousin indifferently, his eyes clearly saying: Do you think I'm going to pay any attention to you?

Xiao Zhaoxing pondered for a moment, then added, "Go early that day. You know how recruitment works these days, so it's always better to go early."

Zhan Chunlan's eyes filled with gratitude as she nodded earnestly, "Okay, thank you, Uncle Xiao." She hesitated slightly, pausing for a moment before finally raising her head and pleading sincerely, "Uncle Xiao, could I tell my two friends about this? They are my classmates and have always wanted to find a good job."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhaoxing smiled gently, his expression kind and insightful: "Of course, if you want, then it will depend on your own abilities."

"Moreover, you have many opportunities to choose from in this recruitment exam, so don't feel pressured. It's okay if you don't pass. I still have a spot on the assembly line of the pastry factory, so you can go all out and have a backup plan!"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Chunlan's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, blurring her vision. She pressed her lips together tightly, tilted her head back slightly, and tried to suppress the surging tears, using great restraint to prevent the hot tears from falling on the spot.

An indescribable warmth suddenly surged into her heart, a bittersweet feeling spreading through her. She never expected that someone here would tell her, "You have a way out!"

These words were like a thick, soft layer of cotton placed beneath the rock face she was climbing, instantly releasing the pressure she had been bearing alone for so long, transforming into an overwhelming emotion that she couldn't hide in her eyes.

On the way back, Zhan Chunlan walked briskly. She hadn't been this happy in a long time. The dark cloud that had been hanging over her, the one about going to the countryside, had finally dissipated.

She immediately told Li Xiuxiu and Fan Hongying the news, even though she knew that the two of them shouldn't need her to worry, especially Fan Hongying. Even if she was going to the countryside, it must be because it would be better for her.

But as their friend, she was unwilling to be like the dragon in the story guarding its treasure, keeping the opportunity to itself in its cave. She firmly believed that true friendship lay in sharing the dawn, not monopolizing the starlight.