Lin Jingyue spent the whole morning slacking off, and she was still a little dazed when her colleagues left work.
It wasn't until Zhou Yingying nudged her arm that she said, "It's already 10:58, let's go home." She was wearing a watch on her wrist, clearly a pampered child at home.
Director Sun had already left, and those old colleagues had also packed their things and left.
"I'm still not used to getting off work so early." Lin Jingyue touched her nose, feeling like she hadn't been sitting for very long, and it was already time to leave?
"Oh well, they've already gone home, and we've almost finished our work, so there's no need to insist on staying for these two minutes." Zhou Yingying is an introverted girl, but she also knows that it's impossible not to communicate when you're out and about.
"Let's go home then. Are you going to the cafeteria or going home later?"
"Let's go to the cafeteria. If I go back now, there might not be any food left. My mom probably hasn't finished get off work yet."
During the three-hour lunch break, you can either eat at the cafeteria or go home to cook. Eating at the cafeteria is more convenient, but it's a little more expensive than cooking, though not by much.
So Lin Jingyue planned to get food and go home to eat, so she could rest at home for lunch, since her home wasn't far away.
Zhou Yingying also had friends at the textile factory, so after saying hello, the two parted ways.
Lin Jingyue got two meals, one serving of shredded potatoes and one serving of stir-fried shredded pork, using a lunchbox she borrowed from Aunt Zhang. Lunchboxes require industrial coupons, which she didn't have, so she'd have to wait and see if she could exchange them for coupons later to buy her own.
When they got home, Aunt Zhang was cooking, while Xiao Shitou and Xiao Mingyue were playing outside.
"Baby, I'm home!"
"Mother!"
"Hello, Auntie," Little Stone greeted obediently.
Lin Jingyue touched his little face and handed him a few fruit candies. "Little Stone is so good. Auntie will give you candy."
"Thank you, Auntie."
When she came back, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought what she needed before they closed for the day. Except for the items that required coupons, she would have to wait until the next time.
Back in my room, I first tidied up my things, then opened a large package. I opened one of the cloth bags and scooped out a bowlful.
“Sweetie, give this to your Grandma Zhang and tell her it’s for Little Stone to eat.”
Xiaomingyue didn't ask anything, just nodded blankly, and then took the bowl and went out.
"Grandma, this is from my mom."
Aunt Zhang was washing vegetables when she saw a bowl of white powder that didn't look like flour. She asked with some doubt, "Mingyue, what is this?"
"This is kudzu root powder. Mom said it's for Little Stone."
Lin Jingyue wasn't just going up the mountain to dig for wild vegetables and eggs; kudzu root is a good thing, its nutritional value is probably better than malted milk powder. This is pure wild kudzu root powder, not artificially cultivated.
"This, this is too valuable." Aunt Zhang hesitated for a moment before accepting it. She knew that people in the countryside had ways to find kudzu roots, but she also knew the value of this thing. She hadn't done anything for it, so how could she accept it?
"Take it." Lin Jingyue came out after packing her things and explained, "I'm raising my child alone, and I have to go to work during the day, so I don't have time to take care of her at all. Although Mingyue and Xiaoshitou play together, you're actually the one looking after her. If you don't take it, my Mingyue will probably have to stay in the room."
How uncomfortable it must be for a seven-year-old child to be cooped up in their room.
"Besides, I borrowed two lunchboxes from you, and you didn't charge me, did you?"
Aunt Zhang hesitated for a long time, but finally accepted the bowl of kudzu root powder. "It's nothing serious. We don't need those two lunchboxes. Don't worry, Mingyue is with me, nothing will happen."
"I feel relieved to hear your words, Aunt Zhang."
During the meal, Xiao Shitou brought over a bowl of pickled cabbage, which Aunt Zhang had collected herself. It tasted very sour and refreshing, and quite appetizing.
Lin Jingyue didn't refuse, but instead patted his little head and put a piece of meat in his mouth.
She'll be staying here for a long time, so some social interactions are necessary. Giving away those little things isn't a loss; after all, childcare requires money, even with a nanny.
Actually, she made a profit. Spending a little money to accomplish something big, isn't that a profit?
"Mom, the meat is so delicious." It was the first time Xiaomingyue had eaten pork, and the way she chewed it so carefully made her worry that there wouldn't be any meat for the next meal.
The Chen family had eaten meat before, but it all went into the stomachs of the men; they didn't even get to drink the broth. During the New Year, the best meal they had was a bowl of not-too-watery rice and a cornbread.
Lin Jingyue came into this world wanting to give her child extra food, but alas, she lacked the means. She didn't have meat coupons to buy meat. Even if she wanted to go to that place, she had no money.
She thought she was probably the most miserable time traveler in the world.
"Eat more if you like it. Mom will get you more meat next time." She picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and put it into Xiaomingyue's bowl, smiling gently, radiating maternal warmth.
Little Mingyue followed her example and picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, saying, "Mom, you should eat too."
"Okay, thank you, honey."
The two ate slowly, but still finished their food. It could be said that this was the only time in a long period of time that they ate their fill, almost to the point of being stuffed.
Lin Jingyue thought about checking the time, but as soon as she reached into her pocket, she realized that she didn't have a phone or a watch.
But none of that matters, she has a system.
She glanced at the time and saw it was only twelve o'clock, leaving her with two hours. So she started thinking about other things.
This salary is certainly enough to support her and her child. However, it won't provide a high quality of life. Therefore, she needs to find another way to improve her standard of living, so that she won't be unable to buy things in the future because she lacks the money or the necessary coupons.
Earning money in this era is limited. Wages are one way, and buying and selling is another. But if you're not careful, you could be sent to a farm for re-education, so she can't choose that.
All things considered, she has another option: writing articles.
There's no payment for articles at this stage, but if your writing is good enough and you produce a lot, the editor will help you apply for payment. You're essentially an unpaid staff member, but the only requirement is that your writing is excellent.
Another option is to take on translation jobs. However, she has no connections for this. The materials that need to be translated are usually quite important, and who would dare to give her those documents if she has no background?
Being fluent in foreign languages is a thing of the past; in this life, she's just a country bumpkin. What if someone notices this and mistakes her for a spy?
So this matter has to be put on hold, at least until she starts night school.
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