After all this, it was almost noon. "Lingling, let's go to the state-run restaurant for lunch first, and we'll settle your job situation while we're at it. Once your food ration is transferred, you can come to work."
"Brother, shall we talk now? Maybe we can get a discount later?" Bu Ling said hesitantly.
“The price won’t drop much. I found out a month ago that this woman was selling jobs, and the fact that she hasn’t lowered the price means she’s not in a hurry at all.” Bu Yi felt it wasn’t worth it at all; what if someone beat her to it?
After thinking for a moment, Bling nodded in agreement, "I'll do as you say."
Bu Yi chuckled, quite pleased with her sister's trust. "Once we've settled on the work, we'll go make furniture and try our best to get your house ready before I return to my unit."
"I'll do whatever you say, brother." Buling felt incredibly happy to have someone arrange everything for her.
When the two arrived at the state-run restaurant, it was only a little past eleven o'clock, and there were only two or three people inside.
Today, the state-run restaurant still serves braised pork ribs, braised pork belly, and a steamed fish as a meat dish.
"Brother, should we just go directly to her?" Bu Ling asked in a low voice.
Bu Yi nodded. "There are fewer people here, so it'll be easier for us to talk." With that, he led Bu Ling toward the order window.
The waitress, without even looking up, asked, "What would you like to eat?" upon hearing footsteps.
Bu Yi cut to the chase, "Big sister, did you sell this job?" He asked in a very low voice.
The waitress suddenly looked up at the man and woman in front of her, sized them up, and noticed that they looked sincere and didn't seem to be joking. She pursed her lips and said, "Xiaoyu, can you keep an eye on things for me for a while? I have something to do and will be right back."
"Okay, Sister Zhang!" came a young man's voice from the kitchen.
Without hesitation, the waitress, Sister Zhang, came out of the window and said to the two of them, "Come out and talk."
Bu Ling and Bu Yi exchanged a glance and followed her to the outside of the state-run restaurant.
Sister Zhang led the two to a shady spot under a tree, and after they stopped, she asked, "You know the price I want, right?"
Bu Yi nodded. "We can afford a thousand yuan."
Sister Zhang was relieved and her face became warm. "Brother, I'm not trying to cheat you. Let me tell you about my job. You've all seen what the job entails. It's not tiring at all. And since I work in a state-run restaurant, any unsold vegetables are given to the employees. The food is pretty good too. Plus, the state-run restaurant provides lunch."
"Sister Zhang, what are the salary and benefits like working as a waitress in a state-run restaurant?" Bu Ling asked.
"The waiters at state-run restaurants are level seven workers, earning 32.5 yuan a month. They receive 45 jin of grain coupons, 2 jin of meat coupons, 30 jin of vegetable coupons, and 3 industrial vouchers every month. Holiday benefits are separate." Sister Zhang didn't hide anything and explained the benefits clearly.
She added, "Moreover, the work of waiters in state-run restaurants is only a bit tiring during mealtimes; it's quite easy at other times."
Bling nodded; it sounded like the perfect job she had in mind.
Bu Yi was also very satisfied. "Sister Zhang, when can we complete the transfer of ownership?"
When Sister Zhang heard them ask that, she immediately beamed with joy. "I'm available anytime. Just bring the money, and we'll transfer the property and exchange the money at the same time. That way, everyone can rest assured. My husband is also a soldier, so I won't cheat you soldiers."
"Thank you, Sister Zhang, but my sister's grain ration will take about a week to transfer. Do you think it would be okay if we transferred the property then?" Bu Yi asked. "We can pay you a deposit."
“Okay, no problem. I’m not in a hurry. It’s just that my husband is urging me. I can wait a week.” Sister Zhang said readily. Actually, her husband had been urging her to lower the price, but she kept putting it off.
After agreeing on the terms, Bu Yi took out a few bills from his jacket pocket and handed them to Sister Zhang: "Sister Zhang, this is one hundred yuan. Thank you for your help. I will give you the remaining nine hundred when we complete the property transfer."
Sister Zhang took the money and glanced at it, knowing the amount was correct. Without even counting it, she put it directly into her pants pocket. "Young man, don't worry, I keep my word. In seven days, bring your sister to transfer the property."
The two agreed to meet at the entrance of the state-run restaurant at 10 a.m. seven days later. Then Sister Zhang went back home, as she was very busy at lunchtime.
Watching Sister Zhang's figure disappear into the state-run restaurant, we said, "Lingling, let's go in and eat too."
"good!"
The two then went to a state-run restaurant and ordered steamed fish, braised pork, and six steamed buns.
When Buyi paid with the ticket, Sister Zhang smiled at him but didn't say anything.
After finishing their meal, Buyi drove Buling towards the direction where the troops were stationed.
"Lingling, have you decided what furniture you want to buy?" Bu Yi asked.
When Bling looked at the room, she had already planned it out, so she didn't hesitate: "The room isn't big. A double bed, a wardrobe, a table, and four stools should be enough." She actually wanted a screen, but considering the era, she gave up on that idea.
"Oh, right, I also want to change the lock, make some curtains, and get new bedding, toothbrushes, cups, bowls, chopsticks, and other things too," Buling said.
Bu Yi readily agreed: "Okay, I'll get everything ready for you today. I'll be away tomorrow, so you can stay in the family compound by yourself, okay?" He needed to go to the provincial capital to buy a bicycle for his sister.
"I'm fine, brother. What are you going to the provincial capital for?" Then, as if remembering something, he said, "I was just asking casually, you don't need to answer me." Soldiers have confidentiality regulations.
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