Chapter 150150 Goodbye Anna & Big Dream of the Convenience Store...
Jin Yue really wanted to ask what Xu Duan gave her, but she had a hunch that neither Ge Hong nor Xu Duan would tell her, so who knows what kind of "deal" they had made. She suddenly remembered something. Didn't she recently ask Li Xuemei to help her recruit an assistant?
I've only interviewed a few people so far, but none of them are suitable for me. Ge Hong is a college student, so he can do the assistant job, right?
"Please help me with the schedule for the next few days. I don't have anything important to do here." In fact, she herself didn't know what an assistant needed to do. She could only take it one step at a time and ask the assistant to do whatever she remembered. If there were too many and complicated things to do in the later stage and Ge Hong couldn't handle it alone, she would quickly hire someone.
What she didn't know was that Li Xuemei was actually looking for an assistant for her today, and even went to a small alley in the west of the city for this purpose.
***
Xu Duan had to arrange this business trip very urgently. He had just recommended Ge Hong to Jin Yue. The next day, he packed his luggage, made simple arrangements for matters at both factories, and set off immediately. The factory in Shenzhen was handed over to Pan Wei and Xu Siqi. Just like before, he didn't go there often. The book city's factory is handed over to Wang Mingchao and several capable deputy factory directors, all of whom have been trained by him for many years and are capable of great use, so he can basically rest assured.
There's nothing I can do about being worried, I left too hastily.
This time, he did not go alone, but brought with him an old acquaintance of Jin Yue - Long Gongan.
Public Security Long has had a lot of contact with the Shu family in recent years because he feels guilty about Xiao Ping'an and always feels that he has not taken good care of the orphan of his old comrade-in-arms. He would come to see the child whenever he has time. His son Xiaolong also still remembers his "best deskmate". It is common for the children to run around and play. Sometimes when he comes to pick up the children after get off work, he will meet Xu Duan.
After a few visits, the two gradually became good friends. This time, Xu Duan was going to handle private matters, and Long Gongan was on a business trip. It was said that they met by chance... Well, Shu Jinyue didn't quite believe it.
She remembered that two days before she left, Xu Duan received a call from Hu Guizhi late at night. Hu Guizhi was now in charge of work in the industrial field, so there must be some connection between them, but she didn't want to be too curious.
She warned herself: Don't be too curious and don't meddle in things that are not your business.
As for Xu Duan's business trips, the elderly and children at home who didn't know the truth were used to it. "Xiao Xu is on a business trip again. He is going to the Northeast, right? Call him someday and ask him to bring back two mink coats for your mother. I heard they are very warm in winter."
Jin Yue agreed, and in order not to worry his family, he asked everyone as usual, "If you need anything else to bring, I'll tell him."
In fact, adults don’t want to buy anything, because the circulation of goods is very convenient and fast now, and you can also buy specialties from the Northeast in Shilan. As long as you are willing to spend money, you can still buy good and authentic ones.
The little moon giggled, "Beep, beep, beep, beep..."
Jin Yue knows that my daughter wants a small trumpet that can make a "beep" sound. When I took her to the park a few days ago, she saw other children playing with it.
It is said that before Xu Duan left last night, he kissed the two children merrily, hugged them and kissed them left, right, top and bottom, and even took several bites of their little pig's trotters. His reluctance was written all over his face. He said sadly that when he comes back, he doesn't know how old the children will be.
Shu Jinyue didn't know what else to say except to comfort him and hope he could go there smoothly and come back early. She was reluctant to let him go. If Public Security Long follows her, it means there will definitely be danger this time. She has no other requests, as long as he comes back safely.
***
No matter how worried he was, he had to continue working. When he arrived at the hospital the next day, Jin Yue had to cheer up, see patients in the morning and work in the afternoon.
She is even more famous now, and the registration fee has been raised very high. I thought all her old patients would abandon her, but more and more people are looking for her. They also have to register three days in advance, and those who can't get an appointment still come to ask for extra appointments.
Ge Hong comes in handy at times like this. Jin Yue asks her to go through the process with another young doctor to screen out those who really need extra numbers. Those with serious and urgent cases will be given special numbers, which are very expensive. If it's just ordinary cases, ask them to come and queue up earlier next time.
In this way, she saw fifty patients in the morning. It was almost one o'clock when she finished. Someone brought up two meals, and she and Ge Hong squatted in the office to eat. After eating, they rested for ten minutes because they had to work again in the afternoon.
She also prepared a foldable steel bed for Ge Hong in her room. It did not take up much space when folded up and could be opened when needed. Unfortunately, Ge Hong said he was not used to living in the same room with others and refused.
She can just sit on the sofa outside for a while.
Well, Jin Yue didn't force it. She had also realized that although Ge Hong looked ordinary, he was actually a very tough guy. She just didn't know why such a tough guy didn't become a police officer. It always seemed a bit of a pity.
"Dean, are you busy now?" Li Xuemei asked while standing at the door.
"Come in." Shu Jinyue yawned and wiped his face with a warm towel.
"As for the last time you were recruiting an assistant, can I recommend someone to you?" Li Xuemei said carefully.
Jin Yue is not opposed to internal referral. On the contrary, he quite likes this method. After more than a year of contact, Li Xuemei's ability to handle affairs and her character are very good. People always feel that "birds of a feather flock together". If she is good, then her friends will not be too bad either.
"Okay, tell me who you want to recommend first."
"She was a classmate of mine. To be precise, she wasn't really a classmate, but a classmate of my sister. She was a few years older than us, but she was a very nice person. My family wasn't well off before, and my sister and I were often hungry. She found out and secretly sent us food, saying that she couldn't eat and didn't like it. We were so stupid at that time that we actually believed her. Later, when we grew up, we realized, is there anyone in this world who doesn't like to eat white steamed buns?"
"For several years in a row, she invited us to her house to eat birthday cake on her birthday. When we were young, we didn't even have birthdays to celebrate. If we could just eat a bowl of noodles, we were from a very well-off family."
She went on and on about the kindhearted sister's deeds, emphasizing her kindness. "We gradually lost contact as we grew older. It wasn't until last year that I found out that she got married, had some family changes, and then got divorced. She had been alone for so many years. Then it seemed that her brother and sister-in-law also had an accident, leaving behind a little niece. She has been dependent on her little niece for the past few years."
It's just a few words, but it sounds quite bitter.
"Of course, I didn't recommend her simply because I sympathized with her situation, but because her abilities are indeed suitable for the position of assistant. Although she only graduated from high school, after the college entrance examination was resumed, she worked hard to be admitted to the Chinese Department of Shilan University. In the first two years, she failed the political review and was unable to go. It was not until the third time that she was finally admitted to Shilan Normal College to study Chinese."
Shu Jinyue was stunned, "Why not?"
"Her father was in jail for corruption and bribery."
Shu Jinyue was a little hesitant. Although her family would not be in trouble, as an employer, she was still a little hesitant.
"But I'm not trying to exonerate her. Last year, the truth was finally uncovered and she was vindicated. Her father was wrongly accused by the rebels. Her whole family never thought they were wronged. Her father had written them several letters, saying that he was wronged. Later... Alas, her father was too stubborn. Seeing that no one believed him, he died in prison to prove his innocence."
When she took the college entrance examination, her father was still alive. But when she entered college, her father was gone. Who would have thought that it would not take long before it was discovered that he was wrongly accused by the rebels.
"Since then, she felt guilty and was not in a good state. Not long after, her mother died of illness, and her brother and sister-in-law were in a car accident, leaving behind a seven-year-old niece. The two depended on each other for survival." Li Xuemei became sad when she said this. "When I learned about her experience, I kept thinking, how big a mistake can a person make to be so unlucky."
After hearing this, Shu Jinyue really wanted to meet this person. She has seen many miserable people. Those who come to see the doctor all have their own misfortunes. Even many people around her, Zhao Wanqiu, Qi Peilan, Yao Qingqing, Cui Guo, Kang Yuqiong, Ma Xiaomei... she can name many of them.
And these people are all living very well now, shining in their respective positions and doing what they love.
"If you have time, Dean, can you meet her and get to know her better? Regardless of whether it is suitable or not, please give her this chance first?" Li Xuemei pleaded.
"Okay, you decide when she's free."
"She...she's already here, at the door."
Soon, Shu Jinyue saw the woman who grew up in misery. What's more, she had seen this person before! Not only have we met, we've also had brief contact!
"Sister Anna?"
Who is Anna? She is the ex-wife of Shu Wenyun’s ex-boyfriend Liu Dong. At that time, Liu Dong and his son were attracted by the family background of the An family, so they abandoned Shu Wenyun and married Anna. Unexpectedly, later on, An's father was jailed for corruption and bribery, and he immediately divorced Anna. It was Secretary Liu who borne the blame for him for being snobbish and seeking to curry favor with the powerful.
Back then, Anna was talked about for a long time by Sister Qiao and others in the street office because she was too plump. Not long after her divorce, she lost a lot of weight. The first time Jin Yue met her was during the Spring Festival one year. Her mother was hospitalized due to unexplained heart palpitations, and she was introduced to her by someone.
Just like one of the thousands of patients she had met, Jin Yue's only interaction with her happened during that period of time. After An's mother recovered from her illness, they never met again.
And in all these years since we last met, she has experienced so many misfortunes. Shu Jinyue looked at her face which was obviously much more vicissitudes and older, and sighed in his heart. Fate is really hard to predict.
Anna used to be a typical little princess. She could eat any birthday cake she wanted. Her father held a high position and her mother was virtuous and family-oriented. Now, some of her supporters are dead or sick, and even her brother is gone. She is left alone to live with her little niece. Even Liu Dong could not have imagined that she would live like this.
Anna obviously didn't expect that the "President Shu" Li Xuemei had been referring to was Shu Jinyue, and she was stunned for a moment.
Li Xuemei was quite happy. Jin Yue could call out Anna's name, which meant they knew each other. This way, her chances of winning would be even greater. "Sister Anna, please introduce yourself to the dean."
Anna quickly put away her disappointment and coughed lightly, "Hello, President Shu, my name is Anna, and I am a graduate of the Chinese Department of Shilan Normal School, Class of 1984."
"Class of 1984, so they just graduated the year before last?"
"yes."
"Where have you worked in the past three years? What experience have you gained?"
"At first, I was assigned by the school to work as a cadre in the Health Bureau of a county town under Yangcheng City. Later, because my little niece couldn't adapt to the climate there and was often sick, I had to return to Book City... Xuemei should have told you about my situation. It was difficult for me to find a job with my child. Later, I worked as a reporter and editor at the Book City Newspaper, but the newspaper closed down last month, and I haven't found a suitable job yet."
With her talent, she was more than qualified to be admitted to Shilan University. She was admitted in the first two years. She was too afraid to take the risk in the third year, so she settled for a normal school. Her grades were excellent in her four years at university. After her father's case was rehabilitated, she was assigned to a good unit.
“How long have you worked at the Health Bureau?”
"One year and eight months, mainly in the Medical Administration Department, responsible for the management and supervision of medical units."
Shu Jinyue's eyes lit up. No wonder Li Xuemei had always said that she was suitable to be an assistant. It was indeed very rare for her to have this work experience. She had worked in the medical administration department and was familiar with the medical administration work process. One of the job responsibilities of Shu Jinyue's assistant was to be able to connect with the competent departments at all levels and perform various connecting tasks on behalf of her as the person in charge of the hospital.
Of course, another point is that she has a very good image.
Anna is of Soviet descent. Not only does she have fair skin, but her facial features are also very deep, making her look like a foreign movie star. Although she has aged a little in the past two years, her facial features and skin are still there. She is also tall and slim. From a boss's perspective, it is always good to have a good-looking assistant.
"Has Xuemei told you about my assistant's job responsibilities?"
"I can accept everything you said. It seems to be fine for now. If there is anything I don't understand later, I will actively ask for advice... Well, if I have this job opportunity."
Shu Jinyue nodded and talked about some salary issues. This was very tempting, but she still had a concern. "This job may require you to travel with me frequently, and you may need to work overtime temporarily, and it may take until midnight. If you have children at home, is it convenient?"
Anna thought for a moment and said, "I've actually been thinking about this recently. My niece is already ten years old and has some ability to take care of herself. I want to have a good talk with her and see if I can send her to a boarding school and pick her up on Saturday afternoon."
This is not a question of caring or not, it is a question of survival. If they can't find a job and have no income, they will have trouble eating. They may even have to sell the house left by their parents. But if that's the case, what will happen to their niece when she goes to college in the future? She may not consider herself, but she has to consider the child.
Therefore, the most urgent thing is to have a job. As for companionship, we can make long-term plans after we have settled down.
"Okay, then go back and discuss whether you can come, and give Li Xuemei a reply within three days."
As soon as she left, Ge Hong suddenly said, "Is this person left-handed? He is not born left-handed. His right hand was injured. He probably has never had a child. He is not from Shilan. He has Slavic ancestry."
Shu Jinyue didn't even know that her right hand was injured. "How did you know?"
"When she signed, she first used her right hand, which was a subconscious action, and then changed to her left hand. Her pelvis did not look like she had given birth to a child." As for her Slavic ancestry, that was very obvious, but most people would only think that she looked like a foreigner, but they didn't know which ethnicity she was.
After Ge Hong said these two sentences, she stopped talking and sat on the sofa silently practicing Qi. Jin Yue suspected that if the venue did not allow it, she would still want to sit cross-legged in meditation and finally perform a set of combination punches.
＊＊＊
When he returned home in the afternoon, Jin Yue had a sudden inspiration and asked Ge Hong to take a detour through Huaishu Hutong, and found that Sun Laoliu's convenience store had actually "come back to life".
Originally, their family opened the first small shop in the area, but they did not run their business properly and were not honest people. Later, when Xu Wenli opened a shop in Liuye Hutong, their business was completely wiped out. Sun Laoliu's wife even went back to argue with Xu Wenli twice, and only stopped after being scolded by Shu Wenming.
But ever since the Shu family moved to Jinyu Hutong and Xu Wenli wanted to open a new store there, Sun Laoliu's family became as excited as ever. They renovated the store and restocked the goods. The product categories were exactly the same as Wenli's store, and the prices were the same. The key point was that Sun Laoliu's wife stopped swearing, and they actually attracted some of the customers there. Now the store looks a bit "brand new".
"What? Do you know the owner of this restaurant?" Ge Hong stopped the car by the roadside.
"Yes, we used to be in the same compound."
"This family has bad character and is unhygienic."
"How do you know?"
Ge Hong pointed at Sun Laoliu who was sitting at the door and picking his feet. "He picked his feet to get popsicles for the two kids without washing his hands. At the same time, he used the foot towel to wipe the dust off the soy sauce pot."
Shu Jinyue looked at Sun Laoliu's chapped and smelly feet, and thought of how their family used to live in a pigsty, with a foul smell that could be smelled even from a distance. He felt nauseous, "You have such a strong sense of observation, and you always notice details that ordinary people don't notice. Isn't it painful?"
"It's okay, just pick the clean ones yourself."
Well, but Shu Jinyue did have an idea. Judging from the character of Sun Laoliu's family, it might not last long. It would not take long for the good things to happen. If the second sister-in-law's store was withdrawn by then, it would be a pity to abandon such a big market.
Don’t underestimate this small shop of more than a dozen square meters. Wen Li works there all day long. She goes home to eat, help her children with their homework, and can also take care of emergencies at home. It seems that this "class" is dispensable, but the income is considerable. When things are good, she can earn thousands of yuan a month!
Thousands of dollars is nothing. Jinyue is hiring an assistant and offering him three hundred dollars, which is already a truly high salary in the market. My second sister-in-law earns so much without saying anything. It would be a pity if she gave up this small shop.
After returning home, Jin Yue mentioned his idea to his second brother and his wife, "Why don't we keep the Wenli store in Liuye Hutong open?"
"But if it's not closed, your second brother said it's inconvenient for me to go there every day to go to get off work. I can't ask someone to look after it, right?"
Shu Wenming replied, "It's not impossible. The income can fully cover the workers' wages anyway."
"But, it's just a small shop. It feels a bit wasteful to hire workers. I can't bear to spend the profits on hiring people."
Shu Jinyue laughed, "Then let's go big."
Just like when she said she wanted to open a hemodialysis center, everyone advised her to do it on a large scale; the same thing happened when my second sister-in-law opened a small convenience store. "Second brother must know that it is popular to open supermarkets in foreign countries now."
Shu Wenming certainly knew about this, and he had even had this idea in mind a long time ago. He just couldn't bear to see his wife being too tired.
“Let’s just open a bigger store. Second sister-in-law won’t have to go to work every day. She can just hire people to sell the products. The monthly profit can completely cover the workers’ wages and make a small profit.” At least, in the next twenty years, when online shopping is not popular, running a supermarket can make money.
Even in the age of convenient online shopping, there are many things that cannot be replaced by online shopping. For many daily necessities, kitchen consumables and snacks, when people are "waiting to eat/use", they prefer to go to physical supermarkets to buy them. Many supermarkets can still make profits and survive. There are even many supermarkets that integrate online and offline shopping and are able to grow bigger and stronger and open up all over the country.
"Wait, Jin Yue, what do you mean by supermarket?" Xu Wenli felt her heart beating a little faster.
"To put it simply, it means expanding your small store again and again. For example, the condiments in the store before were only soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and MSG, right? When opening a supermarket, you can put this type of product in a special area, divided into condiment area, toiletries area, clothing area, snack area, kitchenware area, etc. In a single condiment area, we can sell MSG, salt, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, bean paste, soybean paste and many other products. For the same product, you can also add different manufacturers and brands. For example, for soy sauce, most people in the bookstore have been eating soy sauce from Factory No. 3. We can purchase some from Factory No. 1 and Factory No. 2. They each have their own advantages and their own loyal customer base." Otherwise, it would not have existed for so many years.
Xu Wenli's eyes lit up. "Yes! In the past, people always said that the soy sauce from the second factory was not tasty and too salty. They asked me why I didn't buy the one from the first factory. The one from the first factory was more fragrant and not salty. I thought that there wouldn't be enough space. Now that you put it that way, it's true. If we buy more soy sauce from different manufacturers, not only will the neighbors have more choices, but our profits will also be more substantial, right?"
She knew that for the same product, different manufacturers would offer different purchase prices and different profits. Generally, old state-owned factories would have higher cost prices and thinner profits, while emerging small private factories and township enterprises would have lower cost prices and higher profits.
Shu Wenming was quite happy to see the two of them talking so enthusiastically. He liked his wife to spend more time with Jin Yue and not hang out with those gossipy women in the alley, who kept talking about this and that all day long. Those people couldn't stand to see them doing well and always urged Wenli to give money to her brother from her natal family.
If Wen Li hadn't been able to tell the difference, he would have wanted to curse. Is there any necessary connection between their having money and helping their brother-in-law? They can just throw their unspendable money into the water and no one will care, let alone that brother-in-law!
"Open it, just open it, and find something for Wenli to do."
Wen Li pouted when she heard this. "What are you talking about? You dislike me for eating white rice, right?"
"No way, my wife can eat white rice and still be plump and white."
"Hate it, Jin Yue is still here, what nonsense are you talking about."
Shu Jinyue: “…” Do you still remember that I’m still here? Your combined ages are almost ninety, okay? !
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
