Chapter 79 Hiring Xiao Ran to Work at the Grocery Store
Xiao Ran smiled and said, "Xiao Ran has enough water at home. This water was specially fetched for Sister Jiang. Please use it, Sister Jiang. Xiao Ran has plenty of strength. Xiao Ran will go and fetch another bucket for Sister Jiang."
His eyes were bright, and before Jiang Ling could speak again, he grabbed the empty bucket at her feet and disappeared into the darkness in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Ling was helpless.
There are only two wells in the village, and they are both quite far from her grocery store.
Jiang Ling couldn't refuse Xiao Ran's good intentions, so she had no choice but to speed up.
When Xiao Ran returned, there was only a trace of blood left in the grass.
Jiang Ling washed away the bloodstains and returned the empty bucket to him.
"Thank you for today, Xiaoran."
If it weren't for Xiao Ran's help in reporting the news today, there would have been even more bloodshed in front of her shop.
Xiao Ran smiled and scratched her head, thinking she was referring to fetching water.
“It’s just a small thing. Mother said that Sister Jiang takes good care of us and wants me to help Sister Jiang with chores more.”
Jiang Ling knew he had misunderstood, but she didn't point it out immediately. Simply saying thank you was too inadequate.
"Wait for me a moment."
Jiang Ling went back to the kitchen and took out the freshly microwaved beef balls, char siu buns, and two large pig trotters from the microwave.
The beef balls and char siu buns were things she hadn't tried before, as she had bought too much of this morning. The pig's trotters were taken out of the packaging and heated up.
She found clean takeout containers, packed the items into smaller portions, and then put them all into a large bag. She handed it to Xiaoran.
"Xiao Ran, thank you for helping Sister Jiang deliver the message today. This is a thank-you gift for you. Take it home and enjoy it with your family."
The rich aroma of meat wafted from the sealed packaging box, wafting straight into people's noses, making Xiao Ran's mouth water.
It smells so good!
How long has it been since he last ate meat?
His father was a well-known hunter in the village, and he never lacked meat to eat from childhood to adulthood.
But ever since Dad broke his leg, let alone meat, we've been struggling to make ends meet.
He suppressed his inner desire, his voice a little strained.
"No, Sister Jiang, I can't take this! I only ran errands twice, I didn't do any heavy lifting..."
He even felt a little annoyed, hating himself for being so small that he didn't even have a chance to fight.
He wished he could grow taller and bigger quickly so he could do many things and protect many people!
“If you hadn’t run errands to deliver the message, the other villagers wouldn’t have come. So, you should take it; it’s what you deserve!” Jiang Ling didn’t beat around the bush this time and told him firmly.
“It is only natural to accept rewards for doing good deeds.”
Looking into Jiang Ling's eyes, Xiao Ran seemed unable to bring herself to refuse.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally reached out his small hands, still bearing the marks of hard work, and took the heavy bag of food that smelled so tempting.
Jiang Ling smiled slightly before speaking the rest of her words.
"There's one more thing. I'd like to ask you to work at my shop. I wonder if you'd be willing to come?"
Xiao Ran suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with surprise and disbelief.
"Don't worry, it's not heavy work. It's just helping to put the goods on the shelves, cleaning the shop, and sometimes delivering goods to nearby homes. Tentatively, one month..."
"I do! Sister Jiang, I do!"
Before Jiang Ling could finish speaking, Xiao Ran eagerly replied.
They were afraid of missing the opportunity if they were even a step too late.
"I haven't said how much it will cost yet. Don't rush to answer; you need to go back and discuss it with your family."
“My shop is open about once every three days, but sometimes it’s not so regular. Come over when you see the shop is open. When it’s closed, you can stay home and do your own things. The monthly wage is tentatively set at one tael of silver.”
"If your family agrees, you can come to work right away next time the store opens. I can give you an advance of one month's wages."
Xiao Ran's heart was pounding!
One tael of silver a month!
With this money, the family can hire people to help with the autumn harvest, and Dad's medicine money will be taken care of!
Few children in the village can afford to go to school; it's common for teenagers to work as laborers or apprentices.
Xiao Ran nodded happily, "Okay, Sister Jiang, I'll go back and tell my family right away!"
He carried a bucket in one hand and a bag in the other, and with cheerful steps, he quickly disappeared into the alley.
The cicadas in the trees have stopped chirping, and a gentle breeze occasionally causes a few yellowed leaves to fall.
The bloodstains at the doorway were cleaned up, and everything was calm, as if nothing had ever happened.
————
Pei Residence.
"Did you really see the Goddess Jiang?" Pei Jian, the Vice Minister, asked anxiously.
He wasn't concerned about Pei Xixi's situation, since she had already returned safely. He was more concerned about Jiang Shennu's whereabouts.
"Yes, Sister Jiang is so beautiful and approachable. The food at her shop is delicious!"
Pei Xixi was still a little scared at first, but after eating the food that Sister Jiang gave her and hugging the soft teddy bear, that fear had long since faded.
Pei Jian's gaze swept over the bag full of snacks in the maid's hand, then looked at the huge, silly-looking pink plush bear his daughter was holding. His brows furrowed tightly, and he felt a sense of disappointment.
"You only bought some food and toys on this trip?"
Pei Xiaoxiao, oblivious to her father's displeasure, added proudly, "Oh, and there's also a lot of rouge and face powder, so beautiful, they're not sold in the capital! And, there's a crystal ball that lights up and sings! Princess Chaoyang and Jiaojiao bought some too!"
Pei Jian was so angry he almost stomped his foot. "Idiot! Idiot! You finally got a chance to see the goddess, you should have at least bought some elixirs! Even just one would have been better! If I'd known, I would have just sent your brother instead!"
There are many different rumors circulating in the capital about the Goddess Jiang.
The only thing they all had in common was that this goddess was elusive; whether they saw her or not depended entirely on chance.
According to reliable sources, even His Highness the Crown Prince has only met Goddess Jiang twice.
Among them, the one with the greatest opportunity was Prince Cheng. It is said that whenever he went there, he would be able to meet the prince five or six times out of ten.
Even Cheng Jiaojiao had the opportunity to meet Jiang Shennu.
Therefore, when Pei Xixi said that Cheng Jiaojiao wanted to take her and Princess Chaoyang to see Goddess Jiang, he immediately agreed.
They originally wanted to send more people to follow, but were afraid of disturbing the gods and being accused of disrespect.
Pei Xiaoxiao was startled by her father's seriousness and frowned: "But Sister Jiang's shop doesn't sell medicine."
"really?"
"I've searched everywhere, even the corners. It's full of food, drinks, household items, toys, and even cosmetics, but there's no medicine!"
Pei Jian remained silent, deep in thought.
It seems that the miraculous medicine that can revive the dead and heal the wounded is not something that can be easily bought in a shop.
That makes sense; how could such a divine object be shown to others so easily?
Even the crown prince came to ask for the medicine as a gift. If this were to become a business transaction, wouldn't it tarnish the reputation of this miraculous medicine?
He felt somewhat relieved and thought to himself: Well, the driver probably already knows the way. Next time, I'll find an auspicious day, burn incense, fast, bathe, and change clothes, and then go there myself to try. Perhaps I'll have a chance to obtain the elixir.
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