Xu Qingning glanced at Wu Huihui, ignored her, and went into the building on her own.
They didn't even call her "cousin-in-law," but instead addressed her by her first name. It's incredibly rude of them, considering she stayed at their house for so many days, eating and living there.
Wang Yaqiang recognized Wu Huihui. Seeing that Xu Qingning ignored her and didn't speak to her, he locked his bicycle and silently followed Xu Qingning upstairs to the second floor.
Seeing that neither of them spoke to her, Wu Huihui felt a little awkward. She quickly took a few steps and grabbed Wang Yaqiang: "I'm asking you a question. What are you doing here?"
My cousin isn't home.
She would have to keep an eye on Xu Qingning, and besides, this Wang Yaqiang didn't seem like a good person either.
"What's it to you?" Wang Yaqiang was grabbed by the hem of his clothes, and he was very impatient. "Let me tell you, for my brother's sake, I won't hold it against you. You can go do whatever you want."
"Tell me, what are you doing here?" Wu Huihui asked him relentlessly.
"I'm not telling you." Wang Yaqiang shoved her away, pointed at her, and warned, "If you follow me again, I'll call for help and say you're harassing me."
"You're absolutely insane!" Wu Huihui finally let go of her hand in a huff.
However, she kept a watchful eye on them, secretly observing which house they went to, until she heard Wang Yaqiang knocking on the second-floor door, at which point she sheepishly went down the stairs.
This residential compound is inhabited by the leaders and employees of their winery. It would be bad if she were discovered.
Anyway, it's a fact that Xu Qingning and Wang Yaqiang came to the winery's residential compound together today, and Xu Qingning can't deny it.
Hmph, she's definitely going to tell Yang Yuelan, let her aunt know what kind of person Xu Qingning is, that she can't even behave herself while pregnant.
Fang Meiyuan had just gotten off work and was preparing to cook when she saw Wang Yaqiang and Xu Qingning arrive. She was a little surprised, but as a leader, she warmly invited them in: "What brings you here? You're rare guests, please have a seat."
"Hehe, the sea breeze blew us here." Wang Yaqiang gestured for Xu Qingning to sit down. Xu Qingning placed the fruit she was carrying on the coffee table and said politely, "Director Fang, we came suddenly, sorry to bother you."
"Not at all, I'm so glad you could come." Fang Meiyuan sat down as well, her gaze lingering on Xu Qingning's lower abdomen before she asked with concern, "How have you been lately? Still feeling nauseous?"
Zhao Jingyu's wife looks a bit plumper than before. Considering the time, she's only been pregnant for a little over three months, and she's not showing yet, so she doesn't look pregnant at all.
Look at her, she's just like a little girl.
"Much better," Xu Qingning replied with a smile, taking out three postcards from her bag and handing them to her. "Director Fang, these were sent back by Zhao Jingyu. He specifically asked me to give them to you, saying you would definitely like them."
Zhao Jingyu sent back two copies yesterday, and another one that he sent back last time, which he also gave to Fang Meiyuan.
Zhao Jingyu wasn't home, and she wasn't familiar with Fang Meiyuan, so it wouldn't be appropriate to directly ask for help. She decided to sound her out first.
Although these postcards were given to her by Zhao Jingyu, he didn't write anything on them, so they were practically new and it wouldn't matter if she gave them to Fang Meiyuan.
Wang Yaqiang glanced at Xu Qingning and smiled.
My sister-in-law is clever and generous; she gave the postcard that my brother-in-law gave her to Fang Meiyuan, truly using minimal effort to achieve maximum effect.
"Oh my, Zhao Jingyu is still thinking of me, I'm so touched." Fang Meiyuan held the postcard, looking at it again and again with great affection, and said with emotion, "He knows I like these little trinkets, and he even asked you to send them over, I feel so embarrassed."
That rascal Zhao Jingyu is so reckless; he even sent her a postcard from afar and had his wife deliver it to her.
Fortunately, she was over forty years old, so she was considered his elder.
Otherwise, his wife might misunderstand.
"I'm glad you're happy. Zhao Jingyu isn't home, so it's only right that I come to see you on his behalf," Xu Qingning said with a smile. "When he's home, he often talks about you to me and my mother-in-law, saying you're a strong woman, a good leader, and that I should learn from you!"
"Oh dear, I don't deserve such praise. What 'strong woman'? I'm just an ordinary employee. Don't listen to Zhao Jingyu's flattery." Fang Meiyuan believed Xu Qingning's words. Zhao Jingyu was a smooth talker and could say anything.
She was still very happy to be praised, and her gaze towards Xu Qingning held a touch more affection. "I heard from Yaqiang that your mother-in-law has been taking care of you here. How are you? Are you getting used to living here? If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will help you solve them if I can."
"Thank you, Director Fang. It's not difficult at all." Xu Qingning caught Fang Meiyuan's gaze and continued, "My mother-in-law is very good to me. She hasn't been able to go to work to take care of me, and I feel really bad about it."
“You’re pregnant now, and Zhao Jingyu isn’t home, so someone should take care of you. You have a good mother-in-law.” Fang Meiyuan had been through this before, and she knew that women are most vulnerable when they are pregnant. But that’s just how Zhao Jingyu’s job is; he can’t be there to take care of his wife.
“Actually, I’m in pretty good health now and I can go back to work, but my mother-in-law won’t let me. She says it would be better for her to go out and work instead.” Xu Qingning said calmly, “My mother-in-law used to read electricity meters. The job was quite easy. It was a pity that she gave it up back then.”
“Meter reader’s job is easy, but the pay is low. Usually, family members do this job.” Fang Meiyuan nodded to show her understanding and casually said, “If there are any similar jobs in the future, I’ll keep an eye out for them for you.”
"Then I'll have to trouble Director Fang." Xu Qingning smiled.
"It's no trouble, we just have to wait for the right opportunity." Fang Meiyuan poured water for the two of them, then turned to Wang Yaqiang and asked, "Who's our company's meter reader now?"
Wang Yaqiang thought for a moment: "The original meter reader resigned last month. I don't know who it is now. I'll ask around when I start work this afternoon."
"Do I need you to ask me after I've started working?" Fang Meiyuan said reproachfully. "I can just ask myself."
“Director Fang, you’re still at work this afternoon, so we won’t bother you any longer.” Xu Qingning stood up, shook hands with Fang Meiyuan, and said warmly, “When you have time, please come to our home. We’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay, I’ll definitely go.” Fang Meiyuan readily agreed.
It was past noon when the two left the winery's residential compound. Wang Yaqiang had to go to work in the afternoon and hadn't eaten yet.
Xu Qingning invited him to eat dumplings at the state-run restaurant across the street, but Wang Yaqiang refused: "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. I'll just eat at the canteen."
“By the time you get to the cafeteria, the food will be cold.” Xu Qingning knew Wang Yaqiang was embarrassed, so she smiled and said, “I haven’t been out for a long time, and I’d like to try the dumplings at the restaurant. I treat you like my brother-in-law, so don’t be so formal with me.”
No matter how close Zhao Jingyu and Wang Yaqiang were, she couldn't recklessly squander their friendship.
Relationships between people are reciprocal; only through give and take can things last.
"Then thank you, sister-in-law." Wang Yaqiang didn't refuse.
Xu Qingning bought a pound of dumplings, spending one yuan plus a pound of grain coupons.
Worried that Wang Yaqiang wouldn't have enough to eat, she ordered two more plates of cold dishes: cucumber salad and tofu with scallions, which cost three cents.
"That's enough, sister-in-law, don't buy any more." Wang Yaqiang secretly sighed that Xu Qingning was really generous, and she and Zhao Jingyu were indeed a perfect couple.
"It's just the two of us, not much." Xu Qingning was telling the truth. It cost the two of them 1.3 yuan to eat. The prices were really touching.
The dumplings at the state-run restaurant have thin wrappers and generous fillings, and taste delicious; they're quite tasty. The two small plates of cold dishes are also good, appetizing and refreshing.
“Sister-in-law, I think this is a done deal.” Wang Yaqiang chuckled. “Director Fang is a very ambitious person who gets things done quickly and efficiently. As soon as she arrives at work, she will know that the company is short of meter readers and will definitely recommend Auntie for the job.”
"I hope so." Xu Qingning wasn't very confident about Fang Meiyuan, but she was quite familiar with these hidden plot points and thought there should be a surprise.
After dinner, Wang Yaqiang took her back to the courtyard. He was in a hurry to get to work, so he didn't go in with her.
As soon as Xu Qingning entered the door, she saw Wu Huihui sitting in the living room, chatting and laughing with Yang Yuelan.
Strange, doesn't Wu Huihui go to work?
Thank you for the monthly pass from a little dumpling.
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