Chapter 43: Thank Goodness for You
Since leaving Fumanju, Manager Zhou has been unsuccessful in his job search, simply because he knows some of Boss Qian's shady dealings, such as trying every means to deduct the workers' wages and forcing him to falsify accounts, and using rotten ingredients to pass off as high-quality ones, which are then served at prices dozens of times higher.
Fearing his secret would be leaked, Mr. Qian kept slandering him, but the other business owners, worried that he was embezzling, ignored him completely.
Fortunately, Manager Zhou had some savings, and the whole family lived frugally, barely making ends meet.
In the past few days, in order to get a good meal for his family, he also signed up for the agricultural assistance activity and shamelessly came to collect the benefits, which happened to be run into by Chen Lie.
Since Manager Zhou left Fumanju, Chen Lie has been unable to find him, and he always avoids him whenever he goes to his house.
Chen Lie couldn't bear to see his friend's family suffer, so he boldly made an introduction.
He even vouched for Manager Zhou's character with his own integrity, saying that if any mistakes occurred at work in the future, they would both be at Yu Wan's mercy, and he even swore a solemn oath.
Yu Wan naturally didn't believe in any solemn oaths. After chatting with Boss Zhou, she felt that he was honest and upright, so she decided to let him give it a try.
Shopkeeper Zhou was so grateful that tears streamed down his face, and he immediately knelt down and kowtowed to her.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, boss. I will definitely do my best."
Yu Wan was caught off guard by being knelt on and quickly helped him up.
"No need for that, just help me manage the restaurant."
Finally, it was the restaurant's day off, and all the staff on both sides were given the day off.
Yu Wan treated everyone equally, giving them the same day off, paying them on the same day, and providing them with the same benefits.
However, during this period, the agricultural assistance program was implemented in the branch stores, while the head office did not participate. Therefore, she gave the branch store employees more food subsidies and announced that there would be extra bonuses in their wages this month. Everyone expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
Yu Wan took her mother and Yu Cheng back to the town for a stroll. After all, this was the place where they had lived for several years, and Yu's mother, in particular, was very nostalgic for it.
They also brought Manager Zhou along, firstly to let him hand over his work to He Jing, and secondly to let him familiarize himself with the main store and the surrounding environment during the holiday.
Xue Xiujun was nowhere to be seen early in the morning. Yu Wan knew he was playful and deserved to relax after working so hard for so long, so she ignored him.
During the break between He Jing and Manager Zhou's handover, Yu Wan, having nothing else to do, went for a stroll up the mountain.
More than half a month has passed since the last planting. The weather is gradually getting warmer, and some seeds have already sprouted and some have broken through the soil.
She mainly grows vegetables, which can be supplied to restaurants, and of course, she also grows other crops.
Next to Rong Lao's house, a small shack was built, complete with quilts, pots and pans.
Luo Lixing and Zhao Juan, a married couple, were weeding in the field.
The two men didn't notice her at first, silently doing their work without slacking off or saying a word.
Upon seeing Yu Wan, they rushed to her in a panic.
"Boss lady, you've arrived."
Yu Wan pointed to the shack and asked, "You're still eating and sleeping here?"
Zhao Juan smiled shyly, "It's getting hotter and hotter, and the weeds in the fields are growing fast. Sometimes I don't go home until it gets late."
"What about your family members? Who will take care of the elderly and children?" Yu Wan asked.
Luo Lixing waved his hands repeatedly, "It's alright, it's alright. We'll prepare meals for them before we go up the mountain and put them in the pot. They can just take them out and eat. When the weather gets warmer, they won't have to worry about the food getting cold. Boss lady, don't worry, we have no difficulties at all and will definitely work hard."
Seeing their nervous expressions, Yu Wan smiled and explained, "Don't be afraid. I'm just worried that you'll be too busy to take care of your families. Actually, you don't need to come over to weed every day. Just come every few days."
This couple is really honest. They cleared away the weeds as soon as they sprouted in the field. It was clean, but she doesn't have OCD and doesn't have such high standards.
The two were afraid of not doing a good job and losing their jobs, so they worried every day about letting down the boss's wife. Now they can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Zhao Juan said gratefully, "Boss lady, you are so kind. Yesterday, Manager He gave out welfare benefits to the shop's employees, and he personally delivered two to my family. I said that we are a family, and one would be enough. He said that your rule is one per person, and although my husband and I are a family, we have two jobs. I heard that the sisters who make clothes for you also received some, and Manager He personally drove the carriage to deliver them to them. Manager He is a good person, just like you."
Yu Wan smiled and said, "You all deserve it."
I never expected that the young man to be so meticulous in his work. He's a rare talent and very reliable.
She only said that all the employees had benefits, but didn't say that he should deliver them personally.
He probably didn't want them to make a special trip, since people like Aunt Li live in the village and it would be time-consuming and laborious for them to come to the town.
He's a really nice person.
As he was pondering this, he heard the two of them call out in unison, "Manager He."
The handsome young man walked up to her in a few steps, his long ponytail fluttering in the air. His fair face was no longer as pale as before, but had a touch of color, making him look healthier.
"Have you completed the handover with Manager Zhou?" she asked.
He Jing nodded slightly, his bright black eyes sparkling. "He's quite experienced; he understands as soon as you explain it."
"That's good." Yu Wan smiled with relief.
He Jing asked, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Yu Wan couldn't think of anything for the moment. "There's nothing else for now. You're taking a rare day off, so go have some fun."
"And what about you?" He Jing asked, staring at her.
"Me?" Yu Wan laughed, "I'm just wandering around the mountain. This mountain is so big, there are still many places I haven't been to."
At this moment, Zhao Juan interjected, "Boss lady, Old Rong said a few days ago that he saw a wild fruit forest on the mountain and asked you to go and see if it would be of any use."
Yu Wan's eyes lit up. "There's such a good thing? I have to go check it out."
He Jing saw the excitement in her beautiful eyes and said, "I'll go with you."
"No need. Go find something you want to do. Xue Xiujun disappears as soon as he's on vacation. Young people should be like him; when it's time to let loose, they should let loose and have fun."
He Jing pursed his lips. "The road up the mountain is difficult to travel. It's not safe for you to go alone."
Yu Wan couldn't refuse, so she went along with it.
The two of them walked one after the other in the direction Zhao Juan pointed out.
Although Yu Wan had the legal right to use the mountain, she did not restrict the people from going up the mountain. They could still chop firewood, gather herbs, or hunt for wild game as before, as long as they did not damage her property.
The mountain has many paths, all marked by human footsteps. They followed the paths for half an hour but still hadn't seen any fruit trees.
Yu Wan exclaimed, "This mountain is quite large."
Seeing that she was slightly sweaty, He Jing suggested, "Let's rest for a bit."
"No need. We don't know how much longer it will take. Let's hurry up and look." What if it's still far away? We won't be able to see anything until dark, and we still need to go back to the county town tomorrow.
After walking for another hour, Yu Wan finally found a mulberry tree.
Could this be what Elder Rong was talking about?
After walking for a while, we found that there were more than a dozen jujube trees, plum trees, peach trees, and so on around us.
Yu Wan originally thought it was artificially planted, but after investigating the area with He Jing for a long time, they both concluded that it was wild.
Because those trees are at least a hundred years old, there are no signs of human care now, and the fruit that has been on the ground for years has long since dried up. Most importantly, the paths around here are not clear, so very few people should come here.
Yu Wan said excitedly, "It is estimated that a group of people passed through this place a hundred years ago and rested here. They threw the fruit pits they ate on the mountain and gradually grew into what we see today."
That's so lucky!
It feels so good to be on a winning streak!
Yu Wan leaned against a plum tree, and a good idea popped into her head.
She wants to expand this orchard, planting a wider variety of fruits so she can sell them and even make fruit salad.
money!
More and more money will flow into her pockets!
She was building her own blueprint in her mind when she suddenly heard the boy's cold voice.
"Don't move!" The voice was urgent and filled with worry.
Yu Wan looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
He Jing's expression was serious. He swallowed hard, trying his best to control his emotions, and said softly,
"Listen to me, close your eyes."
Yu Wan was confused. When she realized that his gaze was on the top of her head, she instinctively looked up. Her heart tightened and her face turned pale.
It turned out that a large snake was coiled up on the tree, flicking its tongue above her head.
The snake's mouth was big enough to swallow her head.
Now I understand why I made her close her eyes.
He Jing reassured her, "I won't let anything happen to you, trust me."
Yu Wan didn't dare to move, fearing that the giant snake would suddenly attack her. She couldn't even nod, and could only silently close her eyes.
He Jing knew he had to act quickly, so he silently pulled a dagger from his sleeve.
However, the giant snake still sensed the danger and locked its gaze on him warily.
The man and the snake stared at each other for a moment, and then He Jing threw out his dagger without hesitation, striking the snake precisely at its vital spot.
Yu Wan heard a loud "bang," as if something had been nailed to a tree above her head.
There was also a cool, unidentified object that seemed to glide across her cheek.
She dared not think about it too much, but she already knew what it was in her heart.
Is it all better yet?
She's about to have a mental breakdown.
A large hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a strong, broad embrace.
Yu Wan felt like she had hit a metal plate. She was dizzy and tried to stand up, but found that her legs had been numb from being scared by the snake. If she hadn't been supported by someone, she would have collapsed on the ground by now.
"It's alright now." The boy's deep, magnetic voice rang in my ears.
Yu Wan slowly opened one eye and saw the large snake nailed to the tree, still feeling lingering fear.
"Thank goodness you were here, otherwise I would have been dead..."
He Jing's gaze swept over her pale face. "You're lucky, you won't die."
"Thank you for your kind words." Yu Wan smiled wryly, "But right now... my legs are a little... weak... help me sit down first, let me rest."
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