Nuonuo can't read, but she knows what candied hawthorn is. Before she went to see that bad uncle (doctor), she could eat it every few days.
"It's candied hawthorn! Nuonuo has had it before, Auntie wants some!"
Nuonuo hadn't had it in a long time and wanted some. She clung to Fang Chuchu's arm and pleaded sweetly, "Auntie, I want some! Not cake, I want candied hawthorn!"
Fang Chuchu picked up Nuonuo and coaxed, "Auntie still needs to buy sneakers for brother, but we might not have enough money. Let's go buy the shoes first, and if we have any money left, we'll buy Nuonuo some candied hawthorns, okay?"
Nuonuo looked at Fang Xun and asked uncertainly, "Brother~ shoes?"
Fang Xun looked at Nuonuo and felt a pang of conscience. He had actually conspired with his aunt to deceive a three-year-old child.
But for Nuonuo's sake, this was the only way. Blushing, she said, "Yes, brother wants to buy sneakers. Nuonuo will buy them after brother finishes buying them, and if there's still money left, Nuonuo can buy some more."
Nuonuo then obediently nodded, nestled on Fang Chuchu's shoulder, and let her carry her into the supply and marketing cooperative.
Nuonuo was secretly delighted, thinking that she would be able to eat candied hawthorns when she came out. She was still young and didn't know that sometimes you can't believe what adults say.
Sure enough, after Fang Chuchu bought sneakers for Fang Xun, she also bought Nuonuo a steamed egg cake and hawthorn candy.
When they came out again, Nuonuo pointed to the candied hawthorns and said she wanted to buy some. Fang Chuchu said with a regretful look, "Nuonuo, Auntie doesn't have any money. Can we buy them next time?"
Nuonuo asked blankly, "Money? Gone?"
"Okay, Auntie's money's all gone. Shall we come back to buy some next time? Let's go home and eat sponge cake. Isn't sponge cake your favorite?"
Fang Chuchu guiltily avoided Nuonuo's eyes. She had money, but she didn't dare to buy it. Grandma Fang had warned her many times not to buy candy for Nuonuo.
When Nuonuo heard Fang Chuchu say she wouldn't buy it again, her eyes began to redden and tears welled up in them.
Nuonuo felt very sad. She hadn't eaten candied hawthorns in a long time. Her aunt had promised to buy some, but now she wasn't going to.
Nuonuo wrapped her arms around Fang Chuchu's neck and began to cry silently. Fang Chuchu was heartbroken; Nuonuo didn't cry loudly like other children.
Her silent, tearful crying only made her more pitiful. Fang Xun, even more impatient than Fang Chuchu, reached out his hand in distress.
He said to Nuonuo, "Nuonuo, let big brother hug you. Big brother has money, big brother will buy you candied hawthorns. Don't cry anymore, okay?"
Nuonuo cried until her eyes and nose were red, and she asked, sobbing, "Really? Brother, will you buy it?"
Fang Xun nodded firmly and assured him, "Yes, brother will buy it!"
Nuonuo was happy and struggled to get down. Fang Chuchu herself was also almost at her limit, so she wasn't too surprised by Fang Xun's defection.
Finally, on the way home, only Nuonuo, holding a candied hawthorn in her hand, was happy. She didn't even want them to carry her anymore, and happily skipped along, holding Fang Xun's hand.
Fang Chuchu and Fang Xun were not in a good mood, and they walked away dejectedly. They were sure they would be scolded when they got back.
......
When Xu Weiguo and the others returned, they immediately announced that she had successfully passed the department store's exam.
Then tonight, the whole family will go to a state-run restaurant for dinner to celebrate.
"Okay, I knew you could do it, honey! We'll definitely order a lot of dishes tonight to celebrate!"
"Yes, sister-in-law is really amazing! I want to learn from her in the future."
Huang Qinqin felt a surge of pride hearing them all praising her. While she still remembered, Huang Qinqin instructed Xu Junhui, "Junhui, when you go to work later, please give me a ride to the post office."
"Are you going to the post office to mail your manuscript? It's so hot outside. Just give me the manuscript and I'll take it to the post office for you."
Huang Qinqin shook her head: "No, I'm going to call my cousins. They passed the exam and have to go to the department store to register for their jobs tomorrow. I'm too lazy to go back, so I'll just make a phone call."
"Okay, I'll call you then."
......
Huang Jianmin has been extremely nervous since he woke up this morning. He even considered taking leave to go to the city to confirm whether they had passed the test.
However, his family didn't want him to go, because regardless of whether they passed the audition or not, Huang Qinqin would definitely tell them. So there was no need for him to take time off to go to the city.
Finally, before work started in the afternoon, the brigade secretary arrived on his bicycle.
Seeing the village secretary's beaming face, the Huang family knew the result wouldn't be bad. Sure enough, the village secretary excitedly announced, "You passed! Qin just called to say you all passed!"
"I won't notify them one by one. You can tell the village chief and the others later. I've already prepared the letters of introduction and certificates for you."
"Also, Qin said that you must go to the department store to complete the onboarding procedures before tomorrow afternoon. It would be best to go to her house in the morning, and she will go with you. The department store provides dormitory accommodation, so you only need to bring your personal belongings."
"And remember to bring your graduation certificate, household registration booklet, letter of introduction, and other relevant documents. Work hard! The brigade might need your help in the future."
Upon hearing this good news, Huang Jianmin was grinning like a fool. He didn't hear a word the brigade secretary said afterward.
Now, only one thought is on his mind: he has a job! He'll get a salary every month from now on!
Grandpa Huang smiled so much his eyes narrowed into slits: "Good, good! Thank you, Secretary! Would your son, Achen, like to set off with them?"
"Yes, and I'll need your help to take care of him."
“Look out for each other. They’ll be in the city and won’t know anyone. They’re all from the same brigade, so they’ll definitely help each other out.”
Grandma Huang was more observant. She remembered that the brigade secretary had said Huang Qinqin had called back. Since phone calls cost money to both parties these days, she asked, "Secretary, how much did Qinqin's phone call cost? We'll reimburse you."
The brigade secretary waved his hand and said, "No need. My Li Chen is also waiting for Qin Ya to tell him the results. The phone bill isn't much, so we don't need to pay."
Grandma Huang didn't believe that phone calls weren't expensive. She had made two calls before, and each minute cost 50 cents. She wouldn't make the call unless it was an emergency.
However, since the brigade secretary said there was no need to give money, she didn't insist on giving it. Sometimes, when it comes to favors, you can't be too precise about the amount.
Now, if we appropriately owe the brigade secretary a favor, he will feel more at ease letting his grandson get along with Huang Jiancai and the others.
Sometimes people are like that; when they are in a completely vulnerable position, they tend to overthink things. But if they can help each other, then it's a different story.
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