The woman raised her head and looked at Shumei with disdain.
"Yeah! She's quite young, but she has a child with her. How can she have time to help take care of my nephew? My cousin and her husband had a son in their old age. He's a treasure, and we can't let anything go wrong with him."
After hearing what the wife said, the cousin turned around and asked Shumei in a skeptical tone, "Shumei, can you take care of the child?"
"Madam, don't worry, the child is very well behaved. I will be fine. I just don't know what to do."
Shumei didn't want her aunt to pass on the message, so she asked the lady sitting there directly.
"Nothing much. My cousin's husband and his family run a paper mill in the county town. The factory smells too bad, and they don't get home until late at night, so they had no choice but to send the child back to my parents' home in town. But my uncle and aunt are both in their sixties, their eyesight isn't very good, and their legs and feet aren't very nimble, so they want to hire a nanny to look after the child's daily life, cook three meals a day for the two elderly people, and do some laundry and so on."
This woman looked a little arrogant on the surface, but her words were not as sarcastic as Shumei had imagined. Her tone was very gentle, making her seem easy to get along with.
"Madam, this is all fine. I will definitely do it well. There's nothing I can do with the children."
Shumei had finally found this opportunity, so how could she let it go? She tried her best to assure the woman that there was nothing wrong with her.
The woman picked up the phone on the table and called her cousin.
"Hey! Cousin, I've found someone for you. He's quite young, but he has a baby of two or three months old."
After the wife finished speaking, she listened carefully to the other party's reply, and kept nodding and making "oh" and "ah" sounds in response.
"Okay, then I'll ask. If she agrees, I'll drive her to your husband's house."
…
"Okay, sister, goodbye!"
The two talked for a long time before the woman put down the phone. During this time, because her daughter was clamoring to speak to her cousin, she winked and had her cousin take her out to play. Shumei was left standing there, foolishly waiting for her to speak.
"Sit down! What are you standing there for?"
The lady put down the phone and asked Shumei to sit down. Looking at the spotless sofa and then at her own clothes, she didn't dare to sit down, for fear of dirtying the sofa.
"No, I can just stand."
"My cousin said she'll provide food and lodging for 100 yuan a month, but there's a condition: you can't bring your child. She said the two children are about the same age, and if both cry, would you have the heart to leave your own alone to comfort hers? So, she absolutely doesn't agree to you bringing the children. Just give me your word! If it's okay, I'll drive you there."
The lady repeated her cousin's words to Shumei exactly as they said and asked her whether she wanted to go or stay.
100 yuan? What a tempting offer! Such a good thing, Shumei couldn't find it even with a lantern! How could she bear to miss such a good opportunity?
But, but, but what about the child? Should I send her back to her grandmother once again? She's so close to her, but I can't fulfill my motherly duties and watch her grow up day by day.
Besides, it was me who was so shameless as to snatch the child away from him. Even if I ask my mother for help now, she may not be willing to help take care of the child.
Shumei was in a dilemma again. Seeing that Shumei didn't say anything, the lady urged, "Don't just stand there like an idiot. Say something!"
"Madam, please help me explain. I really need this job, but I have to take care of the child. Otherwise, I wouldn't know if she was hungry or cold. I promise that I will put the master's child first and will never let the master's child suffer any grievances because of taking care of my own child."
Shumei begged the other party desperately, with a sincere look on her face.
Seeing that the other party was unmoved, she continued to beg, "How about, let me try first. If they are satisfied, it won't be too late to keep me. I can do anything..."
The lady read something in Shumei's eyes that softened her heart, and she finally compromised and agreed to plead for Shumei again.
She called her cousin again, told her what Shumei wanted, and said a few good words on her behalf. Finally, the cousin agreed to let Shumei try the job for a week. During the trial period, she would not receive any salary, but would provide food and lodging.
Shumei was so excited after hearing this that she thanked the lady repeatedly.
"Okay, go wait in the yard first. I'll go change clothes inside and take you there."
The lady said to Shumei while removing the hairpin on her head.
"Yes! Thank you, ma'am. Thank you so much. I'll help you take it down!"
Shumei thanked her while helping the lady remove the hair bar. Seeing Shumei's cleverness, the lady smiled with satisfaction.
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