Chapter 90 Five Finger Seals
The next morning, Wen Xiaoxiao combed her hair in front of the mirror, still thinking about how to bring it up with Sun Mei.
Zhao Fei is right, we can't keep them here.
How can I say it without hurting someone's feelings?
After all, aside from what happened yesterday, Sun Mei is usually impeccable in her work.
Wen Xiaoxiao even wondered if she should say that the store was undergoing adjustments and would not need so many staff for the time being?
She sighed, tied her hair up, and went downstairs to open the shop.
Business was good this morning. The autumn clothes had just arrived, and many regular customers came to see what was new.
While greeting the guests, Wen Xiaoxiao kept an eye on the door. Strangely, it was almost ten o'clock, and Sun Mei still hadn't arrived.
She usually arrives at the store at 8:30 sharp.
"Mr. Wen, can I try this trench coat on?" a customer asked.
"Yes, of course! The fitting room is over there." Wen Xiaoxiao snapped out of her daze and greeted them with a smile, but she was secretly wondering about it.
Could it be that he was too embarrassed to come? Or is there really something wrong at home?
Sun Mei did not show up until lunchtime.
She picked up the phone to call Sun Mei's house, but after dialing two numbers, she put it down. What if her husband answered the phone?
Around 2 PM, the shop door was pushed open.
Wen Xiaoxiao looked up, her heart skipped a beat.
Sun Mei was wearing a dusty gray wool scarf that covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes showing.
Even so, Wen Xiaoxiao still noticed the bruise on the corner of her left eye and the faint redness and swelling.
"Sister Sun, what's wrong..." Wen Xiaoxiao quickly stood up.
Sun Mei walked in quickly with her head down, pulling her scarf down to reveal her entire face.
On his left cheek, there was a clear five-finger mark, swollen high, with purple edges.
"My God!" Wen Xiaoxiao gasped. "How did this happen?"
Sun Mei's eyes reddened, and her voice became terribly hoarse: "Xiaoxiao, I... I can't do it anymore."
Upon hearing this, Wen Xiaoxiao's inner turmoil vanished, replaced by surprise and sympathy: "What happened? Who hit you? Your man?"
Sun Mei nodded, tears streaming down her face: "Last night..."
She wiped her face and began to speak haltingly.
It turned out that last night, Tian Changhai noticed that she hadn't returned and was about to go out to look for her when he saw her get out of a Santana car just as he reached the alley entrance.
Tian Changhai asked her where she had been, and she said that the store was busy and she had just finished get off work.
Tian Changhai then asked how she got back, and she said she walked back by herself.
“He said he saw me get out of the car with his own eyes and asked me whose car it was.” Sun Mei’s voice trembled. “I… I was stunned and said that a kind person passing by gave me a ride. He didn’t believe me and said I was lying.”
The two started arguing at the alley entrance, and the argument escalated.
In a fit of anger, Sun Mei blurted out, "If you had half the skill of Boss Zhao, would I have to work for him every day? He owns a factory and is a boss, and what about you? You've spent your whole life repairing broken bicycles!"
These words struck a nerve with Tian Changhai.
Provoked by this, he raised his hand and slapped Sun Mei.
“He never laid a hand on me…” Sun Mei covered her face. “After he hit me, he was stunned, and so was I. Later he said that he wouldn’t let me work here anymore, saying… saying that I was restless.”
Wen Xiaoxiao felt a lump in her throat upon hearing this, and quickly poured a cup of hot water and handed it to her: "Have some water first. So, your face... was it because you didn't come this morning?"
"Hmm." Sun Mei took the cup, her hands still trembling. "I was so swollen I couldn't show my face in public, so I stayed home all morning trying to keep it covered. I felt a bit better this afternoon, so I thought I should come and tell you. Xiaoxiao, I'm so sorry, I... I suddenly decided to quit, and I've caused you so much trouble."
Wen Xiaoxiao's prepared explanation was no longer needed. "Your injury... needs some medicine. I have erythromycin ointment here, put some on first."
She rummaged through the drawer and took out the ointment. Sun Mei took it and carefully applied it to her face, holding it up to the reflection in the glass counter.
Wen Xiaoxiao went behind the cashier and opened the drawer to count the money.
"Your wages for this month have been paid for exactly twenty-three days as of today." Wen Xiaoxiao counted out a few ten-yuan bills and added thirty. "This is for the whole month. This thirty is for you... consider it a nutrition allowance, to buy some good food to replenish your body."
Sun Mei looked at the stack of money, her lips moved, but she didn't take it: "Xiaoxiao, you don't need so much, just take what you need..."
"Take it." Wen Xiaoxiao stuffed it into her hand. "We're sisters, don't keep passing it around. Go back and take good care of yourself, and talk nicely to Brother Tian... couples don't hold grudges overnight."
Sun Mei clutched the money, tears welling up in her eyes again.
She nodded heavily, re-wrapped her scarf, revealing only her red and swollen eyes: "Xiaoxiao, you are a good person, it's just that I'm not lucky enough to have you."
Wen Xiaoxiao offered Sun Mei a few more words of advice, reminding the couple not to quarrel anymore.
Watching Sun Mei's figure disappear around the street corner, Wen Xiaoxiao felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
She turned around and looked into the shop. The clothes on the racks were neatly arranged, and the floor was spotless—all of which Sun Mei had cleaned up yesterday.
"They're gone?" Zhou Lanying came downstairs; she had heard everything that had happened.
"Okay." Wen Xiaoxiao closed the door. "Auntie, we need to find another sales clerk."
“We should look for her.” Zhou Lanying sat down at the cashier. “Sun Mei… well, it’s fate. But it’s better that she’s gone; it’s less of a worry.”
Wen Xiaoxiao didn't say anything, but pulled out a piece of cardboard from under the counter and wrote "Hiring sales clerk, female, 35-50 years old, meticulous and hardworking, salary negotiable" with the store's phone number below.
After she finished writing it, she hung the sign on the shop window. The black lettering on the white paper was quite eye-catching.
After hanging up the sign, she sat in the chair and stared blankly for a while.
When Zhao Fei comes home tonight, she needs to tell him about it.
Sun Mei left on her own, which saved Wen Xiaoxiao the trouble, but the slap mark on her face... just thinking about it made Wen Xiaoxiao feel choked up.
Several groups of guests arrived in the afternoon, and Wen Xiaoxiao was busy serving them all by herself. Only then did she truly realize the inconvenience of having one less person.
They have to greet customers, keep an eye on the fitting rooms, and also take time to answer the phone.
Around 4 o'clock, Wen Xiaoxiao had just seen a mother and daughter off when the wind chimes at the door rang again.
The woman who came in was in her forties, quite tall, about 1.7 meters, wearing an old navy blue wool coat that was faded but clean.
Her hair was tied in a bun at the back of her head, and her face was round and she looked quite kind.
"Boss, are you hiring?" the woman asked in a thick Northeastern accent.
Wen Xiaoxiao quickly stood up: "Yes, we're hiring sales clerks. Do you want to apply, ma'am?"
"Yes." The woman walked in, her eyes scanning the store. "I used to work at the counter of the Harbin Department Store, selling clothes. Later, when my child started school, my husband was transferred to this factory, so I quit my job. Now that my child is at boarding school, I'm just sitting at home doing nothing, so I wanted to find something to do."
Upon hearing this, Wen Xiaoxiao realized that someone who had worked at a department store counter was a genuinely experienced person.
"May I ask your surname, elder sister?"
"My surname is Wu, and my name is Wu Jia. I'm forty-five years old this year." Wu Jia spoke crisply, "Don't worry, boss, I'm very familiar with selling clothes. I know how to display them, how to chat with customers, and how to recommend sizes and styles. If you don't believe me, I can help you with some things today, and see if it works."
Wen Xiaoxiao laughed: "No need for that. Sister Wu, how much did you earn a month when you worked at the department store?"
“That’s all ancient history, it was eight or nine years ago.” Wu Jia waved her hand. “Back then, it was a little over eighty yuan a month, and with bonuses it could be over a hundred. I don’t know what the current rate is, boss, just pay me according to the rules. I only have one request—to leave work on time, and preferably have a day off on the weekend, because I have to do laundry and cleaning for my boarding school kids.”
That sounded good to Wen Xiaoxiao: "I work from 8:30 am to 6 pm, with lunch provided. My basic monthly salary is 180 yuan, and I get commission on clothing sales—the more I sell, the more I earn. I get Sunday off, is that okay?"
Wu Jia nodded: "Okay. When can I start work?"
"Tomorrow will do."
"Okay!" Wu Jia smiled. "Then I'll be there on time tomorrow. What's your surname, boss?"
"My surname is Wen, Wen Xiaoxiao. You can just call me Xiaoxiao."
"Boss Wen," Wu Jia still used a respectful title, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now. I'll be there at 8:30 tomorrow."
After Wu Jia left, Wen Xiaoxiao felt much more at ease.
This person looks steady, speaks and acts efficiently, and is experienced. He should be able to fill the vacancy left by Sun Mei.
Zhao Fei returned home a little earlier than yesterday, arriving before nine o'clock.
Wen Xiaoxiao told Sun Mei everything, including the slap mark on her face and the things Tian Changhai forbade her to do.
After listening, Zhao Fei remained silent for a while.
"It's good that she left on her own." Zhao Fei took off his coat and hung it up. "It saves us from being the bad guys. That face... was it really slapped that hard?"
"The five finger marks were clearly visible, and it was swollen so badly." Wen Xiaoxiao still felt uncomfortable when she thought about it. "Do you think she regrets not choosing you back then?"
Zhao Fei frowned: "Why bring this up? What's past is past."
"I know." Wen Xiaoxiao leaned on his shoulder. "I just feel... in this life, one wrong step can make everything difficult. If Sister Sun had chosen you back then, she would be living a completely different life now. But who could have known?"
“Choosing me might not be a good choice either.” Zhao Fei put his arm around her. “Back then, I was just starting out, working non-stop at three pig farms, and I was covered in pig manure. She couldn’t stand that. You’re different. You can endure hardship with me, and you can also enjoy the good times with me.”
Wen Xiaoxiao looked up at him and said, "You're good at saying nice things."
"To be honest," Zhao Fei kissed her forehead, "how are the new recruits?"
"That's great. She's a woman from Northeast China. She used to work in a department store, so she's experienced," Wen Xiaoxiao said. "She'll start work tomorrow. By the way, Xiao Gai was much more well-behaved when he came back today. I made him write a self-criticism."
“It needs to be written.” Zhao Fei laughed. “This kid needs to be taught a lesson.”
The two talked as they went upstairs, and the light in the master bedroom stayed on until very late.
The next morning at 8:20, as soon as Wen Xiaoxiao opened the shop door, she saw Wu Jia already waiting at the door.
She was still wearing the same navy blue wool coat as yesterday, but she had changed into a clean light gray sweater underneath, and her hair was neatly combed.
"Sister Wu, you're here so early?" Wen Xiaoxiao quickly invited her in.
"First day at work, can't be late." Wu Jia walked in with a smile, putting down the cloth bag she was carrying. "Boss Wen, should I mop the floor first or wipe the windows first?"
"No need for now, let's sort out the boxes of scarves and gloves that arrived yesterday," Wen Xiaoxiao said, leading her to the back warehouse.
Wu Jia is indeed efficient at her work.
Unpacking, counting, sorting, and labeling – the whole process was executed flawlessly.
She has a very professional way of touching scarf fabrics; she can tell whether it's wool or acrylic with just a touch, and she knows exactly what price tag to put on it.
“These cashmere scarves need to be kept separate and can’t be mixed with the regular ones.” Wu Jia picked out a few light-colored scarves. “The colors also need to be separated and hung together in the same color family so that customers can choose more easily.”
Wen Xiaoxiao watched from the side, secretly delighted—she had struck gold.
Around nine o'clock, the first group of guests arrived.
Wu Jia went up to her with a warm but not exaggerated smile: "Big sister, take a look at the clothes? These are new autumn clothes, and this style is unique to us."
She spoke with the approachable manner typical of people from Northeast China, chatting like old friends. In just a few words, she figured out the customer's clothing preferences and recommended two coats, which the customer tried on and was satisfied with.
Wen Xiaoxiao was watching from behind the cashier when she suddenly thought of Sun Mei.
Sun Mei was also diligent, but she always had a timid, ingratiating air about her; Wu Jia was different. She stood there with an air of "I know what I'm doing, trust me."
Around noon, Zhou Lanying came downstairs and saw Wu Jia greeting guests. She whispered to Wen Xiaoxiao, "Is this the new one?"
"Yes, Sister Wu, I used to work in a department store."
Zhou Lanying glanced at it a few times and nodded: "It looks quite sturdy."
By the end of the day, Wen Xiaoxiao felt much more relaxed.
Wu Jia handled almost all the reception and recommendations; all she had to do was collect money and keep accounts.
In the afternoon, Wu Jia even suggested rearranging the shop window: "Boss Wen, let's put that maroon wool coat in the middle, and pair it with light-colored sweaters and scarves on both sides. The contrast will make it stand out."
After the setup was complete, the effect was indeed much better.
Before leaving get off work in the evening, Wen Xiaoxiao paid Wu Jia her wages for the day. Wu Jia took the money, carefully folded it, and put it in her wallet.
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Wen."
"Take care, Sister Wu."
Watching Wu Jia ride away on a bicycle, Wen Xiaoxiao breathed a long sigh of relief.
She took the "Hiring" sign down from the shop window, and her own face was reflected in the glass.
Wen Xiaoxiao stared for a long time, then gently touched the corner of her eye—unconsciously, she was already over thirty.
She thought, "Let life go on like this."
There may be wind and rain, but we are always moving forward.
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