When Cheng Yue arrived at the village head's house, she happened to find the whole family there, seemingly discussing the wheat harvest.
Although the door was open, Cheng Yue still knocked on it.
Madam Feng spotted Cheng Yue immediately and stood up to greet her warmly, "Cheng Yue, come in and sit down!"
Seeing that she wasn't carrying anything this time, I breathed a sigh of relief.
That day, the old man came back from the mountain carrying a wine jar and a bag of meat. If this continued, he wouldn't be able to repay the favors he owed.
Every time Cheng Yue comes, she brings valuable things, and now they are afraid when they see her.
Of course, aside from the village head, he was both afraid and looking forward to it.
He had figured out Cheng Yue; she only came to his door for good things.
With the whole family present, Cheng Yue called them over one by one, and after they sat down, she asked directly, "Uncle Village Head, I came to ask you, who in our village is literate and can do arithmetic?"
I'm looking to hire a helper for my shop. It doesn't need to be complicated accounting; just someone who can collect money correctly.
Before the village head could speak, Zhang Dashan's wife, Qian Yulan, visibly brightened up.
“Cheng Yue, Shaowen is literate. He attended school for two months when he was a child.”
Apart from Chen Gen from Chen Ping's family, who is still in school, the only other literate children are Zhang Shaowen, the eldest son of Chen Ping and Zhang Dashan, and two other children from the village.
When we sent our children to school, it wasn't for the sake of pursuing fame and fortune. We just hoped that if they could write and calculate, they could find an easy and respectable job when they grew up.
You don't have to be like them, toiling in the fields with your back to the sky, just to make a living.
However, Zhang Shaowen didn't know what happened, but after only two months of study, he refused to go anymore no matter what.
They are clearly smart and learn things quickly, but when asked again, they always say they are afraid of spending money.
The child is stubborn and refuses to go no matter what, so there's nothing they can do even though they're disappointed.
Now that Cheng Yue has asked about this good opportunity to become a shop assistant, Qian Yulan couldn't help but shout it out.
The village head glared at her and said, "Eldest daughter-in-law, what nonsense are you talking about? This is about settling accounts and collecting money; it's not a small matter."
He knew it was a good thing, and he was tempted, but there were two other people in the village who had studied with Zhang Shaowen. He couldn't let good things happen and only think about his grandson.
This will let the villagers know what they'll say about this village head; isn't he blatantly taking advantage of his position?
Zhang Dashan glared at her, and Qian Yulan could only purse her lips and remain silent. She had only spoken carelessly and had no other intentions.
Cheng Yue ignored the subtle commotion among the others; she simply wanted to find a suitable candidate, and it didn't matter who it was. She simply said:
"Uncle Village Head, besides Shao Wen, who else in the village can read?"
Of course, just being literate isn't enough. To run a food business, you also need to be clean, healthy, and most importantly, of good character.
Sitting to the side, Zhang Shaowen held his breath, raised his eyes and glanced at the village head, then quickly lowered his head again.
He knew his grandfather's concerns.
The village headman didn't mince words and immediately named names, "Zhang Fubao from Zhang Datou's family and Liu Jinsheng from Liu Youcai's family are both educated."
But as they talked, she realized something was off. Cheng Yue said that he needed to be healthy, clean, and have good character.
Finding a helper for the shop is a big deal. If something goes wrong, wouldn't he be harming Cheng Yue?
After thinking for a moment, I had no choice but to talk about the situation of the two families. "There are some things I need to make clear to you. The two children are fine, but their parents are a bit hard to talk about."
Zhang Datou used to be a gambler, which was also the reason Zhang Fubao dropped out of school, but he has changed his ways now.
Liu Jinsheng's father is fine, it's just that his mother is a bit unreasonable and argumentative.
Qian Yulan almost laughed out loud when she heard this. "Father, what you said is not accurate. Zhang Datou was unable to leave because he couldn't pay back his debts and his foot was chopped off. How could he have reformed?"
People who gamble are never going to change.
And what a talented wife! You're actually praising her for being unreasonable!
"The reason Jin Sheng had to drop out of school was because his mother went to the school every day to cause trouble, which angered the teacher so much that he sent Jin Sheng home and refused to take him back!"
After saying that, Qian Yulan puffed out her chest and said, "In the end, it's only her Shao Wen who's suitable."
See? The parents are useless; even when good things come their way, they can't handle them.
I won't say anything else, but I would never hold my child back. In that respect, they can't compare.
The village head remained silent this time; after all, it was the truth, and what else could he say?
After considering everyone, it seems only his grandson is suitable. He's a good person and reliable, and apart from being a bit stubborn, he has no other problems.
They are all reasonable people in their family. Qian Yulan is a bit outspoken, but she is honest and kind-hearted.
The village head is confident in meeting these requirements.
Cheng Yue's lips twitched after hearing this; what a family that was utterly depraved.
With a gambling father and a troublesome mother, she'd be in real trouble if things got out of hand.
Even if a child from such a family is exceptionally good, she wouldn't want him/her. It's not that she looks down on them, but she simply can't afford to take the risk.
"What else is there to choose from?" Cheng Yue shook her head and looked at the children sitting next to her. She didn't recognize Zhang Shaowen and couldn't tell who was who for a moment.
Qian Yulan keenly noticed Cheng Yue's gaze and said excitedly, "Sister Cheng Yue, I'm not just bragging, but Shaowen is honest and learns things quickly. The teacher used to praise him a lot!"
And one more thing, don't worry, we parents will absolutely not interfere in our children's affairs!
If you really can hand him over to us, you can manage him however you want, and we won't say another word!
Shaowen, what are you doing with your head down? Come over and sit closer so your Aunt Cheng Yue can have a good look at you!
Qian Yulan's words sound just like what some parents say when they hand their children over to teachers.
The language used throughout history has become the same, and Cheng Yue couldn't help but smile.
Zhang Shaowen was already a little embarrassed, but Qian Yulan's shout made him blush even more.
But he also knew that this might be his only chance, and he couldn't afford to miss it.
Mustering her courage, she stood up. "Aunt Cheng Yue, I can do math. I haven't wasted my years of schooling. If you think I can do it, I'd like to give it a try!"
The family smiled with satisfaction. The child, who was usually quiet, had shown some insight today and knew to fight for what he wanted.
After I stopped going to school, I was depressed for quite a while before I recovered.
The thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy had bright, clear eyes, and Cheng Yue felt an instant connection with him.
Actually, the children sitting next to me are all good; you can tell they're kind at a glance.
The village head's family is harmonious; it's hard for them to raise bad children.
Cheng Yue smiled with satisfaction, "Okay, come with us to the shop tomorrow and give it a try."
"Aren't you going to test me?" Zhang Shaowen stared wide-eyed in disbelief. How could Aunt Cheng Yue agree so readily, when she clearly knew that he had only studied for two months?
Cheng Yue raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You said you would keep your word, so of course I believe you."
She trusted the character of the village head's family; they were either right or wrong, and they wouldn't lie.
Besides, we have to put it to the test to see what it's really made of. Why don't we try it tomorrow and see?
"Thank you, Aunt Cheng Yue, for believing in me."
Zhang Shaowen felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. When he dropped out of school, his excuses about being afraid of spending money were just that—excuses. It was Chen Gen who led the bullying.
Even if only one person believed him at the time, he would not drop out of school.
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