CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: THE TRIPLE INTERROGATION

"Director Chen, I appreciate your kindness, but before things are settled, let’s try to keep a low profile."

How could Director Chen not understand this logic? He was just very fond of Lin Xiang!

When Lin Xiang left Director Chen’s office, she found that the Niu Family trio was still there.

"Xiangxiang, let’s sit at a state-owned restaurant; Auntie will treat you to a meal!"

Lin Xiang smiled wryly, "Auntie, I ate a lot at your place just now, I really can’t eat more. Let’s just find a place to sit down."

The Niu Family didn’t live nearby and it wasn’t in the same direction as returning to the village, so coming and going would take a lot of time. Thus, the four of them agreed to find a small, less-populated park near the cotton spinning factory.

Shen Aihua pulled out a cowhide envelope from her handbag, "Here’s what you asked for, count it to see if it’s enough."

"Alright."

Lin Xiang opened the envelope in front of the Niu Family and took out the contents.

Eighty banknotes and a stack of tickets.

There were no grain tickets or meat tickets, but there were plenty of soap and sugar tickets.

"Auntie, perhaps Chef Shen misunderstood me and didn’t clearly explain. I didn’t mean to ask for 800 yuan and tickets. I meant that part of the money could be substituted with tickets. Please take this money back."

Shen Aihua waved her hand, "You child, being so polite with Auntie? My brother explained it clearly. I just thought these tickets wouldn’t be used at home, so I found some for you."

"But to be honest, though your Uncle Niu and I are both working, we have to feed three kids, and there are only so many grain and meat tickets each month. We really don’t have extras, so please don’t mind."

Grain and meat tickets are limited, so it’s normal that the Niu Family didn’t have any to spare.

Besides, Chef Shen said he’d occasionally get some meat for her; Lin Xiang certainly didn’t mind.

No matter what, Shen Aihua wouldn’t take the money, so Lin Xiang handed two banknotes back to Mr. Niu.

"Uncle, this is for the parts you helped me buy."

"Those parts aren’t worth this much money." Mr. Niu laughed, "Alright, it’s just a few cents, no need to be so formal. In the future, let’s treat our families like close relatives. You and Tiantian are around the same age, so you should keep in touch more often."

This is a society of personal connections where relationships are more important than money. If Lin Xiang insisted on keeping things so separate, it wouldn’t make Shen Aihua and Mr. Niu feel she was sensible, just that this child was too stubborn.

Especially given the relationship with Chef Shen.

"Then thank you, Auntie and Uncle. I’ll come visit when there’s a chance, but today I have to head home first."

"Go on then, remember to come over and play!"

After seeing Lin Xiang off, Shen Aihua said the same thing as Mr. Niu.

"Look at Lin Xiang, she’s about your age but already quite familiar with your director. I don’t expect you to be like her, but you should strive for progress on your own so you can climb up."

Niu Tiantian was indifferent, "What’s the rush to climb up so fast? A monthly salary of over thirty yuan is plenty, the job isn’t tiring, and after work, I can do other things."

"Mom, haven’t you always emphasized there’s nothing more important than our health? I have a good enough job, so you shouldn’t have too high expectations for me, or you might be disappointed."

Niu Tiantian spoke eloquently, leaving Shen Aihua unsure of how to respond.

She reached out and tapped Niu Tiantian’s forehead, "Oh, you!"

Lin Xiang reached the edge of town and happened to see the ox cart from the neighboring team. She spent a dime to have them pull her to the junction of the two teams, and then walked home from there.

Mrs. Lin happened to be home today, but she seemed to be in a bad mood, lying on the bed sighing.

"Mom, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I’ll get back at them for you!"

Mrs. Lin sighed heavily, "Who else could it be? It’s your Aunt Lin again!"

"What’s she up to this time?" Lin Xiang was angry, "Did she come over to bother you again today?"

"She didn’t come here; instead, she had your Uncle Lin call me over to her place! You wouldn’t believe it; it felt like a courtroom interrogation, with your Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin, and Aunt Lin all joining together to scold me, saying things like not considering family when there are benefits available!"

"Girl, are you really giving up that spot?"

Lin Xiang smiled, "I sold that spot for 800 yuan!"

"Really?" Mrs. Lin sat up straight from the bed, feeling suddenly better, and grabbed Lin Xiang’s hand tightly to confirm, "Girl, are you serious? You sold that job for 800 yuan?"

"Nope!" Lin Xiang removed Mrs. Lin’s hand, pulled up a chair to sit by the bed, and stared at her, "Can’t you see it yet? Those siblings don’t see you as family, so why bother?"

"It’s better to cut off such unequal family ties early! Yet you can’t bear to, leaving yourself constantly uneasy and uncomfortable. What are you really gaining from this?"

Mrs. Lin awkwardly, "They are still my family, after all."

"You consider them family, but they see you as a sucker! Aunt Lin has Yu Fang, and Aunt Lin’s and Uncle Lin’s families each have two daughters. If there really was such a job opportunity, if you gave it to Yu Fang, would Aunt Lin and Uncle Lin be comfortable with it?"

"Don’t look at me, I don’t have the ability to get four more positions for them!"

Mrs. Lin wanted a harmonious family, but others didn’t think the same!

Aunt Lin married into the neighboring team, but Aunt Lin and Uncle Lin were in the Li Hua Team and naturally were aware of Lin Xiang’s "glorious deeds."

Helping Yu Fang pressure Mrs. Lin for the position was just paving the way for their future exploitation of Lin Xiang.

The original Lin Xiang was a mama’s girl, and Mrs. Lin, overly attached to family ties, made her prone to being exploited.

But Lin Xiang wasn’t like her original self; how could she be exploited by them?

"My point remains, you and I are the real family. Not to mention, in the future when you grow old and can’t work, lying in bed needing care, who else but me and my brother will be willing to take care of you? Yu Fang? If she doesn’t loot what’s left at home, she wouldn’t be Yu! Relying on her is as likely as the sun rising in the west!"

"Back then, you listened to their instigation, thinking my brother was adopted and would be distant from you, always nitpicking him. But look, isn’t he the most filial now? He never goes against your wishes, but gives you every cent he earns!"

"But what have those siblings, nephews, and nieces done for you? Mom, everyone has a scale in their heart, and you need to weigh this carefully!"