It was already 2 a.m. when they walked back. Ma Hehua went into the house and fell asleep immediately.
Old Man Li couldn't sleep, and neither could Old Woman Li; it was truly a thrilling day.
"Let's rest tomorrow and talk about it then! I won't go soliciting customers for now," Old Man Li said to Old Woman Li.
"Yes! Old man, this matter is really dangerous. If anything happens to you, how will I live?" Old Mrs. Li trembled all over.
"Don't think about it anymore, go to sleep! Tomorrow I'll buy some meat and thank them properly."
"Of course."
This time, Old Lady Li had nothing to say.
At five o'clock in the morning, Old Man Li and Old Woman Li got up. Old Woman Li took a broom and swept the small yard, while Old Man Li packed a few strings of coins and went out.
The three members of the Ma family would never get up that early; eight o'clock was the absolute limit.
However, Ma Linghua remembered that she still needed to go to the Song family to apply for a job!
When the three of them got up at around nine o'clock in the morning, they were stunned when they saw the white rice and twice-cooked pork on the table.
"What's going on? Is it a holiday?" Ma Hehua asked.
Old Mrs. Li looked a little embarrassed; her attitude had indeed been rather poor these past few days.
Just then, Old Man Li came in with the wine. Seeing the three of them swallowing hard as they looked at the meat, he hurriedly said, "Young ladies, this is a thank you gift for saving me last night. It's just simple food, please make do!"
He was talking to Ma Linghua. He hadn't expected that this young woman, who looked so young, would have such an old daughter and a younger one. She was clearly no ordinary person.
“Alright! I’m used to eating big, meaty meals, so a little simple food won’t hurt,” Ma Linghua said honestly.
Old Man Li: "……………………"
He didn't know that this was really just simple food for Ma Linghua and the others, but they had eaten it before and hadn't thought anything of it.
The three of them ate incredibly fast, devouring the food like a whirlwind.
Old Li poured himself a glass of wine, looked up, and was dumbfounded: where were the dishes?
Old Mrs. Li was dumbfounded. Was this... a reincarnation of a starving ghost?
If it doesn't taste good, eat less; if it tastes good, eat more. For them, eating is all about speed.
Wiping her mouth, Ma Linghua stood up and smiled slightly, "Uncle Li, thank you for your hospitality! We have other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."
Ma Hehua patted her bottom and followed her mother. Ma Lihua stood up and followed as well. In the blink of an eye, all three of them disappeared.
Old Li held a glass of wine in his hand, finding it hard to swallow. There wasn't even any food; what was he going to drink with it?
Old Mrs. Li moved her lips slightly and said softly, "I'll make you some noodles! Xiao An brought them from the factory."
"Alright!"
Old Li downed the wine in his hand in one gulp.
Old Li's son, Li An, works at the Nancheng No. 1 Textile Factory, which was newly established and whose machinery was all imported from abroad. I heard that there are quite a few investors, including foreigners.
Ang Lee rarely goes home; he works in a factory where he is paid by piecework. The more he does, the more he earns, and the less he does, the less he earns. Moreover, the quality of his work must be up to standard.
The three members of the Ma family looked at the vermilion gate, with two stone lions at the entrance, two iron rings on the door, and tall, thin servants standing at the door. This kind of grandeur clearly indicated that the family was wealthy and powerful.
The plaque reads "Song Mansion" in large characters, and the high walls and rows of willow trees along the walls make it look very grand.
"Mother, how do we get in?" Ma Hehua asked.
"What's the rush? You wait here with Lihua, I'll go ask." Ma Linghua straightened her old cotton coat that she had found; it had no patches, but it looked clean and tidy.
She had her hair styled in a neat bun, looking like someone in their forties.
As she approached the door, she asked, "Young man, I heard the Song family is hiring. I'd like to give it a try. Is your manager here?"
The two men were taken aback. This old woman was really bold. Everyone else would watch from afar and ask someone they knew, but she came to inquire herself.
The two men sized her up, and one of them, a man with narrow eyes, said, "Wait here, I'll go and call the manager."
Watching him open the door a crack and go inside, Ma Linghua glanced at the other man and said warmly, "Young man, you're really handsome! You've been working here for a while, haven't you?"
The man looked up at her, sized up Ma Linghua, adjusted his hat, and chuckled, "You haven't been doing this for very long, only about a year!"
"Um, how much do you get paid per month?"
"Salary? What is salary?"
Ma Linghua immediately changed her tune, saying, "Monthly allowance."
The man thought for a moment, "Two silver dollars a month, I suppose! Sometimes the master will give me a little more if he's in a good mood."
It seems that warlords are in power now; they're even using silver dollars.
Soon, the squinty-eyed man led out a man who looked to be about fourteen years old. He had a mustache and stared at Ma Linghua, noting that she was petite, dressed neatly, and didn't look very old.
How old are you?
The man's voice was very calm and steady.
"40 years old." Ma Linghua lowered her head, and although she was wearing a cotton-padded jacket, she had a very good figure.
"Come in with me!"
Ma Linghua followed the man into the Song residence and sent a telepathic message to Ma Hehua, telling her to take her daughter back first and they would talk when she returned.
Upon entering the Song residence, Ma Linghua immediately sensed a chilling atmosphere.
She kept her head down, but her mind was on the aura. Having been in contact with many ghosts, this chilling feeling was all too obvious.
However, Ma Linghua did not look around indiscriminately. She tried her best to control her curiosity and kept her gaze lowered at all times.
These houses from the Republican era are truly unique; from the moment you step through the gate, their distinctive style and atmosphere immediately come to life.
The vermilion pillars, the carved doors and windows, and the bluestone-paved path all showcased the Song family's splendor and wealth.
The man walking in front had a steady gait, wore a dark long robe, and had a tall and upright figure; he seemed to be in charge.
Ma Linghua slightly raised her head to look at his back, but she could still feel the majesty and competence emanating from him.
She followed in his footsteps without falling behind, and had no idea where he was taking her.
Ma Linghua quickened her pace unconsciously, keeping up with the man's rhythm.
The surrounding scenery flashed by in her peripheral vision, but she had no time to appreciate it, her mind filled with doubt.
Passing through archways and winding through corridors, Ma Linghua felt as if she were in a maze.
A gentle breeze carried a faint scent of sandalwood, its origin unknown.
Her mind was entirely focused on the mysterious steward ahead, and she wondered how much longer they would have to walk. This Song mansion was truly enormous.
When he saw a Buddhist temple, the man stopped in front of a tightly closed door next to it.
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